Give up on PD ?

[bluegrasser]

I've tried every string combo and i still hit the ball out, I find I get more pop(serve) on a stick like a N/or K 6.1, but it's heavier and that's supposed to be for the young pups. I thought the PD would help me in the power dept, more winners etc., but with an eastern grip and only moderate topspin, I can't seem to make the adjustment. any suggestions on new sticks to try ?
Do you think 12.3 oz,sw 340 is too heavy for this middle ager, I do have a long swing on the forehand side..

[kingdaddy41788]

The PD sounds like it just isn't for you. If you're still hitting it out, I'd move on to another stick.

[megaforcetkd]

Originally Posted by bluegrasser

but with an eastern grip and only moderate topspin, I can't seem to make the adjustment.

That might be your problem. I've read that these Babolats really need the topspin to keep the ball in - don't take my my word as gold though, because I've never used one .

[z-money]

Originally Posted by bluegrasser

I've tried every string combo and i still hit the ball out, I find I get more pop(serve) on a stick like a N/or K 6.1, but it's heavier and that's supposed to be for the young pups. I thought the PD would help me in the power dept, more winners etc., but with an eastern grip and only moderate topspin, I can't seem to make the adjustment. any suggestions on new sticks to try ?
Do you think 12.3 oz,sw 340 is too heavy for this middle ager, I do have a long swing on the forehand side..

with that swing weight and weight of racket. i think u mean LM Prestige? It has ok power for a player frame. but it wont give you any more juice on the serve than your pd. if you need to you can add some lead to thd pd that may solve your problem. but the LM is much more flexible dont know if you want to go from stiff to flexi like that.

[z-money]

Originally Posted by megaforcetkd

That might be your problem. I've read that these Babolats really need the topspin to keep the ball in - don't take my my word as gold though, because I've never used one .

i agree to weild those rackets at their best you need a semi western at least. so that you can make topspin.

[AndrewD]

bluegrasser,

I'm already there. After 3 months I'm putting the PD aside and going to something with more flex. While it did give me excellent results on serve, volleys and slice approach it took away from what I do well with my groundstrokes - spin, placement, angles and touch. I did try to tell myself that the groundstrokes would eventually fall in to place, but they never did. My grips are similar to yours and I struggled to generate enough top while using the PD. However, when I picked up my TT Warrior, an nBlade, t10mp VE or 03 Tour MP I was able to spin the ball with no difficulty whatsoever. The big difference, I believe, is that the PD just doesn't have good enough dwell time for my style of game. Perhaps it's something similar with you.

If you'd like to continue with something close to the PD, I would recommend the APD. It has a lot of power, although not as much as the PD, and is a far more spin friendly racquet than the PD.

Another one to try would be the Volkl V1 Classic MP. Stiffer but comfortable and it does have an excellent reputation.

One other suggestion. I'm thinking now that, when I was looking for a bit more power, I should have considered an oversize with flex. That way I would have increased power levels but still retained the feel I need for my game style. That could be a worthwhile option for you as well.

[PED]

I think a semi western is a must for the PD. I'm in the process of adapting from eastern to semi and it makes all the difference on the PD. When you get it right however, you can rain in the winners and the pd feels great. I would advise you to give the SW grip a try at least. The PD seems to respond well to hybrid strings as well which softens up the stiffness a bit. I like hurricane tour and sensation in mine. I think Andrew D is right about the Aero. That is a sweet racquet and I have a much easier time spinning it than the pd. I think you are ok on the 12.3 oz stick. My o3 tour weighs in at 12.3 and it was just a matter of adapting to it. (I'm 42)

[bluegrasser]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

bluegrasser,

I'm already there. After 3 months I'm putting the PD aside and going to something with more flex. While it did give me excellent results on serve, volleys and slice approach it took away from what I do well with my groundstrokes - spin, placement, angles and touch. I did try to tell myself that the groundstrokes would eventually fall in to place, but they never did. My grips are similar to yours and I struggled to generate enough top while using the PD. However, when I picked up my TT Warrior, an nBlade, t10mp VE or 03 Tour MP I was able to spin the ball with no difficulty whatsoever. The big difference, I believe, is that the PD just doesn't have good enough dwell time for my style of game. Perhaps it's something similar with you.

If you'd like to continue with something close to the PD, I would recommend the APD. It has a lot of power, although not as much as the PD, and is a far more spin friendly racquet than the PD.

Another one to try would be the Volkl V1 Classic MP. Stiffer but comfortable and it does have an excellent reputation.

One other suggestion. I'm thinking now that, when I was looking for a bit more power, I should have considered an oversize with flex. That way I would have increased power levels but still retained the feel I need for my game style. That could be a worthwhile option for you as well.

I'm done with SS racquets - I picked up a new team 6.1 to try, and i'll try the new 03 tour when it comes out next month, it's supposed to have a little more weigh and pop than the original. Thanks for the suggestions - everyone

[Attila the tennis Bum]

Originally Posted by bluegrasser

I've tried every string combo and i still hit the ball out, I find I get more pop(serve) on a stick like a N/or K 6.1, but it's heavier and that's supposed to be for the young pups. I thought the PD would help me in the power dept, more winners etc., but with an eastern grip and only moderate topspin, I can't seem to make the adjustment. any suggestions on new sticks to try ?
Do you think 12.3 oz,sw 340 is too heavy for this middle ager, I do have a long swing on the forehand side..

why not just string it tighter?

[movdqa]

Originally Posted by Attila the tennis Bum

why not just string it tighter?

Popular route to arm problems.

[Micky]

Originally Posted by PED

I think a semi western is a must for the PD. I'm in the process of adapting from eastern to semi and it makes all the difference on the PD. When you get it right however, you can rain in the winners and the pd feels great. I would advise you to give the SW grip a try at least. The PD seems to respond well to hybrid strings as well which softens up the stiffness a bit. I like hurricane tour and sensation in mine. I think Andrew D is right about the Aero. That is a sweet racquet and I have a much easier time spinning it than the pd. I think you are ok on the 12.3 oz stick. My o3 tour weighs in at 12.3 and it was just a matter of adapting to it. (I'm 42)

Hola PED,

I have four friends in their 40's that have gone to the PD and have adjusted their Eastern grip to SW. The guys were talented enough to make the switch in less than 10 minutes. I am sure bluegrasser can go from his neutral stance to open stance and get his new SW grip to spin those balls in orgasmic levels.

[KingOfTennis]

why not get the K90 X or Lite

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by bluegrasser

I'm done with SS racquets - I picked up a new team 6.1 to try, and i'll try the new 03 tour when it comes out next month, it's supposed to have a little more weigh and pop than the original. Thanks for the suggestions - everyone

bluegrasser,

Don't forget to give the nBlade a try. It's very different to their usual fare - more flex, no pws and much better feel (closer to a Prestige than any Wilson I've hit with). Comfort is excellent, felt like it had a large sweetspot, good flex but a solid feel that belies the flex rating (similar to a Prestige or the old Max200G), not as flexy in the upper hoop like a t10mpGen2 or PS95 which gives you a bit more power, not overly head light but the lower static weight makes that managable, excellent feel/touch and the overall performance is excellent. Probably a low tension racquet and it would really shine with natural gut.

I loved what I could do with the 03 Tour MP and Prince is always my first preference (Im most comfortable with their grip shape and head shape) but the nBlade has given me another option. Im not sure about the power levels as the nBlade was strung at a lower tension but I think it has more pop than the 03 Tour MP, although not as much spin (even though the spin levels were very good). For an old-school Eastern player, I think it might be a better option than the Prince. I'll be leaning to the 03 but mainly because I loved the response on groundstrokes (could rally all day with that one), even if my slice has been better with other frames. Nat. gut or a nat.gut hybrid would be a good choice. You'd lose a bit of control but I think the power boost would be worth it (and it would feel like managable power).

Perhaps the Fischer Magnetic Pro would be worth trying as well. At least, it couldn't hurt.

?? I didn't know there was a new 03 Tour coming out. Is that merely another 03 racquet or is it actually an 03 Tour update?

[a guy]

Stick with the RDS 003 and add some lead to the head.

[kreative]

try the pure storm or o3 white.

[bluegrasser]

Originally Posted by kreative

try the pure storm or o3 white.

Hit with both - liked the 'Storm' better, but not enough for a change. Have a match today ( if weather holds out) and will give the 6.1 team a shot.

[bluegrasser]

Andrew:
The new 03 Tour ( gold in color ) is supposed to come out by the time the FOpen starts, the beam is a little thicker i'm told + it's heavier. This info was given to me by a Pro sponsored by ' Prince.

[nickb]

Have you tried out the pure storm and pure control...they are both better for players with less extreme grips imo..one of the flattest players I have ever seen uses the pure control to great affect.

[Attila the tennis Bum]

Originally Posted by movdqa

Popular route to arm problems.

Then why do you string at 62?

[movdqa]

Originally Posted by Attila the tennis Bum

Then why do you string at 62?

The Redondo has a flex rating of 56 and I'm using a very resiliant string so it has that buttery soft feeling, even at 62 pounds. Besides that was the midrange of the recommended stringing range.

The Dunlop weighs 16.4 ounces and, as you might imagine, doesn't have a lot of shock and vibration issues.