Racquet finder (at start)

So i have been looking for the ultimate tennis racquet (for me). Here is my story:

I started with my trusted Wilson Ultra 95 since junior high, used to belongs to my parent. Played it during high school and last time when I played with company I work with occasionally. The Ultra fits playing style in the 80s where many play serve and volley but this one got thicker beam but the grip size was just perfect 4 3/8 (L3). In 2013 I started playing again and this time seeking new racquet.

The racquet of choice then goes to Wilson Six One Team, a 95 inch head size with a little below 10oz unstrung. I read the review from online store and it was also racquet used by one of germany female player; racquet worthy for trying. I chose Wilson due to experience with Wilson and not going to others like Head or Babolat. I also began to notice Federer playing style because my style was so flat. I remember watching Nadal on TV few years back and recall tennis has become a muscle sport. I guess I wasnt noticing Federer yet. Plus, when I play with office they had no coach or sparring partner, just games and games, and got beaten all the time. In 2013, the office got new playing court with coach and sparring partner, that is where I tennis improved. First with forehand, then backhand, volley, and lastly serve which was a few years back still awful. Talk about the racquet, it has small sweetspot, really, so my serve suffer. But this racquet was my coach for forehand and backhand, a bit struggling to produce fast serve but manage kick serve. It is a tad heavy so I seek a lighter backup. [recent - had poly but maybe too stiff, may need to restring]

In 2014, I ordered the Wilson Six One Lite, a 102 head size but below 8oz weight. I figure good for practice. I did not realize it until I had a wrist injury that I knew that the racquet is too light, thus vibrations got into my arms. Plus, when I play single, people were easily returning my ball unlike when using the team. I tried by adding weight around 6-9g in total but still, the stiffness combined with the weight and powerful string, just not enough for the playground. In the end, this is a good racket for spin and serve, plus, I won a runnerup double with this racquet, speedy at net. I also got the same paint as Six One team. So I seek another one. [thinking of retiring this one or give to nephew]

I then ordered Prince Tour Pro 100 ESP, and here is my first experienced with extreme string pattern and just like other super spin racquet it is just not my type. Plus, I mostly played double and you need different kind of racquet. This racquet was too bouncy and in the minus side, I broke two strings without really spending much time with this one, 16 and 15L string gauge. Moreover, I never really got the feel with its shape, more of an egg rather than oval as my wife said. I later trade this one with Wilson Ultra 100 (review below).

After Federer winning another slam in early 2017, I ought to get his racquet but I chose not the signature one, but the lighter one, a Pro Staff 97, no need to mention the brand. I seriously love this racquet with grip L2 just right for a bit of wrist snap, string it with Prince Spin 16 gauge at 55. I even place two overgrip, one standard and the other thinner. The racquet has the buttery feel. I can hit flat and spin, plus my serve got that oomph maybe due to the weight. Talk about its weight, playing long enough and your shoulder can feel sore and that is where my Six One Team can jump in.

So, I bartered the Tour ESP with Wilson Ultra 100, too a swing with it and it is such a powerful racquet. Might be good for single BUT the width of the head at 25mm is just felt head heavy. 4/4/2018: the racquet is sold and no complain from the buyer maybe since the cosmetics are good.

I recently got a Prince Textreme Tour 100L, a light version, a bit heavier than SOL by an oz. It came with a string but might change it cause it might be a syn-gut and a bit tight. A multifill should be better or lower tension (might try this first). It is def a lighter side prob good for warmup or practice.

(... continue)