Trick Out Your Stick
Have you always wanted to customize your frame? Use these six tips to create the ultimate racquet.
You upgrade your computer, tweak your sound system, and pimp your ride. But have you ever given any thought to fine-tuning your racquet?
You should, Roman Prokes says. Prokes owns the RPNY pro shop in midtown Manhattan, which in addition to serving recreational players has customized pros’ racquets for years. His current clients include Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Lindsay Davenport, and Andre Agassi.
“Often what players get off the store shelf doesn’t match their exact needs,” Prokes says. But with a few modifications, frames can be made more stable, powerful, and comfortable. While some changes require the expertise of a racquet technician, many are easy to do yourself.
“You should first find the most comfortable and controllable racquet for your game,” says Dave Bone, executive director of the U.S. Racquet Stringers Association and a TENNIS technical adviser. “Then look at customizing.” Here’s how to make your racquet play better than ever.