TW Prototype Playtest Racquets
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marantzbar
New User
It would be nice if I can playtest the new Aeropro Drive GT as I've been using the Aeroprodrive Cortex for 2 years now and I really like it. MSV focus Hex 17g @ 57 lbs. mains and prince syn. orig. 16g @ 60 lbs. crosses.
FEDERERNADAL13
Legend
Hi, I'm new to this forum but am an experienced tennis player. I heard about the testing and had to get in on it. I have 2 babolat aero pro drive cortex and have used and loved them for two years. I'd love to try the new areopro drive gt. 
FEDERERNADAL13
Legend
Oh, I frogot to mention, my brother has two wilson k90s, so he'd also love to test anything available.
-s the blx tour 90 available for testing? Oh, and we are both 14 year old baseline strokers.
-s the blx tour 90 available for testing? Oh, and we are both 14 year old baseline strokers.
Callistus13
New User
I would like to playtest some racquest! I currently use a Head Microgel Prestige Pro.
My email is nguycm7@wfu.edu
My email is nguycm7@wfu.edu
FEDERERNADAL13
Legend
Tennis warehouse, as previousely mentioned,
I am open to playtesting any racket, preferrably
the blx90 or the aero pro drive gt. My email is jay_faz@hotmail.com
Thank you! And before I forget, how do you put a picture on your thing?
I am open to playtesting any racket, preferrably
the blx90 or the aero pro drive gt. My email is jay_faz@hotmail.com
Thank you! And before I forget, how do you put a picture on your thing?
I would love to playtest a raquet. I currently use the PB 10 mid. Send an email to mach_jason@hotmai.com
Bud
Bionic Poster
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Personal Racquet of Choice: Tecnifibre 320 VO2 Max strung currently with Pro Supex Big Ace 17g at 62lbs.
Color of racquet received: Orange and white stripe
Specs: Strung weight = 316g/11.1oz. Balance = 32.5cm or @5.6HL. 4 1/2 grip size.
Head size @ 100in
How many hours tested: In the span of a week I played an estimated 14 hours with the racquet.
Performance Comments
Ground strokes: Due to the specs of the racquets, one who likes to generate a lot of racquet head speed will appreciate this racquet. The static weight and head light features made this racquet very maneuverable. That allowed one to easily take good cuts at the ball or take balls successfully late in defensive postures. Though the ball seems to zip through the court, lack of heavy ball was noticeable. After some target adjustment, depth of the ball was easily found and spin shots to create acute angles were produced with much success.
Serve: Again the specs of the racquet allowed an increase in racquet head speed and maneuverability. This allowed serve pronation to be easily executed. Spins and slice serves were a delight, but again a heavy ball was noticeably lacking. Flat serves lacked some zip but accuracy due to the light racquet heft made up for it.
Volley: Maneuverability seems the right word for this racquet. The head light specs and plush feel made the racquet a force to reckon with at the net. Those with slow hands will surely enjoy this racquet at net, as the lack of head heft and static weight made the racquet very responsive to fast acting shots at net.
Serve Returns: Light racquets can have a history of being pushed around by heavy opponent shots, especially in returns. The suspected silicone filled handle made the racquet plush on off center shots. Coupled with a large head size, those with short take backs on the serve can control heavy fast serves with average success.
General performance comments: The racquet is light and would be a good intermediate and advanced doubles racquet of choice. The muted feel of the racquet, the head size, and maneuverability, makes the racquet an attractive choice for up and coming players looking for a little zip to their ball without a heavy swing weight. Advanced players may need to adjust their strokes and could find themselves with extra spin on their groundstrokes. Though the racquet may find itself lacking heavy produced shots, the control of the racquet will allow for better defensive. I would again suggest these racquets to intermediate players who rely a lot on defense. Advanced doubles players who encounter fast net play will enjoy the maneuverability and control of the stick as well.
Sup,
I got the same demo and my findings were similar to yours.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=4112210&postcount=250
Thx for nice review and somewhat in line with mine (showing that I am not too crazy!).
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bladexnight
New User
Hey guys! I just played with the new Babolat Aeropro Drive GT! The groundstrokes seemed more solid as well as the backhand. The new paint job is sick as it's all black on the throat and slightly yellow. Sorry I don't have pics but I can tell you it feels quite nice. The new paintjob is like shiny on one side and smooth on the other. The description of the weight,strings, etc seemed to be smaller. Also, the words "woofer system" isn't on one side which is empty with all black. TW my ex-coach had let me borrow this for like 5mins but I'd love it if you can let me playtest it for a couple more days! Thanks. tennisguy2005@yahoo.com
FEDERERNADAL13
Legend
I don't know, I want to know though! Are they still asking for people to playtest?
Are they still asking for people to playtest?
Azzurri
Legend
I don't know, I want to know though!
They chose people that had posted reviews in the past. I doubt you would be able to get one until you post some reviews of your own.
FEDERERNADAL13
Legend
Ok, well thanks anyway! If there are any rackets that I can playtest I'll be happy to though.
If anyone has the Blx tour 90 can you please review it because I really want to know what it's like!!!!:twisted:
By the way, how do you get avatars for your thingy? I have absolutely no idea...
If anyone has the Blx tour 90 can you please review it because I really want to know what it's like!!!!:twisted:
By the way, how do you get avatars for your thingy? I have absolutely no idea...
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Well I'm either wrong about the bumps or all my AK90's are not from the same batch. Yesterday I stripped down one of my AK90's to just bare bones frame (no grip, no grommets) and I noticed that right above the handle there are bumps there. They are not as prominent or high up as the KPS88 but nevertheless they are there. I'll have to pull back the grip on the others to see if all of them have the bumps or not.
I'm actually taking my most scratched up and chipped AK90 and attempting to do a custom paint job on it. Not something I thought I'd ever try but now that I've sanded off 1/2 the paint there is no turning around
Hey Peter,
Yes, the AK90's definitely have the 'bumps' above the handle. They may be 'concealed' by the grip, depending upon how you wraps yours.
Best,
BHBH
jefferson
Semi-Pro
By the way, how do you get avatars for your thingy? I have absolutely no idea...
You need certain number of posts before you can add an avatar to your profile. i think its 50 posts.
shell
Professional
Samster, my findings were similar also. But, it could be that all three of us are crazy :twisted:
tennisdude6746
New User
Pick me Pick me for the AeroPro Drive GT Please my email is tennisace@hargray.com
tennisdude6746
New User
Oh sorry and I am a 17 year old high school tennis player who uses a western forehand and 2 handed backhand. I enjoy hitting with spin and am good at the net. So please pick me Thanks, Chris
Thanks, Chris
Sup2Dresq
Hall of Fame
^^^ me three. We have speculated for so long about what frames we thought that we had... TW please end our misery
I am fairly confident that the racket they sent me, (Orange and Yellow) is a Ksurge. but you never know!
Maybe you are crazy? maybe Shell is as well? Maybe we are all crazy?
Crazy like a fox?
p.s. was going to put a megan fox pic.. but wasn't worth it.
flashfire276
Hall of Fame
I doubt I can still get it. But as a dedicated Babolat User, I'd want to try the Aero Storm GT. I really want to compare it with my Aero Storm 2008.
flashfire276
Hall of Fame
Hey guys. I went to my local tennis shop and they had the Babolat Aero Storm Tour GT Prototype in stock. I'll post pictures whenever I can.
But anyways, it's not red anymore. It's mainly yellow, black, and some white. It doesn't have Woofer on the 2 sides of the racquet anymore. At the top of the racquet, it says GT Technology and has the fiber construction shown just like on the Pure Drive GT racquets. It doesn't say Aero Storm in silver on throat of the racquet anymore, but it just says Aero Storm Tour in white and red.
It's a shame the shop won't let me demo it. If I can cough up some money to buy it (the guy said he'd give it to me for $140), I'll post what I think of it, and compare it to the my Aero Storm 2008 (about an ounce lighter version of the Aero Storm Tour)
But anyways, it's not red anymore. It's mainly yellow, black, and some white. It doesn't have Woofer on the 2 sides of the racquet anymore. At the top of the racquet, it says GT Technology and has the fiber construction shown just like on the Pure Drive GT racquets. It doesn't say Aero Storm in silver on throat of the racquet anymore, but it just says Aero Storm Tour in white and red.
It's a shame the shop won't let me demo it. If I can cough up some money to buy it (the guy said he'd give it to me for $140), I'll post what I think of it, and compare it to the my Aero Storm 2008 (about an ounce lighter version of the Aero Storm Tour)
hoodjem
G.O.A.T.
Now there's a racquet named temptation!!
TW Staff
Administrator
Drum roll please.... We are revealing the identities of the blacked out racquets.
Each model came with two colors of tape. One referenced the model, the other grip size.
Racquet colors
Orange = Wilson Pro Open BLX
Blue = Six-One Tour BLX
Red = Wilson Six-One 95 BLX
Green = Wilson Tour 95 BLX
Grip size
Yellow = 4 3/8
White = 4 1/2
Each model came with two colors of tape. One referenced the model, the other grip size.
Racquet colors
Orange = Wilson Pro Open BLX
Blue = Six-One Tour BLX
Red = Wilson Six-One 95 BLX
Green = Wilson Tour 95 BLX
Grip size
Yellow = 4 3/8
White = 4 1/2
Blade0324
Hall of Fame
Very interesting. I'm glad to know this and it was nice to hit with a racquet without having any preconceived notion of it based on a name or anything. I can say that it does tell me that I have no need to even give these a look from a switching standpoint as I do not find it as good as my current bat.
Thanks again TW for such a fun and exciting opportunity.
Thanks again TW for such a fun and exciting opportunity.
Sup2Dresq
Hall of Fame
Thanks TW for letting me be involved with the BLX prototype versions.
Interesting how I think I got the Del Potro racquet but it wasn't anywhere close to the K95 lineage.
If you want me to review any others let me know. The Prince Ignite Team looks interesting. I've hit with the Ignite non-team version already.
Sup
Interesting how I think I got the Del Potro racquet but it wasn't anywhere close to the K95 lineage.
If you want me to review any others let me know. The Prince Ignite Team looks interesting. I've hit with the Ignite non-team version already.
Sup
DNShade
Hall of Fame
Ha! Reminds me of the time in college when a friend was bragging about how she liked this fancy type of vodka, and how after spending a semester in England where she drank it a lot, she couldn't even stand to drink the cheap stuff anymore. A buddy went to the bar, bought her a drink with the cheap stuff, but told her it was the fancy stuff. She sat back, sipped slowly and said, "Ah yes. That's the stuff..."
Shangri La
Hall of Fame
What's the reason behind going through the effort and playtesting Released racquets?
DNShade
Hall of Fame
Cause they're not released yet? Just because there are demo sticks out there doesn't mean it's released. Kind of the point. Just to get honest reviews and get word of mouth going about the new line of sticks coming out. Pretty smart if you ask me.
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DNShade
Hall of Fame
Exactly. No PJs to excite or turn people off. Just the sticks. And like many blind taste tests - we see how self proclaimed "experts" tend to fair when it came to comparing and reviewing. Kinda fun.
VGP
Legend
Here's what I had.....
Since it was getting colder here, I had to do it inside. Optimal playing conditions, but not optimal price for court time! I wish I had even more time to compare and contrast. Even though it turned out that I didn't like what was the Six-One Tour BLX, it was nice to do it with minimal "hype" interference. Blind taste test for sure. All demos should be blacked out!
But, I'm not surprised that I didn't like the frame. I didn't gel with k90 either. Don't like the polarized weight distribution. I prefer the kPS88 and PS85 frames and ones like it.....like my trusty (now 25 year old) Wilson Graphite Force.
Thanks so much for the opportunity to play with the frame.
Since it was getting colder here, I had to do it inside. Optimal playing conditions, but not optimal price for court time! I wish I had even more time to compare and contrast. Even though it turned out that I didn't like what was the Six-One Tour BLX, it was nice to do it with minimal "hype" interference. Blind taste test for sure. All demos should be blacked out!
But, I'm not surprised that I didn't like the frame. I didn't gel with k90 either. Don't like the polarized weight distribution. I prefer the kPS88 and PS85 frames and ones like it.....like my trusty (now 25 year old) Wilson Graphite Force.
Thanks so much for the opportunity to play with the frame.
flashfire276
Hall of Fame
Pretty cool. Thats a way for people to judge a racquet by the performance, not by the paintjob. I remember everyone was complaing about the BLX Six One Tour paintjob. But it's the racquet of a champion.
Hopefully TW can release some more prototypes soon. Love to try some!
Hopefully TW can release some more prototypes soon. Love to try some!
Shangri La
Hall of Fame
With only about a month left before release, does Wilson really have time to collect all the feedback, tweak their formula, adjust their production line, manufacture and ship the racquets to the world?
DNShade
Hall of Fame
Ah...no. This was in no way about Wilson or anyone else getting feedback to make any changes to the line. This was just about getting honest reviews out of people about how the line actually plays. This wasn't about Wilson getting feedback it about TW getting feedback and to build some hype.
Did anyone actually think Wilson was looking for the feedback from some random posters here about how to make their sticks?
Hahahah oh man
Similar story. I had vicadin(too lazy to try to figure out how to spell it) for my broken collar bone, and at a regional tennis tourney a girl from my school was whining about how much she hurt. Her being super dramatic and annoying we gave her aspirin and told her it was some of my pills. She proceeded to make an ass out of herself. Great time
Topaz
Legend
Exactly...no bias or influence from a paintjob or any preconceive notions, just honest feedback.
Pretty revealing in the end, don't you think?
It was fun! TW, I'd love to to it again if the opportunity arises!
DNShade
Hall of Fame
Exactly...no bias or influence from a paintjob or any preconceive notions, just honest feedback.
Pretty revealing in the end, don't you think?
It was fun! TW, I'd love to to it again if the opportunity arises!
I think it's a great idea - especially for new releases. No bias or preconceived notions of how the stick must play since it's "so and so's" racquet, etc. And yes - quite revealing... : )
Keep it up TW. Good work.
Sup2Dresq
Hall of Fame
DNShade,
Nice catch on the misguided hype theory fail by said poster. *I raise my glass to you mister*
While I'm at it.. let me cook you up a chicken with my pals...
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