Second racket choice for matches.

dgf.

New User
Hey everyone,

I have a question and I'm hoping to get some opinions so I can make a better decision.

I always prefer to have two rackets when playing a two-hour match. They both differ in weight and form. Currently, I use the Yonex Percept 97 (310g) and interchangeably use the Wilson Shift 300 and the Babolat Pure Aero VS, both with an 18x20 string pattern, whereas the Percept has a 16x19 pattern.

My main racket is the Percept, but sometimes after the one-hour mark, my hand starts to feel a bit tired (perhaps due to its weight and stiffness?). Usually, I switch to the Pure Aero VS for its lighter weight and more flexible feel. Around this time, I also adjust my game plan to attack the net more, taking advantage of the Aero VS's aerodynamics. When my arm starts to feel loose again, I switch back to the Percept.

Lately, however, I've been feeling somewhat disconnected with the Aero VS. So, I'm considering whether it would be better for me to switch the Aero VS to a lighter Percept (Percept 97L 290g), since they are the same racket but the lighter weight might give me some "rest" from the 310g weight.

Have any of you tried this setup? I'd really like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks, guys!
 

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
I play with the same racquet for an entire match and keep an identical racquet or two strung the same in case string breaks. My arm doesn’t get tired, but sometimes my legs do during a long match. So far I haven’t thought about changing into lighter shoes when that happens.
 
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Djinn

Semi-Pro
What an interesting take. I don't have anything to recommend, since it can literally be anything lighter as you mentioned. I also don't want to tell you that you are wrong in playing with 2 completely different racquets because if it works for you then who am I to say? I am however curious about it since I would think its intuitive and well established that you should try and play with the same racquets for a multitude of reasons including muscle memory. What level are you playing it? I'm intrigued to hear how you handle two completely different racquets during matches.
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
I usually use one racket for the whole match unless I break a string. Sometimes if I play really bad I take out another frame and rally with it afterwards to help wash the bad taste of the match out of my mouth.
 

dgf.

New User
What an interesting take. I don't have anything to recommend, since it can literally be anything lighter as you mentioned. I also don't want to tell you that you are wrong in playing with 2 completely different racquets because if it works for you then who am I to say? I am however curious about it since I would think its intuitive and well established that you should try and play with the same racquets for a multitude of reasons including muscle memory. What level are you playing it? I'm intrigued to hear how you handle two completely different racquets during matches.I'm at most a 4.0 on a good day :D - started this routine about 8 months a go, since I'm playing quite a lot each week and face different type of players. I can usually handle with my Percept, but then some players, especially younger ones like to play tricks and fancy shots and with this I'd immediately switch to the VS which allow me more manoeuvrability to match their game, and it's a lot of fun, to be honest!


I'm at most a 4.0 on a good day :D

I started this routine about 8 months ago, since I'm playing quite a lot each week and facing different types of players. I can usually handle myself with my Percept, but some players, especially younger ones, like to play tricks and fancy shots. When this happens, I immediately switch to the VS, which allows me more maneuverability to match their game. It's a lot of fun, to be honest!

However, after reading the replies from the other two gentlemen here, it seems better to stick to identical rackets as @socallefty advised. Since my current issue is tiredness in my hand after an hour of play with a 310g stick, and needing a "little break," I think the best option is another Percept, but the lighter one (290g), . Both rackets will use the exact same string and tension.

I'll keep the VS for the more "fun and dynamic" matches with the young guns. They are really enjoyable, and the racket allows me to pull off more tricks than I can with the Percept :whistle:
 

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
You should also look at whether you ‘arm’ the ball too much without using enough body coil to generate swing speed and also if you hold your grip too tight during play as maybe those issues might lead to tired arms. Or even better have a coach look at it. There is not a single advanced (4.5+) player that I know who has complained to me about arms getting tired in long matches. Generally feet get tired and you get to the ball late leading to more timing issues and late contact - solution is to force yourself mentally to keep your feet active and get to the ball on time.
 

dgf.

New User
You should also look at whether you ‘arm’ the ball too much without using enough body coil to generate swing speed and also if you hold your grip too tight during play as maybe those issues might lead to tired arms. Or even better have a coach look at it. There is not a single advanced (4.5+) player that I know who has complained to me about arms getting tired in long matches. Generally feet get tired and you get to the ball late leading to more timing issues and late contact - solution is to force yourself mentally to keep your feet active and get to the ball on time.
This is a great advise. Thank you. I'm calling Patrick Mouratoglou.

I'm kidding I can't afford him. Although he is about to open a new facility here in Bali.
 

dgf.

New User
I usually use one racket for the whole match unless I break a string. Sometimes if I play really bad I take out another frame and rally with it afterwards to help wash the bad taste of the match out of my mouth.
I'm trying this next match, which is in a few hours. Thanks, mate!
 

jimmy8

G.O.A.T.
Get a percept 97h and warm up with that. Then start the match with the 97 310. That way the 97 310 feels really light in comparison. Then play with the 97h for one game midway through the match. Then when you go back to the 97 310 you will feel it is light again.
 

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
This is a great advise. Thank you. I'm calling Patrick Mouratoglou.

I'm kidding I can't afford him. Although he is about to open a new facility here in Bali.
Wow, Patrick is everywhere. Now I see why they say Bali Is getting overdeveloped.
 

dgf.

New User
Get a percept 97h and warm up with that. Then start the match with the 97 310. That way the 97 310 feels really light in comparison. Then play with the 97h for one game midway through the match. Then when you go back to the 97 310 you will feel it is light again.
Ha! Yes. You’re a legend.
 

dgf.

New User
Wow, Patrick is everywhere. Now I see why they say Bali Is getting overdeveloped.
We have at least 5 ‘very proper’ clubs along with their facilities and extremely good courts. They’re all almost always fully booked.
 

Konik_1982

Rookie
Hey, you´re very much like myself :) I have 2 V9 Blades 18x20 in the bag when I go play a tournament (amateur level, 3.5 - 4.0 level) and depending on the opponent and also lately energy levels I keep an Ezone 100 in the bag in case I get a bit tired to swing the Blade. Like the last week, it was really really hot and I played 3 matches in the group phase. Only 1 set of play but you imagine the weather conditions. Won the group and went to the 1/4 finals. And there I lost since I ran out of juice and the long rallies with the opponent took everything from me. The Ezone I gave for stringing and I really was missing it. Exactly in these situations I would took it and maybe got a little help and easier game. So from my point of view it is definitely not bad to have an option.
 

dgf.

New User
Hey, you´re very much like myself :) I have 2 V9 Blades 18x20 in the bag when I go play a tournament (amateur level, 3.5 - 4.0 level) and depending on the opponent and also lately energy levels I keep an Ezone 100 in the bag in case I get a bit tired to swing the Blade. Like the last week, it was really really hot and I played 3 matches in the group phase. Only 1 set of play but you imagine the weather conditions. Won the group and went to the 1/4 finals. And there I lost since I ran out of juice and the long rallies with the opponent took everything from me. The Ezone I gave for stringing and I really was missing it. Exactly in these situations I would took it and maybe got a little help and easier game. So from my point of view it is definitely not bad to have an option.
Thanks!

Yes definitely keeping my Pure Aero VS!
 

AmericanTwist

Professional
It looks like you haven't found your magic stick yet lol like many of us. No crime in bringing a bunch of different sticks to a match. Afterall this is rec tennis. But generally once you nail down your optimal stick of the moment (there can be 3-5 optimal sticks out there for any one person btw much like there not just "one soul mate") then get 3-5 of these frames and then stick with one string set-up with slightly different tensions to adjust for differences in temperature, technique, and fatigue for the day. This is my formula.
 

dgf.

New User
It looks like you haven't found your magic stick yet lol like many of us. No crime in bringing a bunch of different sticks to a match. Afterall this is rec tennis. But generally once you nail down your optimal stick of the moment (there can be 3-5 optimal sticks out there for any one person btw much like there not just "one soul mate") then get 3-5 of these frames and then stick with one string set-up with slightly different tensions to adjust for differences in temperature, technique, and fatigue for the day. This is my formula.
Thank you! - I'm only a year fully into tennis and up to my 6th racket, each time feeling like "this is it" but kept making rounds of the rackets lol.. there are times that I feel I'm just not good enough for tennis as something is always missing, so your message means a lot to me. Salute!!
 

dkmura

Professional
While everyone has a different way of playing tennis, it's worth mentioning that anytime my opponent swaps racquets (and usually looks frustrated) in the midst of a match, it usually means my game is working. At the 4.0-4.5 NTRP level, using different strings (say a poly vs, gut hybrid) and string tensions in the same frame gives a wide enough range of play without upsetting swing patterns.
 

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
I'm only a year fully into tennis and up to my 6th racket,
What exactly do you plan to accomplish by changing racquets so often during your first year of tennis? Stick with one model, learn fundamentals and stabilize technique/footwork first.
 

dgf.

New User
What exactly do you plan to accomplish by changing racquets so often during your first year of tennis? Stick with one model, learn fundamentals and stabilize technique/footwork first.
To feed my consumerism withdrawal :D

You are right, as what my coach told me to. So I practice only with my VS.

I do, however, like to try different rackets and see how it feels. Oh, and collects them, you see I've not matured well enough into my adulthood, something my mother always tried to hide from their friends :sneaky:.

It's not until I tried the Percept 97 that I feel my game truly changed, acknowledged by my coach, friends and match buddies in the club. Also I feel connected with the stick, and feels good playing with it. Didn't get the same vibe from other rackets I've tried.
I have taken into account your previous suggestion of how I use my arm and body weight upon swinging, also the strength of my grip (made a few racket launches during practicing this but hey, it a process lol). I'm focusing on those three the next few practices, so thank you for that!
 
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