Our Tennis Thread

[L Sanchez MD]

I'm a newb.

If you're a somewhat beginner, I'd at least try the strings that come with the racquet.

Will do. But the racquet itself should be good?

@Djarvik - I think it's not so heavy that I couldn't add a few grams here and there. Apart from that, I don't know what makes a racquet especially suitable to being customised. But good idea.

[emate007]

I think he meant err on the side of too light as opposed to too heavy. Because yeah, you can add lead tape to any racket.

I strung for a guy who was playing with the Sampras 85 with 2 layers of lead tape all over the inside of the frame from 3 and 9 to the bottom of the racket face.

[Rob ITST]

I think he meant err on the side of too light as opposed to too heavy. Because yeah, you can add lead tape to any racket.

Yep, I think that's what he meant too. And I agree, unless you don't want to mess with the lead tape - if you don't want to mess with adding weight, I'd rather see you err on the heavy side.

I strung for a guy who was playing with the Sampras 85 with 2 layers of lead tape all over the inside of the frame from 3 and 9 to the bottom of the racket face.

I still get a few of those. They also usually string about 70lbs.

My favorite was a guy who wanted Agassi's racquet, string, and tension - and the guy was a beginner. He ended up getting it, despite me almost begging him not to, and came back a few weeks later to listen to my advice.

I get a lot of people who want Nadal's racquet/strings. I've started asking them, "Do you play exactly like Nadal? If so, then that's probably a good choice. Otherwise, you should explore some more options."

[L Sanchez MD]

I think he meant err on the side of too light as opposed to too heavy. Because yeah, you can add lead tape to any racket.

I strung for a guy who was playing with the Sampras 85 with 2 layers of lead tape all over the inside of the frame from 3 and 9 to the bottom of the racket face.

That's what I thought he meant too, but I could also take a risk with the Head, given that Rob and Moral (Xavi?) said they think it's a good racquet.
Even then, it's not ridiculously heavy, something like 295g, so I could still slightly adjust.

[emate007]

I still get a few of those. They also usually string about 70lbs.

That's the guy! He must have moved to LA, he was doing crap synthetic gut at 75.

[Rob ITST]

Like some others have said, there isn't really such a thing as good or bad racquets. If you take 50 pros, there is a very good chance that they will be using 50 different racquets.

When I say that I think the pre-Youtek Radicals are better, I should have said that I think they are better suited for the type of player they are marketed to. IMO, they provide more feedback than the newer models, but the newer models do have some other advantages.

I think this came up as while back - for someone who is still developing their strokes, I prefer racquets that provide more feedback. The downside of these frames is usually that they are less comfortable, and less forgiving.

Honestly though, there is a point where it doesn't really matter - you can get used to just about any racquet, especially when you are still learning. Just make sure you stay away from the extremes for now - nothing very light/heavy, not very stiff/flexible, and not really small/large. Stay near the middle, and you'll be fine.

[Rob ITST]

I still get a few of those. They also usually string about 70lbs.

That's the guy! He must have moved to LA, he was doing crap synthetic gut at 75.

I have to admit, I was that guy at one time.

I played with the 85 for a long time, and I thought no other racquet had the feel of that racquet. After playing with something more sane for a while, I pulled out my old 85 and absolutely hated it.

[L Sanchez MD]

Hm, and do you think that Head Microgel fits that 'in the middle' approach?

[Rob ITST]

Yeah, you'll be fine with that one.

One last thing:

If you placed every racquet made on a graph, with the most control on the left, and the most power on the right, the Radical would be on the left and near the middle. Something to the right side would give you more power, depth, and spin - it should help you play better now, but may not help you become a better player later on. Something on the left will force you to create your own power, depth, and spin - it should help you become a better player later on, but it may not help you play better now.

It's up to you to decide what is best for you.

[Ugadalou]

Maybe you should also consider the racquet's looks as well!
I think it's very important for a player to ''fall in love'' with their racquet because it's one more motive to make you want to play!
Whenever I had at a racquet I really liked the way it looked,I would get pumped up and all I would think is when I'd go and play it.

I think the microgel looks great by the way.

[L Sanchez MD]

Maybe you should also consider the racquet's looks as well!
I think it's very important for a player to ''fall in love'' with their racquet because it's one more motive to make you want to play!
Whenever I had at a racquet I really liked the way it looked,I would get pumped up and all I would think is when I'd go and play it.

I think the microgel looks great by the way.

Another good point I believe it looks nice, and not similar enough to Murray or Djokovic's Heads (both of which I don't like the look of. Hate the white/black PJ on Novak's racquet.....and I just don't like Murray :-p)

[Ugadalou]

[L Sanchez MD]

I'll put a different colour of overgrip on then



Btw I bought the racquet (and a few cans of the Slazenger high vis Wimbledon balls - really loving them atm).
Can't wait to get it....and I'll let you all know what I think when it arrives
Thanks for all the advice.

[Vieira151]

Those balls are indeed awesome. Though they don't last particularly long.

[Ugadalou]

Yeah gotta agree on the Slazenger balls.For me the best offer of good bounce,ideal fluffiness and durability.