As I’ve written in numerous posts on the blog, I’m a tennis racquet junkie (tennis racket junkie – if you prefer that spelling). I have loads of sticks in my arsenal, but today I’m testing the Wilson BLX Six.One 95 strung with Yonex Poly Tour Pro. We’ll see if it works, I’ll review both string and racquet on the blog soon.
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Anyway, my setup wasn’t the topic of this post, but instead what’s the difference between retail racquets and pro stock racquets that the top players on the ATP Tour use.
Because you should know that if you buy a racquet in your local sports store or online, you won’t be getting the same racquet specifications that your favorite players play with, even though their face might be on the marketing and their signature on the tennis racquet.
Some of the racquets are more or less the same, for example Federer is said to play with close to the same characteristics as the retail Wilson Pro Staff BLX 90 although you could be sure it’s at least 10 grams heavier. If you’re interested in exact specifications you can join the many interesting pro player racquet discussion at the Talk Tennis forum. There you will find racquet crazy aficionados that hunt certain racquets like they were holy grails.
I found a video that explains some of the differences between a pro stock frame and a retail frame. Please see below:
A good way to identify a pro stock player racquet is to see if there is a code like TGK232 (Head) or H22 (Wilson) on the hair pin, throat, underneath the grip etc. If you manage to get a hold of a pro stock racquet they’re usually worth double or more than the retail version. If they’re new they’re usually lighter to allow for lots of customisation like putting silicone in the handle or lead under the bumper guard.
HELLO
DO YOU SAIL THE PRO STOCK RACKET LIKE WILSON OR HEAD RACKETS,
PLEASE TELL ME IF IT S POSSIBLE OR NOT
THANKS FOR THE ANSWER?
REGARD MICHEL
Hi,
I don’t sell any pro stock racquets at the moment, but I would recommend http://stringforum.net where you have a for sale section where people buy and sell pro racquets. I’m happy using my retail versions of Head Prestige IG MP with some extra lead and adjusted grips at the moment, but it’s possible a Head PT57A or Wilson H22 would fit me even better. Good luck in your hunt for the holy racquet grail! Cheers / J
Hi,
I have found a pro stock Prince Tour online for sale fro $120. Is this a good deal and should I order the racket?
Thank you
Hi,
That sounds like a decent deal. Prince pro stocks are generally cheaper than Wilson and HEAD however. Does the racquet fit your specs? Cheers / J