Senior Doubles Player Racquet Quest

Tailofdog2

New User
Great advice from all of you. I think I could benefit from a couple of lessons where I specifically tell the pro my physical limitations of getting correct spacing on moving to an incoming forehand. (better anticipation?) I also think the advice from treblings of imparting more topspin (less drive) would be something my brain would need to unlearn as my running forehand was (back in the day) a formidable shot. When playing in the heat of the point I think my reptilian brain shouts "GO FOR IT" and I hit the top of the tape. UGH. In fact, the right shot with my lack of balance and spacing might even be a lob but that is something I would definitely need to re-learn. And yes, I love these frames. I cannot think of a 105" frame with a 22mm constant beam, 57 flex, and 18x20 pattern. Rare.
 

bigdaddy

Semi-Pro
63yo senior doubles player. USTA 4.0 League player. I currently play with a Dunlop 300G 05 which translated means 105 sq. in.
I cut it down to 27in. The stiffness (RA) is an arm friendly 57. String pattern is 18x20. I have them (4) heavily modified with silicone in the handle and some tungsten tape in the hoop. Gut mains at 65 and wilson poly crosses at 55. Static wt. is 11.75oz.
I started playing tennis in the early 70's and Manuel Orantes was my idol. In my 20's I was a sectionally ranked singles player.

QUESTION. I don't run (or stop) as well anymore due to severe osteoarthritis and (don't laugh) if I need to run more that three steps for a wide or short shot, my play easily drops to a 3.5. If I'm standing still or moving one step. my strokes are 4.5 - 5.0.
My friend suggested I need a lighter OS racquet to get the racquet up and through the hitting zone when pulled wide. (I do net a lot of forehands on the dead run). It sucks and its depressing.
I think he's full of baloney but it has me wondering. Should I try an sub 10.5 ounce racquet, such as the Wilson Triad Five 103"?
Interestingly, I could just strip my300G down to stock for a 10.5 strung weight. Advice from other seniors would be great.
By the way I’m 67
63yo senior doubles player. USTA 4.0 League player. I currently play with a Dunlop 300G 05 which translated means 105 sq. in.
I cut it down to 27in. The stiffness (RA) is an arm friendly 57. String pattern is 18x20. I have them (4) heavily modified with silicone in the handle and some tungsten tape in the hoop. Gut mains at 65 and wilson poly crosses at 55. Static wt. is 11.75oz.
I started playing tennis in the early 70's and Manuel Orantes was my idol. In my 20's I was a sectionally ranked singles player.

QUESTION. I don't run (or stop) as well anymore due to severe osteoarthritis and (don't laugh) if I need to run more that three steps for a wide or short shot, my play easily drops to a 3.5. If I'm standing still or moving one step. my strokes are 4.5 - 5.0.
My friend suggested I need a lighter OS racquet to get the racquet up and through the hitting zone when pulled wide. (I do net a lot of forehands on the dead run). It sucks and its depressing.
I think he's full of baloney but it has me wondering. Should I try an sub 10.5 ounce racquet, such as the Wilson Triad Five 103"?
Interestingly, I could just strip my300G down to stock for a 10.5 strung weight. Advice from other seniors would be great.
By the way I’m 67. I always loved the blades and recently the prince tt 310.. great racquets. I’m just playing better with a little lighter swing weight. 11 oz is no pushover.
 

Tailofdog2

New User
Hi all,
I have gone through all this. 71.5 now hip replacement at 67 so, mobility sucks.
Also a racquet junkie. I have a list of racquets that work. The Gamma 117 is one but, too underpowered. The 135 Weed is good. The Vortex Green 117? is another one.
You might ask what I use now.....Babolat 2018 pure drive and the Pure Drive tour. Easy power and you can bring the ball in with ease. Amazing power strung with a co-poly.
I am still strong enough to use the tour model but probably has more to do with the good balance of the racquet. (no arm problems)
 

PMF

Semi-Pro
63yo senior doubles player. USTA 4.0 League player. I currently play with a Dunlop 300G 05 which translated means 105 sq. in.
I cut it down to 27in. The stiffness (RA) is an arm friendly 57. String pattern is 18x20. I have them (4) heavily modified with silicone in the handle and some tungsten tape in the hoop. Gut mains at 65 and wilson poly crosses at 55. Static wt. is 11.75oz.
I started playing tennis in the early 70's and Manuel Orantes was my idol. In my 20's I was a sectionally ranked singles player.

QUESTION. I don't run (or stop) as well anymore due to severe osteoarthritis and (don't laugh) if I need to run more that three steps for a wide or short shot, my play easily drops to a 3.5. If I'm standing still or moving one step. my strokes are 4.5 - 5.0.
My friend suggested I need a lighter OS racquet to get the racquet up and through the hitting zone when pulled wide. (I do net a lot of forehands on the dead run). It sucks and its depressing.
I think he's full of baloney but it has me wondering. Should I try an sub 10.5 ounce racquet, such as the Wilson Triad Five 103"?
Interestingly, I could just strip my300G down to stock for a 10.5 strung weight. Advice from other seniors would be great.

In my Saturday morning doubles group, we used to have a gentleman who was a former D1 college player, now in his late 50's. He swore by the Wilson Triad Five with NXT, and would not use anything else. I don't remember him ever complaining about wrist or elbow problems, and he could hit amazing serves with that thing.
 

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
Some other random thoughts.

There is still a stigma associated with the use of these extreme OS racquets. If I hit a screaming winner with a "player's" racquet, people will attribute that to me. If I hit the same screaming winner with a Bubba, people will attribute that to the racquet. Obviously some people care more about that than others, but at the highest levels in recreational older age group competition, results overshadow everything else and that's why these extreme OS racquets are so common.

These larger racquets can have control issues with really hard hit balls but I rarely see any 55+ player who can consistently serve 100+ MPH or hit 90 MPH groundstrokes. As we age and lose foot speed, the court becomes relatively larger and it's more effective AND less risky to spin a serve out wide past the doubles lines than to try and blast a fast one down the T. That fast serve can often be reflexed back and then they are relatively centered in the court, whereas the wide serve makes the opponent have to cover a lot of ground to get to the opposite corner for the next shot and leaves them vulnerable to being wrong-footed.

String technology has improved greatly over the past few years with the introduction of spin-effect and other widely spaced string pattern racquets. The stiff, durable, but playable strings made for those racquets work great in extreme OS applications.
 

Tailofdog2

New User
With my Pure Drive I use a Lux 4g co-poly. Soft on the arm and helps me produce some lovely lobs.
Although the pure Drive tour is not know for touch the more I play with it the, more touch comes.
So in close don't overlook the advantage of co-polys. At 71 I only started using poly's last year.
 
Try the prince textreme warrior 107 , I think its a great stick and fits right in there . I bought 2 of the Prince rebel 105 off **** as well , trying to go to a more traditional feel . Just never acquired the taste for the 03 ports . Just not my cup of tea as far as feel . The warrior 107 only negative is that it seems a little lacking on serve . I wrote a review on TW and its the most recent one . Check it out . Also watch the TW reviews on it as well . Good feel for a big frame
 

mark b.

Rookie
REPORTING BACK. Tried the Prestige PWR. Poly string. Felt hollow. Injected foam, felt better but with a racquet that light, you really do need to generate more racquet head speed or you end up "bunting" shots to control the massive power potential. It's in the closet. Back to my Yonex's. Failed experiment. UGH.
 

atatu

Legend
REPORTING BACK. Tried the Prestige PWR. Poly string. Felt hollow. Injected foam, felt better but with a racquet that light, you really do need to generate more racquet head speed or you end up "bunting" shots to control the massive power potential. It's in the closet. Back to my Yonex's. Failed experiment. UGH.
Which Yonex frames are you using ? I saw you used to use some 105 frames, have you checked out the new Ezone 105 ?
 

graycrait

Legend
My nearsighted glasses wearing 65yr old self had a blast at 4.0 doubles the other night with one of these:
(Do not bother with the MC OS LB version that says "Graphite" on the crossbridge.)

Prince Michael Chang Titanium Oversize
Head Size:107 sq. in. / 690 sq. cm.
Length:28.00 inches / 71.12 cm
Strung Weight:11.60 oz / 329 g
Balance:8pts HL
Swing Weight:360
Beam Width:20.0mm
Tip/Shaft:20.0mm / 20.0mm
Composition:Graphite with Titanium
Power Level:Medium
Stiffness:63
String Pattern:16 Mains/19 Crosses
Main Skip:8T,8H
String Tension:57-67
 

mark b.

Rookie
Let me share my thoughts on the Yonex frames, particularly the Ezones. I have one, an Ezone 100+. As stiff as it's reported to be, I prefer the muted feel over my two Vcore 97's. I want to love the Ezone. The issue for me is the VCore's are very precise, if not a bit too demanding at times.
The 105 REALLY intrigues me, having played with this size for many years. Even the 108 is calling to me. The issue with those two frames is I'd need to add weight to get a decent swingweight of around 320. The swingweight on my 100+ is 337. That's ball crushing territory without overworking my tendons and elbow.
 

graycrait

Legend
i am seriously considering a switch to o-size
That is funny. Not 30 minutes ago I went to my OS wall and took a look at what I had besides the Changs and POG OSs. Monday night I am going to take 3, left to right:
Wilson N1 115" 28", Prince Triple Threat 115 27.5, Prince Extender 116" 27". The Wilson has been "weighted up" to 10.4oz.

zNIrWZE.jpg
 

AJvR

Rookie
A tennis mate of me, 61 years young, in good shape and an avid player, asked me for some recommendations. He was a strong 4.5 singles and doubles player in the recent past, now only playing 4.5 doubles on a competetive level. He has a solid, all-round game and plays with a Prince Classic Graphite 100 longbody, which needs to be replaced with something similar. The only 28 inch I am aware of is the Blade 104, but I can imagine that is quite a different frame. He tried my CX200+ but did not like the low launch angle, however he could adjust to the little higher swing weight and little shorter length. He did like the feel of it, but found it quite different from his Prince, no further details from him to specify. So I was wondering if the new Phantom 100X 305 might be a good choice for him in an extended version, the specs seems reasonable similar (*), but I do not know enough about the the Prince characteristics, never played one myself. Any thoughts here about this?

(*) He could add 9 grams to the butt which shifts the balance to 9 points HL, the Classic Graphite is 10 HL, static weight would be the same in that case. However the swing weight is 7 points higher. Furthermore the Classic Graphite has a constant beam while the Phantom has a tapered beam, both are thin. But for some reason I still think these are different feeling frames, perhaps because of the bridge.:unsure:
 
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n8dawg6

Legend
That is funny. Not 30 minutes ago I went to my OS wall and took a look at what I had besides the Changs and POG OSs. Monday night I am going to take 3, left to right:
Wilson N1 115" 28", Prince Triple Threat 115 27.5, Prince Extender 116" 27". The Wilson has been "weighted up" to 10.4oz.

zNIrWZE.jpg
those are OH!-o-size (thats what she said)

forgot another reason i need an o-size: more margin for error when im drunk
 

graycrait

Legend
@AJvR , I had 11 or 12 PCG 100 LBs a couple of years ago but gave them all away. I like extended rackets and have not found a currently made extended racket that I like. I tried a couple iterations of the Blade 104 extended but didn't like them.

My absolute favorite LB racket is the Babolat Pure Storm LTD+ GT (95" 18x20 27.5"). Next is Prince MIchael Chang 95" LB (95" 14x18 28"), Next would be Babolat Pure Control+ (95" 18x20 27.5)(some say the Pure Storm 95 LTD+ and the Pure Control 95+ are the same racket but it doesn't seem that way to me, the mold might be the same but not the layup). Last would be the Prince Michael Chang OS LB (107" 16x19 28").

I've eyeballed a Yonex 27.5 from time to time but never really liked them in 27" except for the VCore Pro 97. I would give that VCore 98+ a try but it is not in my price wheelhouse yet:) Don't bring up the XTP buttcap. I have tried them on a number of rackets and didn't like the feel at all.

Seems to me the best bet might be to give a custom Angell a try. I think all 8 of these can be had from 27-28 in 1/4" increments: https://www.angelltennis.com/product-category/custom-v3/
 

mctennis

Legend
ive had to let my belt out a notch, too. next thing you know ill be using GD multifilament string ...
Yes, I'm going to have to change dry cleaners as well. They keep shrinking my clothes too. Especially my pants. I had to let my belt out a notch as well. Stupid dry cleaners!!!
 

AJvR

Rookie
@AJvR , I had 11 or 12 PCG 100 LBs a couple of years ago but gave them all away. I like extended rackets and have not found a currently made extended racket that I like. I tried a couple iterations of the Blade 104 extended but didn't like them.

My absolute favorite LB racket is the Babolat Pure Storm LTD+ GT (95" 18x20 27.5"). Next is Prince MIchael Chang 95" LB (95" 14x18 28"), Next would be Babolat Pure Control+ (95" 18x20 27.5)(some say the Pure Storm 95 LTD+ and the Pure Control 95+ are the same racket but it doesn't seem that way to me, the mold might be the same but not the layup). Last would be the Prince Michael Chang OS LB (107" 16x19 28").

I've eyeballed a Yonex 27.5 from time to time but never really liked them in 27" except for the VCore Pro 97. I would give that VCore 98+ a try but it is not in my price wheelhouse yet:) Don't bring up the XTP buttcap. I have tried them on a number of rackets and didn't like the feel at all.

Seems to me the best bet might be to give a custom Angell a try. I think all 8 of these can be had from 27-28 in 1/4" increments: https://www.angelltennis.com/product-category/custom-v3/
Thank you @graycrait, I have the Babolat PSLGT+ myself and love playing with it to! However he is looking for something actual, and wants a more open string pattern, like his Prince Classic. The XTP buttcap is a nice add-on I guess (never tried that) to find out how your racket plays extended, however the Prince I suggested is professionally extended, which is a more solid solution. I know Angell, that might indeed be an alternative either, I will inform him, maybe he can find a used 100" first to see if he likes it.
 
Try the Volkl VFeel or VSense V1 OS. 10.7 ounces strung. While stiffness is 68, real easy on arm and is so well balanced that you don’t realize it is a 110 and a little longer. With an overgrip will be 11 ounces plus. Also tske a look at the MP version. While it is a 102, I have held it against 105s and 110s, the 102 head is only marginally smaller ( it is standard length).
 

mark b.

Rookie
Oh boy! As you can see from my profile, I've been playing with a 97-inch head size. Not exactly a senior doubles stick. The frame has been customized for me. When I am "on-balance" I can open up the court and hit some nice volleys too. The issue is I'm not always on balance. Taking YOGA to improve (yoga is hard). Anyway, I bought a i.Radical OS on Flea_Bay for $18. Strung hybrid poly/multi. If I am being truthful, it's not THAT much better than my Wilson Ultra's except on serve and my first volley (think low balls to my feet). Strung wieght is 11.1oz which is lower than I've gone in the past.
Anyone still using this antique? (HEAD i. Radical OS) and have any suggestions for 104-110 sq in frame with decent control and power? I'm a total mess now.
 

atatu

Legend
Oh boy! As you can see from my profile, I've been playing with a 97-inch head size. Not exactly a senior doubles stick. The frame has been customized for me. When I am "on-balance" I can open up the court and hit some nice volleys too. The issue is I'm not always on balance. Taking YOGA to improve (yoga is hard). Anyway, I bought a i.Radical OS on Flea_Bay for $18. Strung hybrid poly/multi. If I am being truthful, it's not THAT much better than my Wilson Ultra's except on serve and my first volley (think low balls to my feet). Strung wieght is 11.1oz which is lower than I've gone in the past.
Anyone still using this antique? (HEAD i. Radical OS) and have any suggestions for 104-110 sq in frame with decent control and power? I'm a total mess now.
I'm not using it, but a friend of mine who is a good 5.0 is using the microgel OS and he plays some great doubles, so I'm sure it's not much different.
 

graycrait

Legend
@mark b. , I have 6 different iterations of the Head Rad OS: original Bumble Bee, Candy Cane, TI Rad, LM, IG, and MG. I suspect you know that the "yellow" Rad OS are "heavy" 12oz+, the "orange" themed Rad OSs are the ligher versions. I like them all, but my preferred is the Bumble Bee. However, if you want a really versatile 18x19 OS I would look at the NBlade Ncode 106. This is a 27.3" racket that weighs about 11oz with syn grip and 1 OG. Want to have some real fun then grab a Wilson Pro Staff 4.7Eb 115. That 18x20 115 RA 69 swingweight 345 weight 11 oz and 27.75" 4.7Eb is so much fun and has a surprising degree of control with its "rectangular" construction 18x20 head.
 

mark b.

Rookie
SIX YEARS since that original post about what OS racquets are good for senior players that still have strokes.
For the past two years, I have been playing with HEAD i.Radical Oversize (modified). I also had double knee replacement surgery and I am much more mobile around the court now. I am not giving up on them just yet but I have purchased a new HEAD Instinct Team for a couple of reasons. My i.Radicals are about 11.7oz strung. I play doubles and they work well from the backcourt and are adequate at the net. Where they don't excel is on serve. No help there.
The Instinct Team's are also 107 inches and have a RA of about 63 which is similar to the i.Radical. The departure is weight and string pattern.....and length 27.2"
I have modified the Instinct with leather and lead for an 11oz. 320SW and I can crush (relatively speaking) serves and groundies, while not as precise can be hit to larger targets with substantial weight.
Not giving up on the i.Radicals just yet.
 

toby55555

Hall of Fame
Same age, still mainly play singles with a PK 5G 100” but have just ordered a PK Black Ace 105 (27.25) as I am intrigued to see if the slight extra length and larger head will do anything for me in the power department without major loss of control.
 
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skeeter

Professional
Same age, still mainly play singles with a PH ki5 100” but have just ordered a PK Black Ace 105 (27.25) as I am intrigued to see if the slight extra length and larger head will do anything for me in the power department without major loss of control.
My main stick is an EZ100, but in solid backup and sometimes first out of the bag is my PK 105. Love the "goldilocks just right" length and to me the 105 plays like a 100, but with added forgiving real estate when needed. Hits a solid ball, great pop but good control at the same time (I think the 8 mains in the throat helps). A definite keeper.
 

toby55555

Hall of Fame
Currently in German customs but hopefully be able to try out this weekend; what string tension are you using?
 

heavyD

Professional
I feel like the Blade 104 V8 is the answer to questions like this. It does everything well, is easy on the arm, and it hides the extra 0.5" length to the point you barely notice it the first time you pick it up.
 

skeeter

Professional
I feel like the Blade 104 V8 is the answer to questions like this. It does everything well, is easy on the arm, and it hides the extra 0.5" length to the point you barely notice it the first time you pick it up.
I have the Blade 104 as well and agree with this. Excellent doubles stick with the extra half inche.
 

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
SIX YEARS since that original post about what OS racquets are good for senior players that still have strokes.
For the past two years, I have been playing with HEAD i.Radical Oversize (modified). I also had double knee replacement surgery and I am much more mobile around the court now. I am not giving up on them just yet but I have purchased a new HEAD Instinct Team for a couple of reasons. My i.Radicals are about 11.7oz strung. I play doubles and they work well from the backcourt and are adequate at the net. Where they don't excel is on serve. No help there.
The Instinct Team's are also 107 inches and have a RA of about 63 which is similar to the i.Radical. The departure is weight and string pattern.....and length 27.2"
I have modified the Instinct with leather and lead for an 11oz. 320SW and I can crush (relatively speaking) serves and groundies, while not as precise can be hit to larger targets with substantial weight.
Not giving up on the i.Radicals just yet.

Age 61, trying to avoid knee replacements which my ortho (a very, very good one) is telling me I most likely need but I seem to be recovering well from two instances of full-thickness meniscus tears in 2022. Using Babolat Aero 112 at ~345 grams and ~350 swingweight with 1.20 Confidential strung in the upper 40's. The racquet is more forgiving than the SW104 that I used up until a couple of years ago and even though I went up in swingweight from 340 to 350, I seem to be able to get the Aero 112's around more quickly. I'm still primarily playing singles but the surface area of the Aero 112 sure does make volleying easier for the times I do play doubles.

The Aero 112 is the most solid, stable OS racquet I've tried and with 50+ grams of added weight in the handle, it is weighted like the racquets I'm used to and consequently I can still swing out fully with very good control.
 

Hit 'em clean

Semi-Pro
63yo senior doubles player. USTA 4.0 League player. I currently play with a Dunlop 300G 05 which translated means 105 sq. in.
I cut it down to 27in. The stiffness (RA) is an arm friendly 57. String pattern is 18x20. I have them (4) heavily modified with silicone in the handle and some tungsten tape in the hoop. Gut mains at 65 and wilson poly crosses at 55. Static wt. is 11.75oz.
I started playing tennis in the early 70's and Manuel Orantes was my idol. In my 20's I was a sectionally ranked singles player.

QUESTION. I don't run (or stop) as well anymore due to severe osteoarthritis and (don't laugh) if I need to run more that three steps for a wide or short shot, my play easily drops to a 3.5. If I'm standing still or moving one step. my strokes are 4.5 - 5.0.
My friend suggested I need a lighter OS racquet to get the racquet up and through the hitting zone when pulled wide. (I do net a lot of forehands on the dead run). It sucks and its depressing.
I think he's full of baloney but it has me wondering. Should I try an sub 10.5 ounce racquet, such as the Wilson Triad Five 103"?
Interestingly, I could just strip my300G down to stock for a 10.5 strung weight. Advice from other seniors would be great.
Have you considered an extended length racquet? Like you I grew up swinging heavy lumber so I need enough weight in some form (static and/or swing weight) to keep my swing under control. Too light and I lose feel/control of my timing and the racquet face a bit… especially on my 2HBH. Like you I‘m not getting any younger so I’m constantly on the lookout for a frame that is lighter but still somehow provides me the weight and stability I’m looking for. If I have to be on the move that’s when a lighter (powerful) frame can make it a lot easier. My main stick has been the Speed Pro Auxetic (18x20), but it swings fast and has not to heavy static weight. Still hits all kinds of shots and is very capable of hitting a heavy ball, very stable.

Although I love, love the Speed Pro… there are days when I’m against some younger guys that can hit really hit big and I find myself wanting something that’s ‘easy’. I’ve played with extended frames in the past and currently testing the Ezone 98+. It’s light and fast at 11.4oz strung, but has a decent swing weight at 330… has some nice innate power, really good spin, medium/controlled launch angle, great predictable feel at net. This stick has really surprised me. Not launchy and has some good power that is controllable. I can go really big or take it easy and still hit big. It’s been pretty arm friendly as well.
 

silentkman

Hall of Fame
I feel like the Blade 104 V8 is the answer to questions like this. It does everything well, is easy on the arm, and it hides the extra 0.5" length to the point you barely notice it the first time you pick it up.

yep, I've been playing with the blade 104 for a good ten years. I did switch to NG about 4 years ago after rotator cuff surgery.
 

silentkman

Hall of Fame
Age 61, trying to avoid knee replacements which my ortho (a very, very good one) is telling me I most likely need but I seem to be recovering well from two instances of full-thickness meniscus tears in 2022. Using Babolat Aero 112 at ~345 grams and ~350 swingweight with 1.20 Confidential strung in the upper 40's. The racquet is more forgiving than the SW104 that I used up until a couple of years ago and even though I went up in swingweight from 340 to 350, I seem to be able to get the Aero 112's around more quickly. I'm still primarily playing singles but the surface area of the Aero 112 sure does make volleying easier for the times I do play doubles.

The Aero 112 is the most solid, stable OS racquet I've tried and with 50+ grams of added weight in the handle, it is weighted like the racquets I'm used to and consequently I can still swing out fully with very good control.

LOL, I'm in the same boat with my knees. I'm considering trying the high 40's for a test.
 
Bounced around , warrior 107, textreme tour 310, babolat pure drive tour , back to the warrior 107 ( could never get it to serve well or I would never leave it) and have been playing with the PDT now for several months. It does everything well , but you do have to remember it lacks precision, so you aim for bigger targets, but it rewards a 7/10ths swing speed with tons of power and spin, good control as well. Blocks and chips better than any racquet I’ve ever used . Drop shots are there , but you really have to soften your hands . Volleys come off the racquet like rockets . Slices are real good, it volleys well and serves and returns are very good as well
 
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