How many people still play with rackets that are over 20 years old?
- Thread starter jimanuel12
- Start date
gold325
Hall of Fame
@kevin qmto
While I too love to dabble with old racquets with old strings (that they come with) - but its only because I dont string myself and it costs me more to do the same - and I have way more racquets that I should have - so I try to get away without changing strings.
But old graphite racquets (as long as weight and swingweight is under control) with modern poly strings is a thing of beauty.
For example
Dunlop Max 300i (poly) - Plays like a modern racquet with a small head, weight is the biggest issue
Prokennex Copper Ace (poly) - plays very forgiving very spinny mid size
I constantly see you praise Gamma Ocho 17 - I also see your strokes and game are pretty clean. Do you not use poly due to fear of injury? Because I get much longer usable life out of poly than I do multi and typically cost 1/3 to 1/4 of a multi.
Also in older low flex racquets it feels like the racquet itself absorbs a lot of the pace and "ball damage" and string life is even longer. I might be wrong on this point since I cant be sure on it.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Oh I'm not doubting they are or could be. I have strung rackets from the early 90s with poly before and had good results. I do occasionally get some arm pain when using poly too much, but that's from using it on my main rackets. I just think most rackets 'feel' better with a nice syn gut or multi and that's how I enjoy my retro frames when playing with them recreationally. When I play 'serious' or league tennis, I usually use my more modern sticks with poly.
AleYeah
Rookie
Last night I played my first league match with my Adidas GTM, sadly this was the first match in a year that I DIDN'T film. Maybe I've been holding myself back by documenting everything as I played well above my normal level, even with modern rackets, perhaps due to the lack of pressure of filming myself. I won convincingly against a real speedster opponent, who could do a mean jumping 2 handed backhand that I was a little jelly of.
And that's after I started down 1-4 because I was trying to blast the ball like I would with my modern racket with poly, not this stick from 1985 with a multifilament. As soon as I took a little pace off the ball and came in more, I rattled off 6 straight games. Actually got broken early in the 2nd to break my streak, but resumed the streak afterwards and won 6/4, 6/2.
Big adidas guy here. Your GTM and my bag would get along just fine.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Would need to clean it up a tad first but yes.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Very nice. What strings and tension do you run in it?
Frankc
Professional
Excellent - very special ... Enjoyed that beautiful frame for years - suited Tec 515 17 gauge perfectly for me...
Very nice, just enjoy...
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Thank you! I first switched to them in September 1993
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
I turned one in Sept 93, and now I’m starting to get grey hairs. But I still think that era of rackets is fantastic.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
It was! You had variety of different design of frames. You had 85, 90, 95, 97/98, 100, and 110. Now you’re left with 95, 98, and 100. Blue racquets are Pure Drive tweeners, red racquets are control Classic style rackets. Yellow racquets are Pure Aero spin racquets.
teachingprotx
Legend
Dude I hear you I too use flexy old rackets too. What is the spec on rossi 230?
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
Can't remember if it's your usual racket or if you switch from one frame to another...?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I had started using the Pro Tour 630 and Auxetic Prestige Pro but I always go back to the Classic and they are all matched. I always keep it in my rotation of frames. Playing with the Prestige Pro 600/Prestige Classic 600 is always going home to me. However when I played a tournament last year I used the Pro Tour 630 because I wanted a bigger sweet spot.
hanjulian
New User
Have been playing with Pro Tour 630 for a while now. Have been unable to find anything else that feels as good as the 1995 Pro Tour 630. I am married to this racquet for life. LOL
Started playing tennis with 2014 Pro Staff 90, then hunted for Prestige Classic, just had to get the PT630 after that, didn't really use it. Went thru so many modern racquets in between (Pure Strike, Graphene Radical, Pure Aero didn't like any of them), then one day in 2020 just decided to hit with PT630. Oh GOD! BOOM Perfect racquet !!!
Have always liked 16x19 pattern but 18x20 of PT630 is just exceptional .
Perhaps one day will pick up a PT57A 16x19 version.
Started playing tennis with 2014 Pro Staff 90, then hunted for Prestige Classic, just had to get the PT630 after that, didn't really use it. Went thru so many modern racquets in between (Pure Strike, Graphene Radical, Pure Aero didn't like any of them), then one day in 2020 just decided to hit with PT630. Oh GOD! BOOM Perfect racquet !!!
Have always liked 16x19 pattern but 18x20 of PT630 is just exceptional .
Perhaps one day will pick up a PT57A 16x19 version.
Winners or Errors
Legend
Had my Pro and White Star Twin on court yesterday. First time I bothered to hit them side by side. Interesting how much more direct the feedback from the Pro is on shots. Just ordered a second Pro off the Bay to have two matching sticks. Fingers crossed. Old frames are sometimes a crap shoot.
I don’t think I’d ever buy a Twin… it was a gift.
d-quik
Hall of Fame
were these narrow, medium, or wide in the toebox?
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
Yep, even years after the MIA rackets, Fischer used to do the "no tolerance" thing. Each racket came with the exact same specs. We used to sell their rackets in the shop I was working in, and believe me or not, they were all the exact same weight and balance. Great work.
serveandvolE
Rookie
I had been playing with the Wilson Advantage for several weeks in the past few month. It's a nice feeling woodie but I found that I prefer the Jack Kramer Pro Staff a bit better and I'm now playing with the JKPS as my main racket. I passed a sort of milestone as I bit the bullet last week and used it in a combo 8.5 usta match. The biggest issue I found was not the playability of the racket but the reactions from others.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
There seems to be various versions of the JKPS. I have one that has a thinner throat with rounded edges on the throat that weighs about 12.6 ounces (strung wt). I like that one the best. I have another one that is heavier and with sharper-edged throat.
Have you tried the JK Auto? A few variations of that racquet, too. One of mine is about 365g (strung) and another is 420+ grams.
serveandvolE
Rookie
The JKPS with the rounder throat without the weight markings are older I believe. I have one of those and 3 of the newer sharper edged ones. Of the 4, I prefer the heaviest of the 4 marked as a medium 12.5-13.0 ounces.
I have tried the JK Autograph. Nice hitting frame but I find it to be less stable than the JKPS. Your two Autos have such a huge variance in weight- I'm sure they play much different.
I also have a couple of Snauwaert Vitas Gerulaitis Autos that hit well. Super nice feel that is lighter and more maneuverable with a less dense string pattern which seems to soften an already soft impact.
I just got a Maxply McEnroe. I had high hopes for it but hits the worst out of all of my woodies. I might need to string it up a bit looser and see how it does.
I have tried the JK Autograph. Nice hitting frame but I find it to be less stable than the JKPS. Your two Autos have such a huge variance in weight- I'm sure they play much different.
I also have a couple of Snauwaert Vitas Gerulaitis Autos that hit well. Super nice feel that is lighter and more maneuverable with a less dense string pattern which seems to soften an already soft impact.
I just got a Maxply McEnroe. I had high hopes for it but hits the worst out of all of my woodies. I might need to string it up a bit looser and see how it does.
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kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Tonight I’ve got a Chemold Laver and Dunlo Maxply Fort in my bag, alternating between the two getting ready for the Woodie Classic in STL.
When I can, I toy around with a customized Mizuno Lendl Type-R, 1 month silicone soaked PPs Red Devil @ 36lbs
X Cyclone 18L @ 40lbs mains... its like a predictable missile launcher taking full swings with no care in the world.
Its tiring for a whole match but fun just for kicks.
Would love to see a wooden racquet event with wooden Stadium, Burgundy Omni-clay with fastest speed white balls
all sponsored by On, maybe call the event OnWood and only feature the best attacking players of the past.
Fed, Delpo, Lopez, Rafter, Llodra, Mahut, Muller, Isner and other retired attackers swinging 80-110 inch wood
Also some current attacking players like Cressy vs Huesler vs Isner vs Monfils in singles and dubs
Ive got a decent collection of beautiful NOS wooden racquets, but only hang on the wall instead of paintings
X Cyclone 18L @ 40lbs mains... its like a predictable missile launcher taking full swings with no care in the world.
Its tiring for a whole match but fun just for kicks.
Would love to see a wooden racquet event with wooden Stadium, Burgundy Omni-clay with fastest speed white balls
all sponsored by On, maybe call the event OnWood and only feature the best attacking players of the past.
Fed, Delpo, Lopez, Rafter, Llodra, Mahut, Muller, Isner and other retired attackers swinging 80-110 inch wood
Also some current attacking players like Cressy vs Huesler vs Isner vs Monfils in singles and dubs
Ive got a decent collection of beautiful NOS wooden racquets, but only hang on the wall instead of paintings
Frankc
Professional
Imo, do not even come close to asssuming that the "attackers" as listed above could perform with wood. Additionally, as Prince proved with the Woodie a 100+ (mostly)wood frame has to be a beast in weight. Now, if you mix in a majority of carbon/graphite materials - you change the whole feel and performance nature of the frame. Imo, less and less wood, and your "attackers" would be more at home with stroke production. No one ever referred to a mostly wood frame as a rocket launcher (as today's frames truly are).
But you would have far more varied and interesting tennis... modern rocket launchers and strings "level the playing field." Wood frames separated the uniqely skillful and strong from the field...
But you would have far more varied and interesting tennis... modern rocket launchers and strings "level the playing field." Wood frames separated the uniqely skillful and strong from the field...
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Head lm radical mp with lots of lead and Head Radical tour candycane midplus with some lead atm.
Both are so Sweet.
Both are so Sweet.
Crocodile
G.O.A.T.
I try not to own too many racquets although I do buy quite a few, test them out for a particular metric that I’m interested in and then record my findings, make conclusions and then sell them to buy new ones.
It’s also interesting to follow iterations of the same model and see how they change.
To make my studies more balanced and diverse I invite a group of players from different age groups and levels and try to get some different viewpoints, perhaps find similarities.
The last over 20 year old racquet I had was a Light purple Yonex Rex King 1. It looked like a 90 head, was marketed towards women at the time but was between 355 and 360g strung and was very headlight and volleyed superbly. I was told the RA was in the 40’s and you could definitely feel this became a disadvantage over the course of a match when it came to maintaining serving pace and consistency.
The other thing I would like to add as a supplementary comment is that some racquets available today are built upon those 20 plus years design such as the Volkl C10 which hasn’t changed all that much.
Then there is this pro stock situation where some players get international contracts and access to these old moulds. I’m wondering whether we are getting to the stage where the current pro stocks have caught up.
It’s also interesting to follow iterations of the same model and see how they change.
To make my studies more balanced and diverse I invite a group of players from different age groups and levels and try to get some different viewpoints, perhaps find similarities.
The last over 20 year old racquet I had was a Light purple Yonex Rex King 1. It looked like a 90 head, was marketed towards women at the time but was between 355 and 360g strung and was very headlight and volleyed superbly. I was told the RA was in the 40’s and you could definitely feel this became a disadvantage over the course of a match when it came to maintaining serving pace and consistency.
The other thing I would like to add as a supplementary comment is that some racquets available today are built upon those 20 plus years design such as the Volkl C10 which hasn’t changed all that much.
Then there is this pro stock situation where some players get international contracts and access to these old moulds. I’m wondering whether we are getting to the stage where the current pro stocks have caught up.
optic yellow
Legend
My standard gamer rn is the Wilson Ultra Graphite 95 I found at a thrift store for $5. I do not have the launch angle control quite down but the spin generation for syn gut is remarkable and it is otherwise equally effective for both orthodox groundstrokes and junk balls. Like any box beam frame from that time period, it feels great to hit, and the burgundy paint job looks absolutely amazing paired with a white overgrip.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Please throw away your racket after 1 year for those of you that play 1-2 times a week, Graphite becomes weak and loss of control and power happens.
Are you saying those players dont have the skills to adapt to Wooden frames? even "wood" today can be made with firmer heads
and even lower tensions to become rocket launchers specially using faster rated tennis balls. Bamboo is now considered natural Kevlar.
Even old soft Wooded can allow easy re-direction of halve volleys and even RIP Peter McNamara used a big Prince Woodie
to beat legends and play amazing tennis in that era blasting plenty of winners.
It would be fun to see what could transpire anyway but sure it is a challenge for players like Cressy but not many of the players mentioned who are supremely gifted.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
you’re funny.
Wow, I had a PS 4.2, I wonder what the stiffness rating was on that one.
Don’t through them away! Put them up for sale here!
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
During the mid 90s, I used to play with the Pro Staff 6.1 Classic for a while and I quite liked it. A few years after, I measured it on a RDC and to my surprise stiffness was 71!!
Those were the days when QC was expected and appreciated. Now most racquet companies the QC is pretty poor. What year(s) were the " no tolerance" racquets made? I remember when they used to advertise that.
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
I'm not 100% certain but I would say in 2008. Pacific still use it on some of their rackets.
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Hit with a couple of Babolat pure control team mps last night.
Great control and mass and feel. Slightly different feel to my trusted LM radical midplus bats.. The 16 20 string pattern is a little softer so thats nice, strung then 2 lbs tighter than my Rads.. . Nice rackets!!
Great control and mass and feel. Slightly different feel to my trusted LM radical midplus bats.. The 16 20 string pattern is a little softer so thats nice, strung then 2 lbs tighter than my Rads.. . Nice rackets!!
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kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
I just played and won my league match with a wood racket, my trusty pro kennex Blue Ace. 1st time I’ve tried playing a ‘for real’ match with it and it worked wonders.
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
Good ol' rackets!
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
When I'm not playing with a legend (200G, PS85, POG, MW 200G, Challenge No. 1, Comfort Edge etc), my racket to win matches with is a 1988 Prince Tricomp 110. Just so reliable against big hitters.
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Have you tried the Head Extreme Competition twin tube?
slice bh compliment
G.O.A.T.
Just enjoyed a half hour with a mid-nineties Prestige Mid 89.5 head with gut mains and poly crosses. So good!
edit: this is a 1987 model…thank you, kevinqmto.
edit: this is a 1987 model…thank you, kevinqmto.
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