Have you managed to end your racquetholism? Please share your advices
- Thread starter DonDiego
- Start date
I'm reading you 
Over the past three years, I've bought about 180 rackets, but sold/traded/given away almost 50% of them. A lot of rackets I acquired specifically for using them in trades (mostly used ones).
But I was never looking for any kind of "holy grail", instead I wanted to build a nice little (...) collection of (mainly) Head (Prestige MP and Radical) rackets. Granted, some other companies got their due respect as well (Prince, Fischer, Völkl, Pacific, Dunlop, Yonex, Wilson...)... But it's still a pure hobby for me.
And recently I've begun losing interest in adding new rackets to the collection - in fact, I'm contemplating reducing its size somewhat. Yet at the same time, I will in all likelihood buy new rackets in the future; I just don't "need" to do it.
Edit: And by the way: I'm having great fun AND success playing with a Dunlop F2.0 Tour now. I know there's no reason to switch, but I will still do that in due time. After all, I'm not playing tennis to earn a living, it's all about the fun for me, and playing with different rackets from time to time is essential to this.
Edit: Had to count them just now - it's actually been about 160, with more than half that number no longer in my collection. Most of them are classics (e.g. iPrestige MP, Zebra, Candycane, PT630), and I couldn't resist hunting them down...
Over the past three years, I've bought about 180 rackets, but sold/traded/given away almost 50% of them. A lot of rackets I acquired specifically for using them in trades (mostly used ones).
But I was never looking for any kind of "holy grail", instead I wanted to build a nice little (...) collection of (mainly) Head (Prestige MP and Radical) rackets. Granted, some other companies got their due respect as well (Prince, Fischer, Völkl, Pacific, Dunlop, Yonex, Wilson...)... But it's still a pure hobby for me.
And recently I've begun losing interest in adding new rackets to the collection - in fact, I'm contemplating reducing its size somewhat. Yet at the same time, I will in all likelihood buy new rackets in the future; I just don't "need" to do it.
Edit: And by the way: I'm having great fun AND success playing with a Dunlop F2.0 Tour now. I know there's no reason to switch, but I will still do that in due time. After all, I'm not playing tennis to earn a living, it's all about the fun for me, and playing with different rackets from time to time is essential to this.
Edit: Had to count them just now - it's actually been about 160, with more than half that number no longer in my collection. Most of them are classics (e.g. iPrestige MP, Zebra, Candycane, PT630), and I couldn't resist hunting them down...
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n8dawg6
Legend
thank god somebody has bought more than me. ive even ordered a frame, decided i didnt want it, sent it back, then ordered it again. MORE THAN ONCE.
im in an endless loop of starting with more powerful tweeners, gravitating back to flexy control frames, then back to tweeners for a little more help, then back to control frames for better comfort and placement. fact of the matter is, at this point, I could take any one of the racquets out of my bag and i guarantee the game score would be the same or close to it.
cant get strings sorted either.
im in an endless loop of starting with more powerful tweeners, gravitating back to flexy control frames, then back to tweeners for a little more help, then back to control frames for better comfort and placement. fact of the matter is, at this point, I could take any one of the racquets out of my bag and i guarantee the game score would be the same or close to it.
cant get strings sorted either.
I thought i had. I had finally settled on the dunlop hotmelt 300g. Hadn't purchased anything for over a yr. I had even stopped visiting TT believe it or not! . Then i fell off the wagon last week. I purchased a graphene prestige S on impulse. :-(
I tried it and dont think im gonna switch to it. Matter of fact, out of the blue, i switched to my old exo3 rebel 98. Luckily i never sold it off and i still have a pair.
. Then i fell off the wagon last week. I purchased a graphene prestige S on impulse. :-(I tried it and dont think im gonna switch to it. Matter of fact, out of the blue, i switched to my old exo3 rebel 98. Luckily i never sold it off and i still have a pair.
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
I'm reading you
Over the past three years, I've bought about 180 rackets, but sold/traded/given away almost 50% of them. A lot of rackets I acquired specifically for using them in trades (mostly used ones).
Ok, you're beating me. But not by much!
In my case, it's not for a collection. I really want to find the racquet that will help me win more matches. I know it's the player, not the racquet, but a right one for you helps, right?
My tennis shop takes racquet in exchange. I bought the same two IG Radical mp 5 TIMES in the past year.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
Ummm... I hate to break the bad news to you..., but once you are hooked, it seems like there is no end.
Played with the Pro Staff 85 since the mid 80's. Collected a few frames like the Secret 04, Prestige 600, Prince Original Graphite Mid and such over 20 years, or so, which wasn't bad. However, since having decided to drop the Pro Staff in favor of the Exo 3 Rebel 95, the first version, my racketaholism started and hasn't looked back.
Though my main stick is the Pure Strike Tour, whenever I see a new frame in my favored specs range, I have to hold myself from clicking the buy button.
Lately, I have been collecting the old Pro Staff 85's and one Ultra 2. I am kind of having the 80's mid fever... right now...
Not really looking for the Holy-Grail. Just love having new frames and playing with them.
Played with the Pro Staff 85 since the mid 80's. Collected a few frames like the Secret 04, Prestige 600, Prince Original Graphite Mid and such over 20 years, or so, which wasn't bad. However, since having decided to drop the Pro Staff in favor of the Exo 3 Rebel 95, the first version, my racketaholism started and hasn't looked back.
Though my main stick is the Pure Strike Tour, whenever I see a new frame in my favored specs range, I have to hold myself from clicking the buy button.
Lately, I have been collecting the old Pro Staff 85's and one Ultra 2. I am kind of having the 80's mid fever... right now...
Not really looking for the Holy-Grail. Just love having new frames and playing with them.
Christian Olsson
Professional
The only thing I'm going to do is to find me a pair of nice Volkl and then go for strings. I'm working on my game instead. My nature is very much to perfect the material and I don't have the time to be bothered with that in other areas than my work so that's it! But heck, I know what you're all on to...
Sander001
Hall of Fame
I'm reading you
Over the past three years, I've bought about 180 rackets,
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
No... please. There'S got to be some happy endings, common people show up!
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
What doesn't help is some racquets are drastically different from others. Everytime I pick up a Prince Longbody for example, my shots are way more difficult to handle for my opponent compared to, say, a Radical mp. As is my serve if I'm having a good day. Same could be said for Pure Drives I guess. But somehow I never remember the reasons why I ditch it at some point. It's usually after losing a match.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Tips :
Play competitive USTA tennis and try to win matches.
Don't judge frames based on just hitting around.
To repeat - If you show up to a tennis court, play matches only. Never just hit balls.
Don't buy "platform frames". Stop modding. By now you should know what specs work for your game and buy racquets that fit within those specs.
Accept change. The only people that seem to resist the benefits of modern frames post here. I don't see them playing USTA tennis. I see people trying to win.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
I have tried pretty much all tweeners and player's frames from Asics to Yonex. I honestly don't think there is a bad racket, as long as it is within my preferred specs. That said, I am finding out that I prefer the frames from Babolat, Yonex and Wilson, but I still look at different frames with interest. I don't know why. I know they won't make me play any better, but I guess I'm a sucker for any frames with nice cosmetics.
I guess if your game needs so much improvement, sticking with one stick is a must. But if you have the techniques and are able to play somewhat competitive against good players, I don't see the problem of enjoying different frames. It's not like we are practicing to win the US Open.
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SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Make a concise list of what a racquet's specs and properties should be to suit your game and/or improve on your current racquet.
Next make a concise demo list.
Demo them extensively in match play.
Choose the one you're most comfortable with/with which your results are best and don't look back (play with it and get accustomed to it and DO NOT CHANGE OR TEST DURING A SEASON!).
I enjoy testing racquets quite a bit, but I've never gotten into quite such a racquet craze as some of you here... Perhaps it's my lack of disposable income haha (in that case, set yourself a spending limit for tennis related stuff too... Might help hold you back).
Next make a concise demo list.
Demo them extensively in match play.
Choose the one you're most comfortable with/with which your results are best and don't look back (play with it and get accustomed to it and DO NOT CHANGE OR TEST DURING A SEASON!).
I enjoy testing racquets quite a bit, but I've never gotten into quite such a racquet craze as some of you here... Perhaps it's my lack of disposable income haha (in that case, set yourself a spending limit for tennis related stuff too... Might help hold you back).
n8dawg6
Legend
thats what she said
bktennis78
New User
I'm amazing with whatever racquet I play so I just stick with the one that is easiest on my body. IG Radical Pro.
I basically buy one new frame per year (2 of the same if I switch to that one long term). My wife thinks it's crazy but compared to many people on this board I'm very tame.
I bought my first graphite frame in 1989..then another in 1991. Played only sporadically until around 2006 during which time I only bought one frame.
Then I started playing year round and found tennis warehouse, and the flood gates opened. Probably bought around 10 different frames in 2 or 3 years.
Since then I've leveled off to a frame a year and I'm okay with it..it's always <$100 and it's part of the fun. For the most part 90% of my matches have been played with NXG OS's....I have 3 of those.
I bought my first graphite frame in 1989..then another in 1991. Played only sporadically until around 2006 during which time I only bought one frame.
Then I started playing year round and found tennis warehouse, and the flood gates opened. Probably bought around 10 different frames in 2 or 3 years.
Since then I've leveled off to a frame a year and I'm okay with it..it's always <$100 and it's part of the fun. For the most part 90% of my matches have been played with NXG OS's....I have 3 of those.
jonestim
Hall of Fame
I'm still working on it. Over the last four years I have had 70 racquets come into my possession, and about 55 leave. Most have been thrift shop, used sports store, or from the 'bay that I have ended up selling for more or not losing much on. I have only purchased one racquet new, and have made almost $400 after figuring in all that I have spent. I have enough in my PayPal account from the sales to buy a couple racquets - and I almost did this week.
The thing is - do I need more? No. Do I need fewer? Yes.
I just need to commit to one pair of racquets and accept that they aren't going to be the best racquet for every shot.
Easier said than done.
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
I always play matches, rarely casual hitting.
I play well with many racquets. Problem is, I can play like a tennis god one night, and the day after, with the same frame, nothing works. That's usually when I switch.
See, at the moment I'm wondering which to use between Prince longbody, IG Radical MP and Graphene Radical Rev. Vastly different frames, each having their strenghts.
TL;DR: I stopped looking at racquets when I bought a pair of racquets in my spec range and focused on my game.
I had this problem with racquets in the past. I believed in looking for the perfect racquet, and any off day would lead me to question my choice in racquet. I switched racquets quite a few times, but my focus was rarely on my game and how I could make full use of the racquet. Instead my focus was on how certain aspects of the racquet didn’t fit my game. So I changed and demoed racquets a lot. I wasted a lot of time, energy, and money. Being a relatively frugal person, I scouted the T-W used racquets section daily, even if I knew there wasn’t something new. Random racquets from the past would pop up, and would tempt me to purchase another one…
And I did, a few times. Each new one felt like a hard reset, which I felt I needed sometimes. I didn’t like keeping the old ones around. I either sold them or basically gave them away. I sold my YT Radical OS for $5 in the middle of a sporting goods store because the guy was going to buy a $30 Aluminum racquet for his wife to start out on. I gave away my Prince TT Bandit and a Hyper Hammer 6.2 to a beginner couple at my local racquet club. If I had too many racquets, I’d just feel anxious, like they were a reminder of my insecurities.
So after demoing 3 racquets with similar weight but different characteristics, I realized that I could really get used to any of these if given enough time. I had done it before when I first started, I could probably still do it now. The three racquets were the Babolat Pure Drive+, Prince Tour 98, and Yonex Ai98. So I decided then and there, that I was just going to look for something around 11oz and put a string I liked in it.
I was browsing the used section as usual, and two Dunlop Aerogel 4D 500 Tour’s popped up. They were in spec range and were about $30 each…if I bought two, I could end this racquet juggling right now. After a few hours struggling with the decision I decided to bite the bullet and get both with a string I liked in the past.
Initially, I thought the racquets were a bit launchy. It seemed (maybe it was in my head) that I was hitting everything out. I really thought hard about sending them both back. I get buyer's remorse really easily, but I gave them (actually just one, haven’t touched the other one yet) another week. I tried to focus more on what I needed to do on the court instead of the racquets. So far, 6 weeks in, everything seems good. The racquet is now no longer a distraction, which is great because I already have too many of those on the court and in my head. I have no intention to look at any more racquets. It just seems like too much work now. My effort is better spent elsewhere, like trying to move up from a 3.0 hack and getting my mental game sorted out (which is the majority of the problem).
So yea...people are different. I personally don't like having a large collection of racquets that I'm not using. I can see racquet collection to be a cool hobby. I'd certainly be into collecting if I had more money, wall space, and people to show off my collection to.
I had this problem with racquets in the past. I believed in looking for the perfect racquet, and any off day would lead me to question my choice in racquet. I switched racquets quite a few times, but my focus was rarely on my game and how I could make full use of the racquet. Instead my focus was on how certain aspects of the racquet didn’t fit my game. So I changed and demoed racquets a lot. I wasted a lot of time, energy, and money. Being a relatively frugal person, I scouted the T-W used racquets section daily, even if I knew there wasn’t something new. Random racquets from the past would pop up, and would tempt me to purchase another one…
And I did, a few times. Each new one felt like a hard reset, which I felt I needed sometimes. I didn’t like keeping the old ones around. I either sold them or basically gave them away. I sold my YT Radical OS for $5 in the middle of a sporting goods store because the guy was going to buy a $30 Aluminum racquet for his wife to start out on. I gave away my Prince TT Bandit and a Hyper Hammer 6.2 to a beginner couple at my local racquet club. If I had too many racquets, I’d just feel anxious, like they were a reminder of my insecurities.
So after demoing 3 racquets with similar weight but different characteristics, I realized that I could really get used to any of these if given enough time. I had done it before when I first started, I could probably still do it now. The three racquets were the Babolat Pure Drive+, Prince Tour 98, and Yonex Ai98. So I decided then and there, that I was just going to look for something around 11oz and put a string I liked in it.
I was browsing the used section as usual, and two Dunlop Aerogel 4D 500 Tour’s popped up. They were in spec range and were about $30 each…if I bought two, I could end this racquet juggling right now. After a few hours struggling with the decision I decided to bite the bullet and get both with a string I liked in the past.
Initially, I thought the racquets were a bit launchy. It seemed (maybe it was in my head) that I was hitting everything out. I really thought hard about sending them both back. I get buyer's remorse really easily, but I gave them (actually just one, haven’t touched the other one yet) another week. I tried to focus more on what I needed to do on the court instead of the racquets. So far, 6 weeks in, everything seems good. The racquet is now no longer a distraction, which is great because I already have too many of those on the court and in my head. I have no intention to look at any more racquets. It just seems like too much work now. My effort is better spent elsewhere, like trying to move up from a 3.0 hack and getting my mental game sorted out (which is the majority of the problem).
So yea...people are different. I personally don't like having a large collection of racquets that I'm not using. I can see racquet collection to be a cool hobby. I'd certainly be into collecting if I had more money, wall space, and people to show off my collection to.
Seth
Legend
This is a great post. I was switching frames every few months until I moved down to Florida and got involved in Ultimate Tennis and USTA leagues, plus doubles night once a week. That's what forced me to stop goofing around with a dozen different frames. I wanted to win, plain and simple. I realized that no matter how cool a racquet looked in my hand, it didn't mean a thing if I couldn't win with it.
I settled on the 2015 Pure Drive and have experienced a lot of success with it. However, the stiffness has bothered my wrist a little bit lately (I've been using it for about 6 months). I'm considering moving to a difference frame with very similar specs, just easier on my arm.
All this is to say that finding the specs you want and committing to playing competitively will help you focus less on your gear.
smalahove
Hall of Fame
Bought and sold over 40 rackets over the last 2 years. Demoed about 7-8 in addition.
Many of those were sold because my playing has evolved and specs prefs as well.
I thought I'd landed on the RF97A, but I was allured by the plow and disregarded the lack of feel and inherent stiffness.
Now, I'm committed to my Textreme Tour 95's. I've never played better, and even if the new Prestige looks killer, the TT95 works so well, it keeps my gas - or is it ras (racket acquisition syndrome)? - at bay.
The positives of this racket hunt has been that I've found and/or reaffirmed my prefs when it comes to rackets:
Many of those were sold because my playing has evolved and specs prefs as well.
I thought I'd landed on the RF97A, but I was allured by the plow and disregarded the lack of feel and inherent stiffness.
Now, I'm committed to my Textreme Tour 95's. I've never played better, and even if the new Prestige looks killer, the TT95 works so well, it keeps my gas - or is it ras (racket acquisition syndrome)? - at bay.
The positives of this racket hunt has been that I've found and/or reaffirmed my prefs when it comes to rackets:
- max 22 mm beam
- I can't make fat beamed rackets work for me: PDs, APDS, Pure Aeros, AI100 +++
- prefer thinner beams, even more so boxed ones
- most 18x20s are too tight, ESP patterns are too wide, 16x18, 16x20 and 16x19 work great
- prefer stiffness below 65 RDC (but not below 60) and vibr freq below 140
- sw 322-326, unstrung 320g, 7-12 pt HL
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
They dont make the perfect racket for me!
My current stick is perfect in every way except its a 110" If it was a 100" or say 95, I would be in racket heaven. Its just too powerful but it works ok with crazy high tension.
Ideally I would get a pro stock and weight it to my specs but you can't seem to buy them from a store like TW. Which is a big miss IMHO.
If you play great with a racket and then don't with the same racket, I think that is on the player and not the stick.
My current stick is perfect in every way except its a 110" If it was a 100" or say 95, I would be in racket heaven. Its just too powerful but it works ok with crazy high tension.
Ideally I would get a pro stock and weight it to my specs but you can't seem to buy them from a store like TW. Which is a big miss IMHO.
If you play great with a racket and then don't with the same racket, I think that is on the player and not the stick.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Some advice to the OP if he really wants to "end it"
-focus on the game and not the equipment. In other words, obsess over something else. Take stats about our matches and analyze them. Why you won...why you lost, etc.
-work on your weakest shots
-work on strategies and focus on WINNING matches
-figure out what your optimum racquet specs are and get something with those specs, regardless of the brand or model. You could also custom order something and black out the frame so it
fades into the background.
For me, I stopped obsessing over racquets when I got interested in other things....other sports or other parts of tennis. If you have a compulsive personaility, you just have to shift the focus elsewhere and suddenly racquets aren't at the top of the list anymore.
-focus on the game and not the equipment. In other words, obsess over something else. Take stats about our matches and analyze them. Why you won...why you lost, etc.
-work on your weakest shots
-work on strategies and focus on WINNING matches
-figure out what your optimum racquet specs are and get something with those specs, regardless of the brand or model. You could also custom order something and black out the frame so it
fades into the background.
For me, I stopped obsessing over racquets when I got interested in other things....other sports or other parts of tennis. If you have a compulsive personaility, you just have to shift the focus elsewhere and suddenly racquets aren't at the top of the list anymore.
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
Hey thanks for this.
This post inspired me to give the Radical Rev, with which I played really well yesterday, another full week tryout. As others have hinted to, I'll fool around with (minimal) lead tape mods here and there. Baby steps...
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
Simple yet powerful advice, Jack. I definitely have a compulsive personality, and it's not going to go away. I'll try taking stats and obsessing about them, I love that idea.
mavsman149
Hall of Fame
I always try to end it then I get sucked back in
It's funny I can't really think of another sport where people obsess as much over a piece of equipment as much. Golf a little bit I guess.
It's funny I can't really think of another sport where people obsess as much over a piece of equipment as much. Golf a little bit I guess.
n8dawg6
Legend
ah yes ... OCPD. goes hand in hand with perfectionism. a disorder frequently found in ppl such as accountants and tax lawyers
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
I always try to end it then I get sucked back in
It's funny I can't really think of another sport where people obsess as much over a piece of equipment as much. Golf a little bit I guess.
True. Never had this problem in hockey.
That is actually what I plan to do. I have three racquets now (Prince Longbody, IG Radical MP, Graphene Radical Rev) and my plan is to stick to those three for the winter. If I feel the need to change, I'll alternate between those. One mistake a racquetholic must never do, is to get rid of all his racquets for a ''pair'' of the holy grail of the moment. From now on I'll stop buying a second identical frame as a backup (I never, ever needed that yet and I play many tournaments), and stop spending money. The three frames I have are very different, so this should fullfill my urges to ''change'' if it crawls back, for a while.
racket king
Banned
But you seem to have a different racket every week.
mavsman149
Hall of Fame
My rackets include 95's, 97's, 98's, 100's, 105's, 107's, and 110's. Got size covered.
Stiffness from 57, 60's, 63's, 68's, 70's, and 73's. Got stiffness flex covered.
Weights all gradually headed around 11.75-12 oz and 330 SW's, with as much as 40" of 1/2" lead tape in various locations.
Seems size in that range matters very little.
But stiffness ratings affect the way it plays by far the most.
Stiffness from 57, 60's, 63's, 68's, 70's, and 73's. Got stiffness flex covered.
Weights all gradually headed around 11.75-12 oz and 330 SW's, with as much as 40" of 1/2" lead tape in various locations.
Seems size in that range matters very little.
But stiffness ratings affect the way it plays by far the most.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
At least rackets have trade in value. Kids not so much...
counterpuncher
Hall of Fame
A lot of good advice here. For me I have found that certain variables: weight (320g - 335g strung) , swing weight (315 - 325) and head size (97 - 100) have narrowed my search over the past decade, which has included buying and selling close to 100 different models, leaving me with around 20 at the moment and 10 to sell off. Certain racquet brands also are favourites with Yonex, Prince & Babolat being what generally works best for me, with the occasional Head, Wilson or Dunlop, but these always seem to fall away.
Getting to your preferred specs certainly helps, but I think the biggest factor is knowing your game and what works best for it. I love playing with my Response 97, but unless my opponent's error count is up or I'm redlining my strokes and having a good day, I'm not winning too many matches with it. My Ai100 enables me to play a more attacking game and get more winners and force errors, but I also need to manage my own error count. My Ai98 is a compromise of the two and the way I'm leaning, but I don't always seem to get the results I would expect with it. The key being to develop a game that works best for me and choose a racquet that supports it, rather than choosing a racquet and developing a game around that.
Getting to your preferred specs certainly helps, but I think the biggest factor is knowing your game and what works best for it. I love playing with my Response 97, but unless my opponent's error count is up or I'm redlining my strokes and having a good day, I'm not winning too many matches with it. My Ai100 enables me to play a more attacking game and get more winners and force errors, but I also need to manage my own error count. My Ai98 is a compromise of the two and the way I'm leaning, but I don't always seem to get the results I would expect with it. The key being to develop a game that works best for me and choose a racquet that supports it, rather than choosing a racquet and developing a game around that.
Crazy? Multiple rackets?
When I raced motocross, most years, out of 7, I had 125's, 250's, and Open bikes.
When I roadraced, I had X-6 for 250 Production and TD-2, for 250 GP.
When I surfed, I averaged over 7 surfboards in my garage, and usually travelled with 3.
I still have 4 surfboards, and I don't surf.
I have 6 snowboards. 1 Assym race, 1 carve freeride, 1 169 powder, 1 short spinny freestyle, 1 157 Pipe and all around, 1 160 powder and all around.
I have over 15 windsurf boards, and double that in sails.
I have road and mountain bikes.
I even have TWO boogie boards, and I don't boogie board, I surf.
When I raced motocross, most years, out of 7, I had 125's, 250's, and Open bikes.
When I roadraced, I had X-6 for 250 Production and TD-2, for 250 GP.
When I surfed, I averaged over 7 surfboards in my garage, and usually travelled with 3.
I still have 4 surfboards, and I don't surf.
I have 6 snowboards. 1 Assym race, 1 carve freeride, 1 169 powder, 1 short spinny freestyle, 1 157 Pipe and all around, 1 160 powder and all around.
I have over 15 windsurf boards, and double that in sails.
I have road and mountain bikes.
I even have TWO boogie boards, and I don't boogie board, I surf.
BlueB
Legend
Qure? Ain't no cure for the summertime (and wintertime) blues...
Between me, my wife and son, we must have about 20 racquets. Never bothered to count them.
But that's not all...
I must have well over 40 snowboards;
Over 15 fishing and fly rods;
8 pairs of skis;
10 or so skateboards...
Truth be told, I could easily settle for my favorite racquet, or just about any other of similar spec...
Between me, my wife and son, we must have about 20 racquets. Never bothered to count them.
But that's not all...
I must have well over 40 snowboards;
Over 15 fishing and fly rods;
8 pairs of skis;
10 or so skateboards...
Truth be told, I could easily settle for my favorite racquet, or just about any other of similar spec...
kimguroo
Legend
When people start to play badly, Many frequent racket changers blame rackets instead of lack of skills.
Everyone agrees that rackets will not make better players especially recreational players who plays less than 7 hours per a week. There is no magical racket and one or two elements will be missing but racket companies always advertise that "This the magical racket" (they don't directly say it but sounds like it. More powerful, more control more...more...more).
Probably I might be the one who tried many rackets. less power rackets=> super power rackets=> extended rackets=> oversize rackets=> BLX90, PS85=>APD=> tried almost every rackets and sick and tired of changing.
I decided to buy Yonex Regna which is a premium racket from Yonex.
Since it is expensive I already made my mind it will be my last racket haha. It's a concept racket and Nothing like Regna because of new material at shaft area and other technologies. It's the rare racket and very unique. The quality is the best of the best. Finally I stopped to look at other rackets and more focused on techniques nowadays. Since I got the Regna last year, I have not look at rackets over a year (honestly I am curious one Textreme racket: warrior 100TX shuai version but I don't think I will change).
I am glad to cure racketholism ^_^
For me, GOAT is Yonex REGNA
Everyone agrees that rackets will not make better players especially recreational players who plays less than 7 hours per a week. There is no magical racket and one or two elements will be missing but racket companies always advertise that "This the magical racket" (they don't directly say it but sounds like it. More powerful, more control more...more...more).
Probably I might be the one who tried many rackets. less power rackets=> super power rackets=> extended rackets=> oversize rackets=> BLX90, PS85=>APD=> tried almost every rackets and sick and tired of changing.
I decided to buy Yonex Regna which is a premium racket from Yonex.
Since it is expensive I already made my mind it will be my last racket haha. It's a concept racket and Nothing like Regna because of new material at shaft area and other technologies. It's the rare racket and very unique. The quality is the best of the best. Finally I stopped to look at other rackets and more focused on techniques nowadays. Since I got the Regna last year, I have not look at rackets over a year (honestly I am curious one Textreme racket: warrior 100TX shuai version but I don't think I will change).
I am glad to cure racketholism ^_^
For me, GOAT is Yonex REGNA
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Freedom M.D.
Rookie
When people start to play badly, Many frequent racket changers blame rackets instead of lack of skills.
Everyone agrees that rackets will not make better players especially recreational players who plays less than 7 hours per a week. There is no magical racket and one or two elements will be missing but racket companies always advertise that "This the magical racket" (they don't directly say it but sounds like it. More powerful, more control more...more...more).
Probably I might be the one who tried many rackets. less power rackets=> super power rackets=> extended rackets=> oversize rackets=> BLX90, PS85=>APD=> tried almost every rackets and sick and tired of changing.
I decided to buy Yonex Regna which is a premium racket from Yonex.
Since it is expensive I already made my mind it will be my last racket haha. It's a concept racket and Nothing like Regna because of new material at shaft area and other technologies. It's the rare racket and very unique. The quality is the best of the best. Finally I stopped to look at other rackets and more focused on techniques nowadays. Since I got the Regna last year, I have not look at rackets over a year (honestly I am curious one Textreme racket: warrior 100TX shuai version but I don't think I will change).
I am glad to cure racketholism ^_^
For me, GOAT is Yonex REGNA
Always wondering why you your every single post end up with asvertising YONEX Regna with that photos? Even now you started with 'new racket or new technologies do NOTHING just skill does' theory. I understand it is real premium racket, real expensive and hard to get one across the Pacific, but is it that real good?
Anyway because of you that Regna raised my interest. How about the flex rating of it? Is it stiff? haha
RollTrackTake
Professional
.....start at TT racquetholic rehab group! Develop a 12 step program, assign sponsors and meet weekly....
I like many here have been through a lot of racquets. Way to many for me personally considering my skill level. I had a spreadsheet but stopped counting after 60. I sold off most and have 10 racquets now.
My buying racquets has somewhat abated in the last year and a half. like you, I've kept three different models, Head Graphene Speed MP, Donnay Pro 1 & Donnay F100. For competitive matches and the occasional tournament, I go with the Head Graph MP. I have a few backups for it because I hybrid poly and syn gut and break strings every so often. I also have some lead on two and one I keep stock. The other two I use whenever I want to change things up or think about buying any new frames. The Pro 1 is my 'players' frame. It weighs 12oz and is very HL. The Formula 100 is my power tweener. So when the new Pure Aero or Pure Drive releases, I take out my Formula 100 to hit with and get my power tweener fix. When the Prestige or Textreme 95 releases I grab the Pro 1 for a hit. Hitting with each reminds me of what the pros & cons are for those type racquets. When I go back to the Graph MP, it feels right in the middle. Just enough power, touch and control for me. All that being said, I fell of the wagon a few days ago and bought a Prince Graphite 100 for $50. I'll probably add it to my collection of older sticks. Also been lusting after an Angell! Must.....avoid.....temptation.....
Btw, hardcore golf gear heads make racquetholics look tame! There are a lot more golf gear blogs, reviews, YouTube channels and the like than tennis.
I got back into golf this past summer and ended up with the same issue buying & trying too much gear!! With golf however, you can go into your local store and get custom fitted for clubs that 'fit' you and your swing.
A bit costly, but it ended what could have been an even more expensive and time consuming gear hunt. Don't believe me? Check out the golfwrx forum and some of the more popular review blogs like THP. It's insane! Supposedly rich American & Japanese execs spend upwards of $50K on all their golf gear. I read firsthand accounts of guys dropping $2000 on 1 set of irons!
I like many here have been through a lot of racquets. Way to many for me personally considering my skill level. I had a spreadsheet but stopped counting after 60. I sold off most and have 10 racquets now.
My buying racquets has somewhat abated in the last year and a half. like you, I've kept three different models, Head Graphene Speed MP, Donnay Pro 1 & Donnay F100. For competitive matches and the occasional tournament, I go with the Head Graph MP. I have a few backups for it because I hybrid poly and syn gut and break strings every so often. I also have some lead on two and one I keep stock. The other two I use whenever I want to change things up or think about buying any new frames. The Pro 1 is my 'players' frame. It weighs 12oz and is very HL. The Formula 100 is my power tweener. So when the new Pure Aero or Pure Drive releases, I take out my Formula 100 to hit with and get my power tweener fix. When the Prestige or Textreme 95 releases I grab the Pro 1 for a hit. Hitting with each reminds me of what the pros & cons are for those type racquets. When I go back to the Graph MP, it feels right in the middle. Just enough power, touch and control for me. All that being said, I fell of the wagon a few days ago and bought a Prince Graphite 100 for $50. I'll probably add it to my collection of older sticks. Also been lusting after an Angell! Must.....avoid.....temptation.....
Btw, hardcore golf gear heads make racquetholics look tame! There are a lot more golf gear blogs, reviews, YouTube channels and the like than tennis.
I got back into golf this past summer and ended up with the same issue buying & trying too much gear!! With golf however, you can go into your local store and get custom fitted for clubs that 'fit' you and your swing.
A bit costly, but it ended what could have been an even more expensive and time consuming gear hunt. Don't believe me? Check out the golfwrx forum and some of the more popular review blogs like THP. It's insane! Supposedly rich American & Japanese execs spend upwards of $50K on all their golf gear. I read firsthand accounts of guys dropping $2000 on 1 set of irons!
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Nice, turns out I don't have an issue after all. Compared to you guys, I'm just a boyscout with my 20 count over the last 4 years.
I'm learning quite a bit about my game still with my reduced collection of various string pattern and stiffness, now that I've narrowed down my specs in weight & balance.
I would consider myself more of a stringaholic now as it can make or break a racquet. It's crucial actually forcing me to revisit my previous racquets I've let go.
A good example would be the Yonex Ai100 for me. I almost sold it after a few frustrating stints with it with various string setups. Couldn't find a buyer so tried some more strings and ended up finding a perfect setup. It now serves as my benchmark as I've bought another recently as a backup.
Not stopping though. Settling on the Ai100 while I experiment further with a few more, old and new.
I'm learning quite a bit about my game still with my reduced collection of various string pattern and stiffness, now that I've narrowed down my specs in weight & balance.
I would consider myself more of a stringaholic now as it can make or break a racquet. It's crucial actually forcing me to revisit my previous racquets I've let go.
A good example would be the Yonex Ai100 for me. I almost sold it after a few frustrating stints with it with various string setups. Couldn't find a buyer so tried some more strings and ended up finding a perfect setup. It now serves as my benchmark as I've bought another recently as a backup.
Not stopping though. Settling on the Ai100 while I experiment further with a few more, old and new.
