Diary of a Racketaholic

[JGads]

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

Wow. That is a noble quest. Remember reading about that thing somewhere. Apparently a total and utter beast to swing.

Originally Posted by jonestim

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.

Interesting that they're updating the Diablo (never tried). Would like to see Prince phase out of the o-port frames. They're nice, don't get me wrong, love the giant sweet spots, but could never truly feel the ball well enough.

[jonestim]

Originally Posted by JGads

Interesting that they're updating the Diablo (never tried). Would like to see Prince phase out of the o-port frames. They're nice, don't get me wrong, love the giant sweet spots, but could never truly feel the ball well enough.

I heard the Diablo info on this thread. I assume it is reliable, but am not 100%. In the ESPN article this last fall (October?) they said they were coming out with new grommeted racquets with technology promising "30% more spin." I know they have been testing an EXO3 Tour ESP that is 16x16. Putting all that together I'm assuming they will be coming out with a tour spec grommeted racquet with fewer crosses than normal for extra spin. I would love to see them come out with with it in their 93 size/shape frame. Wider than most mids which seems more forgiving. A 16x16 Diablo Mid may be a dream stick for me, especially if they knock the stiffness down just a hair.

I am getting rid of my EXO3 Tours because I couldn't quite jive with them either. I played fairly well with them but I was always tweaking them with lead and trying different string combos to get the feel I wanted. With my Diablo I have been happy with OSGM 17, a few multis, and polys as well.

[sansaephanh]

Originally Posted by jonestim

I heard the Diablo info on this thread. I assume it is reliable, but am not 100%. In the ESPN article this last fall (October?) they said they were coming out with new grommeted racquets with technology promising "30% more spin." I know they have been testing an EXO3 Tour ESP that is 16x16. Putting all that together I'm assuming they will be coming out with a tour spec grommeted racquet with fewer crosses than normal for extra spin. I would love to see them come out with with it in their 93 size/shape frame. Wider than most mids which seems more forgiving. A 16x16 Diablo Mid may be a dream stick for me, especially if they knock the stiffness down just a hair.

I am getting rid of my EXO3 Tours because I couldn't quite jive with them either. I played fairly well with them but I was always tweaking them with lead and trying different string combos to get the feel I wanted. With my Diablo I have been happy with OSGM 17, a few multis, and polys as well.

Those are pretty much the specs of my dream stick.... Nooo i just told myself i wouldn't be caught in the hype and buy new sticks.... Lol...

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by 2ManyAces

I don't get it?

In AO final that had no breaks of serve for first 31 games, Muzza was about to hit a 2nd serve at 2-2 when a falling feather disrupted and distracted him and he attempted to gather it up. After which he promptly double-faulted to give Nole a 4-2 lead... and the rest is history.

Obviously Andy didn't just lose the because of this. But a big turning point none-the-less. Also agree with Gads there's something rather poetic and even a little sad in this picture (well, we know what happened next...)

[JGads]

Unconfirmed reports identify the feather as coming from a bird of Serbian descent.

[mad dog1]

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.

i'm generally a 1 hander so i hold the throat w/ my offhand, but on those rare occasions when i hit a 2 hander, my offhand is on the grip.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by JGads

Unconfirmed reports identify the feather as coming from a bird of Serbian descent.

Haha


PP - Grip for me re 2her off-hand position qsn.

[Power Player]

Ok yeah, I need to change this. It is so much easier on the backhand. Just have to master the twist into my forehand grip.

[mikeler]

I'm a fan of O-ports so I hope they don't go away!

[Power Player]

got my sticks officially RDC'd today.

The stock Blade that I really like swings at 333.
Modded one is at 346. I think between the 2 is where I want to be. Guessing 335.

I am thinking the Chardy setup is rather close to what I like. 335/335.

But I am going to spend some more time playing with the heavier one as well since I have not made a decision.

One thing that seems to stick out is if you can keep the racquet weight around 11.5 or so and add a beefed up SW, it is a rather great combination.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Ok yeah, I need to change this. It is so much easier on the backhand. Just have to master the twist into my forehand grip.

There is no twisting. You just let go of the left hand. You have your right hand already in proper f/h position.

I used to wait with both hands on the grip in full backhand position. For some reason I found it easier to go from b/h to f/h then the other way around.

[Power Player]

But I dont want the racquet in my forehand grip to start. My forehand grip is almost western.

My ready position is basically my backhand grip. On serve returns, I may do the hybrid.

[mad dog1]

Originally Posted by JackB1

There is no twisting. You just let go of the left hand. You have your right hand already in proper f/h position.

I used to wait with both hands on the grip in full backhand position. For some reason I found it easier to go from b/h to f/h then the other way around.

on the 2hbh, the grip used for the right hand is either a continental or an eastern backhand grip (assuming you are right handed). you won't be able to hit a solid 2hbh stroke if your right hand is holding the racquet with a full westerm, semi western, or even an eastern forehand grip. if this is what you're doing, that's likely one of the reasons why you're shanking your BH so much and are not able to drive through the ball. has your coach noticed this and said anything?

btw, what grip are you using for your 1hbh?

[Boricua]

Hope to get Yonex VCORE Tour 97 (310) at the end of this week.. Will string with Weiss Cannon Black5Edge 17 at 49 string tension. Looking forward to it. Specs are in my wheelhouse and I am certain this racket shall blend well with this string.

[JGads]

Will enter the steam room this week to see what the hype and the hatred is about. (seems to have become a hugely polarizing frame of late).

[mad dog1]

Originally Posted by JGads

Will enter the steam room this week to see what the hype and the hatred is about. (seems to have become a hugely polarizing frame of late).

looking forward to it!

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by mad dog1

on the 2hbh, the grip used for the right hand is either a continental or an eastern backhand grip (assuming you are right handed). you won't be able to hit a solid 2hbh stroke if your right hand is holding the racquet with a full westerm, semi western, or even an eastern forehand grip. if this is what you're doing, that's likely one of the reasons why you're shanking your BH so much and are not able to drive through the ball. has your coach noticed this and said anything?

btw, what grip are you using for your 1hbh?

Who are u asking? me or PP?

Either way I think you misunderstood. Nobody is saying to hit a 2HBH with your your right hand in a right handed f/h grip. We are talking about the ready position for a person who hits a 2hander. I currently hit a 1hander, so I wait with my left hand on the throat.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Boricua

Hope to get Yonex VCORE Tour 97 (310) at the end of this week.. Will string with Weiss Cannon Black5Edge 17 at 49 string tension. Looking forward to it. Specs are in my wheelhouse and I am certain this racket shall blend well with this string.

I am also VERY INTERESTED in this one. The specs are similar to the Pro One and Bio Max 200G, but a little lighter swingweight. My main concern is the stiffness though...isn't it 67? Please let us know how stiff or flexy the racquet feels when u finally get to hit with it. My other problem is thar horrible Yonex handle with no flare. I have to take off the original grip (what a pain!) and then add some athletic tape to the end of the handle to make some flare and then rewrap with a better quality grip. The whole process makes me avoid Yonex's completely sometimes.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Power Player

But I dont want the racquet in my forehand grip to start. My forehand grip is almost western.

My ready position is basically my backhand grip. On serve returns, I may do the hybrid.

You may want to copy Rafa. Watch how he waits to hit. He keeps his off hand on the throat and quickly twists it and slides the hand down.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by mad dog1

on the 2hbh, the grip used for the right hand is either a continental or an eastern backhand grip (assuming you are right handed). you won't be able to hit a solid 2hbh stroke if your right hand is holding the racquet with a full westerm, semi western, or even an eastern forehand grip. if this is what you're doing, that's likely one of the reasons why you're shanking your BH so much and are not able to drive through the ball. has your coach noticed this and said anything?

btw, what grip are you using for your 1hbh?

I hit my 2HBH with an eastern forehand grip on the right hand. It's the way my coach showed me and it provides the best results I've had ever on the backhand. It makes my return game a lot simpler, because I start in my 2HBH grip then if it goes to my forehand I shift one bevel either way for conti/SW which is my normal FH grip. I can also do a big flat block back if I absolutely have to.

-Fuji