Are you using a racquet that will allow you to maximize your tennis enjoyment? Or is your racquet too demanding?
It’s becoming a pretty hot topic among tennis nerds: should I abandon my advanced player frame for something that gives me more free power and spin? Maybe. Some players hate the feel of more modern racquets, while some get a lot more out of it when it comes to competing. It all depends on what you want out of your tennis. The main purpose, unless you’re a pro perhaps, is to make sure you feel good and have fun on the court. Is your racquet too demanding for that to happen?
Racquets have changed over the years. If you want to check out an interesting part of racquet history, check out my friend James and his articles on tennis racquet history. Most tennis racquets today are lighter, slightly stiffer, more spin-friendly, powerful and more forgiving. Like all technology, we want to constantly optimize what we get out of it. But with tennis, it’s not as easy as improving  cell phones or laptops, it’s also about the feel and control we get from the racquet.
Old-school is cool
There is certainly a popular feeling among many tennis nerds that “old-school is cool”. Showing up with a 20-year-old racquet with a 95 sq inch head size because the feel and control is unmatched, is kind of tennis hipster style. And there are some truths that many older racquets still provide excellent playability.
Still, many players use racquets that are way beyond their playing level and end up struggling to hit the ball in the center of the racquet, swing it fast enough and get enough depth and height on their shots. Tennis has become a pretty fast and physical sport and many players can benefit from some help from the racquet. Even many high-ranked pros look for a little more from their setup, but a change for them comes at a higher risk than for club players and weekend warriors.
There is also a notion that if you want an easier racquet you have to go to as stiff frame that might result in tennis elbow. Not so. There are plenty of arm-friendly choices on the market today offering good playability and feel.
Modern racquet recommendations
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Several new racquet releases have been very impressive and I’m sure you can find something there to work for you.
Here are a few ideas off the top of my head:
Beginners only – Wilson Clash 108Â or HEAD Gravity S
Easy power – Yonex Ezone 100
Intermediate – HEAD Boom MPÂ or Prince Twistpower
Higher-level intermediate – HEAD Speed Pro
Clay-courters – Dunlop SX 300 or Prince Ripstick
Advanced spin – Babolat Pure Aero VS
Advanced control – Tecnifibre TF40Â or Blade 98 V8
Advanced power – Yonex Ezone 98
There are many other racquets within these categories and many more categories too. But just to give you an idea.
If you want to support Tennisnerd, you can buy these racquets or any other tennis gear from our affiliates Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only.
These are all modern frames that does a great job at what they’re supposed to do without wrecking your arm or giving you no feel or control.
What category of player are you and what racquet do you use?
