Diary of a Racketaholic

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by smirker

A softish, 100sq.in. tweener has always aroused my interest.

Me too. Currently with the Yonex Xi 100 and PD 2012. Both nice but I suspect there could be a better option out there. My picks would be the Pacific X-feel Tour (pretty unique specs for a tweener) and the PK Ki5 295 (Euro version but the Q5 295 would be close). If you have easy access to a demo I would be interested to have your thoughts. Demoing is a PITA in the UK.

Jim, should you pursue that 'better option' you know where to send that Xi 100 and Black Drive.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Jim, should you pursue that 'better option' you know where to send that Xi 100 and Black Drive.

Might take you up on that Ross. for the Xi at any rate. Played with both last night and the PD performed better but still that nagging stiffness. The Xi is way more comfortable but not the predictable response of the PD. Suspect the Xi will play much better with a poly in it. PM me if interested.

[smirker]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Well, let's see how I'm liking this older PD first. I'm also paying close attention to what my arm is telling me soreness-wise. Anyhow, I'm guessing the PD Team and 2012 PD share enough traits for me to get a good idea.

I'll say at this stage though, despite some undoubted cons, the PD does seem to address two of my slight quibbles re the APD, namely it provides more serve heat (and I really enjoyed this aspect yesterday), and it swung a bit easier and faster, I felt my maneuverability was slightly better.

On the down-side, it doesn't keep up with the APD/O in terms of basic b-line blasting (or not of the high trajectory, spinny, arching variety), somehow APD/O appears more effortlessly oomphy from the backcourt! The APD/O is nicer feel and flex-wise. Seems more solid slightly (PD did seem a tad weaker somehow).

And on a note of vanity, a negative for me re any possible prolonged usage of the PD would be the prospect of looking like every other Joe Shmoe out there with their PDs... on the the adjoining 2 courts next to us yesterday, there were other 2 PD users. Irrelevant ultimately, I know, but at least when you wield an APD Original, it's a bit more, er... original.

Ross, the 2012 version of the PD addresses the areas in which you feel yours is lacking. The overall feel for me is firm & solid. Whatever dampening tech they have put in it seems to work. What I like about it is its versatility. You can hit spin from the baseline effectively and also serve/volley with it. I have mine set up with 5g at the top of the handle and 4g at 3/9. Just hits a very solid ball. Stringing it tonight with Polystar Energy which I hope will be perfect for the PD.

[sansaephanh]

guys, I think I have to switch sticks again... =/. It's more of a pondering altercation to my game.

The RDiS200 is a great stick, but due to my left wrist, I am unable to hit my 2hbh without painful repercussions. I have switched to an 1hbh and can hit rally shots, but can't seem to hit as precise as I need to be for match play (even 3.5 matchplay).

I borrowed a friend's K90 and it automatically clicked with all my shots. It takes a little spin off my serves and I was punished for mishits more often, but the level of potential playability a solid mid provided me just completely outshined the RDiS200. I've always been a fan of players sticks, but the RDiS200 really changed my game. It allowed me to swing a bit quicker for defensive shots and actually won me a set 6-1 due to how much it let me grind out points. Though mids tend to let me have more depth and directional control, as well as the weight to hit a nice enough angle or power shot to get me a winner or into a neutral rally.

I'm back into the mindset that maybe this racket isn't quite what I needed after all...

A good friend told me he used to be afraid of my shots when he came in at net. Now that i've switched, I can't quite invoke the same fear as when I was using mids/95s. Unless I switch to a hard topspin game like the rest of the world, I can't see me being as successful with this racket as a mid. I think its just self doubt, slumps, and lack of adaptation that may be adding up here, but that one day with the K90 was either a sign or a honeymoon phase.

I miss mids. I love the spin, the comfort, and the FORGIVENESS of the RDiS200, but does it really work for me?

I'm going to spend more time trying to groove with the RDiS200, but this doubt is going to bug me for a bit...

EDIT: I'm going to be messing with my closet sticks now... I wish i hadn't sold my Diablo Mids (T~T)

[Ross K]

Jim - message sent.

sans - Yes, it's funny, isn't it. I know exactly what you mean, but I'm in the reverse situation to you. By which I mean that if I'm not topspin b-line blasting (yes, like the rest of the world) in the proscribed manner, I'm moving away from my strengths. When it starts getting too all-court, I'm out of my comfort zone and my game begins to get stretched.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by JGads

Of course. It will be an honor to swing the "Mikelers." Mik 1 and Mik 2, I'll call them for now.

I approve of the new names.

[Power Player]

Sans it's not the racquet. You have to stick with something and get better. I can about guarantee your timing is bad right now. The k90 won't help your game and you will probably struggle mightily post honeymoon.

[gatorbait01]

SIAP, but has anyone seen the thread where the tennis pro from Cananda is posting?

He made all 4 jr slams and won Wimbledon and US open.

What I found amazing is he uses a stock Blade 98. It's about 11.2 oz strung. More proof to use what YOU play best with.

[klementine79]

Originally Posted by JGads

Welcome back.

Ha... don't know whether to say 'Thank you' or what.

Truth is, I believe I'm finally 100% recovered from my injury and subsequent rehab. Still doing my exercises before bed, when I wake and before and after hitting/workouts.

Really want to get a hold of some PK sticks for demo'ng and on the short list the Pacific X-fast. Anyone has any experience with this? Seems like a nice, comfortable PD clone.

I usually prefer softer, 18x20 frames, hence the inability to let go of my exoTour modded, but not much in the way of selection when it comes to those. Willing to try some other options as well.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by gatorbait01

SIAP, but has anyone seen the thread where the tennis pro from Cananda is posting?

He made all 4 jr slams and won Wimbledon and US open.

What I found amazing is he uses a stock Blade 98. It's about 11.2 oz strung. More proof to use what YOU play best with.

Cool. I will to find it. And yeah its all about timing. Have to be able to make contact out in front every time. That's how you find the ideal weighting.

[bad_call]

Originally Posted by sansaephanh

guys, I think I have to switch sticks again... =/. It's more of a pondering altercation to my game.

The RDiS200 is a great stick, but due to my left wrist, I am unable to hit my 2hbh without painful repercussions. I have switched to an 1hbh and can hit rally shots, but can't seem to hit as precise as I need to be for match play (even 3.5 matchplay).

I borrowed a friend's K90 and it automatically clicked with all my shots. It takes a little spin off my serves and I was punished for mishits more often, but the level of potential playability a solid mid provided me just completely outshined the RDiS200. I've always been a fan of players sticks, but the RDiS200 really changed my game. It allowed me to swing a bit quicker for defensive shots and actually won me a set 6-1 due to how much it let me grind out points. Though mids tend to let me have more depth and directional control, as well as the weight to hit a nice enough angle or power shot to get me a winner or into a neutral rally.

I'm back into the mindset that maybe this racket isn't quite what I needed after all...

A good friend told me he used to be afraid of my shots when he came in at net. Now that i've switched, I can't quite invoke the same fear as when I was using mids/95s. Unless I switch to a hard topspin game like the rest of the world, I can't see me being as successful with this racket as a mid. I think its just self doubt, slumps, and lack of adaptation that may be adding up here, but that one day with the K90 was either a sign or a honeymoon phase.

I miss mids. I love the spin, the comfort, and the FORGIVENESS of the RDiS200, but does it really work for me?

I'm going to spend more time trying to groove with the RDiS200, but this doubt is going to bug me for a bit...

EDIT: I'm going to be messing with my closet sticks now... I wish i hadn't sold my Diablo Mids (T~T)

got a scuffed up Diablo Mid if you decide to let go of the yy200.

[gatorbait01]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Cool. I will to find it. And yeah its all about timing. Have to be able to make contact out in front every time. That's how you find the ideal weighting.

Thread is titled "Ask me anything about being a tennis professional"

Dude is raked about 550 in the world. His name is Filip Peliwo.

[Ross K]

gator - yes I read that thread with avid interest (and checked the vids on youtube) and also took note of his stock Blade 98... absolute proof you don't need pro-stock this and TGK-PT-238.5-bla-bla that, and convoluted mod set ups etc - this kid won Wimbledon Juniors final for crying out loud (beating our very own great prospect for the future, Liam Broady)! So good to have someone of his calibre making threads on TT.

klem - excellent news that you're feeling good again. I look forward to your usual drollery re all things racketaholic.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by gatorbait01

SIAP, but has anyone seen the thread where the tennis pro from Cananda is posting?

He made all 4 jr slams and won Wimbledon and US open.

What I found amazing is he uses a stock Blade 98. It's about 11.2 oz strung. More proof to use what YOU play best with.

You know, I played a stock Blade 98 for awhile before I felt like I needed something with more stability and then came across this forum. That was the end of me. Still wonder if I could have made that frame work for me with just lead tweaks or something, and if I should have just stuck with it as I truly loved that frame in all areas except for volleys. It just died at the net, but from the back and on serve, loved it. People say Raonic still plays with a retail KBlade 98 as well. Surely it's tweaked with lead and such, but still interesting.

[Power Player]

That new Blade 98 has a nice SW to it. I bet it hits a rather heavy ball even in stock weight.

[Fuji]

Blade 98 was weird for me, it had so much crazy power, swung like a feather, but felt as stiff as board with MCS @ 52lbs which amazed me. Just a really odd hit, the flex sensation in it was amazing though, the ball feel was so cool!

-Fuji

[Power Player]

Yeah so the blade is pretty stiff eh? But then you are saying there is flex..interesting.

I have a Pro Open I am going to try and trade in to TW so Im curious to maybe get an 18x20 or a pro staff 95 since I have 3 Rdis 200s already.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Yeah so the blade is pretty stiff eh? But then you are saying there is flex..interesting.

I have a Pro Open I am going to try and trade in to TW so Im curious to maybe get an 18x20 or a pro staff 95 since I have 3 Rdis 200s already.

Well it's a really weird response! For me the Blade stringbed felt stiff, but on it's almost like the throat flexed an INSANE amount. You can literally feel the frame bend and throw the ball back, it's just that the bed itself strung up really really board like.

Not sure if it was just me, but it's a super interesting feeling frame. The power that I was able to generate on serves was immense.

-Fuji

[Power Player]

Well it is a very respected and highly used frame. It also gets a lot of spin for a tight pattern. Id love to get a gads comparison between it and the ps95 since they are both fairly flexy by the numbers.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Well it is a very respected and highly used frame. It also gets a lot of spin for a tight pattern. Id love to get a gads comparison between it and the ps95 since they are both fairly flexy by the numbers.

Definitely! If it was an open pattern I'd be all over it, given I had enough time to adjust to the feel. I've been using the Youtek Rad Pro's at a really weird spec lately and it's just an ultra comfy ride for me.

-Fuji