Tips for the over 60 crowd by the over 60 crowd!
For the first time in my tennis life, I will be playing with gut strings! A couple of my Florida and New Hampshire friends (Bob Dilworth and B. Manning) have been recommending that I switch; so with my shoulder starting to feel the same bicep tendonitis that made me miss Newk’s camp two years [...]
A friend is testing racquets to find a new one that “feels good” to him … but most people believe the feel of the racquet (and its performance for you) will be controlled more by THE STRINGS you choose to put in. And since my shoulder is starting to twinge in pain again (!) [...]
I have not used a ball machine for many years; but when my practice partner cancelled at the last minute, I scheduled one for an hour. It was one of the best one-hour practice sessions I’ve had in a long time!
Which way is harder to move… from playing hard court tennis to soft court, or the other way around?
Over the summer, I went back to using the Luxilon strings that I liked so well last year; but hurt my shoulder (so that I had to miss Newk’s camp). But this time, the racquet was strung as what they now call “hybrid”… a combination of two different strings on the crosses and mains.
For tennis shoes, I am a New Balance fan… mostly because I have a wide foot (EE) and New Balance comes in widths. I learned some interesting facts in a recent buying experience.
Here is a question on restringing time from Naples tennis friend Bob Mazola…”How often should you have your racquet restrung?”
String update: So two weeks back, I did try a combination of NXT 16g multifilament string in the mains and a (yellow) Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour 17 String for the crosses. I really did like the better feel, control, and topspin i was able to put on the ball, but ….
I really miss my Luxilon Big Banger strings. But I am sure they were a major factor in my six-months of shoulder problems. So what to do?
I am very happy with using the Luxilon Big Banger Timo strings in my racquets; but am not sure how often to have them restrung. With two racquets being alternated and playing 5-6 days a week, I have been playing with them for nearly eight weeks now. As advertised, they show no sign [...]
Last week, our son and his family visited us; and my 22-month-old grandson had his first chance to see Grandpa play tennis. While the fine points of the game did not capture his attention, I did throw him an old ball to play with. After watching for two minutes or so, he volunteered [...]
About four months ago, I switched my strings to Luxilon Big Banger Timo, 17 gauge; and have some observations that may be worth sharing.
There are many good comments on the subject of strings in the posting below this one. And Tuesday, I played singles with my young, lefty friend and used racquets with BOTH the new Luxilon strings and the old Techno-fiber strings.
The Right Strings – At the US Open, announcer Jim Courier talked about the popularity and benefits of the new Luxilon strings. My regular Tuesday New Hampshire singles partner, Bruce Cassella, also uses and swears by the benefits of the string. But are they right for everyone?
Here is some research done by a good New Hamphsire tennis buddy of mine, B. Manning:
Hi George:
   Here is my research and decision on racquets: