Wilson Steam 99S - Anyone else having this issue?

[Buford T Justice]

The bottom line with this frame appears to be......if the strings are not notching, then this frame is probably not giving you the extra spin (as the mains arent constantly sliding back and forth.). I think the best we can do is limit friction between strings to extend stringbed life.

Now, if one hits flatter, then such notching is not going to be as bad. But, as many have posted, this frame is probably not a good fit for a flat hitter. Personally, I cant flatten a ball out to save my life so this frame is a good fit.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Buford T Justice

Jack-

Are your strings notched?

I'll check later, but I remember the crosses were notched on the mains (would click into place), but the mains were still sliding along the crosses.
This was last time I checked.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Buford T Justice

The bottom line with this frame appears to be......if the strings are not notching, then this frame is probably not giving you the extra spin (as the mains arent constantly sliding back and forth.). I think the best we can do is limit friction between strings to extend stringbed life.

Now, if one hits flatter, then such notching is not going to be as bad. But, as many have posted, this frame is probably not a good fit for a flat hitter. Personally, I cant flatten a ball out to save my life so this frame is a good fit.

I hit a semi topspin ball......not loopy but not flat either. I tend to drive it somewhat and not overly brush it. I'll see if I can find a link to one of my videos of myself hitting. Edit: this should give you an idea of how I hit: http://youtu.be/2kDYRzz-8to

[Rabbit]

Originally Posted by JackB1

thanks.

maybe the 99s requires a better player than I thought? It seemed intended for the rec level (3.5) but may require consistent form and footwork to kee p the ball inside the lines?

You know, it could have just been the basic "honeymoon" scenario. I think it'll work fine for any level player. The headsize and weight are right in line with what many levels use.

From my standpoint, after a 4 month layoff due to injury, I think I'm hitting far and away better than I would have had I tried the same with the C10. The 99s is lots easier to play with. Then again, I much prefer more open patterned string beds and racquets that tend to be labeled spinny.

Originally Posted by Buford T Justice

The bottom line with this frame appears to be......if the strings are not notching, then this frame is probably not giving you the extra spin (as the mains arent constantly sliding back and forth.). I think the best we can do is limit friction between strings to extend stringbed life.

Now, if one hits flatter, then such notching is not going to be as bad. But, as many have posted, this frame is probably not a good fit for a flat hitter. Personally, I cant flatten a ball out to save my life so this frame is a good fit.

I semi-disagree. While the snap back certainly does help, the overly open string pattern probably lends more to spin production. I've found that even with the strings notched considerably (near breaking), I'm still getting great action on the ball. The ultimate determiner of spin is technique.

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by Rabbit

I semi-disagree. While the snap back certainly does help, the overly open string pattern probably lends more to spin production.

Arent these two the same thing?

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by Rabbit

I've found that even with the strings notched considerably (near breaking), I'm still getting great action on the ball.

Yes, me too. With the previously mentioned lotion, when they are notched badly and on the edge of breaking, they still play "new" feeling IMO.

String type may make a difference as well. I am just using cheapo Polylon 16.

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I'll check later, but I remember the crosses were notched on the mains (would click into place), but the mains were still sliding along the crosses.
This was last time I checked.

Ok...thats what you should see. The mains are actually the notched strings (i.e. the strings missing material), and because of that tend to "lock" on the crosses. The crosses themselves are not missing material.

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I hit a semi topspin ball......not loopy but not flat either. I tend to drive it somewhat and not overly brush it. I'll see if I can find a link to one of my videos of myself hitting. Edit: this should give you an idea of how I hit: http://youtu.be/2kDYRzz-8to

Yes....IMO you do hit right in the middle.

I am (unfortunately or fotunately....not sure which.....) hit less flat and as such I suppose thats why this frame suits me. I counted last night, and in 3 sets I hit like 5 balls long! This frame with a high to low stroke really keeps the balls in. The flipside of course is......it can also leave alot of short balls. But, for me, Ill take that tradeoff as 1) it still makes the other guy hit one more ball (vs giving him the point with a ball that is long) and 2) the short balls it does give up do kick pretty hard (thats the frame not necessarily me) so unless someone catches it on the rise it will not generally be a simple easy ball.

[ttwarrior1]

u people are unreal, still have same strings from 7 years ago

[Ross K]

but lube the strings (hand lotion) and try again....if you pick, as I did, my daughters "Night Time Sleepy Lavender Lotion" youll smell nice. Plus, youll have the smoothest, most well conditioned left hand in tennis. (I apply the lotion using my left hand as I am a righty.....)

Riiiight...

You smooth hand cream on both sides and rub it in? Does that affect grip on the ball

Okaaaaay...

[Mongolmike]

Originally Posted by Buford T Justice

The bottom line with this frame appears to be......if the strings are not notching, then this frame is probably not giving you the extra spin (as the mains arent constantly sliding back and forth.). I think the best we can do is limit friction between strings to extend stringbed life.

Now, if one hits flatter, then such notching is not going to be as bad. But, as many have posted, this frame is probably not a good fit for a flat hitter. Personally, I cant flatten a ball out to save my life so this frame is a good fit.

Using the 105s, my strings are noticably notched after about 2 hours play, and after 4-6 hours they look like they could pop anytime. And the deeper they are notched, of course the harder they are to manually move the strings out of the notch to inspect.

I wonder if this deeper notching is part of the launch problem... if during a match with deeply notched strings, if you take an easier swing or a defensive swing without using a lot of topspin... maybe the strings are "locked" in the notch, giving a trampoline effect rather than the impact energy being put into moving the strings along out of place so they snap back? Newly strung un-notched strings slide easily, heavily notched strings do not slide without sufficient topspin applied?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Mongolmike

Using the 105s, my strings are noticably notched after about 2 hours play, and after 4-6 hours they look like they could pop anytime. And the deeper they are notched, of course the harder they are to manually move the strings out of the notch to inspect.

I wonder if this deeper notching is part of the launch problem... if during a match with deeply notched strings, if you take an easier swing or a defensive swing without using a lot of topspin... maybe the strings are "locked" in the notch, giving a trampoline effect rather than the impact energy being put into moving the strings along out of place so they snap back? Newly strung un-notched strings slide easily, heavily notched strings do not slide without sufficient topspin applied?

you could be onto something here ??????

[ollinger]

I'm beginning to understand why most of the better players prefer tight string patterns.

[mad dog1]

Originally Posted by Mongolmike

Using the 105s, my strings are noticably notched after about 2 hours play, and after 4-6 hours they look like they could pop anytime. And the deeper they are notched, of course the harder they are to manually move the strings out of the notch to inspect.

I wonder if this deeper notching is part of the launch problem... if during a match with deeply notched strings, if you take an easier swing or a defensive swing without using a lot of topspin... maybe the strings are "locked" in the notch, giving a trampoline effect rather than the impact energy being put into moving the strings along out of place so they snap back? Newly strung un-notched strings slide easily, heavily notched strings do not slide without sufficient topspin applied?

worn strings don't provide as much spin as new strings because the string bed surface is 'flatter' because the crosses are 'sinking' into the mains due to notching. in other words, the raised ridges at the intersection of the mains & crosses are less pronounced and therefore the stringbed isn't able to grab the ball as well. the same reason why worn tires don't grip or bite as well in the snow as new tires.

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Riiiight...



Okaaaaay...

I feel like quoting Dr. Seuss here for some reason..."try it try it, you shall see...." LOL

[Dgdavid]

i had baby lotion ready for tonight's match but totally bottled it at game time. i think i would have looked a proper knob so decided against it. i'm sure it works but can't be rubbing cream onto tennis strings, life is too short!

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by Mongolmike

Using the 105s, my strings are noticably notched after about 2 hours play, and after 4-6 hours they look like they could pop anytime. And the deeper they are notched, of course the harder they are to manually move the strings out of the notch to inspect.

I wonder if this deeper notching is part of the launch problem... if during a match with deeply notched strings, if you take an easier swing or a defensive swing without using a lot of topspin... maybe the strings are "locked" in the notch, giving a trampoline effect rather than the impact energy being put into moving the strings along out of place so they snap back? Newly strung un-notched strings slide easily, heavily notched strings do not slide without sufficient topspin applied?

The mains stay notched onto the crosses such that the crosses don't move up or down. I don't seem to notice any ill effects from this, but when the mains do not slide back along their notches to the normal neutral position, it seems like the balls start going long, presumably because they have less topspin to bring them down. Who knows......

[Buford T Justice]

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

i had baby lotion ready for tonight's match but totally bottled it at game time. i think i would have looked a proper knob so decided against it. i'm sure it works but can't be rubbing cream onto tennis strings, life is too short!

Ha! I make a point to show people I am doing it!

In fact, some I have shown this to wanted to try it as well and guess what? They now carry hand lotion in their bags.

[tlm]

Originally Posted by JackB1

please read my post here in my review thread:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...2&postcount=27

I am curious if I am alone in this issue I am having with the control of the 99S? It's seems like it's either "feast or famine" for me with this stick and I don't know if it's me or the stringbed? I haven't had any of the string breakage issues some are having and I am not sure if this problem is due to the full poly job losing tension after a few hours or not? Maybe I should measure the tension with my iphone app and see how much it dropped since I got it 1 week ago?

I tried to tell you that a few weeks ago but you thought this overhyped granny stick was perfect.

[Rafaboy]

Ive had the same problem. After a few days of use, my 99s started to feel mushy and not precise. I thought it was just me. But now ,i know it was the strings losening, because i own two 99s, and switched off to the one with the fresh string job,(same strings, tension) and it felt crisp and easy to play again.

But i also learned to work with the mushy one, as it seemed to be a matter of feel. Still prefer the fresh one, and i will get the mushy one restrung soon.

poly @ 61#, level 5.0