| How To Choose A Tennis Racquet |
Tweener Rackets
When thinking about how to choose a tennis racquet a popular option is the tweener racket. Tweener Rackets are for intermediates are designed for players who hit with enough pace and placement to want good control, but don’t mind some modest power contribution from the racquet. Rackets designed for players between the intermediate and advanced levels are often called "tweener rackets." Tweener and intermediate rackets tend to be somewhat lighter in the 9.5-11 ounces range, stiffer, and less head-light, with larger heads (95-102 square inches) than advanced racquets.
Babolat Pure Drive Roddick Plus Racquets
In an update to the immensely popular Pure Drive, Babolat introduces the Andy Roddick signature racquets. Stiffer and heavier than the regular Pure Drive, the Pure Drive Roddick offers a tad more power and improved stability. This is the standard length version of Roddick’s racquet – Roddick actually plays with the Plus (27.5) inch long version. Designed around the actual weight of Andy Roddick’s racquet, the Pure Drive Roddick swings with noticeably more heft than the regular Pure Drive and offers a solid feel at impact. In true Pure Drive tradition, spin potential is impressive and players with aggressive swings will love the response off the stringbed. We found some added weight to groundstrokes, making both topspin and slice shots more penetrating. At net the Pure Drive Roddick retains a maneuverable feel, while offering some added punch and a crisp yet solid feel. We found some nice weight, plenty of pace and ample access to spin on serves. Our testers found some added kick on spin serves and a firm response that offered accurate targeting. Best suited to players at the 4.0+ level seeking a racquet that offers some solid punch from all areas of the court.
Headsize = 100 sq inches
Length = 27 inches
Weight = 11.7 oz
Prince O3 Hybrid Hornet Racquets
Prince O3 Hybrid Hornet Racquets
The tradition of the Prince Hornet continues with the O3 Hornet Hybrid racquets. Offering noticeably more power and a more dampened and comfort oriented response, the O3 Hybrid Hornets set themselves apart from their Triple Threat predecessors. The "Hybrid" in the O3 Hybrid Hornet name refers to the combination of existing Prince grommet technologies with Prince’s O Ports at the 12 & 6 o’clock racquet head positions.
Wilson nTour Two Midplus 105
A great intermediate doubles stick and ideal for players looking for access to power and spin from all areas of the court. Players at the 3.5 level and above will find maneuverability and plenty of power for attacking play with this racquet. We found this one to play very similar to the nTour 105, but with a more dampened and solid feel on all shots. At 105 square inches, this racquet is still a Midplus (Oversize designation is for 106 sq. in. and up), but it offers the playability of an Oversize – larger sweetspot and more power. A versatile racquet from all areas of the court, the nTour Two 105 offers controllable power for both flat and spin hitting. We especially liked this one on those tough mid-court volleys where the light weight and adequate power level helped make it possible to hit deep and penetrating volleys. Only a moderate swing speed is required to find plenty of pop on serves and groundstrokes.
Head Flexpoint 4 Racquets
The Flexpoint 4 won Editor’s Choice in Tennis Magazine. It offers a great mix of power and control. Flexpoint racquets have specifically engineered holes at 3 and 9 o’clock to increase frame flexibility at those points. This new ‘flexpoint’ allows the racquet to cup the ball resulting in greater control, feel, and a larger sweetspot.
The Head Swing Style Rating for this racquet is S4. Head Recommends that this racquet be strung by a USRSA Certified Stringer.
Headsize: 107 sq. inches / 690 sq. cm.
Weight: 10.3oz / 292g strung
Length: 27.3 inches
