Switching to BABOLAT, can't believe it!

[TennisMD]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I really love the Pure Drive and think the newest PDR is incredible. The main issue for me is the stiffness. I played a lot of contact sports, fell off bikes and punched a few too many people in the face in my day, so softer is better for me. The PDR has a really nice sweet spot, but I prefer old school ball feel where you really feel connected. The Pure Storm has that for me.

Also, I with a lot of spin anyway so I prefer sticks that make me flatten the ball out a little.

I just crave control over anything. The softer closed pattern racquets are best at that.

The above quote touches on a key point ones individual preferences.
I have played with both pure storm tour( non GT ) and a great rkt, if I am set up great footwork I can play a very effective game. However Tennis is a game of put the ball where your opponent is not, so I have given the edge tp PDR allows me to create offense out of defense , also the PDR is a more penetrating rkt especially on serve and hence this rkt allows me to win more bottom line.
Also interesting statement in this thread about majority developed their tennis 1970 to 90, how accurate I don't know, but I did not track and triathlons major endeavors of my youth. So when I started Tennis and took lessons Agassi was a model I adopted semi western grip on FH wind shield wiper forehand 2 handed BH So again as the qouter of this comment old school VS modern again goes to my theory of technique rules but fitness and genetic tendency also comes to play

[Mick3391]

Originally Posted by El Zed

Ah, a topic near and dear to my heart....

To the OP, if your post is sincere, then congratulations. I think its commendable to search for something new that is starkly outside of one's comfort zone.

If you passively observe the comments on this board, I think you'll get a very skewed perspective on racquets. First, it appears as though a significant portion of the posters here (if not the majority, if not the vast majority) took to tennis and developed their game in the 1970s-1990s. This inherently leads to a preference for "players frames" - thin, relatively heavy, soft flex, small head size, etc., etc. This commonly results in the recommendation of such frames, which after a certain period of time has turned into gospel. What's remarkable, however, is that there is no mention that while these racquets are great for a certain style of play (i.e. the flat hitter - employing spin or not), there are better options out there for those who employ a modern stroke. To be fair, the corollary is correct - if you're a classic style, or an all-courter, there are much better options than the PD or APDs.

You'll then have people claiming that the use of Babolats give rise to arm injuries. Absent, again, is the consideration of such injury and the use of a modern stroke. Instead, you'll have someone trying to use these racquets (of course, strung with Poly at Rafa specs) as they would use an old graphite master with natural gut - only to be amazed that their arms hurt after a bit. Well, duh. Admittedly, Babolat doesn't say these racquets can only be used for uber-spin windshield wiper strokes with a western grip, but that's as implied as someone with such a stroke finding the Pro Staff reissue (for example) as less than stellar.

Finally, the claim of feel. Should a racquet have great feel upon purchase? Yes, preferable so, but it could be argued that the PD or APD (in particular) are more akin to a plat-form frame. It's not rocket science - there's a reason virtually all pro-stock frames are filled with silicone. Shockingly, however, few of the people on here have tried or will try an APD with silicone before passing judgment on "feel." Here's a hint - it's not dissimilar to the transformation a TGK or TGT frame enjoys relative to its retail brethren. Don't believe me? Try to lead-up and silicone an APD or PD to the 12.5 oz range - one of the sweetest hitting experiences I've enjoyed. This while allowing you the opportunity to avoid dealing with the sellers of pro-stock frames, such as the shadowy character founds on String Forum for instance.

We all have our perceptions and perspectives. Again, it's nice to see someone move past theirs in an effort to improve their game.

Yea that's kind of the point of this thread, that I'm "Old School", all court player, only will play smaller, heavy racquets, it's emotional. I simply admit that even though I don't like Bab, and don't have a so called "Modern Stroke", I'm one handed eastern everything, I simply love the racquet, it does everything the rest does but more. The power doesn't bother me as I can keep it in, just a great racquet, again can't believe I'm playing a Bab

[Ashley D]

So you're telling me all those times you absolutely trashed anyone and everyone who used a bab (and there were many times) you'd never actually hit with one? You really are hypocrisy personified.

[lawlaw]

Originally Posted by Relinquis

lawlaw,

you're going to repaint a stick without having used it first?!

Yep, they'll be getting no free advertising from me. These modern frames tend to have hideous looking paint jobs with branding all over the place. I can do without all of that. Ironically though, more people come over to ask what frame I am using when they are sprayed up.

I had a hit with a Pro Staff 95 Classic which felt almost as good as my favourite frame of all time (PS 6.0 85). I thought I'd grab a batch of earlier model 6.1 95 and spray them up. They were selling for peanuts, but annoyingly Wilson had withdrawn them from sale when I got around to ordering. Decided to give the Babolat frames a try instead, and with them costing about the same price as a few tins of balls (assuming you are not from the U.S, land of wonderfully priced sport equipment) the deal was sealed! Paying $125+ more because they've changed a horrible paint job to another horrible paint job wasn't going to happen.

Racquet companies really should be called to task for their blatantly deceiving marketing. I understand that you can't sell the same looking frame forever, but making it look like the pros are using the "latest and greatest" is a step too far IMO.

First thoughts: It's the first time I've so much as held a frame with such an enormous headsize. 95 was already pushing the limits of acceptability for me. However with it sitting beside me now, the 98 doesn't look too bad with nothing around to compare it to. Still to be re-gripped in leather, weighted etc. as the frame is far too light in stock form.

Deciding on the paint job at the moment. Heart says something wild, maybe a scheme inspired by the Jeff Koons BMW art car or another motorsport colour scheme, head says keep them guessing with a stealth gloss and matt black effort. I might put a thread together on this if I get someone handy to spray them once I've stripped them. My previous efforts (sprayed by hand) looked good from far, but were far from good. Quite liked the rough finish though, they looked like they meant business

[mongting]

I started playing tennis with PDR and developed TE in two years. After switching to Prince Exo Tour, my TE is gone. The other day, I tried PDR again and I experienced the same thing you did. Everything is easy with this racket. Free power and a lot of spin. I hope PDR with full bed of natural gut wouldn't give me TE this time.

[Mick3391]

Originally Posted by Ashley D

So you're telling me all those times you absolutely trashed anyone and everyone who used a bab (and there were many times) you'd never actually hit with one? You really are hypocrisy personified.

You clearly are not intelligent enought to understand basic communication, as a typical know it all who doesn't actually listen, what you don't understand is that I said I was against people who use large size racquets to make up for their deficiencies in play.

That is the point of the post, something you can't understand. The "Amazing" part is that the large size racquets aren't just for those like you who can't play, but they have all the benefits in this case of smaller players racquets with the benefits not lost of smaller.

So please, you and your ilk read before you keep making a fool of yourself.

By the way to all, where do these people come from? Is this is what is meant by "Troll"? Someone who follows you around looking to try to make a person look bad? What is a "Troll", oh I know, a 5.5 player like me should know, right?

Sorry, should ignore these no-life morons, but sometimes......

PS: If you read this, you would know I HAD PLAYED THIS EXACT RACQUET BEFORE IDIOT

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by mongting

I started playing tennis with PDR and developed TE in two years. After switching to Prince Exo Tour, my TE is gone. The other day, I tried PDR again and I experienced the same thing you did. Everything is easy with this racket. Free power and a lot of spin. I hope PDR with full bed of natural gut wouldn't give me TE this time.

I would LOVE to play Babs and the newer hi power frames. I just can't as they hurt my wrist and forearm. I have a Bab PD GT that is pretty killer but unless I want my wrist to hurt for days after I can't use it.

So I've developed an appreciation for the old school, arm and wrist friendly sticks like Donnay and Prince POGs and Borons.

Which hit wonderfully solid balls so I'm not missing a ton. I do truthfully miss the insane power and spin from my RipSticks. But my old wrist does not

[Mick3391]

Originally Posted by v-verb

I would LOVE to play Babs and the newer hi power frames. I just can't as they hurt my wrist and forearm. I have a Bab PD GT that is pretty killer but unless I want my wrist to hurt for days after I can't use it.

So I've developed an appreciation for the old school, arm and wrist friendly sticks like Donnay and Prince POGs and Borons.

Which hit wonderfully solid balls so I'm not missing a ton. I do truthfully miss the insane power and spin from my RipSticks. But my old wrist does not

In the time you took to write this and other posts, play tennis, why not work your arm?

Why do so many wish to play tennis, then complain that there are results from it?

I have, PERMANTELY, as far as I can tell, golfers elbow, not that I golf, but the opposite side of my arm hurts, and it's weak, yet you will see the report from my local guy that I still jam.

Sissies should not play any sports, period, I mean you actually would rather switch racquets then work out your arm?

[Power Player]

Mick, you need to chill man. Have a beer, or have less beers. One or the other.

This was you in 2012:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...7&postcount=37

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by Mick3391

In the time you took to write this and other posts, play tennis, why not work your arm?

Why do so many wish to play tennis, then complain that there are results from it?

I have, PERMANTELY, as far as I can tell, golfers elbow, not that I golf, but the opposite side of my arm hurts, and it's weak, yet you will see the report from my local guy that I still jam.

Sissies should not play any sports, period, I mean you actually would rather switch racquets then work out your arm?

Please don't forget to take your medication again. Doubt you would call me a sissy to my face.

And don't assume that I don't exercise.

[Mick3391]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Mick, you need to chill man. Have a beer, or have less beers. One or the other.

This was you in 2012:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...7&postcount=37

Sorry dude. You are cool, always have been consistant. Sometimes I take out my frustrations on this forum, thank's for calling me on it!

[Mick3391]

Originally Posted by v-verb

Please don't forget to take your medication again. Doubt you would call me a sissy to my face.

And don't assume that I don't exercise.

Sorry about that, I was taking out the "Oh, I hurt my arm I'm going to sue" on you.

I'm sure you are bad *** and can whup a ex pro boxer

[Ashley D]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Mick, you need to chill man. Have a beer, or have less beers. One or the other.

This was you in 2012:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...7&postcount=37

Thank you Power Player. Mick, next you'll be telling us mid court is also known as no man's land. You used to really annoy me. Now I just feel sorry for you. You're clearly a slightly intellectually impaired alcoholic.

[Mick3391]

Originally Posted by Ashley D

Thank you Power Player. Mick, next you'll be telling us mid court is also known as no man's land. You used to really annoy me. Now I just feel sorry for you. You're clearly a slightly intellectually impaired alcoholic.

Thanks, you have historically always helped us on this forum, you are a good person!

I would appreciate it if you wouldn't stalk me on this forum, I'm sure there are others you can belittle and complain about, never seen anything else from you.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by gavna

All the complaints posted on this board about Babs are worthless and has got to be taken with a grain of salt. Looking at the sales figures and just how many folks are using them..........in tourneys and even at the club level - even the pros - yes they are world class athletes but just look how many are now using PDs and APDs.....check out a futures or challenge event freaking Babs everywhere - if they cause so much damage no one would use them.

Hmmmm......smoking causes a lot of damage too, yet billions of people around the world still smoke.

[Ashley D]

Originally Posted by Mick3391

Hey fool got a USTA tourny coming up! What will you say when I win???? What bad lies will you submit?

Can't wait to see!!!!!

What did happen at that tourney Mick. Did you win it? We never heard any more about it, so I'm guessing a first round loss? That would be unusual because in other posts you say 5.5 players are " cake" for you. You've already dropped your self rating from a 6.0 to a 5.5. Is it time to drop it to 5.0 now? Unless you won the tourney of course. But something tells me we would have all heard it by now if that were the case.

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by Mick3391

Sorry about that, I was taking out the "Oh, I hurt my arm I'm going to sue" on you.

I'm sure you are bad *** and can whup a ex pro boxer

Hey Mick,

No worries come to Toronto and I'll buy you a beer or many. No mention of whipping anyone was there? It's just harder dissing anyone to their face - that's all I meant

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by Ashley D

Thank you Power Player. Mick, next you'll be telling us mid court is also known as no man's land. You used to really annoy me. Now I just feel sorry for you. You're clearly a slightly intellectually impaired alcoholic.

I believe he told us what is behind -- the ex Pro Boxer -- got punched in the head one too many times...

Anyway, to the OP, thanks for replying to my previous question. 2-3 days with a racket means nothing...most of the time. Give it more time, past the Honeymoon period.

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by Ashley D

What did happen at that tourney Mick. Did you win it? We never heard any more about it, so I'm guessing a first round loss? That would be unusual because in other posts you say 5.5 players are " cake" for you. You've already dropped your self rating from a 6.0 to a 5.5. Is it time to drop it to 5.0 now? Unless you won the tourney of course. But something tells me we would have all heard it by now if that were the case.

Have we seen any videos of Mick? Usually 5.5's or above have no issues posting a video

[Ashley D]