Should I try an oversize racket?

[michael-uk]

The tennis bug really bit me 2 years ago, I play 4-5 times a week (doubles and singles), and would say I am about 4.0-4.5 level.
I use an old Wilson Staff 800ST, 95 in head, and am awaiting delivery of a Yonex Super rd tour 95. Also recently demoed Dunlop aerogel 200.

BUT - I was interested to read the positive reviews of the new Agassi limited edition oversize, and there's another current thread about good oversize rackets. I had always associated oversize with beginners, or those needing serious help with power (I don't). So the good comments from 4.5+ level players maked me think again. Could be fun to have one oversize in the bag? Would it affect my improving game with a 95 in rackets?
All comments on this topic very welcome, thanks.

 

[ollinger]

Sure. I've used many and have found that the best ones can really boost your game, the only downside being that I've never used an oversize that could serve big heaters, if that's something you require, as well as some smaller head racquets. Many oversize even volley as well as anything else, especially if they are not overly stiff.

 

[blubber]

If your game is about consistancy form the baseline and not so much about variety or hitting tons of winners than nothing beats an OS. Big sweetspots.

 

[netman]

If your game is about consistancy form the baseline and not so much about variety or hitting tons of winners than nothing beats an OS. Big sweetspots.

Agree. Howard Head did a lot of research to prove the 110 head provided the biggest sweetspot with the best control. It won't have the control of a 90, but the sweetspot will cover for a lot of mis-hits.

-k-

 

[Doc Hollidae]

It's all preference and what feels good. I'm a 4.5-5.0 player and have played with an OS almost my entire career. I started off playing with a midplus(Hammer 6.2 MP), but switched to an OS (Radical Twin Tube). I've hit with smaller head sizes with no problems, but prefer my OS for my kick serve and two handed backhand. I don't care if it's 80 in. or 120 in., whatever feels more comfortable is what I'll play with. The only real time I'd consider a smaller head size is for doubles play. Smaller heads are a lot better at the net and more finesse related shotmaking.

 

[KOtennis]

i play 4.5 doubles.
i personally dont use OS racquets. have not used one since high school days.

but i'd suggest you to demo any OS (or any size) racquets you are interested in and see how it works for u.

 

[superstition]

Howard Head did a lot of research to prove the 110 head provided the biggest sweetspot with the best control.

If that's the case, why do few pros use them?

 

[netman]

If that's the case, why do few pros use them?

At the time he was working on creating what essentially was the first game improvement racquet. It wasn't targeted to pros, but to amateurs like himself who were frustrated with the difficultly of playing with the 65 heads prevalent at the time. Using the materials available at the time (aluminum and wood basically), he settled on 110 as the optimal size.

-k-

 

[superstition]

At the time he was working on creating what essentially was the first game improvement racquet. It wasn't targeted to pros, but to amateurs like himself who were frustrated with the difficultly of playing with the 65 heads prevalent at the time. Using the materials available at the time (aluminum and wood basically), he settled on 110 as the optimal size.

-k-

But, the much-vaunted Prince Graphite oversize came out in 78 or 79, and yet the first major figure in men's tennis to use an oversize is Agassi, eh? And, today, few pros use them.

Racquet companies have been promising "more power and control" for ages. You usually get one or the other.

 

[netman]

But, the much-vaunted Prince Graphite oversize came out in 78 or 79, and yet the first major figure in men's tennis to use an oversize is Agassi, eh? And, today, few pros use them.

Racquet companies have been promising "more power and control" for ages. You usually get one or the other.

I have to differ with you there. Today there are a lot of frames that when strung right offer lots of power, yet plenty of control. Just look at how hard the pros hit balls these days. Even in the amateur ranks the speed of shots has greatly increased.

You didn't state your age, so not sure when you entered the game. I was an early adopter of the Prince OS, buying the black Prince Pro when it first came out. It was a revelation in terms of comfort and ease of use compared to the wood frames I had been using. Took my game to a whole new level. Better yet, it brought legions of new players into the game, while increasing the fun for existing players.

Also, don't forget Head patented the Oversize. That's why no one else made them for years. So the other mfgs sold other larger head sizes that did not infringe on Prince's patent, of course claiming they were better. But to show how successful the 110 was, remember Prince was a tiny, obscure sporting goods mfg. when Head started using them to distribute his design. They quickly became one of the leading tennis mfg.

As material technology has advanced on both the frame and string fronts, mfgs have been able to get more power and bigger sweet spots out of smaller head sizes. Hence the amazing breadth of offerings in the racquet market. No player today can claim they can't find the right frame, unless like many of us, its just an excuse to keep trying new frames.

-k-