in search for a tweener raquet

[Rob ITST]

I think you did not read what Emate wrote correctly. He said to use the heaviest you can handle. That means that after four hours, if your strokes start to fail, then it is heavier than you can handle. But if you can play four hours with no problem, then you should try to see if you can handle something heavier. And I don't think Elargento ever said he was a beginner.

The 10.6 to 11.2 was just a suggestion - a starting point. I certainly wouldn't go any lighter than 10.0, no matter what your skill level is. Weight gives you something that no other characteristic of a racquet can give you: power AND control. Everything else, headsize, string tension, length... they all trade one for the other.

There is also no need to buy a new racquet to see if extra weight will help. You can always make any racquet heavier by adding weight. I always look for racquets that are slightly lighter than I really want, and then add weight to make them exactly what I want. Experiment with different weights, strings, and string tension. You can probably make the racquet you already own much better for very little money.

But in my honest opinion, save the money you would spend on a racquet and take lessons. A racquet will last maybe a few years, but the lessons will last forever. If you often hit the frame, then there is something wrong, and no racquet will change it - but a coach can.

I used to always hit the lower side of the frame when I tried to hit heavy topspin. I'd aim for the center, but hit the bottom. So my coach told me to start aiming for the top, and I started to hit the center. It wasn't that I couldn't control the racquet - even though I was hitting the frame, I was consistently hitting the same spot on the frame. The racquet simply was not where I thought it was when I made contact, but after enough time, I trained myself to know where it really was. That's what a good coach can do - he can see that what you are really doing is not the same as what you think you are doing.

[Elargento]

i am not a begginer, 3.5NTRP. i will go with the 10.6-11.2 sugestion, how about head balance, i saw some are 5point head light some are 1 point head light and some other even 8points head light, in wich way is that spec rel ated to power and control?

i already sold my old raquet, i just wasn't feeling "IT".

[jayl0ve]

Good question, the balance is a critical part of your racquet that many people don't pay attention to...first of all, I don't think I need to tell you this, but you should definitely stay away from Head-Heavy racquets...they are basically for total noobs or old people who can't generate much racquet head speed

Generally, the more head-light your racquet is, the easier it is to generate racquet head speed on serves and to keep your racquet above your wrist on volleys, and it's much easier to carry around for 2-4 hours than a more head-heavy racquet....sooo I guess to grossly simplify it I'd say:

The closer you get to Even balance or Head Heavy balance, the more power and less maneuveribility you have with it

The closer you get to a very Head Light balance, the more control you have and it's easier to swing

[Moralspain]

i also have a question about a racquet. I play like gonzo, and have good succes with going for my shots ( i have the one handed backhand as well). I use the Wilson k factor kblade team. Is there a better racquet for a person like me who goes for his shots more than most?

in my opinion the HEAD flexpoint Prestige is great( Safin and Wawrinka used this one), if you like to hit winners over an over, i think it´s no longer available though, but i guess the new Youtek Prestige should be more or less the same.
And to hit angles, i like Yonex racquets, completely the opposite than the Heads, all control.
Each person feels racquets in a different way though so it´s hard to give a recommnendation.

And strings....i´m using Luxilon Big Bang ALU Power (Silver)...24,5 or 25 kg

[Yeikey]

again i disagree, that more head light give you more control. if it will be true, top spin baseliner will use this setup. the fact is, that baseliners use little bit head light racquet close to even balance. serve and volley players use more head light frames. but if you are not a pro player, who has his own setup for long time, this is not the most important thing to look on racquet.

[Elargento]

so i could find something like 5pts HL, and if i feel the lack power on the baseline i could add some tape on the head of the raquet?

[Rob ITST]

so i could find something like 5pts HL, and if i feel the lack power on the baseline i could add some tape on the head of the raquet?

Absolutely. You can also add tape under the grip if you want to make it more headlight - just keep in mind that making it more headlight by adding tape will not make it easier to swing. Any weight you add increases the swing weight.

In general, you will not find a heavy racquet that is also head-heavy. Heavy racquets are head-light, light racquets are head heavy. What's most important is the swing weight, which is exactly what it sounds like - how heavy the racquet feels when you actually swing it. Swing weight is not always given by the manufacturer, but you can always find it on tenniswarehouse.com

Once you find a racquet that feels right, look for other racquets with close to the same weight, balance, and swing weight, and try those out.

BTW: You asked about the Wilson 6.2. I think that's a great racquet for a 3.5 player. It is not so difficult to play with that it will hold you back, but it also is fine for a more advanced player, so you can continue to use it if you improve. It's almost right in the middle of everything: not a small head, but not a large head; not too light, not too heavy; and the balance is close to even. It also has a fairly open string pattern, so it will not be difficult to generate topspin with.

[Elargento]

thx for the advice to all of you. i now have a clearer picture of the subject. i will investigate a bit more before making a desicion but i found the right choice.