Diary of a Racketaholic

[Hnefi]

So what I gather here is that you think it's an unforgiving stick, but provides just enough pop ? I am using the Pro Staff 97, and I am just looking for something more similar to a Six.One 95 16x18 (my racket of choice for about 10 years), which a larger headsize and more forgiving feel. The RA and flexibility is important to me too @Power Player

I actually just got off court with my first time hitting a PCT. It was strung with a really random combination, Babolat RPM Dual 17 in the mains and Prince Premier Control 16 in the crosses, both at 55. I think the local shop has a Wheel of (mis)Fortune with what they string their demos up with..... Feel bad for all of the people who hit this demo who don't have any of their own power.

I've found a great setup I like for my Tec 315 16M's, leaded up to swingweights between 330-340, and I immediately noticed that the PCT felt very very similar to how my 315LTD's felt without any lead. Very light, with quite a small sweetspot. I was hitting so many balls 2 inches down from the tape that would normally be just relaxed "redirection" cross forehands with my LTD's. Granted I string with gut/poly right now so going to poly mains is significantly lower powered... But still. I think bumping the weight with just a TINY bit of lead on the PCT would make it a very very nice stick. You would definitely need a lot of lead at 3/9 to mimic the feel of a six.one, which I played with for a few years. Definitely not a super stable beastmode stick in stock form unless you're willing to add weight to bring it up to big boy class. Wish I could have some more time with the PCT, maybe get a used one and string it with gut/poly or something. But the specs are so similar to my LTD's, my thoughts basically are "I could easily create a LTD copy with a PCT as a base frame, so why buy a PCT when I have LTDs..."

Interesting fact, I just spent a ton of time at the PanAm Games that just were held in Toronto, and by far the most common racquet in the stringing room is STILL the six.one, painted up to look like a PS97, Burn, Juice, etc... Second place for the men? Babolat Pure Control Tour. Also lots of AeroStorm & Aerostorm Tour, notably used by the men's winner Facundo Bagnis (super nice guy btw, got a few photos and a chat with him while he was walking from a side court to the players locker room), who also won silver in doubles. Really chill, happy dude. Got some great pictures & video of Peter Polansky training with another Canadian, Brayden Schnur who currently plays college tennis for the Tar Heels - they had both been knocked out of the main draw a few days back and you could tell they just wanted to get out there and blast some groundies. Nobody around, just me standing right beside the court videoing like a total geek, LOL. Schnur plays some big ball, especially on the forehand. Definitely watch for him in challengers coming up, if he can fix his attitude.

Watching Bagnis' match the first day:


Seats on center court:

 

[Power Player]

This some pretty cool stuff, nice pics too. I enjoy watching these players because they are all great and play high level tennis. It is easy to get good seats and view the action up close as well.


For my racquet world, I am going to keep messing with this EPro. I hit with it again yesterday. The major adjustment is really feel. To go from gut mains in a prestige to full poly in a tweener is a big difference. The feel is not going to be the same. I think that is the biggest challenge with frames of this nature. To get the benefits of a frame like the Extreme, APD or PD, you are going to lose some feel. Just how it is going to be. But man, it is so much easier to use this extreme with full poly in it. The Prestige was not super hard compared to older style frames like the Dunlop 200 or the Tec 315, but the difference going to the extreme is still pretty dramatic. The weight of the extreme just makes it so much better of a transition too. If you like 12 ounce frames and want to try a tweener, I can't think of a better option than this frame. I will really find out the benefits of the racquet once USTA resumes, but I can play a pretty big game without swinging hard.

This pushes the Yonex out of the bag now. I added a lot of lead at 12 on it and I still notice I am swinging a lot harder becase it still swings light to me compared to the Extreme pro. Another reason, I have not customized a frame I have bought this year. So many racquets out there that it is easier to find something that suits your game at stock weight.

 

[Jonboy]

I just bought a new Pure Strike 16x19. Got to love those Wimbledon colours. Have had it strung with One Bi phase multi. Love that string. Looking forward to testing her out but currently nursing a knee injury (damn carpet). Looking at the racquet, the string density is not dissimilar to my Blade 98. So hopefully I will have the best of two worlds. Power and control. Look out David Lloyd.......

 

[Power Player]

Sweet. The Pure Strike is the Babolat answer to the Blade I think. And I think the same of the Prestige Graphene MP. The thing I like more about the Prestige is the balance and weight is better. Over time with the Blade, I just really didn't like the 2Pts HL balance. When you have a frame balanced between 5-7 pts HL, it just swings a lot easier and for me, provides faster reflex volleys too.

 

[JackB1]

This some pretty cool stuff, nice pics too. I enjoy watching these players because they are all great and play high level tennis. It is easy to get good seats and view the action up close as well.


For my racquet world, I am going to keep messing with this EPro. I hit with it again yesterday. The major adjustment is really feel. To go from gut mains in a prestige to full poly in a tweener is a big difference. The feel is not going to be the same. I think that is the biggest challenge with frames of this nature. To get the benefits of a frame like the Extreme, APD or PD, you are going to lose some feel. Just how it is going to be. But man, it is so much easier to use this extreme with full poly in it. The Prestige was not super hard compared to older style frames like the Dunlop 200 or the Tec 315, but the difference going to the extreme is still pretty dramatic. The weight of the extreme just makes it so much better of a transition too. If you like 12 ounce frames and want to try a tweener, I can't think of a better option than this frame. I will really find out the benefits of the racquet once USTA resumes, but I can play a pretty big game without swinging hard.

This pushes the Yonex out of the bag now. I added a lot of lead at 12 on it and I still notice I am swinging a lot harder becase it still swings light to me compared to the Extreme pro. Another reason, I have not customized a frame I have bought this year. So many racquets out there that it is easier to find something that suits your game at stock weight.

I hear ya, but feel is one area I never compromise. It's your only connection and feedback to the tennis ball. If you don't love the way hitting a ball feels to you, then it just diminishes the entire experience. That's why I love my Organix 4....power AND feel up the ying yang. My droppers are one of my biggest weapons, so if I can't "measure" those, then I am giving up a big advantage. But you seem to be primarily a baseliner, so "feel" shots probably are not as big a priority for you as me. I would just experiment a little with different poly's or hybrids. There are lots of polys out there with decent feel. Cyclone Tour is one of them, so I'm surprised that's not OK in the Extreme. Also, there are low powered nylon strings that might work in hybriding.

 

[Jonboy]

Sweet. The Pure Strike is the Babolat answer to the Blade I think. And I think the same of the Prestige Graphene MP. The thing I like more about the Prestige is the balance and weight is better. Over time with the Blade, I just really didn't like the 2Pts HL balance. When you have a frame balanced between 5-7 pts HL, it just swings a lot easier and for me, provides faster reflex volleys too.

Agreed. The Blade is a great baseliner's stick, its just so solid. But for body shots at the net or when returning heat, the even balance is cumbersome and rather slow to react.

I bought this to replace my Pure Drive 2015, I really cant play with that frame, just felt too light. It didn't respond well to lead either.

 

[Power Player]

I hear ya, but feel is one area I never compromise. It's your only connection and feedback to the tennis ball. If you don't love the way hitting a ball feels to you, then it just diminishes the entire experience. That's why I love my Organix 4....power AND feel up the ying yang. My droppers are one of my biggest weapons, so if I can't "measure" those, then I am giving up a big advantage. But you seem to be primarily a baseliner, so "feel" shots probably are not as big a priority for you as me. I would just experiment a little with different poly's or hybrids. There are lots of polys out there with decent feel. Cyclone Tour is one of them, so I'm surprised that's not OK in the Extreme. Also, there are low powered nylon strings that might work in hybriding.

Nah, I wouldn't hybrid in this frame. The full poly makes a big difference. I think some of this is just a straight up adjustment. I was using gut in a player frame. There is no way to equate that feeling in any modern tweener and Im not going to chase that dragon, it's not that important to me.

The racquet actually feels good for being a tweener with full poly. I may mess with polys, but I like cyclone a lot.

Im really enjoying the frame, Im just being honest about the feel. Its excellent for a tweener, but if you are coming from a soft frame with gut, there is a transition. Especially when I had the Tec 315 and a Prestige. They are incredible for ball feel.

 

[Power Player]

I bought this to replace my Pure Drive 2015, I really cant play with that frame, just felt too light. It didn't respond well to lead either.

Thats the problem I had with the last APD I bought. I leaded it up the same weight and balance as the stock Extreme Pro, and even siliconed the handle but it never felt right and I sold it soon after.

To me it's just easier to spend the time figuring out what specs you like and then buy a frame that has them. The only time that's not going to work is if you want huge Swing weights, but I'm just fine hovering around 330.

 

[el sergento]

Peeps looking for a tweener with more pop than a players frame, but with some added feel should check out the Biomemetic F 3.0 Tour. I picked up my friends yesterday, because the wind was killing me, and my 12+oz sticks felt like logs while having to make quick adjustments and staying on the gas, and I never gave it back. In fact I just placed an order for a pair of matched ones.

It's what a Radical is supposed to be IMO, an easier to use prestige, that also hits a big ball without sacrificing too much feel. My Tec's are still my go to's for when I'm zoning, and have been logging a lot of hours on the court, but the stock specs of the Dunlops make them good to go no matter the circumstances.

 

[Power Player]

Peeps looking for a tweener with more pop than a players frame, but with some added feel should check out the Biomemetic F 3.0 Tour. I picked up my friends yesterday, because the wind was killing me, and my 12+oz sticks felt like logs while having to make quick adjustments and staying on the gas, and I never gave it back. In fact I just placed an order for a pair of matched ones.

It's what a Radical is supposed to be IMO, an easier to use prestige, that also hits a big ball without sacrificing too much feel. My Tec's are still my go to's for when I'm zoning, and have been logging a lot of hours on the court, but the stock specs of the Dunlops make them good to go no matter the circumstances.

Yep, those hybrid frames were my jam for a while. The Yonex xi98 reminds me of this in many ways.

Moving to a frame like an Extreme pro or APD is another level of boom and spin though. It's a dramatic difference to me.

 

[JackB1]

The racquet actually feels good for being a tweener with full poly. I may mess with polys, but I like cyclone a lot.

remember if u need more, hit me up.

 

[JackB1]

Peeps looking for a tweener with more pop than a players frame, but with some added feel should check out the Biomemetic F 3.0 Tour. I picked up my friends yesterday, because the wind was killing me, and my 12+oz sticks felt like logs while having to make quick adjustments and staying on the gas, and I never gave it back. In fact I just placed an order for a pair of matched ones.

It's what a Radical is supposed to be IMO, an easier to use prestige, that also hits a big ball without sacrificing too much feel. My Tec's are still my go to's for when I'm zoning, and have been logging a lot of hours on the court, but the stock specs of the Dunlops make them good to go no matter the circumstances.

Looooved my Aerogel 4D 300 Tours back when I started playing tennis around 5 years ago. Wasn't crazy about the more recent iterations of the line, but yes, they are great frames indeed. Definitely more player-y than tween-y though for sure. 98" headsize and thin beam and lowish power doesn't add up to a tweener, but they are easier to use than a Prestige.
The 6.0, 5.0 and 4.0 lines are the tweeners in the Dunlop lines. The 2's and 3's definitely for playa's

 

[el sergento]

The Dunlop is much better than the Xi for me. The Xi had waaay too much pop and lacked feel, and I struggled to control it, the Ai 98 was much better I found. The Dunlop really is in a class of it's own in terms of feel for a tweener, and it packs a good punch for it's weight class and is super stable.

 

[el sergento]

Jack, did you try the F 3.0 Tour?

 

[Power Player]

remember if u need more, hit me up.

Yep was thinking about that actually. Just need a few weeks to verify thats my string and ill hit you up.

 

[Power Player]

The Dunlop is much better than the Xi for me. The Xi had waaay too much pop and lacked feel, and I struggled to control it, the Ai 98 was much better I found. The Dunlop really is in a class of it's own in terms of feel for a tweener, and it packs a good punch for it's weight class and is super stable.

You a flat hitter? The Extreme takes the punch to another level past the Xi 98, but I'm a pretty big topspinner. Never messed with the Dunlop. Im pretty narrow in my selection now and can't racquet hunt too much. If the new PureAero specs the same as the Extreme I may try one, but thats about as far off the rails as I'd go. Just don't have the time to Holic much, and am focused on match play. If anything made my game better and my ability wield a tweener better, it was crossfit. That's been more of a game changer than anything for me.

 

[el sergento]

Yeah, definitely on the flatter side, pretty conservative grips, still SW on the forehand though. I'd have to string pretty high to control those power sticks, and I'm not willing to combine high RA's with high tensions or full poly jobs, gotta keep the shoulder well protected.

I did play with the MG Extreme MP for a while, not the pro, and I really liked it. I remember having a pretty good w/l record with it. Couldn't tell you why I ever gave it up, but it was probably injury related.

 

[Power Player]

Yeah I would not use the Extreme if I had an injury. It needs full poly. That being said, I string it in the 40s and get tons of control. Insanely fun racquet to play with honestly. I can see why it is rated so highly. Of course, I noticed that every single player in my league uses a tweener, an pretty much everyone I hit with now. I was like a dinosaur out there., but I did have a few guys using the Graphene Prestige. The Pure Drive is the most used frame I have seen. The Extreme Pro is fairly rare but I see kids using the lighter model.

 

[JackB1]

Jack, did you try the F 3.0 Tour?

Yes I did. Not really good my game these days, but a great racquet nonetheless

 

[el sergento]

Yeah I would not use the Extreme if I had an injury. It needs full poly. That being said, I string it in the 40s and get tons of control. Insanely fun racquet to play with honestly. I can see why it is rated so highly. Of course, I noticed that every single player in my league uses a tweener, an pretty much everyone I hit with now. I was like a dinosaur out there., but I did have a few guys using the Graphene Prestige. The Pure Drive is the most used frame I have seen. The Extreme Pro is fairly rare but I see kids using the lighter model.

I know the feeling. It's like, why am I killing myself with these heavy flexi sticks when everyone else is tweening. It's like when you get aced by guys with literally zero technique, wrong grips/toss/stance, everything, but a stiff cannon racket and poly.

Also:

 

[neverstopplaying]

The Dunlop is much better than the Xi for me. The Xi had waaay too much pop and lacked feel, and I struggled to control it, the Ai 98 was much better I found. The Dunlop really is in a class of it's own in terms of feel for a tweener, and it packs a good punch for it's weight class and is super stable.

+1 here. One of my all-time favorites. Extremely solid for its weight and perfect power level for me.

I'm playing with the PS97 now but I often go back to the 3.0T. I would be curious to get the 3.0 in 16x19 and weigh it up for comparison.

 

[neverstopplaying]

Yeah I would not use the Extreme if I had an injury. It needs full poly. That being said, I string it in the 40s and get tons of control. Insanely fun racquet to play with honestly. I can see why it is rated so highly. Of course, I noticed that every single player in my league uses a tweener, an pretty much everyone I hit with now. I was like a dinosaur out there., but I did have a few guys using the Graphene Prestige. The Pure Drive is the most used frame I have seen. The Extreme Pro is fairly rare but I see kids using the lighter model.

I was in the zone last time out with the PS97 (which happens a lot), but brought along the Extreme for fun. I remember the addictive power of hitting insane winners almost at will. But I'm now used to less weight, more control and more feel with the PS97 and set aside the Extreme after 5 minutes.

It was strung with a hybrid setup; I'll give it a shot with full poly in the 40's.

 

[el sergento]

+1 here. One of my all-time favorites. Extremely solid for its weight and perfect power level for me.

I'm playing with the PS97 now but I often go back to the 3.0T. I would be curious to get the 3.0 in 16x19 and weigh it up for comparison.

The PS 97 was on my list, but couldn't get a demo here. How is it on the joints? It's pretty stiff no?

 

[neverstopplaying]

It may be stiff compared to older Pro Staffs, but Ive never had soreness after playing. Somewhat similar to the 3.0T in that its stiffer than the older Dunlops.

I never can get used to tweeners or RA 70 racquets but if find these are perfect for a modern game.

 

[JackB1]

The PS 97 was on my list, but couldn't get a demo here. How is it on the joints? It's pretty stiff no?

Definitely firm...very little flex. Especially with poly.

 

[n8dawg6]

Definitely firm...very little flex. Especially with poly.

I had one strung at 55 lbs with SPE or Cyclone (I forget, those strings seem really close to me). I finally just sent it back, the frame felt like a board to me. It looked so good and I had such high hopes for it, we just didn't jive.

 

[neverstopplaying]

I went to the PS97 from playing mostly with the Steam 99s (full thick poly at 58). I wanted to get back more feel and prefer the PS97, but with either gut/poly or poly/multi strung in mid to high 50s.

 

[Jonboy]

The PS 97 is a very popular racquet at my club. My friends all rave about them.

 

[el sergento]

Huge shout out to Tennis-Warehouse.

Called yesterday to place an order, and received it this morning, and I'm in Canada.

Also, I had my two F 3.0 T's matched, and the service is amazing. Balance and SW are identical, and the static weight is of by 0.02 oz. I highly recommend this service, for 10 bucks, it's totally worth it.

Also, I played again with my buddies F 3.0 T this morning, and again, I'm really happy I bought a pair of these, they are just phenomenal frames. So much juice and control in such a light and maneuverable little package, without sacrificing any feel.

 

[JackB1]

Huge shout out to Tennis-Warehouse.

Called yesterday to place an order, and received it this morning, and I'm in Canada.

Also, I had my two F 3.0 T's matched, and the service is amazing. Balance and SW are identical, and the static weight is of by 0.02 oz. I highly recommend this service, for 10 bucks, it's totally worth it.

Also, I played again with my buddies F 3.0 T this morning, and again, I'm really happy I bought a pair of these, they are just phenomenal frames. So much juice and control in such a light and maneuverable little package, without sacrificing any feel.

It's a great frame and you can't beat the price.

 

[el sergento]

I'm too old to die young : A review of the Dunlop Biomimetic F 3.0 Tour

I love my customized T-Fight 315 Ltd's, I really do. They are soft and buttery, and responsive and they are very predictable and loyal. In the hand they feel like a racket should, like a tool, not like a toy, like something that will help you build something, something useful. They feel heavy in the hand, so they remind you of your strength, and the leather covered bevels of the handle not only press on your calloused hands at exactly the right spots, but they also remind you of the heritage of the sport; surely, this must be how the greats felt when they picked up their wooden cave tools, also heavy and reliable and serious.

On the court, the Technifibre is a blank canvas; It will do only what you are capable of doing, no more, no less. Being such a perspicacious and brutally honest judge of character, the Technifibre will also expose you for how you feel, both physically and mentally. If you're committed, physically, mentally and spiritually, if your mind is unburdened by anything other than the task at hand, then you'll be greatly rewarded. If, however, you're tired, you'll play like you're tired, if you're tight, you'll loose the important points, if unfocused, you'll be exposed, and ridiculed and publicly shamed by the lackluster quality of your shots. If any racket deserved the moniker of Biomimetic; "that which imitates life", or more accurately, that which imitates what's going on in the life of the person wielding it, it would surely be the T-Fight 315 ltd.

The Dunlop Biomimetic F 3.0 Tour for its part is not a heritage racket. It will never be mentioned alongside the Pro Staff's and Prestiges of lore. The Biomimetic is also a linguistic subterfuge, a misnomer. The Biomimetic doesn't so much imitate life as it does put it on a cycle of sweet sweet steroids, as though it had been infused with high levels of Chinese quality HGH at the factory. The Dunlop is not gentlemanly, it's hot tempered and volatile, at least compared to the Technifibre. In fact, it's the F 3.0 Tour that, if anything, deserves the T-Fight moniker, a moniker that would compliment it's brawly, pugilistic, sometimes volatile nature.

It really comes down to this: the T-Fight is like a high strung, perpetually frustrated teacher that exposes and shames you in front of the class, and forever yelling: "if you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding!" It's a moralizing racket that demands hard work and dedication, and that goes as far as to punish you for having a slice of pizza, or five, on your down time. Still though, its heart is in the right place, and it just wants you to maximize your potential and make you better, like some god awful song.

The F 3.0 on the other hand is that burnt out prof that wants to be your friend and that kinda just wound up teaching because documentary filmaking and marijuana just couldn't pay the bills anymore. The kind of prof that will give you a passing grade just for showing up and will go as far as to give you full marks if you put in even the tiniest of efforts. Sure, you wont learn much, but his lessons are the funnest because you can do what you want and, well, who doesn't want an easy A?

Thing is, I've already been to school, and not only do I not miss it, I have no desire of going back. The T-Fight is an awesome stick, but in it's quest to improve my game and teach me something new, its mostly just hammered home the sobering lesson that I am now officially too old to die young.

The F 3.0 Tour helps me maximize my limited skills, sure it feels like cheating sometimes, but so is everyone else, and the results and the fun are undeniably addictive. Who needs to shore up those volleys when the forehand stings so much the ball doesn't even come back? Feet aren't moving, feeling lazy and fatigued on court, who needs fancy footwork, cool professor F 3.0 has got you covered, just a bit more wrist and arm on that backhand and boom, a winner from well out of position. Sure, control and feel aren't as sweet as with the Tec, or a Prestige, but they are not bad by any stretch either.

I'm about to have my third kid, again, I'm not joking when I say I'm too old to die young. I go for very long stretches without any tennis, or exercise for that matter, and the F 3.0 will allow me to just pick up where I left off, more or less of course. It'll help out when I'm rough around the edges, and when I'm on, it will highlight my strengths. In other words, I want that passing grade without having to study, I've earned it goddammit!

 

[Power Player]

Ha Pretty funny but the core of the review makes sense to me. The thing I notice is that even when you do get back into tennis shape some day these types of frames will make you a stronger player as well.

 

[JackB1]

Great review serge! Love all the analogies
But you make the 3.0 Tour sound like some super ez to use racquet and it's really not.
Maybe compared to the Tec, but it still needs a decent swing and some form and technique.
It's still an 11.5 oz lowish powered players racquet with a not so large sweet spot. Of course this
is all my opinion and I'm sure you are a much better player than me, so that factors into my thinking.
But good for you for realizing there is no need to use something that doesn't give you some help
when you aren't 100%. I think the 300T still takes some user input so you really aren't cheating all
that much. I categorize the 300T with the Blade, Pure Strike and Radical.. Anyway, thanks for sharing and enjoy your 300T!

 

[el sergento]

Ha Pretty funny but the core of the review makes sense to me. The thing I notice is that even when you do get back into tennis shape some day these types of frames will make you a stronger player as well.

That's the plan. I got F 3.0's the one I currently use has leather, and after the expected long hiatus, I'll start off with the stock one for added user friendliness.

 

[el sergento]

Hey Jack,

Maybe it's because I'm coming from such a low power lineage of rackets, like PP is, but I find the F 3.0 far, far easier to use than what I'm used to.

I'd say it's what a radical is supposed to be for me, an easier Prestige to use that still packs a punch. I never understood the stock balance of the radicals, I've always had to modify them, whereas the 3.0 is good to go out of the box..

 

[Power Player]

Hey Jack,

Maybe it's because I'm coming from such a low power lineage of rackets, like PP is, but I find the F 3.0 far, far easier to use than what I'm used to.

I'd say it's what a radical is supposed to be for me, an easier Prestige to use that still packs a punch. I never understood the stock balance of the radicals, I've always had to modify them, whereas the 3.0 is good to go out of the box..

Yeah exactly. Some people consider the extreme pro a players frame, but coming from a few years of using prestige and pro staff styled racquets, it feels substantially easier to use than frames in that category.

 

[Jonboy]

Feedback from the new Pure Strike 19x16. Cuts through the air better than the Blade. Powerful and slices well. Balls felt very heavy though and many sailed long. I believe the multi @ 55 was too loose and I had trouble accessing spin. Im playing a few competitions ATM and had to go back to my old stick after going down three games in the first set :-(

So Ive had the strings cut out today and put in Alu Power Spin and one Bi -phase in the crosses. Hope it plays better this time.

 

[Hnefi]

Brothers, I have taken up arms in the war against 'holicism. My sticks for the future (barring my house gets broken into) have finally all arrived, by land and air and sea (plus 8 grommet sets). Lead is slowly transitioning from the frame to under the bumpers when the strings pop.

Time to put in a few solid years on the disciplines of clean hitting.

(the PC600 is just there because it's a collectors item and I traded old PS95s for it, haha! I plan to bring it out just to have fun when hitting against people who don't actually play much tennis)

 

[el sergento]

Sweet collection Hnef,

Commitment, that's exactly what the T-Fight demands.

 

[chay337]

For those who bought more than one Tec 315 16Ms, did you guys find the specs within their advertised measurements?

 

[dnj30]

For those who bought more than one Tec 315 16Ms, did you guys find the specs within their advertised measurements?

I have 4, all bought used from 3 different people. Specs are pretty good. 3 of them are within a few grams of one another, and the fourth is on the lighter side(fixed with a little extra lead and silicone). They are all within the weight range they should be.

 

[chay337]

I have 4, all bought used from 3 different people. Specs are pretty good. 3 of them are within a few grams of one another, and the fourth is on the lighter side(fixed with a little extra lead and silicone). They are all within the weight range they should be.

That's great.

Off topic, does anyone know a good source for PT57A, less modified the better?

 

[purple-n-gold]

My new GOAT stick is the old PDR+ strung w/ ALU. Been playing my best in a while. Hoping the new Aero's will have a plus version to try out soon.

 

[dnj30]

That's great.

Off topic, does anyone know a good source for PT57A, less modified the better?

The big online auction site usually has a few. Most of them are already weighted up quite a bit. Don't think I've ever seen a totally clean one without any mods done to it

 

[chay337]

Does the "Head YOUTEK/MicroGel Prestige Pro Grommet" and/or "Head YOUTEK IG Prestige Pro Grommet" fit the "Head Graphene Prestige Pro" also?
Some guy is selling a HGPP with black grommets and wondering which grommets he used.

 

[Power Player]

I think it does. I'd suggest going to google and typing - talk tennis and then that question because I know its been asked before but I can't pinpoint the thread for you.

 

[SpinToWin]

Does the "Head YOUTEK/MicroGel Prestige Pro Grommet" and/or "Head YOUTEK IG Prestige Pro Grommet" fit the "Head Graphene Prestige Pro" also?
Some guy is selling a HGPP with black grommets and wondering which grommets he used.

It does but it isn't a perfect fit… the black grommets are slightly to narrow for the wider beam of the GPP.

 

[dnj30]

Does the "Head YOUTEK/MicroGel Prestige Pro Grommet" and/or "Head YOUTEK IG Prestige Pro Grommet" fit the "Head Graphene Prestige Pro" also?
Some guy is selling a HGPP with black grommets and wondering which grommets he used.

They do fit, just are slightly narrower. Many people have put the black caps on the graphene. Looks really good.

 

[klementine]

Nice review El.. I smell demo sessions in the fall for all.

Powa, the extremePro is probably the easiest racquet I've ever played with, super comfy too, nice touch (unlike most frames in its class), good choice. You just kind of block out everything with that thing and play and it's not as string sensitive as other frames, I've tried gut mains in that one and its not overbearing. Only gripe is that a leather grip made it stiffer.

Was fortunate enough to go to the Citi Open this past Wednesday, witnessed Andy losing - with the baby news and all you could tell he wasn't into it, looked tired too. Favorite match was the S.Johnson v Tomic one, love watching Tomic play, always talkative and entertaining, just super-lazy technique at times, dude just doesn't bend the knees, completely upright and leaning back on returns, yet still fun to watch.

Grigor was indeed fun to watch, he was playing to a packed and rowdy grandstand, trying behind the back shots and tweeners, new PJ and all. Lopez/Hewitt was a treat - playing cat and mouse the whole time, then would open up with blistering rallies like true vets. Nishikori practicing was a treat.... and Sam Groth.... The 'Grothman'... Dude is built like an NFL tight end or a Rugby scrum-half. Massive man, he walked by my wife and I and it looked like a T-1000 prototype had found its way back from the future, caught a little bit of his match, should have a good tournament.

Haven't played in.... oh... 2 months or so... so the ezone 98's are still sitting there, staring. Need to get back on the court as soon as I find some free time, fun reading through this thread though.

 

[Power Player]

Yeah I don't think I could go leather grip with the EP either. I believe if the specs come out to be the same as the EP, I will compare the PureAero Tour to it. Mainly just for subtle stuff like feel..etc. But of course the price of the IG Extreme is unbeatable right now. I already have 2 new ones that weigh and play the exact same and I spent less than $200 total. I also question if the control of the Babolat can touch the Extreme. The control on this frame is another level for this type of frame. Everything is just easier really.

I've finally decided to make the jump to tweener style frames. As much as I love classic players frames, it is abundantly clear to me and others I play with that I am much better with the Extreme, and I use a lot less energy. This also came due to improved technique so I am able to control the power a lot better than years past. For sentimental reasons, I will never get rid of Yoko, but I started to amass a bunch of classic style frames and at some point I need to sell them off.