JGads
G.O.A.T.
10/10 approve this theory.
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
10/10 approve this theory.
ryushen21
Legend
I think it looks amazing. Absolutely digging the vibe of that PJ. They've also made some other revisions in terms of frame geometry.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Hmmm…which racquet comes in grey/lavender? I pray Babolat offers the Pure Aero 2019 in this color…
JGads
G.O.A.T.
https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Volkl_V-Cell_5/descpageRCVOLKL-VCE5R.htmlHmmm…which racquet comes in grey/lavender? I pray Babolat offers the Pure Aero 2019 in this color…
Put a gray overgrip on it. Close enough.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Atta boy!
tim-ay
Legend
Great looking frame.I'm just gonna leave this here for feedback...
And dang..... i miss seeing Stan play.
tim-ay
Legend
I'm an NXT guy!Hmmmm.....NXTs or Turbos?
am1899
Legend
Great review. As intrigued as I am about the differences in feel…the one thing I am not is a heavy spin guy. I’m a decidedly through the court, get to the net kinda guy. So I think I will stick comfortably with the blue YY.
The bigger problem is racquets don’t (usually) fix poor technique. Case in point, my forehand is still a steaming POS after the switch. So for now I am going to refocus my efforts on addressing that (rather than going further down the holic rabbit hole, no disrespect to the path y’all continue to blaze).
I’ve also developed what seems to be the start of TE symptoms (not the first time). Naturally my wife was like, “it’s not the new racquet is it?” No, I highly doubt that. It’s the idiot swinging the racquet…swinging it incorrectly, and not taking care of his body. This has likely been brewing for some time. But a recent uptick in play, having entered a local tournament, seems to have brought it out of the woodwork. As I type this, I’m in the waiting room at my massage therapists office. Hopefully this is the start of setting things right.
ryushen21
Legend
There is nothing wrong with the EZone and it sounds like it fits your needs pretty well.
Be mindful of your string tension though. I've never had any elbow issues with my EZs but I've seen where people had some due to string/tension issues.
Hmmm…which racquet comes in grey/lavender? I pray Babolat offers the Pure Aero 2019 in this color…
Kinda close with the ultra pro
Vicious49
Legend
When did he say this? Can't believe I missed it.
Medvedevs awesome! I'm really rooting for him but his net game needs to improve a lot.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
YES!!
am1899
Legend
Fortunately that won’t be much of a problem - all these years with the PA and APD with a less than forgiving arm have gotten me used to FB poly sub 50. But appreciate the heads up of course.
Yesterday, playing in the heat in Tokyo.
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
It got so hot that Fognini tried to give his nuts some AC.
tim-ay
Legend
Hahaha. Tokyo is cooking this time of year. Florida heat. when I lived in Colorado and would travel to Tokyo I would call them 3 underwear days. You had to change underwear because of sweat. Lol. Now, pfffttt. Got nothing on Florida.
You should have seen the chaos at the end of the men’s triathlon. Bodies on the ground everywhere.
meds quote was the best ever though.
Vicious49
Legend
I cancelled my lesson today with it being 95 degrees out there plus humidity meaning its more like 110 on the court with the sun out.
At least he didnt quit because he wasnt in the right mental state. Dont even get me started. Wish i could do that at work in the middle of an outage. ‘Im not feeling mentally there today so im going to take time off and let the rest of the team handle it‘. Dont think anyone would be calling me a hero or inspiration to others.
Vicious49
Legend
Enough of my soapbox.
Something happened the other day and Im not sure if i should be scared or proud. My bag was open so my wife saw all those racquets as well as some others.
I pointed to the ones by the wall (in an effort to distract her) and said ‘those are for sale’.
She replied ‘Youre done with the Pro Staff?’
Am i supposed to be proud because she knows what a Pro Staff is? Or should i be scared because this means shes paying more attention to my racquets than I realized?
Something happened the other day and Im not sure if i should be scared or proud. My bag was open so my wife saw all those racquets as well as some others.
I pointed to the ones by the wall (in an effort to distract her) and said ‘those are for sale’.
She replied ‘Youre done with the Pro Staff?’
Am i supposed to be proud because she knows what a Pro Staff is? Or should i be scared because this means shes paying more attention to my racquets than I realized?
esgee48
G.O.A.T.
I would be very worried. She does not play, correct? But she can see the decals/labels on your multitude of frames. She can take a photo of the For Sale frames and see if the number decreases or increases. If she starts to ask you questions about when you expect to sell "those frames", get them out of sight in your man cave with your stringing machine. 
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
2021 Wilson Prostaff 100 V13
Aka EuroStaff
I am stringing one soon
TW site spec lists: Skip M 7&9, C 8
funny, on TE site they say to skip 7/9 H and T.
but my question is tie offs
I’m only going off pics I’ve seen online here….
Looks like - main tie offs 5H 6T, crosses 7T ?
tia
Aka EuroStaff
I am stringing one soon
TW site spec lists: Skip M 7&9, C 8
funny, on TE site they say to skip 7/9 H and T.
but my question is tie offs
I’m only going off pics I’ve seen online here….
Looks like - main tie offs 5H 6T, crosses 7T ?
tia
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Alright, the Black Ace Pro.
Long story short:
- this is one flexy mother. Almost woody-like bend to it sometimes.
- as expected, it won't touch any of my PK usuals, I just hit better balls easier with the others.
- but the BAP is fun. Total throwback stick. A bit like a classic Prestige, but spinny. Puts a smile on your face.
- in other words? Pretty much everything I anticipated.
Short story long:
Here, a big grain of salt: I was taking it super easy with movement tonight out of an abundance of caution with the back. (good news there: the back got through the session fine, so I think I'm on the other side of the spasms and will be opening it back up more and more now)...
So, my general caution and rusty/ill form tonight did not do this frame any favors. But it also highlighted the easier use of the others. The BAP predictably falls into the category of the UTs of the world, where you have to be on point, form and technique wise, to really get the most out of it. And I had moments, a few rallies, where I got there and touched the kind of delirium such sticks can provide. Where you feel free to open up and rip, and you get the rippers that way.
Pneumated was right about confirming the 'catapult' effect that pops up from time to time here. I think it has to do with that crazy flex. I really feel like I can actually feel the frame bending on a lot of hard swings, and if I catch the ball wrong, or late, it's like that bend creates the catapult in a bad way - the catapult long. Catch the ball well out in front, weight shifting forward, and that bend catches the ball and throws it in the ways we love, in ways that sometimes feel like you just hit a turbo button. In this way, I was at times reminded of even that old Vantage BC20 in the bend/cup/throw aspect of how it plays. However, this only really happens sometimes. It's not the norm. The norm here, really, is controlled spin.
I'll try it again with a bit of weight. I feel like I can get away with that, as despite the 330ish swingweight the super thin beam makes it swing so easily.
One big knock for me: the handle is a bit shorter than my other PKs, and that along with the way the frame bent meant a lot of weak two-handed backhands as my top hand drifts high and I like feeling that extra leverage out of the handle. I need to add an overgrip here and go way up high with it to help out with the grip issue, in other words give it my "Hipster Turtleneck" setup, as seen on TV or certain Youtube channels. Quite a few times I came over the ball with a one-hander tonight and from that extremely limited sample size I can say that this stick seems to be a one-hander's dream. Wand-like there, flickable, and my best backhands were these rando one-handers thrown in from time to time. Slices are also great.
So? As I said, about what I expected. Will try it again with some of the aforementioned mods, and with me hopefully in some better form, and decide then whether to hang onto it as a luxury hitter or just to move it along.
Long story short:
- this is one flexy mother. Almost woody-like bend to it sometimes.
- as expected, it won't touch any of my PK usuals, I just hit better balls easier with the others.
- but the BAP is fun. Total throwback stick. A bit like a classic Prestige, but spinny. Puts a smile on your face.
- in other words? Pretty much everything I anticipated.
Short story long:
Here, a big grain of salt: I was taking it super easy with movement tonight out of an abundance of caution with the back. (good news there: the back got through the session fine, so I think I'm on the other side of the spasms and will be opening it back up more and more now)...
So, my general caution and rusty/ill form tonight did not do this frame any favors. But it also highlighted the easier use of the others. The BAP predictably falls into the category of the UTs of the world, where you have to be on point, form and technique wise, to really get the most out of it. And I had moments, a few rallies, where I got there and touched the kind of delirium such sticks can provide. Where you feel free to open up and rip, and you get the rippers that way.
Pneumated was right about confirming the 'catapult' effect that pops up from time to time here. I think it has to do with that crazy flex. I really feel like I can actually feel the frame bending on a lot of hard swings, and if I catch the ball wrong, or late, it's like that bend creates the catapult in a bad way - the catapult long. Catch the ball well out in front, weight shifting forward, and that bend catches the ball and throws it in the ways we love, in ways that sometimes feel like you just hit a turbo button. In this way, I was at times reminded of even that old Vantage BC20 in the bend/cup/throw aspect of how it plays. However, this only really happens sometimes. It's not the norm. The norm here, really, is controlled spin.
I'll try it again with a bit of weight. I feel like I can get away with that, as despite the 330ish swingweight the super thin beam makes it swing so easily.
One big knock for me: the handle is a bit shorter than my other PKs, and that along with the way the frame bent meant a lot of weak two-handed backhands as my top hand drifts high and I like feeling that extra leverage out of the handle. I need to add an overgrip here and go way up high with it to help out with the grip issue, in other words give it my "Hipster Turtleneck" setup, as seen on TV or certain Youtube channels. Quite a few times I came over the ball with a one-hander tonight and from that extremely limited sample size I can say that this stick seems to be a one-hander's dream. Wand-like there, flickable, and my best backhands were these rando one-handers thrown in from time to time. Slices are also great.
So? As I said, about what I expected. Will try it again with some of the aforementioned mods, and with me hopefully in some better form, and decide then whether to hang onto it as a luxury hitter or just to move it along.
am1899
Legend
(Where t=throat, h=hoop/head)
Mains skip: 8T, 7H, 9H
Main tie off's: 7T
Cross tie off's: 5H, 6T
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Love it. Great news on the back as well.
Here is where I am curious - the UT was one of those frames where I had a similar experience as you did today (well, maybe not with the extra flex). But after a couple weeks of time, suddenly I was dialed in and really hitting hard with it. Wondering if the PK can deliver in that way as well. It's so nice to have a soft frame in the bag, and its rare to find an open pattern one that can provide some extra pop. It will be interesting to see if you like it enough to give it that level of playtime.
Spinny classic prestige...that's really, really good stuff.
esgee48
G.O.A.T.
Sounds good. I was going to suggest that maybe XTO of 5H, 9T may be better if the hole can accommodate it.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
As I grooved with it better at the end of the session than at the start, I had the thought that this is a frame that really requires commitment. Whereas I can go between my 16/20 PKs, even Doppio and XL, rather seamlessly, this stick is so, so different than the rest. Behaves very differently. Flexier even than my extended UTs so even the UTs are easier to mix in with the other PKs. This one seems to be saying, “Sorry Hon, I only do exclusive.”
And I have a hard time with exclusive.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
String/Tension suggestion request please, if I may….
For a baseline, my primary is the latest Ezone 98 (stock) with Ytex ProTour 17L @ 52/51. I enjoy the lower launch angle and predictable string bed from this stick, as I hit somewhere between flat and spinny.
I’m going to check out the EuroStaff, suggestions appreciated. Tia
For a baseline, my primary is the latest Ezone 98 (stock) with Ytex ProTour 17L @ 52/51. I enjoy the lower launch angle and predictable string bed from this stick, as I hit somewhere between flat and spinny.
I’m going to check out the EuroStaff, suggestions appreciated. Tia
ryushen21
Legend
So, I had some set play tonight with the EZ and the VC against another 4.0 player.
I played the first set with the EZ and it was pretty smooth sailing. Everything was there when I wanted it and my familiarity with the frame made for easy playing. I found myself trying to push harder with the EZ than usual knowing that the VC was waiting in the wings. There was a little bit extra in the EZ and while it was good when I nailed it, I also hit a few more errors which gave away some points and games. I still ended up winning the set 6-3 but I couldn't help thinking that the thrill was gone.
Then out came the VC and the attack was on. There is a heaviness that the VC puts on the ball that the EZ has a very hard time keeping up with. I also found I was getting more pop on the backhand side whether I was driving it or going for topspin and that is always a nice thing to have. I found the serve timing with the VC and that allowed me to get a lot of first serves in with confidence but I really unlocked the kick and slice serves. They were extremely nasty. On the same level with the Eurostaff kinds of nastiness. I also found some incredible penetrating slice shots. I took the second set 6-0.
I don't know if this is an incredible honeymoon I'm having or if the tide has truly turned.
I played the first set with the EZ and it was pretty smooth sailing. Everything was there when I wanted it and my familiarity with the frame made for easy playing. I found myself trying to push harder with the EZ than usual knowing that the VC was waiting in the wings. There was a little bit extra in the EZ and while it was good when I nailed it, I also hit a few more errors which gave away some points and games. I still ended up winning the set 6-3 but I couldn't help thinking that the thrill was gone.
Then out came the VC and the attack was on. There is a heaviness that the VC puts on the ball that the EZ has a very hard time keeping up with. I also found I was getting more pop on the backhand side whether I was driving it or going for topspin and that is always a nice thing to have. I found the serve timing with the VC and that allowed me to get a lot of first serves in with confidence but I really unlocked the kick and slice serves. They were extremely nasty. On the same level with the Eurostaff kinds of nastiness. I also found some incredible penetrating slice shots. I took the second set 6-0.
I don't know if this is an incredible honeymoon I'm having or if the tide has truly turned.
ryushen21
Legend
I'm working my way through my Ytex demo packs at the moment, but my current favorite string has to be Tier 1 Black Knight.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah I hear you there. I will follow your journey a bit longer before I make my decision. I have no real reason to try this frame except that I have been interested in the damn thing for months now.
Vicious49
Legend
What I caught there is that it falls in to the UT category and is a OHBH dream. You had me sold and then you had to go and mention that the frame wants me to be in a monogomous relationship with it. hmmm
Vicious49
Legend
Played a singles match tonight. Started out with the Prestige and won the 1st set 6-2. I had my opponent moving all over the place and I even had a few putaways at the net. The grip got too sweaty so i had to switch racquets. I only have the 1 Prestige so went with the UT. While I seemed to hit s bit heavier on my serves and FH with the UT, it seemed to take more effort to swing. I decided to switch to the Eurostaff and try to beat him at his own baseline bashing game, That was a mistake. Lost the set 3-6. I was down 1-3 in the 3rd set before i figured that strategy wasnt working and went back to the Prestige. Pulled out the 3rd set in a 7-3 tie breaker.
The lesson for me there is that maybe I need to pick up a 2nd Prestige MP. I play well with it and it seems to take less effort to swing than my UTs on these super hot, humid days.
The question for you guys is - Im sure some of you tried out the PMP - what did you not like about it? Its not discussed much here so what am I not seeing about this frame.
The lesson for me there is that maybe I need to pick up a 2nd Prestige MP. I play well with it and it seems to take less effort to swing than my UTs on these super hot, humid days.
The question for you guys is - Im sure some of you tried out the PMP - what did you not like about it? Its not discussed much here so what am I not seeing about this frame.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Relationships, man.
topspn
Legend
So this is apples to apples compare? Both stock, same string, tension, etc? If i remember correctly you played your EZs stock
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JGads
G.O.A.T.
Same boat. The holic in me had to scratch the itch. But if you ever made the move, just do it knowing it's a luxury hitter - it won't beat out our 16/20s for bag supremacy. Personally, I need to squeeze out a little more out of the 2HBH wing especially. That's where the energy return out of the firmer 100 and 16/20 really sings by comparison.
tim-ay
Legend
If I wouldn’t have done that spur of the moment Clash 98 custom, I probably would buy the BAP as it sounds like a frame I’d love to hit. But I can’t have two ‘fun’ frames hanging around given the 7Gs and Top Banana are already giving me the evil eye. My next frame might be another 2019 Doppio before they are all gone. Only 4 3/8” left at TW and that must be a sign.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Amazing that TW got away with clearing out their stock without offering a discount as happened here in Europe. I suspect the ridiculous on this thread may have had something to do with it. By the way were you the one who coined the phrase "crazy energy" about the PKs? I think about it all the time, as when I switch from some other frame, I feel that distinct extra juice that comes out of the stick from the kinetic coffee beans.
ryushen21
Legend
Yep, same everything. I even changed the base grip on the VC to the Wilson Feather Thin like on my EZs. Same OG, same dampener, same absence of lead.
The EZ has been like driving a Corvette. The VC feels like I'm driving a Ferrari.
You are correct, and I am enjoying the 360+.
I did, however, play a match this morning with my UT instead of my prestige's and won pretty easily against a hitting partner I have been struggling to beat since I made the switch. Not really related as a whole, but while I drill and rally better with the PP I feel I play better under pressure with the dense string pattern.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Past Prestiges ruined the 360 MP for me. I just didn't feel anything standout or special about it, felt a little disconnected from the ball and most especially when I comped it next to my Ultra Tour or some past Prestige versions. So it was a lightning fast buy-and-sell turnaround for me. The Touch Prestige Pro I hit not too far removed from the 360 Prestige MP actually felt better to me, and actually hit a better, meaner ball too. But as I said, I was very quick to cut and run so I'm not a good reference point. If I would have had more patience to experiment maybe I'd have found something but I didn't want to bother.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Back from another hit. Tweaked the BA Pro a bit and things were better but not where they need to be. For me. The biggest thing lacking compared to my other sticks is on the two-handed backhand where all that flex bleeds too much off the ball for me and my stroke. Again today, whenever I hit one handers, the thing sung a completely different tune, because there's something about the way that thin beam moves through the air and comes up over the ball, with the flexy bed then cupping, holding, and throwing it back over, that makes you feel like you can really whip the hell out of the one handers and have total control over where you're placing the ball. But, for me the 2H is way more important, and I'm too far gone and comfy in my firmer, larger, 16/20 beds on that front.
I'd have firmed up the BA Pro a little bit, make it more the low 60s of the Espresso. The flex here is wild. Might be the flexiest stick I've ever hit. The old PB10 Mid comes to mind. I hit a little better, I think, with the slightly firmer but still buttery Espresso, and better still with my XL'd UTs, and then of course within the TopBanana/7G/Doppio cage match. So I'm moving off the BAP, although hitting it and feeling that old school thin flexy feel is apt to put a smile on any frame feel fetishist's face, as it did mine.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
I'd have firmed up the BA Pro a little bit, make it more the low 60s of the Espresso. The flex here is wild. Might be the flexiest stick I've ever hit. The old PB10 Mid comes to mind. I hit a little better, I think, with the slightly firmer but still buttery Espresso, and better still with my XL'd UTs, and then of course within the TopBanana/7G/Doppio cage match. So I'm moving off the BAP, although hitting it and feeling that old school thin flexy feel is apt to put a smile on any frame feel fetishist's face, as it did mine.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
