Why Recreational players carry many rackets

[Eddie G]

This might sound like a trully dumb question to veteran tennis players but I'll ask anyway. See, I just started playing recreational tennis about 5 months ago. I noticed that some players come to the court with many rackets (some up to 5 different rackets)

These are not professional players I'm talking about. It's just at the neighborhood court where beginners to experienced players go. I've googled and it seems only professional players do this. However, I thought to get a gist of why recreational folks carry a whole tennis shop in their bags.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pWIpuVLKKhJ3RE72SRyfN8-WdUw0baso

 

[DJ-]

Welcome to talk tennis new user, if you stay here for a while, you will also go down that path.........

 

[Eddie G]

...well, these are guys I play with. so if this practice gives them some tactical advantage I certainly want to know

 

[DJ-]

1.) Racquetholism
2.) They know what they are doing and have 5 different racquets for 5 different surfaces
3.) They have racquets for lazy days such as big powerful tweeners
4.) They are searching for the holy grail to eliminate footwork, fitness, and coaching
5.) HOLISM

 

[n8dawg6]

for s’s and giggles

 

[treo]

If you use natural gut or syn gut strings you only need to bring one racquet. By looking at the strings for notching or fraying you can tell when the need to be replaced before they break. If you use poly, you need to bring more than one racquet because they lose tension so quickly.

Save your money and use only one racquet with cheap syn gut, since you know your buddies have plenty of racquets to borrow if it breaks.

 

[SpinToWin]

Because they are recreational players and they play tennis for recreational purposes.

 

[mad dog1]

Cuz it’s fun to try different racquets.

 

[392Hemi]

If on bad days we play better or with more confidence after a racquet change, then we can blame the first racquet for our poor play.

If, on the other hand, we do not play better... then it is the second racquet's fault.. and so on ..

 

[SpinToWin]

Because they are recreational players and they play tennis for recreational purposes.

I can't get over this thread/question. It's like:

"Gee, why do people do things they enjoy in recreational activities?"

 

[TennisHound]

^^^

I can't get over this thread/question. It's like:

"Gee, why do people do things they enjoy in recreational activities?"

Lol, the OP is trolling. I think what he meant to say was, "I am so much better than these other people who try different racquets. I am so irritated over this that I will create a thread and gripe about it." Tennis has some odd ducks

 

[PBODY99]

@Eddie G
The reasons vary. When it is a bunch of different frames, they want to use the equipment they have invested in depending on their whim on that day.
If as you linked picture implies, a set of matched frames is for go; so I can blame my equipment for my off day, or show to look like they have a serious player set up.
It is for fun,just a way to express yourself

 

[Addxyz]

If you look more like a pro, you'll play more like a pro.

 

[Guy Jones]

If on bad days we play better or with more confidence after a racquet change, then we can blame the first racquet for our poor play.

If, on the other hand, we do not play better... then it is the second racquet's fault.. and so on ..

This is actually the accurate answer.

 

[Dartagnan64]

If you use natural gut or syn gut strings you only need to bring one racquet. By looking at the strings for notching or fraying you can tell when the need to be replaced before they break. If you use poly, you need to bring more than one racquet because they lose tension so quickly.

Save your money and use only one racquet with cheap syn gut, since you know your buddies have plenty of racquets to borrow if it breaks.

If you play with natural gut you need two rackets. One strung with nat gut and one without. In case of rain.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

PSSSSH, people showing up to local parks with multiple racquets? BOYYYYYY you ain't seen nothing yet. Wait until you see fools showing up with individually plastic-wrapped racquet, all contained in a giant 12pack bag.

 

[letplaytennis]

Because I like to play with different strings and see which one I like best. Once I find my ideal string setup, I reset and go down the rabbit hole again.

currently have PS85, PS90 x 2, RF97, RF97A x 2 in my bag with a variety of string setups: hybrid everything from nat gut, syn gut & poly in different combinations.

Sometimes its just fun to take out the PS85 and take it out for a ride.

 

[TennisCJC]

no reason to have more than 2 rackets for most players and 3 for most very serious players. I have 2 identical because I play leagues and might break a string. I also don't want to be without a racket if I break a string. I also have a stringer but if I break a string, I may not have time to restring for a few days.

Some players carry different types of frames because they cannot decide which plays best or because they think they should change rackets based on conditions or opponent. This is just craziness but it ensures lots of profit for the racket manufacturers.

If you want and advantage over your rec mates, get 2 frames of the same model that fit your level and style. And, then take some lessons and practice hard.

 

[Guy Jones]

I can see the point in owning more than one or two racquets, particularly if you find a model that you can see having for the rest of your useful playing days, but really there is little point bringing more than three to a knock about unless you just want to experiment and see how different models and strings play. Nothing wrong with that I suppose, but it doesn't mean that the player in question is better/more serious or has a competitive advantage over anyone else just turning up with a shopping bag with a racquet in it.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

no reason to have more than 2 rackets for most players and 3 for most very serious players. I have 2 identical because I play leagues and might break a string. I also don't want to be without a racket if I break a string. I also have a stringer but if I break a string, I may not have time to restring for a few days.

Some players carry different types of frames because they cannot decide which plays best or because they think they should change rackets based on conditions or opponent. This is just craziness but it ensures lots of profit for the racket manufacturers.

If you want and advantage over your rec mates, get 2 frames of the same model that fit your level and style. And, then take some lessons and practice hard.

Agree on just about everything:

# of racquets
- I have 4 of the same and matched racquets. I carry 2 onto the court per session, 3 if I know a break is imminent. (the 3rd one is for in case I break the 2nd racquet with a shank)
- Why do I have 4 of the same racquets? Because I hate stringing racquets, having 3 strung means I don't have to string for at least the next two weeks. And to rotate the racquets and preserve them from stringing fatigue.

Different racquets
- That's just lunacy. Are you there to show off, play the blame game, or practicing and trying to improve your game? Figure out your equipment, get it set, and focus on your game.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I can see the point in owning more than one or two racquets, particularly if you find a model that you can see having for the rest of your useful playing days, but really there is little point bringing more than three to a knock about unless you just want to experiment and see how different models and strings play. Nothing wrong with that I suppose, but it doesn't mean that the player in question is better/more serious or has a competitive advantage over anyone else just turning up with a shopping bag with a racquet in it.

You haven't played with fools who sticks to the same racquet, but immediately switches to a different racquet as soon as he/she gets broken huh? Hehe

 

[Guy Jones]

You haven't played with fools who sticks to the same racquet, but immediately switches to a different racquet as soon as he/she gets broken huh? Hehe

Fortunately not....

 

[392Hemi]

Different racquets
If you are there to figure out your equipment, I get it .

FIFY

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

FIFY

And how many sessions do said players "figure out their equipment"? Do they seem to be "figuring out" their equipment every single session?

Please, if people like to have built in excuse for their (lack of) game, that's fine. Just admit it.

*Double faults*
"Nope, this racquet doesn't serve well"

*Misses a return*
"Nope, there's not enough power in this racquet"

*Shank a volley in the middle of the court with all kinds of air underneath it, and gets passed*
"There's no feel in this racquet"

 

[NoQuarter]

I've carried at least 2 of the same model racket for 30+ years...mostly for 2 reasons. First, I'm a notorious string breaker...way more when I was younger, but still occasionally. Most now due to shanks! Also in that first point, I also was a notorious frame breaker as well...definitely not that anymore. Secondly, and probably more the reason now, is that I sweat heavily during the summer months and I switch frames every so many games so that the grip can dry out.

 

[392Hemi]

And how many sessions do said players "figure out their equipment"? Do they seem to be "figuring out" their equipment every single session?

Please, if people like to have built in excuse for their (lack of) game, that's fine. Just admit it.

I pull different racquets from my bag on occasion and have a built in excuse. I've been playing for only 2 1/2 years (with a 6 month hiatus for hand tendon reattachment surgery) and started at 52 years old. That's why I have a lack of game. I admit it. Does that meet your standard for an acceptable excuse? Well if not...

In addition, as a newer / improving player I continue to seek out the best setup for me. And the best way I have found to do that is to play different racquets on different days, or to change racquets between sets, try different ones for clinic drills, whatever.

Now my string rolling has virtually stopped and I have 3 similar-but-different racquets that I might like to play on any given day.

 

[BorgCash]

Welcome to talk tennis new user, if you stay here for a while, you will also go down that path.........

Good saying man!

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I pull different racquets from my bag on occasion and have a built in excuse. I've been playing for only 2 1/2 years (with a 6 month hiatus for hand tendon reattachment surgery) and started at 52 years old. That's why I have a lack of game. I admit it. Does that meet your standard for an acceptable excuse? Well if not...

In addition, as a newer / improving player I continue to seek out the best setup for me. And the best way I have found to do that is to play different racquets on different days, or to change racquets between sets, try different ones for clinic drills, whatever.

Now my string rolling has virtually stopped and I have 3 similar-but-different racquets that I might like to play on any given day.

I don't see anything wrong with trying new stuff, adjusting your equipment. But if that's ALL you do, each and every single practice session, are you really improving as a player?

Ask any decent player, ask them how often they change their equipment.

 

[BorgCash]

If you look more like a pro, you'll play more like a pro.

Pros don't bring different racquets. The same model, slightly different string tension.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

This might sound like a trully dumb question to veteran tennis players but I'll ask anyway. See, I just started playing recreational tennis about 5 months ago. I noticed that some players come to the court with many rackets (some up to 5 different rackets)

These are not professional players I'm talking about. It's just at the neighborhood court where beginners to experienced players go. I've googled and it seems only professional players do this. However, I thought to get a gist of why recreational folks carry a whole tennis shop in their bags.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pWIpuVLKKhJ3RE72SRyfN8-WdUw0baso

my guess...
because they break strings like yearly... and rotate around, and don't know when one racquet is gonna break
they also probably just put it all in the same bag, so more of a pain to take it out and put it elsewhere...
in the end they probably only use one (the latest pure drive!), and have like 4 backups... which also defines how long they've been playing tennis (eg. 1 racquet per 5-10y range)
and they're hoarders

that said, i carry 3, all the same kind... typically all strung similarly, unless i'm going through a phase of trying new string. not unheard of to break 3 strings in a 2h cooperative bash session.

 

[BorgCash]

I like to try different racquets.

 

[392Hemi]

I don't see anything wrong with trying new stuff, adjusting your equipment. But if that's ALL you do, each and every single practice session, are you really improving as a player?

Ask any decent player, ask them how often they change their equipment.

Any "decent player" has gone through the journey of finding their equipment. Some are good with the first thing they try, others search longer for their ideal. Does changing racquets help with improvement? Of course not, starting with muscle memory and everything else from there. But it is an investment in time to find a best fit setup, and at the same time if someone enjoys the hobby within the hobby, so what?

 

[jsm1373]

Some top pros restring a day before (or morning of) roughly knowing what the temp/humidity will be when they play next and slightly adjust tension +/- accordingly... Usually tighter in hot/dry conditions to find more control as the balls fly more through thinner air, and looser at night or in denser more humid air. Others make these adjustments mid-match with on-site stringers while others like Rafa stick with one number regardless.

Maybe its just placebo, but in this game of inches - even my rec hacker 4.5 self finds some benefit in using tighter/looser identical strings in identical (matched/balanced anyway) sticks varying per day/night/hot/cold... So I keep 4 in the bag, one pair tighter than the other and use whatever tension feels best on that day. If at the end of a long match or looking for more serve mph, I'll also go to a looser one.

Placebos have been scientifically proven to be effective, so even if my muscle memory isn't actually developed enough that a couple of lbs matters - if it gives me any psychological boost - why not? The exact tension number seems less important than going a little tighter or looser relative to what I last used. Of course they all stretch at different rates per usage but again the important thing is feeling like I'm going up or down, regardless of the actual tension #.

Plus as another poster mentioned, having identical spares takes pressure off needing to restring asap/soon when one or two break.

 

[jsm1373]

Secondly, and probably more the reason now, is that I sweat heavily during the summer months and I switch frames every so many games so that the grip can dry out.

Ditto to this too - I also sweat a lot and sometimes whichever grip is most dry gets picked regardless of tension

 

[n8dawg6]

who wants to get better?? its more fun to just sandbag into 2.5 league and win

 

[kimguroo]

Some people need one serving racket, one backhand racket, one volley racket, one forehand racket and two all around rackets so needs 6 rackets in their bag.

I don’t have time to play tennis lately so when I have double matches, I am using three rackets.
One for serve and the other for general use. When I get tired in third set, pull out lighter racket too. Hahaha

 

[Traffic]

My son and I have 2 matched racquets in case we we miss hit and break a string during a match. But I'm starting to think my son needs a third just to have 3 sticks in the rotation. Can have one always at home ready to be re-strung when convenient. His buddy has 4 racquets; 2 to play and 2 to be at stringer.

I had an unusual week where I broke 2 strings in 3 days. Ended up playing with an emergency racquet that I was not used to and it was a disaster. So wouldn't mind a third at home getting ready to string when convenient or with an experimental string.

 

[Kevo]

I like to have 3 frames, all the same usually with the same string and tension. I used to carry only 2 frames, but it's not that hard to get into situations where you end up breaking the most used string, and then break the backup string. So having a third prevents having to go to a different frame or borrow a frame from someone else.

Now I teach more than play, so I have one stick strung with softer strings for feeding and the other two with poly for playing.

Occasionally if I'm in a different mood I might carry one of my old frames or a wood frame to have some fun with.

 

[CopolyX]

I am not sure why we answer this. I have more than one hammer and I am no carpenter.....

 

[graycrait]

Because I don't make a living playing tennis. Today started out windy for one of my regularly scheduled smack talking doubles matches. I used an OS racket for the first set and as the wind tied I moved back to 100" rackets. I also experiment a lot with string vs certain types of rackets. I took out one racket today in the middle of a set, hit several crappy shots and thought, "what the hell?" Got my old standby racket and decided to become the best pusher I could be and we eeked out a win. Our side of the net was 125 yrs while the other side was only 107. Massive win for us!! Plus we had serious laughs, insults without offense, and general gray haired mayhem. I couple of the D1 players walked by and called out to us some lame encouragement, I yelled back, "You are still climbing the hill, we are sliding downhill to the drain."

 

[max]

I only need 2 today.

when I was playing more often, I needed a third-----this would be strung tighter, and would be used in the event that I was nervous and stressed and hitting balls out----the tighter string job would help keep the ball in. The 4th would sometimes be strung more loosely, for playing on clay.

As you can gather from comments above, the reason for the Second racquet is in case a string breaks on the first one. So #1 and #2 should be strung at about the same tension. Since I have a stringing machine, it's okay to just have two nowadays---I can use #2 to finish the match, and string #1 the next day or so.

 

[time_fly]

These are not professional players I'm talking about. It's just at the neighborhood court where beginners to experienced players go. I've googled and it seems only professional players do this. However, I thought to get a gist of why recreational folks carry a whole tennis shop in their bags.

Recreational player = "plays for fun." Including the fun with tinkering with different tech for some guys. Professional players have to optimize their whole game with exactly one setup to maximize their chances of winning every point and getting some grocery money, the poor guys.

 

[n8dawg6]

lets be honest ... 3.5s or 4.0s arent gonna win better with one style racquet or another. at some point lead taping, strang patterns, string selection, and such becomes genuinely important. but, at the rec level, its more a matter of personal taste. i know a dude who’s still playing one of the prince monos with syn gut in 3.5 and 4.0 matches and hes quite successful.

long story short im not gonna lose a match bc i played with a prestige instead of a pure aero. they both have distinct attributes that you either like or dont like. although i do have a theory that its entirely possible for an unsuspecting player to create an absolute lead club after reading these pages that WILL make him lose.

fun to experiment, though.

 

[Phantasm]

testing lead setups, try strings.

fresh overgrip without bothering to rewrap while you're at the tennis court.

 

[weelie]

I carry 3 at most. I tend to play just the one racket. But I like to have another too, for example:
- I used to break strings all the time, before poly was invented, so I want a spare, just in case. Never had too exact same set up rackets in the bag, though. Also, when I leave one racket to be restrung, I want to have another to play in the mean time.
- sometimes my elbow flares up, so I want a softer set up for that, just in case
- sometimes I feel all my shots land short, I want a looser strung racket. Sometimes all my returns or serves fly, I want a tighter strung for that. In heat of a match, sometimes easier just to change the racket than the play.
- My regular racket is more geared to my singles play, so I've played a very traditional racket for doubles sometimes (flexy, multifilaments). Makes me flatten out my forehand and serve, to play for position, not for power.

But, I have a some rackets that I used to play with, and I tend to store most of them in the bag, why not.

 

[ron schaap]

This might sound like a trully dumb question to veteran tennis players but I'll ask anyway. See, I just started playing recreational tennis about 5 months ago. I noticed that some players come to the court with many rackets (some up to 5 different rackets)

These are not professional players I'm talking about. It's just at the neighborhood court where beginners to experienced players go. I've googled and it seems only professional players do this. However, I thought to get a gist of why recreational folks carry a whole tennis shop in their bags.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pWIpuVLKKhJ3RE72SRyfN8-WdUw0baso

Why don't you ask the same question in the game of golf?
Multimillionaire golf pros and 50+ handicapped slugger takes his maximum allowed of 14 clubs to the golfcourt and problaby uses less than half of that actually.
So why bother if tennis players takes more racquets to tenniscourts?

 

[ron schaap]

If you use natural gut or syn gut strings you only need to bring one racquet. By looking at the strings for notching or fraying you can tell when the need to be replaced before they break. If you use poly, you need to bring more than one racquet because they lose tension so quickly.

Save your money and use only one racquet with cheap syn gut, since you know your buddies have plenty of racquets to borrow if it breaks.

I stopped using gut long ago when my expensive string job broke within 2 hours
Also syngut doesn't play as nice as poly which is more durable too.
If you wait a week before playing a new poly stringjob than there isn't a lot of tensionloss anymore.

 

[WarrenMP]

I used to carry all my racquets and only use one. I asked myself that same question. I just take one now since I string my own racquets. It is so much easier on the back.

 

[USPTARF97]

Playing with different kinds of racquets in a single hitting session I find to not be productive. Having several of the same racquets, strung at different tensions I like. Due to conditions racquet may feel tight one day but be fine for another. Many times I go out there with one freshly strung racquet and that’s it. Others are prepared like they are playing on the atp. Look at me funny with one racquet.

 

[EKTiger]

Can someone show a video of how recreational players play?