Diary of a Racketaholic

[crosscourt]

Originally Posted by sansaephanh

The volkl 10s don't have the feel I enjoy. I really like how crisp this stick feels, but I've yet to put poly in it lol. I'm scared i'll just turn it into just another stick. The Volkl 10s always seem to lack feel and feel sluggish to me. I can't quite put my finger on it. It feels more like a Diablo mid than a Prestige 600 you know?



Definitely not the feel. I bough this racket because since first hit, it had the feel of the old POGmid's sweetspot, but more forgiving. Crisp, pure control, just enough plow, with great mobility. I just feel that certain aspects of my game have really been complimented well by open patterns. Slightly heavier serves, a teeny bit more spin, and a nice powerful feel.

I'm trying to find the perfect set up for both my prestige and my black ace. Nothing beats the feel of fresh synthetic gut, but the extra spin and low powered polys have just took my game to a more consistent level. Which is nice

I have the YT IG Prestige mid strung with Signum Pro Hyperion and the spin and power are exceptional. Give it a try.

[PED]

Originally Posted by JGads

SUPERB match to watch. First two sets were alarmingly brilliant from both guys, loads of winners compared to UEs, nifty shotmaking from both. The second set tiebreaker was really the difference and is almost must-see on Watch ESPN app or whichever way you might be able to replay it, if possible. The winner was totally out of the point at 3-5 but made some RIDICULOUS defensive stabs to stay in there, fight, and eventually win, which turned the tide.

Really, really high quality. Was thoroughly impressed by both guys.

If Bernie is the future of tennis, I'm cool with. Loving the way he's stepped it up this year.

[klementine79]

The future of Tennis could be 6'5" and up, quick and athletic. Scary.

That kid Berankis is one of my favorites to watch though. All 5'8" of him.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by PED

If Bernie is the future of tennis, I'm cool with. Loving the way he's stepped it up this year.

Right!?

Definitely a brattish quality about him, but he's still a pup and that could change with a few more humblings. Overall I'm just very impressed with how he's changed his game to being a lot more aggressive and going for shots this year, rather than shoveling shots back all day and waiting to see what happens. I was completely OFF of the Tomic bandwagon last year, thought, 'Nah, this guy's a joke, a pusher, won't get anywhere.' Suddenly I'm totally back on the bandwagon, thinking he's a definite Top 10 guy within a year or two.

Right now I think he and Janowicz are the youngsters that will actually break through, get inside the Top 10. Raonic probably as well, but he has such a huge, wide-sweeping forehand that's big but is also error prone.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by klementine79

The future of Tennis could be 6'5" and up, quick and athletic. Scary.

That kid Berankis is one of my favorites to watch though. All 5'8" of him.

LOVE Berankis. He wowed at the LA Tourney this year, going from Qualies all the way to the final, where he finally ran out of gas against Querrey. Same deal at the AO - qualies, then runs into Murray, but still fought very well.

He's such a great player -- good enough for even Roger to invite him to train with him in Dubai a couple offseasons ago -- but that height will always be an issue.

Story on Berankis with some background on himself and his coach -- really charming relationship between the two, and a super sweet kid...

http://www.insidetennis.com/2012/07/...s-wins-hearts/

[klementine79]

^Yeah, heard about that. One of my favorites to watch at the moment. Takes it so early and just fights.

For me, it's still early to form an opinion on Tomic.

Tomic definitely has Top10 talent, could he crack the top5? That takes a lot of dedication, commitment and love for the game. Preparation, watching tape, hours in the gym, willing to change, etc., etc.,

To me, he's still so young. Loves the money and the fame but not the game... yet. But he will, eventually, if he wants to get to where he can and should.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by klementine79

^Yeah, heard about that. One of my favorites to watch at the moment. Takes it so early and just fights.

For me, it's still early to form an opinion on Tomic.

Tomic definitely has Top10 talent, could he crack the top5? That takes a lot of dedication, commitment and love for the game. Preparation, watching tape, hours in the gym, willing to change, etc., etc.,

To me, he's still so young. Loves the money and the fame but not the game... yet. But he will, eventually, if he wants to get where he can and should.

Agreed. Still early. But ceiling is definitely very high if he puts the work in. He's got the touch shots and craftiness down, solid consistent serve, and now we know he can actually HIT. ... First thing's first: he's gotta gain a bit of weight, put some muscles on those bones. He was cooked both physically and mentally in the third set.

[klementine79]

Originally Posted by JGads

LOVE Berankis. He wowed at the LA Tourney this year, going from Qualies all the way to the final, where he finally ran out of gas against Querrey. Same deal at the AO - qualies, then runs into Murray, but still fought very well.

He's such a great player -- good enough for even Roger to invite him to train with him in Dubai a couple offseasons ago -- but that height will always be an issue.

Story on Berankis with some background on himself and his coach -- really charming relationship between the two, and a super sweet kid...

http://www.insidetennis.com/2012/07/...s-wins-hearts/

Great read. Short of leaving me verklempt. Like Berankis even more now. In 2-3 years, we'll probably lose Ferrer to retirement, this kid has his heart for sure. His score against Murray was not indicative of how he played.

[klementine79]

Originally Posted by JGads

Agreed. Still early. But ceiling is definitely very high if he puts the work in. He's got the touch shots and craftiness down, solid consistent serve, and now we know he can actually HIT. ... First thing's first: he's gotta gain a bit of weight, put some muscles on those bones. He was cooked both physically and mentally in the third set.

Definitely. Needs to get more stamina.

Still is not mentally ready. A more mature player or psychologically stronger, would not have thrown in the towel 2 sets down against Federer. He kind of gave up in the 3rd after squandering that 2nd set tie-break.

The best 20 year old prospect by far though.

[JGads]

Would love to see Berankis become the Ferrer battler of the future. And you're right, I feel like he absolutely has it in him, the desire. Feel like (and very much hope) that he'll maximize his potential, like David.

Speaking of Battlers, two Little Battler matches could be very entertaining today. Ferrer-Nishikori, Almagro-Tipsy. Both could be fun.

Gonna go shower after a very weird 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 league victory this afternoon, and settle in for some Little Man tennis viewing.

[klementine79]

Ha, love it.

Too cold here for a stroll or going out. Tennis it is.

And we should take it a little easier on Tomic. If I had the A'tomic' Kittens following me around, my legs might be a little weak in the 3rd as well.



Just pick one, Bernie, and get some rest. My vote is for the one on the far left. Prrrrrrrrrrrr.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by klementine79

Ha, love it.

Too cold here for a stroll or going out. Tennis it is.

And we should take it a little easier on Tomic. If I had the A'tomic' Kittens following me around, my legs might be a little weak in the 3rd as well.



Just pick one, Bernie, and get some rest. My vote is for the one on the far left. Prrrrrrrrrrrr.

Jesus. I want his life. Sans the hot tub wrestling with dudes.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by JGads

Speaking of Battlers, two Little Battler matches could be very entertaining today. Ferrer-Nishikori, Almagro-Tipsy. Both could be fun.

mmmmnevermind.

[sansaephanh]

Originally Posted by crosscourt

I have the YT IG Prestige mid strung with Signum Pro Hyperion and the spin and power are exceptional. Give it a try.

its currently strung with what looks like SPPP/CoF. Since I've never played with either string i'll try it out for a while. I've read good things about hyperion, but i think its out of my price range. Will probably buy a 75$ reel of BHBR17. Love that string.

[klementine79]

Originally Posted by JGads

mmmmnevermind.

All that and a bag of chips..... however disappointing the first two matches of the night were, that last one! Woke up early and still caught 2 hours of tennis!

Amazing.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by klementine79

All that and a bag of chips..... however disappointing the first two matches of the night were, that last one! Woke up early and still caught 2 hours of tennis!

Amazing.

Incredible. Couldn't believe my eyes when I checked the score line upon waking up.

[klementine79]

Originally Posted by klementine79

I locked the Falcons in at +5, so if you're gonna win, make sure it's by a field goal. My man in Vegas has been riding you guys all the way, including last weekend.

Phhhewwwww...... a close one. Keep riding Fed..... keep ridin'.

[mikeler]

I walked into my club today at 9 AM and was like "Is this live tennis?"

[JGads]

Will attempt to stay up for Fed-Raonic tonight. Probably a 2 or 230a start time on the left coast. Pray for me.

Felt so bad for Waws. So wish he could win one giant match like that -- you see him make deep runs and get so close to beating the giants, but he never seems able to really take one down on the biggest stages. Gotta respect that epic backhand.

[Ross K]

Fed, PED, others,

Any news yet on early 99s thoughts?


RHs,

Couldn't resist as I liked the + version so much and the standard one has been long desired to compare and contrast. Anyhow, I'm shortly to be in receipt of this beauty. I'm going to string her up with full TB @ 50 lbs and see what secrets she has to yield.