Diary of a Racketaholic

[Power Player]

Klem..does the grip on the black blade feel bigger with the stock grip? I wondered about that since the pro hybrid is so thin.

Still tweaking my other blade. Dropped it down to 350. I have to get my SWs measured again and see where i am at.

My stock blade has a higher swingweight then the one i leaded. I am guessing it is around 338-340. I really like it a lot, plus it still weighs only 330. Best of both worlds in a way.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Tim

Hey guys, maybe you can give me some advise. After literally years of shoulder problems I'm back to being able to play with player spec racquet, namely a BB Melbourne, however at 46 and not having been able to play regularly my strokes are not really grooved yet. The question is should I continue with the Melbourne or maybe opt for something a bit lighter that plays somewhat like the Becker, it has a very solid feeling head and nice plow thru. The New blade looked pretty interesting but I was also considering a volkl organix 10 MP or mid too I know the ex racketaholic meaghan who used the Melbourne is now using the Organix 10 mp. Any thoughts are appreciated. btw My friend brought a BB legend limited edition to the court today, I think it had a swing weight somewhere around 377, wow that thing was monstrous, really crushes the ball.

Almost no experience with all of these Becker and Volkl frames of which you speak but if you've had shoulder issues, the Melbourne seems like a decent fit because I remember it having excellent, plush feel. Organix 10 MP a crisper, stiffer frame.

[klementine79]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Klem..does the grip on the black blade feel bigger with the stock grip? I wondered about that since the pro hybrid is so thin.

Still tweaking my other blade. Dropped it down to 350. I have to get my SWs measured again and see where i am at.

My stock blade has a higher swingweight then the one i leaded. I am guessing it is around 338-340. I really like it a lot, plus it still weighs only 330. Best of both worlds in a way.

^ Not that I have noticed. Even though the new 'slime-grip' is ultra thin, the grips feel uniform with prior models.

I have taken the weight off of 3&9 and come to the conclusion (as you), that a little less weight and a bit at 12 (1-1.5gr) is all this stick needs. Just wasn't coming around as sweet for me at 3&9.

[Ross K]

My abiding image from earlier...

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by klementine79

Not familiar with 'Withnail and I', but from what I've seen on YouTube this morning, I am truly missing out on some grade A British comedy.

Highly recommended. Absolute cult classic film from my youth.

Yes, agreed, England and Greece have always shared a historical, political and sometimes cultural convergence. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was born and baptized Greek Orthodox on my home island of Corfu, which also has deep relations to Great Britain and presently has a large population of ex-pats. Among Greece's ex-royalty, I believe all were wed with either British or Dutch royalty.

Have been to Corfu before. Very nice.

Now if Greece could only adopt Britain's sense of morality and civic duty, it would be 'heaven on earth', as Cyprus has. I remember a few years back, a member of British parliament was given the 'boot' for allegedly writing off 50 quid worth of laundry bills?! There are Greek parliament members who have stolen millions, if not billions of publicly financed money and are still yet to be reprimanded or detained. This attitude towards law and punishment, taxes and a general disbelief in government and order, has seeped into every aspect of society.

And if we in the UK could inherit your sunshine and beaches lol... Seriously, I'm jealous. I love the Mediterranean lifestyle. Probably due to the fact that as a small kid I lived in Spain for a year and I think that left a certain imprint, if you know what I mean.

Anyhoot...... Believe Palin is still alive?, is he not? Wouldn't be surprised if he was still somewhere in N.London. I, myself don't care much for London, great city with plenty to do but the mere fact that my command of the English language is somewhat of a useless skill there, deters me from truly enjoying this great city.

He's definitely alive , I can assure you... Klem, as your command and use of English is exemplary, I can only assume this comment is ironic, no?

I spent a lot of time in Weymouth, with my good friend Raymond, or Captain Ray, at the yacht club down there. Sailing the channel and the occasional skip over to Amsterdam, to... uh... practice my Russian?! If I ever inherit any sizable sum of money, Weymouth (and in general Dorset, southern coast of England) is where I'm headed. Fell in love with sailing and the country during my time there.

Yes, the South of England - Dorset, Cornwall, Devon - wonderful places with a a very different vibe to the rest of the country. I'm lucky to spend a lot of time in Devon every year as I have family living there

..........

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Ross K

My abiding image from earlier...

So, so poetic.

[Ross K]

^ Isn't it just?...

[JGads]

Incredible photo. What a moment, too.

Solid final and tourney. Hoping Nadal's return is strong to add that Spanish pa****a back into the Big 4.

[JGads]

How's TT gonna nix the word 'pap rika'? That's casually hilarious.

[Fuji]

Hey chaps,

Figured I'd let you know, I have a ton of frames being posted for sale within the next day here and some of you may be interested in some!

-Fuji

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Fuji

Hey chaps,

Figured I'd let you know, I have a ton of frames being posted for sale within the next day here and some of you may be interested in some!

-Fuji

The racaholic frame purge. Always a mix of liberation and sadness.

[Power Player]

How do you 2 hander guys hold your racquet in the ready position? Today I was told that I was holding the throat with my offhand and I should have it on the grip.

Well that was an amazing change because my backhand started to become automatic and my timing got better real fast.

Only issue is going to my forehand grip feels a little odd and I am struggling there. Think I just need to get used to it. Anyway, I never thought about it before and I figured I'd ask you guys.

Still not sure about 330 vs 350 in the weight/Sw battle. I am going to get everything RDC'd and go from there. They both play really well. The heavy one has a ton of power..really plows the ball.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Power Player

How do you 2 hander guys hold your racquet in the ready position? Today I was told that I was holding the throat with my offhand and I should have it on the grip.

Well that was an amazing change because my backhand started to become automatic and my timing got better real fast.

Only issue is going to my forehand grip feels a little odd and I am struggling there. Think I just need to get used to it. Anyway, I never thought about it before and I figured I'd ask you guys.

Still not sure about 330 vs 350 in the weight/Sw battle. I am going to get everything RDC'd and go from there. They both play really well. The heavy one has a ton of power..really plows the ball.

Grip, but some frames have shorter grips and my second hand falls partially on the throat. Always try to avoid it tho by wrapping grip/over grip extra high up because I hate feeling the throat.

Really interesting that Ferrer separates his hands so much on his two hander.

[Power Player]

Yes, he keeps his strokes super compact which really helps. I started looping my backhand so I can really get the left hand to take over. It is a real compact stroke, kind of like Ferrer's.
When I added that grip change in, it was seamless. Fast take back and footwork was on point. Just struggling with twisting into my forehand grip.

Is there a guideline on long strokes versus compact in terms of racquet weight/swing weight?

[2ManyAces]

Originally Posted by Ross K

My abiding image from earlier...

I don't get it?

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by JGads

The racaholic frame purge. Always a mix of liberation and sadness.

Haha Oh yes! This purge is mostly just for monetary gain to fund my quest for the Dmitrov pro stock!

-Fuji

[jonestim]

Originally Posted by JGads

The racaholic frame purge. Always a mix of liberation and sadness.

I just posted 9 in the classifieds and have 5-8 more I'll probably be getting rid of in the next couple weeks. I need to just focus on one set of racquets and get my game dialed. For the past year I have had a lot of times where I tried a string and though "Oh, I bet this would make X racquet play better" and then spend time with that, only to change when my (insert stroke here) wasn't as good as the last setup I tried in some other racquet. Time to just pick something and stick with it for at least 4-5 months. That just happens to be the timeframe until Prince is rumored to be coming out with an updated Diablo and Graphite - which just happen to be about the only frames I am keeping along with some buttery Graphite Pro Series 90s from back then.

OHBH is better with the POG or Graphite Pro mid. The open pattern gives the ball a higher launch angle and more spin from my fairly flat stroke. Diablo has better directional control for me - but that doesn't help when your backhand goes long.

[corners]

Originally Posted by Fuji

Haha Oh yes! This purge is mostly just for monetary gain to fund my quest for the Dmitrov pro stock!

-Fuji

It could be mine. It should be mine. Give it to me!

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by corners

It could be mine. It should be mine. Give it to me!

Yeah, my ad is posted guys! Take a look. I have some more to list tomorrow as well!

-Fuji

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Power Player

How do you 2 hander guys hold your racquet in the ready position? Today I was told that I was holding the throat with my offhand and I should have it on the grip.

Well that was an amazing change because my backhand started to become automatic and my timing got better real fast.

Only issue is going to my forehand grip feels a little odd and I am struggling there. Think I just need to get used to it. Anyway, I never thought about it before and I figured I'd ask you guys.

Still not sure about 330 vs 350 in the weight/Sw battle. I am going to get everything RDC'd and go from there. They both play really well. The heavy one has a ton of power..really plows the ball.

Most guys with a 2hbh keep both hands on. Right hand in forehand position and left hand with left hand b/h grip position. But it's really personal preference. Some 2hbh guys keep the off hand on the throat and slide it down if a backhand is needed. I think Rafa and Djoko do this. But mostly guys that hit 1 handers use the throat method. It's good because there is less movement necessary to adjust for either f/h or b/h.