gd driver pls tell us about your experience as i am a pro open player
Ferererkblade,
my pro opens are similar to yours with most of the extra weight in the handles. I have four of them that weigh roughly 335 grams. (I took a few grams off of one to make it lighter for tournaments when playing the 4th match of the day).
I love the Pro Open and have never found a suitable replacement (Wilson Steam, Yonex VCore 100S or VCore 98D, BB London or Yonex RDiS 200 (which I do think is the closest, but in the end, there was no reason to switch frames).
I play singles and doubles and have a different style for each. In singles, I tend to stay on the baseline and run guys side to side and flatten out my forehand when they give me a short ball. I put the ball back in play, and patiently wait for the right time to rip flat shots. If in trouble or playing deep shots , I try to resit the point by hitting to the middle of the court to avoid angles from my opponent. In doubles, I am aggressive at the net and poach relentlessly on balls that float don't have any zip. I generally hit ROS flat and away from the net guy, and come in immediately. I play doubles with a 6'5" 4.0 player (former 3.5 partner) and with another shorter 5'11" 3.5 partner, in tournaments and on various teams. These guys have different style of play, and I hit with both of them over the weekend singles and doubles. The 3.5 guy has a cannon for an arm on forehands, volleys and overheads, so hitting with him is not much different than the 6'5" guy. They are both great partners in doubles.
The Steam 99S was an easy switch for me. I love the spin off the forehand, but where I think this frame shines the most for me is my 2HBH and serve. I can generate more topspin on the backhands and it has more pop with the full poly. I have always played hybrids due to arm issues and while I don't prefer full poly, the Steam 99S isn't designed for mulitifilament crosses strings and it is very apparent if you try them as crosses.
On the ROS, the Steam 99S allows for much more topspin and it was easier to dig out those very spinny serves that stayed low. One guy has a very different style of play with a lot of hard backspin that keeps the ball very low. He is a teammate, but he gives opposing teams trouble with these shots and they are so very different from most players on the courts. The Steam 99S made dealing with his cut shots must easier.
If you like the Pro Open, my guess is you will love the Steam 99S. My doubles partner who plays with the RDiS 200 is switching to the Steam 99S also. He hits more topspin than me, and after one set and some drilling with it, ask me to get him two. lol
After 19 sets against hard hitting 4.0s / very strong 3.5s all weekend, my arm feels it. The gut/poly setup should help that cause.
Pick one up asap if you can.