Would you prefer if tennis went back to wooden racquets to see who is most talented?

[Mike Sams]

Looking at all these reports like Nadal adding more weight to his racquet to gain more power, etc.
Wouldn't it be better if the whole tour went back to wooden racquets just like Borg and Laver were using? Basically everybody using the exact same racquet so we could actually see who is the most talented? Wouldn't that be a far better measure of talent than all this silly technology which players rely on to help themselves out?

 

[aprilfool]

Careful what you wish for. Your man Roger would win even more.

 

[Dino Lagaffe]

I wouldn't like a permanent swap, but it would be great to see it happen for a tournament or so. I'd really enjoy watching that.

 

[fleabitten]

I wouldn't like a permanent swap, but it would be great to see it happen for a tournament or so. I'd really enjoy watching that.

Ditto. Could turn the results on their heads - I know the Serve and Volleyers would like it.

 

[LameTennisPlayer]

I wouldn't like a permanent swap, but it would be great to see it happen for a tournament or so. I'd really enjoy watching that.

I like this idea too!

 

[sureshs]

That is a great idea, but how would we discuss the results about who is most talented? Would we write letters to each other, hire guys on ponies for express delivery, or set forth in a horse and buggy to visit everyone?

 

[Mike Sams]

That is a great idea, but how would we discuss the results about who is most talented? Would we write letters to each other, hire guys on ponies for express delivery, or set forth in a horse and buggy to visit everyone?

Uhm....No, we'd just post about it here on tennis-warehouse.com
Silly kid! :lol:

 

[Monsieur_DeLarge]

I was thinking about this today, and what I think I'd prefer is for all the modern materials to be allowed (to show that tennis can be forward-thinking), but to stick with the dimensions of old racquets, i.e. head sizes of less than the 90+ square inches that are common nowadays.

If that's too Draconian (and it may be for the recreational player), then I'd cut back on the reaaaally oversized stuff, e.g. no bigger than the one one the left, below:

I'm not trying to say "let's make everyone use Fed-friendly racquets so that Roger's in his element". I just think that allowing such large-headed sticks encourages a blast-it-as-hard-as-you-can mentality, especially if you're talking about young players who're starting out. You just need to look at the modern tour to see that the archetypal pro is a big hitter with a relative lack of variety, while the Santoros of this world are few and far between.



Regards,
MDL

 

[DjokovicForTheWin]

With wooden racquets Nadal wouldn't be top 20.

 

[Crisstti]

Nonsense. I guess football should also just be played with old leather balls?.

Don't forget the conditions are equal for everyone.

 

[DjokovicForTheWin]

Oh I didn't realize each team played with their own type of football in today's leagues.

 

[Sentinel]

Great idea Mike. Also, to be fair everyone should have the same coach and same training, and same food, and same everything. Then we see who is talented.

Achooly, pros shud not be alloud to practiss at all. They shud just play. tehn we vill no hoo is telendet.

U copy _maxi thread, no ?

 

[Mike Sams]

Great idea Mike. Also, to be fair everyone should have the same coach and same training, and same food, and same everything. Then we see who is talented.

Achooly, pros shud not be alloud to practiss at all. They shud just play. tehn we vill no hoo is telendet.

U copy _maxi thread, no ?

My thread was made before his. If you actually read his post, he said he got the idea for his thread from Mike Sams. Silly Sentinel! What's up with your brain lately? Did Wolverine wreck it?

 

[kub]

i don't think it would provide a fair comparison of ability..but i think fed would cope considerably better than perhaps other players in the top 20 using 95 sq inch plus

 

[ctoth666]

I am also enthusiastic about tournament played exclusively with wooden racquets. I don't think that is could be an official ATP event, however, and it shouldn't fall before a major tournament or during any of the seasonal surface swings and neither during the "offseason". Perhaps directly after the Australian Open, and have it be exactly the format of a WT 1000 event without the qualifying. It couldn't count for rankings points, but I'd prefer it not be an exhibition either. Maybe only pay out quarterfinal finished or better? Also, McEnroe should be seeded first (not entirely serious but retired players should be offered entry).

 

[jackson vile]

People like to pretend that Federer plays with a wooden racket, they claim to be so good at math but 65sqin = 90sqin????

Also Federer's racket is only 5sqin smaller than the majority of players like Murray, Novak, etc. In fact Federer's racket is 5sqin larger than Pete's, so it is a very delusional conclusion to come to to think he anything better than those guys listed.

I was thinking about this today, and what I think I'd prefer is for all the modern materials to be allowed (to show that tennis can be forward-thinking), but to stick with the dimensions of old racquets, i.e. head sizes of less than the 90+ square inches that are common nowadays.

If that's too Draconian (and it may be for the recreational player), then I'd cut back on the reaaaally oversized stuff, e.g. no bigger than the one one the left, below:

I'm not trying to say "let's make everyone use Fed-friendly racquets so that Roger's in his element". I just think that allowing such large-headed sticks encourages a blast-it-as-hard-as-you-can mentality, especially if you're talking about young players who're starting out. You just need to look at the modern tour to see that the archetypal pro is a big hitter with a relative lack of variety, while the Santoros of this world are few and far between.



Regards,
MDL

 

[DjokovicForTheWin]

Roger's racquet is pretty much exactly the same as Pete's except 5 in larger. Rest is just a paint job.

 

[skiracer55]

Not really...

...that's kind of like saying "Wouldn't it be better if ski racers went back to wooden skis?" I skied on that stuff, and it was garbage. I wouldn't trade today's gear for that kind of walk down memory lane.

Yep, there are some downsides to today's rackets and strings, but there's a lot of cool stuff (i. e., big groundstrokes) that wouldn't be available otherwise. If you look at 60s era tennis, the pace of shot, except on the serve, is pathetic. Even though today's tennis is played primarily from the baseline, you see some amazing stuff, and some great athletecism to try to counter the heavy pace coming from the other side of the net...

 

[jackson vile]

Roger's racquet is pretty much exactly the same as Pete's except 5 in larger. Rest is just a paint job.

And Novak's, and Murray's, etc racket is only 5sqin larger than Federer. So if Federer has a pass on Pete then surely Murray, Novak, etc have a pass on Federer?

Or are we going to double standard this one as well?

 

[DjokovicForTheWin]

And Novak's, and Murray's, etc racket is only 5sqin larger than Federer. So if Federer has a pass on Pete then surely Murray, Novak, etc have a pass on Federer?

Or are we going to double standard this one as well?

None of those other guys use a pro staff.

 

[jackson vile]

They certainly weren't blowing smoke up Hewitt's, Safin's, etc behind were they? Also, I am sure that when they first came on the scene with those rackets they complain they were bigger than Pete's 85sqin.

Fanboys like to pretend yet once again that Federer is playing with something that is so close to a wooden racket and that is 100% bogus. Original wooden rackets are 65sqin, which is a far cry from 90sqin.

Maybe would should deduct some of Federer's slams since he played with a racket 5sqin bigger than Pete's racket?

Tennis players get to choose their equipment. So no one's at an unfair disadvantage.



Exactly.



So what?. He chooses to play with that racquet. Do some people think that means he's more talented?.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

hahah

Yup, and you are the most incompetent person on this forum.


Djokovic's racquet is 630 sq cm which is 97.65 sq inches. It is the exact same head size as the Radical MidPlus.

lol. Measuring headsize form the OUTSIDE? haha. I know you can't do basic math but that would add a ridiculous amount of area to racquet.

Utter BS.

 

[markwillplay]

I think as a sport, it would be neat for the specs for raquets to be a little more confined. Sort of like baseball. Different size bats but they are made from wood. And the raquets don't have to be wood..they could still be graphite or whatever, but I do think that there should be a limit and maybe not as many interchangeable specs. At some point, the equipment will "jump the shark" and make the game less enjoyable to watch. Hasn't happened yet though.

Also, I really don't think that it would make much difference in who rises to the top. I think that is more about talent and work ethic combined. If you gave Rafa or Joker a wooden raquet when they were kids and that is what they had to play with, they would still be at the top..same with Fed and others at the top now. I think equipment dynamics make more of a difference to the recreational player than they do the pros.

I think the main thing is the stiffness of the raquets as it relates to injury. Maybe a headsize limit and a stiffness limit on the frame but use whatever kind of strings you want??? Something like that.

 

[DjokovicForTheWin]

hahah

Yup, and you are the most incompetent person on this forum.


Djokovic's racquet is 630 sq cm which is 97.65 sq inches. It is the exact same head size as the Radical MidPlus.

lol. Measuring headsize form the OUTSIDE? haha. I know you can't do basic math but that would add a ridiculous amount of area to racquet.

Utter BS.

Hey what happened to his post saying Head measures differently from Wilson?

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Hey what happened to his post saying Head measures differently from Wilson?

I guess it got deleted because we traded insults

 

[DjokovicForTheWin]

I guess it got deleted because he traded insults

Actually I think he removed it realizing how idiotic it was.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Actually I think he removed it realizing how idiotic it was.

Yeah, that is a whack theory.

I heard that Head markets racquets with incorrect head size information for whatever reason. However, measuring from the outside is such a ridiculous theory. If Head did that, their racquets would have like 15 sq inches extra.

Nole's racquet is nothing like the one advertised on the HEAD website. If you want to read a cool thread about this. Check out FabFed's thread "No1e's racquet". He actually got his hands on Nole's racquet. Sweet stuff.

 

[gregor.b]

Looking at all these reports like Nadal adding more weight to his racquet to gain more power, etc.
Wouldn't it be better if the whole tour went back to wooden racquets just like Borg and Laver were using? Basically everybody using the exact same racquet so we could actually see who is the most talented? Wouldn't that be a far better measure of talent than all this silly technology which players rely on to help themselves out?

Hmmm. If this ever came to pass I could see the Russians (maybe some others) doing racket doping with fibre glass or nano carbon.

 

[TheOneHander]

Would I prefer if you stopped spamming us with all these threads so we could see the meaningful discussions?

Yes, I would indeed.

 

[jackson vile]

You do not know much about rackets nor manufacturers, there are different way to measure head size. This is a fact and you are just simply looking arrogant and ignorant now.



http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/archive/index.php/t-388944.html

hahah

Yup, and you are the most incompetent person on this forum.


Djokovic's racquet is 630 sq cm which is 97.65 sq inches. It is the exact same head size as the Radical MidPlus.

lol. Measuring headsize form the OUTSIDE? haha. I know you can't do basic math but that would add a ridiculous amount of area to racquet.

Utter BS.

 

[DjokovicForTheWin]

You do not know much about rackets nor manufacturers, there are different way to measure head size. This is a fact and you are just simply looking arrogant and ignorant now.

Could be, do you have any reference showing that HEAD measures from outside and Wilson from the inside as you claim?

 

[jackson vile]

Doesn't Head measure the head of the frame from the outside so the frame is listed 3 sq in's larger then it actually is compared to other companies?

Odin- yes head does measure from the outside. It does not really bother me that much because those 3 in. dont make much of a differnts.

The difference between 95 and 98 sqinch is really small.
In the two racquets you mention, there probably is no difference at all. Head is known to measure/market their frames differently, with larger headsizes. 98 is actually 95, and their mids are marketed as 93 while they are the same size as other 90'.

interesting, i didn't know HEAD did that. I could swear they were identical in size, which it seems as tho they are. Anyone hit these racquets and can give their opinion on which is the better stick?

Odin-95 to 98 is a VISIBLE difference in case of REAL 98's. Head's 98's (630 cm*cm) are actually 95's,
The difference between 95's (dunlop 200's, wilson 95's..etc) and "real" 98's ...like Fischer pro no 1 and Volkl Tour 10 98's is clearly visible.
Head MP frames are simply not 98's they are just marketed as 98's.

 

[jackson vile]

Mid = 600 sq in
MP = 630 = 98
660 = 102
OS = 690 = 107

kv581
-The i.Prestige MP and LM Prestige MP are both 630, the Prestige Classic MP is 660.
The Prestige Mids are rated 93 by Head, but they're actually 89.5.

Likewise, the MP Prestiges are rated 98, but cannot be larger than 95. Or, maybe Prostaff 95s are actually 98. Either way, one of them is wrong because they have same-sized heads.

 

[jackson vile]

Deuce- Yes, the Head 630 frames are the same size as other frames claiming to be 95 sq. in.

600, 630, and 660 simply mean the area of the head in sq. cm.

Can't imagine anyone knowing Head better than Deuce, do you guys even know who he is? Looks like you guys need to quit with all the tennis gossip and actually play and educate yourself. LOL

 

[DjokovicForTheWin]

Can't imagine anyone knowing Head better than Deuce, do you guys even know who he is? Looks like you guys need to quit with all the tennis gossip and actually play and educate yourself. LOL

I do play, I use Head Ti Classic. Mid plus!

 

[gregor.b]

They certainly weren't blowing smoke up Hewitt's, Safin's, etc behind were they? Also, I am sure that when they first came on the scene with those rackets they complain they were bigger than Pete's 85sqin.

Fanboys like to pretend yet once again that Federer is playing with something that is so close to a wooden racket and that is 100% bogus. Original wooden rackets are 65sqin, which is a far cry from 90sqin.

Maybe would should deduct some of Federer's slams since he played with a racket 5sqin bigger than Pete's racket?

So does that mean Djoko and Rafa have 0 slams 'cos their rackets are bigger than Rogi's ? What a stupid thread.

 

[jackson vile]

I could not agree more.

People are pretending that Federer is at such a huge deficit because his racket is 5sqin smaller than their racket, but Federer's racket is 5sqin larger than Petes and 25sqin larger than Borg and other players rackets.

So does that mean Djoko and Rafa have 0 slams 'cos their rackets are bigger than Rogi's ? What a stupid thread.

 

[gregor.b]

I could not agree more.

People are pretending that Federer is at such a huge deficit because his racket is 5sqin smaller than their racket, but Federer's racket is 5sqin larger than Petes and 25sqin larger than Borg and other players rackets.

Roger's only issues are that 1 hbh and 30 years of age. Yet somehow,life will go on.

 

[jackson vile]

Roger's only issues are that 1 hbh and 30 years of age. Yet somehow,life will go on.

Honestly Roger's only problem is housing 16 grand slam trophies LOL

 

[gregor.b]

Honestly Roger's only problem is housing 16 grand slam trophies LOL

LOL!
10 char

 

[BevelDevil]

The only way Rog is getting #1 with wood is if he serves and volleys. His forehand would decline much more than other players, such as Tsongas or Murray's.

 

[makinao]

Wouldn't it be better if the whole tour went back to wooden racquets just like Borg and Laver were using? Basically everybody using the exact same racquet so we could actually see who is the most talented? Wouldn't that be a far better measure of talent than all this silly technology which players rely on to help themselves out?

This assumes that al wood racquets of old were the same. But there were many models of wood racquets, and they all played differently. A Dunlop Maxply and a Wilson Jack Kramer were as different as an Aeropro Drive GT is with a Wilson BLX Six.One Tour. And tennis players all setup their racquets differently, with different brands and types of strings, string tensions, and weight doodads. So the basis of this whole thread is flawed.

 

[Clay lover]

Wonder why the king of flawed wooden racquet logic Breakpoint is not in here somehow.

 

[onehandbh]

What are you going to demand next? Pro baseball (MLB) to be restricted to
wooden bats? They should be allowed to use giant aluminum bats that are
7 inches wide.

 

[Monsieur_DeLarge]

People like to pretend that Federer plays with a wooden racket, they claim to be so good at math but 65sqin = 90sqin????

Also Federer's racket is only 5sqin smaller than the majority of players like Murray, Novak, etc. In fact Federer's racket is 5sqin larger than Pete's, so it is a very delusional conclusion to come to to think he anything better than those guys listed.

You quoted me when you posted this, but then you seem to have gone off on a wee rant which doesn't seem to have much relation to what I posted. I'm confused.

• Where did I pretend that Federer played with a wooden racquet?
• Where did I claim to be good at maths?
• Where did I claim that 65 = 90?
• The last sentence is a bit of a dog's dinner, but my best translation is: I concluded Federer is better than Murray and Djokovic, but that's delusional because his racquet is bigger than Pete Sampras'? In which case, what are you on about? The only time I even mentioned Federer was in a sentence beginning "I'm not trying to say..." (bold italics mine)

Regards,
MDL

 

[mental midget]

what would be fun is to let them all use their own rackets, with the stipulation being every shot must be hit with a continental grip. that would be interesting.

 

[kub]

what would be fun is to let them all use their own rackets, with the stipulation being every shot must be hit with a continental grip. that would be interesting.

or they're forced to play with their non-dominant hand

 

[Mick]

With wooden racquets Nadal wouldn't be top 20.

rafa nadal with wooden racquet

 

[ManFed]

Playing with wooden rackets, the game would be dominated for really talented guys. In the current year, just Federer, Tsonga, Fish and maybe Murray would be at Top 10. Players like Nadal or Djokovic who depends so much in string and racket technology wouldn’t have a chance. Nadal is nothing if he can generate spin.

 

[Crisstti]

Playing with wooden rackets, the game would be dominated for really talented guys. In the current year, just Federer, Tsonga, Fish and maybe Murray would be at Top 10. Players like Nadal or Djokovic who depends so much in string and racket technology wouldn’t have a chance. Nadal is nothing if he can generate spin.

You're deluding yoursef.