WHY BUY LIGHT WHEN HEAVY IS BETTER? {2009}

By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT and Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo

A light racquet (less than 10 ounces) is a very seductive thing. When you pick it up, you think, “Gee, I love how light it is! I’ll be able to swing it faster and bring it around easier for my backhand.” Unfortunately, two things happen: firtst, the lighter the racquet, the heavier the ball is relative to the racquet. What that means is when these two objects collide, the ball pushes the racquet more than a heavier frame, and it increases shock to your arm. Secondly, if you are a higher level player, the faster you swing, the worse things get. You will find that you have to work harder than you did before. This can be very frustrating.

Something else happens when you play with a light frame. At first, you may think of the racquet as being light, but your body will get used to the weight. Then your arm may actually lose muscle as a result, and you will not feel that the racquet is light anymore.

Now let’s talk about those stellar individuals who sit in the sportscaster’s booth. In my opinion, they have done, and are doing an injustice to their listeners when they talk about racquet equipment. 90% of the time, they really don’t know anything about what they are saying, and the other 10%, they are talking in relative terms. What you have to understand is when they say Nadal (for example) is playing with a light frame, they are talking about a frame that is close to 11.5 oz. To the average club player, and even to the higher level club players, this is NOT a light frame! Most pros play with heavier frames. They handle them easily because they work out to strengthen their muscles so they can use a heavier racquet. This allows them to hit the ball hard, without the significant increase in shock caused by a lighter frame.

Think of it this way; lighter racquets allow someone who does not have the muscle mass to play tennis with shorter strokes and still get the ball over the net. That means those who don’t really have the ability to play at a higher level can compete successfully within their level. That’s what lighter racquets are all about.

My advice as usual is to try racquets before you buy. Play with the heaviest frame you can manage comfortably that matches your stroke style.

COPYRIGHT 2009