Diary of a Racketaholic

TwinCinema

TwinCinema

Professional
RF_PRO_STAFF said:
New month so I'm switching racquets. Probably.

I'm at the point where I have too many sticks again, but this time most of them are  great. 2023 VC95 (which I would call my main stick), 100D, 2024 EP, 2023 MP-L, 2023 GPro, PS97 V14, BP16.
From any of these, I could get three or four of these and call it a day. Of course there's quite a few differences but I could use any of them as my main frame if I wasn't a big holic.

Then there's the PSVS that I've successfully mained for quite a while (in my books), right before I switched to the 2023 VC95 when that came out. I eventually sold all of the PSVS sticks I had. Months later I believe, I picked up a brand new one real cheap because it was itching again.
Weighted it up about the same as the ones I had before, but applied a synthetic grip instead of Oehms leather. Hit with it once, which I remember as being nice, and then it gathered dust for months.

Now that I've got so many great sticks again which makes my mind cloudy, I'm trying to work through all of them to chose a few to sell. Yesterday I strung up the PSVS with Poly Tour Fire 1.25 at 46/44 and hit with it today. Wow, I'm in awe again of how great this racquet is.

Might have to go hunting for a few extra and start dating my old love again.
Click to expand...

I love this post because I’ve mained the PSVS pretty much all year now but was tempted by how nice the VCore 95 was. Hearing this means even if I get one I’ll prob wanna just go back to the PSVS. It’s the most addictive racket on earth. Even “better” rackets (like the end boss, Blade Pro) can’t capture my heart in the same way.
 
ZeroandOne

ZeroandOne

Rookie
It's probably just the string. Fire is fire. Had good experiences in both PSVS and VC95 with that one. Just goes downhill quickly. Magic evaporates every playing session.
 
RF_PRO_STAFF

RF_PRO_STAFF

Hall of Fame
TwinCinema said:
I love this post because I’ve mained the PSVS pretty much all year now but was tempted by how nice the VCore 95 was. Hearing this means even if I get one I’ll prob wanna just go back to the PSVS. It’s the most addictive racket on earth. Even “better” rackets (like the end boss, Blade Pro) can’t capture my heart in the same way.
Click to expand...
'23 VC95 or PSVS, they're both almost equally great to me. I think I posted something earlier this year about how the VC95 can bore me at times, despite being maybe the best possible racket for me. Maybe that's the problem; it doesn't have any surprises in store for me anymore. Also because I mained the '18 VC95 for quite a while too, which is at the same superior level in my books.

You're right just sticking to the PSVS. It's so unique and joyful.
 
O

optic yellow

Legend
RF_PRO_STAFF said:
'23 VC95 or PSVS, they're both almost equally great to me. I think I posted something earlier this year about how the VC95 can bore me at times, despite being maybe the best possible racket for me. Maybe that's the problem; it doesn't have any surprises in store for me anymore. Also because I mained the '18 VC95 for quite a while too, which is at the same superior level in my books.

You're right just sticking to the PSVS. It's so unique and joyful.
Click to expand...
If having a perfectly fitting racquet didn't bore you you wouldn't be in this thread.
 
Vicious49

Vicious49

Legend
@dr. godmode Just watched your latest vid. Good for you for standing by your principles and calling out these guys that tried to intimidate you. I'm glad Simon used 'Simon says' to get you to publish the vid.

Since you know about watches . . . something similar happened to me years ago with Federico who has a YT channel and owns DelRay watches. I bought a used JLC Memovox from them that arrived broken. I contacted them and wanted a refund. They said 'we don't give refunds under any circumstances but send the watch back and we will repair it and get it back to you.' I just spent $4K for a watch that arrived in non working condition and now I need to mail it back and wait weeks or months for it to be repaired? I asked in the WUS forums what others opinions are on this. I got a seething call from Federico about how they were going to work with me but since I made it public they want nothing to do with me, etc. They then started posting lies in the thread. I posted screenshots of what I had, etc. The thread eventually got locked by the mods.

I was going to file with my CC company and get my money back regardless but it's interesting how they tried flipping the script on me instead of accepting that the policy they were trying to enforce is total crap and not looking out for the customer in any way whatsoever.
 
Vicious49

Vicious49

Legend
I was able to get out to the courts yesterday for a set and half of singles and about 2 sets of doubles. It gave me a chance to try different frames in my bag and confirm what I already knew. The 100D is the best frame for me right now. Sucks I only have 1 so will need to order 1 or 2 more. The other main contender was the PA98 (which I already own 3 of). The PA98 requires better footwork, timing, and RHS to get the most out of it. I don't have that at the moment. The 100D is more forgiving and works better for my natural strokes and play style of a baseliner and counter puncher. Also, the BH slice on the 100D is amazing. It lets me place the ball where I want while hitting a low skidding slice. This bails me out a lot when I'm late to set up and prep on the BH side.

The silver lining in all this is since I still feel pain in my wrist it's making me change my serve a bit in terms of toss location and angle I'm hitting it at. My serve is improving because of this.

Also tennis is way more exhausting than cycling. At least the city cycling I do mainly.
 
P

Peter Guga Gonzalez

New User
gino said:
Today's musings. From L->R, RF97 v10/v11, two BLX 6.1 95s, nTour 95, ultra pro 18M, mg prestige pro, radical tour, & ol' blue

7d1Lb8H.jpeg


O7wWRNY.jpeg
Click to expand...
what a arsenal ... hey man do u know if some of these grommets fit in a hyper 6.1 18x20?
 
RF_PRO_STAFF

RF_PRO_STAFF

Hall of Fame
RF_PRO_STAFF said:
New month so I'm switching racquets. Probably.

I'm at the point where I have too many sticks again, but this time most of them are  great. 2023 VC95 (which I would call my main stick), 100D, 2024 EP, 2023 MP-L, 2023 GPro, PS97 V14, BP16.
From any of these, I could get three or four of these and call it a day. Of course there's quite a few differences but I could use any of them as my main frame if I wasn't a big holic.

Then there's the PSVS that I've successfully mained for quite a while (in my books), right before I switched to the 2023 VC95 when that came out. I eventually sold all of the PSVS sticks I had. Months later I believe, I picked up a brand new one real cheap because it was itching again.
Weighted it up about the same as the ones I had before, but applied a synthetic grip instead of Oehms leather. Hit with it once, which I remember as being nice, and then it gathered dust for months.

Now that I've got so many great sticks again which makes my mind cloudy, I'm trying to work through all of them to chose a few to sell. Yesterday I strung up the PSVS with Poly Tour Fire 1.25 at 46/44 and hit with it today. Wow, I'm in awe again of how great this racquet is.

Might have to go hunting for a few extra and start dating my old love again.
Click to expand...
I decided to go for it with the PSVS and ordered four more. I found a deal at a place where I could get them for €97,67 (!) each. Don't need five of them and don't need four either, but I'll check the specs and sell one or two as needed. If all of them are nice, why not keep them all...
 
E

emhtennis

Hall of Fame
https://imgur.com/a/otiO9Y7

First hit with newly acquired 293.1s that are slightly extended and close to 335+SW, but only 330g out the door.

I did need to adjust my swing slightly, I wouldn't call them sluggish, but they are true sledgehammers and require appropriate preparation. But my god, when you do prepare, and move your bodyweight thru the shot, i don't know if I've played a racket with a higher performance ceiling. My hitting partner commented the same. He said my rackethead speed was higher with the 351, but my ball was already the same using the 293.1 with a slower swing. So, once I get comfortable with the 293 and my swing speed starts to tick up, he said my ball would be extremely hard to deal with. Big potential to try and fulfill!

The frame that almost stole the night though was old blue! Calling @Richard Pioline I've finally felt the true magic of this frame after putting about 12 more inches of lead at 12. This SW bump really opened up the stringbed and it felt just as addicting to swing around as the 293s.

Bigger decisions with the 293s are whether or not to up thr pallet to L3 instead of their current L2, and whether or not to add a leather grip back on to get them close to how they were originally built. As is, they were a dream to serve with. Monster serves with little effort. Actually served better with "no effort" then trying to force them.
 
Nadal15thslam

Nadal15thslam

Hall of Fame
Can anyone tell me what's a decent price for a Babolat Aeropro Drive original, 1st gen? I really want one but with Rafa's retirement announcement I see that they are getting even pricier.
 
Nadal15thslam

Nadal15thslam

Hall of Fame
Nadal15thslam said:
Can anyone tell me what's a decent price for a Babolat Aeropro Drive original, 1st gen? I really want one but with Rafa's retirement announcement I see that they are getting even pricier.
Click to expand...
Question for the ones who already have one in the collection. How much did you pay for yours?
 
G

gsinko1

Semi-Pro
maksp said:
How does aero pro drive feel compared to aero98? More comfortable? Power? Control?
Click to expand...
IME, the APD is more comfortable & powerful. I think the thicker beam width and extra stiffness gives you more for free as well. The aero98 is fun to hit with but it can be quite harsh outside of the middle of the string bed and the thinner/more flexible beam is inherently less stable
 
Last edited:
ajspurs

ajspurs

Rookie
maksp said:
How does aero pro drive feel compared to aero98? More comfortable? Power? Control?
Click to expand...

I can only speak for the setups I had (PA98 - Yonex PTP 52lbs / 2013 Aero Pro Drive - Yonext PTP 50lbs / PA2023 - Hyper G Soft 48lbs), but the difference was pretty large for me in terms of comfort levels. I loved the PA98 more than any other racket at one point and after re-buying it, in one session I went from that to the APD and because of the difference in comfortability, I knew I wasn't going to go back to the PA98. Same experience with the PA2023 I purchased shortly after.

I do think knowing such things can be useful as a relative guide, but because we all have different strokes, techniques and such, as cliché as it is you'll need to find out for yourself. Nonetheless, at one point for the way I was hitting the ball, the PA98 was a much better fit for me than the PA/APD. I found that with the PA98 I was able to really put my foot on the gas and attack without too much fear of overhitting. I actually felt like I didn't have much less power, but a lot more control, even if there is a contradiction there. There is less 'easy' power, but you still get that typical Babolat energy return with it. With the Pure Aero I couldn't attack with the same aggressiveness without overhitting at times. Fast forward to now and I have a much better forehand and better manipulation of the spin I put on the ball, and I generally hit with a lot of spin, so overhitting is fairly rare for me with the 100sq inch Pure Aero and I'm appreciating the easier depth and equally, the much improved comfort.
 
flyhome

flyhome

Semi-Pro
djNEiGht said:
those look cherry!
Click to expand...

I excenged the V5s with a pair of Dunlop CV 3.0 F Tour 97" (I still have one for the collection) and they play very good, a bit demanding for me that I did not play any tennis from the end of Jan to the end of Sept, but I'm slowly going back in a decent shape; strung with AluPower 1.20, very nice feel, and they can produce good spin despite the 18x20 with a direct and crisp feel.

The 2 LMs look incredibile, I love this PJ...I have used the PT161XL 18x19 many yrs ago (In the Extreme Microgel PJ), those are in such and incredible condition (with the orginal bags too) that I should probably don't use them, but I love the 18x19 of the PT161 and I cannot resist. I have strung the LMs with AluPower 1.25 at low tention 21/20 kg.

My current main racquet is the Diadem Elevate V3
 
topspn

topspn

G.O.A.T.
Played my PS100 this morning with freshly strung pure rush/sync @49lbs. So it’s not just the C100 that plays great with it, this one too was very good. I have to say, every time I play my PS100 it impresses me. No idea why I just don’t give a dedicated run. Any who, the hybrid combines crispiness, comfort, connected feel, sick slices, beautiful on touch shots and just damned good.
 
TwinCinema

TwinCinema

Professional
topspn said:
Played my PS100 this morning with freshly strung pure rush/sync @49lbs. So it’s not just the C100 that plays great with it, this one too was very good. I have to say, every time I play my PS100 it impresses me. No idea why I just don’t give a dedicated run. Any who, the hybrid combines crispiness, comfort, connected feel, sick slices, beautiful on touch shots and just damned good.
Click to expand...

I forgot, is your Strike 100 the 16x19 or 16x20?
 
topspn

topspn

G.O.A.T.
TwinCinema said:
I forgot, is your Strike 100 the 16x19 or 16x20?
Click to expand...

It is the 16x19. I also had the 16x20 but I sold it. The 16x20 is a good racquet but I sold for two reasons. A little too flexy for my liking and you need to work for decent power on your serve. The 16x19 is no power house on serve but I can get a bit more out of it. Flex also less pronounced
 
RF_PRO_STAFF

RF_PRO_STAFF

Hall of Fame
Todays tennis consisted of three main findings.

1. Returning to maining the PSVS is a great choice.
2. Doubt has planted itself in my brain if the '24 Extreme Pro wouldn't be an even better main frame.
3. The TGT334.2 is disappointing me so far.

During warmup and the first set I used the PSVS and it was just fantastic in pretty much all regards. The standout feature was how it accompanies my ohbh. I remember loving that the most about it, back when I used it as a main during the 2nd half of 2022. I'm at max confidence with the PSVS on the ohbh. Everything else is great too; it does feel a bit slow through the air on serves at times. The extra PSVS sticks that I ordered will be delivered within the next few days.

For the second set I switched to the '24 Extreme Pro and doubt started creeping in about maining the PSVS. The PSVS (339g, 31.6 cm, 323 SW, Poly Tour Fire 1.25) is more stable, feels slightly more controlled, has a more predictable, nice ball flight, and just gives me crazy consistency. The EP however (335.3g - 31.8 cm - 322.5 SW, Hawk Touch 1.20) has that extra free power that is so nice at times and is super whippy. That whip makes it so easy to play with and it makes serving so much easier. Don't get me wrong, the PSVS is very whippy too but EP whip is on another level. It just doesn't tire you out as as the match continues. This frame doesn't have any weaknesses for me either, except the paintjob. If you like yellow it's probably great, but I'm not a fan of yellow. So, maining the EP is something I should get out of my head, as the paintjob will probably get to me in the end (I know it's weak lol but that's how my head works).

In a bonus set, I grabbed the TGT334.2 (Prestige MP-L pro stock) which on paper should be a dream stick too. I mained the '21 and the '23 version of the MP-L and this 334.2 is of course full gloss, so it should be superior regardless of everything else. It's not however. I'm not yet too sure what's specifically wrong with it, but it's umimpressive. The feel is mweh, it feels cumbersome relative to the specs (335.8g, 31.65 cm, 325 SW) and it just doesn't impress me in any category. I'll try one more setup with probably a synthetic grip instead of the leather, and a slightly lower SW. If that doesn't solve much, I'm better off selling it early on. It's too expensive to have laying around, and there's too many great rackets in my closet already.
 
Fintft

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
RF_PRO_STAFF said:
Todays tennis consisted of three main findings.

1. Returning to maining the PSVS is a great choice.
2. Doubt has planted itself in my brain if the '24 Extreme Pro wouldn't be an even better main frame.
3. The TGT334.2 is disappointing me so far.

During warmup and the first set I used the PSVS and it was just fantastic in pretty much all regards. The standout feature was how it accompanies my ohbh. I remember loving that the most about it, back when I used it as a main during the 2nd half of 2022. I'm at max confidence with the PSVS on the ohbh. Everything else is great too; it does feel a bit slow through the air on serves at times. The extra PSVS sticks that I ordered will be delivered within the next few days.

For the second set I switched to the '24 Extreme Pro and doubt started creeping in about maining the PSVS. The PSVS (339g, 31.6 cm, 323 SW, Poly Tour Fire 1.25) is more stable, feels slightly more controlled, has a more predictable, nice ball flight, and just gives me crazy consistency. The EP however (335.3g - 31.8 cm - 322.5 SW, Hawk Touch 1.20) has that extra free power that is so nice at times and is super whippy. That whip makes it so easy to play with and it makes serving so much easier. Don't get me wrong, the PSVS is very whippy too but EP whip is on another level. It just doesn't tire you out as as the match continues. This frame doesn't have any weaknesses for me either, except the paintjob. If you like yellow it's probably great, but I'm not a fan of yellow. So, maining the EP is something I should get out of my head, as the paintjob will probably get to me in the end (I know it's weak lol but that's how my head works).

In a bonus set, I grabbed the TGT334.2 (Prestige MP-L pro stock) which on paper should be a dream stick too. I mained the '21 and the '23 version of the MP-L and this 334.2 is of course full gloss, so it should be superior regardless of everything else. It's not however. I'm not yet too sure what's specifically wrong with it, but it's umimpressive. The feel is mweh, it feels cumbersome relative to the specs (335.8g, 31.65 cm, 325 SW) and it just doesn't impress me in any category. I'll try one more setup with probably a synthetic grip instead of the leather, and a slightly lower SW. If that doesn't solve much, I'm better off selling it early on. It's too expensive to have laying around, and there's too many great rackets in my closet already.
Click to expand...
Is TGT334.2 16x19? That could be the reason, as myself I prefer 16x18.
 
Fintft

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
RF_PRO_STAFF said:
Yes 334.2 is 16x19. 334.1 is 18x19.
Click to expand...
Even the pro stock site the 16x18 .1 is $625, while the 18x20 293.2 is $450.
The former has more power and spin, while the latter is more controlled and plusher.
I can't make my mind if I want to keep the 18x20, I'll probably let it go.
 
TwinCinema

TwinCinema

Professional
RF_PRO_STAFF said:
Todays tennis consisted of three main findings.

1. Returning to maining the PSVS is a great choice.
2. Doubt has planted itself in my brain if the '24 Extreme Pro wouldn't be an even better main frame.
3. The TGT334.2 is disappointing me so far.

During warmup and the first set I used the PSVS and it was just fantastic in pretty much all regards. The standout feature was how it accompanies my ohbh. I remember loving that the most about it, back when I used it as a main during the 2nd half of 2022. I'm at max confidence with the PSVS on the ohbh. Everything else is great too; it does feel a bit slow through the air on serves at times. The extra PSVS sticks that I ordered will be delivered within the next few days.

For the second set I switched to the '24 Extreme Pro and doubt started creeping in about maining the PSVS. The PSVS (339g, 31.6 cm, 323 SW, Poly Tour Fire 1.25) is more stable, feels slightly more controlled, has a more predictable, nice ball flight, and just gives me crazy consistency. The EP however (335.3g - 31.8 cm - 322.5 SW, Hawk Touch 1.20) has that extra free power that is so nice at times and is super whippy. That whip makes it so easy to play with and it makes serving so much easier. Don't get me wrong, the PSVS is very whippy too but EP whip is on another level. It just doesn't tire you out as as the match continues. This frame doesn't have any weaknesses for me either, except the paintjob. If you like yellow it's probably great, but I'm not a fan of yellow. So, maining the EP is something I should get out of my head, as the paintjob will probably get to me in the end (I know it's weak lol but that's how my head works).

In a bonus set, I grabbed the TGT334.2 (Prestige MP-L pro stock) which on paper should be a dream stick too. I mained the '21 and the '23 version of the MP-L and this 334.2 is of course full gloss, so it should be superior regardless of everything else. It's not however. I'm not yet too sure what's specifically wrong with it, but it's umimpressive. The feel is mweh, it feels cumbersome relative to the specs (335.8g, 31.65 cm, 325 SW) and it just doesn't impress me in any category. I'll try one more setup with probably a synthetic grip instead of the leather, and a slightly lower SW. If that doesn't solve much, I'm better off selling it early on. It's too expensive to have laying around, and there's too many great rackets in my closet already.
Click to expand...

How would you compare the size of the sweet spot on the EP vs the PSVS?
 
RF_PRO_STAFF

RF_PRO_STAFF

Hall of Fame
TwinCinema said:
How would you compare the size of the sweet spot on the EP vs the PSVS?
Click to expand...
I'm not the best sweet spot assessor I would say. The sweet spot of a racket is one of the last things that really comes to my mind when testing a frame. Only on really challenging rackets I clearly start noticing it.

Now that I have to think about it, I would describe it as follows:
I would say pretty similar. Maybe slightly more defined on the PSVS. EP is a more muted frame overall. Relatively, I think PSVS has a bit more drop off in power when not hit right.

PSVS and EP both have generous sweet spots to me. Other people might have different opinions on this.
 
TwinCinema

TwinCinema

Professional
RF_PRO_STAFF said:
PSVS and EP both have generous sweet spots to me. Other people might have different opinions on this.
Click to expand...

Yeah for me the PSVS sweet spot is tiny. When you hit off center it results in brutal shanks. By comparison the blade pro is much bigger (I feel like I can hit outside the sweet spot and still get the ball over) and the prestige pro I have, all 95 inches of the head is one giant sweet spot.

I asked because the extreme tour I have is probably a good bit more forgiving than the PSVS and hoped the ‘24 pro was similar.
 
K

Kozzy

Hall of Fame
TwinCinema said:
Yeah for me the PSVS sweet spot is tiny. When you hit off center it results in brutal shanks. By comparison the blade pro is much bigger (I feel like I can hit outside the sweet spot and still get the ball over) and the prestige pro I have, all 95 inches of the head is one giant sweet spot.

I asked because the extreme tour I have is probably a good bit more forgiving than the PSVS and hoped the ‘24 pro was similar.
Click to expand...
That's really so strange to hear regarding sweetspot on the PSVS. Many people have said that, but I have yet to experience it. I'm definitely not hitting the sweetspot every time and I never feel a hint of jarring or a big loss of power, unless I'm actually hitting the frame - but even then it's not jarring. Might be the heftier weight/SW that I'm going with now. One of the many advantages there, I think, vs. a lighter frame (at least for me).
 
E

emhtennis

Hall of Fame
Kozzy said:
That's really so strange to hear regarding sweetspot on the PSVS. Many people have said that, but I have yet to experience it. I'm definitely not hitting the sweetspot every time and I never feel a hint of jarring or a big loss of power, unless I'm actually hitting the frame - but even then it's not jarring. Might be the heftier weight/SW that I'm going with now. One of the many advantages there, I think, vs. a lighter frame (at least for me).
Click to expand...
I really enjoy hitting with my PSVS. I have shamelessly added 32in of lead between 10 and 2 in an arc so anything close to the sweetspot will still get enough juice to do something on the other side of the net.
 
K

Kozzy

Hall of Fame
emhtennis said:
I really enjoy hitting with my PSVS. I have shamelessly added 32in of lead between 10 and 2 in an arc so anything close to the sweetspot will still get enough juice to do something on the other side of the net.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's probably about where I'm with the weight at 12 (6-8g). With silicone in the handle it's a dream.
 
TwinCinema

TwinCinema

Professional
I could try adding more in the 3/9 or 10/2 range but I wanted to top out at 4g total (which I put at 12) to keep the head-light whippiness of it. I have a synthetic grip so I added 5g of blue tac to the handle and don’t really want to mess with the balance more than that. But yeah for me the small sweet spot is literally the only drawback to an otherwise perfect racket that’s more fun to use than anything else on earth.
 
K

Kozzy

Hall of Fame
TwinCinema said:
I could try adding more in the 3/9 or 10/2 range but I wanted to top out at 4g total (which I put at 12) to keep the head-light whippiness of it. I have a synthetic grip so I added 5g of blue tac to the handle and don’t really want to mess with the balance more than that. But yeah for me the small sweet spot is literally the only drawback to an otherwise perfect racket that’s more fun to use than anything else on earth.
Click to expand...
The key to getting the whip back is adding more weight to the handle :-D. I also think the cyclone 19 helps, but I know that didn't work well for you. Still amazed I can get 10+ hours out of that setup.
 
flyhome

flyhome

Semi-Pro
kevin qmto said:
Picked this up NOS from Play it Again Sports. no idea what they're doing with it. I don't actually know what year this is from, guessing it has to at least be 2011. Is this a sought after frame at all? Never hit with a Speed before.

K3lc3e7.jpg

YGk4hZv.jpg

CC0ejPA.jpg

KFkMQj7.jpg

EpQnybM.jpg
Click to expand...

Gravity Pro's mold, with a differenti layup, crisper and no parallel drilling. I owned 4 TGK 263.2 pro stocks and 2 TGT 344.4 and I prefered the old layup compared to the GP's One.

Sweetspot is a bit smaller compared to the Gravity Pro
 
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