What does using a heavy racquet say about you?

socallefty

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
What does your heavy 12+ oz racquet say about you these days? To me, it means I am old because I don’t see any of the young advanced players below the age of 35 at my club using 12+ oz racquets anymore. How many stock racquets from current models are even available to buy that weigh 12 ozs?

Gone are the days when you needed to wield a “heavy” racquet to get respect on this forum. Thank goodness!

2005 view - Ooh, he is so good he uses a heavy racquet.
2025 view - That dude is so old he uses a heavy racquet.
 
1) means you have the strength to swing it. 2) It means you can still generate racket head speed with this weight. 3) It could mean you need help getting a little power on off-center hits. 4) Means you want to hit a heavier ball. 5) It means you want to improve at the net. On the contrary, it might mean you see yourself as a much better player than you really are.
 
If I see someone using a heavy racquet my first assumption is the first few games will be tough until they get tired, and then the racquet works against them. Most players I’ve played that use 12+ ounce frames or close can only wield them for a few games but then can’t keep that racquet head speed up.
One guy I knew would demolish the ball with the RF97 for the first 4-5 games serving bombs and crushing groundstrokes, but after that EVERY SINGLE return was a slice floater up the middle and his pace dropped significantly. The 2nd kind of player is they just can’t use the racquet for more than a game, where after the first game they instantly bag out. But the first situation happens more often.
 
socallefty said:
What does your heavy 12+ oz racquet say about you these days? To me, it means I am old because I don’t see any of the young advanced players below the age of 35 at my club using 12+ oz racquets anymore. How many stock racquets from current models are even available to buy that weigh 12 ozs?

Gone are the days when you needed to wield a “heavy” racquet to get respect on this forum. Thank goodness!

2005 view - Ooh, he is so good he uses a heavy racquet.
2025 view - That dude is so old he uses a heavy racquet.
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I completely agree that the attitude here that you had to use a heavy frame and/or an 18/20 to get respect was so bad a few years ago and it’s much better. After using a blade 16/19 with a leather grip that was sluggish and too low powered for awhile, and now using a slightly weighted up ezone 100, my tennis has gotten so much better, where I no longer struggle to keep pace up at the end of a set and tennis feels so much less of a struggle. With the blade by the end of a set I’d be slicing a ton of balls cause I couldn’t handle the swingweight and low power.
 
SinneGOAT said:
I completely agree that the attitude here that you had to use a heavy frame and/or an 18/20 to get respect was so bad a few years ago and it’s much better.
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Was a big time lurker on here for ages and it led me down a rabbit hole where my main frame became a 370g Ultra Tour...

Now it's a Speed MP where I try to keep the whole thing (inc. overgrip and dampener) sub 335g.
 
I grew up with wood in the 70s and have stuck with 12+ oz racquets all my life as it never feels stable enough when I demo lighter racquets which I do periodically. So I still play with a Pure Strike Tour. But it is clear that when you have a modern swing that has a significant vertical component brushing up on the ball more than a linear swing, maximizing swing speed is the first priority over having mass and so I can see why all the best young rec and college players use 11 to 11.5 oz racquets and there are barely any new models anymore with stock weights of 12 ozs anymore.

So my likes are just a reflection of the generation and the technology I grew up with rather than an immutable rule that heavy racquets are needed to play good tennis. Poly allows you to swing harder and harder while still having control from heavy spin generation and so it is all about swing speed these days - we ain’t playing with gut anymore. Let’s all play with what we like and stop telling other players what is good for them.
 
Age for me, I grew up using heavier rackets, starting with woodies, through Rad Tours and eventually onto Prince Tours approx 330g. Older players using the heavier rackets is in part technical for me, as the period they or we learned to play favoured a technique and swing path that heavier sticks required. Still occasionally take one out for a hit, it is fun just crunching the ball with a heavy racket.

I’ve enjoyed going down in weight as my Princes are now less physically demanding and easier to generate racket speed. If you utilise a fast wrist also much easier. And modern tech still allows for a solid feel at impact, although nothing is as good as the the Zebra for absolutely plough through.
 
A Volkl Power Bridge 10 Mid and C10 Pro both have a strung weight with over grip and dampener of around 355g or thereabouts with the SW’s at 320 and 326 respectively. The PB 10 Mid in particular is quite a quick feeling frame for its weight, (330h unstrung )
The PK Q Tour 325 ( 2021) is really close in static weight to the 2 Volkl’s but it’s SW of 331, thoroughly box beamed design, kinetic chambers and lay up of graphite make this racquet feel a bit heavier and slower.
These are just some of the frames I have worked with over the years however as we age the equation starts to change. Luckily these days with modern engineering and ergonomics manufacturers have been able to make a 315g unstrung frame play just as well, as long as the SW is over 320 and preferably around that 327 to 335. The PK Q Tour 315 with a 328 SW works well as does the PS 97 and even a TF 40 315 at the lighter end and there are many others. Anywhere between a 305 to 320g can do the job,
I can see the point being made of relating frames to the practice of older players turning up to a club using their older heavy frames probably because they haven’t tried a new one or they don’t have time to adjust to a newer design. Lot of these guys are probably still playing with a 95 or 93 head as well and yes going back however many years these players would have been associated with being more elite, but not so much now,
I think probably what is more noticeable is a generational gap between players that would use a thrashing machine like an Aero or SX300 v maybe a CX200 or TF 40 due to linear or angular game style or even a S &’V guy. I don’t think Cash wouid enjoy the feel of an aero and making volleys.
The more one writes about these topics the more you feel it’s hard to generalise because we are all different and have different circumstances.
I actually feel that the best idea would be to have lots of racquets available to demo. I’m having a racquet and food testing day soon to talk racquets and expose people to all the new stuff, the strings, balls and maybe even shoes,
 
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I think old folks who use heavy rackets are probably smart, especially if they care about their joint health and don't play against high pace.

A heavy racket plows through the ball like a hot knife through butter, and therefore absorbs more of the impact that would otherwise be felt on the arm.

The downside of heavy rackets (less maneuverability) isn't very relevant if you play against slow/medium pace balls, so it isn't a big deal for a lot of people at the club level.
 
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This kind of discussions about heavy vs light racquets does me wonder if I would win more matches with an easier (more powerful and lighter) frame.

I used to play with 12+ oz. racquets all my life like @socallefty as I learned my tennis basics during the 70s and 80s with a wooden racquet.

Currently I play with an Angell TC99 (27.25 inch 325 grams 10pts HL 305SW unstrung) that feels very solid and I can serve with a good amount of power.

However I sometimes consider to shorten it to standard length for a bit more maneuverability as it can be a bit exhausting during long matches.

What do you think?
 
It depends on your definition of heavy. Many frames are lighter but they have thicker beams like the PD. Thinner beamed frames tend to be heavier, like the Blade or Gravity series.
 
I'm short and skinny. My racquet weight peaked at 350g strung gravity pro for a year. Now going down to gravity MP. Maybe I will be using light or team racquets in a few years.
 
aaron_h27 said:
Is 340g strung considered heavy? I remember in the 2010s when 350+ was considered heavy. It seems like people say anything heavier than a Blade 98 is a player's frame lol.
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Yeah, my 345g Revelation 200G feels easier to manoeuvre than many 325g sticks I've tried recently, like Blade 98 and Radical MP; but at the same time those latter sticks feel inconsistent off-centre, whereas, the Revelation's power rolls-off in an even manner.
 
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I started out customizing with weight but weight became addictive because it makes a racquet feel solid.

Now when I play with light racquets there's something dissatisfying to me about off center flutter and overall vibration of the frame which makes the frame feel cheap or unsubstantial to me.

There's a strong probability I have gone over the weight that's optimal for me but I have typically enjoyed the feel of the frame after adding weight and not reducing.

My frames are extended and weighed to 355g+.
 
I don’t know exact weights in my racquet, but a good guess would be 343-349g. Wilson Six.One 95 (v13) with a leather grip and thinner poly string.

edit: I wanted to just get control and more stability out of a racquet, and I found SW to not be an issue, unless I’m crazy tired (and I haven’t encountered many times that happens except when my hands freeze). it works fine for me in those matters.
 
Gee said:
This kind of discussions about heavy vs light racquets does me wonder if I would win more matches with an easier (more powerful and lighter) frame.

I used to play with 12+ oz. racquets all my life like @socallefty as I learned my tennis basics during the 70s and 80s with a wooden racquet.

Currently I play with an Angell TC99 (27.25 inch 325 grams 10pts HL 305SW unstrung) that feels very solid and I can serve with a good amount of power.

However I sometimes consider to shorten it to standard length for a bit more maneuverability as it can be a bit exhausting during long matches.

What do you think?
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Probably not win more, my last opponent used 4 different rackets in the first set, with no success. Your SW isn't that crazy heavy really.
 
Most people who discuss weight on these forums for stability etc., aren't really playing high competitive tennis or they are hiding somewhere far away from where I've played. Blades, Ezones, Pure Strikes, Pure Aeros, some kind of Heads, lol, 90% of 5.0s I know use those without tinkering with them much at all. More Ezone 100s too than you would expect, stock.

And 10 years ago even, it was Blades Blades Blades upon more Blades.
 
FuzzyYellowBalls said:
Probably not win more, my last opponent used 4 different rackets in the first set, with no success. Your SW isn't that crazy heavy really.
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You're probably right.

FuzzyYellowBalls said:
Most people who discuss weight on these forums for stability etc., aren't really playing high competitive tennis or they are hiding somewhere far away from where I've played. Blades, Ezones, Pure Strikes, Pure Aeros, some kind of Heads, lol, 90% of 5.0s I know use those without tinkering with them much at all. More Ezone 100s too than you would expect, stock.

And 10 years ago even, it was Blades Blades Blades upon more Blades.
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I agree. This is a real world scenario.

I almost didn't met anyone who was tinkering with their frames as well.

However I think that doesn't mean they would benefit from customizing their racquets to their optimal specs.

They just didn't have any knowledge about customizing as they don't care about it. They often didn't even know what strings they use when I asked them.

They focus more on technique and footwork that are indeed much more important aspects when you want to improve your game.
 
Unless you see a bunch a lead tape, it's not always easy to identify heavy racquets. As opposed to midsized frames. Most racquet brand seem to have a light version, normal, and heavy. Even the Federer frames do it. Unless you're investigating your opponents gear in their bag it's unlikely something that will affect your judgement of a player across the court.
 
Roforot said:
Unless you see a bunch a lead tape, it's not always easy to identify heavy racquets. As opposed to midsized frames. Most racquet brand seem to have a light version, normal, and heavy. Even the Federer frames do it. Unless you're investigating your opponents gear in their bag it's unlikely something that will affect your judgement of a player across the court.
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That's a good point. We know that most sticks are (at least) +/- 7g, 7sw pts and 0.5cm balance, so two players using 'un-modified' retail sticks could be 14sw pts, 1cm balance (3pt) different anyway.
 
Roforot said:
Unless you see a bunch a lead tape, it's not always easy to identify heavy racquets. As opposed to midsized frames. Most racquet brand seem to have a light version, normal, and heavy. Even the Federer frames do it. Unless you're investigating your opponents gear in their bag it's unlikely something that will affect your judgement of a player across the court.
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I don’t judge by weight, I judge by head size and model. It’s also too hard to tell unless you see a specific mark on a racquet.
 
It says one of the following:
1) You are able to play with it.
2) You aren’t able to play with it but you want that the others think you can.
 
When I break out the old CTS Approach or Thunderstick...

tenor.gif
 
i still play with my 365g dunlop max impact plus and a bed of hyper g or weiss cannon ( if i really need the grip ). my back up is my whiteout xtd with 12g of lead at the hoop an the 10g weighted butt cap, for when i need a lighter racquet. lol
 
Only a few are posting in the spirit of the OP which is about what others might think of you when they see you playing with a 12+ oz racquet. Many are posting about why they play with a heavy racquet - of course everyone who prefers playing with a heavy racquet is doing it because they like it.

There were times a couple of decades ago when I would think it is going to be a difficult match if someone showed up with a heavy Prostaff, Prestige, C10, Pure Control or Storm Tour as there was a decent likelihood they played with it as a coached junior or in college. Now those guys have all become old and are in physical decline while the ones to fear are the younger, faster advanced players who likely played in juniors/college with an Aero, Blade, Speed etc.
 
socallefty said:
Only a few are posting in the spirit of the OP which is about what others might think of you when they see you playing with a 12+ oz racquet. Many are posting about why they play with a heavy racquet - of course everyone who prefers playing with a heavy racquet is doing it because they like it.

There were times a couple of decades ago when I would think it is going to be a difficult match if someone showed up with a heavy Prostaff, Prestige, C10, Pure Control or Storm Tour as there was a decent likelihood they played with it as a coached junior or in college. Now those guys have all become old and are in physical decline while the ones to fear are the younger, faster advanced players who likely played in juniors/college with an Aero, Blade, Speed etc.
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Whenever I hand someone at my club my racquet they almost always give it right back to me and are like ‘nope, you’re weird’.
 
If you know what you're doing on a court you can pick up virtually any racquet and be hitting pretty decently with it after 15 min. The really good guys aren't tinkering all the time .. rather find something that suits your style, work with it a lot, and the results naturally follow.
 
socallefty said:
Only a few are posting in the spirit of the OP which is about what others might think of you when they see you playing with a 12+ oz racquet. Many are posting about why they play with a heavy racquet - of course everyone who prefers playing with a heavy racquet is doing it because they like it.

There were times a couple of decades ago when I would think it is going to be a difficult match if someone showed up with a heavy Prostaff, Prestige, C10, Pure Control or Storm Tour as there was a decent likelihood they played with it as a coached junior or in college. Now those guys have all become old and are in physical decline while the ones to fear are the younger, faster advanced players who likely played in juniors/college with an Aero, Blade, Speed etc.
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If I see an opponent with a beefcake racquet I'm expecting consistent low penetrating balls, lots of slice, and probably creeping the net. It also likely means a very long stroke with a huge takeback circa early 2000's coaching. Enjoyable to play against because you don't really get surprised, just pressured.

The guys with the 280g frames are the spooky ones for me, because when they're having a good day they can just flick their wrist and double the pace/spin on a random shot.
 
Cage Rattler said:
If you know what you're doing on a court you can pick up virtually any racquet and be hitting pretty decently with it after 15 min. The really good guys aren't tinkering all the time .. rather find something that suits your style, work with it a lot, and the results naturally follow.
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I think I can adjust easily during the warmup to a different racquet or strings. But I don’t want to be thinking about my racquet or string job when I play - I want that to be a consistent variable. So I use the same racquets strung the same way for my matches and can then focus solely on my opponents and any changes in conditions. I don’t want to be thinking about whether I would play better with another racquet or stringjob in my bag.
 
Shroud said:
It says I don’t want to have tennis elbow ever again. It says I want to keep some muscle mass as I age. It says I want easy pace on the serve.
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Pretty much this. ^

After I got my tennis elbow case, from reading on this forum, I bought my first heavy racquet . The tennis elbow was from playing with dead poly strings, which I didn't know better at the time.
Fate was that one of the last 6.1 95 on the market that I was able to buy was overweight - no doubt nobody bought it. 365 grams with overgrip and poly string, 350 swingweight.
Again I knew nothing at that time that this was a monster so I kept playing and adapting to it. My tennis elbow also got cured.
Later on, I bought my RF97 and added lead to it to match the 6.1 95.

I can play with lighter racquets, but nothing replaces crashing the ball with my overweight 6.1 95/RF97. Or the bomb serves where the inertia of the racquet does everything for me.

Disclaimer: Don't try this at home. "Professional" player. Risks of breaking bones and muscles :)
 
Not much, depends of the frame. Aside from that, the biggest difference I find between recent rackets and ones from 20, 30+ years ago is that the weight is placed more "effectively". If you made a racket for a perfect player, it would look like a hammer: most of the weight where you hit the ball, a bit under your hand. A lot of classic rackets tend to have a lot of weight between the handle and the bottom part of the hoop, and the swingweight/twistweight ratio isn't that great relative to the overall static weight of the racket. Recent rackets are not simply "lighter" but have more mass where you hit the ball, with better swingweight to weight ratios and higher twistweights. You don't need them to be as heavy for them to be somewhat stable and forgiving, manufacturers are more open to play with the geometry of the racket to get the twistweight up (larger head sizes, larger upper hoop, thicker beams, etc.). Moreover, the areas where big static weights shine aren't as relevant nowadays as they were ages ago: the return positions have gotten deeper and there are fewer blocked/chipped returns, there's much fewer volleying, approach shots are hardly sliced... There are overall fewer instances where you don't take a swing at the ball.

For example (and using fairly player oriented frames there), the recently re-released Six.One 95 18x20 reissue has a comparable swingweight to the latest Gravity Pro... except that the Gravity Pro is a good 17 grams lighter and is more forgiving with comparable precision. It sacrifices a bit of balance, which if you're very attached to it is easily recouped with some putty in the buttcap, for far less static weight than the Six.One. It even has a ever so slightly thinner beam as a bonus. The strung weight of the Gravity Pro is about the same as the unstrung weight of the Six.One, yet when it comes to hitting the ball it has nearly all of its benefits and then some.
 
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