Diary of a Racketaholic

[Vicious49]

Not relevant here for racquet discussion.

Also, you're in the holic thread...

Exactly. You have the rest of the forum if you want to talk to people who don't go through frames as fast.

As for my racquet switching, I kind of switch between the same frames for my real matches. I've had the Regnas for 1.5 years now and the PA98/23 for almost 6 months. The v8 Blade is a newer contender but I did use the v7 Blade for about 6 months. Although I haven't used that in a league match yet even though I've been considering it.
For matches that don't count I'll switch between random frames. This is the 'holic thread so that's how I holic.

 

[Fighting phoenix]

Exactly. You have the rest of the forum if you want to talk to people who don't go through frames as fast.

As for my racquet switching, I kind of switch between the same frames for my real matches. I've had the Regnas for 1.5 years now and the PA98/23 for almost 6 months. The v8 Blade is a newer contender but I did use the v7 Blade for about 6 months. Although I haven't used that in a league match yet even though I've been considering it.
For matches that don't count I'll switch between random frames. This is the 'holic thread so that's how I holic.

I totally respect the history of this thread, and that many of you holic for fun - that and exercise are really the reasons why we play tennis. Even though I love testing new frames and now own way more racquets than I should, I'm realizing how beneficial it's been for me to stick with one frame the last few months - since I've been maining the Pure Strike v4 100 16x20, my game has progressively gotten better, and starting as a UTR 6.5, I took a ~8 UTR to a third set breaker, and just beat a strong 7.4 UTR this weekend in a playoff match. My doubles has gotten better as well - there have been many points where I make last second adjustments that I can only make feeling 100% in tune with the dynamics of the specific racquet I've been getting used to.

For me, getting better and winning slightly trumps my racquet testing addiction, but I am counting the days till the end of the upcoming spring/summer season to take a month off for less competitive testing time ;-)

 

[Kozzy]

I totally respect the history of this thread, and that many of you holic for fun - that and exercise are really the reasons why we play tennis. Even though I love testing new frames and now own way more racquets than I should, I'm realizing how beneficial it's been for me to stick with one frame the last few months - since I've been maining the Pure Strike v4 100 16x20, my game has progressively gotten better, and starting as a UTR 6.5, I took a ~8 UTR to a third set breaker, and just beat a strong 7.4 UTR this weekend in a playoff match. My doubles has gotten better as well - there have been many points where I make last second adjustments that I can only make feeling 100% in tune with the dynamics of the specific racquet I've been getting used to.

For me, getting better and winning slightly trumps my racquet testing addiction, but I am counting the days till the end of the upcoming spring/summer season to take a month off for less competitive testing time ;-)

I second that. My holicism is in remission for the time being. It will surely return, but I'm taking full advantage and enjoying the improvement to my match results and overall play.

 

[Richard Pioline]

I second that. My holicism is in remission for the time being. It will surely return, but I'm taking full advantage and enjoying the improvement to my match results and overall play.

Mine as well. I am so happy with the Ivos. Haven't played my best today, but the super windy weather and first time on real clay aren't the best conditions for adjusting to the new surface. In two weeks, I've played on four different surfaces. Tennis is fun!

 

[TwinCinema]

I second that. My holicism is in remission for the time being. It will surely return, but I'm taking full advantage and enjoying the improvement to my match results and overall play.

I third that. Played a set yesterday against a friend who was a former top-10 high school player in the state, and he smoked me 6-2 of course. Early on I was worried the small sweet spot of the PSVS wasn’t going to cut it with a guy hitting this hard, so I almost reached for the Blade. But I stuck with the VS — just switched to one with more control strings — and held my own. I had a break point in two of the games I lost, so it was closer than the score appeared.

Some day though I can see myself admitting I need a bigger sweet spot. Until then, it’s just so much fun playing with the Strike.

 

[KC!]

Mine as well. I am so happy with the Ivos. Haven't played my best today, but the super windy weather and first time on real clay aren't the best conditions for adjusting to the new surface. In two weeks, I've played on four different surfaces. Tennis is fun!

Most of us will be starting spring season soon, so I’m sure we’ll be doing less holicing. I’ve been testing the new Blade V9 100, but in two weeks it will most likely be the Shame for spring season.

 

[EggSalad]

I’m just a full blown holic. But I can stop any time, I swear!

 

[JRH]

I have no doubt that sticking to a frame will definitely reap the rewards of improvement over time, but my fairly mild (compared to some) holicin' is just trying to find the frame to stick with.

A vicious circle.

 

[Pneumated1]

I have no doubt that sticking to a frame will definitely reap the rewards of improvement over time, but my fairly mild (compared to some) holicin' is just trying to find the frame to stick with.

A vicious circle.

This is where I've been for four years, but I think I've found the one. Just wish I knew for sure if it was the PSVS or the v8 Blade 18x20. Even knowing the answer I typed that. It's so obvious, but that's the problem.

 

[JRH]

This is where I've been for four years, but I think I've found the one. Just wish I knew for sure if it was the PSVS or the v8 Blade 18x20. Even knowing the answer I typed that. It's so obvious, but that's the problem.

What was it like making the discovery? Was it an instant 'love at first sight connection' or was it more of a feeling developed over time? Asking for a *friend*

 

[Nollid]

What was it like making the discovery? Was it an instant 'love at first sight connection' or was it more of a feeling developed over time? Asking for a *friend*

It's magical. No other way to describe it. Definitely a love at first hit, and second and third and so on. When you've been through enough of every type of stick and you find one that ticks all of the boxes it's like ahhh, I'm home. Then a day, week or month later you think that something might be better and reclaim your spot in the thread.

 

[Vicious49]

Mine as well. I am so happy with the Ivos. Haven't played my best today, but the super windy weather and first time on real clay aren't the best conditions for adjusting to the new surface. In two weeks, I've played on four different surfaces. Tennis is fun!

Ivos? You have more than one now? I thought this was a 1 off pro frame you were able to get a hold of.

 

[Kozzy]

What was it like making the discovery? Was it an instant 'love at first sight connection' or was it more of a feeling developed over time? Asking for a *friend*

I found my "holy grail" (the PSVS) when it came out 2 years ago - it was love at first hit, but then like @Nollid wrote, I couldn't stay put with that one racquet, and went on an absolute holic tear for the next 2 years or so, trying to find something even better. But time after time, I kept coming back to the PSVS, and liking it more again each time. So, that's where I am now. 4 months straight with one racquet is kind of a record for me. I still do hear that siren call, but am currently tied to the mast.

 

[Nollid]

I found my "holy grail" (the PSVS) when it came out 2 years ago - it was love at first hit, but then like @Nollid wrote, I couldn't stay put with that one racquet, and went on an absolute holic tear for the next 2 years or so, trying to find something even better. But time after time, I kept coming back to the PSVS, and liking it more again each time. So, that's where I am now. 4 months straight with one racquet is kind of a record for me. I still do hear that siren call, but am currently tied to the mast.

Ha yeah, I like the PSVS a lot, but as I discovered in my lesson I'm used to hitting with something with a lighter static weight now. So yeah, sometime it takes a little back and forth oscillation to figure it out. I'll keep mine around like the BP16 for fun hits, but it's going to be the 351.1 for me for the foreseeable future. Err, um, unless the Blade 100 might be better.....

 

[gino]

PSVS is taking over the holic thread, you just love to see it. great frame. Glad I have 3 of them

 

[BPlain]

I felt the inner holic bubbling up with all the PSVS and Blade v9 100 talk lately so I finally ordered a Briffidi instead. In theory, this is to dial in my modified Gravity MP set up as something tells me 344-348 SW is not long term sustainable entering my mid-40s. But we all know it might just be a gateway drug to the flood gates reopening. Only time will tell...

 

[Nollid]

I felt the inner holic bubbling up with all the PSVS and Blade v9 100 talk lately so I finally ordered a Briffidi instead. In theory, this is to dial in my modified Gravity MP set up as something tells me 344-348 SW is not long term sustainable entering my mid-40s. But we all know it might just a gateway drug to the flood gates reopening. Only time will tell...

Smart. Having a Briffidi is way more important than another racket.

 

[Richard Pioline]

Ivos? You have more than one now? I thought this was a 1 off pro frame you were able to get a hold of.

I am just an insanely lucky man that @JGads is my friend! Not only because of the frames he sent me, but also because he is just the best!
But yeah, he sent me four of these bad boys, so I am all set for the summer season. Plus his Red Heads that Jouke made into two more FCs, so I also have four FCs as well...
Big shout to Jouke and JGads, I love you guys!!!

 

[Fintft]

It's magical. No other way to describe it. Definitely a love at first hit, and second and third and so on. When you've been through enough of every type of stick and you find one that ticks all of the boxes it's like ahhh, I'm home. Then a day, week or month later you think that something might be better and reclaim your spot in the thread.

For me it wasn't love at first, or at least not true love It took the coach to nag me to swing faster, to really love it (control wise, not only from the power pov).

 

[Nollid]

For me it wasn't love at first, or at least not true love I took the coach to nag me to swing faster, to really love it (control wise, not only from the power pov).

That’s awesome. If I had to add an extra variable of altering my technique to fit a racket I would end up on an involuntary psychiatric hold at the local ER.

 

[danbrenner]

honorable mention goes to Gamma Supreme over grips. i have been using yonex super grap for a few years now due to the price. about $1.75 each if you buy 12 pack. but they only stay tacky for about 12 -24 hrs. so they are great if you are sponsored and removing daily. but for a rec player.. if you like your grip tacky ,. they just dont last. so even though i have used supreme in the past. i had forgotten about them. well last week i used one again for the first time in years. and its been one week. and still as tacky as the first day. incredible. they just dont easily lose tack. i am swtiching back. "i cant go back to no tack"

 

[veelium]

Finally tried the old liquidmetal instinct, a big fat tweener with an 18x19 string pattern.
Kinda cool. As I didnt have a base grip on but 2 ogs on an L5 pallet the balance was a bit too high but kinda cool. So like 320g strung, 330 SW high balance.
Any other 18 mains tweeners out there?

 

[Freshproduce]

I think I have finally come to the point of realization that I am not in good enough shape to use a Blade 98 anymore. Got exhausted in a league match and could barely get any depth. Choosing between changing racquets or working on fitness is easy. On to a more powerful frame

 

[gino]

Finally tried the old liquidmetal instinct, a big fat tweener with an 18x19 string pattern.
Kinda cool. As I didnt have a base grip on but 2 ogs on an L5 pallet the balance was a bit too high but kinda cool. So like 320g strung, 330 SW high balance.
Any other 18 mains tweeners out there?

dickie gasquet smiles upon your decisions

 

[veelium]

dickie gasquet smiles upon your decisions

iirc he uses the 16 mains XL versions.
Defo thought about it though.

 

[JGads]

I felt the inner holic bubbling up with all the PSVS and Blade v9 100 talk lately so I finally ordered a Briffidi instead. In theory, this is to dial in my modified Gravity MP set up as something tells me 344-348 SW is not long term sustainable entering my mid-40s. But we all know it might just be a gateway drug to the flood gates reopening. Only time will tell...

This is the best racquet decision you'll ever make.

 

[JGads]

Went hard on butter tonight. 57A 16m and my buddy's 57A 18m.

Some others, too. A cholesterol binge, basically.

Much fun.

 

[Soundbyte]

First full time hit with a Blade in many a generation. Hit with the V9 98. Its still the most vanilla control 98 out there. I tend to favor flexier most direct feeling frames, but the blade is fine. Above average feel for sure.

Good whippiness, good power. Probably needs a touch of lead at 10/2.

I get why it's a popular frame.
I think I prefer the leaded up Cx200 with first impression. But I'm gonna keep it. Definitely not a catch and release frame.

Will try the 100 next.

 

[Fed Kennedy]

First full time hit with a Blade in many a generation. Hit with the V9 98. Its still the most vanilla control 98 out there. I tend to favor flexier most direct feeling frames, but the blade is fine. Above average feel for sure.

Good whippiness, good power. Probably needs a touch of lead at 10/2.

I get why it's a popular frame.
I think I prefer the leaded up Cx200 with first impression. But I'm gonna keep it. Definitely not a catch and release frame.

Will try the 100 next.

I’m guessing this is the 18x20 based on your priors?

 

[NattyGut]

Most of us will be starting spring season soon, so I’m sure we’ll be doing less holicing. I’ve been testing the new Blade V9 100, but in two weeks it will most likely be the Shame for spring season.

Did you try BK/ GW hybrid? Thoughts on tension?

 

[Fintft]

That’s awesome. If I had to add an extra variable of altering my technique to fit a racket I would end up on an involuntary psychiatric hold at the local ER.

More like improving, or florishing, not altering...

 

[Fintft]

honorable mention goes to Gamma Supreme over grips. i have been using yonex super grap for a few years now due to the price. about $1.75 each if you buy 12 pack. but they only stay tacky for about 12 -24 hrs. so they are great if you are sponsored and removing daily. but for a rec player.. if you like your grip tacky ,. they just dont last. so even though i have used supreme in the past. i had forgotten about them. well last week i used one again for the first time in years. and its been one week. and still as tacky as the first day. incredible. they just dont easily lose tack. i am swtiching back. "i cant go back to no tack"

Tourna Mega Tac does that for me.

 

[Fintft]

I felt the inner holic bubbling up with all the PSVS and Blade v9 100 talk lately so I finally ordered a Briffidi instead. In theory, this is to dial in my modified Gravity MP set up as something tells me 344-348 SW is not long term sustainable entering my mid-40s. But we all know it might just be a gateway drug to the flood gates reopening. Only time will tell...

You must be swinging really fast then.

 

[TwinCinema]

Saw something pretty wild at this evening’s session: this one girl played ambidextrous. I’m sure some of you have seen it but I had never — she played right handed maybe 80% of the time but one out of every five shots or so, mostly overheads or swinging volleys, would be lefty. In one point she started off with RH groundstrokes, moved to a LH overhead, which got a return lob and she quickly swapped to a RH overhead. Very impressive!

 

[skeeter]

I was having trouble a couple weeks ago as well. WiFi wouldn’t work but if I used my cell phone without WiFi I could access it.

Exactly. Had to get access to TT this way for 4 or 5 weeks. Seems to have “fixed itself” after that but have no idea what the cause was.

 

[kevin qmto]

Anyone else had an impulse buy where you buy at least 5 rackets at once? That just happened to me... I wandered into goodwill and $28 fell out of my wallet. But I walked away with:
2021 Head Prestige Pro
2010 Wilson PS BLX Six One 90
2012 Wilson PS BLX Six One Tour 90 (x2)
2012 Wilson PS BLX Six One 95

Taking pics soon.

 

[Vicious49]

Anyone else had an impulse buy where you buy at least 5 rackets at once? That just happened to me... I wandered into goodwill and $28 fell out of my wallet. But I walked away with:
2021 Head Prestige Pro
2010 Wilson PS BLX Six One 90
2012 Wilson PS BLX Six One Tour 90 (x2)
2012 Wilson PS BLX Six One 95

Taking pics soon.

$28 is like 2 packs of strings so not sure Id classify that as dropping cash on 5 frames. Nice finds though, especially if they are in good condition.

 

[kevin qmto]

$28 is like 2 packs of strings so not sure Id classify that as dropping cash on 5 frames. Nice finds though, especially if they are in good condition.

well the Prestige is. The rest are not lol. Scratches galore, however there are no cracks, so I still consider it making out like a bandit considering the 90's all go for around 100+ each on the bay.

 

[Kozzy]

Anyone else had an impulse buy where you buy at least 5 rackets at once? That just happened to me... I wandered into goodwill and $28 fell out of my wallet. But I walked away with:
2021 Head Prestige Pro
2010 Wilson PS BLX Six One 90
2012 Wilson PS BLX Six One Tour 90 (x2)
2012 Wilson PS BLX Six One 95

Taking pics soon.

Sounds grand to me. Great find.

 

[JGads]

First full time hit with a Blade in many a generation. Hit with the V9 98. Its still the most vanilla control 98 out there. I tend to favor flexier most direct feeling frames, but the blade is fine. Above average feel for sure.

Good whippiness, good power. Probably needs a touch of lead at 10/2.

I get why it's a popular frame.
I think I prefer the leaded up Cx200 with first impression. But I'm gonna keep it. Definitely not a catch and release frame.

Will try the 100 next.

“Catch and release frame.”

Brilliant. That’s going in the log. And so many of those fish.

 

[bobeeto]

Visited my parents and found these rad boys on FB. Loved the last LM I owned but I’m excited for the flex point experience

https://imgur.com/a/jW0UJVt

 

[longtimelurker]

Visited my parents and found these rad boys on FB. Loved the last LM I owned but I’m excited for the flex point experience

https://imgur.com/a/jW0UJVt

One of the closest frames to Djoker's actual you can get along with LM radical... those fxp's are great.

 

[Pekoms]

Anyone can give some ideias for similiar 16x19 rackets with the wheight distribution/playbility of 18x20 of Wilson Blade V4 ?

Want to change to 16x19 (love connection with the ball and prioritize control over power) but I don't love the blade in 16x19 pattern. Can be anybrand but yonex (I don't gel with the isometric shape)

 

[Richard Pioline]

honorable mention goes to Gamma Supreme over grips. i have been using yonex super grap for a few years now due to the price. about $1.75 each if you buy 12 pack. but they only stay tacky for about 12 -24 hrs. so they are great if you are sponsored and removing daily. but for a rec player.. if you like your grip tacky ,. they just dont last. so even though i have used supreme in the past. i had forgotten about them. well last week i used one again for the first time in years. and its been one week. and still as tacky as the first day. incredible. they just dont easily lose tack. i am swtiching back. "i cant go back to no tack"

It is a great grip, also it is a bit thicker than others, if you want that. But the greatest thing is, both ends are cut, so you have no stupid overlap on either side.

 

[Vicious49]

It is a great grip, also it is a bit thicker than others, if you want that. But the greatest thing is, both ends are cut, so you have no stupid overlap on either side.

Such a simple idea. Why dont more companies do this?

 

[bobeeto]

Anyone have a good head pallet source? Seeing some crazy prices on the bay

 

[veelium]

Anyone have a good head pallet source? Seeing some crazy prices on the bay

Many here in EU.

 

[danbrenner]

Anyone have a good head pallet source? Seeing some crazy prices on the bay

YUP ILL PM YOU

 

[JRH]

Talking of pallet changes, when I changed mine I asked the coach at our club if I could use his stapler which he said had broken. But he offered me some advice in that I should leave the new pallets slightly longer and the staples shouldn't go through the hairpin?

I looked on the forum and noticed that some said that you could gently line up the old staples through the butt cap and the pallet before tapping through the hairpin. I didn't really know if this was legit so opened up the MP-Ls and saw that the pallets definitely stopped at the end of the hairpin, and the staples definitely go through the hairpin (I ended up replicating this).

I just wanted to double check that the coach was wrong, and the process I followed is right?

 

[danbrenner]

Talking of pallet changes, when I changed mine I asked the coach at our club if I could use his stapler which he said had broken. But he offered me some advice in that I should leave the new pallets slightly longer and the staples shouldn't go through the hairpin?

I looked on the forum and noticed that some said that you could gently line up the old staples through the butt cap and the pallet before tapping through the hairpin. I didn't really know if this was legit so opened up the MP-Ls and saw that the pallets definitely stopped at the end of the hairpin, and the staples definitely go through the hairpin (I ended up replicating this).

I just wanted to double check that the coach was wrong, and the process I followed is right?

yes you are correct. staple should pierce the hairpin. there are plenty of make shift techniques that people use. but the proper way is to go right through the butt cap and hair pin.