Why a longbody?
An extended length tennis racket, also known as a 'longbody', has, as almost everything, advantages and disadvantages.
The most common are listed below.
Advantages
- Extra reach benefits the serve, the return of serve, overheads, double handed strokes and net play.
- Increased natural and controlled power potential because of a higher swing weight instead of easy power by a higher stiffness.
- Better plow through, it forces or helps you to hit through the ball.
- More stability against heavy spin loaded balls.
- A higher swing weight without an increase in static weight.
- A higher recoil weight, therefore more arm friendly.
- Extra power with a higher tip speed (all other factors being equal).
- Extra spin with a higher tip speed. (all other factors being equal).
Disadvantages
- Less maneuverable.
- Needs some time to get used to it (spacing and timing).
For who?
A longbody tennis racket can be used from beginner level to ATP pro level. It's just a matter of personal preference. However, our selection is aimed at the more experienced intermediate and advanced players with fully developed strokes. Fully developed and fluid relaxed strokes are required because of the above average swing weight, the idea is to let the racket work for you. Your preparation has to be on a higher level either to adjust for spacing and timing.
The majority of our selection of extended rackets have a swing weight around 325 to 340 (strung) but a relatively low static weight. With every frame you have the choice for a 27.25 inch or a 27.50 inch length. Adding 0.25 inch to a standard length frame adds about 10 SW points, the estimated swing weights are mentioned on the product pages.
All rackets are professionally extended by our partner Ring & Roll Sports. Ring & Roll will measure the static weight, swing weight and balance and will supply this info with the racket. This info is usefull as it gives you a reference and you are also able to match rackets if you want to.
We also offer a tuning service for those who are looking for a frame with precise specifications.
Justine Henin hitting a one handed backhand with a longbody :).
Some of the current and past pro's that use(d) a longbody:
| - Albert Ramos |
| - Andreas Seppi |
| - Andy Roddick |
| - Benoit Paire |
| - Bernard Tomic |
| - Bob Bryan |
| - Caroline Wozniacki |
| - Daniel Hantuchova |
| - David Ferrer |
| - David Nalbandian |
| - Diego Schwartzman |
| - Dudi Sela |
| - Edouard Roger Vasselin |
| - Elina Svitolina |
| - Eugenie Bouchard |
| - Evgeny Donskoy |
| - Fabrice Santoro |
| - Fernando González |
| - Gaël Monfils |
| - Goran Ivanisevic |
| - Guillermo Coria |
| - Hsieh Su-wei |
| - Jamie Murray |
| - Jelena Ostapenko |
| - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga |
| - John Isner |
| - Juan C. Ferrero |
| - Juan Martín Del Potro |
| - Julien Benneteau |
| - Jurgen Melzer |
| - Justine Henin |
| - Kei Nishikori |
| - Leighton Hewitt |
| - Marcelo Ríos |
| - Marcin Matkowski |
| - Mardy Fish |
| - Maria Kirilenko |
| - Marion Bartoli |
| - Mike Bryan |
| - Nicolas Kiefer |
| - Nikolaj Davydenko |
| - Novak Djokovic |
| - Oliver Marach |
| - Pablo Andujar |
| - Pablo Cuevas |
| - Paradorn Srichaphan |
| - Philipp Kohlschreiber |
| - Qiang Wang |
| - Richard Gasquet |
| - Richard Krajicek |
| - Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo |
| - Rubin Statham |
| - Sam Querrey |
| - Serena Williams |
| - Thanasi Kokkinakis |
| - Tommy Robredo |
| - Venus Williams |
| - Victor Estrella Burgos |
Wilson Blade 98S V7, Wilson Pro Staff 97 L Black 2020, Babolat Pure Aero VS 2020, Babolat Pure Drive VS 2019, Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 3rd gen, Volkl V8 Pro, Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V7.0, Volkl V-Feel 10, Babolat Pure Strike 100 3d gen, Babolat Pure Strike Team 3d gen, Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP, Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP Lite, Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro 2020, Head Graphene 360+ Prestige S 2020, Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Tour 2020, Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP (Midplus) 2020, Head Graphene 360+ Gravity Tour, Head Graphene 360+ Speed S 2020, Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP 2020, Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP Lite, Prince Phantom 100X 305, Prince Phantom 100X 18x20 2020, Prince Phantom O3 100X, Prince Phantom 97P, Prince Phantom 93P (18x20) 2020, Prince Phantom 93P (14x18) 2020, Prince Phantom 100P 2020, Prince Phantom 100X 290 2020, Dunlop Srixon CX 200 Tour 16x19, Dunlop Srixon CX 200 Tour 18x20, Dunlop SX 300, Yonex VCORE PRO 97 (310g) 2019, Yonex VCORE PRO 100 2019, Yonex EZONE 98L Plus 2020, Yonex EZONE 98 Plus 2020, Yonex EZONE 100L 2020, Yonex EZONE 100 Plus 2020, Yonex VCORE Galaxy Black 98 (285g), Yonex VCORE PRO 97 (290g), Yonex VCORE PRO 97 HD, Yonex VCORE 95, Volkl C10 Pro, Tecnifibre TF40 305, Tecnifibre TF40 315.