What's the best racquet for a player who wants to use longer, faster swings?
Weight and balance:
Most adults with normal strength have no trouble wielding a racquet with a strung weight of 11 ounces and a balance not more than 1/2 inch head-heavy. Racquets of at least 11 ounces tend to be head-light, not head-heavy, to make them more maneuverable, but too little weight in the head introduces all of the problems discussed earlier. For each 1/10 ounce above 11 ounces, something on the order of 1/8 inch (one point) more head-lightness should generally be acceptable, although a more even balance would be preferable for many stronger players. A strong player might comfortably use an evenly balanced racquet weighing more than 12 ounces strung, and many of the pros customize their racquets with extra head weights that bring the total well above 12 ounces. Look for a swingweight of at least 320, but pay more attention to weight and balance.
Stiffness:
As noted earlier, the main limitation on how stiff a racquet you can use is your ability to generate enough spin (or to hit through a smaller margin above the net) to keep the racquet's power from sending the ball too far when you swing as fast as you generally like to swing. Most of the racquets currently sold for advanced players are more flexible (and more head-light) than would be ideal for an advanced playing population who were coming to the market without having already been conditioned to the racquets they've been offered over the years. Players tend to like what they're used to, and most advanced players have gotten used to the more flexible frames that have dominated what manufacturers have marketed to them since the days of wood (which was extremely flexible). In terms of predictability and arm health, though, most advanced players would benefit from a stiffer, more evenly balanced, and in many cases, heavier racquet. With a racquet weighing around 11.5 ounces, a balance within 6 points (preferably fewer) of even, and a stiffness of 70-75, most advanced players can swing just as freely as ever, and the racquet's somewhat greater power is easily offset by the more consistent angle at which it sends the ball on its way.
