Troy and Mark and the Tw testers - XL Racquets

[Crocodile]

Hi there

Just wanted to ask whether you guys have been able to measure the difference in service speed and/or spin generation since you started using XL racquets? For example how many kms or mph can or did you add to your service speed and which XL frame length do you prefer?

 

[jmacdaununder2]

When Philippoussis measured relative service speeds with a longbody BITD he was only a few - 3 or 4 - ks faster with the longbody versus standard length, but he noted that the angle into the box was better, enabling more consistency. Lift up off of the court and greater ability to angle serves up the sidelines are also relevant.

 

[McLovin]

but he noted that the angle into the box was better, enabling more consistency.

As a long-time user of extended frames (and a height-challenged player), I can say that this is what I notice more than anything: More of my serve go in. So it seems as if I'm hitting harder, but in reality, I'm just getting more of my 1st serves in at my max speed.

So, I guess in a way you can say it added MPH to my serve as technically you should only measure serves that go in. But I bet if I swung as hard as I could w/ a regular length racquet, and then an extended length of the same frame (e.g., VCORE 98 vs VCORE 98 +), not caring if they went in, the difference would be negligible.

 

[TW Staff]

Hi there

Just wanted to ask whether you guys have been able to measure the difference in service speed and/or spin generation since you started using XL racquets? For example how many kms or mph can or did you add to your service speed and which XL frame length do you prefer?

Not recently, but back when our Playsight smart court was functioning I believe we had the data on some of our extended length racquet reviews comparing it to each playtester's racquet of choice, which was often a standard length 27" racquet. I also recall that the fastest serve I ever recorded on our Playsight court was with an extended length racquet, I believe it was a Pure Drive Tour Plus from 2018. That said, I also feel like the benefit is similar to what @McLovin mentioned, sort of that consistency boost on first serves. Although it is only a half inch with most extended frames, it seems that I get more of my flat first serves in, so maybe it is a confidence thing, I feel a little taller on my serves haha. It also felt very natural and comfortable for me when I was mostly hitting two-handed backhands, a little more leverage and nice feeling for the two handed grip.

Troy, TW

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Couldn’t ’ave said it better myself...

 

[Crocodile]

Not recently, but back when our Playsight smart court was functioning I believe we had the data on some of our extended length racquet reviews comparing it to each playtester's racquet of choice, which was often a standard length 27" racquet. I also recall that the fastest serve I ever recorded on our Playsight court was with an extended length racquet, I believe it was a Pure Drive Tour Plus from 2018. That said, I also feel like the benefit is similar to what @McLovin mentioned, sort of that consistency boost on first serves. Although it is only a half inch with most extended frames, it seems that I get more of my flat first serves in, so maybe it is a confidence thing, I feel a little taller on my serves haha. It also felt very natural and comfortable for me when I was mostly hitting two-handed backhands, a little more leverage and nice feeling for the two handed grip.

Troy, TW

Good on ya Troy, thx for taking the time to answer my question.