Don't know about you guys, but i find most box beams very unwieldy and though steady during ball contact, feels too demanding for tourneys. I can handle 1-2 games but after that, I'd stick to a k95 thank you.

Especially the k90 or ps85... damn man... monster racquets... sweet spot is superb and unmatched but I couldn't wield it a week of serious playing

TK

damn those fancy pictures of them frames man... DAMNNNN

I WANT THEM SHOES!!!! next time, for those fellas who spot such cool buys, must ask forumers if they want!! We make it compulsory!!!

AKAKKAA

Unfortunately, Pete wasn't very marketable even thoughhe was such a fantastic player. Companies normally look for the likes of Johnny Macs and Andre's cause their personality attracts more attention. Similar to how nadal.. though really good doesn't get as many endorsements compared to maybe a lesser achiever like roddick.

true CK... but with that same argument, Pete is American, no?

if it were me, I'd go for Agassi. He wasn't that unflexible and demanding like Pete. Pete was very fickle with the racquet even saying that extra PJ and NOT having stencils changes the gameplay. VERY VERY fickle. hard to get him to change anything.

Roddick... erm.... well, I'd have to say that during his time, not very prominent Americans were around. Plus, his win was the US Open, so he was like the home champion. No brainer there... but still... can't compare with Nadal who obviously has a better career record eh? He's just not that.... marketable (language wise) and also... not that good on screen... hahaha.. very KAYU in the ads.

Federer.... I'd say he's a completely different class. He manages to embrace both the marketing and performance in court very well. Look at all his endorsements and one will get lost. not to mention his charitable efforts when he is supposed to focus on his career instead... he can still juggle them so well...

Both strokes have pros/cons. It's a matter of which one suits you. My advice is to pick one that suits you and stick to it. Some people like to have both a single backhand and double handed backhand. I don't think it is good to have both cause they often struggle with consistency. If double backhand is good for you, practice with it and stick to it from now on. It'll help lift that part of your game greatly by sticking to that one stroke (of course, doesn't mean you can't slice and so on)

BEST SERVER in history?

karlovic?

hahaha.....

If we see JUST the serve, karlovic throws 2nd serve bombs all the time.

... he just doesn't break other's serves too often too..

Yup. Drop by anyway

damnnnnnnnn those courts are pristine... it's like no one's played on it yet. virgin courts

I agree with inv to get a cheap racquet. However, it's not necessarily a second hand one because you can get even brand new ones for about RM200++. I however recommend you to get a GOOD one. Not some TESCO or some cheap frame that you can get out of some retail market. That'll just discourage you from continuing the game cause it really sucks in ball pocketing and frame vibration. Just notice the neck of those TESCO racquets. They aren't one piece, the neck is always a separate piece at the throat of the racquet. AVOID THOSE!

I recommend actually a cheap Dunlop Aerogel which goes probably RM550 for 2. Do you have ANY tennis ability/history? Are you athletic? what sports do you play before this? All these answers help in buying a racquet.

RULES of THUMB however:

1. Get one as HEAVY as you can carry and swing for days. NOT heavy for you to swing for an hour and later on tire out after that. Don't be pulled in by the temptation of lightness. A lot of new players like to hold and go "Oh man, that's light... I like that!". Go for as heavy as you can manage.

2. I'd actually recommend a midplus. probably in the range of 100 square inches. Nothing too big though like those ol' Wilson W series. I think oversize or midsized racquets do need some kinda playing to get the feel of using these 2 extremes. However, if you get a chance to hit with these sticks, try it. Who knows? You might like the PS85. kakaka

3. GRIP!!!! Please read up on grips/grip size/replacing a grip etc... too many a times I see newbies swing a racquet with the plastic still wrapping the grip or wrapping an overgrip WITH the plastic still wrapping the replacement grip. For more precise info:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/Regripping.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/increasegrip.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/Gripsize.html

4. STRINGS STRINGS STRINGS! Please avoid poly/kevlar or any string that either says MAX DURABILITY/STIFF/POLY/SUPERSPIN or stuff like that. Go for the softer strings to begin with. Some multis actually do last quite long and it's softer during contact. You will enjoy the pocketing of the ball better and it helps when you're trying to recognise the feel of the ball. String low too. If you get any multi, I think maybe 50lbs would be a good way to begin. anything lower might affect control or anything higher might just put your elbow at risk (cause I assume a lot of misshits during the learning process).

ERm... that's all I can think of for now..

CHeers

This post has been edited by Dark_Angel85: Oct 31 2011, 01:33 PM

hahahahhaa

im gonna get one of these.... but i still have no money.

wow... you guys really got off topic with maecross and all the animes.. .hahahha

Don't worry. all tennis players are fussy. We are all dead of some form of OCD. trust me.

Oh... so you were a junior player back then? competitive? Doesn't really matter... cause it just means you're not a COMPLETE beginner. In that case, it's just about getting back your rhythm... If you want to be SERIOUS in it as you say, then it's really also 50% skill training and 50% fitness training too. It is inevitable. You need to be fit to be a bit better in the game. You can be excellent in theory and are an EXCELLENT ball striker but if you cannot get into the right position to hit the ball as you would want most of the time, there is no point.

I'm sure for an ex-player such as yourself, it's a matter of time when the instinct of the game starts to kick in. 10 years sounds like it's a long time but if you were a serious player back then, I think it shouldn't be a problem... given time and patience. I left tennis quite some time too. NOT 10 years though... more of like 4-5 years.... getting back was indeed tough I tell you. Coming from a guy who also left tennis for a little while, getting back on form after a few good days of hitting will be PURE addiction. If you're really serious in getting back into the game, it won't be impossible. Just remember, 50/50 fitness and skill training.

I sincerely hope you pick it back up after hearing your story.

i'm really liking the 'cheap adidas shoes' part kev

I think it is up to the player... some can have different racquets, and some don't. I think eventually the better you get, you tend to be more picky with your racquet selection. You might not get the exact same type of racquet but you will be a bit fussier in the type of racquets/strings you will get.

Sometimes you might even get a different model but with very similar specifications... so i guess that's ok?

hhahahhaa... looks like some virgins need to be sacrificed for the rain gods if any of your prayers want to be answered.

kakaka

erm.... ok...

whatever you say.

If you feel like joining us, do come. Many of us are going... check the siggy to see who has already confirmed to make it there.

There will also be a small collection of money to reimburse those getting balls, courts, and of course some small makan-makan. It's all fun and games for one day!