Racquet suggestion pls!

[TheSouthPaw]

Hi,

Looking for a suggestion for a racquet here. I'm a 3.0 Lefty, currently using a MG Radical MP, stock..

I am looking for a good racquet that can give me good spin, power, while still maintaining some control.

I'm pretty small, only about 5'9", so I could use any help power and consistency wise so I can improve my game. I am currently working on fitness, but I find in matchplay that my shots just dont have enough on them to trouble most opponents. I want to be offensive styled player (kinda like James Blake but more consistent) and I would like some help from you guys

Any suggestions good, both current and older racquets, and price is no issue. I can answer any other questions you might have.

 

[TheSouthPaw]

No replies?

Can anyone help me out here?

 

[DownTheLine]

Try the Prince Black, Head Speed Elite, and the Radical Light

 

[ahmad.saidy1990]

try the BLX 6.1 95 16x18 or 18x20

 

[Anton]

Hi,
I am looking for a good racquet that can give me good spin, power, while still maintaining some control.

How about MG Radical MP?

If you want to try something with more power try the YT Extreme PRO or Bab Pure Drive

 

[Fuji]

Haha your a half inch taller then me! Your not that short! LOL! You could always add some lead tape to add some plow through on your shots.

How often do you come to the net/play doubles? I started using my monster stick when I was about a 2.5-3.0 because I play(ed) a ton of doubles.

-Fuji

 

[DownTheLine]

Haha your a half inch taller then me! Your not that short! LOL! You could always add some lead tape to add some plow through on your shots.

How often do you come to the net/play doubles? I started using my monster stick when I was about a 2.5-3.0 because I play(ed) a ton of doubles.

-Fuji

5-9 isn't short? huh?

 

[prjacobs]

As a fellow lefty, I think that you may want to look at open string patterns. Lefty spin is a great weapon to utilize. I know.... Many people will say that you can get good spin with any frame, which is basically true, but I own and have used a MG radical MP a lot, and it's not as spin friendly as sticks with a more open pattern. Given your level, I might look at the London, or the new dunlop boimimetic 300, which both generate a lot of spin and get great reviews.
Personally, I loved the K6.1 95 16X18, but I didn't find it had great control.
If you want a boost in power, I've been using the dunlop 4D 500 tour, which for me, has the best control of any powerful tweener stick. Tons of spin.
Good luck.... Remeber.... Lefties are the macs in a pc world.....

 

[TheSouthPaw]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I am looking for more power than a stock MG Radical MP has, but I also want to use a racquet with a low sw so i can maximize racquet speed.

I had already considered the Bio300, as well as the AG500T, but never the BB London.

I dont venture forward except for finishing volleys, which are more feel/drop volleys than punch volleys. I had also considered the Extreme, but the MP not the Pro..

Of all the ones suggested, which should i demo first?

 

[TheBoom]

Biomimetic 300 then the ag 4d 500 tour and the extreme pro all are amazing in their own way

 

[Fuji]

Bahaha okay, 5'9 is a tiny bit short...

I agree with the Bio 300. Basically Dunlop is going to be your friend here. A "tweener" stick is also going to help you!

-Fuji

 

[prjacobs]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I am looking for more power than a stock MG Radical MP has, but I also want to use a racquet with a low sw so i can maximize racquet speed.

I had already considered the Bio300, as well as the AG500T, but never the BB London.

I dont venture forward except for finishing volleys, which are more feel/drop volleys than punch volleys. I had also considered the Extreme, but the MP not the Pro..

Of all the ones suggested, which should i demo first?

The 4D 500 tour is almost an ounce heavier than the AG 500. It's a totally different animal. That's the one I play with....

 

[Anton]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I am looking for more power than a stock MG Radical MP has, but I also want to use a racquet with a low sw so i can maximize racquet speed.

I had already considered the Bio300, as well as the AG500T, but never the BB London.

I dont venture forward except for finishing volleys, which are more feel/drop volleys than punch volleys. I had also considered the Extreme, but the MP not the Pro..

Of all the ones suggested, which should i demo first?

Why not bab pure drive?

BTW, low swing weight does not really maximize swing speed given proper technique - if you want to improve I'd suggest going higher swing weight.

I don't think anyone should be playing with SW less then 320.

 

[TheSouthPaw]

Why not bab pure drive?

BTW, low swing weight does not really maximize swing speed given proper technique - if you want to improve I'd suggest going higher swing weight.

I don't think anyone should be playing with SW less then 320.

I dont really get much feel using this. too stiff.

And I'm leaning more and more towards the 300..

but quick question, which 300, (Mfil, AG, AG4d, Bio), is the best? I would be willing to trade some other racquets for a pair of these.

 

[Anton]

I dont really get much feel using this. too stiff.

And I'm leaning more and more towards the 300..

but quick question, which 300, (Mfil, AG, AG4d, Bio), is the best? I would be willing to trade some other racquets for a pair of these.

I liked AG4D best, didn't try bio

 

[TheSouthPaw]

I have another question regarding pure drives.

I am not terribly strong (might even be considered weak), but I was starting to consider the idea of the Pure drive lines.

Which would be a better choice for someone with only medium strokes.. the PD, PD+, PDR, PDR+?

I want to maximize my firepower here, but I also dont want something I can't control with medium strokes.. I can add a fair amt of spin, and my arm can take any poly except Pro Red Code..

so what do you think would be best?

 

[Fuji]

I use the regular pure drive as my backup, and I have stupidly fast/long strokes, and I have to use a bit of extra spin to rein in the power. If your shots are a bit on the weaker side, from my experience, the pure drive would be your friend.

-Fuji

 

[Anton]

I have another question regarding pure drives.

I am not terribly strong (might even be considered weak), but I was starting to consider the idea of the Pure drive lines.

Which would be a better choice for someone with only medium strokes.. the PD, PD+, PDR, PDR+?

I want to maximize my firepower here, but I also dont want something I can't control with medium strokes.. I can add a fair amt of spin, and my arm can take any poly except Pro Red Code..

so what do you think would be best?

PD.

P.S. I see 7-8 year boys bash the crap out of the ball - it's not in the strength - it is in the technique. Stop messing around with very light frames and learn how to use swing weight to make power.

 

[Cup8489]

PD.

P.S. I see 7-8 year boys bash the crap out of the ball - it's not in the strength - it is in the technique. Stop messing around with very light frames and learn how to use swing weight to make power.

Most 7-8 year old boys play with very light frames despite their good technique.. what's wrong with the frames everyone's suggested? Not everyone likes super heavy frames and super high sw.. I'm starting to doubt my own setup since It is such a club.. some people like being able to play 5+ sets in a day with a frame that can help them out..

Isn't the basic rule to play with whatever lets you win the most easily without sacrificing good form? These medium weight frames sound pretty good for someone of that size..

 

[TennisCJC]

I would try something around 11 to 11.5 OZ, with a SW between 315 and 335. Someone above also suggested an open string pattern and that would help with lefty spin shots such as topspin to the righty backhand or slice wide to the righty backhand. String 2 lbs below the recommended mid-point with nylon (syn gut or multi) in string tension and adjust down for more pop (carry off the string bed) and up for more control/spin. If you use poly strings go 4 lbs below the mid-point and adjust from there.

Stay clear of super light rackets with a SW below 315 grams. These don't offer the power or stability you need for an improving player. These suggestions are not too heavy for you and light rackets are OK for total beginners and small children. Beyond that level, you should get a decent racket and that means a decent SW. Even pros that play with rackets under 11 oz in static weight usually still have a SW 330+. Williams sisters and Carlos Moya are good examples - lite rackets with 350+ SW due to HH balance. Remember, force = mass * speed, or power = SW of racket times speed of racket. SW of 320+ is better for your body too as the mass takes more shock instead of your arm and body. I prefer balance 4 pts HL or more with SW 315+, flexibility 66 or below, and 16x18, 16x19 or 16x20 string pattern. You can use the TW racket finder tool to enter these specs and get a list of rackets to demo.

Wilson BLX Pro Open
Bab Aeropro Drive GT

The Wilson BLX is not quite as stiff as the Bab ADGT and I think the Wilson might be a bit better due to the flexibility.

However, your MG Rad Mid+ is a good racket. You could try adding 2 grams lead at 3 o'clock, 2 grams at 9 o'clock, and 4 grams under the grip or in the butt cap to maintain balance to add more power. Lead tape is a lot cheaper than a new racket. You could increase the weight at each point by increments of 1 gram to add more stability and power too.

Be sure to demo before you buy.

 

[Anton]

Most 7-8 year old boys play with very light frames despite their good technique.. what's wrong with the frames everyone's suggested? Not everyone likes super heavy frames and super high sw.. I'm starting to doubt my own setup since It is such a club.. some people like being able to play 5+ sets in a day with a frame that can help them out..

Isn't the basic rule to play with whatever lets you win the most easily without sacrificing good form? These medium weight frames sound pretty good for someone of that size..

LOL 315 sw of your racket is low, for you to complain that it is a "club" tells me your technique is all kinds of wrong. I can play all day long with my 340 SW racket not because I'm very strong or anything but because I use that weight's inertia to make power instead of trying to muscle it with my arm.

Your basic rule should not be to win, but to get better. Stick with sound advice and you'll get better and then you'll win.

There is nothing wrong with your racket but if you want something stiffer try PD.

 

[prjacobs]

You've got to demo. Personally, I found the PD to be an unresponsive club. And it's not technique. The PDR also fell short for me.
TW's demo program will let you try 4 frames for a week. Have fun.

 

[markmdfw]

I am also a small lefty and looking for a new stick, I am going to try a couple, the prokennix ki5x, the 03 exo tours prince, and volkl pb 9, and yonex 200.

Good luck southpaw

 

[Cup8489]

LOL 315 sw of your racket is low, for you to complain that it is a "club" tells me your technique is all kinds of wrong. I can play all day long with my 340 SW racket not because I'm very strong or anything but because I use that weight's inertia to make power instead of trying to muscle it with my arm.

Your basic rule should not be to win, but to get better. Stick with sound advice and you'll get better and then you'll win.

There is nothing wrong with your racket but if you want something stiffer try PD.

erm, my swingweight is 346... 315 feels too whippy to me.. and my frame is probably close to half an ounce heavier and lower powered than yours.. so while you may be able to make good use of that higher SW, I find that I'm at my upper limit for racquet speed with this setup. It's great on serves, but currently my strength level doesn't allow me to play comfortably through 3 full sets with it.. and so in full matches I often play with my customized radical which also has a 346 sw.

 

[Anton]

erm, my swingweight is 346... 315 feels too whippy to me.. and my frame is probably close to half an ounce heavier and lower powered than yours.. so while you may be able to make good use of that higher SW, I find that I'm at my upper limit for racquet speed with this setup. It's great on serves, but currently my strength level doesn't allow me to play comfortably through 3 full sets with it.. and so in full matches I often play with my customized radical which also has a 346 sw.

I thought you were the original poster with stock Rad MP talking about how its too heavy.

Obviosuly at some point the weight becomes too much but eveyone should be able handle 320 SW just fine.

 

[TheSouthPaw]

I have another question, what about Head Liquidmetal 4? Seems like it would be a good racquet in stock form, would i get good pace and spin with this frame but still be able to control it?

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_Liquidmetal_4/descpageRCHEAD-LM4.html

 

[Fuji]

Possibly, but it is a bit head heavy, it's got some extra length, and it has a relatively "lighter" weight. I'm not sure if that is exactly what you are looking for, but it may be worth a demo!

-Fuji