Diary of a Racketaholic

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Fed Kennedy

Im Barry Zito...but I could not be happier about the Kap era.

Patiently awaiting the steam 99s...

Did you get a chance to try the blade tour?

You're a mysterious man, Kennedy.

[Fed Kennedy]

Originally Posted by JGads

Did you get a chance to try the blade tour?

You're a mysterious man, Kennedy.

Not yet...I have a fed stick with 4g at 40 lbs for this week

[Murray_fan1]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Murray, others,

Outlast eh?... I was considering checking a set of this out. Supposed to hybrid excellently re gut/poly. General impressions?...


Ray,

A resounding 'yes' to your question. I have indeed come up against tricksy types, players slicing and dicing, pulling me in, or testing my more all court game, etc. An improvement here for sure with the J over the APD. By some distance actually.


Murray,

All I can say about above post and how so much can be due to the string-job is... quoted for truth! Having been guilty of this before, that's one thing I wanted to do with recent tests of J, PD and APD, so taking your time to look at different strings is an essential fundamental, I agree.

It is a very good all around poly which is perfect for testing out in new frames as you know exactly what you get. I would argue that it is one of the better poly's out there in the feel/playability category similar in this regard to Black Magic. TBH my favorite ATM is Polybreak (sublime in the Prestige) and it would be in the blade right now if I hadn't run out.

[Power Player]

Murray, Full poly in the blade? Nice. I could see how that could be pretty fantastic. I put some 16 gauge OGSM crosses in since that was all I had, and I have to say I like the feel of going up a gauge. Interested in seeing how it plays out for me. Still loving the 4g as my mains. Amazing string, if crossed with OGSM, the price drops to under $10 a job.

Gads, nice to hear you hit with the same grip. My coach taught me the nice driving forehand, but I never thought to tweak my grip. I was hitting a lot of short balls until I made this change. Now I am hitting my backhand a lot more square and clean. Hopefully this continues.

Really brings up a Holicy thought though - I have not seen gads play, but it sounds like we hit the same. On paper, we should be using open pattern sticks, but it seems as if I play better when a racquet pushes me more towards hitting flatter. Not that I ever would hit flat, but combining my forehand with an open pattern stick can result in a fluffier ball with too much spin, or if I compensate, a tendency to hit long or dangerously close to the lines every time. With the Blade, I hit far less fluff and much more driving shots that stay in the lines - gives me confidence out there. I will test this theory possibly tonight as I anticipate the arrival of the APD.

Also, another thing I notice..I hit open stance a lot, but there really is so much power and control when I step in with my left foot more against players who hit softer. The open stance seems to push my balance backwards more than I want. I know all the techniquenerds swear by open stance all the time, but when I get my weight moving forward onto my left foot, I can crush the ball with so much more accuracy.

[Power Player]

One other thing - bags. This is the time to get bags if you need one - black friday, new bag releases in early '13..etc. Looks like I will be selling my beloved 200s with the yonex bag tomorrow to a local TTer.

My friend has had the Wilson Tour 9 bag, and I have to say it is a thing of beauty. Not just the PJ, but the pockets and lay out. It has the super important cell phone pocket with a soft inside and a lot of padding. Has a wetpocket as well for shoes and sweaty clothes.

A no brainer replacement for me since the blade colored one is on sale now. I liked the yonex bag and find it high quality, but the wilson is a little smaller and seems to hold its shape better. Those little things are key for me since I bike to my tennis club a lot and the bag makes a huge difference. If I didnt bike, I'd probably do something more FedK like..a trader joe's bag, or something equally hipster.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Power Player

One other thing - bags. This is the time to get bags if you need one - black friday, new bag releases in early '13..etc. Looks like I will be selling my beloved 200s with the yonex bag tomorrow to a local TTer.

My friend has had the Wilson Tour 9 bag, and I have to say it is a thing of beauty. Not just the PJ, but the pockets and lay out. It has the super important cell phone pocket with a soft inside and a lot of padding. Has a wetpocket as well for shoes and sweaty clothes.

A no brainer replacement for me since the blade colored one is on sale now. I liked the yonex bag and find it high quality, but the wilson is a little smaller and seems to hold its shape better. Those little things are key for me since I bike to my tennis club a lot and the bag makes a huge difference. If I didnt bike, I'd probably do something more FedK like..a trader joe's bag, or something equally hipster.

can u provide a link to the Wilson bag on sale? I see the backpack is on sale...is that what u meant?

[JackB1]

if any of you guys are interested in a great deal, you can get a reel of Black Venom for 40% off at the tennis site named similarly to the home improvement superstore. Use cyber40 promo code.
Black Venom is one of the best black poly's around....soft, good pop and decent tension maintenance. If you like this string, this deal is a no brainer. TW usually matches price if u want to try and order through them instead.

[Power Player]

Jack the mid west store is a place to check for the Wilson Tour 9 racuqet bag, not the backpack.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Jack the mid west store is a place to check for the Wilson Tour 9 racuqet bag, not the backpack.

thanks bud. I wonder why the 12 pack is cheaper than the 9?

and when we gonna see some of that video you keep teasing us about???

I am going to shoot some match play video today and hopefully post some of it later.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Murray, Full poly in the blade? Nice. I could see how that could be pretty fantastic. I put some 16 gauge OGSM crosses in since that was all I had, and I have to say I like the feel of going up a gauge. Interested in seeing how it plays out for me. Still loving the 4g as my mains. Amazing string, if crossed with OGSM, the price drops to under $10 a job.

Gads, nice to hear you hit with the same grip. My coach taught me the nice driving forehand, but I never thought to tweak my grip. I was hitting a lot of short balls until I made this change. Now I am hitting my backhand a lot more square and clean. Hopefully this continues.

Really brings up a Holicy thought though - I have not seen gads play, but it sounds like we hit the same. On paper, we should be using open pattern sticks, but it seems as if I play better when a racquet pushes me more towards hitting flatter. Not that I ever would hit flat, but combining my forehand with an open pattern stick can result in a fluffier ball with too much spin, or if I compensate, a tendency to hit long or dangerously close to the lines every time. With the Blade, I hit far less fluff and much more driving shots that stay in the lines - gives me confidence out there. I will test this theory possibly tonight as I anticipate the arrival of the APD.

Also, another thing I notice..I hit open stance a lot, but there really is so much power and control when I step in with my left foot more against players who hit softer. The open stance seems to push my balance backwards more than I want. I know all the techniquenerds swear by open stance all the time, but when I get my weight moving forward onto my left foot, I can crush the ball with so much more accuracy.

We're on the same page here. MD mentioned how we were talking about this the other day and it's exactly why I've long gone against the idea that spin-hitting players should always hit with open patterns, flat hitters should go closed pattern, the APD is made for spinsters, etc, and argued that the other way around has, more often than not, worked for me: closed patterns tend to bring my trajectory down to where I pierce the court more (not to mention the more pinpoint accuracy), and quite frankly, I'm still hitting with spin. Just not so much that the ball is loopy and unpredictable. MD hits a naturally flatter ball, and he's been much better with the APD than me... A lot of my big spinny shots with the apd end up just being too loopy and just long, whereas he's been able to keep it tamed just enough so that the ball is clipping more lines.

A lot of it also has to do with stiffness and power level, I think. Softer sticks with very open patterns, I've been more successful with than the super stiff open patterns. I was able to achieve more depth and trajectory control with sticks like the BC20 or even Yonex 200. With blasters like the APDs and Pure Drives of the world, the ball just seems to trampoline off the bed and go just long. There were a few shots against MD where, with the APD, I don't feel like I'm hitting long but the ball still flies just past the baseline.

As always, different strokes, different folks.

[Power Player]

Yes there are no rules it seems. I have the new APd in hand and will test our theory tonight against the mighty blade.

Jack I have a video that ran for 2 gigs..way too long and I need to just grab a couple minutes of hitting and then post it up when I get a chance to chop it. Do not fear, I have a plan. I am tweaking my footwork a little for my own benefit, and should be able to show some before and after.

Hoping to film some hitting with the APD as well..just boils down to what courts I play on this week as some have windscreens.

Loving this easy video bungee trick though..it is really going to help me out.

BTW the Wilson 9 may be more because it of features. Not sure. The size to pocket and space ratio is the absolute best. You can fit shoes, clothes, balls, water and 4-5 sticks in the bag with no problem. It is a perfect size for any club player.

[sansaephanh]

allright guys, I'm going to lay off sticks for a while. Its gonna be hard. With all these new rackets coming i can already smell the closet RH's and suckers who wanna sell their old sticks asap for the newest models.... But i'm gonna try to invest in a Alpha Revo 4000 machine and string on the side. Just keep working and finding my perfect stringbed... Gotta save up for when I decide to move out!

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by sansaephanh

allright guys, I'm going to lay off sticks for a while. Its gonna be hard. With all these new rackets coming i can already smell the closet RH's and suckers who wanna sell their old sticks asap for the newest models.... But i'm gonna try to invest in a Alpha Revo 4000 machine and string on the side. Just keep working and finding my perfect stringbed... Gotta save up for when I decide to move out!

The strings are more important anyways.

[Power Player]

My Babo review is up -

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...&postcount=138

Short version - the Blade is a much more comfortable stick, with more control and plow. I did really enjoy the APD, but I too felt it in the wrist and I know long term that I'd be craving a control stick rather soon. That being said, my mind is back open to the Steam Room. I honestly think the Steam is the tweener to demo. The APD is nice, but we all know what it does. Also if the Steam really does get that much spin, it should be easier to keep in the lines. For now, I Blade. I think Placement is everything, and I have been playing great tennis with the Blade as it hits such a driving, accurate laser.

Something I tried tonight while playing...every time, I mean every shot, in my head I would tell myself the stance to hit in. Wide ball to my forehand, I would think "open". short ball - "closed". Backhand - "closed". What I find is that I was hitting much cleaner shots by telling myself what stance to hit out of. I came up in the 90s so for me, stepping into the ball can sometimes be a natural reaction and my feet can get frozen at times. So this little mental drill seems to help.

Also, I dont care what anyone says, semi closed stance is GOAT on forehands that you have time to attack. Stepping into a short ball is the way to go. Your % of winners will go up. I have no idea why some of the people on the technique forum here think you should always hit open, but for me, open is how I generate power when i dont have as much time.

On the backhands, thinking closed before setting up gets my weight forward and my stance aligned right.

Anyway, just a thought from my evening. I didnt film tonight, but I will do it when I get a willing partner again and should be able to show the difference.

[Ross K]

^^^ PP,

Just read your well thought out review. Nice one.

[mad dog1]

PP, echoing Ross K's sentiments, nice review indeed. i'm interested to see if the stick will grow on you a bit as you spend more time w/ it. i found that it did on my 2nd hit. it's a shame it's so stiff and uncomfortable though because it really can crack winners from literally anywhere on the court.

and i agree w/ you on stances as well. i find that i hit a much cleaner more penetrating ball w/ a semi closed stance as well. open is how i am forced to hit when i'm rushed. i also hit much better 1hbhs when i remind myself to move my feet, close my stance and turn my shoulders enough so i can get my RHS up and drive my weight into the shot. good stuff. glad to hear that i'm not the only one who talks to himself on the court.

[JackB1]

PP, nice review indeed. Could u compare the new APD to the PD12 for me? Which felt stiffer, more forgiving, powerful, etc?
I like that it feels heavier. The PD12 stock was too light for me.
But my biggest issue with it was, without full multi, my wrist and shoulder felt sore afterwards. No elbow pain, but could definitely feel it in my wrist and shoulder.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by JackB1

PP, nice review indeed. Could u compare the new APD to the PD12 for me? Which felt stiffer, more forgiving, powerful, etc?
I like that it feels heavier. The PD12 stock was too light for me.
But my biggest issue with it was, without full multi, my wrist and shoulder felt sore afterwards. No elbow pain, but could definitely feel it in my wrist and shoulder.

Thanks guys. Ok, the PD 2012 actually felt a little easier on my arm, but not by much. In terms of power the APD has more due to the SW. The biggest thing about all these sticks is you need full poly for control. You could weight it up and do the tsonga setup, which would slow down your swing and allow you to put gut mains in. That is what I did with the Pure Drive and it was awesome, but now that I have a racquet I can rip with, I find it better for my game to play with less powerful racquets under pressure. I also like the sticks a stock weight because that is when the spin gets good.

If I had to play the PD or the APD at stock weight, Im going APD. It is fine with no lead, but if you added a little at 12 and the butt, it would have more plow.

In terms of comfort, I see no improvement at all besides less vibrations.

This leads me to my next demo : I should have a Steam 99s in my hands by Friday.

I honestly am stoked because it will have that wilson gripshape and feel and if there was ever a stick to have next to my blades in the bag, it would be this one. Same weight and balance, so it will answer a ton of questions in terms of what I prefer. If I do like it, I could see myself Gadsing out with 2 Blades and a Steam in the bag. Just taking my time on a nice extended matchplay comparison.

My point is simple..the Bab is nice, but I think the Steam is the tweener that will actually offer something new from what we are used to. We all know what the Babs, Juices, Pro Opens, yy100s...etc do. We don't know what the steam will offer.

Continue Juicing. Wait for the Steam.

[PED]

I hit with my APD13 this am.

Fact #1: it's an apd.

If you like the pd or apd you will likely enjoy this one. There are improvements and tweeks but it's def a Bab.

If you don't like Babolats, it's not likely that you will switch to this one.

There are some improvements: I did find that it feels much better on contact with the new cortex and handle: its much more solid overall and I would play it stock if I switched to it.

As Maddog noted above, it swings lighter than the older versions and that's a big plus. However, it still feels less mobile than my Prestige S. The S weights 5g more and has the same balance: 33cm. My apd13 weights 324g with a rubber band and tourna.

Looking forward to hitting some more with it but I also found what PP did: the trajectory is a bit higher than it is with some other sticks, I prefer to produce a driving lower traj ball: look at the TW review video, you can notice the difference to what they were hitting with the Blade.

My right collarbone area is throbbing right now after hitting this am. I had a similar feeling with the GT versions of the PDR and apd but not the apd original or apdc.

My S feels like a wand in my hand, it comes around lightening fast and I'm rarely late: the apd swings faster than before but the 100" hoop and big beam is not as agile. Looking forward to PPs feedback on the Steam.

Ideally, I would love to have full TB in this stick at 43/42 and a 1/4 grip to get a true feel on the stick. It's really nice of TW to give us an extended demo with this stick

[mad dog1]

Originally Posted by PED

I hit with my APD13 this am.

Fact #1: it's an apd.

If you like the pd or apd you will likely enjoy this one. There are improvements and tweeks but it's def a Bab.

If you don't like Babolats, it's not likely that you will switch to this one.

There are some improvements: I did find that it feels much better on contact with the new cortex and handle: its much more solid overall and I would play it stock if I switched to it.

As Maddog noted above, it swings lighter than the older versions and that's a big plus. However, it still feels less mobile than my Prestige S. The S weights 5g more and has the same balance: 33cm. My apd13 weights 324g with a rubber band and tourna.

Looking forward to hitting some more with it but I also found what PP did: the trajectory is a bit higher than it is with some other sticks, I prefer to produce a driving lower traj ball: look at the TW review video, you can notice the difference to what they were hitting with the Blade.

My right collarbone area is throbbing right now after hitting this am. I had a similar feeling with the GT versions of the PDR and apd but not the apd original or apdc.

My S feels like a wand in my hand, it comes around lightening fast and I'm rarely late: the apd swings faster than before but the 100" hoop and big beam is not as agile. Looking forward to PPs feedback on the Steam.

Ideally, I would love to have full TB in this stick at 43/42 and a 1/4 grip to get a true feel on the stick. It's really nice of TW to give us an extended demo with this stick

quoted & bolded for truth!