Titanium! Oversized!
Super-light! Quick-grip! Sporting-goods manufacturers scream
louder than John McEnroe. Ignore the hyper buzzwords; most
are deceptive. Many racquet makers claim powerful titanium
in the frame's composition, but unless the racquet costs $200-$300,
the amount of titanium actually in there is negligible. The
following paddles are recommended for the average recreational
player who cares about quality.
1.
Prince CTS Approach, $59.99 at Big 5 Sporting Goods
(12339 SE Stark St., 261-2951)
Remember that buying a racquet is a very individual purchase.
If you're a five-foot beginner, don't buy the same racquet
Venus Williams uses. At twenty-seven inches in length, with
an oversized head, the Prince CTS is an ideal beginner-to-intermediate
racquet. Big 5 has it on sale this summer--the CTS sometimes
sells for as much as $159--so it's a great bargain. The
stiffness--and thus the power--of a racquet is usually rated
on a scale ranging from 2.0 to 8.0. The CTS gets a solid
5.0, meaning it's not flimsy but does require ample power
on your part. The shorter length, varying grip--the shaft
comes in four sizes--and medium stiffness make the CTS well
suited for a shorter, muscular man.
2.
Wilson Prostaff 5.7, $99.99 at Copeland's Sports
(330 SW Yamhill St., 226-2486)
"Nice thwack," one of our racquet-testing guinea pigs said
of the Prostaff. This particular piggy, a 5-foot-4-inch,
120-pound woman, found the slim grip and 27-inch length
of the Prostaff extremely comfortable. The frame is mostly
graphite (although "titanium" is printed on the head), and
while the Prostaff isn't incredibly light, at 11.2 ounces
it's petite for this price range. A stiffness rating of
6.6 means a little added power for the smaller player, but
not so much that hitting long becomes a problem.
3.
Prince Thunder Ultra-Light, $190 at Second Serve
(1002
SW Jefferson St., 222-4228)
Weighing in at a mere 8.2 ounces, Prince Thunder Ultra-Light
is the kind of racquet that makes you think it may not be
too late to go pro. After a couple of games with this puppy,
I was running to the net and blithely nailing one-handed
backhands. The balanced weight in the Thunder's strings
causes the ball to travel through the air quickly, with
a magical, musical ping the likes of which I may never hear
again. The 28-inch length of the Thunder demands a little
extra arm extension--or a lankier player.
4.
ProKennex Kinetic 20G, $189 at Players Racquet Shop
(3234 NE Wasco St., 231-1120; 4450 SW Hall Blvd., 641-9556)
Despite the gimmicky name, these Rock Shox of racquets
really deliver. Lead tubes in the frame of the Kinetic act
as shock absorbers, dissipating the impact of each hit.
Lead, you say? This feature is completely unnecessary for
most players, but it can keep those who suffer from shoulder
or elbow injuries in the game. The plumbum does add some
clunk: This 28-inch racquet weighs in at a hefty 12 ounces.
But to the player with chronic tennis elbow, it'll feel
feather-light.
5.
Wilson 5.3, $179 at Players Racquet Shop
(3234 NE Wasco St., 231-1120; 4450 SW Hall Blvd., 641-9556)
Ah, the elusive serve. If you're pretty happy with your
game, except for when the ball stays on your side of the
court, consider trying this Wilson. The "hyper-carbon" frame
is a little more powerful (and lighter) than graphite or
titanium, so it's easier on the serving arm. Wilson also
top-weights the 5.3, adding extra power when you come down
on the ball. The 27.5-inch length and 8.9-ounce weight make
this popular racquet accessible to athletes of all shapes,
sizes and abilities.
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Willamette Week | originally
published August 11,
1999
|
