Racquet switch help!!

[Tigerarp1]

I am a freshman at a small NAIA college and am playing tennis for the school. I have been playing with the i.prestige mid for the last year, and really liked it until I started college tennis. College players are a whole lot more consistent than the 18's champ and super-champ players i played with in my home town. While i was able to play a very aggressive game back at home, I cannot play this way in college. People simply get too many balls back for me to play this way without eventually missing and loosing the point... and eventually the matches.

So this is what I am looking for
***I need a racquet that will allow me to hit alot more topspin from the baseline than my i.prestige mid, so that I can hit higher over the net, thus having a greater margin for error.
***I also need a stick that will be better for doubles. The prestige is not very manuverable at net, and seems to lack power at net too.
*** thirdly, i need a racquet that will be good for kick serves. The i.prestige mid is very difficult to hit kickserves with.

I hit with a western forehand and a one-handed back-hand.
Please make any suggestions from your experience. Thanks!!

 

[liionel]

o3 tour? great on spin and control at the net. great stick for serving too.

 

[Vantage231511]

Check out the Vantage line. You may need a more custom frame then a prestige off the shelf...

 

[adamc637]

Try the nSix-One 95. Open pattern gives good spin and the racquet is pretty solid.

 

[Tigerarp1]

I was actually thinking about the vantage racqets, Becuase i could make a racque with the same specs as my prestige, but it would be a little lighter and have a more open 16x18 string pattern. What do you guys think of this?

 

[Tigerarp1]

i have played the LM prestige mid+ and did not like it at all, it felt completely different from my i.prestige mid. That is why I am thinking that a custom vantage frame, that is slightly more head light and has the 90" headsize (for my one-hander) and has the 16x18 string pattern is exactly what i need. Anyone have any disagreement with this? I am pretty sure that I need to go to a 16x18 string pattern for spin. Grip shape has never bothered me at all, so sticking with head is not necessary. I also, do not want much more power than my prestige mid has, because I already hit pretty stinkin hard with it. are there any racquets currently made that are like the i.prestige, but with a 16x18 string pattern?

one more note... do you think a 95 headsize would be better since i am playing singles and doubles or should i stick to the 90 since i use a one hander? It also seems like the 95 would be better for volleys and topspin, but I am worried it would have too much power from the baseline?

 

[TripleB]

Babolat Pure Storm Team or Babolat AeroPro Drive.

TripleB

 

[AndrewD]

You're not going to do yourself any favours by getting a custom built racquet if you don't know that it will suit you. Specs might be fine but you've got to take into account the feel of the thing.

So, before you do that, Id suggest you give the POG mid a trial. The open string pattern will help with spin, it is maneuverable at net (the swingweight is surprisingly low) and does offer good control. You're looking at a jump from 89.5sq to 93sq which, at your level and age, might be all you need. An increase in stiffness but not one that will cause any discomfort and the slightly stiffer frame will give you that touch extra power. Still a viable option at the college level -as several recent players have shown.

If that still isn't enough then Id suggest you take a look at the nSix-One 95 with the open string pattern. A bit more power (you can dumb it down by choosing a less powerful string), more spin and very mobile.

As far as power goes, that's up to you to control. You're obviously a good enough player so that shouldn't be a problem. The extra top that you're getting should help out with control and a slight adjustment in technique isn't going to cause a good player any trouble at all. Your backhand wont suffer using the 95sq as an absolute plethora of professional, college and club players can attest to.

 

[tarkowski]

I suggest the Prince Diablo Mid (93). It would be an incremental improvement in size and help with spin. Plus, it has a great sweet spot for that size, thin beam, and no inherent power.

I currently play with the nSixOne 95 18x20. I found the 16x18 pattern a tad lively and even the 18x20 version is still a bit more powerful than your current frame.

 

[bluegrasser]

Flexpoint radical MP, more pop than the Prestige and a bigger sweetspot, but has a soft feel and nice flex and great at the net..