I carry both in my bag, so that I can choose what I think I need based on my opponent's playing style, my form on the day, and sometimes even the condition of the tennis balls. But when I'm working with the ball machine, I prefer to use a control racket. Maybe it's just me, but I feel it forces me to concentrate more on my form as it is less forgiving.
I get that. Sometimes I enjoy using different types of racquets based off how I am feeling that day. I also tend to have at least 2 of my main racquet with me at all times especially if I am wanting to work on consistency or end up a playing a set against someone and want to make sure that I have a backup in case anything happens
I recently had this dilemma Dunlop CX200 (control) vs FX500 tour (power) As a 3.5…I get more out of the power racquet, that said I did really enjoy the control racquet…it was a close call but i chose the power version
If it werent for a few pros hitting power rackets like the pure drive or ezone 100, id say power rackets are only for beginners. I get faster ballspeeds coming off control rackets at full swing. Once you are above a threshold swing speed, power rackets offer little advantage… however some pros use them so i guess they do something for them. All i know is i can rip a pro staff 97 strung at 45psi way faster than i can rip a 110sq inch oversize strung at 28psi.
I definitely agree with you that after a certain point the power racquets tend not to help as much because they do not have the control/weight behind them to play the best for the higher level player trying to use them. The one pro that I thought was interesting for using a 100 head-size is Casper Ruud. I was surprised when I heard his interview with Tennis-Warehouse where he openly said he was using a 100 head-size
I would say that “Spin Rackets” can be their own category to make racquets easier to understand but they tend to be more similar to power racquets. They typically have larger head sizes or more open string patterns so the strings have more room to move much like a power racquet for example
what are main differences in playability & feel between "pure drives + control soft poly" compared to "Blade + gut/poly".. which one has more power,.. feel,.. and control?
Now everything I say here is based off the assumption that you are using the standard version of the Pure Drive and the standard Blade 98 16X19 as well as the "Gut" you mentioned being Natural Gut and not Synthetic Gut. If that is not the case then whatever I say here might be off since I don't know the specific of what strings and versions of the racquets you are using. Pure Drive + Control Soft Poly = A stiff racquet that is going to help give you more control because of having a polyester string in the racquet. I still would be careful about that setup causing problems to your arm though. Especially depending on what tension you are using. Blade + Gut/Poly = A more flexible racquet compared to the Pure Drive that is going to have more feel, control, and a little more weight to the racquet depending on which version of each racquet you have. The Gut/Poly hybrid is going to help provide more power than the normal Blade has due to the Gut while the Poly is going to help control it and not be as hard on your arm because of the hybrid you are using. More Power = Pure Drive + Control Soft Poly More Feel = Blade + Gut/Poly More Control = Blade + Gut/Poly
I carry both in my bag, so that I can choose what I think I need based on my opponent's playing style, my form on the day, and sometimes even the condition of the tennis balls. But when I'm working with the ball machine, I prefer to use a control racket. Maybe it's just me, but I feel it forces me to concentrate more on my form as it is less forgiving.
I get that. Sometimes I enjoy using different types of racquets based off how I am feeling that day. I also tend to have at least 2 of my main racquet with me at all times especially if I am wanting to work on consistency or end up a playing a set against someone and want to make sure that I have a backup in case anything happens
get the most powerful racquet that you can control with confidence
That doesn’t hurt your arm
I recently had this dilemma Dunlop CX200 (control) vs FX500 tour (power)
As a 3.5…I get more out of the power racquet, that said I did really enjoy the control racquet…it was a close call but i chose the power version
Very nice! I’m glad you like the FX500 Tour. I’m a fan of Dunlop racquets and think that they are underrated in todays market
If it werent for a few pros hitting power rackets like the pure drive or ezone 100, id say power rackets are only for beginners. I get faster ballspeeds coming off control rackets at full swing. Once you are above a threshold swing speed, power rackets offer little advantage… however some pros use them so i guess they do something for them. All i know is i can rip a pro staff 97 strung at 45psi way faster than i can rip a 110sq inch oversize strung at 28psi.
I definitely agree with you that after a certain point the power racquets tend not to help as much because they do not have the control/weight behind them to play the best for the higher level player trying to use them. The one pro that I thought was interesting for using a 100 head-size is Casper Ruud. I was surprised when I heard his interview with Tennis-Warehouse where he openly said he was using a 100 head-size
Would “Spin Rackets” be their own category or can you lump them into either of the two categories you analyzed?
I would say that “Spin Rackets” can be their own category to make racquets easier to understand but they tend to be more similar to power racquets. They typically have larger head sizes or more open string patterns so the strings have more room to move much like a power racquet for example
Is there any racket recommendations for both power and control for beginners/improver ?
How long have you been playing for and what racquet are you using now?
what are main differences in playability & feel between "pure drives + control soft poly" compared to "Blade + gut/poly".. which one has more power,.. feel,.. and control?
Now everything I say here is based off the assumption that you are using the standard version of the Pure Drive and the standard Blade 98 16X19 as well as the "Gut" you mentioned being Natural Gut and not Synthetic Gut. If that is not the case then whatever I say here might be off since I don't know the specific of what strings and versions of the racquets you are using.
Pure Drive + Control Soft Poly = A stiff racquet that is going to help give you more control because of having a polyester string in the racquet. I still would be careful about that setup causing problems to your arm though. Especially depending on what tension you are using.
Blade + Gut/Poly = A more flexible racquet compared to the Pure Drive that is going to have more feel, control, and a little more weight to the racquet depending on which version of each racquet you have. The Gut/Poly hybrid is going to help provide more power than the normal Blade has due to the Gut while the Poly is going to help control it and not be as hard on your arm because of the hybrid you are using.
More Power = Pure Drive + Control Soft Poly
More Feel = Blade + Gut/Poly
More Control = Blade + Gut/Poly
@@brodytaylor2020 thank you for very clear explanation!
You welcome
You welcome
by this logic a minus 90 sq inch with a 16x19 raquet would be the hardest to use for....everyone by today's standards
I mean, that would be an extremely hard frame to use in todays game. Not impossible but definitely hard to do competitively