Today, I wanna talk about my experience with this vintage Davis Classic tennis racquet I picked up. I’ve always been a fan of classic tennis gear, and when I saw this beauty at the shop, I just had to get my hands on it. It looked so cool, you know?
First thing I did was check out the grip size. Now, I’ve heard that if your grip’s too big, you can’t really feel the ball right. Since I’m a guy, I figured either an L2 or L3 would work, but this one was already an L3, so that saved me some trouble. It’s got this old-school leather grip that just feels right in your hand.
Next, I gave it a few practice swings. This thing is heavy, man, 370 grams! You can definitely feel the weight, but that’s what I was looking for. I wanted something with some heft to it. The head size is on the smaller side, 67.5 square inches, and it’s a standard 27 inches long. Nothing too fancy there.
Then, I took it out to the court for a real test. Hitting with this racquet is a whole different experience. You gotta put some real muscle into it, especially if you want to generate some power. I’d rate the power at maybe 19 out of 100. But what it lacks in power, it makes up for in control. I felt like I could place the ball exactly where I wanted it. I’d give it a solid 41 out of 100 for control.
Getting some spin on the ball was also pretty easy, maybe a 40 out of 100. The balance is head-heavy, which I wasn’t used to at first, but it didn’t take long to adjust. It’s like 5 points head heavy or something, I don’t really know what that means, but it just felt balanced after a while.
Now, I did some digging, and it turns out this racquet is a T.A. Davis, or TAD. They started making these back in the 1930s, so it’s got some history. This racquet is more about precision and feeling the ball than just blasting it across the court. It’s not for beginners, that’s for sure. It’s for someone who really appreciates the art of the game.
Overall, I’m really digging this Davis Classic. It’s not the easiest racquet to play with, but it’s definitely rewarding. It’s like stepping back in time and experiencing tennis in a whole new way. If you’re into vintage gear and want a racquet that’ll challenge you and help you refine your technique, then I’d say give this one a shot. Just be prepared to work for it!
- Weight: 370g
- Head Size: 67.5 sq in
- Length: 27 inches
- Balance: 5pt head heavy
Final Thoughts
This Davis Classic has definitely earned a spot in my collection. I might not use it every time I play, but it’s perfect for those days when I want to slow down and focus on my technique. It’s a reminder that tennis isn’t just about power, it’s about finesse and control, too. I’ve always thought about specializing in Davis racquets. I have so many of them! It’s a real piece of tennis history, and I’m glad I get to be a part of it.