Getting good at tennis takes a long time and we don’t always improve our shots at the same speed. Some struggle with serves, others with slice. There are plenty of reasons why this might be the case. I’ve even noticed that it sometimes correlates with where you grew up and what surface you’re used to. I think these issues can sometimes hold players back from leveling up. Feel free to share what hurdles you’ve faced or are facing while improving at the game.

How’s everyone experience comparing the two? I’ve only hit for an hour today - groundstrokes and serves are great - much more forgiving, and easier to generate oomph. Will play a few more hours the rest of the week, and almost against different types of hitters. Very tempted to switch!! Spouse will not be happy!!

I'm thinking something with loads of power and forgiveness so you can consistently hit deep shots while on defense?

Hello! This picture is from the comparison tool on Yonex website. My 10.5 year old is ready for a new racquet and a size 26 was recommended. He’s been wanting the Yonex Ezone to be like me :)

However, I’m confused as to the difference between a Junior 26 and a regular 26. It seems largely the same, but I’m guessing there has to be reasons to choose one over the other.

Would so appreciate any help! Thanks so much!

I am fairly convinced on switching to Ezone from an Aero 98 but the one I have been demoing feels quite lackluster in spin. I am not 100% sure what the mains are but do know that they are NOT spin friendly. The crosses are most likely PTP. I have had no discomfort so far and would like the rackets to remain somewhat controlled but with some extra spin, any thoughts?

i got a tournament tomorrow but i got kinda caught up in practice today and went really hard on practice im scared im gonna be all sore tomorrow... what do i do. should i just do some stretches and hope for the best? should i try and go to bed earlier to get more rest? or maybe take a nap right now?

Went from a flex point Prestige to this new Auxetic technology and it’s awesome. Haven’t gotten a new racquet in forever, took a break from the game. What am I missing as far as balls and shoes go? I feel I went from a Honda to a Tesla or something. For reference, I was playing competitively when the Wilson nCode Six One was hot.

I am visiting Palm Springs from the UK for work the last week of Feb and looking for a game with anyone in the range 4.5-5.5. Thanks!

Hello, 17m 5'7, 120 pounds, started playing tennis (very infrequently) around a few months ago. I've become a huge fan and my sisters bf who's played tennis all his life has been helping me. He has been telling me, and I've also seen online, that split stepping is very important. However....

IDK HOW THE FUCK TO DO IT!! He said that it's to get your body into a active stance so that you're ready to react to the incoming ball. You widen your stance slightly and put the weight on the balls of your feet.

But I just don't understand how it helps, and mostly how to time it! He said right as your opponent is about to hit the ball, but I feel like that's too soon, and by the time I land I don't even know where the ball is coming yet. So I kind of have to like predict where the ball is gonna go and start moving there

I'm not super athletic, but I definitely don't think I'm slow. But I struggle a lot reaching balls and I think it's cause I don't have this split step thing down. Any advice is appreciated :( also my goat federer and all the other high level tennis players do it, so I know it's important. It's so frustrating!!

Also my two handed backhand often goes into the net. I think it's cause I forget to drop the racket before swinging. How early should I drop it? I see that pros usually unit it turn, and stay in that coiled position with their racket pointed up, and then they drop it naturally when they initiate their swing, by letting their wrists relax and pulling with their dominant hand, and pushing with their non-dominant. This naturally creates the racket flip which increases head speed right? I don't fucking know.

But anyways I can't do it that smooth like them yet, and sometimes I'm too focused on freaking watching the ball, that I forget to drop the racket at all, and I just swing completely horizontal. I think this is why it goes into the net sometimes. Any tips to fix this?

Sorry for this atrociously written post and sorry if this breaks any rules. If you read all the way through this shit, thank you :) and I apologize for taking up your time

Hi,

I bought this Pure Drive 2021 off ebay, and it arrived today. I emailed Babolat with the serial number, and they said they didn't have a record of it, which I obviously found quite alarming, even though it seemed to arrive in its original box. I emailed the seller, and he said he had purchased directly from Babolat, and included a load of details of the purchase (images in the link). Regarding the serial number, he said that Babolat previously advised him that they track rackets using the butt cap code, not the serial number. He said if you have concerns, he recommend reaching out to Babolat again with the butt cap code.

I'm not entirely sure what a butt cap code is, and haven't been able to find anything on the racket itself. As you can see in the images, it looks alright, but I am a bit worried by this picture, and how the sticker is not centred.

Would appreciate any advice please? Thanks in advance

Comment down your thoughts!

I want to record my matches to get a better idea of what I need to work on in practice.

As much as I like the idea of Swingvision, I currently have no use for shot speed, auto scoring or line calls etc, and I don't own an iPhone, so there would be extra friction, regardless of how I record the matches (I own a bunch of cameras and a GoPro that can all record > 1080p at 60fps).

All I really want is the auto editing function to get rid of the down time between points.

I'm just wondering if there's a simpler video editor that can turn an 80min match into 25mins of action faster and more reliable than Swingvision?

When a racquet's grommet set is no longer available what are the options to keep it going?

The two options I can think of is look for a compatible set or finding a donor (whether the same racquet or one that uses the same grommet set).

I've been taking lessons and playing consistently for 3 months and looking for someone to hit with. Also, anyone in New York have recommendations on the easiest ways to play? I normally take lessons at McCarren park but the courts look booked up for reservations. I was thinking of going to Arthur Ashe to play cause it seemed reasonable over there. Also, if I am looking in the wrong place for hitting partners please suggest the best places to look.

Thanks!

Picked up an old Wilson KBlade 98. Racket is playable but grommets are shot and butt cap is MIA. Does anyone know best source for replacement parts? I see random grommets for sale on ebay but not for this one exactly. Was there another older Wilson model that used the same 18x20 grommet (BLX/nCode)? And, is this butt cap fairly common or did this racket use a different pallet back then (2006ish)?

What’s the “right” way to hit a tweener? Every time I’ve tried one I hit myself in the shin or…somewhere else. I know I probably shouldn’t attempt one in a match as a 3.0 but I’d like to at least give it a go in a casual hitting session when the opportunity comes up.

I want to start by saying I love tennis, watching and playing. I never played competitively but after high school I picked it up. I taught myself how to play, which of course led to some bad habits and having to overhaul my game often. That being said I am now eight years into playing tennis.

I would say I am a 3.5 maybe a few times I have hit the 4.0 level. Average serve, ok one handed backhand where I play slice up to 50% of the time, the other times I just bunt it over to the middle of the service box. Every once in a while I will get on top of one for a nice winner, which I think there is no better feeling in tennis than a one handed backhand winner, but if I went for it constantly, it would not beneficial to my game. My forehand is solid. I play it with a lot of top spin with high clearance over the net but almost always landing over very close to the baseline. I can also loop it cross court or flatten it out and go inside out with it. I am a fairly decent athlete as well.

I have played a Babolat Pure Strike the entire time I have been playing tennis. Head size 98, string pattern 18x20, tension I am not positive I just have a guy at my tennis shop restring what I have always had on, but the tension is high and they are poly.

I recently played with a friends Head racquet that was 16x19. I really enjoyed it and I think I am going to make the switch. I have been eyeing the Ezone 98. However before I pulled the trigger I feel like I just got so lost within: pattern, tension, balance, beam, mains & stiffs, overall stiffness, grip size, poly or synth gut or even natural gut.

These are things I will pay attention to, I am interested in, and I will probably learn more about. However I just wanted to some suggestions. I am under a bit on paralysis by analysis so if anybody racquet suggestions, experiences from going from 18x20 to 16x19, or just overall information, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

I'm looking at buying a pair of these and wondering if its worth using the matching service TW provides, or if I should just get the pre-paired duo they sell. Thoughts?

Hey all, As you guys might be aware I was looking for new tennis racquet(https://www.reddit.com/r/10s/s/BwxyAKb8vI) And I have boiled down to head speed mp 2024. ( Considering babolat pure drive). But my coach suggested not to go for a racquet with heavy swingweight and told me to go for a racquet with lesser weight. He suggested head gravity mp lite, head speed lite and head radical mp.

But I am not too sure what to do now as I was decently comfortable with head speed pro 2022 and now this is what it is. I am currently on a roadblocks as to whether I play tested racquets wrong or did I perceive wrong. I once again ask for help on what racquets should I look into (except prince, dunlop and Yonex).

I hit the gym 4-5 times a week and I play tennis 2 times a week. So I can say I am decently atheletic and also I am looking for a racquet that is forgiving and also helps me improve my technique. I like playing flat shots but also mix a bit of spin in my shots. I would like a racquet which is a bit arm friendly.

Thanks in advance