wedge
Rookie
Always wanted an R-22 ever since I watched Jaime Yzaga beat Pete Sampras live in NYC. So I decided to pick up an R-22 simply to get some of that nostalgia dopamine, and maybe do the wall-hangy thing. Even though I never used one, I've always thought these rackets were special, even if I kinda thumbed my nose at them for being not a widebody (this made them criminally uncool in the early 90's when you could still buy them new for like $70, which my dumb kid-brain thought was unacceptably cheap).
Here's the issue -- I expected a bit of a search for a reasonably nice example in the weight/grip I was after (a super light 4 1/4). But I shockingly managed to instantly track one down instantly (and locally!) but with a catch: it was essentially new old stock. The fella I bought it from had picked it up from Japan, apparently used it once and decided it wasn't for him, so he passed it on to me. Not cheap, but not crazy and entirely reasonable for what is a nearly factory-fresh 40 year-old racket, with new strings. The thing is eerily spotless, with just a tiny little imperfection where the skinny top of the grip has come unglued a smidgen. The cover is perfect.
I didn't ACTUALLY think I could use it, thinking it was way, way too heavy for me -- this one weighs in at 343g strung, which I guess is pretty light for an R-22 but still a nonstarter for me (I play with a Boom Pro which is at the limit of manageable for me). But of course I had to actually try it out.
Anyway the rest is predictable, and now that I've read all the R-22 threads, I see that my experience is not uncommon. I took it out, and found that not only could I easily wield the thing, this is one of the most fun rackets I've ever used, like ever.
I kinda lost my mind at how much fun it is to play with. It simply feels so good to use, and has such a friendly, fun-loving personality. I had no problems with the small head, the swing weight was perfectly manageable ... honestly this racket is just "lovable".
So my question becomes, what the heck do I do with this? I'm terrified to use it. It must be one of the nicest R-22's left, and while I would love to play with it as much as I can, it makes me very nervous using it, and I was holding back from going after low balls because I don't want to scratch it. I'm not a fancy lad, I absolutely love scraping the hell out of rackets since they're objects meant to be played with but I mean, you get it.
I considered getting a bit more of a beater R-22 so I can play all-out with it, but now I've read that these rackets can get played out and tired pretty easily, and I'd hate to play with an R-22 that doesn't feel as good as this one.
Anyway I'm brand new to collecting (and playing with) older rackets, so I'm eager to absorb any and all wisdom.
Bonus: the same day I bought the R-22, I picked up another 80's racket, this one a random hand-me-down from my aunt who found out I was nostalging hard on old rackets -- a split-throat Javelin 95 that IS going straight on the wall, because as nifty as it looks, I mean, this thing was made for like mountain trolls, or some other gigantic monster-class creature. 380g and not head-light, hilariously unplayable. Great looking frame tho!
Here's a couple pics, potato quality since I just wanted to snap a photo quick before wrapping the grips and taking them out.
Here's the issue -- I expected a bit of a search for a reasonably nice example in the weight/grip I was after (a super light 4 1/4). But I shockingly managed to instantly track one down instantly (and locally!) but with a catch: it was essentially new old stock. The fella I bought it from had picked it up from Japan, apparently used it once and decided it wasn't for him, so he passed it on to me. Not cheap, but not crazy and entirely reasonable for what is a nearly factory-fresh 40 year-old racket, with new strings. The thing is eerily spotless, with just a tiny little imperfection where the skinny top of the grip has come unglued a smidgen. The cover is perfect.
I didn't ACTUALLY think I could use it, thinking it was way, way too heavy for me -- this one weighs in at 343g strung, which I guess is pretty light for an R-22 but still a nonstarter for me (I play with a Boom Pro which is at the limit of manageable for me). But of course I had to actually try it out.
Anyway the rest is predictable, and now that I've read all the R-22 threads, I see that my experience is not uncommon. I took it out, and found that not only could I easily wield the thing, this is one of the most fun rackets I've ever used, like ever.
I kinda lost my mind at how much fun it is to play with. It simply feels so good to use, and has such a friendly, fun-loving personality. I had no problems with the small head, the swing weight was perfectly manageable ... honestly this racket is just "lovable".
So my question becomes, what the heck do I do with this? I'm terrified to use it. It must be one of the nicest R-22's left, and while I would love to play with it as much as I can, it makes me very nervous using it, and I was holding back from going after low balls because I don't want to scratch it. I'm not a fancy lad, I absolutely love scraping the hell out of rackets since they're objects meant to be played with but I mean, you get it.
I considered getting a bit more of a beater R-22 so I can play all-out with it, but now I've read that these rackets can get played out and tired pretty easily, and I'd hate to play with an R-22 that doesn't feel as good as this one.
Anyway I'm brand new to collecting (and playing with) older rackets, so I'm eager to absorb any and all wisdom.
Bonus: the same day I bought the R-22, I picked up another 80's racket, this one a random hand-me-down from my aunt who found out I was nostalging hard on old rackets -- a split-throat Javelin 95 that IS going straight on the wall, because as nifty as it looks, I mean, this thing was made for like mountain trolls, or some other gigantic monster-class creature. 380g and not head-light, hilariously unplayable. Great looking frame tho!
Here's a couple pics, potato quality since I just wanted to snap a photo quick before wrapping the grips and taking them out.
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