Have a Question for Me?

[nikae]

I am a club player, playing for 3+ years and I am following every Johns' advice about forehand like the grip (extreme eastern), good preparation, keeping it simple with good extension and not much forearm pronation and such.

I Must admit that my game has become so much better since I became a tennisplayer.net member, excellent work John and others!!

Now, since I play on clay only, everyone in my club is crazy about spin, and pretty much everyone is using Nadals or Ferrers kind of racket (generaly rackets with open string patterns like 16x18 and 100 inch head)

My question is this, would I benefit more from rackets with more closed pattern like 18x20 (and maybe smaller racket head, like under 100) since I am using mostly flatter strokes and playing rather aggressive,
or, I should stick with open pattern racket which would generate more spin (or would it? since I am using extreme eastern forehand with more extension and little forearm pronation) for more margin of error?

OR, I should stop thinking about it and play with whatever

P.S. no, its not possible to demo rackets around here :/

[johnyandell]

Nikae,

Asked Geoff Williams to give an answer here. I think it's a matter of personal feel and maybe swing speed. I'm a Head Agassi 105 which is light a little over 11oz and slightly head light strung with Big Banger 17 mains and Wilson Sensation NXT 17 crosses---and I don't even know the tension--just had Sam the Stringer in SF match it to my old non-hybrids.

Long way of saying you may want additional input.

John

[GeoffWilliams]

Mostly flatter strokes demand a medium stiff frame, and an 18 x 20 with a power string set up. Size of the frame is preference. If you are a flat hitter then an 18 x 20 frame will suit your game more, as the directional control is better, and there is less spin, and a lower angle of trajectory off the string bed and more penetration, more quickly. The stiffer the frame, the more power. The more powerful the string, the more depth. Also try the vs team/alu hybrid, the best flat hitter string hybrid there is. Lots of the top spanish players use big banger original still. I also like it in a hybrid with big hitter blue rough. The nxt sensation is a good string for crosses, with soft control, and good feel crossed with lux. big banger. Tension loss is among the worst for nxt. That's a set up you'd have to restring a lot for the control to remain steady, as the trampoline effect will come on fast as durability will not match the big banger's durability nor tens. loss. What the big banger lacks in feel, the nxt provides.

Look at Donald Young, and how much better his results are, by playing ultra aggressive with a frame that has more pop, and a string as well: Solinco tour bite, a string I rec. in the string article, but it feels way better as a hybrid with alu/cross than as a full set. His equipment is making his game way better, as it will for you.

http://www.stringforum.net/strings.php?sdnr=1627&count=1

http://www.stringforum.net/strings.php?sdnr=1604&count=1

[johnyandell]

geoff,

great thanks--except at my power levels sensation feels great til it breaks. Hopefully Nikae hits the ball a little harder...

john

[GeoffWilliams]

It's great for people who don't hit hard! The balls don't go as far out that way. Check out the links to the strings.

[nikae]

Thanks for answers! Well, I try to hit hard, but how hard can it be for a relative beginner (3+ years of playing)

Anyways, isn't Donald Young using racket with very open string pattern?
I think as of 2011 he is using EXO3 Tour 100 16x18, which should be more suited for more spin oriented game, and not flatter hitting?

[GeoffWilliams]

He is a baseliner, and he uses tour bite. Part of the problem with his game is too much spin and not enough aggressive play, which is why he floundered until picking up his flatter hitting. You can hit flat with an open pattern also. It's just more difficult to do so.

[don_budge]

Tipsarevic...

Thanks for answers! Well, I try to hit hard, but how hard can it be for a relative beginner (3+ years of playing)

Anyways, isn't Donald Young using racket with very open string pattern?
I think as of 2011 he is using EXO3 Tour 100 16x18, which should be more suited for more spin oriented game, and not flatter hitting?

You sound like a candidate for the Technifibre TFight 320...Janko Tipsarevic style. I used it before switching to the TFlash 315 which has more touch, I believe. I thought it was a great stick. My top three juniors use it and seem very satisfied. Since Janko uses it maybe you can get in your neck of the woods.

As a matter of fact I have three sitting in my office...one new, two slightly used but otherwise like new. Send me a mail if your interested.

[GeoffWilliams]

That's a 16 x 19 with a 69 ra, very stiff and 11.8 oz: t315 vs. the t320, which is 16 x 19 11.9 oz, 66 ra, a little less stiff, and little heavier at 337g strung.

[johnyandell]

Thanks guys for the expertise!

[llll]

john check your pm

[johnyandell]

Yep. Did. Swamped right now but we'll get it up.

[westcoast777]

The new series mentioned in 'What is "True" in Tennis' is interesting,

"I will soon be starting a new series on building the forehand, sharing what I have learned over the last decade to help you develop your own flexible, experimental approach to finding the ideal technical combinations for yourself."

Have you thought out or written the series already? If so, might you provide a little more detail or hint at what is to come? Will we see on court drills or 'tests' for preference?

Looking forward to the series.

[johnyandell]

It's not written and probably won't show up til next year. Just going to give my own perspective on how to start and how to approach all the issues. But have a few forehand articles to publish first,

[jryle1]

Hi John,

In your opinion, how important is the finish for the forehand?

Coaches in my club are really emphasising the position of the finish. For example, when they have kids shadowing, they're making sure that they finish with the butt of the racket facing the net, the strings parallel to the side fence and the throat roughly beside the left ear(for a right hander) and elbow up.
With the more talented players they sometimes have the player finishing lower down, the purpose of which is to "develop spin".

How important is it where they finish in your opinion? I think I already know the answer following that septemeber article and readings of other opinions but its just an interesting discussion.