Power Player
Bionic Poster
For sure. Not my style of hitting though, but it works for many players.
Hell, Im about to play with a guy who hits reverse serves pretty much the entire match and is a sick doubles player. No rules, I like the variety.
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
For sure. Not my style of hitting though, but it works for many players.
Hell, Im about to play with a guy who hits reverse serves pretty much the entire match and is a sick doubles player. No rules, I like the variety.
Vicious49
Legend
That pretty much describes me. But as I'm trying to swing faster and get more RHS I find I make more errors if I don't start imparting more spin. That's why I'm trying to get more net clearance and spin so I can add more pace/power to my shots. I think it's necessary for me to get to the next level. That and improve my volleying/net game.
I won my team league match last night 8-5 but I was on line 2. I really wanted to play the line 1 guy. Later on that night after some more games he was still around so he said let's play. When we stopped he was winning 6-1 but I lost about 3 games on easy putaways. If I was fresher I may have made them but since I was already tired everything regressed. This guy was a very good pusher. He returned everything with little pace but got to balls and placed them in very tough spots. When I was able to hit my shots in to the deep corners I was able to put him on defense but couldn't capitalize. I need to be able to shorten points.
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JGads
G.O.A.T.
Pure Storm XL 295 with 16x20 - now that's a Bab I dig.
Did you ever try the Doppio? (Pro Kennex Q+5 Pro, in black cosmetic) ... That's a whippy 16x20 that's just awesome. You could maybe try the 300 (I think it's 300) version of the current lineup, which once upon a time we were calling the Banana Lite. Or of course, wait a second, if you're mentioning extending, then the Top Banana - extended already, and awesome. I am happy to send it to you if you want to try it. But not sure if you've been down the PK road before. I lose track in here of who has done what.
Hmm, I may try one if the opportunity arises, but you’re right - I’m in with some great sticks right now. Also league is about to ramp up so going into demo hibernation for a while
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Tonight matches were won but more importantly science was had. Clarity in victory, yet not the kind you'd imagine. Clementine Rad 351 that I got from flyhome got the start and I played for the first time a new opponent, big guy who just goes for murdering the ball. Doesn't make for a good lab rat, as so much is not really on your racquet, and he struggled early and made way too many mistakes, and I ran away with a 6-0, 6-2 decision. A racquet was at one point thrown. He then suggested starting another match even though I told him it was fine to just spar or do a non-league match, but he promised me he wasn't this bad and wanted to league it again. Very well. And to my surprise but kind of delight, he didn't lie? Out of nowhere those massive and at times hilarious forehands were finding lines in the second match, and by then I'd switched to the Blade Pro to begin the scientific experiments there...
Shock and awe: suddenly I was down 1-4 and ultimately 3-6 down a set in the second match. The truth? The truth was weird: I wasn't really feeling either one of these frames, in their own ways tonight. The Rad was clearly good and I had raced to that big first win, yet even in that drubbing, I just kind of all the time felt like the Rad just wasn't me. Wanted to finish the match with it and did so, to be fair to it and not mess with momentum, but really didn't feel like I was in enough control of feel and accuracy and all of my shots quite like I am with my other frames... Hence that switch to the BP for match 2, which I had planned to do tomorrow but felt ok, I'll get a head start. And quite frankly I wasn't expecting the sudden test I was getting. ...
In two or three key moments, I remembered why the BP didn't survive as a match frame for me: the quick reaction shots. Being a bit chunky and late was perfectly understandable when the previous v7 bats I had were in the upper 330s and even 340s, yet here now I've got one swinging at 328, and it's SO much better, in fact I love this frame for hitting, but yeah, it doesn't have the unthinking snap/feel through the air like the other MSFs in the collection, so I found myself again thinking: ok, that's right, keep the BP as the delightful, beautiful hitter from time to time, but accept it isn't back-of-the-hand comfy for you as your Heads. Or even a Tengo. BP is a bully, but I don't necessarily need all that power at my fingertips when things are tight in a match and the reactions need to be quick and I want just a little bit more control....
Back to the Rad for Set 2. By now we'd booked extra time in an effort to finish this second match, and that snappier and more unthinking ease came back with Clem and I went 6-3 to put is into a super tiebreak for the decision. A rather too-nervy 10-7 there got me the second W, so it was a good night: two wins, but in fact some clarity even in victory that I'm more comfy with my tandem QB1s, so nothing much more to 'test'... I accept these findings happily.
Might change my plan for tomorrow night and go New Blue (PTOS) instead of what I'd planned for (BP), but tandem MSF leaders Prestige and Fedora shall be in the bag again, waiting to rescue.
MSF Season Tally:
Fedora: 3-1
Prestige: 3-0
351 Rad: 2-0 (went down a hero)
Side Science: those 996 v5s I mentioned before, not for me after all. Unfortunately I cannot for the life of me keep my ankles locked in, no matter the running lace hack and pulling on them, etc. The opening is too wide for me and has stretched further with break in and I just can't stay locked in enough for comfort. Back to Asics.
Shock and awe: suddenly I was down 1-4 and ultimately 3-6 down a set in the second match. The truth? The truth was weird: I wasn't really feeling either one of these frames, in their own ways tonight. The Rad was clearly good and I had raced to that big first win, yet even in that drubbing, I just kind of all the time felt like the Rad just wasn't me. Wanted to finish the match with it and did so, to be fair to it and not mess with momentum, but really didn't feel like I was in enough control of feel and accuracy and all of my shots quite like I am with my other frames... Hence that switch to the BP for match 2, which I had planned to do tomorrow but felt ok, I'll get a head start. And quite frankly I wasn't expecting the sudden test I was getting. ...
In two or three key moments, I remembered why the BP didn't survive as a match frame for me: the quick reaction shots. Being a bit chunky and late was perfectly understandable when the previous v7 bats I had were in the upper 330s and even 340s, yet here now I've got one swinging at 328, and it's SO much better, in fact I love this frame for hitting, but yeah, it doesn't have the unthinking snap/feel through the air like the other MSFs in the collection, so I found myself again thinking: ok, that's right, keep the BP as the delightful, beautiful hitter from time to time, but accept it isn't back-of-the-hand comfy for you as your Heads. Or even a Tengo. BP is a bully, but I don't necessarily need all that power at my fingertips when things are tight in a match and the reactions need to be quick and I want just a little bit more control....
Back to the Rad for Set 2. By now we'd booked extra time in an effort to finish this second match, and that snappier and more unthinking ease came back with Clem and I went 6-3 to put is into a super tiebreak for the decision. A rather too-nervy 10-7 there got me the second W, so it was a good night: two wins, but in fact some clarity even in victory that I'm more comfy with my tandem QB1s, so nothing much more to 'test'... I accept these findings happily.
Might change my plan for tomorrow night and go New Blue (PTOS) instead of what I'd planned for (BP), but tandem MSF leaders Prestige and Fedora shall be in the bag again, waiting to rescue.
MSF Season Tally:
Fedora: 3-1
Prestige: 3-0
351 Rad: 2-0 (went down a hero)
Side Science: those 996 v5s I mentioned before, not for me after all. Unfortunately I cannot for the life of me keep my ankles locked in, no matter the running lace hack and pulling on them, etc. The opening is too wide for me and has stretched further with break in and I just can't stay locked in enough for comfort. Back to Asics.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
The 351 completely works for you - I think - because it's so direct. It hits flat bullets, as do you, on serve and groundies... For me, the ball simply runs off this frame too quickly for me to feel fully comfy and confident with it, need more hold and feel for spinning and massaging and giving me total feel for depth and how I'm maneuvering the ball all about. But for you? That 'ball running off the frame' so quickly equates, I assume, to that crazy directness and cracking strokes. This thing is clearly a weapon and I'd fear facing it, knowing what it can do. Great great frame, really appreciate its traits, but I'm also plenty happy I've come to the conclusion I can now leave it behind. The Prestige and Fedora just fit me and what I like to feel a bit better.
A very weird night: winning, yet knowing the equipment used just isn't me, in the end. No complaints about such a night.
massive plot twist
which prestige is the one you speak of bud? this is pro stock I assume.. slightly extended one?
Yeah man... Still hanging in there with the ezone.. I was reading your post... this one below...
Funny you mention... this has been really the only thing that bothered me about ezone.. how the ball immediately leaves the stringbed and I, completely, know what you mean... That millisecond of adjustment that some rackets allow you to do... gives extra confidence/comfort that you are able to change how the ball leaves the stringbed.. gives you a 2nd chance almost...
anyways, that whole thing resonated with me... and my mind started to wonder.....
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Precisely. It's the finest little margin but with my favorite frames I always feel like I have that ever so slight hold on the ball allowing me to almost micro-adjust the spin I'm going to impart - or not impart - on the ball depending on situation, opponent position, etc. And that hold gives me a sense of security, which leads to confidence, which ultimately for me leads to more free hitting. This can be the beauty of frames like a good Prestige or a PT for me: they're supposed to be control racquets with less power, however the confidence they give me means I'm often swinging harder and more confidently, which gives me power. What can I say. I'm just a pocket guy.
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
Beautifully put. This is exactly how I feel about the PSVS, and @AA7 completely agree with you on the ezone.
So, this is where I am too with regards to more power with control frames.
I was told by a coach I was hitting with recently that I hit better shots with the UP18 and PT2.0 that with the blade pro, pure drive, or his ultra 100. I think it’s a confidence thing, it can just swing out. Mind you, this wasn’t during a lesson, we’ve become twice a week hitting partners and i hit different frames against him for fun/testing.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Totally agree (for what is worth lol) and for me BP is for hitting flat.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Good news for me is I played 2 hours of tennis for the 3rd day in a row (2 days of drilling 1 doubles). Bad news is I was pretty run down from the drills I was doing. But boomerang back to the good news, I was able to play quite well against strong opponents.
I also really prefer having pocketing on my frames. TGT 293.1 - really great pocketing. Blade Pro - love that too. Pure Drive 2012 in the 40s - believe it or not, it has some pocket to it. This Dunlop, strung up at 53 dropped down to 48 after the match (solid), has surprising pocketing for a tweener. If the tension holds here, then Dunlop may have made an open pattern frame that could really work for my game.
I played super relaxed. That did not mean loopy, weak balls, but relaxed strokes and fast handspeed through contact. So as a result i was able to hit heavy balls with a lot of spin on them while using low energy to do so. The Dunlop is a very easy frame to use but you have to have the strokes to control it. In essence, it is a Pure Drive. It rewards the player who can stay focused and hit 60-70% power while putting quality RPMs on the ball. Where did this frame shine on a night where I honestly should have just chilled and caught up on HBO shows? I can think of some scenarios :
Cross court exchanges to the Ad side, me returning, where I just returned fire with heavy i/o FH shots that could not be poached. I just continued to press forward and ramp up the pace with each ball - opponent finally bailing out with a drop shot that was easily put away.
Reverse serve guy pulling me out wide with his serve and hitting an absolute laser fh that bounced maybe 3 feet off the ground. I was able to drop super low and take the ball on the rise and let the uber stability of the Dunlop use his pace and plow through the ball and push him back, the frame staying steady in the hand.
Reverse serve guy putting a body volley right on me while we were both at the net, but I was able to side step and reflex volley back over at a safe angle. This ended up winning the point. It is very easy to lose those points but the stability and manuverability of the Dunlop bailed me out.
Serving for set and setting up the 40-15 deuce with carved out wide Johnny Mac slices, only to fire a hot bomb down the T to close it out. In the review, the TW folks said they could not find heat on the first serve with this frame, but I am personally having a Pure Drive level experience with this cannon.
Finally hitting lobs that were high and deep enough to win points. My lob touch was there tonight, I hope that continues.
I have to keep playing with this frame because I feel like I have yet to truly unlock it's powers. The reality is that it is stiff, and I was not hitting every shot clean tonight. But my arm is not tingling like it would from the Pure Drive. This is a fascinating frame because it truly is like a Pure Drive but instead of having that crisp, vibration laden Babolat feel from 10 years ago, it has a pockety and thuddy sweet spot that still allows you to feel the ball without being super muted. Additionally, this string pattern may be genius because I can see over time just ramping up the pace and hitting controlled shots that are heavy AF. I think that is when this thing will really starting shining. So in essence, it is not a Pure Drive but yet it so such a damn Pure Drive. So interesting and fun to use.
What's odd about the Ezone is that it does have more pocketing than the 0 amount I expected coming from frames like the Vc95. The only thing is that pocketing only likes to show up when you hit it flatter. I remember I put a sitter away with it where I covered the ball on the finish for some safety and was just that classic tight spinning bullet that you can get with the EZ frames. My friend was like "that was amazing, it didn't even make a sound and you creamed it". A statement that rings true many times with the Ezone. You can grab the ball due to the width of the frame but it doesn't sink into it unless you get a little slappy with it. Not sure if you noticed that.
But one thing about the Blade Pro that really works for me is the pocketing and ability hold the ball a little longer on the strings. That really helps with directional control and spin generation as well.
FX500 is one of the few power frames I have used that can hold the ball a little longer than you would expect.
EDIT - forgot to post my racquet status:
Midplus HL, control frames ranking : Ezone98 still the top dog. TGT 293.1 makes the climb to #2. Old blue #3, more of a nice to have hitting frame. Regna will be listed in Classifieds as will the Pure Strike Versus. The Pure Aero 98 is sold already.
Tweener/power frames - PD 2012 versus DunnyFX and Blade Pro. Currently testing the Dunlop. My original experiment months ago when I returned was Vcore100 V Pure Drive V Blade Pro which the Blade Pro won at the time. Blade Pro is kind on the arm, this can not be underrated.
I also really prefer having pocketing on my frames. TGT 293.1 - really great pocketing. Blade Pro - love that too. Pure Drive 2012 in the 40s - believe it or not, it has some pocket to it. This Dunlop, strung up at 53 dropped down to 48 after the match (solid), has surprising pocketing for a tweener. If the tension holds here, then Dunlop may have made an open pattern frame that could really work for my game.
I played super relaxed. That did not mean loopy, weak balls, but relaxed strokes and fast handspeed through contact. So as a result i was able to hit heavy balls with a lot of spin on them while using low energy to do so. The Dunlop is a very easy frame to use but you have to have the strokes to control it. In essence, it is a Pure Drive. It rewards the player who can stay focused and hit 60-70% power while putting quality RPMs on the ball. Where did this frame shine on a night where I honestly should have just chilled and caught up on HBO shows? I can think of some scenarios :
Cross court exchanges to the Ad side, me returning, where I just returned fire with heavy i/o FH shots that could not be poached. I just continued to press forward and ramp up the pace with each ball - opponent finally bailing out with a drop shot that was easily put away.
Reverse serve guy pulling me out wide with his serve and hitting an absolute laser fh that bounced maybe 3 feet off the ground. I was able to drop super low and take the ball on the rise and let the uber stability of the Dunlop use his pace and plow through the ball and push him back, the frame staying steady in the hand.
Reverse serve guy putting a body volley right on me while we were both at the net, but I was able to side step and reflex volley back over at a safe angle. This ended up winning the point. It is very easy to lose those points but the stability and manuverability of the Dunlop bailed me out.
Serving for set and setting up the 40-15 deuce with carved out wide Johnny Mac slices, only to fire a hot bomb down the T to close it out. In the review, the TW folks said they could not find heat on the first serve with this frame, but I am personally having a Pure Drive level experience with this cannon.
Finally hitting lobs that were high and deep enough to win points. My lob touch was there tonight, I hope that continues.
I have to keep playing with this frame because I feel like I have yet to truly unlock it's powers. The reality is that it is stiff, and I was not hitting every shot clean tonight. But my arm is not tingling like it would from the Pure Drive. This is a fascinating frame because it truly is like a Pure Drive but instead of having that crisp, vibration laden Babolat feel from 10 years ago, it has a pockety and thuddy sweet spot that still allows you to feel the ball without being super muted. Additionally, this string pattern may be genius because I can see over time just ramping up the pace and hitting controlled shots that are heavy AF. I think that is when this thing will really starting shining. So in essence, it is not a Pure Drive but yet it so such a damn Pure Drive. So interesting and fun to use.
What's odd about the Ezone is that it does have more pocketing than the 0 amount I expected coming from frames like the Vc95. The only thing is that pocketing only likes to show up when you hit it flatter. I remember I put a sitter away with it where I covered the ball on the finish for some safety and was just that classic tight spinning bullet that you can get with the EZ frames. My friend was like "that was amazing, it didn't even make a sound and you creamed it". A statement that rings true many times with the Ezone. You can grab the ball due to the width of the frame but it doesn't sink into it unless you get a little slappy with it. Not sure if you noticed that.
But one thing about the Blade Pro that really works for me is the pocketing and ability hold the ball a little longer on the strings. That really helps with directional control and spin generation as well.
FX500 is one of the few power frames I have used that can hold the ball a little longer than you would expect.
EDIT - forgot to post my racquet status:
Midplus HL, control frames ranking : Ezone98 still the top dog. TGT 293.1 makes the climb to #2. Old blue #3, more of a nice to have hitting frame. Regna will be listed in Classifieds as will the Pure Strike Versus. The Pure Aero 98 is sold already.
Tweener/power frames - PD 2012 versus DunnyFX and Blade Pro. Currently testing the Dunlop. My original experiment months ago when I returned was Vcore100 V Pure Drive V Blade Pro which the Blade Pro won at the time. Blade Pro is kind on the arm, this can not be underrated.
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Latest demo set after getting a little more jacked.
RF97 - Switch contender, but only have the doo doo tennis warehouse strings to work with. Anyone know how this plays with lower tension? Great whip, controlled serves, but pretty stiff. Not heavy feeling or swinging at all.
Yonex Vcore 97 H - Very good but all the weight is in the handle, so dense that it could be used as a weapon. Hard to attack a low ball inside the court. That's the only glaring weakness of this racket now that I can serve with it.. power on this thing for flat shots... wild.
Pure Strike Tour - Confirmed can't play with babolat and the feel just made me sad to play tennis.
Prince 93P 14x18 - Too whippy and pillow like but that's a phantom. Was hitting so many short angle winners... but was aiming for deep corners. I'm not sure why 93's are phased out? All the smaller heads I see recently just have the bottom where a dampener might go eliminated. Do people actually use the bottom portion of the racket?
Not sure why there's so much hate for weight. I was able to play non-attacking defense for the first time in a year and it was refreshing to be able to swing slow when tired.
RF97 - Switch contender, but only have the doo doo tennis warehouse strings to work with. Anyone know how this plays with lower tension? Great whip, controlled serves, but pretty stiff. Not heavy feeling or swinging at all.
Yonex Vcore 97 H - Very good but all the weight is in the handle, so dense that it could be used as a weapon. Hard to attack a low ball inside the court. That's the only glaring weakness of this racket now that I can serve with it.. power on this thing for flat shots... wild.
Pure Strike Tour - Confirmed can't play with babolat and the feel just made me sad to play tennis.
Prince 93P 14x18 - Too whippy and pillow like but that's a phantom. Was hitting so many short angle winners... but was aiming for deep corners. I'm not sure why 93's are phased out? All the smaller heads I see recently just have the bottom where a dampener might go eliminated. Do people actually use the bottom portion of the racket?
Not sure why there's so much hate for weight. I was able to play non-attacking defense for the first time in a year and it was refreshing to be able to swing slow when tired.
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pedrogcr
Semi-Pro
I have extended a Gravity MP Lite, which is the lighter version of the MP (same mold and layup) which starts at 280g if I'm not mistaken.
I added just around 4g of lead at 10 and 2, and the rest of the weight (XTP butt cap with silicone caulk and about half of a heat shrink sleeve) at the handle, bringing it to 335g strung.
It's a very solid racquet, and one I keep going back to due to a surprisingly solid feel and great string pattern.
And below I documented the extension process but done on a 290g Prince Phantom 100x.
Vicious49
Legend
Today is Wednesday but for me it was a Tuesday. Timiing, footwork, something was off. I was lucky to only lose the 1st set 3-6. Somewhere in there I decided to switch to the heavier c10 pro. I figured if my timing was off with the Regna, the C10 will allow me to slow my swing and use the mass of the frame to do the work. It helped for most of the 2nd set at which point I decided my timing was back and I went back to the Regna when I was down 4-5. Ultimately wet to tie break which I lost 6-8. Glad i was able to out up a fight even on a bad day.
My racquet status is pretty clear:
1. Regna 98
2. C10 Pro
3. SMP300
My racquet status is pretty clear:
1. Regna 98
2. C10 Pro
3. SMP300
flyhome
Rookie
I have tried the Q+5 X Black and Gold, I don't remember if it was 315gr or 310gr, very nice frame, the new extended one is 305gr (just checked the PK website). What I would like to replicate is the owesome combination of light weight, perfect SW and incredible stability of more that 16 points of TW in a thinner beam, that's why I need to start from a lite weighted racquet (similar to what happens with the Head prostocks, you know what I mean).
I'm not sure it will work, because my "EX" Babolat is already very stable due to the thick beam (I think it gets close to 30 at some point).
The idea of extending the thinner beams' racquets is to recover some power compared to the babolat.
So, PK Q+5 285gr, Gravity MP Lite and Diadem Elevate Lite are on the list.
flyhome
Rookie
I have extended a Gravity MP Lite, which is the lighter version of the MP (same mold and layup) which starts at 280g if I'm not mistaken.
I added just around 4g of lead at 10 and 2, and the rest of the weight (XTP butt cap with silicone caulk and about half of a heat shrink sleeve) at the handle, bringing it to 335g strung.
It's a very solid racquet, and one I keep going back to due to a surprisingly solid feel and great string pattern.
And below I documented the extension process but done on a 290g Prince Phantom 100x.
That's pretty cool! thanks for sharing! So you like the the Gravity MPL modded?
gino
Legend
Blade pro is just so unbelievable. I’m still
I’m awe of how well rounded it is
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
What a day for science! Thank you for being brave and courageous and trying the WU set up in your league matches without testing them before. Seemed to work really well, even if the feel wasn't there.
Thing is, your balls can make a huge difference to the opponents shot-making. For example, when I am hitting with the 351.1 with CF, I see my buddies rushing and hitting out of position a lot. When I am hitting with the same frame with Lynx Tour, my partners have more time to set up, because of the loopier ball and I am more on defense.
The one I am hitting with in the last videos (red shirt) is an LK14, so very low level, but all my other opponents crush me, when I am playing with the Lynx Tour bed. The CF puts everyone on defense right away.
I totally understand it, and I miss the dwell-time as well (so much). Somehow, the direct response works wonders on my bh but I don't feel as safe on my fh. It is just uncool when your strokes like different things. I like higher tension on my bh but looser tension on my fh. It is just harder for me to slow down my swing on the bh.
For me the ultimate calm racket is probably the 293.2 right now, but the 351.1 CF bed works wonders on serves and backhands, I just need to remind myself to stay calm in team league matches, especially with the new balls. Playing with balls that have been played once, no issues at all. New balls, more focus on not swinging too fast.
The 293.1 somehow doesn't match my bh well. I have way more flyers with this one than with any other racket I played over the last weeks, which is crazy... I have no idea why that is. The 293.1 (in my specs) seems to be way more powerful than the 351.1 for my strokes.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
Im contemplating dipping my toe back into tweenerville on this beat BabyFed mission.
I also want to beat Dr Fitbit who is just abusing me at times with his leaded up PUre Drives.
I was thinking SX 300 Tour or possibly FX 500 (tour?) Or even the new Pure Aero.
What I’ve learned from losing to him (Fed Jr.) so many times is that my best bet is to play him high, consistent and slow. Hard and flat = instant retaliation. Same with serves. Have to go with junk serves all day. I need to drag him in to my pusher slice hell. Im not playing any type of league until late April so I might try (again) to train myself on the tweener.
Otherwise I have to say right now what the science tells us is that my best tennis is with the Blade V8 18x20. Vanilla as hell
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Played around with a Soviet racket tonight. Actually plays really decent!
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
Too much power for me. I need a dagger!
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Assassin!
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
Backstabbin'
JGads
G.O.A.T.
It’s interesting, for me I feel like the 351 is more powerful than the 293.1 but maybe that’s more the sense of the ball leaving the strings quicker giving me that sensation and the dwell of the Prestige allowing for control/spin. Maybe because you tag balls so much flatter, that dwell is creating more of a trampoline effect that you’re not comfy with?
Anyway, one area where the 351 totally shines, like all Rads, is on serve. So many free points there, point and click and whack. I was begging for a first serve on match point in that nervy super TB and went big to the body and totally ate him up for the SW to finish the match. Boom boom serves from Clem.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
The Top Banana is way more user friendly and whippy than the Hammer that was extended black version. But if you’re hoping for even lighter and a project, and a softer response, then yeah, maybe not for you. But if you ever get the itch just let me know.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, and it was about a year ago now when I discovered the PT2.0 and both of my regular hitting partners told me “Don’t go back to the Pro Kennex.” Just a different level of confidence and “free” hitting vs the more forgiving and supposed-to-be-more powerful PK, yet hitting partners all we’re having more issues facing the Ol’ Blue Ball. A year later and it’s still in my mix, and here I am still favoring this mix of classic Head feel/control with Ol’ Blue, Burgundy, Ol’ Green. All frames that drip control and tell me to swing out.
tim-ay
Legend
It’s the extra weight from that thing on your head!
(I’m just jealous as if I let my hair grow I look like a psycho… straw hair!)
tim-ay
Legend
PA+ is a little more versatile than the Q+5x’s. In 2023 guise. Pretty amazing if you like XLs
yes so there is an interesting dilemma here..
I have been a sucker for control frames...flexy etc.. same mind-set... b/c I just rather hit the ball "right" full extension..unload and not hold back (obv... when attacking.. not making a blanket statement for all shots in tennis)..
This is not right or wrong.. this also does not mean you win a tennis match this way, but in my mind, I have chosen the longer path.. suck longer and in the end, play the game right (from a technical perspective with strokes and foot work etc...) vs... let's say (i am exaggerating)... "do whatever you need to do to get the tennis ball across the net inside the lines as many times as possible".. now that's ok... I have made my bed... happy to sleep in it... this is just the way I get enjoyment out of the game...
having said that... I feel like control frames vs.. more direct powerful frames...there is an upside/downside here in development as well.
they both have unforgiving traits... as we talk about... being able to control a tweener frame also means you are much more aware of the right contact.. you don't get a 2nd chance to make adjustments... that is making you work harder on other things (hand-eye cordination/contact point)... now... obv... they defend easier so it's also not making you work on other things (foot work...setup)... or it lets you bunt back stuff easier... where a control frame will leave you a higher chance of being punished if you mess it up...
weirdly enough.. my mind is wondering.. is vc98 with its 62 RA can be the ez98 with a bit more pocketing... technically no... string pattern is very different... I also can't stand a high launch angle but ez98 is low enough that a little higher than that may work... I was having these thoughts and saw @ACT video that ended up confirming this view and now i have a bug for the first time in a while.. having a bit of personality crisis here... who am I?? hahah...
@Power Player - with regards to ez98... now that you mentioned it. that make as ton of sense (about pocketing). i did get occasional nice pocketing but could not put my finger on why and when.. but that may very well explain it.. good call out!!
naturalexponent
Hall of Fame
I very much identify with this (as I'm sure many here do), but especially that push-pull between focusing on technique and doing things "right" to make sure fundamentals are sound. One thing I realized more recently is that this, for me, has led to a disproportionate focus on technique -- all the things you mention, footwork, strokes, clean contact -- over tactics and strategy, where I may hit a better looking ball than my opponent but I'm often lost against opponents with higher shot tolerances than I have. I'm slowly beginning to accept the idea of using more of a tweener/pleener frame so I can focus on shot selection over shot production. The right racquet absolutely comes into play here. The ET was a good one for me for this approach, and I'm still looking for the right one gives me the same that doesn't hurt my arm. Still thinking maybe the PA23 is the way to go in this regard, although relevant to what you posted here, I will have the chance to try out a VC98 soon... I'll report my findings, in particular vs. the EZ98.
I'm finding a good compromise is a power racket with a defined sweet spot. The Ezone falls into that category as does the Pure Drive, but I also can't get that pocketing aside from flat shots with these two (though I've only used these without my own string setup). Any recent wilson racket, PA 98/VS and Radical fall into this category. Small sweet spot always sounds negative but if you're ok with stringing at lower tension, it just introduces control and helps with attacking.
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pedrogcr
Semi-Pro
You're welcome! I really do like it!
It's a frame that allows me to hit all my shots, from the rolling cross court backhand that dips right at the feet of the net player, to flatter forehands down the line, and great topspin lobs. So it's an awesome racket when I play with opponents where I can control the pace of the rallies.
The only issue with it, and reason I started experimenting with the TGT344.4 is when I played against higher level opponents (higher 4.5 or 5.0) that topspin game gets easily overpowered, making me play a defensive game that does not fit well with my current physical condition (weight and general court movement).
The Gravity Pro (TGT344.4), with it's thin beam and 18x20 pattern, demands that I play a more attacking game, and the extra control allows me to go head-on against those higher level players.
On the other hand, if I'm playing the regular 4.0 level USTA player that will hit weightless balls and just try to put everything back with tons of shot blocking and slice lobs, I feel the lighter, more spin friendly racquets allow me better shot variety.
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
Four posts in the holic thread in two days? This can't be good.
But to touch on the 'personality crisis' here a bit, I've been cycling through 4 frames every session of late. I start with LeGads and think, 'Man, can it get any better than this?' before moving to LeMonf, and the answer is 'Yes, it can, and this is it!' But then I go to the Ezone 98 and think, 'What in incredible racquet, but how modern can I go? Maybe this far, but only this far.' I finish the cycle with the obligatory hit with the C-10 Evo just hoping the magic will emerge, but it hasn't. I return to LeMonf and don't think about anything but where I want to put the next ball. It's the total package for me with intangibles. Then I go home and seethe over the fact that I can't get more of them because they're endangered, even where they're sold. The irony will make you laugh.
The Tengos give me the feel and playability I'm accustomed to, but they take forgiveness to another level. And the EZ98 takes it even further while offering a very clean feel/response in its own right. And it's better all-court than LeGads. And, it's ubiquitous, with grommets. It's a sticky web, and I'm all wrapped in it.
what a support system we have.. love it... you read my mind... and touche on four posts in 2 days.. hahah.. that's right.. an unstable mind right now..
it says you are schizophrenic and have a personality disorder... just a joke everyone... just a joke.. love it.. i did notice a pattern... tweener/player/tweener/player.
topspn
Legend
Don’t get how you could like it on your 1hbh. It bothered me with the regular one
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
flyhome
Rookie
Thanks, but my idea is to start from a lighter racquet to extend, keeping a light weight, ideally with 16x20 string pattern (or 18x20), with hight tw (maybe impossible)...maybe possible with a brand new uncostomized Head TGT
flyhome
Rookie
I have been playing a lot with the Head Yutek Speed MP in TGK Prostock mode, and it's 18x20 string patter is fantastic.
Maybe I should just get a pair of TGT 344.4 extended with light weight...not so complicated, but I was also intrigued by a 16x20 pattern.
