Author Topic: raquet for a geezer? (Read 4384 times)

67tony · « **on:** December 22, 2004, 03:46:20 PM »

I'm as old as dirt (50) and had major shoulder re-construction (Type 4 SLAP lesion) 9 months ago. It was the result of too much coaching and playing volleyball.

It feels great now, though, and I am ready for more tennis (less volleyball!), and a new racquet. I consider myself an intermediate, all-court (more baseliner), doubles-type player.
Here are the racquets I'm considering:

Head Liquidmetal Instinct
Head Liquidmetal XL Tour
Head Liquidmetal Radical OS
Wilson N5
Prince Turbo Shark OS

Any opinions on these sticks meeting my needs, or on any others that I should be considering?
THANKS!

Tennis4you · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2004, 03:58:26 PM »

67 Tony,

First of all, welcome to the boards! Second of all, 50 is not old, I hope to peak when I hit 50 and play my best tennis ever. I am 29 now, we will see how that goes.

I am nto sure if you have been to Tenniswarehouse.com to read the reviews on those racquets yet or not, but their specs and reviews ae always awesome!

Second, have you used any of those racquets yet? test driving a racquet is always a good idea!

The Head Liquid Metal Radical has a power level of "low"
The Wilson N5 has a power level of "medium", so does the shark
The first 2 listed had a power level of low-medium which is what I use.

I have actually not heard anything about the Prince Turbos yet. But I have always heard good reviews about the other racquets. Looks like you have a nice selection to choose from.

My thought would be to go with something at least low-medium if you have had serious shoulder surgery. If you get a racquet that has low power you will have to swing harder and who knows if that can cause more problems.

If you are an intermediate player, the NCodes can ask a lot of you from what I can tell. I have not hit with the N5, but I have hit with the NCode. I have definetly heard that it is for more advanced players. But the specs do say it is good for 4.0-5.0 players. 4.0 is above intermediate though.

I guess i need to go back to one of my first questions... Have you test drove any of them yet?

hummer23mm · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2004, 05:08:08 PM »

lm radical is definantly not low power. that thing has a lot of juice, not to mention surface area. give it a shot, its very solid. string it up with luxilon big banger at 58ish. thats a sweet combo.

thejackal · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2004, 07:20:59 PM »

I would go for a good multifilament rather than Big Banger. Sounds like you won't need too much durabilty in your strings. Beside, poly isn't the best for your joints either.

Tennis4you · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2004, 09:06:15 PM »

Interesting you say it does not have low power. I have never used it, I was just going off the specs of the racquet at TW.

67tony · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2004, 03:28:42 PM »

Thanks for the replies...and the welcome from the site administrator!

I am bidding on the Liquidmetal Radical OS, on ebay, trying to get a good deal on one. Test-driving these racquets does not work too well for me, as I am a ways away from the clubs and not even a member. A "seasonal summertimer" is what you would call me!

To boost the power of a racquet rated "low", I would have it strung on the upper end of recommended, right?

Tennis4you · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2004, 03:36:32 PM »

Opposite... The looser the strings the more power but less control you would have.

The tighter the strings the less power and more control you have.

Works backwards from what you would initially would think.

Also check the classifieds at these message boards (put it in the "wanted" section and as well at Tenniswarehouse.com

But do it here first because, well, no reason.

67tony · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2004, 06:55:09 PM »

Thanks, tennis4you, for clearing that up. I have been doing a lot of reading and now understand it better. I think I will string my racquet at the low end of recommended range to start, this should add power and reduce shock to the arm and shoulder. Control, in my mind, is a function of your swing and form...and I am responsible for that, not my racquet. I will also experiment with adding weight to the head, that sounds like an easy thing to try...and undo if I don't like it.

I'll keep you posted on my progress and results!

Tennis4you · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2004, 07:07:48 PM »

I would add weight only after you try the racquet out for a while without it. See how it feels. COnnors used to string his racquet EXTREMELY low if I recall correctly, so yes, a lot of it has to do with the person holding the racquet.

Keep us posted!!!

thejackal · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2004, 07:29:59 PM »

You're thinking of McEnroe, Scott. His were in the 40lb range if memory serves.

Tennis4you · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2004, 08:08:10 PM »

hmmm, maybe that was it... I remember it being someone famous from before my tenni splayign times.

Tennis4you · « **Reply #11 on:** December 27, 2004, 08:12:40 PM »

Here is a list I found online of pros string tension, check my boy Sampras with the brick wall!

Andre Agassi Head Radical Tour OS Ashaway Kev/Babolat VS Gut 16 61/64 (*)
Alberto Barasategui Head Prestige Tour Mid Polystar 16 60/57
Jonas Bjorkman wilson Pro Staff 6.1 stretch 95 Babolat VS Natural Gut 17 60
Sergi Bruguera Volkl C-10 Pro Babolat VS Natural Gut 16 63
Michael Chang Prince Precisioon Michael Chang Babolat VS Natural Gut 15L 68
Alex Corretja Pro Staff 4.7 EB 100 Babolat VS Natural Gut 16 64/62
Tim Henman Slazenger Pro Braided Babolat VS Natural Gut 16L 64
Yevgeny Kafelnikov Fischer Vacuum 98 Babolat VS Natural Gut 17 64
Petr Korda Volkl C-10 Pro Babolat VS Natural Gut 16 55/51
Richard Krajicek Yonex Super RD Tour 90 Babolat VS Natural Gut 17 62
Gustavo Kuerten Head Premier Tour Luxilon Polyester 17 65
Karol Kucera Yonex RD-7 Kirschbaum Super Smash 16 65
Felix Mantilla Volkl C-10 Pro Luxilon Big Banger 15L 55/53
Carlos Moya Babolat Soft Drive Babolat Strongplay 16 57
Mark Philippoussis Dunlop Revelation 200G Babolat VS Natural Gut 16 70
Cedric Pioline Head Radical Tour MP Babolat VS Natural Gut 17 64/62
Patrick Rafter Prince Precision Response 660 Babolat VS Natural Gut 17 69
Marcelo Rios Yonex RD Power-10 Long 95 Babolat VS Natural Gut 15L 68
Greg Rusedski Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 Babolat VS Natural Gut 16 61
Pete Sampras Wilson Pro Staff Original 6.0 85 Babolat VS Natural Gut 17L 75

hummer23mm · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2004, 05:27:36 PM »

where did you find that. there is no way in hel lagassi plays with gut and kevlar. he uses alu big banger grey for sure. in tennis magazines they have closups of him hitting, he certianly hasnt got a hybrid, let alone one inluding natural gut.

thejackal · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2004, 05:29:31 PM »

The list is at least 4 years old. See all the names towards the bottom?

hummer23mm · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2004, 05:32:33 PM »

half the stuff on that list is wrong. philopousis used a prestige classic painted all black. moya uses naatural guy hybrid, not just a poly setup. rusedski has some old school custom made donnay frame, not a pro staff 6.1. kafelnikov used a fischer pro #1 non ft version until he retired to start playing poker.

Just thought id enlighten those who care. lol. other than that, nice list. where did you get that info about tensions?

Tennis4you · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2004, 05:43:41 PM »

pfft, who knows where I got it, some site that looked old and out of date, but I thought I would post it for kicks anyways.

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Author Topic: raquet for a geezer? (Read 4384 times)