Yonex RDiS 100 Mid

Offering a crisp response from all areas of the court, this player's racquet rewards those with solid technique. Those with the ability to utilize the mass of this racquet will find excellent plough through from the baseline. Our playtesters found lots of bite from the stringbed and a very crisp feel. Spin production comes easily and our testers were finding lots of hop on topspin shots and plenty of bite on slice shots.

At net the racquet feels very crisp and clean providing lots of feedback for touch and placement shots. The stiff frame result in a high level of stability and lots of pop from the sweetspot of the racquet. Best suited to advance players.

Head Size:93 sq. in. / 600 sq. cm.

Length: 27 inches / 69 cm

Strung Weight: 12.1oz / 343g

Balance: 8pts Head Light

Composition: High Modulus Graphite / Elastic Titanium / CS Carbon Nanotube

Power Level: Low

Swing Speed: Fast

String Tension: 50-65 pounds

Player Using This Racquet : Lleyton Hewit

Equipment : Wilson K Factor KPro Staff 88

A racquet so hefty it makes the ProStaff Original 6.0 85 and KSix-One Tour 90 feel light and maneuverable in comparison, the KPro Staff 88 was designed especially for Pete Sampras and features his signature on the frame.

Although now playing only senior tour and exhibition tennis, Sampras is striking the ball as well as ever. The KPro Staff 88 has replaced his trusted ProStaff Original 6.0 85 and brings with it a higher swingweight and a less head light balance in stock form. Offering a tremendous amount of follow through, the KPro Staff 88 provides rock solid stability on every shot.

Players will need to have good technique and some strength to get the most out of this stick. Long, smooth and fast swings result in a very heavy and penetrating ball. There's lots of bite from the stringbed, allowing plenty of spin production. Thanks to the weight of the racquet, hitting with depth comes easily.

Once in motion, the weight of the racquet pushes the ball deep into the opposing court. At net, the KPro Staff 88 offers pinpoint precision. The control oriented response and excellent stability combine to allow the player to dominate the ball, even when up against heavy passing attempts. Well-timed serves come off the racquet with lots of pace and weight.

Stronger players will find good access to spin and enough mass to hit with plenty of heat. Although this is a demanding player's racquet, in the right hands (NTRP 5.0+) this stick combines axe like power with scalpel like precision.

Head Size: 88 sq. in. / 568 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 12.8oz / 363g
Balance: 6pts Head Light
Composition: 100%[K]arophite Black
Power Level: Low
Swing Speed: Fast
String Tension: 50-60 pounds
Player Using This Racquet : Pete Sampras

Tennis Equipment : Wilson BLX Six.One Tour

Roger Federer's Six.One Tour gets updated with Wilson's BLX technology. Wilson has woven Basalt fibers in the construction of the racquet for what it calls the most advanced composites in the industry. On court the BLX version of the Six.One Tour picks up where the KFactor version left off.

With a very similar spec, the differences between the two are subtle. The playtesters found the power level and control pretty much identical to the KFactor version with the main difference coming in feel. With Basalt in the construction, the BLX Six. One Tour is designed to resist vibration and offer a cleaner feel.

Compared to the KFactor version, the Six.One Tour BLX feels slightly more dampened. As with previous versions, the racquet is incredibly solid from all areas of the court. The racquet's mass offers excellent plow through on everything from groundstrokes to serves.

At net, there is a high level of control thanks to the solid response and solid bite from the stringbed. All in all an excellent choice for the advanced 5.0+ level player seeking the ultimate in control.

Head Size: 90 sq. in. / 580.64 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 68.58 cm
Strung Weight: 12.5oz / 354.37g
Balance: 9 pts HL
Composition: Karophite Black / Basalt
Power Level: Low Swing Speed: Fast
String Tension: 50-60 pounds
Player Using this Racquet: Roger Federer

Equipment : My Review of Babolat Vibrakill New 2010 Shock Dampener Black

Originally submitted at Tennis Plaza

The Babolat Vibrakill is a shock absorbing device made of silicone developed and patented by Babolat. Guarantees total vibration absorption. Clips on easily between the strings for contact and pressure over all the diameter of the stringing. Guarantees total vibration absorption. Vibration absorption enhanced thanks to the anticinetic system

Babolat Vibrakill New 2010 Shock Dampener Black

Babolat Vibrakill Dampener

By Marvin from Malaysia on 9/26/2010

Pros: Effective, Easy to Use

Best Uses: Warm Weather, Casual Wear, Weekend Match, Cool Weather

Review : I been using it for a month already. Really like the product, hitting ball feels very good to the arm. The only problem is the ball bearing inside the dampener became rusty. But still doesn't effect the performance.

Choosing a Perfect Shoe

Playing tennis is very fun, especially with friends. I prefer playing singles, but doubles are a lot more fun. My topic here is about shoes, tennis shoe actually. So why do we need the right tennis shoe ? Well hellooooo ! it's for the comfort of course. Choosing the right shoe also help with your game as well.

A good shoe will help you running around the court with ease and comfort. Trust me when i say that the right shoe can improve your game dramatically, even if it's expensive. So how do you choose the right shoe ? Here a tip that you can follow when choosing or buying a new tennis shoe :

1. It doesn't bite your nail :

A good tennis shoe doesn't bite your toe nail, trust me that when you're running around the court, and turning left to right and vice versa, your toe nail will eventually become the victim here. Make sure your shoe has some space for your feet to move around, that way your toe can move freely inside.

2. Fit your feet perfectly :
When your feet goes inside a shoes, you must feel the comfort, the perfect match as you would say it. When you move around, you won't feel any tightness around the feet, and it must be able to flex without any difficulty.

3. Long lasting shoe :
Why long lansting shoe ? For a regular tennis player, that would save a lot of money, even though expensive, in long term, it's worth buying. Unlike Pro tennis player, they have their own sponsor to back them up.

4. Light with cushion ( means not to heavy ) :
Well, light tennis shoe also help to improve your game, especially running around like crazy. You would'nt want a shoe that 's going to slow you down isn't it. A cushion shoes also makes your feet feel at ease when running. As long it does'nt hurt your feet.

Lesson : The Rubberband Vibration Dampener by Kim Selzman at Tennisfixation

In my post Using a Vibration Dampener on Your Tennis Racquet, I talked about why you might or might not want to use a vibration dampener on your racquet. In summary, with one you reduce string vibration and possibly noise. But you also reduce the amount of "feel" you get when you hit the ball.

Well, I can't let this subject go without talking about the famous (or infamous) rubberband vibration dampener and one its most well-known proponents - Andre Agassi. Apparently, Andre was not only a fan of vibration dampeners but he preferred to rig his racquet with the rubberband version (see photo).

And, now, you can do this too! By clicking on this link - How to Install Rubberband Damper - you will be taken to a post that clearly explains, with photos, how to tie a rubberband onto your strings to create a vibration dampener. It evens shows you the size of rubberband preferred by Andre - Rubberband #64 (in case you wanted to know the exact size to use).

I myself gave this a try (all part of the R&D we do here at Tennis Fixation) and I can report that a rubberband really does work as a vibration dampener! (As if Andre Agassi might be wrong about this.) But, as I've previously concluded, I am not a vibration dampener person so I didn't keep this on my strings for long.

But maybe it will work for you! If you give the rubberband dampener a try, let me know what you think

Article by Kim Selzman at www.tennisfixation.blogspot.com

Equipment : Wilson Pro Tour BLX

2009 US Open Champion, Juan Martin del Potro's racquet of choice, the Pro Tour BLX is the ideal compliment to the player who likes to take a big cut at the ball. With a unique 96sq. inch headsize and an 11.6-ounce strung weight, this one blends stability with control for confident hitting. The dense 18x20 string pattern further enhances control so players can stay on the gas without fear of over-hitting.

At net the head light balance helps keep the racquet feeling maneuverable and provides a traditional feel purist volleyers will love. Wilson has include Basalt fibers which are designed to improve the feel of the racquet so players can stay connected to their shots regardless if hitting with power or touch. All in all an impressive offering that brings a unique feel and performance to this popular racquet category.

Head Size : 96 Sq inch

Lenghth : 27 inches

Strung Weight : 11.6 oz

Composition : Karophite Black & Basalt

Power Level : Low

Swing Speed : Fast

String Tension : 50 – 60 pounds

Pro’s using this racquet : Juan Martin del Potro’s

Head Youtek Speed Pro

The Youtek Speed Pro is an ideal choice for the advanced level player. From tip to handle, this racquet is loaded with feel and control. Aggressive hitting from all areas of the court is possible thanks to the high level of precision found with this racquet.

At over 12 ounces strung, this stick provides ample mass to plow through the contact zone with excellent stability. At net the racquet feels rock solid with a crisp and clean response. Control on volleys is excellent.

The frame offers a firm response, which combines with the open string pattern to make punching volleys with depth and pace a snap. Thanks to the stability at contact, only a relaxed grip is required on the handle allowing for lots of feel on touch shots.

Players with the strength and technique to handle the weight of this racquet will find lots of pace and excellent targeting on serve.

Wilson Pro Open BLX

With its 100 square-inch headsize and just over 11ounce weight, the Pro Open BLX is well suited to aggressive players who like to hit with pace and spin. It's easy to whip this one through the contact zone allowing for easy depth, pace and spin.

Short court balls and approach shots can be dispatched with authority with the Pro Open BLX. On serve the racquet is the perfect match for mixing both pace and spin. The playtesters also found impressive consistency on serve, too.

At net the racquet offers a crisp and clean feel allowing for confident targeting. The frame offers enough stiffness to help with power and stability, yet the feel at contact remains smooth and comfortable.

All in all this is an impressive offering that will suit a variety of players for the intermediate level through to the professional ranks.

Head Size : 100 Sq inch
Length : 27 inches
Composition : Karophite Black & Basalt
Power Level : Medium
Swing Speed : Medium – Fast
String Tension : 53 – 63 pounds
Pro’s using this racquet : Feliciano Lopez & Sania Mirza

Head YouTek Radical Pro

Offering excellent stability and feel, the YouTek Radical Pro is a very solid choice for the advanced level player. The open string pattern provides a touch more pace compared to the usual tight pattern of the Radicals as well as excellent grip for both topspin and slice.

There's ample plow through at contact from the mass of this racquet for effortless, deep hitting. Big hitters will find they can hit a very heavy ball with good court penetration. At net this one continues to feel rock solid. Touch and control transmit to the player through a clean and crisp response.

Mobility is enhanced thanks to the head light balance and the YouTek Radical Pro offers a maneuverable feel from all areas of the court. Advanced level players will find easy access to pace and weight on serves. Spin production is solid, resulting in plenty of action on kick and slice serves.

The livelier response of the open string pattern translates to some useful pace on flatter deliveries. This impressive offering from HEAD is a must have for 4.5+ level players.

Head Size : 100 sq inch
Length : 27 inches Balance : Head Light
Composition : Graphite / D30
Power Level : Low
String tension : 52 – 62 pounds
Player using this racquet : Andy Murray

Wilson K Six One Tour 90 (K 6.1 Tour 90)

Quicker through the contact zone and offering a larger sweetspot, this is by far the most forgiving Tour 90 that we had the pleasure of hitting. Some subtle updates to the shaft design and a more open feel to the stringbed sets this version apart from its nCode and ProStaff Tour 90 predecessors and provides a closer performance to its ProStaff 85 roots.

From the baseline our we noted a very solid response from this racquet. We found the racquet to come around a tad quicker, allowing for even more pace, depth and penetration on groundstrokes. At net the KSix-One feels rock solid and very precise.

The sweetspot feels larger here than with previous Tour 90s, and our team found good targeting. On serve there found plenty of control. Pace and court penetration come from the player's ability to utilize the racquet's mass. The stringbed offers plenty of bite and we found some noticeable hop to kick serves.

All in all a very impressive racquet that is a must hit for 5.0+ level players.

Head size : 90 sq inch
Length : 27 inches
Compositions : 80% karophite black & 20% kevlar
Power level : Low
String tension : 50-60 pounds
Pro’s using this racquet : Roger Federer

Babolat AeroPro Drive GT Tennis Racquet

The racquet choice of Rafael Nadal, the AeroPro Drive GT is the latest update in Babolat's AeroPro Drive line. Using a hybrid material consisting of Graphite and Tungsten, this racquet offers improved control with a more solid feel.

Much like the previous version, the weight allows for excellent mobility, while maintaining good stability, keeping balls on their intended paths. The Aero shaft design helps get the racquet cut through the air quicker, creating more racquet head speed. This, coupled with an open string pattern offers tremendous access to spin.

This is not only prevalent on groundstrokes, but with serving as well. At net, the maneuverability and solid sweetspot offer nice punch and stability. This versatile racquet is great from all areas of the court. An excellent choice for the 3.5+ level player.

Head size : 100 sq inch

Length : 27 inches

Composition : Graphite tungsten

Power level : Low – Medium

String Tension : 55 – 65 pounds

Pro's using this racquet : Rafael Nadal

Review from www.tennis-warehouse.com