Would a "players" racquet help my 3.5 game evolve?

[Marietta_Ken]

I picked up tennis about 3 yrs ago. Been working pretty hard at improving the last couple of years. I'd say I'm a pretty good all-court player. Good wheels. Pretty athletic & strong. Strokes fundamentally sound, but still developing. I'm 44 yrs old. Playing at 3.5 level now.

So, I've really enjoyed my APDC, but unfortunately in a knuckleheaded move cracked the frame on a clay court (not as forgiving as I had imagined). Since I have to buy another, I decided to demo a few just for grins. Well, I found that I'm kinda liking a little additional weight since I played well with a demo Head Microgel Extreme Pro. Decided to continue testing heavier racquets, and even more towards players models since I'm strong enough and want to develop my strokes more completely. My rationale is that if I get a racquet that requires I stroke fully, and isn't powerful enough to accomodate shorter stroking that comes about when I play tight, then it may actually help me evolve to the next level.

Today I demo'd the Aero Storm Tour and loved it. Played lights out. However, am I making a mistake by considering giving up the APDC? Am I likely to fade later in the match due to the heft of the Storm?

Advice appreciated!

 

[120mphBodyServe]

What's your off court training like?
I think you should just go with your gut feeling and get the Aero Storm Tour...
Just try to find out what string/tension the AST demo was at..
You have any string/tension preference?

 

[canadave]

Today I demo'd the Aero Storm Tour and loved it. Played lights out.

However, am I making a mistake by considering giving up the APDC?

As you can see from the bolded section.....nope Unless....

Am I likely to fade later in the match due to the heft of the Storm?

Answer: Unfortunately, there's really no way to tell "yes or no" definitively without just going out and doing it. How long did you demo the AST? You should demo it at least 30 minutes if you can....ideally, as long as you might play a typical match, if you're concerned about fading late.

I switched from a 12.6 oz racquet (ProStaff Classic, a player's racquet if ever there was one) to an 11.7 oz racquet (Gamma 330X) precisely because I felt the heft was bothering me later in matches. So far the switch has proved to be a good idea. However, going the opposite direction as you are (lighter to heavier), there's just no way to tell for sure until you do it.

 

[Marietta_Ken]

What's your off court training like?
I think you should just go with your gut feeling and get the Pure Storm Tour...
Just try to find out what string/tension the PST demo was at..
You have any string/tension preference?

I don't do much off court -- tennis 3-4 times/wk, including a couple of singles matches, has become my workout. I'd like to put in some weight lifting...

Overall, though, I'd say I'm in pretty well above average shape for someone who doesn't have a true exercise regimen.

I'll find out the tension of the demo. I tended towards the higher tension on my APDC. I string myself, so I can play around a bit to find what suits.

 

[Marietta_Ken]

How long did you demo the AST? You should demo it at least 30 minutes if you can....ideally, as long as you might play a typical match, if you're concerned about fading late.

Today I demo'd this racquet pretty extensively -- over an hour of play both just hitting around and in a full set with a friend who is a solid player. It was about a million degrees here in Atlanta, and I did start to notice not playing quite as well as I got a little fatigued. Hard to tell if the racquet weight had anything to do with it -- but that was the source of my concern.

I'm thinking that I'll demo it for awhile to see if I get used to it or if the fading results appear to be a pattern. I gotta say, though, I was a little surprised how well I hit with it for most of the day. I think the TW writeup says something like 4.5+ players, so I guess I thought I was going to have to swing for the fences to even get the ball over the net. I was able to get good depth and placement with a comfortable, but full, stroke.

I also served surprisingly well with this racquet. I will say that if I got a little lazy with technique it produced a definite dud result. I wouldn't call it unforgiving so much as just a good reminder to not mentally checkout mid-stroke.

 

[pmata814]

When I try playing with a heavier racquet I notice my arm fatigue mostly on serves. I start losing a lot of swing speed and as a consequence i start double faulting or serving up very weak sitters. Make sure you play a full match with the racquet (including serves and returns) before purchasing.

Also, if you're demoing player's racquets I advise you to try out the Pure Storm Tour. I loved that racquet but i couldn't handle the weight.

 

[JackB1]

I think the Storm is a perfect small step in weight and the same type of racquet that u are used to. Give it a try for a while and if it feels too heavy for you, just sell it or exchange it for another. I see you are in Marietta (like me). Go to PGA Superstore in Kennesaw or Roswell. They have a 30 day playability guarantee and you can try the Storm out for 30 days and if its too heavy, you can get another Aeropro and add some lead to it until it feels right.

p.s. send me a private message. lets play sometime! I am at your level and may live real close to you.

 

[Marietta_Ken]

help with pm

p.s. send me a private message. lets play sometime! I am at your level and may live real close to you.

I feel like an idiot, but I can't seem to find how to send a pm. I did a FAQ search and it talked about buttons and such, using control panel, etc., but I'm not seeing that stuff anywhere. A little help??

 

[raiden031]

When I was about a 3.0 transitining from a weekend warrior to a usta league player, I started using a midsize player's racquet in order to encourage a full proper stroke and prevent myself from resorting to push strokes. I actually think it worked because its of course less forgiving, which helped keep me conscious of my technique. So you can't just use the racquet and it will automatically make your strokes better, but its just a tool to get better feedback on your strokes, thats all. Its still up to you to make sure you use good technique.

 

[Marietta_Ken]

When I was about a 3.0 transitining from a weekend warrior to a usta league player, I started using a midsize player's racquet in order to encourage a full proper stroke and prevent myself from resorting to push strokes. I actually think it worked because its of course less forgiving, which helped keep me conscious of my technique. So you can't just use the racquet and it will automatically make your strokes better, but its just a tool to get better feedback on your strokes, thats all. Its still up to you to make sure you use good technique.

Thanks. That is my rationale exactly, and what I experienced with limited demo time so far. I guess my strokes are reasonable enough already that I can hit it pretty well the vast majority of the time. The occasional dud is a good reminder to stay conscious of technique -- as you say. I think it'll also re-inspire me to get out with my ball machine and work on technique even more.

 

[Bud]

I picked up tennis about 3 yrs ago. Been working pretty hard at improving the last couple of years. I'd say I'm a pretty good all-court player. Good wheels. Pretty athletic & strong. Strokes fundamentally sound, but still developing. I'm 44 yrs old. Playing at 3.5 level now.

So, I've really enjoyed my APDC, but unfortunately in a knuckleheaded move cracked the frame on a clay court (not as forgiving as I had imagined). Since I have to buy another, I decided to demo a few just for grins. Well, I found that I'm kinda liking a little additional weight since I played well with a demo Head Microgel Extreme Pro. Decided to continue testing heavier racquets, and even more towards players models since I'm strong enough and want to develop my strokes more completely. My rationale is that if I get a racquet that requires I stroke fully, and isn't powerful enough to accomodate shorter stroking that comes about when I play tight, then it may actually help me evolve to the next level.

Today I demo'd the Aero Storm Tour and loved it. Played lights out. However, am I making a mistake by considering giving up the APDC? Am I likely to fade later in the match due to the heft of the Storm?

Advice appreciated!

If you really like the APDC, just add a bit of weight inside the butt cap and a little at 3/9. Bring it up to about 12 oz. It still feels great a tiny bit heavier than stock. If you find you don't like the extra weight... simply remove it.

 

[Marietta_Ken]

If you really like the APDC, just add a bit of weight inside the butt cap and a little at 3/9. Bring it up to about 12 oz. It still feels great a tiny bit heavier than stock. If you find you don't like the extra weight... simply remove it.

Good idea. I have also been thinking, though, that it might be a good idea to move towards the thinner frame. Probably just overthinking, but seems like it would be a good idea to have the frame more low profile for slices and drops.

 

[Topspin24]

Marietta, I can offer you some tennis workouts to do if you are serious about getting in better shape eventually becoming a better, more fit player.

 

[JackB1]

I feel like an idiot, but I can't seem to find how to send a pm. I did a FAQ search and it talked about buttons and such, using control panel, etc., but I'm not seeing that stuff anywhere. A little help??

click on my name.....then "view public profile", then "send a message via email"

 

[Marietta_Ken]

click on my name.....then "view public profile", then "send a message via email"

That's what I tried first -- just clicking on your name and going to public profile. All is shows me there is the option to add/remove from buddy list and to search for your other posts. No e-mail or pm buttons.

Wonder if I've got something configured oddly, or if it's an obscure Vista thing.

Anyway, if you drop me a note at kenm@toptennisproducts.com we can connect.

 

[Marietta_Ken]

Marietta, I can offer you some tennis workouts to do if you are serious about getting in better shape eventually becoming a better, more fit player.

That'd be great! I have a full gym, elliptical and roman chair in my basement workout room. A tennis specific workout would be awesome!

 

[Deleted member 25923]

Yes, I hate huge beam racquets. I find I shank more.

 

[Topspin24]

Let me write here tomorrow, I have tennis tomorrow so i'd be able tell you the warm-up work out. There is about eight or nine but you do only 6, four times...

 

[Power Player]

Im going to demo the Aerostorm 2008, just as a changeup to my APDCs. So far every racquet I demo, I still go back to the APDC. The Aerostorm is about last on my list. Anyway, the 2008 is lighter, and still has that thin beam.

 

[Bud]

Good idea. I have also been thinking, though, that it might be a good idea to move towards the thinner frame. Probably just overthinking, but seems like it would be a good idea to have the frame more low profile for slices and drops.

I slice my BH quite a bit and have never framed a slice or a DS.

Do you find the beam on the APD/APDC overly large?

 

[Bud]

I feel like an idiot, but I can't seem to find how to send a pm. I did a FAQ search and it talked about buttons and such, using control panel, etc., but I'm not seeing that stuff anywhere. A little help??

Some members have their email/PM disabled.

 

[shell]

I think you have to have 50 posts to do the PM. Ken, go post a few around the forums, you are almost there

 

[JackB1]

I feel like an idiot, but I can't seem to find how to send a pm. I did a FAQ search and it talked about buttons and such, using control panel, etc., but I'm not seeing that stuff anywhere. A little help??

Ken.....just email me directly at jackbandel@gmail.com

 

[RobFL]

With the caveat that i don't know your exact situation, I would strongly say that a "players" frame can help develop your game, you need to do it if you're serious about moving up quickly. Of course you need to be improving skills in parallel. But I see this all the time in lower level players-their frame choice is holding them back. Players frame can be a vague and broad description but i generally think you want to be between 11.3-12 ounces. Lower power, flexible frames definitely promote development of fuller and better stroke mechanics, all other things being equal (which they never are

 

[OHBH]

I just made a similar decision myself. I had been playing with the wilson ntour 95.
it was 10.2 oz and 2pts HL. I just switched the thwilson K prostaff 88 which is one of the heaviest frames with a very thin beam and my game has gotten so much better. It will force you to make a good stroke but it comes naturally as the weight plows right through the ball. To get that kind of power from a light frame you must make up for less mass by swinging faster. A hard swing with a light racket is much more difficult to time and results in more unforced errors.

 

[sureshs]

No ..................

 

[LafayetteHitter]

I just made a similar decision myself. I had been playing with the wilson ntour 95.
it was 10.2 oz and 2pts HL. I just switched the thwilson K prostaff 88 which is one of the heaviest frames with a very thin beam and my game has gotten so much better. It will force you to make a good stroke but it comes naturally as the weight plows right through the ball. To get that kind of power from a light frame you must make up for less mass by swinging faster. A hard swing with a light racket is much more difficult to time and results in more unforced errors.

What NTRP are you?

 

[d-quik]

use the heaviest racquet that you can physically handle

its pretty much the only way of increasing power without losing control

 

[Power Player]

use the heaviest racquet that you can physically handle

its pretty much the only way of increasing power without losing control

I don't know. I think there is a reason guys on the tour like Roddick and Nadal are using lighter racquets now. You can get massive racquet head speed with less set up time. This results in a lot of power and spin. So you can also increase power and control by practicing your technique.

I actually made a thread about heavier sticks vs lighter. I played with 12oz+ racquets as a junior, but now I play with an 11.4 APDC. I went back to my Tfight for a while and hit well with it, but in the end, the lighter APDC was more conducive to my style of play.

 

[d-quik]

^ the only player that used a lighter frame was carlos moya. both roddick's and nadal's frames are 12oz + (im pretty sure)