Category Archives: Pro Stock
2020 is Coming Into Focus!
2019 came and went in a blur! In a few days it will 2020 and with it will come some exciting new tennis stuff, for sure!
I am not so good at predicting things but I do it anyway! Here are a few predictions I will make for 2020:
- Tennis racquets will become more expensive, but only slightly.
- On-line sales of tennis racquets will increase. See this previous post.
- Customer satisfaction with on-line sales will decrease.
- Small specialty tennis shops will be the source of information, then #2, and then #3.
- Players will stick with a racquet longer, making customizations as needed.
- String and stringing will become a more important component of a racquet purchase. See below!
- Tennis related injuries will continue to be a problem for the sport going forward.
No Underage Polyester, Please!
Thank you for thinking about the “long term” for all tennis players!
There are no bad strings just bad applications!
The right equipment is crucial to the long term enjoyment, and winning, of tennis!
The local representatives I deal with are committed to our “well being” even though some may feel like they are facing “extinction”!
An excellent example of what we are talking about just walked in! Two (2) new racquets so poorly strung it is shocking!
The customer is having serious arm issues with an excellent racquet, with a terrible string setup! But the string setup is probably considered by many to be the ultimate combination, that is RPM Blast in the main and VS Touch in the cross! That combination is coming out in a few minutes! No more polyester!
The quality of the stringing is what is so wrong! Had you or I received this racquet, we would have returned it at once! Why? Because it exemplifies the attitude of so many stringers that is “who cares”!
Happy New Year!
How Lucky Can You Get!
Having one celebrity in the shop is quite rare but two…that is amazing!
The World Headquarters was visited by Bill and Aleks (aka GBS)! What is also amazing is that they came in separate cars so they did have a choice! If you are in the area stop by. You may see a celabrity! Probably not but you will see the latest racquets!
Visitors!
Love Volkl Racquets?
Do you love Volkl racquets but want something special?
Today is your lucky day!
I have eight (8) Volkl racquets just waiting for your instructions.
Volkl Customs
| Model | Gram Weight | Ounce Weight | Pattern | QTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkl PB 8 | 315 Grams | 11.1 Ounces | 16×18 | 1 |
| Volkl PB 9 | 310 Grams | 10.9 Ounces | 16×19 | 1 |
| Volkl PB 9 | 310 Grams | 10.9 Ounces | 18×20 | 1 |
| Volkl PB 10 | 295 Grams | 10.4 Ounces | 16×19 | 1 |
| Volkl PB 10 | 295 Grams | 10.4 Ounces | 18×20 | 1 |
| Volkl PB 10 | 325 Grams | 11.5 Ounces | 16×19 | 1 |
| Volkl PB 10 | 325 Grams | 11.5 Ounces | 18×20 | 1 |
| Volkl PB 10M | 330 Grams | 11.6 Ounces | 16×19 | 1 |
Butt Cap(s)
Each of these can be customized for length (up to 28 inches), weight, swing weight, string and tension, grip size (3 or 4), grip (leather or synthetic), custom butt cap (yellow), no “plug”.
Racquet price will, of course, be based on your requirements. But whatever the price this is a priceless opportunity!
Email me at johngugel@tennisrocks.net with your desired specifications and let’s see if it will work for you.
Pro-Stock Racquets…what does that even mean?
Racquet Quest is in the racquet technology business! What does that even mean?
It means we devote a great deal of our time to understanding racquets and what makes them ”tick”. Of course, it is fun and meaningful but sometimes not well understood.
Hardly a week goes by that I don’t have a request for “Pro Stock” racquets of some sort. But what does that mean?
To help sort out this question I reached out to one of the people in this industry that knows the answer! Jerry, I will call him, works for a major racquet manufacturer and is responsible for racquets for professional players. I asked him to comment on the following narrative. The responses are in red.
Pro Stock Racquets. What does that even mean?
“Rackets which have been customized to players need.”
“Many people believe that pro players are using different construction, which is actually not true; a reason to think so is that these people have no idea about racket production.”
For years, it has been the position of manufacturers that the “retail” version of racquets did not work for the top world ranked player(s). So what to do?
“Players need different weight/balance/swing weight than regular players due to their fitness and technique.”
Many “pro” players prefer the model they started their career with but those racquets have long been replaced by newer, and mostly, better technology regarding materials. Of course, it is “possible” to use the older mold, (the mold is not the graphite tube), to re-create the preferred geometry and feel. I doubt that the materials I used in our racquets many years ago are still available.
“If players are used to their old/first racket as their extension of the arm/hand in many cases they don´t want to switch unless they feel they have to!”
Probably the most important consideration is the third paragraph. “Players need different weight/balance/swing weight than regular players due to their fitness and technique.” Why would I even think I can play with the “same” racquet as Roger, Novak, Andy, Rafa, and the rest of the top players! It is simply not possible.
Yesterday I finished an “evaluation” racquet for a pro player with a swing weight of 400 kg/cm2 with an “even” balance. Is this a “pro stock” racquet, or just a racquet that has been radically customized?
I can, however, make my racquet the best it can be for ME! So, let’s go back to the top of the page,“Rackets which have been customized to players need.”
It doesn’t matter to me at what level you play but as racquet “technoligsts” we can help you be a better player.
Racquet Quest, LLC
