I'd like to ask advice about Volkl racquets. I'm a 3.5 (4.0 on good days) all court-player. I'm a big fan of the Volkl feel/comfort. I like racquets that are head light and fairly flexible. I used to play with a C10 Xtended, and then moved to a V10MP a couple of years ago. Last summer, after several matches in which I felt constantly late and pushed around by my opponents, I reached the conclusion that I needed something lighter, more powerful and less demanding. Despite my preferences, I went for a racquet that is neither HL nor flexible: I bought a Classic V1 (the Silver edition). However, this racquet has improved a lot my game: I hit with more pace than before, I defend more effectively, and I'm rarely rushed or pushed around by my opponents. My ranking in the league of my club has also improved (yesterday I won 6-3,6-0 against a player I rarely beat before!).
My only complaints about the V1 are:
1. lack of control. This forces me to be more conservative in my shots, e.g. I don't go for shots near the lines as much as I used to do with the V10.
2. manoeuvrability. At the net the V1 feels like a OS compared to the racquets I used to play with. Touch shots are also much more difficult to pull out.
3. feel. The V1 is actually very comfortable for a stiff frame, but it's just not what I'm used to.
The added power is nice although it is a lot less controllable than with the V10. Some of my shots end up being shorter/longer than I expect.
I'd like to know if there is anything new in the Volkl/Becker line that might address some of these issues. I am intrigued by the Becker Pro. Is this frame comparable to the V1 in terms of power level? Is it more control-oriented than the V1? How is the feel?
The other option is to just stick w/ the V1, since it has improved my game and I've now adjusted to it. I am tempted to try and add lead tape to the handle to make it more HL and closer to what I used to play with. Would that help to make the frame more manoeuvrable at the net?
My only complaints about the V1 are:
1. lack of control. This forces me to be more conservative in my shots, e.g. I don't go for shots near the lines as much as I used to do with the V10.
2. manoeuvrability. At the net the V1 feels like a OS compared to the racquets I used to play with. Touch shots are also much more difficult to pull out.
3. feel. The V1 is actually very comfortable for a stiff frame, but it's just not what I'm used to.
The added power is nice although it is a lot less controllable than with the V10. Some of my shots end up being shorter/longer than I expect.
I'd like to know if there is anything new in the Volkl/Becker line that might address some of these issues. I am intrigued by the Becker Pro. Is this frame comparable to the V1 in terms of power level? Is it more control-oriented than the V1? How is the feel?
The other option is to just stick w/ the V1, since it has improved my game and I've now adjusted to it. I am tempted to try and add lead tape to the handle to make it more HL and closer to what I used to play with. Would that help to make the frame more manoeuvrable at the net?