Diary of a Racketaholic

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Meaghan

Good stuff and excellent review JG. Never hit with the 85 but i found the pt600 and Austrian graphite pro and comfort edge very similar in feel. Plush but solid with similar ball pocketing and on tap power.
I always preferred a closed pattern too but the last 6months i have not missed it with this racket. I tried my old TT rad the other week and the lower trajectory etc freaked me out a bit.

Totally hooked on this racket now. Not touched another in a long time and completely happy with every aspect. Added to that my string choice and my level of play has gone from strength to strength.

Cant wait for TW to take these as they Will soon be flying off the shelves. They are that good!

Agree with the 'flying off the shelves' likelihood. It's a special stick. Was on the phone with TW about something else and asked them about the BC20. Was told there is no plan to do so at the moment, that they are still essentially checking it out but definitely nothing is imminent.

[retlod]

Ross, you'd better add the Volkl Organix 8 to your demo list. You'll probably want to add some lead, but it plays like an APD only a little softer and not quite as much spin.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by retlod

Ross, you'd better add the Volkl Organix 8 to your demo list. You'll probably want to add some lead, but it plays like an APD only a little softer and not quite as much spin.

Thanks, but if I can help it, I'll just stick to the PP, APD and TF. That's proved enough of a nightmare choosing between these 3. Anyhow, hoping with the same string and a bit of modding, I'll be better placed now to gauge my preferences.... as I said though, just don't place a standard Swirly near me any time soon!

R

[Power Player]

Gads, good call.

I am probably going to buy that Black Ace, but I can't justify having 4 sticks right now, so in true TWtard form, will probably sell my retail Prestige just so I don't go broke buying racquets. I use the TGK so much that I don't really need the retail as well as 2 others right now. Kind of a tough call, but the retail is the stiffest and also heaviest, so that why I am leaning towards selling it. I will see what kind of action it gets. I'm kind of torn, because I love the racquet, but I can always buy another one if the Black Ace does not deliver for me as my backup. Pretty much am just paranoid about the wrist and going as flexy as possible. Regardless, they should all play the same, and I am about convinced the black ace is tweaked prestige 600 mid.

[Recon]

whats up racquet holics, im one by thought, not bank account. lol. I'm at a crossroad and I can't seem to follow the devil in any which path. I bought PSTGT+ awesome sticks, have them for about 3-4 months now, only problem is now my elbow and arm are shredded. Unfortunately I have to move away from this stick, I don't understand it though, it has a plush feel, and it didn't bother me for 2 months. I've tried everything, even synthetic gut but still my arm cries.

My dilemma here, and maybe I'm not alone on this one...is the constant battle between myself of loving mid sized frames, but knowing their obsolete for tennis today. If you look at the ATP you have 1 prominent figure using a mid, Federer, almost no one else, except Robin Haase who uses a prestige mid. There is no denying the performance of the tweener for me, the forgiveness and ability to return serve with some authority really help. With the mid (prestige of course, been a user since the beginning of my tennis) I feel I have to be on the gas, all the time. No allowance for defensive tennis, other than a sweet slice.

I'm also torn between open and closed string patterns, Open pattern are awesome for my serve and spin, but I feel if I slow down the racquet head speed just a bit on defensive plays the ball is a launcher! it just flies off the string bed, leaving you un-confident in your stroking abilities. With the closed pattern I feel I have way more control and more options YET I don't get the same spin/heavy ball that eats players backhands alive, and the trajectory is lame.

I honestly don't know what to play with anymore, i'm at a complete lost, I feel like if your good, you should be able to make a mid work, but its not competitively viable according to the best players in the world. What are the most used frames on tour? Radical/Prestiges and Wilson 95's? Yes? maybe i'm looking for celestial guidance, it doesn't help that these racquet companies keep coming out with promising racquets every 2 years with new paintjobs making your racquet feel less of a .. racquet. I know the technology is BS, but damn they run a good scheme.

The only thing i've definitely learned through all my trials and tribulations is I enjoy extended length racquets a hell of a lot more, my serve would agree. Whatever frame I end up with, be it a prestige pro or a babolat pure drive TennisWarehouse will be customizing my sticks to 27.5 in.

I really want to commit to one racquet, for the rest of my life, seriously, I am in the honest belief that once you have your racquet, your game can actually break out of its shell, you can...have full confidence in your racquet and just play your game. I don't want to be a racquetholic, do I sound like a addict pleading for help? maybe. I read this thread with confidence, I'd like to thank you all for constantly posting about racquets, but I also hate you bunch for giving my imagination food for thought.

Ideally I would like the PSTGT in a less log like feel, that thing is sluggish, seriously. I'm thinking prestige pro (extended) now...I remember playing out of my mind when I had my short vacation with the i.prestige mp, too bad it only lasted a week, it cracked on the throat from deterioration over time (previous owner never cared for it). What comes as close as possible to the I.prestige folks...save me!

Maybe I'm crazy. Damn. This. Disease.

[Power Player]

Mids are completely viable for about any level of tennis outside of the top 250 in the world, and some of them still use them.

If you are worried about that, you are thinking too much. The only way to know if mids work for you is to demo one. I like 95s too, there just realy are no rules. The bigger the racquet face, the more you lose, just like the smaller head as well.

If you need more control, better serve, then mids are awesome. That is what I need. If you are more focused on longer rallies, heavy top and not as worried about the big serve, then mid plusses like the APD are an option. You can still serve big with tweeners obviously, since Roddick is the king and uses one. But in general, the smaller headsize is going to help you out more there.

It's always a hunt, because your game evolves over time and your needs may change, but you have to figure out you need. It really does not matter what the pros are using because a pro could come out of nowhere using a mid, and everyone on TW will start talking about how great they are again.

[Devilito]

Originally Posted by Recon

My dilemma here, and maybe I'm not alone on this one...is the constant battle between myself of loving mid sized frames, but knowing their obsolete for tennis today. If you look at the ATP you have 1 prominent figure using a mid, Federer, almost no one else, except Robin Haase who uses a prestige mid.

Most pros use racquets they grew up playing with or a racquet that’s made by the manufacturer which is willing to pay them the most money. Now a days that money is probably fairly substantial even for those not named Federer or Nadal. Back in the 90s you had plenty of guys who used blacked out frames and forgoed sponsorship entirely so they could use what they liked best. Nobody in this generation of players grew up playing with PS85s or PC600. If they did, I bet tons would be still using them or similar updates to them. Look at Federer as an example. He uses a mid because he’s probably one of the few that grew up and turned pro using one. It has nothing to do with your conclusion that mids aren’t for modern tennis. That’s just rubbish.

[pyrokid]

Mids feel great, but I wasn't willing to get beaten by players who I was better than because it felt nice. There are tweener-ish racquets out there that feel good too, though. *cough* Ti.Radical *cough*

[Recon]

I really wish I could be as confident as you guys in that assumption, but i'm a tournament player, I can tell you I lost a lot more with a racquet I loved (prestige mid) then with the babolat. My coach has spoken to a fair amount of atp players, lower ranked (200-350) to be precise some coming from the same places we train, grew up with prestige mid, and now they have changed to tweener type frames. The simple physics coincide with the modern game, more sq inches, more room for heavy topspin strokes, on the slow courts of today's modern game. Trust me, I want to believe you guys, but I've seen first hand the performance these racquets are giving over the mids.

[Recon]

Originally Posted by pyrokid

Mids feel great, but I wasn't willing to get beaten by players who I was better than because it felt nice. There are tweener-ish racquets out there that feel good too, though. *cough* Ti.Radical *cough*

I feel the same bro. Even though the Radical is 94sq in I believe. & I agree on the Ti.radical, my friend has 5 and he wont part with them. He doesn't even think about all these newer frames.

[Devilito]

Originally Posted by Recon

I really wish I could be as confident as you guys in that assumption, but i'm a tournament player, I can tell you I lost a lot more with a racquet I loved (prestige mid) then with the babolat. My coach has spoken to a fair amount of atp players, lower ranked (200-350) to be precise some coming from the same places we train, grew up with prestige mid, and now they have changed to tweener type frames. The simple physics coincide with the modern game, more sq inches, more room for heavy topspin strokes, on the slow courts of today's modern game. Trust me, I want to believe you guys, but I've seen first hand the performance these racquets are giving over the mids.

Many pros now are in their early 20s. That would put them at 10 years old when Federer played Sampras. They were babies in the mid 90s. I highly doubt any of them started out using a PS85 or a PC600. New racquets may work well for modern strokes, but you don’t need modern stroke to win. If Safin was in his early 20s he’d still be wrecking face with his shots and his PC600. So basically I’d say use the racquet that suits your game. If you have a game like Djokovic or Nadal where it looks like you’re swinging a bullwhip instead of a tennis racquet, then go for it. If you have a more classic game like Safin, Federer or Petros then I don’t see how using a mid would hamper that.

[Recon]

Originally Posted by Devilito

Many pros now are in their early 20s. That would put them at 10 years old when Federer played Sampras. They were babies in the mid 90s. I highly doubt any of them started out using a PS85 or a PC600. New racquets may work well for modern strokes, but you don’t need modern stroke to win. If Safin was in his early 20s he’d still be wrecking face with his shots and his PC600. So basically I’d say use the racquet that suits your game. If you have a game like Djokovic or Nadal where it looks like you’re swinging a bullwhip instead of a tennis racquet, then go for it. If you have a more classic game like Safin, Federer or Petros then I don’t see how using a mid would hamper that.

Safin is a 6'6 muscle monster. I'm no where near his physicality or height. No one in the top 20 or any prospects are using mids, I would think for a reason. Theres no benefit to it. Even someone like Raonic who is classical, big serve, big forehand get to the net is not using a pc600. Look my intentions weren't to turn this thread into a mid/tweener war. I was just posting my thoughts on racquetholicism and my inner troubles with the love of mids, and the undeniable performance of tweeners. Ideally inbetween is a 95, and I think this is where I will go. Thank you Devilito. Btw nice game, saw your youtube vids, sick backhand.

In my head I've narrowed it down to either youtek radical which was amazing when I tried it (will be adding caps, and extending If i decide to go with this), or prestige pro, just a question of open/closed pattern and stiffness. The pro is closer to the I.Prestige in stiffness with that open pattern I like, but the radical had this undeniable factor, it just does everything well, you really can't look down and blame the stick.

[pyrokid]

Originally Posted by Recon

I feel the same bro. Even though the Radical is 94sq in I believe. & I agree on the Ti.radical, my friend has 5 and he wont part with them. He doesn't even think about all these newer frames.

I thought the Rad was around 94.5, but I'm not positive.

I switched to them a while ago and feel the same way. Don't feel like I'll ever need to switch again. It's been almost a year with my babies now, and I couldn't be more pleased.

[Devilito]

Originally Posted by Recon

Safin is a 6'6 muscle monster. I'm no where near his physicality or height. No one in the top 20 or any prospects are using mids, I would think for a reason. Theres no benefit to it. Even someone like Raonic who is classical, big serve, big forehand get to the net is not using a pc600. Look my intentions weren't to turn this thread into a mid/tweener war. I was just posting my thoughts on racquetholicism and my inner troubles with the love of mids, and the undeniable performance of tweeners. Ideally inbetween is a 95, and I think this is where I will go. Thank you Devilito. Btw nice game, saw your youtube vids, sick backhand.

heh, not a war, just a friendly discussion. Thanks for the compliment and good luck with your racquet hunt. Too bad the PST didn’t work out for you. You’d think it would be similar to what you’d be after. In terms of improving your game, don’t neglect off court work as well. Anyone that thinks a 12oz racquet is heavy or sluggish (not singling you out) really needs to do some weights and add strength and I’m not being facetious either. However, the Prestige MP is also nice so definitely give that a go.

[Power Player]

Safin was a monster, which is why he used lead in his sticks and strung them real tight with full poly as well.

I actually lost more to people I should beat when I had a tweener because I made more UEs then with the mid. They never gave me the control I really look for. But like I have said, if I hit the point where I suddenly am hampered by the mid, then I will play a 95 and be fine with it. I'd probably check out the Pure Storm Ltd again or more likely get a Prestige MP. I hate the balance of the Radical MPs or I would seriously consider it. I think I am more of a Prestige guy.

The real test begins now when it gets super hot here. This is when I really know what I can handle. Some days out here you could have a 10oz Wilson Hammer and you cant play for crap due to the heat.

[Ross K]

Recon,

1. I very largely agree with you re the mids debate, or certainly as it applies to me.

2. Your PP extended notion is instantly and quite horribly appealing!... why oh why oh why did you put that idea in my mind?!

R

[JGads]

Recon:

I'd like to pull out my pad, lick the tip of my pen and promptly write you a prescription to try out the ProKennex 7G. Haven't tried a load of extended frames in my time, but of the ones I've tried the 7G really stood out and everything you say you're looking for seems to point my mind to the 7G. Served spectacular and the feel was awesome. Also loved that it was more arm friendly (seems like you need that) than other extendeds, and the stringbed and flex really lent itself to a control-oriented response, about as much of a control oriented response as you can find in an extended. LOVED that frame (serves and backhands were sick) and would still be willing to pick it up on the cheap or as a trade, because it was so much fun. So I'd highly recommend that you give it a shot along with your other possibilities. Btw, the newer version of the 7G, the Ki 5X, didn't feel half as good to me as the 7G, but you can still demo the 7G through TW. And you wouldn't have to extend the frame yourself.

PP: if you don't get that Ace or don't want to sell that retail Prestige, keep my offer in mind. I'd LOVE to take a Classic or a TKG out for a short spin just to see (the 'slightly lighter and less brassy' description of your two special Prestiges intrigues me so) the difference. But of course, wishful thinking probably, but would be happy to send you one of my Aces for however long you need.

Everyone: I'm definitely jumping on the Tour Bite train that's been going traveling around here lately, picking up more and more passengers. What a great, crisp feeling string. I wonder if a full bed of it will tweak the elbow over time, though?

To all, a happy hitting week..

[Murray_fan1]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Yeah, I have never been that into volkls..the grip even bugs me as well.

Hey back off the Volkl hate !!!! Just kidding Before you right off the brand take a PB 10 Mid for demo. Buttery soft but not noodle like in any way. Not sure if you have ever tried out a Volkl before but the grip is very similar to the typical head pallet.

[Power Player]

Yeah I hit with the lighter pb9..it felt nice..I dont know, it didnt really blow me away, but i know a few guys who use them at my club.

[Murray_fan1]

PB 10 is a different animal . I have demoed most of the Volkl/Becker line and had the same kind of response as you. Racquets are o.k but nothing that would blow me away. The PB 10 is a very different story. Very unique racquet IMO. If you have the chance to demo give it a go.