Wilson NPro Open...my thoughts.

nickb

nickb

Banned
Hey guys,

Today I had a good 2 hour hit with this stick...I have been looking for a lighter racket for a long time now. To be specific a racket that does not feel hollow or underpowered because of the lack of mass. My fischers are great but I cant hit the ball deep in matches and feel like im working too hard for the results I get. Im really impressed with the NPro...I think it plays much better than the AeroPro Drive, Pure Drive, O3 White and all the others rackets in that spec range.

Groundstrokes:

I found it lower powered than both the aeropro drive and PD. Control is good, spin is excellent and depth is very easy to control. With the aeropro drive I can hit more spin but never feel fully in control of the ball. From the baseline the NPro is perfect...slices stayed low and very deep. I played a set and felt like I could keep the ball very deep putting more pressure on my opponent.

Volleys:

This is where I normally HATE rackets like this. However I am pleased with how the NPro responds at net. Decent feel and very easy to punch balls away. The racket is very quick around net and pick ups from the feet are easy. I think with some lead in the hoop it would make a great doubles racket. Stablity is good...mostly from the high stiffness rating.

Serves:

Serves big. Not a PD but spin and pace are easy. "Effortless" is the word I would use to describe serving with this stick. Placement is good and excellent spin. I get more 1st serves in with this racket.

Returns:

Very quick on the return. I enjoyed taking a bigger swing at the ball and blocking back big serves. Not like my fischer but gets the job done. I made a high % of returns with this racket..its very quick to get around.

Comfort:

More comfort than the babolats. Off centre hits are fine. Small sweetspot for the headsize. Feels like it has some foam in the frame which reduces vibration.

Overall:

I really like this racket and can see a switch ;-). Im not getting the spin or headspeed I want/need from my fischers.

I have just ordered 2...

I know its late as this racket is discontinued but if you are looking for a lighter, solid players racket with big spin potential then you should take this out for a test!

Cheers

Nick
 
westy

westy

Semi-Pro
thats the one i thought it would be.....

i think i am in a similar situation to you, as much as i like my current racket (330g unstrung + leather), after nearly 3 months i still cant "find" my serve. pace hasnt dropped much but spin and consistency arent as good as they have been using rackets such as dunlop mfil 300. will definetely check out this racket.....

thanks

EDIT: did you order from TW?
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
I got from them from one the UK websites...they are around £80...if I do switch I will get more from the US.

They really are stable for the light weight...they are great on serve.

Nick
 
C

ChaseD13

New User
I use this racket too! (i now have 2 of them).

I'm a 17 yr old highschool player. I would self rate at probably a 4.5.

Since i don't play all year, i cant really handle a real heavy racket as im not always in great tennis shape (im an athlete, but i cant constantly keep my shoulder ready to go on serves etc.).

I used to play with the lm rad, but i always seemed to lack some spin and depth. I triend the PD line, but hated the feel. I demoed the npro because it had similar specs, and it turned out that i loved it!

My only complaint is that i cant really hammer serves, but i am very consistant (a trade off i guess).

Overall, the racket is a great fit for me- something control(ish) oriented, but still with enough juice to keep rallies deep against strong players.

if you are looking for an 11ish oz racket, definitely try this one!
 
Automatix

Automatix

Legend
Interesting choice... among somewhat tweener racquets I really liked this one... much much much better than a PD...

However I still prefered the old nPro with an 18x18 pattern... much better control, and although the beam was "only" 23mm it had decent power.
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
Great did a load of drills like "spanish", volley to volley, S and V, return of serve, deep ball-short ball-volley-smash and a basket of smashes.

Racket is great...my review still stands. Great power, super fast around the court and big spin from the baseline. I really enjoyed the hit...will be playing again 2moro and then some baskets/doubles on tuesday. Im looking foreward to getting mine in the right gripsize.

Nick
 
1012007

1012007

Hall of Fame
too late!!

Are you permanently switching? or havnt you decided yet?
Im looking forward to trying this out, hopefully get a cheap deal off the bay
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
Also I will be puting some lead tape on mine when I get them...around 5 grams on the head and 10g in the handle.

Nick
 
1012007

1012007

Hall of Fame
Never used lead, like stock rackets.

However if i get one i might use a bit, does it ruin the racket if you take it off?
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
No it can be moved around on the frame..its just got a sticky backing.

Ps..Dont buy a frame just bacause I like it!...our games will be very different...you might hate it.

Nick
 
1012007

1012007

Hall of Fame
I was looking at it before as well as the Speedport Tour. Now your opinion confirms its good, its had Good reviews, i might just buy both
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
I used to have an Nblade but it was so long ago I cant really remember what it was like. However I do remember that I hated it!

Nick
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
Pic of the frame:

As a thanks for letting me use the racket for the next 3 days I will be stringing it up with Big Ace 1.22 Red for my mate...

 
1012007

1012007

Hall of Fame
That looks nice. Take another pic with the BA. Put red mains and lime crosses!!Does it say china on the buttcap
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
He uses full red so thats whats goin in there...there is a sticker that says china in gold above the W on the butt cap.

Nick
 
1012007

1012007

Hall of Fame
Are you stringing it as we speak? Are you going to have a quick hit with it before you give it back to him?
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
No..stringing it in morning. Will be using it monday and tuesday before it goes back to him!

Nick
 
E

ey039524

Professional
I used to play with the nPro (yellow) and one cracked where the throat meets the head. Wilson sent me the nPro open (black, green), so now I play with these. I like the 16 x 19 pattern better b/c it gives more bite. I play doubles exclusively and like it for my level 4.0-4.5.

Now I'm trying to figure out which string to stick with for this racquet. I started with Lux fluoro and really liked it, but I started getting tennis elbow. I currently am using hybrids of BA 17 mains/VS gut crosses and SPPP 1.18 mains/VS gut crosses. I think I'm going to give a Blue Gear hybrid a try next b/c I'm not getting the same bite as I did with Lux.
 
B

BigApple

Banned
Great review Nick!

When I tried this racquet I did not think much of it. I added some lead and strung it up with Luxilon Big Banger ALU Power 16L, and did it come to life! I could actually hit volleys with a polyester! I find strings perform different in different racquets, and its best to try out a variety of strings when making the switch!

BTW, I'm coming to england in May for business. Whereabouts do you live in England? Let's knock around for a bit!

-BA

-BA
 
R

Ross K

Legend
nickb - a tweener wielder now?... NO WAY?!...

Seriously though. 2 Q's:

Just wondered quite why the N95 didn't quite do it for you ultimately? (I remember you saying before you used it for about a year or something.) Plus also, how is this NPro Open for a baseliner's game? (Sorry. The frame's totally unknown to me.)

Ross
 
0d1n

0d1n

Hall of Fame
Ross K said:
nickb - a tweener wielder now?... NO WAY?!...

Seriously though. 2 Q's:

Just wondered quite why the N95 didn't quite do it for you ultimately? (I remember you saying before you used it for about a year or something.) Plus also, how is this NPro Open for a baseliner's game? (Sorry. The frame's totally unknown to me.)

Ross
Click to expand...

Probably because the N95 is even harder to swing fast than his fischers ?? :)
 
R

Ross K

Legend
Odin,

I didn't know the N95 was that log-like?


Nick,

And another Q... Surely there's another top notch Wilson frame with a lot of the qualities you require that's nearer to the 12oz mark?
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
ey039524 said:
I used to play with the nPro (yellow) and one cracked where the throat meets the head. Wilson sent me the nPro open (black, green), so now I play with these. I like the 16 x 19 pattern better b/c it gives more bite. I play doubles exclusively and like it for my level 4.0-4.5.

Now I'm trying to figure out which string to stick with for this racquet. I started with Lux fluoro and really liked it, but I started getting tennis elbow. I currently am using hybrids of BA 17 mains/VS gut crosses and SPPP 1.18 mains/VS gut crosses. I think I'm going to give a Blue Gear hybrid a try next b/c I'm not getting the same bite as I did with Lux.
Click to expand...

Cool...im going to try full syn gut, poly mains and then full poly to see what I like best.

Nick
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
BigApple said:
Great review Nick!

When I tried this racquet I did not think much of it. I added some lead and strung it up with Luxilon Big Banger ALU Power 16L, and did it come to life! I could actually hit volleys with a polyester! I find strings perform different in different racquets, and its best to try out a variety of strings when making the switch!

BTW, I'm coming to england in May for business. Whereabouts do you live in England? Let's knock around for a bit!

-BA

-BA
Click to expand...

Where did you add the lead tape?

Im thinking of adding around 15g (3 + 9 and handle)...

Im in Leeds....always up for a hit!...sure we can set something up. You can email me by clicking on my user name.

Nick
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
Ross K said:
nickb - a tweener wielder now?... NO WAY?!...

Seriously though. 2 Q's:

Just wondered quite why the N95 didn't quite do it for you ultimately? (I remember you saying before you used it for about a year or something.) Plus also, how is this NPro Open for a baseliner's game? (Sorry. The frame's totally unknown to me.)

Ross
Click to expand...

Haha...ive not made the switch yet!...just trying it out :)

The nsix-one 95 was just too slow around the court for me..which is why I went to the fischers. The N95 is a fantastic racket but when playing against top players it made me feel slow. The fischers are better but im still not gettign the head speed I need...plus I feel like im putting too much effort into the shot im getting if you see what I mean.

The NPro is great for a baseliner...thats who its designed for. Spin is fantastic, very quick around the court and pretty stable for the lighter weight. With some lead tape its a serious weapon..

Nick
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
Ross K said:
Odin,

I didn't know the N95 was that log-like?


Nick,

And another Q... Surely there's another top notch Wilson frame with a lot of the qualities you require that's nearer to the 12oz mark?
Click to expand...

The N95 swings pretty heavy...I play at least 3 hours a day..sometimes over 6!..see why I need a lighter racket now?! :)

I will be leading the NPro up to at least 11.8oz...I just need something faster around the court. I have a full western grip which means im finding it hard to swing the heavy racket fast to get decent spin.

I might go back to my fischers yet...its happened many times before!

Nick
 
R

Ross K

Legend
Nick, everyone,

Sorry. Slightly off topic but...

1. Which swings slower and heavier to you - PSC 6.1 or the N95? And are we talking marginally or by a lot?

2. Also, getting away from the 1st few legendary Pro Staffs, the 6.1's, and excluding the NPro, which other Wilson frames off the top of your head do you recommend to a b-liner? (Apologies but NPro, NCode, Hammer, Hyper Hammer and all those numerous frames with numbers like the 5. 0, the 6.5, the 7.2, and who knows what, means very little to such a relative newcomer to the Wilson brand as myself... Hmmm... I feel a thread coming on!)

Cheers

R.
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
Ross K said:
Nick, everyone,

Sorry. Slightly off topic but...

1. Which swings slower and heavier to you - PSC 6.1 or the N95? And are we talking marginally or by a lot?

2. Also, getting away from the 1st few legendary Pro Staffs, the 6.1's, and excluding the NPro, which other Wilson frames off the top of your head do you recommend to a b-liner? (Apologies but NPro, NCode, Hammer, Hyper Hammer and all those numerous frames with numbers like the 5. 0, the 6.5, the 7.2, and who knows what, means very little to such a relative newcomer to the Wilson brand as myself... Hmmm... I feel a thread coming on!)

Cheers

R.
Click to expand...

1) The PSC swings heavier...not by that much.

2) Not many...the K90 but thats very demanding. Most of them are light and powerful...the 6.1 is your best bet if you want heavy.

Nick
 
E

El Guapo

Semi-Pro
nickb said:
The N95 swings pretty heavy...I play at least 3 hours a day..sometimes over 6!..see why I need a lighter racket now?! :)

I will be leading the NPro up to at least 11.8oz...I just need something faster around the court. I have a full western grip which means im finding it hard to swing the heavy racket fast to get decent spin.

I might go back to my fischers yet...its happened many times before!

Nick
Click to expand...
Have you looked at an AN95? Lighter than the US model but still heavier than the nPro Open.
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
Had another 3 hour hit with the NPro Open today.

Played a coach at his club on fast indoor carpet (LTA 4.1). Lost the match 3-6 7-5 2-6 but played great....last time we played I got beat 6-0 6-2 so im pleased with today!

So far so good...I played around 80% S and V. This style works really well on the carpet...lots of aces and easy put aways. The racket feels like it could be better on volleys..cant wait to put some lead on mine when I get them wednesday.

Tomorrow I will be playing 3 sets of doubles so can get in some more volley practice and see how it is for doubles play.

Not going to change my signature just yet...but I think it will be changed by thursday :)

Nick
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
BTW didnt string with BA...used full wilson extreme at 62/64...want to give my mate fresh strings!

Nick
 
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