Yesterday I took “Tiger” to the courts to face our final MxD foe of the season. “Tiger” is the name I have given the racquet, because with the advantages it provides for me, using it is a lot like cheating. (Insert groan here!)
Anyway, this was the second match using the racquet and first time I have unveiled it away from the friendly confines of our home courts. I have to admit, I was absolutely NOT prepared for the reaction. As we warmed up my opponents were obviously distracted. There was a lot of chatter between them attempting to figure out if it was legal and if I was going to actually use it in the match. The chatter spread to their teammates on adjoining courts. They were calling everyone to look at it and asking all teammates and spectators if it was legal. (It is, by the way!)
By the time the match got underway, almost every eye in the facility was on me. I could hear the snickers and feel the pressure of being watched. As an introvert who is happy with methodically dismantling opponents in relative obscurity this was a new phenomena. My game is just solid, steady and attracts very little attention. If anything I am boring as I plod around the court retrieving balls patiently waiting for a high percentage shot at a winner or for my partner to end the point. Yesterday with the pressure of so many eyes upon me, I was actually a little nervous, a feeling I rarely experience.
After the first few games were complete, I could feel some of the attention and focus drift away, a welcome relief for me. Still, throughout the match I noticed several people watching who wouldn’t otherwise give my play a passing glance. This is something that users will need to be aware of and may have to get used to. The racquet is so unique and different, it creates commotion. Fortunately on this day, with the help of my dynamic partner, we improved my league match record using Tiger to 2 – 0 with a three set victory.
Since the weather did not allow practice, the performance was similar to the previous week. I did get caught with an incorrect grip a couple of times and did hit an underhanded service winner to end the second set after another marathon service game. Since this tactic annoyed the woman so much (I used it on her partner) I waited until an opportune time in the 3rd set and gave her one of her very own!
League tennis is over for us until men’s season begins in March. We will likely provide one or two more diary entries and then culminate with our review that will be posted under “The Natural” tab in this blog. Thanks for reading and be sure to check our previous entries on this racquet if you haven’t already caught them.
fsilber on said:
It’s been a few months since you last wrote on this topic. Any updates? I just got mine today.
Peder on said:
Are you still hitting with the Natural?
fsilber on said:
Yes, I’ve been using this racket exclusively for a year. I’m finally developing an OK serve (for the first time in my life) — not sure whether the racket helped or not (I’ve been working on it for over a year). Overhead is much improved, provided I twirl the racket in time. Rising balls are easier because of the greater stability against miss-hits. Volleys are a little better, for the same reason. I can hit good topspin but not massive topspin — if I jerk up on the handle too vigorously it tends to close the racket face.
ggtennis on said:
Shortly after writing this entry I suffered an injury (not related to the racquet in any way!) that has prevented me from playing tennis. In fact, the last time I played was in the match referred to in this blog entry. I hope to resume play in a few weeks, but will not likely regain form until much later in the year. When I resume play, I will be using “The Natural.”
I am EXCITED that a blog reader purchased one of these racquets. I hope it brings you as much joy as it has brought me. I love the racquet. Please post your thoughts here or send me private email message. I am anxious to hear about your experiences.
fsilber on said:
Still injured?
Peder on said:
Hi fsilber,
I’ve been hitting with this racquet for two weeks, and here are my findings so far:
Volleys are much improved, mostly because technically they are so easy to do, that I finding myself seeing the ball much better rather than worrying about technique.
Serves are harder with much mor spin. I’m hitting twist servers for the first time in my life, with the ball curving right to left in the air, and then going sharply right when hitting the ground.
Ground strokes: very odd thing is happening. I traditionally hit one handed on both sides, but now my two handed backhand is superb. I get a very distinct relaxed and effortless flick at the ball, but I don’t get as much top spin as with my one hander. My two handed forehand is generally good with a traditional racquet, but with the Natural, I don’t get the same flicky relaxed feeling. But I love the standard one handed forehand with this racquet, it has more leverage and punch for sure.
ggtennis on said:
Resumed in limited action. Was able to playtest a series of new string products. Currently injured and not able to play. 🙁
Peder on said:
Hi, I just picked up a Natural Racquet. It would be great to keep the discussion going….if anyone on this thread is using the racquet, and want to keep in touch to share information and tips, let me know.
Peder
Ottawa, Canada
Devon Plumley on said:
Hi I just got one too.
I have had some elbow issues this year and wanted to hit a THFH in the Natural Style.
I’m going out on Saturday to try it out, I’m pretty excited.
I’m wondering why the 26-inch is the only one available these days?
GGTennis on said:
I am not 100% positive, but I think “The Natural” as a brand of the racquet may no longer be in production. The inventor, Lionel Burt, posted on our old message board something to that effect.
fsilber on said:
Apparently, they’ve been working out their differences. The website now shows an additional new version of the concept, called “The Diamond”, in which the bottom tips of the grips point inward rather than outward. This seems to me like a better design either for people who use extreme Western Grips (more reach and easier to pick up low balls), and for people who hit two-handed off both sides. With this design, there is no longer a need to spin/rotate the racket to prepare for serves and overheads, and when the two-hander is short of reach and goes to the one-handed forehand to retrieve shots going wide, the shape of the grip makes it easier to angle the ball back into play. See:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwuXiPdYBbA
http://naturaltennis.com/diamond-racket/
They told me they will be importing more of the “tips pointed outward” style as well. I will stick to that version, because I think it gives the strongest ground strokes for an ambidextrou player who has moderate grips and hits one-handed off both sides.
A.J. on said:
Contact Natural Tennis through their Web site (click on “About Us” -> “Contact Us” and ask for info on their “Freestyle” racket. They had just announced this update to their V-handled “Natural” model this past Wednesday, 08/15 on their Facebook page.
GGTennis on said:
AJ – thanks for the update. I have left them a message through their FB page. I like the product and would be interested in getting involved with them if they have resolved inventory issues.
Sam Lemay on said:
I just got The Natural 26″ for a birthday present and took it out to play with a top 4.5 level player. After a couple of hours I was able to return his potent shots with my own. I hit a one handed backhand slice most of the time and that took some time to adjust to, but the angles are nice from both sides. Pretty psyched!
GGTennis on said:
Very good. I hope you enjoy. You might also note that they have come out with two new versions, one very similar to the natural with a longer handle and available in 27.5″ and one with a differently angled handle system. Currently we are playtesting both.
Sam Lemay on said:
How is the 27.5″ stick doing in playtesting so far? I’d like it to be a bit longer…
GGTennis on said:
Thus far I have only two hitting sessions with the Diamond. Both have been pleasant. I have been nursing an injury, but am beginning to feel better. Will be giving it a thorough test throughout the next month of singles league play. I will definitely enter a new blog detailing the experience.
Guy on said:
Hey, I have been playing with the same racket as yours (for about 3 months), and I’m curious if you noticed the same things about this racket:
1. Hitting down the line and inside-out forehands is much, much easier.
2. It’s easier to hit forehands with massive pace and spin.
3. Volleys seem to be harder, most of my volleys pop up.
4. Volleys and running shots on stretch are worse, because of the “inside-out” angle of the racket.
5. Two-handed backhand is slightly harder to execute (different point of contact, but has more power.
I’m not sure if I’m going to continue using this racket, because I’m the only one with this kind of racket. Also the problems with volleys and stretch shots make me want to switch back to my old racket. Did you find a solution for this?
fsilber on said:
I now use the black “FreeStyle” racket. The angle of the handles is straighter than on the original red Natural that I bought two years ago, so all those effects you mention, good and bad, are milder.
Stretched out shots are still a bit more difficult, but there’s only so much you can do with such shots, anyway. I am still developing my volley, so I don’t see that much difference. The popping up of volleys you mention is mainly on the high ones where the racket is vertical; I think I will adjust. I do better on half-volleys, though, due to the increased stability. Also, I do a lot of two-handed volleying now, which works out pretty well.
Eric Dishington on said:
I am 45 year young 4.5 to 5.0 ex-division 1 college player. I am 6’5″ with a one handed backhand. I am semi – ambedextrous. My backhand is very inferior to what it used to be and I can’t do 2 handed backhands. I would love to develope a natural 2 handed backhand for more effective serve returns. I primarily hit slice backhand returns. Also, I have watched Brian Battistone play the Santa Maria Open twice. He is a thrill to watch. I also want a new and unique challenge. I have never hit with this racquet. I’m getting my Elite next Wed. My challenge is to defend my Men’s A singles and Mixed doubles titles at the Santa Maria Open this year, but, with the use of this crazy new racquet. One thing I will guarantee, I will not be trying to serve like Brian! Wish me Fun.
fsilber on said:
That just shows how the NTRP ratings have grown to be abused over the past 30 years — if you take the NTRP _Guidelines_ as definitive.
Of course, Chris Evert at her peak playing today would probably be called 5.0. Of course, if they still interpreted the lower levels as the Guidelines intended, they would need a 7.5 ranking for the Satellite tour and an 8.0 ranking for today’s pros.
I read that the one-handed topspin backhand deteriorates beginning at age 45 because the spine allows less and less twisting. At 57, if I turned my shoulders like Rod Laver I wouldn’t be able to point my head towards the oncoming ball. Unfortunately, the court coverage required for the two-hander also deteriorates at that age. A second one-handed forehand would be ideal. Theoretically, with such a shot you could murder second serves.
Eric Dishington on said:
fsiler, you are a funny guy!! I’m talking about a 2 headed racquet – and you are trippin on NTRP ratings. Hilarious. I play for fun – also – I did not play for a power house of a college. I am evenly matched with most 4.5 – 5.0 players. I played an open tournament 2 years ago – got killed 6-1, 6-0 in the first round. I just signed up for the Santa Barbara Open mens 4.5-5.0 singles and mixed. We will see how I do with this racquet. I am ordering another today for a back up. Later, Eric
Eric Dishington on said:
I won the Men’s 4.5, but it was not easy by any means. I barely squeaked by 2 third set tie breakers. I really enjoyed using this new racquet – I still have a lot of work to do – but I am excited that I have begun to use 2 forehands. My serve needs some serious ironing out, too. There is plenty of time before the Santa Maria Open – I can’t wait to play! Eric
Eric Dishington on said:
I just resently won the Triple Crown in the Men’s 5.0 singles, doubles and mixed at the Santa Maria Open this month. Half way through the tounament I met Brian Battistone and I showed him my racquets. Low and behold – I had been playing with the junior model. I was shocked. I did not know – how ignorant of me. He lent me the Freestyle to use. I played only one doubles match with it before my singles final. It has taken some getting used to, but it feels superior / normal. I love these racquets!
Michael on said:
I’d love to try one these racket. Is any of you playing close to Santa Barbara area any time soon?