A SENSIBLE APPROACH TO BUYING A NEW RACQUET {1999}
By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT and Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo
In general, physical condition, age and athletic ability are the three things that will determine the type of frame most suited to a person. Mental set (wanting to emulate a particular tennis pro - Sampras, Agassi, Edberg, Hingis, etc.) is a very big factor for many. The personal factor (how a racquet feels) is, in my opinion the most important factor. I know semi-pro players who prefer huge, powerful frames, and 2.0 elderly people who like to play with mid-size flexible, relatively heavy frames.
We generally talk to a person for a while to determine which of these factors are important to them, before deciding on a type of frame. We then let them demo several in that category,then let them try one or two frames from the opposite end of the scale, so they have something with which to compare.
In the end, a racquet choice is as personal as your favorite sandwich. It takes some people several months before they feel they have made the right decision. Others pick up a frame off the wall, say, "this feels good", and buy it on the spot.
Remember one last thing; stringing (the type of string, the tension and the way it's strung) can change the playing characteristics of a frame so drastically as to make it feel like a totally different racquet.
Copyright 1999 (Previously published in THE LATEST RACQUET-Mar/Apr, 1999
By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT
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Editor's note pertaining to all articles presented.
All articles are presented as they were written and published. Some information contained in these articles may have changed over the years. Please be cognizant of this as you read. Additionally, since these articles go back as far as 1994, some of the technology may have changed, and new methods and advancements may have come about. Please contact us if you have any questions.
