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« The Persnickety Pros Player Types: Your Feedback »
Tips for the 10 Player Types
Posted 10/09/2009 @ 2 :20 PM

So many racquets and strings, so many choices. And so many player types. To help you cut through some of the gear clutter, we presented Nate Ferguson, founder of Priority One Tennis in Tampa and stringer and racquet customizer to the top pros like Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, with 10 common player identities and asked him for some gear tips for each type. Here is the feature.

See if you find yourself in one of these 10 and, if not, please give us your personal player type including your level (based on the NTRP scale), the current racquet and string type you use, and what you need to improve your game. We’d like to create a database that covers the basic player types to help us provide more specific information in future equipment reviews in TENNIS magazine and on TENNIS.com. Just click on the "Contact" tab at the top of this blog to send me an email, or post a comment here to let us know.

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Male
age: 45+
Level: 4.0
Hight: 5'11
weight: 180 lbs
posture: atletic

Racquet: Head Radical Pro MP micro gel
strings: Main Luxilon Rough at 59 lbs
Cross Wilson Sensation at 62 lbs
Base liner
One handed Backhand
Forehand grip Semi western

Would like to improve my backhand

age:18
height:5'6"
weight:120 lbs
ntrp:5.0

racquet:wilson kblade 93
strings: forten thin blend
mains: 18 guage kevlar at 53
crosses: 16 guage synthehtic at 57


Agressive baseliner who finishes points at net


Forehand
Extreme eastern forehand generate good spin angles and speed
Take balls early with open stanced approach shots to net
Hit flat forehands also

backhand
one hander
eastern grip
use slice approach shots
hit topspin loops
can drive also


is using the kevlar mains bad for the arm because i dont have arm troubles and i played a lot over summer with no problems. I recently switched from forten aramid gear with the mains at 58 and i would occasionly get arm pain but with this new setup i have no pain.

also i would like a little more power on my backhand topspins cross courts

thanks

age: 17
height: 5'8
ntrp: 5.0

Racquet: Wilson K tour 95
Strings: Big Banger Ace 18 guage
Mains and Crosses: Strung at 54 lbs (reduced 10% tension as recommended in the package)

Forehand: 1 handed; Eastern Forehand: very little topspin
Backhand: 2 handed; Semi-western with moderate topspin

Aggressive Baseliner
Deep court forehand
2 handed backhand with topspin

I need more control on my forehand and less power as it flies out of the court. I also need strings with high durability, very good performance, and with more spin and pop on serves.

Age: 47
Height: 6'2
NTRP: 4.5

Racquet: Wilson K Factor KBlade 98
Strings: Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 16
Mains & Crosses: 55 lbs

Forehand: 1 handed, western grip, some topspin
Backhand: 1 handed, western grip, some topspin but also good slice.

Aggressive, likes to play at the net. Powerful flat 1st serve. I need to bring more consistency into my game to prolong the rallies and produce more angled shots.

Age-17
Height-5'7"
Weight-138lbs
Level-4.0
Posture-Openstance forehand, occasional openstance twohanded backhand
Style-Flat low ball short and deep, flat/slight topspin backhand
Game-All-court player
=would like to improve volleys and returns

Age - 15
Height - 6'2"
Weight-124lbs
Level-4.0-4.5

Racket- Head MG Extreme Pro (16x19) at 11.9 ounces
Strings- Head Synthetic Gut 17 at 60 lbs

Forehand- Extreme Western (Some call it Hawaiian) Lots of topspin, little power, hard to get it pas the service box but can create good angles.

Forehand- Extreme Western (against low slices) Since i'm tall most slices are very hard for me to reach so usually i cut under them and lob them with side spin. Usually went out but since i tightened strings it isn't anymore. However i sacrifice lots of power.

Backhand- 1 handed (Most of the time) Moderate Topspin, Most of the time hit flat, Backhand slice has some side spin.

Backhand- 2 handed (Used for half volleys and serve return)

I need help adding more power to my shot but if i loosen my strings then my slices/sidespins always end up going out. Any ideas??

Age: 17
Height: 5'6
Weight: 150
Level: 3-3.5

Racket : Dunlop Aerogel 200 leaded up at 9,10,2,3 12.5 oz
string: FXP power 16(18x20)
Tension: 58

Forehand: Semi-Western little-moderate topspin( wish it was more consistent, heavier topspin) flat, attacks second serve aggressively
Backhand: 2-handed Right hand eastern left hand eastern( working on making it semi-western)( hardly slice)

Playing Style: Aggressive Baseliner: tends to spray often lacking topspin on shots( needs help volleying)

Areas of improvement: love to have more topspin and more bite on my slice backhand but do not wish to change rackets

Age: 32
Height: 5'9"
NTRP: 5.0
Racquet: Head micro gel radical pro MP
String: Luxilon big banger rough at 58 lbs

Style: One-handed backhand. Some spin on both sides. Mix slice and kick serves. Strong forehands. Fast mover. Aggressive baseline play with occasional net approach on short balls for singles. Serve and volley on the first serve for doubles.

I want to improve on my second serve with more pace and kick, hit volley with more depth and consistency, especially on forehand, and hit winners with backhand stroke.

Male, 34, 5.0

Head Microgel Extreme Pro (orig) weighted to 12.5 oz and 4 pts headlight; Pro Supex Big Ace 17 (M) and Pro Supex Spiral Flex (X)

Aggressive baseliner/#5 Agassi idolizer

age:17
height:5'9"
weight:135 lbs
ntrp:3.5

racquet:wilson kblade 98
strings: big banger original @ 58
Agressive baseliner, who likes to run up to net, likes to play spin to keep opponent off blaance

Forehand
pretty standard...

backhand
two handed... very aggressive

having trouble handling fast & high shots to my backhand...

Age: 16 (today!)
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 138
Level: 3.5

Racket : Dunlop Aerogel 200 16x19
String: Luxilon alupower 16L
Tension: 58

Forehand: Semi-Western moderate topspin

Backhand: 2-handed Right hand semi eastern

Playing Style: Aggressive Baseline hitter: Thank god the ag200 is considerably flexible and forgiving on my balls that tend to spray out

Areas of improvement: volley and timing

I would really appreciate if Tommy or anyone that uses the AG200 would give me any advice.

Maybe I should start using led tape to add some more weight to level out the raquet and give me a bit of an edge on my volleys and timing? Personally I like the balance on the ag200 16x19 maybe I should just switch to the the regular version of the ag200 because it's a couple more ounces? well... I wouldn't mind buying a few cause they're on liquidation these days... hahaha

Age 53
Hgt 5'10"
wgt 170
level 4.5

Racket Triple Threat Graphite 107
String Bablot Excel(doubles)
VS Gut(singles)
Tension 57- Excel
50- VS Gut

Grip- Eastern/2 fisted backhand

Playing style:

singles - baseline(flat ball striker)
doubles - serve & crash

Areas for improvement

forehand/serve/overhead

Age: 35
Height 6'4"
wgt 230
Level: 4.5

Racket: Babolat Pure Drive
String: Mains - Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour
Crosses - Babolat Excel 16
Tension: 48lbs

Grip: Federer grip on the forehand, two handed backhand

Style: Serve and volley

Areas for improvement: lateral movement.


Age: 20
Height: 5'4
Weight: 129lbs
Level: 4.0

Racquet: Wilson KSix-One Team
String: Mains: Topspin Cyber Blue 17L
String: Crosses: Head SynGut PPS 17G (Strung at 57lbs both)

Semi-Western Forehand, 1HBH

Can retrieve most balls put in play at most speeds, good speed and stamina, can hit 95% of balls in strike zone with great spin and speed, and can get the rest in play, will get into long rallies, some problems putting away balls at the net, problems finishing points off at baseline with winners, will incorporate drop shots and lobs every so often, relies on backhand slice too much (too many defensive shots).

Main problem, playing at a consistent high-level.

Age: 21
Height: 5'11
Weight: 170
Level: 4.5

Racquet: Wilson Kblade Team
String Mains: Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour
String Crosses: Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour
Tension: 63lbs

Grip: Extreme Eastern/ 2-handed backhand

Style: Aggressive Baseliner/counter pucher

I'm pretty fast around the court, and can get to pretty much any ball. Primarily an agressive baseliner, but against a hard hitter, can counter punch effectively. Forehand is definitely my strong shot, but it can go off at times (either hitting it long or into the net). Backhand is weaker, but pretty consistent. I hit a hard and flat first serve, and am a good volleyer (once I'm at the net).

Areas of improvement: Transitioning from baseline to net;
Maintaining consistent high level of play; 2nd serve

Age: 36
Height: 5'7
Weight: 170
Level: 3.5-4.0

Racquet: Head YOUTEK Radical Pro
String : Gamma Live Wire XP 17
Tension: 62/60lbs

Racquet: Babolat Pure Drive GT
String Mains: Gamma Professional 17
String Crosses: Toalson Rencon 125
Tension: 62/59lbs

Forehand: Semi-Western moderate topspin
Backhand: 1-handed Right hand (trying to use 2-handed to increase the consistent)

All court player, big serve, mainly playing double.

Wants to improve backhand, volley and timing

Age: 36
Sex: Male
Height: 5"7
Weight: 150
Level: 4.5

Racquet: Yonex RQiS1 Tour
String: Luxilon Ace
Tension: 57lbs

Forehand: Eastern, fairly flat
Backhand: 1-handed semi-western

Definitely a Run 'N Gunner. Used to play serve and volley but now more an all-court game. Wants to get more spin on groundies, hence switched to poly strings. Tried hybrid strings, but found them to be neither here nor there - not as spin friendly as full hybrid, not as soft as full gut.

Really want to have a topspin forehand. And only seem to be able to get spin on full polys, so feel at the net is the compromise.

Age: 47
Sex: Male
Height: 5"10
Weight: 180
Level: 5.0

Racquet: Wilson Pro Staff Classic
String: ProBlend
Tension: 63lbs

Forehand: cross between Eastern & semi Western
Backhand: Two-handed semi-western

Aggressive ball striker, consistent groundies & capable of hitting deep into the corners--good anticipation. Good technique and form

Want to improve transition game and adding more spin to the ball

,

Age: 16
Sex: male
Height: 5'5
Level: 3.5-4.0

Racket: k-six one tour
String: Wilson ultimate duo
Tension: 55

Forehand: eastern
Backhand: one handed backhand extreme eastern
Serve: Continental

plays with mostly spin and not much power, but has good control

wants a more powerful forehand and a powerful serve

Age: 19
Sex: female
Height: 5'5-5'6
Weight: 140lbs
Level: 5.5-6.0
Racquet: Wilson Kblade 98, and/or Babolat Pure Storm (12.1 oz strung)
String: Poly Mains (Gosen, or Babolat Tour 17 gauge), and gut on the crosses, strung between 52-56lbs.

Forehand, semi-western
Backhand: two-handed

Agressive ball striker--all around court player. Can hit flat, spin-drive, extreme topspin and squash shot on forehand. Can hit flat, and with spin with double handed backhand but can hit with a one-handed slice. uses angles well from any position of the court.

Goals: to make my backhand more powerful, as my forehand opens up the court easily. My backhand is consistent, I just want to make it more of a weapon. Develop my kick serve and add some mph (get well into the 90's and 100s if I can) and definitely polish my serve and volley skills.

Age: 16
Sex: Male
Height: 5'6
Weight: 110 lbs
Level: 3.5 Player
Racquet: Prince 03 Hybrid Lite OS

Forehand: Semi-Western
Backhand: Right Hand ( Continental )
Left Hand ( Semi-Western )

Counterpuncher: Can hit flat, with topspin and can drive the ball well. Favorite shot is backhand down the line with the ball at waist height.

Area's need to improve: Difficulty in High Balls in backhand side. Can't consistently slice the ball.

age: 35
Sex: male
Height: 5' 11
weight: 130 lbs.
level: 4.0 player
Racquet: bobolat aero pro drive
Luxilon big banger strung at 60 lbs.

hit with topspin, strong net play, good over heads, weaker backhand and serve.

area's of improvement are need a kick serve and more power on the serve and on the back hand

age: 15
Sex: Male
Height:6'3
Weight:188
Level:5.0
Racquet:K-6.1 Tour 90
Strings: Babolat Pro hurricanes 17 gauge
All around player, really flat shots,strong serve, and a big kick serve

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