Hello everyone,
I would like to hear your thoughts and advice on the following situation.
I started playing again about a year ago after a break of about 15 years.
I'm almost 40 years old now and my level is quite ok (around 1800-1900 US rating, or around 1600 German rating where I train sometimes in my business times and holidays).
When I started playing last year, I spent the first few months playing a lot with all-wood blades like Korbel or Primorac Japan versions.
After a while I switched to moderate carbon blades, first the Innerforce ALC.S and now the Victas Fire Fall FC for the last four months.
I used very light carbon blades (under 82g) because I didn't want to have much more speed, see explanation later.
I made the switch because I had the feeling that I wanted to have a little more power, especially on my very good forehand side.
Now that my first full playing season is coming to an end, I'm drawing a small conclusion and wondering whether switching back to for example Primorac Japan blade might not be the more smart step for me in the long term.
I want to make the best possible use of my strengths.
My game system is based on the following balls:
Rather short, slow serves with different spin variations. Usually either a lot of backspin, no spin serves, or light side topspin.
I try to open up the game very early with a very soft and spiny ball (loop and topspins). This ball must come very safely, with maximum possible spin and good placement. I play the opening on both sides, much slower on the backhand, a little more variable with the forehand, but usually very spinny.
In open play I still prefer to play with a lot of spin, especially on the forehand. With the backhand I prefer to keep the ball strategically in the game using good placement and more control orientated shots. Safety is more important to me here because I'm not particularly good at follow-up on the backhand.
In general, I prefer to keep the tempo a little slow, as I have weaknesses in fast rallys. I try to gain a lot from spin, placement and safety.
My two biggest weaknesses are service receiving (long spinny ones) and blocking. I make some mistakes there, which is why I want to play a setup that makes these situations easier for me.
In order to play my described system as best as possible, I had to choose softer rubbers on the synthetic fiber blades. On the backhand I play 40-42 degree rubbers (Ventus Limber / R7 Soft), on the forehand I felt most comfortable with medium 45 degree rubbers.
On all-wood blades, the rubbers could be a little harder, and I could still play the game well.
Now my honest question:
What type of setup would support my gaming system theoretically at best?
Should I choose a solid all-wood blade (such as the Primorac) with slightly stronger rubbers after the season?
Or should I stay with the moderate synthetic fiber blades and continue playing the slightly softer rubbers?
I am very interested in your opinion and look forward to a pleasant exchange.
Thank you
Marcus vom Sweden
I would like to hear your thoughts and advice on the following situation.
I started playing again about a year ago after a break of about 15 years.
I'm almost 40 years old now and my level is quite ok (around 1800-1900 US rating, or around 1600 German rating where I train sometimes in my business times and holidays).
When I started playing last year, I spent the first few months playing a lot with all-wood blades like Korbel or Primorac Japan versions.
After a while I switched to moderate carbon blades, first the Innerforce ALC.S and now the Victas Fire Fall FC for the last four months.
I used very light carbon blades (under 82g) because I didn't want to have much more speed, see explanation later.
I made the switch because I had the feeling that I wanted to have a little more power, especially on my very good forehand side.
Now that my first full playing season is coming to an end, I'm drawing a small conclusion and wondering whether switching back to for example Primorac Japan blade might not be the more smart step for me in the long term.
I want to make the best possible use of my strengths.
My game system is based on the following balls:
Rather short, slow serves with different spin variations. Usually either a lot of backspin, no spin serves, or light side topspin.
I try to open up the game very early with a very soft and spiny ball (loop and topspins). This ball must come very safely, with maximum possible spin and good placement. I play the opening on both sides, much slower on the backhand, a little more variable with the forehand, but usually very spinny.
In open play I still prefer to play with a lot of spin, especially on the forehand. With the backhand I prefer to keep the ball strategically in the game using good placement and more control orientated shots. Safety is more important to me here because I'm not particularly good at follow-up on the backhand.
In general, I prefer to keep the tempo a little slow, as I have weaknesses in fast rallys. I try to gain a lot from spin, placement and safety.
My two biggest weaknesses are service receiving (long spinny ones) and blocking. I make some mistakes there, which is why I want to play a setup that makes these situations easier for me.
In order to play my described system as best as possible, I had to choose softer rubbers on the synthetic fiber blades. On the backhand I play 40-42 degree rubbers (Ventus Limber / R7 Soft), on the forehand I felt most comfortable with medium 45 degree rubbers.
On all-wood blades, the rubbers could be a little harder, and I could still play the game well.
Now my honest question:
What type of setup would support my gaming system theoretically at best?
Should I choose a solid all-wood blade (such as the Primorac) with slightly stronger rubbers after the season?
Or should I stay with the moderate synthetic fiber blades and continue playing the slightly softer rubbers?
I am very interested in your opinion and look forward to a pleasant exchange.
Thank you
Marcus vom Sweden