Thoughts on new racket

[george batsios]

I am a 3.5 tennis player. I play constantly for the past two and a half years. I play with a 2015 Head Speed Touch MP. I was never keen on my racket but one year ago when I tried some demos I found it difficult telling the difference between rackets.
Last 3 months I play with golfer's elbow. Due to this, I borrowed a Wilson Pro Stuff 97L from a friend and tried it.
It was a bliss. So easy to play. So comfortable. Even though it has big stiffness.
I assume that even so, it's not the right one for me because of the small head (many shots were far from sweet spot). But this made me start searching for a more ideal racket.
Since then I also tried some others. All under 300gr of unstrung weight. All felt better than mine and epicondilitys hurt less.
After all searching I started realise that mine lacks big time in maneuverability, and tires my hand quickly.
I think that the key to my problem is balance. It feels like my Head speed touch MP of 100sq and 300gr, has not a balanced weight. Head seems to be heavier and this make everything more difficult for me. Compared to others of same weight, while playing seems much heavier and and much more difficult to maneuver. Is this due to swingweight? My racket claims to have swingweight of 323gr.

So according to all the above, can anyone propose some racket.
I believe that I should stick to 100sq, and from 290 to 300gr(unstrung).
Any help would be useful.

 

[CopolyX]

The Head Speed Touch MP strung has a swing weight around 309-318. Static weight is 11.2 oz, RDC is 64, Vibration is about 145 ( which is low/good) , 4 Points HL..
This is a good stick for a 3.5 player should be able to handle. Not mentioned is the strings. You know, the thing that hits the ball. If you are using copolys. Stop.
You may what to try a racquet still are 11 oz that more Head Light ( 6-10 pts) , this will give you more maneuverability.
I would suggest going to a lighter racquet, not good for you arms and lighter sticks are a bad bandage for beginners.
Switch to sync gut, natural gut , a muti, or a hybrid from the aforementioned.
I would highly suggest lessons, this will get yo on the right path improving your timing, balance and form.

Great intermediate stick, blade 104. It is my number one go to beginner/intermediate/advanced stick that most adapt to quickly.
Also arm friendly ( with the right strings) / low vibration....great all around stick...

 

[styksnstryngs]

Huh, the head speed mp is too difficult to maneuver? That's a first for me. If my little sister in 8th grade can handle it for an hour fine, I feel like almost anyone should be able to. Arm friendliness is affected greatly by the frequency, which, as copolyx pointed out, is pretty low. I can't think of anything wrong with the racquet in this situation.

 

[styksnstryngs]

What other racquets did you try that you liked better than the speed mp?

 

[george batsios]

If my little sister in 8th grade can handle it for an hour fine, I feel like almost anyone should be able to.

For two years now I have non an issue. But now with golfer's elbow hitting is more difficult. Ans as I play, after half an hour it gets worse. It gets even worse when I need to close too fast or change way of hitting at last moment. While playing head gets heavier and heavier.
With other rackets seems easier.
I have also played with a Head Instict Youtek of 2010 and a brand new Wilson ultra 100CV.

 

[george batsios]

The Head Speed Touch MP strung has a swing weight around 309-318. Static weight is 11.2 oz, RDC is 64, Vibration is about 145 ( which is low/good) , 4 Points HL..
..

According to:
https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/REVIEWS/GXSMP/GXSMPReview.html
So as I said swing weight is is 323gr.
Balance Point 13.07 inches
33 centimeters 3.44pts Head Light

 

[styksnstryngs]

For two years now I have non an issue. But now with golfer's elbow hitting is more difficult. Ans as I play, after half an hour it gets worse. It gets even worse when I need to close too fast or change way of hitting at last moment. While playing head gets heavier and heavier.
With other rackets seems easier.
I have also played with a Head Instict Youtek of 2010 and a brand new Wilson ultra 100CV.

You're telling me a Wilson ultra 100 is more comfortable than... Never mind.

 

[george batsios]

You're telling me a Wilson ultra 100 is more comfortable than... Never mind.

Try to get in an intermediate's shoes and don't be a smart-ass. I am not a pro and i do not work with instructors the past one year. So, probably my way of hitting has flaws.
Probably i hit late. Probably my hand is usually closer to body than should be. And probably sometimes i hit away from rackets sweet spot.
The point is that with this racket everything seems wrong to me now that i suffer from golfer's elbow.
To me it seems like the swing weight is what bothers me and my elbow.
Try to help and guide me than being sarcastic.

 

[tegg96]

Try to get in an intermediate's shoes and don't be a smart-ass. I am not a pro and i do not work with instructors the past one year. So, probably my way of hitting has flaws.
Probably i hit late. Probably my hand is usually closer to body than should be. And probably sometimes i hit away from rackets sweet spot.
The point is that with this racket everything seems wrong to me now that i suffer from golfer's elbow.
To me it seems like the swing weight is what bothers me and my elbow.
Try to help and guide me than being sarcastic.

Have used the Speed MP and I agree there is an awkward sort of balance to them. For quick fire double it just doesn't swing quickly enough. In singles play it works better. I have since gone to the Touch Speed S which is defiantly a more even swinging racquet. Seems much better balanced. Packs a reasonable punch also. Don't let everyone here tell you you need to play with something like a RF97A to play good tennis. The lightweight S has sort of been a revalation for me. Worth while picking up now there in runout price.

 

[george batsios]

Seems good.
I am thinking about V-Sense 8 300gr also.

 

[styksnstryngs]

Try to get in an intermediate's shoes and don't be a smart-ass. I am not a pro and i do not work with instructors the past one year. So, probably my way of hitting has flaws.
Probably i hit late. Probably my hand is usually closer to body than should be. And probably sometimes i hit away from rackets sweet spot.
The point is that with this racket everything seems wrong to me now that i suffer from golfer's elbow.
To me it seems like the swing weight is what bothers me and my elbow.
Try to help and guide me than being sarcastic.

Swingweight does not lead to golfer's elbow, that is caused by the shocking and twisting that is caused by vibrations from off-center hits. The fact that you cannot handle the speed mp is probably what is causing you to mishit more shots, but the statement that the ultra 100 is more comfortable than the speed is basically just wrong. It might be better for you to hit the center more consistently because of its low swingweight, but the off-center shots that do happen will have a greater toll on your body. Take a week away from tennis at least, take care of your elbow, and maybe post a video of your technique so we can diagnose a "racquet fix" for you. As mentioned above, you need to tell us your strings, etc.

 

[george batsios]

I never said i got golfer's elbow from tennis.
Main reason is pull-ups that i started doing since January. I did an everyday routine of pull ups but without warming up first...
This, plus tennis, plus working with mouse on pc, probably led to golfer's elbow.
I have read about Volkl V-Sense 8 300gr, and i believe that will be more arm-friendly to me.

 

[Big Bagel]

Swingweight will effect your swings, but the comfort of a racquet is going to come from the flex of the racquet and if you can hit properly with it (out in front and near the sweetspot). Styksnstryngs is absolutely correct that the ultra 100 is not a comfortable racquet and may have only felt better because you hit the sweetspot with it more. Volkls are known for being pretty comfortable racquets, so I'd definitely give that a try. Also try the Snauwaert Grinta 98 Light if you get the chance. Very comfortable racquet, and the light version should help if you think you want a lower swingweight.

You might also try either adding weight in the handle or trying a slightly heavier racquet that is headlight. The extra weight can make the racquet a little more comfortable.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Just get a Prince Phantom 100 and be done with all the angst. And look up eccentric exercises for golfer's elbow.

Then focus more on early prep and hitting ball out front.

 

[GeoffHYL]

If you like Volkl, consider the V-Sense 10 series. They are lower stiffness than the 8 series, so may be more arm-friendly.