Diary of a Racketaholic

ryushen21

Legend
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.
I feel like the last good iterations on the PMP were the YT and YTIG. They were a good bridge between the past and the present. The newer ones I've hit have all had something missing or that just left me wanting more. Like they weren't necessarily bad but they didn't have the allure of the Prestiges of the past.
 

taylor15

Hall of Fame
I feel like the last good iterations on the PMP were the YT and YTIG. They were a good bridge between the past and the present. The newer ones I've hit have all had something missing or that just left me wanting more. Like they weren't necessarily bad but they didn't have the allure of the Prestiges of the past.
When it comes to the 18x20 I just prefer the ultra tour to the prestige.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
I feel like the last good iterations on the PMP were the YT and YTIG. They were a good bridge between the past and the present. The newer ones I've hit have all had something missing or that just left me wanting more. Like they weren't necessarily bad but they didn't have the allure of the Prestiges of the past.

"The Redhead" was an underrated beast.
 

tim-ay

Legend
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.
ha, i don't remember if that was me, PP, or Topspn. It's definitely there however.

And reading your description of the OHBH with the BAP, I can't help but think of my feelings on the Doppio. It is one of the few sticks where you can be under huge pressure with the OH and bit late, yet still roll over whip a defensive topspin ball deep and kind of reset the point. That's a ball where with other frames you end up having to slice. But with the Doppio, you have more options. I really don't have anything else that lets me do that. And the Doppio pop has so much flickable 'crazy energy' that you just can surprise the heck out of people on those types of balls.

I'm having a blissful week with the Doppio anyway. The next few weeks I'll be traveling and will throw one into my suitcase, although I'm not sure how much I'll get to hit. The other PK's will have an angry look when I return home.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
ha, i don't remember if that was me, PP, or Topspn. It's definitely there however.

And reading your description of the OHBH with the BAP, I can't help but think of my feelings on the Doppio. It is one of the few sticks where you can be under huge pressure with the OH and bit late, yet still roll over whip a defensive topspin ball deep and kind of reset the point. That's a ball where with other frames you end up having to slice. But with the Doppio, you have more options. I really don't have anything else that lets me do that. And the Doppio pop has so much flickable 'crazy energy' that you just can surprise the heck out of people on those types of balls.

I'm having a blissful week with the Doppio anyway. The next few weeks I'll be traveling and will throw one into my suitcase, although I'm not sure how much I'll get to hit. The other PK's will have an angry look when I return home.

Nice. Yeah, and about resetting points or being on the defensive, another area where I love these PKs is just reaching out and blocking the ball back on a hard first serve. Just sticking the frame out and punching it barely can neutralize a hard heater and get you into the point. I took some serve returns yesterday with both Doppio and the BAP and the BAP block-backs would sometimes dump into the net or leave a very short ball. The Doppio provided a better wall and deeper ball going the other way. Niche stroke within the mix of things, but something I noticed yesterday.
 

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
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.

It had to be done, but this was the inevitable conclusion for you. I knew it would be. I'd say it's borderline too flexy for me, even, but the results? I can't argue with them. It seems with my mechanics/strokes, the more the flex, the more it enhances just about every aspect of my game. This BA Pro is surely a niche frame that I don't see being overly popular. I must now get my hands on an espresso 300 or 315 just to see if I can get similar results with a touch more stiffness.
 

StanAO14

Semi-Pro
ha, i don't remember if that was me, PP, or Topspn. It's definitely there however.

And reading your description of the OHBH with the BAP, I can't help but think of my feelings on the Doppio. It is one of the few sticks where you can be under huge pressure with the OH and bit late, yet still roll over whip a defensive topspin ball deep and kind of reset the point. That's a ball where with other frames you end up having to slice. But with the Doppio, you have more options. I really don't have anything else that lets me do that. And the Doppio pop has so much flickable 'crazy energy' that you just can surprise the heck out of people on those types of balls.

I'm having a blissful week with the Doppio anyway. The next few weeks I'll be traveling and will throw one into my suitcase, although I'm not sure how much I'll get to hit. The other PK's will have an angry look when I return home.
Totally agree with your ohb experience. Just played for the first time in 3 weeks after my vacation to Spain (where I only played some padel) and was instantly zoning with the doppio. Yptp is also a string that somehow doesn’t die and might be even better the longer it’s in it. Fantastic racquet. @JGads cured my holism :) Jonas must love this thing as well..
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Totally agree with your ohb experience. Just played for the first time in 3 weeks after my vacation to Spain (where I only played some padel) and was instantly zoning with the doppio. Yptp is also a string that somehow doesn’t die and might be even better the longer it’s in it. Fantastic racquet. @JGads cured my holism :) Jonas must love this thing as well..

happy-asian-business-friends-cheering-260nw-421076617.jpg
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
If anyone happens to see a current VC100 for sale in 4 1/2, let me know. No luck here or on the bay at the moment.

Don’t know if you’ll have any luck there with the VCore but there’s a group on Facebook called Tennis Buy and Sell International that’s mostly US based listings.

Edit: just checked over there and there was a vcore 100 listed a few days ago...

in a 1/8 grip.
 
Last edited:

ryushen21

Legend
Don’t know if you’ll have any luck there with the VCore but there’s a group on Facebook called Tennis Buy and Sell International that’s mostly US based listings.

Edit: just checked over there and there was a vcore 100 listed a few days ago...

in a 1/8 grip.
I'm keeping an eye on the domestic and foreign for sale forums, the bay, TW used, and several tennis groups on FB. My meaty man hands are once again proving problematic.

But the 4 1/2 with a feather Thin and OG is absolute perfection for me. I hate being patient but sometimes it's called for.
 

MishitWinner

New User
Got my Banana Lite in. Put on 3g of tape, leather grip, and super grap. Now right about 7pts headlight. Feels perfect in terms of weight and balance, and swingweight is definitely lower than what's quoted on TW. Hitting this weekend, and very excited to try it out.
 

ryushen21

Legend
Ok gents, a three hour road trip and some quiet reflecting has given some perspective on my EZ vs. VC dilemma.

Groundies: the shot production with the VC is hard to beat. My recent opponent said they were harder to return and to predict. More shots drop in with more depth and more explosion of the bounce. I have all the variety available to me on the forehand and the backhand was potent too.

Net play: the EZ still feels more stable and easier to play with. But the other night, I felt like I was hitting better quality shots with the VC.

Serves: after the adjustment period the VC serves equally as good on first serves and is clearly better on second serves. So much so that I could easily go to just using kickers and slice serves.

Control: the VC provides a more spin-oriented control than the EZ which hovers between spin and linear. I can swing bigger and with more confidence with the VC.

Feel: the VC is sharper, cleaner, and less vague than the EZ. That clearly defined response and feedback is addictive and informative.

I'm not saying it's the end for the EZ but the writing might be on the wall.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Ok gents, a three hour road trip and some quiet reflecting has given some perspective on my EZ vs. VC dilemma.

Groundies: the shot production with the VC is hard to beat. My recent opponent said they were harder to return and to predict. More shots drop in with more depth and more explosion of the bounce. I have all the variety available to me on the forehand and the backhand was potent too.

Net play: the EZ still feels more stable and easier to play with. But the other night, I felt like I was hitting better quality shots with the VC.

Serves: after the adjustment period the VC serves equally as good on first serves and is clearly better on second serves. So much so that I could easily go to just using kickers and slice serves.

Control: the VC provides a more spin-oriented control than the EZ which hovers between spin and linear. I can swing bigger and with more confidence with the VC.

Feel: the VC is sharper, cleaner, and less vague than the EZ. That clearly defined response and feedback is addictive and informative.

I'm not saying it's the end for the EZ but the writing might be on the wall.
It’s EZ to say buh bye. :-D
 

ryushen21

Legend
Actually VCP100 might not be in the same category. It's thin beam and might be underpowered for are
The revisions to the VCP include thicker beams, different beam geometry, different throat shape, and VDM. My spidey sense tells me this means they are working their mojo to make stiffer frames that don't feel as stiff as they are. L
 

TimePlease

Semi-Pro
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.
Ah, "crazy energy" was something that jumped off the page at me when I was searching for words to describe the Doppio.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
It's funny how you wait a long time for a bus to come along, and then two or three arrive at the same time. My search for the holy grail has been exactly like that.

Let's be clear, I'm still firmly in love with the Doppio. It's just that there's this other woman on the scene now... She's doing things to me... wonderful things... They call her the Eurostaff.

A few people here have been discussing and searching for the ultimate 'pleener' - a thin beam players' frame for that awesome touch and precision, but with a more forgiving swingweight and sweetspot. The Doppio gives me that in spades. It's so effortlessly easy to hit with, like an extension of my arm, yet still packs a punch when attacking. I thought it couldn't possibly be matched and that my search was finally over...and maybe I should have closed my eyes at that point and stopped looking at other women. But no...

My Eurostaff came in as follows -
Unstrung specs: 304g / 289SW / 31.9cm(7.5HL) (100", 21.5mm beam, 66RA, 16x19)
Strung specs: 332g / 321SW / 32.4cm(6.0HL) with OG, dampener, 3g in the butt cap and 1g at 12
Strung with: Velocity MLT 1.3 (multi) @58lbs / Isospeed Cream 1.28 (poly) @55lbs

Basically, an almost identical setup to my Doppio. Exact same swingweight and virtually the same balance. RA is almost the same. Beam width same. And same strings at same tensions.

First thing to say, the Eurostaff doesn't have the soft velvet paint of recent Wilsons. It's a regular matt finish and for some reason the frame seems to feel lighter in the hand than the 97 v13 (even when mine weigh about the same). At first glance it looked and felt like a cheaper version of the v13 (almost toy-like) and I thought it might feel hollow and tinny on the court...but I couldn't have been more wrong. The throat section is flatter than the 97, not as boxy - almost identical to the Blade's throat. The hoop is also a tad flatter than the 97 but not rounded like the Blade. Having grown up with Pro Staffs but experimented a lot with Blades over the last year, the Eurostaff feels every bit a Pro Staff to me. I felt at home instantly. The beam is flatter, as I said, but still feels more boxy somehow.

I absolutely love it.

It has a lot of similarities to the Doppio. Super whippy, great feel and surprisingly powerful for its swingweight. There are obviously some relative strengths and weaknesses as I'll go on to explain, but certainly they are pretty comparable in the ultimate 'pleener' showdown.

They feel very similar to swing (aerodynamics and weight distribution), but the feeling upon impact is a bit different. The Doppio is more raw, the Eurostaff is more plush. The Doppio has a bit more feedback. The Eurostaff is softer and more refined but I wouldn't call it "muted" at all. It has 95% of the Doppio's crispness but perhaps 110% in terms of comfort and sheer silky-smoothness. I've begun to prefer the feel of the Eurostaff, I have to say. Sorry, Seppi!

I love the way it bridges the gap between the 97 v13 (which is one hell of a racket if you like players' frames and can find the sweetspot consistently) and the Doppio. It's like a Doppio that feels like a Pro Staff. Or, like a Pro Staff with more of that 'crazy energy' of the Doppio. The Doppio is so user-friendly and easy to gel with, whilst the 97 v13 can be a tricky customer at the best of times, and darn right cantankerous if you're having an off day. The Eurostaff gives you very nearly the best of both worlds; user friendly precision and an ultra-smooth ride. She's sophisticated but still a free spirit...

So, yeah, it's much more forgiving than the 97 v13, even though the head size difference is barely noticeable. The 100" has a little more power and access to spin than the 97 too, as you would expect. Other than that, the feel, launch angle and performance of these two Pro Staffs is almost the same, which enables me to switch back and forth between them seamlessly. When warming up or when I need more forgiveness against big hitters, the Eurostaff is more reliable. But when my eye is in and I'm hitting well, I can switch to the 97 for that extra pinpoint precision.

The Eurostaff serves with considerably more power than the Doppio (first serves). Kick serve spin and placement are about the same (ie. equally impressive). On volleys, the Eurostaff and 97 v13 are a bit more stable compared to the Doppio. And let's face it, if you can serve and volley with confidence, you're already halfway to winning the point...

Ground strokes are superb. The string pattern is almost identical to the 97 v13 - nice, open mains with a very consistent response. As much top spin as you'll ever need. Not quite, but virtually as whippy as the Doppio. Slices knife beautifully. I have to concentrate a bit more on my low slices with only the 19 crosses, whereas the Doppio's 16x20 makes that a bit easier, but make no mistake, the Eurostaff can be punishingly accurate. I've been hitting the lines a LOT. Depth is very easy to find and lock in too, as you would expect from a crisp, thin beam like this. If Wilson had given this the same 16x20 spacing as the Doppio (and if they made it available worldwide), I think this would be one of those hallowed GOAT frames that people on this forum would still be talking about 30 years from now.

With the extra touch of lead at 12 o'clock, this frame seems more powerful than the Doppio to me (even with identical swingweight and 1pt lower RA). Even now as I type this, I'm having second thoughts about saying that. The Doppio has an impressive amount of power for such a whippy frame and manageable swingweight. But, yes, I'm going to stick my neck out and say that the Eurostaff matches it and maybe even beats it. Hard to say. First serves are definitely more powerful. Defence shots feel much more stable too. Maybe it's the more solid feel that makes it SEEM more powerful.

And that's where the Eurostaff beats the Doppio - the solid, buttery feel (but still with impressive touch).

The Doppio wins on ultra fine touch shots and being able to play without thinking. Never before have I picked up a new frame that felt like such an old friend, and in many a match situation, that's what gets you out of jail. And for the rest of the time, old friends are just such FUN! The Doppio is the trickster, the joker, the wild card. The Eurostaff is its slightly more stable, more grounded partner-in-crime but they are both cut from the same cloth.

Strange that they both appeared in my life around the same time.

I've been alternating between the three of them but the Eurostaff and Doppio are what I would reach for most of the time. The 97 v13 is the most advanced, but only when I'm right on my game and not being pushed back. My eyesight has deteriorated over the last 10 years and I can struggle to find the sweetspot consistently when under pressure. The marginally bigger head size really makes a world of difference in that respect (I feel I can't overstate that), and since everything comes down to self-belief at the end of the day, the confidence I'm feeling with the Eurostaff brings out my inner Federer. Plus it looks sooo sexy.

The other thing is, I notice that I play differently with the Doppio. The two Pro Staffs are so alike in terms of response and it's something that I've become so used to, that I can dial in my normal game and just get on with it. With the Doppio, it's different. I reach for different shots. I'm way more creative, finding bizarre angles and touches and flair that's all extremely mad fun...but I'm not sure whether I'm actually more deadly when I play like that though. Sometimes all you need to do is put away the point and with the Pro Staffs I tend to do that more efficiently.

Time will tell. There's still a long way to go in terms of experimentation and comparisons between these exceptional tennis rackets. I want to add a little lead to the Doppio at 3 & 9, which I still haven't tried, to see if I can find a tad more stability against heavy balls without losing its special whip and touch... The Eurostaff, I've already added a bit at 12 to bring its swingweight up to my norm. Perhaps another gram wouldn't hurt but it already has enough plow and that rock solid feel. I think I'll string the crosses 1-2lb higher just to tame the launch angle a bit and make low slices easier.

@danbrenner you were right - one of the best Wilsons ever, no question, especially for so many of us who are looking at player-tweener territory.
@powerplayer it's not exhausting to use at all. It's breezy, easy-peasy, but with punch and no harsh stiffness or vibrations.
And no-one should be put off by the factory quoted balance of 30.5cm (12HL), I think that's just an error.

Ah, it was you! Props. From that epic post above. I finally had to go do a search for where I had read it, because it was so accurate and has remained in my mind ever since.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
After being laid up with back spasms on Sunday and Monday, I just completed three straight days of tennis, and this post is sponsored in part by Theragun.

Back with my 16/20 PKs today, back home.

Really liking Element Rough 16. A lot. I want to try a thinner gauge and throw it into the Top Banana (to go up against TB 17, which is great) but from looking around it seems anything thinner than 16 in the rough version is practically impossible to find except for in a reel. Weird. Must be extremely unpopular but the 16 is great. Bit more grab of the felt and feel of the ball vs normal Element.
 
Has anyone here done the trade-in program through TW? I'm thinking that might be the best avenue to pick up additional VCores.

I did it way back when it was first rolled out and it was really great. However the last time I checked into it, the value given to my potential trade ins was massively lower than what I had been getting in the early days of the program and wasn't close to what I could get just selling the frames in the classifieds. That said, that was also some time ago so I am not sure what the program is like currently.
 

tim-ay

Legend
I did it way back when it was first rolled out and it was really great. However the last time I checked into it, the value given to my potential trade ins was massively lower than what I had been getting in the early days of the program and wasn't close to what I could get just selling the frames in the classifieds. That said, that was also some time ago so I am not sure what the program is like currently.
yeah, exactly. you might get 35-40% max for your trade in vs. retail (best condition). Youre better off selling privately if you can @ryushen21
 

tim-ay

Legend
PK QC seems to be on par with the other big brands so you might very well have gotten a naughty, porky dopey. :-D

I wasn’t impressed with mine until I tried the thinner gauge string setup and now it’s #2 in my bag behind the PA. :)
Porkey Dopey. Hahaha.

My two are nearly identical, but I just ordered a 3rd from TW since there are only a handful of 3/8” left. I hope I don’t get a fat one!
 

BPlain

Semi-Pro
First hit today with my new 2021 Espresso 315. Strung it up with a full bed of BK 1.23 at 48 lbs. It came in around 344 grams once I added a damper and two overgrips to 4 1/4 grip.

It wasn't love at first strike but after about 30 minutes or so, I really started to trust the frame and find my game in the process. Between the thin beam and the flex, it definitely didn't feel heavy at all and no elbow pain whatsoever. This was my first PK experience and had no issues adjusting the Kinetic chambers. Touch was there and stability and plow through was great as well. Easy power and good accuracy while serving although I did struggle to find the usual amount of slice/kick spin on my second serves today but that could just be the first hour of hitting with BK strings. Might throw some GW in the crosses next time and see if that helps with spin and/or give FW/GW hybrid a shot as well.

Having played with similar plush, flexy racket(s) in the past – specifically Angell K7 Red and Lime – I really appreciated the extra free power from this frame without sacrificing control. Hoping to get out again this weekend and continue my PK experience. Thanks for the nudge towards PK my fellow holics.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
First hit today with my new 2021 Espresso 315. Strung it up with a full bed of BK 1.23 at 48 lbs. It came in around 344 grams once I added a damper and two overgrips to 4 1/4 grip.

It wasn't love at first strike but after about 30 minutes or so, I really started to trust the frame and find my game in the process. Between the thin beam and the flex, it definitely didn't feel heavy at all and no elbow pain whatsoever. This was my first PK experience and had no issues adjusting the Kinetic chambers. Touch was there and stability and plow through was great as well. Easy power and good accuracy while serving although I did struggle to find the usual amount of slice/kick spin on my second serves today but that could just be the first hour of hitting with BK strings. Might throw some GW in the crosses next time and see if that helps with spin and/or give FW/GW hybrid a shot as well.

Having played with similar plush, flexy racket(s) in the past – specifically Angell K7 Red and Lime – I really appreciated the extra free power from this frame without sacrificing control. Hoping to get out again this weekend and continue my PK experience. Thanks for the nudge towards PK my fellow holics.

The whole Q line of frames have some magic in them. The Doppio end of the spectrum for more pop and modernity, the Espresso line for old school butteriness and control, in the three varying weight options. And all can be had for cheaper than the big brands.

To let others in on the saddest Holic story of 2021, that Espresso I sent off to Pneumated, who I am simply sure will love it, and which was to become “A community Espresso” passed on to others if he didn’t in fact want to keep it... has been lost within the US Postal System. Still says “en route to the destination” after clearing customs and such, with no good answers coming from USPS except for “be patient.” Been months now.

Moment of silence, please.
 

topspn

Legend
The whole Q line of frames have some magic in them. The Doppio end of the spectrum for more pop and modernity, the Espresso line for old school butteriness and control, in the three varying weight options. And all can be had for cheaper than the big brands.

To let others in on the saddest Holic story of 2021, that Espresso I sent off to Pneumated, who I am simply sure will love it, and which was to become “A community Espresso” passed on to others if he didn’t in fact want to keep it... has been lost within the US Postal System. Still says “en route to the destination” after clearing customs and such, with no good answers coming from USPS except for “be patient.” Been months now.

Moment of silence, please.

Wow that is sad! I had it happen to me but then one day the package appeared after i gave up on it so hopefully the same here. The espresso more open pattern though compared to doppio?
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Wow that is sad! I had it happen to me but then one day the package appeared after i gave up on it so hopefully the same here. The espresso more open pattern though compared to doppio?

Oh yeah. Wider 16/19. Especially outside of the center mains.
 

danbrenner

Legend
I like the look.

Paint looks matte and enlarging breaks the photo for some reason. What is this? You had mentioned blade 100 pro earlier which I've never heard of
Wilson blade Pro 100. H22 pro stock. Gorgeous to look at and touch. Very demanding to play tennis with.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Nice. Yeah, and about resetting points or being on the defensive, another area where I love these PKs is just reaching out and blocking the ball back on a hard first serve. Just sticking the frame out and punching it barely can neutralize a hard heater and get you into the point. I took some serve returns yesterday with both Doppio and the BAP and the BAP block-backs would sometimes dump into the net or leave a very short ball. The Doppio provided a better wall and deeper ball going the other way. Niche stroke within the mix of things, but something I noticed yesterday.

you saved me some cash. Appreciate it. I will stick with full timing the top B, which has delivered on all fronts. I almost take for granted how goat it is at this point. Im so focused on winning points and matches that sometimes i forget some of the great shots i can generate with the frame.

on serve return i have focused on not taking the frame back past my side, even on weak serves. I just have worked on punching the return back to tactical areas-typically wide side or at their feet. This really helps with big servers where i can neutralize them more often like you said.

my own serve being broken has decreased more and more over time as well. I feel like even love -40 can be saved now.

been coming to net more and more often as well. This is a great frame for volleying. Better than the doppio in that regard. So yeah, whats the weakness of it? I have no idea - cant find one yet.
 
Top