Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
The flattened pebble surface is called macadam and is common in places that rain a lot like the UK because it is porous so water drains easily.Currently on sabbatical/vacation in Spain and also spent a week on the Portuguese island of Madeira. While touring the east side of the island, I ran into this court right next to Faial Beach. Not that great of a court, but would have loved to play on it just for the surrounding views:
We did get to play on this court in the main city of Funchal for only €7:
Have also played on a few courts in Madrid as well. Only had room to bring 1 racquet so I brought my VCore95 strung with Tonic gut 54lbs x Max Power 1.25 51lbs. Next week I'm going to play on a court in a mountain town near Sierra de Gredos Regional Park at an altitude where high altitude balls could be used, so I'm hoping that setting my ball pressurizer to 9psi will make them playable.
There are some odd court surfaces in Madrid that are almost like flattened pebbles and are a little more slippery than a usual hard court. Also, padel tennis is huge here. Pretty much every facility with tennis courts also has a number of padel courts as well.
Vicious49
Legend
Nice! I learned something new.
3rd MP-L ordered. If I'm having to pay $90 for an extra suitcase, I may as well add whatever I want to it. I'm still only using up about 5 lbs. My wife and her sisters are using the rest of the space for chocolates and crisps and jaffa cakes.
Would love to get a 2nd Artengo in there as well but they are sold out of L3 now.
I added this data to the MP-L thread when some asked for stock twist weight. I'll share it here in case you're interested with your incoming treasure.
BPlain
Semi-Pro
Round two with VCORE Pro 97 310 (2021) last night was some not so great doubles although it probably didn't help that I haven't played doubles since the end of indoor season. This frame appears to be more string sensitive as I had a second one strung up with Weiss Cannon Red Ghost 1.18 and it was a quick no for me. BK 1.18 continued to perform well overall in it though.
Took me awhile to get locked into doubles mode and also get the frame dialed in but it felt better by the end. I got a buddy to stay after and hit singles for about 20 minutes and was reminded why I liked this frame – at least on clay – so much in the first place. Much, much easier to play consistent tennis with as I trust the ball off the stringbed, especially on the forehand wing, more than I do/can with BAPs. Going to give it a go again this weekend in first round of our club tournament.
Also finally pulled the trigger on a Tourna CS-150 and strung my first frame last night. Testing HGS 1.20 to see how that compares to BK 1.18. Might also add a gram or two at 12 to see if I can get a touch more plow on my groundstrokes and serves without impacting whip too much.
danbrenner
Legend
I don’t think they run large. I use L4 in all my Babs. It’s not that they run large. They are just shaped differently. Which makes them feel either larger or smaller. But the circumferences are the same
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
Hit with the latest PS85 reissue and it feels exactly the way I remember the 2000s TW reissue. The feeling to me is one of neutrality, and I don't mean in any negative sense of being unremarkable or unexceptional -- quite the opposite -- it just feels like this is how tennis is "supposed to feel". It defies description, defies words. Any other quality in any other racquet, whether it's stiffer, crisper, plusher, etc., is measured by how much it departs from this platonic ideal. And it truly lets me focus on my tennis only. I think I'm ruined forever by this stick existing.
All that said, the highs are HIGH, but the lows are lower, and while I could probably take the gamble with the lows in a singles situation, I don't think it's fair to a doubles partner! Had this same problem about 8 years ago the last time I played competitively and decided to have a separate doubles match stick (IGPMP). I think the PS85 will ALWAYS have a spot in my bag, will most likely be the one that I practice/drill with, so I think my quest will be to find something simply with greater consistency for me for match play that can provide a seamless transition in general feel and response. I'm wondering what that looks like. Lighter but similar RA and swing weight, maybe?
All that said, the highs are HIGH, but the lows are lower, and while I could probably take the gamble with the lows in a singles situation, I don't think it's fair to a doubles partner! Had this same problem about 8 years ago the last time I played competitively and decided to have a separate doubles match stick (IGPMP). I think the PS85 will ALWAYS have a spot in my bag, will most likely be the one that I practice/drill with, so I think my quest will be to find something simply with greater consistency for me for match play that can provide a seamless transition in general feel and response. I'm wondering what that looks like. Lighter but similar RA and swing weight, maybe?
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
I truly believe that a lot of ppl get arm pain because they choose a grip size too small for their hands and so grab their rackets too tight. That was the case with me and my Yonex 97HD and my OHBH. I usually grip very loose and relaxed but on carpet with this small grip I had to grip too tight. And the advice a lot of ppl give that they run large, actually leads to many ppl with a grip that is too small for them.
For me it would be really interesting to see, if Alcaraz switched grip sizes after having arm issues last year. Because he is playing with an L4 which is completely contradicting the mainstream right now.
I can only speak for myself and my strokes of course, but the thicker grip is way better for my arm and makes playing in a relaxed way easier.
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
Wow, how did you get one so fast in NYC? Tennis is so much fun with this and I even consider playing doubles with it for fun. Just because it is so easy to serve and volley with it. In doubles, return and serve are the only shots that I play from the baseline anyway, even on clay.
And yeah, I can see that it is a quest of above reach to get the same feel in a "better" playability package. Even the PS90 didn't feel that special, in my opinion.
Everything has a bigger head size and a thicker beam width these days, so everything will feel sluggish and a bit alien compared to the PS85. The PS85 is a racket that you can run around, holding it in one hand all the time, I don't know, this sounds strange, but it just doesn't feel like you are holding a racket. It is kind of not there in way. I have the same feel when I go to the attic and grab my Head Prestige600 Tour. Even though these are heavy rackets, their autonomy just makes them feel so natural to me. Giving the racket to the younger players in my club, they all say, wow this is a light weight racket as well, same with the PS85.
BUT, I also think, and I already have that to a certain extent with the PAVS, that when you play a racket for a longer time, it starts to feel like home as well. You just shouldn't grab other racket, especially those old girlfriends, and compare them. Haha. At the moment, if I don't get any arm pain in the next days, I am pretty sure, I'll stick with the PAVS (FW leather and 2 OGs --> 352 grams) until the next prodigy comes around. Who would have thought that I'd ever like a Babolat racket. My hitting partner, he plays the 2012 (?) PD always said: "Man, you gotta play with Babolat rackets, you have so much feel and touch yourself, you can have all the power in the world and still place the ball on a dime." I just never tried them for longer than an hour and never liked them on my OHBH. The PAVS is surprisingly great with it!
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
100% agree with the PS90. I've tried the N90, the K90, and nothing has really felt the same. I've tried the RF97 and I actually really like the feel, but I struggle with touch. And what you're describing in terms of nothing being there, is exactly what I mean by the racquet being sort of neutral. Like the tennis is just me. No external factors. Nothing weighing me down, but also nothing helping me or giving me a boost. Feels very pure.
Wise words. I was just starting to have more of an open mind. A hitting partner told me I was incredibly consistent with the Radical MP, and I think I could live with that level and blend of power/consistency/feel, if I could find it in a package that doesn't hurt my arm. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a pair of PAVSs too and looking forward to seeing how comfortable I can get with those.
Also re shipping speed, I ordered two weekends ago and the package got here two days ago? I know from the PS85 thread that some people in the US got theirs even more quickly.
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
Yeah, I would definitely also go down the way you mentioned with the Radical MP and simply play with it. When you ever come to Germany, we need to play a match, maybe even doubles against my team mates! Us with the PS85 against them. That would be so much fun!
BTW: Alcaraz arm doesn't look great:
antony
Hall of Fame
I’ve been primarily playing with a Clash Pro v2 the past few weeks to see if I should switch to it, and during a recent match, I felt that maybe the strings were bad as the gut main is very notched. I’ve just been losing confidence with it the past day or two. Feel like I’ve lost control. Just haven’t had a chance to restring it. Anyway, I switched back to my 6.1 95 with two month old poly strings and came back from being down a set in singles and won in the third set TB.
Serves were better with it, shot placement better, though it may not be as easier to get the high loopy ground strokes that seem to be easier with the Clash, I played better tennis with my 6.1 95 today. Ton of control. Shots were flatter I believe due to the 18x20 and I feel like that took time away from my opponent versus loopy balls. It was noticeably harder to slice backhand with the 6.1 95 and that hurt my defense. Still experimenting.
Serves were better with it, shot placement better, though it may not be as easier to get the high loopy ground strokes that seem to be easier with the Clash, I played better tennis with my 6.1 95 today. Ton of control. Shots were flatter I believe due to the 18x20 and I feel like that took time away from my opponent versus loopy balls. It was noticeably harder to slice backhand with the 6.1 95 and that hurt my defense. Still experimenting.
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Fed Kennedy
Legend
All these old paint schemes give me good vibes. There was a time when I wouldnt **** on a Liquidmetal racquet and now I hunt them in the wild
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
Uh oh Carlitos...
That would be awesome! I'll be sure to let you know if I make it out that way! Where in Germany are you?
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
I am very close to Bremen. So it is in the North. I don't have a car, but I can borrow one and come a bit of a distance.
topspn
Legend
IMO, it comes down to the grip. PD and PAs have syntec pro which is thicker and makes grip feel chunkier. The strike frames have syntec team which is thinner and feels normal size
Fed Kennedy
Legend
In this journey there are knowns and there are unknowns. Science tells us that there are many ways you can let yourself down, however a 6.1 will never let you down. As my grandfather used to say (scream) about certain petroleum based stocks: “HOLD!”
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Granny stick delivers!Kamikaze Week Part IV: 6-2, 6-1.
The weirdo responsible:
More later.
danbrenner
Legend
i totally agree. when i first started playing in 09 i copied Nadal and had both 1/4 and a 3/8 in an apd. i thought 3/8 was going large. until years later when i bought a 1/2 and realized that was my size.
danbrenner
Legend
Absolutely the replacement or base grip makes a difference. But that aside imo they run the same circumferences Between brands I mean.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
+1
That is the reason I get a 4 3/8ths and put 2 overgrips (gives me more room to modify the racquet, but gets me to the 4 1/2 grip size I need).
danbrenner
Legend
That works too. I prefer the 1/2 because then I can feel the bevels more clearly. With the 3/8 w 2 overgrips you can get to the 1/2 but it’s a little more spongy w less bevel feel. But that may also be preference for some
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
One can also hold the racquet too tight when the overgrip is polutted/dirty...
antony
Hall of Fame
Yeah I got measured a couple months ago and apparently my grip size is 4 1/2. I’ve been using 4 1/4 most of my tennis career (<2 years). I don’t know what I prefer but I agree the bevels are easier to feel on a 4 1/2.
The grip feels more natural in L4 for me, but I don’t know if I get as much spin.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Kamikaze Week Part IV: 6-2, 6-1.
The weirdo responsible:
More later.
On a tucked away back court of the club where I learned to play tennis as a chubby kid, I did a wee bit of what we like to call goating. First there was the early arrival and finding the man who taught me how to play the sport sitting there alone on the club's terrace, sipping a mug of beer at the end of another long day of teaching. He was in his 20s when he’d first taught me and my big brother how to hold and swing a frame, my grandparents having no better idea then with what to do with two visiting American kids who loved baseball, in a country where there was no baseball. And before he corrected us, back then we were swinging our frames like baseball bats. Today? Today I'm still lucky enough to hit occasional balls with this gent who taught me how to swing the racquet a bit more properly there on what is now court 3. But here I was now, on that terrace overlooking those courts, telling this old coach of mine about how I'd been having a terrible time with that swing of late, specifically the forehand, with not being able to carry over practice-set aggression and looseness into league matches, where tightness had been creeping in and the forehand getting too tight, too neutral, too safe and spinny. So he said to keep it simple: "Listen. Just think to yourself, when hitting the forehand, 'Straight.' You can hit the ball anywhere you want, change direction, that doesn't matter, but just think about that word, 'Straight' ('Prosto' being the word he was technically saying, in Polish).... He said thinking this word alone could help settle my mind and make me hit through the ball more, hit it forward, rather than brushing the back of it too much and leaving it short.
I was dubious, yet then on court 7, amid the trees and on some too-damp clay, that simple word rattled about in my mind and the goating commenced. A break to begin, an easy hold, and off we were. I was stepping in just a bit more on that forehand, front footing it instead of back-footing it, driving. None of this had to do, I think, with the racquet in my hand, but the racquet in my hand was a frame I've mentioned off and on in recent months, a 20-some-year-old stick I'd gotten used and cheap on the local market, loved immediately, and even called it "one of the best racquets I've ever hit with” back when I first tried it in its original 28-inch Diego length. Since then, I've customized the beast, called a "Pro Lite Tour XL," which apparently was a European exclusive, down to 27.25; the rest of the package is an 18/19 pattern in a super thin beam, 102-inch head. Before customization it was also crazy head-heavy, so silicone aplenty has been jammed into the handle to tip the balance down. ...
And the crazy thing?
This stick brought me a 6-2, 6-1 league win earlier in the season, yet I hadn’t played it after because I’d struggled to find my serve feel that day in spite of the score, and blamed it on the “blobby” head. Too easy. Of course the problem was me, my blobby head, not the stick’s. And last night, this was the frame I pulled out of the bag for grins once I’d lost in two close sets and then played much better ball for 4-1 when we stopped.
Decided to try and let those vibes carry over, with the Prestiges and PKs there at the ready for insurance, but they were never needed. If the Wilson 104 was Grandpa, maybe this is Babcia, or Grandma, and Grandma cooked: Heavy firsts, carvy seconds, down the line backhands and low cutting slices similar to my Prestiges. Forehands with drive, and with forgiveness but some serious control also out of that thin beam and 18/19 pattern. I even dug myself out of a handful of service games, the love-30 types, with pace and precision, and especially some really solid serving which resembled nothing of recent matches, where I’ve just been constantly “trying to find it.”
What are the chances of two match assignments several weeks apart, and the identical line score in each? Can’t be great. But I left there smiling, and sore, and now obviously have to let Grandma ride a bit. Next league match, there is no question. Texted the coach after, too, with the score and a thanks for helping me with that simple word.
Just hit it straight, fellas. And play on Thursdays, even if it’s your fourth match in four nights. Not Tuesdays.
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Curtennis
Hall of Fame
It peeves me when people claim that a Babolat grip runs big or a Yonex one does. It’s such a simple thing to measure. They absolutely do NOT run big. Just measure them.
In the photo below the white grip is a Babolat at a L3 and the black grip is my Yonex with an L4. I’d say those are on the money and their both nearly brand new racquets with maybe an hour or two on them tops so don’t say the grips compressed drastically.
ibb.co
ibb.co
In the photo below the white grip is a Babolat at a L3 and the black grip is my Yonex with an L4. I’d say those are on the money and their both nearly brand new racquets with maybe an hour or two on them tops so don’t say the grips compressed drastically.
D205-F806-597-F-403-A-9021-E1920-CFDBF44 hosted at ImgBB
Image D205-F806-597-F-403-A-9021-E1920-CFDBF44 in Cmoretennis's images album
ibb.co
50139-F93-193-F-4-E7-F-A6-C7-2-BF168000-EA4 hosted at ImgBB
Image 50139-F93-193-F-4-E7-F-A6-C7-2-BF168000-EA4 in Cmoretennis's images album
ibb.co
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Congrats @JGads
Way to go!!! Grandma has old wisdom and experience on her side. In my language "Prosto" means "simple"... which would also apply and be valid in your situation. Keep it simple...hit out in front... and hit with spin but through the ball and the shot (guide the direction and extend the arm through the shot). Great advice.
Rock on, buddy.
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It peeves me when people claim that a Babolat grip runs big or a Yonex one does. It’s such a simple thing to measure. They absolutely do NOT run big. Just measure them.
In the photo below the white grip is a Babolat at a L3 and the black grip is my Yonex with an L4. I’d say those are on the money and their both nearly brand new racquets with maybe an hour or two on them tops so don’t say the grips compressed drastically.
D205-F806-597-F-403-A-9021-E1920-CFDBF44 hosted at ImgBB
Image D205-F806-597-F-403-A-9021-E1920-CFDBF44 in Cmoretennis's images album50139-F93-193-F-4-E7-F-A6-C7-2-BF168000-EA4 hosted at ImgBB
Image 50139-F93-193-F-4-E7-F-A6-C7-2-BF168000-EA4 in Cmoretennis's images album
Thanks for sharing the measurement. I was one of those that said that Yonex grips run big compared to Wilson and Prince. Your post shows that they are the right size, but perhaps due to their shape, they feel bigger. I have done side by side comparisons with my L4 Wilson against my L4 Yonex and the latter definitely feels bigger.
Curtennis
Hall of Fame
Yonex synthetic grip feels thin. I’d imagine the actual racquet handle is probably a bit larger than some others. Maybe I’ll measure that next time.
Vicious49
Legend
Played a singles match against one of my regular opponents tonight. I was very up and down. Using the 2018 VC95 I started fast out of the gate and took an early 4-1 lead. That's when everything fell apart and ended up losing 6-7. Tried to mix the PAVS in for a bit but it feels like I've added a bit too much lead to it at 12. I got hot again midway through the 2nd. My partner decided to call it when I was up 4-3 as it was getting late and took us 2 hours just to get to that point.
The big takeaway is that in that 2nd set I figured out what I was doing wrong - I was playing too tight. In that 2nd set I realized that and started playing looser. It helped me get the depth and control back that I had lost. The game just became much easier.
On another note, my mother in law finally left for her UK trip so I should have my frames in about 10-14 days.
The big takeaway is that in that 2nd set I figured out what I was doing wrong - I was playing too tight. In that 2nd set I realized that and started playing looser. It helped me get the depth and control back that I had lost. The game just became much easier.
On another note, my mother in law finally left for her UK trip so I should have my frames in about 10-14 days.
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
Yeah! THAT is what I call a post! Love the story of the Mister Miyagi coach and the old racket.
And yeah, front foot, body over the ball, hit in front, that's it. When I play like this, everyone on the other side of the net has issues.
The "best" player in my club always says:
"Tennis is easy, it is all swing, contact point, and adjustment, NO power! Let the ball that is coming to you decide what shot you are hitting next. It doesn't matter who is on the other side, it is the ball that is coming to you that matters."
I always try to remember that when playing. Helps me to focus on the simple things and don't force things.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
Prosto
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Prosto means ‘simple’ as well in Polish. Double meaning. It’s the perfect word to think from here on. Miyagiski!
Girlfriend: “That’s it for this week, right? No more tennis?”
Me: “...”
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Also: @TierOneSportsOfficial (at least in Europe) with a big Wimbledon sale beginning today. BK reel ordered.
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
Man, who is this guy??? This is hilarious motivational movie stuff.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Hey guys,
1. Shall I keep the stock syngut (50/47) strung by TW for my 2 TF40 305 that I just received?
I am about to give them a try tonight (haven't even added leather grips), alongside my Doppios (with TourHex at 47/44 that I love) in some social doubles.
(B/c the stringer shop might also be still close due to a move for a week or so and also somehow it feels like a pity to just cut down the syngut without even trying it.)
2. Besides leather grips, how else do you think I should customize my TF40 305?
Mind you, I don't want to get them in the same weight class nor SW as my 3 RF97A (which I have moved from to Doppios, recently)
This question is also for @galapagos, thanks!
1. Shall I keep the stock syngut (50/47) strung by TW for my 2 TF40 305 that I just received?
I am about to give them a try tonight (haven't even added leather grips), alongside my Doppios (with TourHex at 47/44 that I love) in some social doubles.
(B/c the stringer shop might also be still close due to a move for a week or so and also somehow it feels like a pity to just cut down the syngut without even trying it.)
2. Besides leather grips, how else do you think I should customize my TF40 305?
Mind you, I don't want to get them in the same weight class nor SW as my 3 RF97A (which I have moved from to Doppios, recently)
This question is also for @galapagos, thanks!
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
@JGads I liked the "straight" tip!
And as a matter of fact, yesterday during my match, whenever I was tentative I was thinking of you, @JGads (I am historically nervous in matches my self, but yesterday I was also dizzy under some new "light chemotherapy" drug- posted about in the Health section and maybe still a tad jet lagged, after coming back from Morrocco last weekend).
galapagos
Hall of Fame
test and then tweak. You can try even in stock form. I found out that I like few "specs" areas so you never know what can suit you until you try. I would try in stock, then with leather/lead in the handle and from there tweak more if needed. I found out at TF40 likes mass at 10 & 2 but mine has low SW and yours should be good. Go by feel.
Vicious49
Legend
The other key takeaway from last night was that I'm starting to play more aggressive. When I'm playing well I consistently hit the deep corners. When I do, instead of waiting at the baseline for the next ball I'm moving up to the service line to try and close out the points faster. My volleys still aren't very good but it needs to be done for me to continue to progress as a player. I can't wait until I can figure that part of the game out as it will definitely shorten points and games instead of the grind fests I currently get in to.
danbrenner
Legend
That’s an excellent point. Pun intended. So many of us enjoy baseline rallies. So we often neglect mentally trying to hit approach shots. But hitting an approach shot and moving up the court is a debilitating blow for any opponent and we should all have that in mind when looking for strategies on the court. Excellent point that you bring up. It’s only if our opponent is way faster than us that this strategy is more dangerous for us than beneficial. Foot speed being a huge criteria here. It’s like stealing bases. The faster you are the more likely it’s going to work.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Find some better doubles players and play more dubs or if you have live ball in your area do that, helps a ton with the net game.
Vicious49
Legend
My old coach came by the court for a few games last night. He basically said I need to get to the net faster. There's still hesitation in my decision making on whether I should go to the net or not because I'm still not entirely comfortable.
Here's a few highlights from last night. I'm in the blue shirt and you can see how I put my opponent in a bad spot and sometimes I capitalize on it and sometimes I don't. I'm really not comfortable at the net but I need to learn.
SwingVision: Farhan H vs Opponent
SwingVision is the #1 tennis & pickleball app for real-time automated score keeping, stats & line calling. Measure your serve speed, match stats & more!
swing.tennis
EDIT: Vid should work on Safari. It takes an extra day to convert for other browsers.
If you watch the video, what is my style? Would I be considered a counterpuncher? I've always wondered. But you can see why I like control oriented frames as my goal is usually to make the person run from side to side when I can.
L
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Vicious49
Legend
The dubs guys I play with don't understand doubles strategy or just aren't very good from the baseline. They let their balls be poached way too often which leaves me in a bad spot at the net more than I'd like. Dubs at this point is more about me getting to test or rotate through my frames. Also, I don't really want to find better dubs players as it's not my preference. I'm always looking for better singles players though.
I'm working on the same thing as my volleys/overheads blow. King of the court seems to be helping the most. Just come in off every ball you hit.
Vicious49
Legend
I'm not sure what King of the court is. Don't think I've heard that term before. Could you elaborate?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Pan Marek, or Mr. Marek, as I've called him since I was a chubby boy who couldn't understand every second word he said. Thirty-plus years have now gone by and I've grown up, slimmed down, while he's remained exactly the same: same long and lanky body, same smooth and steady strokes. I've lost my hair, his remains glorious, only gray. Marek coaches from morning to evening, every day, collecting money in a George Costanza-size wallet, and even though he's in the sun all day every day, his summer skin looking like a Rawlings first baseman's mitt, he spends any free hour in between lessons sitting in the sun, looking up into it while a basket of balls and his two Flexpoint Radicals rest beside him. "Marek, your whole life is in the sun, and then even on your break, you're bathing in it?" He looked at me with all the seriousness in the world, and said, "But I love the sun. I love it." He also added, "Did you know yesterday was the longest day of the year? From now on, we'll get less and less. Do you know what that means?" He sighed. "It means winter is starting." It was 82 degrees and sunny still, at 7:55 p.m., when he said this.
