2012 BLX Pro Open...?

[Power Player]

I have pacific classic and MSV hex in one and it is SOFT. I'd string the gut higher then you would think..I did it at 60#s and 55#s on the MSV and the thing is still super powered..tons of spin. I had b5e/nvy in the other and the power difference is big time..I can't go back and forth between the 2 sticks without an adjustment.

Just can't agree with the prior review that there is less control and feel than a Pure Drive. I am not sure how that is even possible to be honest. The control on this stick is awesome for being a tweener. The feel is also very very good.

Regardless if I can track down a new Pure Drive at some point I will give it a run next to my Pro Opens. Maybe something changed..who the heck knows. I played the last version of the GT and there is no way it is as solid as the Pro Open.

[Power Player]

Ok update, I got a demo of the new PD and PD+.

I like to have the best racquet for my game too (and most comfortable) so I will give you folks my honest comparison after a few days of hitting with all 3 sticks.

[TimothyO]

I'm very curious about your perceptions on the relative power levels and control. When I saw comparisons between the PD and the Pro Open I was a little surprised.

While more powerful than my frame I didn't see the Pro Open nearly as powerful as the PD. The Pro Open also seemed more control oriented. They seem like very different frames.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

I'm very curious about your perceptions on the relative power levels and control. When I saw comparisons between the PD and the Pro Open I was a little surprised.

While more powerful than my frame I didn't see the Pro Open nearly as powerful as the PD. The Pro Open also seemed more control oriented. They seem like very different frames.

They could be. I have to have them all next to me and hit. The control of the Pro Open is killer though. So nice. I'm not sure how big I need a racquet to hit, so this too will be a test. But honestly, the Pro Open with a little lead packs a serious punch. It will be fun to compare them and hopefully help some people here that can't demo make a decision.

[li0scc0]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Ok update, I got a demo of the new PD and PD+.

I like to have the best racquet for my game too (and most comfortable) so I will give you folks my honest comparison after a few days of hitting with all 3 sticks.

Make sure they are strung the same. Honestly, that could have been a huge contributor to my dislike of the Wilson BLX Pro Open. May be a string sensitive racquet...many are!

[Recoveringhobo]

Same. It could have been the strings that TW put on the racquet. They seemed pretty dead and lifeless by the time I got to the racquet. Maybe tweeners are just not for me.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by li0scc0

Make sure they are strung the same. Honestly, that could have been a huge contributor to my dislike of the Wilson BLX Pro Open. May be a string sensitive racquet...many are!

I hit with the new pure drive tonight.

It has a crisper feel to it than the pro open. I could honestly use either one..they play very similar. The pro open is safer on the arm though..but man they played a lot alike. Pure drive does have a little more power I think..

Such a tough call..I'm going to string up a pd+ with rip control which is what I use in the pro open..same tension..everything. Then I will be able to give more detail.

[li0scc0]

Power Player, I like that you hit with both at the same time. I am afraid I have never done that, so my comparison is solely based on memory, and memory is a wee bit faulty (at least mine is). Keep us up to date!

[TimothyO]

I hit with my wife's Pro Open and Pure Drive Roddick demos this afternoon (both 2012 editions). Both were nearly freshly strung with NXT 17 at mid-tension.

On serves it was no contest, I strongly preferred the PDR. Amazing power while the Pro Open felt sort of wispy.

On ground strokes I strongly preferred the Pro Open. For some reason I was able to generate monster topspin with the PO while the PDR was more stingy in the spin department. The PO also felt more precise.

I noticed the PDR has that classic Babolat string pattern...dense in the middle. The PO was closer to my 300 being more evenly spaced.

[athleticstennis]

Nice Review Timothy.

How did you find the comfort of the Babolat Pure Drive Roddick?

[The Baseline]

Originally Posted by Fed6.1

I am also really interested in this racquet and how it plays compared to a pure drive

Its way better. It serves better and feels stiffer thus more control. To me the Wilson BLX Pro Open is the most underrated racquet in recent memory.

[TimothyO]

Originally Posted by athleticstennis

Nice Review Timothy.

How did you find the comfort of the Babolat Pure Drive Roddick?

No issues. And my arm is sensitive. However, it was just a couple of sessions. Over long use, no idea.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by The Baseline

Its way better. It serves better and feels stiffer thus more control. To me the Wilson BLX Pro Open is the most underrated racquet in recent memory.

They need to make an extended one!

[TimothyO]

Originally Posted by The Baseline

Its way better. It serves better and feels stiffer thus more control. To me the Wilson BLX Pro Open is the most underrated racquet in recent memory.

After watching my wife and 10 year old hit with the Pro Open 2012 last night I have a new found respect for Wilson.

My son has VERY limited formal tennis training but loves to hit. He is so freakin consistent with this thing it's scary. He can sustain rallies in casual back and forth hitting as well as, or better than, low level adults. If you put the ball anywhere near him at a reasonable level for his height it's coming back with pace and depth, fore or backhand. But he can even get back shots stretching and on the run. It's very stable in such situations.

My wife used the demo in a doubles playoff match today and won handily (we dried the court this morning...an epic effort to avoid having her play during the week). Very few unforced errors on her part. She's no racketholic and will play with anything. She's also very frugal but even she absolutely wants to buy a Pro Open...immediately. She's very consistent but precision placement has never been a strength for her. She needs a big target. With the Pro Open she's nearly as precise as I am. And she says the feeling is effortless.

Now, against heavy balls, it does get pushed around a bit. For grins I fired off some heavy topspin cannonballs at her and the frame was deflected by the impact. While AMAZINGLY stable against the shots she sees in 3.0/3.5/B-level ladies and mixed doubles I'm not sure the 11.1 oz is enough for something like mens 3.5/4.0 singles. Nothing some lead in the handle and a heavier grip couldn't fix.

We're definitely buying two this week for my wife and son. This is the most impressive frame I've ever seen off the shelf for this level of play.

[Power Player]

It's a sick frame and I need to move 2 of them. I just play better with the plus Pure drive, but the regular pd is not much better than this racquet, and the open is easier on the arm. Anyway, message me through my profile if anyone wants a deal or I'll put them up in the classifieds real soon. I just need to get some $ back from all the strings and sticks I have been buying.

[getsby]

TimothyO, you can compare the new (2012) Pro Open with the previous version?
For me, it does not matter a slight difference between these two versions of the weight, but the two extra stiffness points give reason to think

[drak]

Interesting thread and comments about under appreciated frames. I have been playing sparingly all winter as I have hit the slopes hard 9 (50 days) but in Jan I picked up a used BLX Blade 98 (2011 version I believe), it's got crappy old Poly in it (from before I bot it) and I still love how this racket plays when I do play, simply solid all around, great control and feel on groundies and volleys, solid serve and good return. I'll be interested to see how it plays when I get my stringer fixed and can get a better sting job in there.

Drak

[Readers]

Originally Posted by JackB1

it doesn't appear to be exactly the same model as the last one. It is several points more stiff, which could add a little power. I really liked the BLX Pro Open and it was a close battle between it and the Becker DC Pro and I only took the Becker because it served better for me. If they upped the lower a little on the Pro Open, that might give me more power on my serves? Might be worth a try for me.

A side question, how many frame as you gone though after the Becker?

Just gotta add my comment:
Serving is a dream with the BLX Pro Open

[Federerkblade]

Tim hi,

how is your son and wife getting on with the blx pro open 2012 version.

did you do any modifications ?

did you receive the racquets similar in weight balance or were they off.

Im looking at this racquet as the pure drive is too harsh on my elbow with a poly

Originally Posted by TimothyO

After watching my wife and 10 year old hit with the Pro Open 2012 last night I have a new found respect for Wilson.

My son has VERY limited formal tennis training but loves to hit. He is so freakin consistent with this thing it's scary. He can sustain rallies in casual back and forth hitting as well as, or better than, low level adults. If you put the ball anywhere near him at a reasonable level for his height it's coming back with pace and depth, fore or backhand. But he can even get back shots stretching and on the run. It's very stable in such situations.

My wife used the demo in a doubles playoff match today and won handily (we dried the court this morning...an epic effort to avoid having her play during the week). Very few unforced errors on her part. She's no racketholic and will play with anything. She's also very frugal but even she absolutely wants to buy a Pro Open...immediately. She's very consistent but precision placement has never been a strength for her. She needs a big target. With the Pro Open she's nearly as precise as I am. And she says the feeling is effortless.

Now, against heavy balls, it does get pushed around a bit. For grins I fired off some heavy topspin cannonballs at her and the frame was deflected by the impact. While AMAZINGLY stable against the shots she sees in 3.0/3.5/B-level ladies and mixed doubles I'm not sure the 11.1 oz is enough for something like mens 3.5/4.0 singles. Nothing some lead in the handle and a heavier grip couldn't fix.

We're definitely buying two this week for my wife and son. This is the most impressive frame I've ever seen off the shelf for this level of play.