Backhanded Compliment
Legend
Day 1 test
Subject: Angell TC95
Flex: RA63 (strung more like 58)
String pattern: 16x19
Weight 12.5oz (strung)
Balance 8 pts HL
Length 27 in
Grip (B) 4 3/8 (leather)
Strung with luxilon adrenaline at 45lbs
First impressions:
Serve Boss. First two games with the TC95 were incredibly promising... won first game serving at love... the second point was a second serve ace up the T with ball jumping violently to the deuce court and very high (he never swung at it). Lost the second game returning as I was still dialing things in but did hit an immense backhand winner down the line (set up by a crosscourt forehand return) that had the front desk guy at the club cheering with his fist raised from behind the viewing glass. I like to aim for lines and was able to do so with the TC95, though I had to remember that I didnt have to gun every shot as this thing has a little bit of power held in reserve (unlike my Pacific frame an XPF95). The TC95 is a solid easy to pick up performer and for fans of classic frames it plays more modern than say prince graphites with crossbars (somewhere between the IG Prestige 95's and PS95's but more solid than either). Personality of the frame is a bit like a jaguar sports coup... solid, plush, punishing power, elegant control but smooth overall... not a frame to show off how much you can sweat. This one is about making difficult things seem routine and not flashy, even when they are.
The TC95 reminds me of Alfred, Batman's butler, it does anything asked of it and thoroughly. No real weaknesses it is a complete frame and the paint is dazzlingly nice. The build quality exceeds any racquet Ive ever held... not hype, the clear coat is like glass. Besides, my Mom had just gone to the emergency room several timezones away and I needed a distraction while I waited... what is more distracting than a cool new frame? Nothing. Ok maybe, I wasn't best at closing out pressure games but that was gonna happen with a new frame anyways. Mostly a first outing is about learning what it does and doesnt do. In particular I loved the flex+power but was also adjusting to it. By the end I was cracking more forehand and backhand winners than I had in years. I had also started to adjust to not having to swing full out to get depth and power and will add a very small amount of lead in the coming months to improve the already very good ability to change direction. With this new frame I often hit crosscourt when in the past with a stick I had grooved Id go DTL. That said I hit more DTL winners than I had in years. In particular the flex helps me hit DTL backhands on serve returns. I thought the TC95 was more accurate than the IGPMP on groundies as it was more maneuverable and it lets me prep my shots better (my IGPMP is 13 oz and a beast).
Background:
The Angell TC95 at RA63 option (about RA58-57 strung) is one of the last serious high flex player's midplus 95 sq inch frames available. Angell is a custom frame company that spec's to the customers needs (it is pedigreed from classic Dunlops like the MW200G when Angell was head engineer there). I got mine very very lightly used, partly so I can sort out all of my preferences in this custom brand (I have immense respect for Paul Angell and want to order what I really want rather than a guess). I played 2 sets but was a little rusty after a month without match play, which is another the reason I wanted a more forgiving yet still high precision players frame. My current Pacific x feel pro 95 is the most precise MP Ive ever used but it also is very demanding... having no power on tap and kinda kept my first serve speeds 2-5mph lower unless I got the entire kinetic chain moving. I was losing a lot of first sets only to win the next 2 more easily and basically Im looking for more free points on serve. I always seem to serve better firsts with sub 60RA frames... something most of the major companies have stopped making. The Prince TT95 was another option but it seemed a lot like my Pacific x feel Pro 95 (now discontinued) with only marginally more power. I felt if Im going to make a change, try something a little more long term... Im 45 not 25 (6ft 2.5in and athletic, I train). 3 years with the x feel pro 95 is a good run. Time to try a new stick.
Details:
Headsize and comparison frames: The TC95 is definitely a touch larger than the Pacific xfp95 and my Head IG prestige MP (also Head Youtek Prestige Pro) which I will compare it with. The TC95 is definitely much smaller than my Prince 03 Speedport Tour 98 (a true 98) so about 96sq inches seems right. Also, if the TC 97 is a true 97 it makes sense that the difference wouldnt be too obvious between the two Angell molds in terms of size. 96 sq inches is an interesting headsize and the sweetspot is generous... on the xfp95 and IGPMP and YTPP it is small. The TC95's 16x19 pattern is more open than the XPF95's or YTPP but similarly consistent stringbed response. Bigger sweetspot too.
First Serves: Even though my TC 95 clocks in at only 12.5 oz so far (light for me) it easily out serves my 12.75oz XFP and 13oz Prestige MP with similar accuracy. Theflex gives the distinct feeling of carving the ball... you dont get that with RA over 60. The xfp95 (RA61) has marginally more accuracy than the TC95 but that could be attributed to being more grooved and set up with it. Serve placement with the TC95 was easy, I could choose to go wide or at the body with no adjustments. For Flat, topspin, and american twists the TC95 is the clear leader compared to both Prestige MP and Pro. I served twice as many aces as I normally do and my hitting partner (a former teaching pro from a San Francisco club) mostly just blocked them back when he got a racquet on them, allowing me to S&V more as I grew more confident hitting bombs and following them to the net. I did need to add a little lead at 12:00 3&9 to allow more plow on serves. Still, this is a server's stick and I was looking for the free points and this delivered them. The head of the TC95 cuts through the air nicely being 19mm at the tip, 20mm at throat. When I really wanted to hit big pounding lasers up the T Sampras style it was no problem. Frankly I've missed the thrill of pure serving power with the Pacific XPF95. Last time I was hitting firsts this hard was with a Prince Black longbody with synthetic gut, only the TC95 has more control.
Second serves: I usually hit an american twist and the TC95 had good movement. I also found I could hit a nice topspin or slice by carving the ball with the TC95. Good action on kick/twist serves overall but sometimes Id hit long by 2-3 inches and it had consitently more depth on second serves. It might have been my toss being erratic, adrenaline isnt my 1st choice for strings (but not bad) or I simply havent grooved yet as this was my first outing. Things improved when I added 4 string savers at the fifth cross. Also adrenaline is an ok string but I prefer less pop... RSLyon, Hyper G, YPTPHS and Red Ghost are on my short list to try. The seconds I did put in were dangerous and I did follow them to the net often in the second set. In fact serving was so good I was mostly putting away weak returns in the midcourt... even on seconds. My serves just didnt seem very attackable but it was a very fast indoor court, lack of faith in my second did hurt me but I expected that. The weakest part of my play today was double faulting by 2 inches... that is something I can dial in as I continue to inker with strings/setup.
Forehands: A real highlight, crosscourt, DTL, short putaways or defensive all of it was wonderful and reminded me of a more solid yet flexable PS95. This thing is a closer. Also excellent at digging out low balls (my backhand is avoided). So many times what could have a been a defensive save turned into a punishing point changer. Hit one of the most wicked forehand slice dropshots as well so this thing is versatile. Still, Im learning how to adress no man's land weak balls as I did hit a few too many long. Different strings could help there.
...(continued)
Subject: Angell TC95
Flex: RA63 (strung more like 58)
String pattern: 16x19
Weight 12.5oz (strung)
Balance 8 pts HL
Length 27 in
Grip (B) 4 3/8 (leather)
Strung with luxilon adrenaline at 45lbs
First impressions:
Serve Boss. First two games with the TC95 were incredibly promising... won first game serving at love... the second point was a second serve ace up the T with ball jumping violently to the deuce court and very high (he never swung at it). Lost the second game returning as I was still dialing things in but did hit an immense backhand winner down the line (set up by a crosscourt forehand return) that had the front desk guy at the club cheering with his fist raised from behind the viewing glass. I like to aim for lines and was able to do so with the TC95, though I had to remember that I didnt have to gun every shot as this thing has a little bit of power held in reserve (unlike my Pacific frame an XPF95). The TC95 is a solid easy to pick up performer and for fans of classic frames it plays more modern than say prince graphites with crossbars (somewhere between the IG Prestige 95's and PS95's but more solid than either). Personality of the frame is a bit like a jaguar sports coup... solid, plush, punishing power, elegant control but smooth overall... not a frame to show off how much you can sweat. This one is about making difficult things seem routine and not flashy, even when they are.
The TC95 reminds me of Alfred, Batman's butler, it does anything asked of it and thoroughly. No real weaknesses it is a complete frame and the paint is dazzlingly nice. The build quality exceeds any racquet Ive ever held... not hype, the clear coat is like glass. Besides, my Mom had just gone to the emergency room several timezones away and I needed a distraction while I waited... what is more distracting than a cool new frame? Nothing. Ok maybe, I wasn't best at closing out pressure games but that was gonna happen with a new frame anyways. Mostly a first outing is about learning what it does and doesnt do. In particular I loved the flex+power but was also adjusting to it. By the end I was cracking more forehand and backhand winners than I had in years. I had also started to adjust to not having to swing full out to get depth and power and will add a very small amount of lead in the coming months to improve the already very good ability to change direction. With this new frame I often hit crosscourt when in the past with a stick I had grooved Id go DTL. That said I hit more DTL winners than I had in years. In particular the flex helps me hit DTL backhands on serve returns. I thought the TC95 was more accurate than the IGPMP on groundies as it was more maneuverable and it lets me prep my shots better (my IGPMP is 13 oz and a beast).
Background:
The Angell TC95 at RA63 option (about RA58-57 strung) is one of the last serious high flex player's midplus 95 sq inch frames available. Angell is a custom frame company that spec's to the customers needs (it is pedigreed from classic Dunlops like the MW200G when Angell was head engineer there). I got mine very very lightly used, partly so I can sort out all of my preferences in this custom brand (I have immense respect for Paul Angell and want to order what I really want rather than a guess). I played 2 sets but was a little rusty after a month without match play, which is another the reason I wanted a more forgiving yet still high precision players frame. My current Pacific x feel pro 95 is the most precise MP Ive ever used but it also is very demanding... having no power on tap and kinda kept my first serve speeds 2-5mph lower unless I got the entire kinetic chain moving. I was losing a lot of first sets only to win the next 2 more easily and basically Im looking for more free points on serve. I always seem to serve better firsts with sub 60RA frames... something most of the major companies have stopped making. The Prince TT95 was another option but it seemed a lot like my Pacific x feel Pro 95 (now discontinued) with only marginally more power. I felt if Im going to make a change, try something a little more long term... Im 45 not 25 (6ft 2.5in and athletic, I train). 3 years with the x feel pro 95 is a good run. Time to try a new stick.
Details:
Headsize and comparison frames: The TC95 is definitely a touch larger than the Pacific xfp95 and my Head IG prestige MP (also Head Youtek Prestige Pro) which I will compare it with. The TC95 is definitely much smaller than my Prince 03 Speedport Tour 98 (a true 98) so about 96sq inches seems right. Also, if the TC 97 is a true 97 it makes sense that the difference wouldnt be too obvious between the two Angell molds in terms of size. 96 sq inches is an interesting headsize and the sweetspot is generous... on the xfp95 and IGPMP and YTPP it is small. The TC95's 16x19 pattern is more open than the XPF95's or YTPP but similarly consistent stringbed response. Bigger sweetspot too.
First Serves: Even though my TC 95 clocks in at only 12.5 oz so far (light for me) it easily out serves my 12.75oz XFP and 13oz Prestige MP with similar accuracy. Theflex gives the distinct feeling of carving the ball... you dont get that with RA over 60. The xfp95 (RA61) has marginally more accuracy than the TC95 but that could be attributed to being more grooved and set up with it. Serve placement with the TC95 was easy, I could choose to go wide or at the body with no adjustments. For Flat, topspin, and american twists the TC95 is the clear leader compared to both Prestige MP and Pro. I served twice as many aces as I normally do and my hitting partner (a former teaching pro from a San Francisco club) mostly just blocked them back when he got a racquet on them, allowing me to S&V more as I grew more confident hitting bombs and following them to the net. I did need to add a little lead at 12:00 3&9 to allow more plow on serves. Still, this is a server's stick and I was looking for the free points and this delivered them. The head of the TC95 cuts through the air nicely being 19mm at the tip, 20mm at throat. When I really wanted to hit big pounding lasers up the T Sampras style it was no problem. Frankly I've missed the thrill of pure serving power with the Pacific XPF95. Last time I was hitting firsts this hard was with a Prince Black longbody with synthetic gut, only the TC95 has more control.
Second serves: I usually hit an american twist and the TC95 had good movement. I also found I could hit a nice topspin or slice by carving the ball with the TC95. Good action on kick/twist serves overall but sometimes Id hit long by 2-3 inches and it had consitently more depth on second serves. It might have been my toss being erratic, adrenaline isnt my 1st choice for strings (but not bad) or I simply havent grooved yet as this was my first outing. Things improved when I added 4 string savers at the fifth cross. Also adrenaline is an ok string but I prefer less pop... RSLyon, Hyper G, YPTPHS and Red Ghost are on my short list to try. The seconds I did put in were dangerous and I did follow them to the net often in the second set. In fact serving was so good I was mostly putting away weak returns in the midcourt... even on seconds. My serves just didnt seem very attackable but it was a very fast indoor court, lack of faith in my second did hurt me but I expected that. The weakest part of my play today was double faulting by 2 inches... that is something I can dial in as I continue to inker with strings/setup.
Forehands: A real highlight, crosscourt, DTL, short putaways or defensive all of it was wonderful and reminded me of a more solid yet flexable PS95. This thing is a closer. Also excellent at digging out low balls (my backhand is avoided). So many times what could have a been a defensive save turned into a punishing point changer. Hit one of the most wicked forehand slice dropshots as well so this thing is versatile. Still, Im learning how to adress no man's land weak balls as I did hit a few too many long. Different strings could help there.
...(continued)
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