Going Full Time at Tennis

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

3 of my other friends also hit the thing, and comments were very similar. Only one guy liked it, he was a college/futures player and younger than me. He however settled on the 98inch version, which I could see being a useful frame.

J

The 98 was my suggestion! Nice frame indeed.

Moz, does TW not send demos overseas? Thinking...probably not...but maybe in your case they might make an exception?

[J011yroger]

Ya the 98 is a perfectly fine frame. The 93 is ummm, a doorstop .

J

[AndrewD]

Moz,

Not wanting to confuse things further but, if you haven't considered a Yonex frame, it might be worthwhile giving one a try. Some people love them, some hate them but it can't hurt to see which camp you're in. RDS-001 MP, RDS-001 Mid and RDS-002 Tour would certainly be worth a look. Not sure if they'll have the power you like (I get enough so a better player like yourself should be fine) but the spin is plentiful, the slice effortless, the hit is solid, there is power to be had on serve and they are great racquets to volley with.

[Moz]

Originally Posted by Julieta

Someone told me they loved Fischers but I dont remember which one it was. If they are free, go for it!!!!

Not quite free, but a significant discount which is sorely needed.

Originally Posted by Topaz

The 98 was my suggestion! Nice frame indeed.

Moz, does TW not send demos overseas? Thinking...probably not...but maybe in your case they might make an exception?

The cost would be prohibitive.

I picked up the 93 and 98 in the shop today and they felt fine. This might sound petty but I am philosophically opposed to Wilson as their quality control seems so bad! I couldn't demo either but I may pick one up later this week.

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Moz,

Not wanting to confuse things further but, if you haven't considered a Yonex frame, it might be worthwhile giving one a try. Some people love them, some hate them but it can't hurt to see which camp you're in. RDS-001 MP, RDS-001 Mid and RDS-002 Tour would certainly be worth a look. Not sure if they'll have the power you like (I get enough so a better player like yourself should be fine) but the spin is plentiful, the slice effortless, the hit is solid, there is power to be had on serve and they are great racquets to volley with.

Hi Andrew

Had 3 Yonex on my list actually. I picked up the RQ iS Tour in the shop today and it felt quite old school - didn't like it.

They didn't have the RDS 0001 Mid but I took away the mid plus for a demo.

************

I got 3 racquets to demo today.

Fischer M Comp 95 (330g)
Fischer M Pro 1 98 SL (320g)
Yonex RDS001 MP (9

I hit with all 3 in a small back room against a tennis net. They all felt great so I took them all with me. Not sure if it was "new racquet boner" but they all felt as though they had far more control than the APDC+'s.

Smirker - did you get hold of any Fischers? Bet you didn't!! If you fancy trying these out over the next couple of days maybe we can sort something out.

Some to cross off my list:

Head Prestige Pro - worked out was bothering me about these. The grip is too bloody short for a two hander. When I hit my left hand ends up on the lower throat. Very peculiar design.
Head Prestige Mid Plus - felt pretty good but slightly inferior to the Pro. Not convincing enough all round.
Volkl?: Apparently they are scaling back availability in the UK, making it look as though a demo is out of the question.
Yonex RQ iS Tour: Not my kind of frame.

It also sounds as though I'd have to go direct to the factory to get a Tecnifibre. Not sure how they expect to sell racquets if no-one can try them.

Stjamm may be hearing from me...!

[StJamm]

ha - it's James.

Just give me an email; I can get it sent off tomorrow if you want...

[Dags]

Originally Posted by Moz

It also sounds as though I'd have to go direct to the factory to get a Tecnifibre. Not sure how they expect to sell racquets if no-one can try them.

Did you contact the UK distributers? (http://www.smashsports.co.uk) I sent them an email a while ago looking to find somewhere that sold the X-One ball, and they let me know where I might find stockists in my area. You would hope that someone who sells them might carry a demo. They weren't the quickest to respond - took about a week I think - but they did in the end.

Also, don't forget that TW Europe are expecting to open their doors in January. I don't think they've stated for sure whether they intend to open the demo programme to people outside of mainland Europe, but let's hope so.

[Moz]

Originally Posted by StJamm

ha - it's James.

Just give me an email; I can get it sent off tomorrow if you want...

Thanks James. I'll see if I can find one without putting you to any trouble first.

Originally Posted by Dags

Did you contact the UK distributers? (http://www.smashsports.co.uk) I sent them an email a while ago looking to find somewhere that sold the X-One ball, and they let me know where I might find stockists in my area. You would hope that someone who sells them might carry a demo. They weren't the quickest to respond - took about a week I think - but they did in the end.

Also, don't forget that TW Europe are expecting to open their doors in January. I don't think they've stated for sure whether they intend to open the demo programme to people outside of mainland Europe, but let's hope so.

Thanks for that Dags - I will call them, I don't have the patience to wait for a week (and definitely not until January)! The website is a bit strange in that it doesn't list any of the Vo2 max range or the 335 or 320.

Did their information work out for you in the end?

[Dags]

Yeah, the website is horribly out of date and I thought it was defunct as I waited for a reply. I haven't followed up on their reply - I was given the name of one shop, but it's over the other side of town and I've been too lazy to make my way over there yet. It is, however, a 'proper' sports shop, and I know a few people at my club shop there (which makes me wonder why I haven't asked any of them to look for me...). Still, if they truely are the only UK distributer (and they were the only one listed on the Tecnifibre website, so it seems likely), then if they can't tell you which shops carry the racquets then no one can.

[smirker]

Smirker - did you get hold of any Fischers? Bet you didn't!! If you fancy trying these out over the next couple of days maybe we can sort something out.

No mate, funny you should say that, no luck on finding any round here. Did you have to send away for yours? Like the look of the Magnetic Tour and M Pro. Swung by J Lloyd today for a look. Absolute waste of time. The only racquet they had of any note was the MG Radical MP which I have already hit with. Ok but no great improvement on what I use now.

I may be able to come over on Friday afternoon if that's any good? I have a match at Gransdens on Saturday over your way. Currently driving the rest of the team but could re-arrange that if Saturday afternoon is better.

I like my m-fils as I have them modded to 360g and more HL but they do seem to give my elbow grief and also handle not long enough for 2 hander.

[smirker]

Volkl?: Apparently they are scaling back availability in the UK, making it look as though a demo is out of the question.

topspin appear to have the DNX 9 available to demo which from the specs might be of interest.

[drakulie]

Moz, you're woman is down in my neck of the woods. She is going down.

[J011yroger]

^^^ On whom?

J

[Moz]

Originally Posted by smirker

I may be able to come over on Friday afternoon if that's any good? I have a match at Gransdens on Saturday over your way. Currently driving the rest of the team but could re-arrange that if Saturday afternoon is better.

Friday may work but I will have to let you know closer the time.

Originally Posted by drakulie

Moz, you're woman is down in my neck of the woods. She is going down.

That would make a change! Let us all know if her line calling has improved!!!

[Moz]

Tried the Yonex RDS001 MP 98 first today. Seemed very stiff to me and played similar to the APDC. It seemed like more of the same but a little more boardy than the APDC, but with slightly less power - and my volleys were flying everywhere. I have been told Yonex is an acquired taste - just not mine.

Fischer M Pro Number 1 98 SL. The RDA stiffness is 56 and it did feel a bit noodly. Control was pretty good but it was horrible on off centre hits - more so than the 95 Fischer. I didn't particularly enjoy the volleying with it but by then I already knew it wasn't for me.

Fischer Comp 95 330. Spec wise this was about as close to ideal as I could have got if I'd been sitting in my shed with a pencil and slide rule. The RDA is 63 (Fischer say 59 - I would side with the USRSA) and it was the perfect compromise after the first two. This was the heaviest stick but still felt pretty manouvreable. Great combination of power, spin and feel with fantastically solid volleys and returns. At 330gms I wouldn't want any more to be honest, and perhaps could be slightly more head light - but I'm nitpicking.

I didn't serve but if unless it's an abomination these look like they'll be the sticks.

Now I know my exact tastes I will double check what is about and see if there are any last minute must-demos.....

So, it looks like the search may be over before it really began.

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

^^^ On whom?

J

Muahahaha. We will have to wait and see.

Originally Posted by Moz

That would make a change! Let us all know if her line calling has improved!!!

Yes, I will be checking on that. I will also be there to "rescue" her when she passes out in the bathroom.

[Topaz]

Drak, have you had a chance to watch much? I'm shocked to see the #2 seed go out. Though, Moz's gal is going to have to get through #1 seed, and I don't see that happening!

I'm patiently waiting for my AL pictures!

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by Moz

Fischer Comp 95 330.

I'll be very interested to hear how you go with that one - on the serve. I'm not up to your standard but I really did struggle to generate sufficient power with the previous version, the Pro Tour FT. Looks like they've made this one less head light and increased the swingweight so, perhaps, that's fixed things.

Either way, you might find it useful to give the racquet a demo on clay/dirt courts as well as hard. I always find that if a racquet lacks enough power, touch and spin for my tastes it's best exposed on a slow court.

[J011yroger]

^^^ Very good idea, and failing that, put yourself into the wind.

If you have enough steam to cut through a decent headwind, you can be pretty sure that you are not on the borderline.

Or on a nice soaking wet clay court with balls that are caked with clay and have a set of play on them.

J

[smirker]

[quote=Moz;2908888]Friday may work but I will have to let you know closer the time.



Ok, don't worry too much if it's not convenient. I am sure I would get grief anyway as I am playing saturday. played last night on an icy court. Not a good idea.

Glad to hear you have found your new frame. Almost!

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by Topaz

Drak, have you had a chance to watch much? I'm shocked to see the #2 seed go out. Though, Moz's gal is going to have to get through #1 seed, and I don't see that happening!

I'm patiently waiting for my AL pictures!

No, I haven't seen much. I got home yesterday, and took Bailey outside. Moz's woman was playing on the court right next to the yard. But her match ended a few minutes later. It was one of the last matches of the day.

As for the #2 seed (Jones)-- she contacted me Monday to ask if I would be her hitting partner. Apparently she asked at the front desk for a hitting partner and the Director gave her my name/number. I told her I could play after 5. She said that was fine, and then I didn't hear back from her. Obviously, this is why she lost. Muahahahahaha.

The other instructor I hit with from time to time won easily (Marta), and so did Vesna (the current Grass Court Champ). I got to see a little bit of Marta's match.

Anyway, I'll try and get some photos over the weekend, and post them.