Diary of a Racketaholic

TwinCinema said:
So I’ve got a ProStaff 97 v14 on the way. I’m still sidelined with that shoulder but hoping to be back out there in a couple weeks and should be able to play with it then.

It’s coming with 4G and has a stock strung static weight of 329g, so figure 334g when I slap an OG on it. I’m going to try stock first, but what are people usually doing for customization on this thing?

For comparison the specs I’m used to on the PSVS are 335g, 330 SW, 5-6 points head light. So stock should be okay? And how do the two frames compare, to those of you familiar with playing both (like @Power Player)?
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Sorry to chip in but I got on the ps97 v14 bandwagon again, initially sold mine but quickly realized the mistake I made and acquired two in quick succession. It has a very addictive feel. I put a couple of grams of lead at 12 and string it around 45-48. Lead at 3/9 made the stick a bit cumbersome for me. Same with a poly at 50. I like 4g but recently played with alu and not sure I can go back. So much pop on serves and volleys. Anyways, ps97 has a noticeably firmer flex and absolute nukes the ball if you swing it well. PSVS pockets and absorbs more. Energy return profiles are different. Also, PS97 feels more precise but punishing outside sweetspot or on a weak mistimed swing so you might stay in the rally a tad longer with the psvs. (Tighter pattern on the v14) I play on these omni synthetic grass courts and the balls just die on the bounce (great for older gents and slow eyes) but the pro staff gives me some extra punch back. Overall pro staff gives me butterflies after a good session, she's the one for me. Total Static weight 342. No idea on balance or sw. 2g dampener and 2g lead.
 
ZeroandOne said:
Sorry to chip in but I got on the ps97 v14 bandwagon again, initially sold mine but quickly realized the mistake I made and acquired two in quick succession. It has a very addictive feel. I put a couple of grams of lead at 12 and string it around 45-48. Lead at 3/9 made the stick a bit cumbersome for me. Same with a poly at 50. I like 4g but recently played with alu and not sure I can go back. So much pop on serves and volleys. Anyways, ps97 has a noticeably firmer flex and absolute nukes the ball if you swing it well. PSVS pockets and absorbs more. Energy return profiles are different. Also, PS97 feels more precise but punishing outside sweetspot or on a weak mistimed swing so you might stay in the rally a tad longer with the psvs. (Tighter pattern on the v14) I play on these omni synthetic grass courts and the balls just die on the bounce (great for older gents and slow eyes) but the pro staff gives me some extra punch back. Overall pro staff gives me butterflies after a good session, she's the one for me. Total Static weight 342. No idea on balance or sw. 2g dampener and 2g lead.
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This is great stuff, thanks. I already have a little trouble staying in the (what I perceive to be small) sweet spot of the PSVS, so I'll prob have to really focus on my mechanics to make sure my timing is on. But having a little more pop sounds great. I'll try stock but maybe add a couple grams at 12 like you say. I also plan to restring it pretty quickly with razor code at 47, as that's my string of choice these days. Hoping it pairs well. If not then I'll go Alu (Rough, for me) on your recommendation.
 
TwinCinema said:
So I’ve got a ProStaff 97 v14 on the way. I’m still sidelined with that shoulder but hoping to be back out there in a couple weeks and should be able to play with it then.

It’s coming with 4G and has a stock strung static weight of 329g, so figure 334g when I slap an OG on it. I’m going to try stock first, but what are people usually doing for customization on this thing?

For comparison the specs I’m used to on the PSVS are 335g, 330 SW, 5-6 points head light. So stock should be okay? And how do the two frames compare, to those of you familiar with playing both (like @Power Player)?
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PS97 has a little better feel and higher trajectory. One of the best players frames thats been released recently, imo. I have not hit much with my PSVS, so I still prefer the Staff to it. I modded my PS97 to get the SW to 330 I believe. I ended up selling all of my Staffs once I went Babolat.

I think the PSVS will have more power to it. The Pure Storms do. But the Staff can hit a nasty ball, just have to be careful that you don't swing out too much and stress the arm and shoulder.

I won't be using any control sticks for a while so it was an easy decison. Thinking I may list my PT280 and PC 2.0 as well.
 
PD swirly peeps question. Where do you tie off cross in the throat? I tied off mains 6T and cross 7H. I tied off 7T as well but felt ugly. Didn't see any other good options and 10T doesn't look like a tie off at all.
 
Observations from hitting in what felt like 105% Houston humidity last night: I need to slice more.

Played some king of the court - win 2x in a row to take over - with 3x friends. I had the 6.0 85 with me and said "why the hell not?"

But, I decided to play slice-only on the backhand side. Ended up being my most successful run of the night. And all of us were similar in level, but just being aggressive with offensive-slice won me a lot of free points outright or created easy setup balls.

Will explore this more over the coming months...
 
topspn said:
PD swirly peeps question. Where do you tie off cross in the throat? I tied off mains 6T and cross 7H. I tied off 7T as well but felt ugly. Didn't see any other good options and 10T doesn't look like a tie off at all.
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I had to do 10T on the swirly and APD original both recently. I don’t think 5T or 7T are designed to tie off which is a nuisance. When I got my swirly, the person before me had tied off 2 knots at 6T somehow but I doubt that’s the intention

Edit: was stringing tour bite 1.20 on the swirly and could not get the string through 5T or 7T to save my life - so had to go to 10T
 
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dr. godmode said:
I've got to wait till Jan 1 to give my review. Given that I got the frames through TW to playtest with them down in California, I want to respect the media embargo, especially on their own platform of these forums. I've already written and recorded the A-roll for the review, so expect it to be release on embargo day!
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You seemed to like it on insta, since the tip is more box beam is that to say it’s not just a new pattern but also a new mold?
 
Head took the bet for a total-red Radical. If only Prince had released the Beast in the all-red and glossy cosmetics here in the Westworld.
The new Dunlop SX300 will be predominantly green and some yellow. Similar to the blue and yellow limited edition of last generation.
Stringforum is now operational again!

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Well, I had a serious relapse. I was doing so well too. Then I decided the Yonex EZone 100 just wasn't cutting it. I bought two Wilson RF01 Futures. Then TW put the Clash 98 on sale and I bought two of them. Then I decided I should be using the RF01 300 and bought one of them. I also bought a couple (3 to be exact) Volkl C10 Evo's thinking that would be the silver bullet. In all this, I decided to give my old frames - 4 VCores of different iterations, and assorted other frames to some low-income children. I have given them frames before. And now? Well I decided that I needed to go back to the VCore, the Navarro preferred VCore as that was my favorite as well. That model happened to be two of the ones I gave away, but never fear, I found a couple on the large auction site and bought them from Japan. Now I have 3 RF01s, 4 Volkl C10 Evos, and 2 Wilson Clash 98 V2's. I guess once I get the VCore's, I'll give those away as well. I gave my two EZone 100's to a friend of mine who plays with it and told him I may ask for them back. :)

The hell of it is, I play really well with the RF01 Future with a touch of lead on the hoop. I play well everywhere but the serve which just feels funny. Oh well, I don't have any other hobbies....
 
Already hit a couple of times with the rafalito and swirly. Good frames for thicker tweener frames but to be honest I am more impressed with the C100. Now I do customize my C100s to around 333-334g so I will do the same for the other two and try again. Oh, and grabbed my 4th C100 with the carve sale
 
Starting a 2nd honeymoon with the Angell TC100. Specs on this one are 27in, 71RA, 305g, 320mm balance, L3 (B). Strung with M8 1.25.

Half my ego hates that it makes tennis so "easy"

The other half loves that it lets me bully the ball around the court with ease.

M8 is a great pairing for something as powerful as the Angell. Will put Luxilon BBO in it next, and may circle back to M8 1.30 after that.
 
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emhtennis said:
Starting a 2nd honeymoon with the Angell TC100. Specs on this one are 27in, 71RA, 305g, 320mm balance, L3 (B). Strung with M8 1.25.

Half my ego hates that it makes tennis so "easy"

The other half loves that it lets me bully the ball around the court with ease.

M8 is a great pairing for something as powerful as the Angell. Will put Luxilon BBO in it next, and may circle back to M8 1.30 after that.
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I’ve played a few matches recently with the Aqua Night Ezone 100 & had the same feeling. It makes tennis so easy & you can really bully the ball around the court. It’s really the perfect racquet for doubles.
 
emhtennis said:
Starting a 2nd honeymoon with the Angell TC100. Specs on this one are 27in, 71RA, 305g, 320mm balance, L3 (B). Strung with M8 1.25.

Half my ego hates that it makes tennis so "easy"

The other half loves that it lets me bully the ball around the court with ease.

M8 is a great pairing for something as powerful as the Angell. Will put Luxilon BBO in it next, and may circle back to M8 1.30 after that.
Click to expand...
SW strung?
 
C100 with PR/sync @50lbs adds some je ne sais quoi feel and I am just flustered for other words. Ah yes, it felt like home or just plain works. Right now, not seeing swirly or rafalito gaining significant ground. The PA98 is still special and very trustworthy. I even thoroughly enjoyed my string experiment of O-toro/sync @50lbs. It can make me blabber in French too.
 
In my ongoing art installation piece in which I attempt to dress, play (live?) like a French Davis Cup player circa 2001 I must say x-One Biphase 15L in the Origin at #57 is winning although maybe I can play higher level with the Swirly +, it is my contention that the Origin will go down as one of the most sought after frames. Of all time.

I also had this arcane glimpse of the universe in which Nalbandian appeared on a banana yellow jet ski and handed me a leaded up POG longbody, not sure what it means
 
We are, as they say, back.

Forehand back to around 90 percent. Backhand to 97 percent. Slice back to 82.3 percent. Footwork back to 31.2 percent (which for me is 100 percent).

Even sampled a couple of demos (so stupidity back to 97.8 percent) with a buddy of mine. The Gravity MP XL, which is a real thumper and overall nice but a bit clunky through the air and unfortunately, for me, still a Gravity. And the Prince 100x 18x20, WONDERFUL racquet, a real joy and makes tennis so easy, swings so light for 320 unstrung grams because of that thin beam, and overall I just love it except that it’s like a hot dog with ketchup, only ketchup, and I need some mustard too to make a hot dog really sing.

Friend bought a Pure Strike Vs on sale, and that thing is awesome.

Prestiges and PTs (OS and 2.0), with sprinkles of old hats and Radicals, for me.

Serve is at 2 percent, but we’re coming.
 
Judging from the T-Shirt logos at the Japanese influencer event, I knew the new SX would be predominantly green. Not sure I like the black part, instead of a full-green and yellow, but overall, I really like the looks of the SX300.

*** EDIT: there have been some changes in the mold, like have been for the CX. 8% wider at 9 and 3, new grommet system with wider holes and geometry and more new stuff, all explained on today's Japanese common-suspect YouTube channels.

image.png
 
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JGads said:
We are, as they say, back.

Forehand back to around 90 percent. Backhand to 97 percent. Slice back to 82.3 percent. Footwork back to 31.2 percent (which for me is 100 percent).

Even sampled a couple of demos (so stupidity back to 97.8 percent) with a buddy of mine. The Gravity MP XL, which is a real thumper and overall nice but a bit clunky through the air and unfortunately, for me, still a Gravity. And the Prince 100x 18x20, WONDERFUL racquet, a real joy and makes tennis so easy, swings so light for 320 unstrung grams because of that thin beam, and overall I just love it except that it’s like a hot dog with ketchup, only ketchup, and I need some mustard too to make a hot dog really sing.

Friend bought a Pure Strike Vs on sale, and that thing is awesome.

Prestiges and PTs (OS and 2.0), with sprinkles of old hats and Radicals, for me.

Serve is at 2 percent, but we’re coming.
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This is a majestic post. Welcome back to tennis sir!
 
konstantinos kalfountzos said:
Judging from the T-Shirt logos at the Japanese influencer event, I knew the new SX would be predominantly green. Not sure I like the black part, instead of a full-green and yellow, but overall, I really like the looks of the SX300.

*** EDIT: there have been some changes in the mold, like have been for the CX. 8% wider at 9 and 3, new grommet system with wider holes and geometry and more new stuff, all explained on today's Japanese common-suspect YouTube channels.

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Is it hopeful thinking or did they tighten up the string pattern a bit a la the 2019?
 
This morning I hit with a guy who has only been playing tennis for three or four years, but who has developed tremendously in those years. He hits a decent rally ball; has been playing with the same racket since day 1. It's a lighter Pure Drive model from quite a few years back. He wanted to try some rackets to ultimately buy two new sticks. So I brought nine different ones and he hit with them all. They're mostly around the same specs (335-338g, 31.5-31.8cm, 322-327 SW) and most had similar string setups. Very different from what he's coming from but at least he could get a feel for a few different things.

He rated the BP16 V8, PS97 V14, PSVS and PT57A 18m the highest (not in order), the '23 GPro, '23 VC95, TGT334.2 in the 'mid' category, he did not like the '24 EP and he absolutely hated the TGT293.1. I found it very interesting to hear his thoughts and experiences. Some of his experiences with the rackets were completely different to how I interpret the rackets. I loaned him the PS97 and PSVS to try them out more. Maybe he'll end up with one of those.

I learned some things myself too. I use the PT57A way too little to keep it around. I hit with it again today and in very windy conditions it's just not much fun to hit with such a challenging racket. I used to play on indoor carpet a lot, where playing the PT57A is a dream. Unfortunately, I hardly ever play indoors anymore so this legendary frame is collecting dust. So if anyone's interested in buying, let me know. It's 18x20 in Auxetic 1.0 pj, 27.35 inches, Head Calfskin leather. With Bab Syngut 1.30 mains, Poly Tour Fire 1.20 crosses, og and dampener it's 335g - 31.6cm - 335.5 SW. Unstrung it was 313g, 30.8cm, 301 SW I believe. Practically new condition.
 
tim-ay said:
Is it hopeful thinking or did they tighten up the string pattern a bit a la the 2019?
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Don't know about the string spacing. Could be the same.

This is the most informative spec-changes clip I saw today. In the CX series, I remember, they did mention the different/more open string pattern, but not for this SX series.

Jonas and Nikki said the launch angle was quite lower than the Aero 98, but they both hit dead-flat.
What seems to be very important update is the new grommet systems with the 1mm wider holes for more string movement and the triangular hole shape to allow for even more string movement.
There's not the rectangular SX/Head Extreme grommet-hole system.
There is a new triangular grommet systerm - string eater?

At least, Dunlop came out with new molds for the CX and now with the SX.

 
I don’t care for the tree color thing with Dunlop. Bring down to two colors would be better or even one. Less is more ;)
 
flyhome said:
The string pattern of the new SX should be tighter, from what I have been told, but did not touch It yet
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oh man this is good news. I still love the 19 SX Tour, just a fab frame. If the new pattern is a step back toward this, I will def be interested.
 
Every once in a while I peruse TW Europe just to look at all of the great prices on racquets and gear. Today I was looking at a number of racquets and saw that the outgoing Pure Drive models are steeply discounted (probably because the new ones are about to be released). I was once again shocked at the large difference in price for the American market vs. the European one. Why are prices so drastically different? Are we just that much dumber as a market audience that we'll blindly pay full price for a model that will be obsolete in less than a month? Also, it's not just the Pure Drives, racquet prices are often discounted on TW Europe but full price in the US. The bright side of being on this side of the pond is that it does keep my holicism somewhat in check, but I am genuinely curious about why the discounts are always so different. Anyone want to speculate?
 
Alcawrath said:
Every once in a while I peruse TW Europe just to look at all of the great prices on racquets and gear. Today I was looking at a number of racquets and saw that the outgoing Pure Drive models are steeply discounted (probably because the new ones are about to be released). I was once again shocked at the large difference in price for the American market vs. the European one. Why are prices so drastically different? Are we just that much dumber as a market audience that we'll blindly pay full price for a model that will be obsolete in less than a month? Also, it's not just the Pure Drives, racquet prices are often discounted on TW Europe but full price in the US. The bright side of being on this side of the pond is that it does keep my holicism somewhat in check, but I am genuinely curious about why the discounts are always so different. Anyone want to speculate?
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This doesn't stop me. I just buy stuff from TWE haha. Except that HEAD often limits what can be sold.
 
konstantinos kalfountzos said:
Judging from the T-Shirt logos at the Japanese influencer event, I knew the new SX would be predominantly green. Not sure I like the black part, instead of a full-green and yellow, but overall, I really like the looks of the SX300.

*** EDIT: there have been some changes in the mold, like have been for the CX. 8% wider at 9 and 3, new grommet system with wider holes and geometry and more new stuff, all explained on today's Japanese common-suspect YouTube channels.

image.png
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It’s not my style but I really respect the new cosmetic, much more of its own identity now. Much nicer green than some others we’ve seen recently imo.

I’m not sure how I feel about these spec updates. I don’t think I want bigger grommets—the one thing I wanted more of in this frame was stringbed consistency. If it’s tighter than the 22 version it doesn’t look like it’s by much.

But if there’s anything Prince 16x18s have taught me, it’s that there’s more to stringbed consistency than string pattern/density, so I’ll be on the lookout for early reviews.
 
Alcawrath said:
Every once in a while I peruse TW Europe just to look at all of the great prices on racquets and gear. Today I was looking at a number of racquets and saw that the outgoing Pure Drive models are steeply discounted (probably because the new ones are about to be released). I was once again shocked at the large difference in price for the American market vs. the European one. Why are prices so drastically different? Are we just that much dumber as a market audience that we'll blindly pay full price for a model that will be obsolete in less than a month? Also, it's not just the Pure Drives, racquet prices are often discounted on TW Europe but full price in the US. The bright side of being on this side of the pond is that it does keep my holicism somewhat in check, but I am genuinely curious about why the discounts are always so different. Anyone want to speculate?
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My theory is wider competition across many countries, with varying degrees of laws/regulations regarding pricing monopolies. My understanding in the US is that manufacturers can more easily stipulate pricing with retailers, which is why you see the same sales across all sellers in the US.
 
konstantinos kalfountzos said:
Don't know about the string spacing. Could be the same.

This is the most informative spec-changes clip I saw today. In the CX series, I remember, they did mention the different/more open string pattern, but not for this SX series.

Jonas and Nikki said the launch angle was quite lower than the Aero 98, but they both hit dead-flat.
What seems to be very important update is the new grommet systems with the 1mm wider holes for more string movement and the triangular hole shape to allow for even more string movement.
There's not the rectangular SX/Head Extreme grommet-hole system.
There is a new triangular grommet systerm - string eater?

At least, Dunlop came out with new molds for the CX and now with the SX.

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I really like the look! Black seems a bit weird no doubt but I hope these play well for me because I like the look a lot lol.
 
dr. godmode said:
I really like the look! Black seems a bit weird no doubt but I hope these play well for me because I like the look a lot lol.
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Actually, the black part of the cosmetics is in line with the latest CX series cosmetics, so maybe, the next FX series will have it also, whenever they come out.

Dunlop and Prince, for their own shake, must send you some frames for testing.

Toroline (more) and ReString have shown the way of new-era marketing through Instagram and YouTube.

Head (over)did the same for the Gravity 98 and went a step farther with the glossy paintjob. Still, can't get my head around the rubbery/velvet Speed paint-finish.
 
konstantinos kalfountzos said:
Actually, the black part of the cosmetics is in line with the latest CX series cosmetics, so maybe, the next FX series will have it also, whenever they come out.

Dunlop and Prince, for their own shake, must send you some frames for testing.

Toroline (more) and ReString have shown the way of new-era marketing through Instagram and YouTube.

Head (over)did the same for the Gravity 98 and went a step farther with the glossy paintjob. Still, can't get my head around the rubbery/velvet Speed paint-finish.
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Yeah Dunlop gets it. They seem to have a relatively unified business structure whereas I think the issues arise when there's too much of a disconnect between the HQ and the regional/national distributors. Only around 5% of my audience is in Canada so there's much less incentive for a local distributor to help me out compared to someone with global interests, especially when the majority of the sales I can produce are directed to TW.
 
topspn said:
Already hit a couple of times with the rafalito and swirly. Good frames for thicker tweener frames but to be honest I am more impressed with the C100. Now I do customize my C100s to around 333-334g so I will do the same for the other two and try again. Oh, and grabbed my 4th C100 with the carve sale
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topspn said:
C100 with PR/sync @50lbs adds some je ne sais quoi feel and I am just flustered for other words. Ah yes, it felt like home or just plain works. Right now, not seeing swirly or rafalito gaining significant ground. The PA98 is still special and very trustworthy. I even thoroughly enjoyed my string experiment of O-toro/sync @50lbs. It can make me blabber in French too.
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Like you I am more impressed with the C100 than the rafalito. I have given them both a decent run at my specs. I love the feel and more directional control of the C100, the launch angle is perfect, the rafa does produce more spin, this is not a factor for me. The more connected feel to the C100 results in better shot selection with more variety and wins me more points. I'm at 334g and about 330sw with lead at 7" top of the handle, 12'oclock, 2g split in the throat and some blue tac in the handle. Found reels of Gamma zo verve 16g, running that in the mains with gamma tnt 1,27 in the crosses (they used to sell this is a hybrid) plays amazing! PR and Sync is also on my radar, I need another C100 to test more strings patiently waiting to be annihilated by the carve. Wow 4!!! scientist of the year for sure!
 
DJ- said:
Like you I am more impressed with the C100 than the rafalito. I have given them both a decent run at my specs. I love the feel and more directional control of the C100, the launch angle is perfect, the rafa does produce more spin, this is not a factor for me. The more connected feel to the C100 results in better shot selection with more variety and wins me more points. I'm at 334g and about 330sw with lead at 7" top of the handle, 12'oclock, 2g split in the throat and some blue tac in the handle. Found reels of Gamma zo verve 16g, running that in the mains with gamma tnt 1,27 in the crosses (they used to sell this is a hybrid) plays amazing! PR and Sync is also on my radar, I need another C100 to test more strings patiently waiting to be annihilated by the carve. Wow 4!!! scientist of the year for sure!
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Today I was supposed to play a morning session and an evening one. Rain messed up my morning one but had a nice long 3 sets later. Rafalito was up were my current 3 C100s are. One thing about the C100 is specs are a bit all over the place so you have to deal with that. I got all my three current frames in the range of 333-335g/31.9-32.1cm/325-328SW. Rafalito is now 334g/32.1/330SW. Played first set with rafalito and yes was good plenty spin, big serve, stable, plenty power even with fluxx. Once I switched to C100 2nd set, there was no putting it down. Significantly enhanced feel for me. Certainly no slouch on power but control is better and directional control as you mentioned. I still get tons of spin when I want to but it is so good letting me dictate what I want with ball trajectory. Let’s me hit big and dive to peoples feet. It really is trustworthy and just does everything well. Neither the rafalito nor the swirly have raw graphite blah blah over the C100. The feel is better and it outclasses both for me. The black glossy uncluttered PJ is just a beautiful bonus. Some have complained of the quality of the paint and chipping. Mine are fine no chipping but I am anal about taking care of my racquets.
 
Season's greetings fellow holics!

In a year when the old racket addiction has continued at a possibly unparalleled level (will briefly mention a lot of time spent in the Steam room, Pure Dadding, Blading - various 98's, EZoning, Pure Aeroing, and very lately immersing myself in yesteryear Head Speed MP territory - Graphene YTek MP, Speed XT and Graphene Touch), at this kind of end point, the question I'd really like to ask is:

For those aboard the Rafa Origin bandwagon, what are your thoughts and experiences re strings?... What are people liking best in this?...

I'm not sure a frame has confounded and messed with my mind as much as this one. A look at the specs and seriously, there is no reality I know of where I should be able to heave this thing around a court for more than fifteen minutes! :laughing: With its capacity to demolish the ball, it puts me in mind of...
("Thinks")... the immortal RD7, or the battering ram that was the Head Rad Tour XL, or the supreme Pure Control Swirly XL... but, unlike those those legendary exemplifiers of granite stability and plough through decimation, this is considerably easier to use. Early days. I have only had two outings so far, but I am unashamedly, absolutely loving this... albeit loving it in a highly perplexed and bewildered way!

Not that I am deluding myself that I will be using the Origin regularly come January or February (doubtless my wrist may have snapped off by then, or against a higher level player, I will have dropped to the ground mid-second set incapable of another movement! or breath!) However, when a frame is suuuch an addicting hit as this one, surely it is a racketaholic's prerogative and indeed duty to give it a proper go?...

So yes... strings/polys.. tensions... gauges.. etc... What are peoples favourites and general experiences with this lol?
 
Ross K said:
Season's greetings fellow holics!

In a year when the old racket addiction has continued at a possibly unparalleled level (will briefly mention a lot of time spent in the Steam room, Pure Dadding, Blading - various 98's, EZoning, Pure Aeroing, and very lately immersing myself in yesteryear Head Speed MP territory - Graphene YTek MP, Speed XT and Graphene Touch), at this kind of end point, the question I'd really like to ask is:

For those aboard the Rafa Origin bandwagon, what are your thoughts and experiences re strings?... What are people liking best in this?...

I'm not sure a frame has confounded and messed with my mind as much as this one. A look at the specs and seriously, there is no reality I know of where I should be able to heave this thing around a court for more than fifteen minutes! :laughing: With its capacity to demolish the ball, it puts me in mind of...
("Thinks")... the immortal RD7, or the battering ram that was the Head Rad Tour XL, or the supreme Pure Control Swirly XL... but, unlike those those legendary exemplifiers of granite stability and plough through decimation, this is considerably easier to use. Early days. I have only had two outings so far, but I am unashamedly, absolutely loving this... albeit loving it in a highly perplexed and bewildered way!

Not that I am deluding myself that I will be using the Origin regularly come January or February (doubtless my wrist may have snapped off by then, or against a higher level player, I will have dropped to the ground mid-second set incapable of another movement! or breath!) However, when a frame is suuuch an addicting hit as this one, surely it is a racketaholic's prerogative and indeed duty to give it a proper go?...

So yes... strings/polys.. tensions... gauges.. etc... What are peoples favourites and general experiences with this lol?
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You’ve summed up my feelings of the Origin, but I’m 4 months in to this and no signs of stopping. The confusion continues trying to understand the physics, but in this case the sum is greater than the parts and Newton was an apple watching weirdo anyway. Shakespeare banged his girlfriend.

O-Toro is pretty great @50lbs. Pure Rush also around 48. Durafluxx is good at 46. Razor Code Soft is great also at 46. I think the Origin can play really well with just about anything as the frame just dominates the feel. I haven’t tried a setup I’ve hated, very different from something like the PSVS.
 
Picked up 3x rackets a flea market prices yesterday after work. One Becker 11L (orange/black), one Pure Drive Tour 2015 in good shape, and one Pure Drive Roddick 2012 in rough shape. Both PDs were strung with 1.25 Tour Bite that was who knows how old.

Picked up new replacement grips for all.

I really need to stop hitting rackets I intended to sell. Was able to get the Roddick ready to go first and damn, this thing is a super fun tank. Was surprised I didn't mind the TB string, as my first experience with it was harsh. But maybe this PD doesn't let the ball stay on the stringbed long enough to matter?
The Roddick PD is about 333g out the door, hits amazing groundstrokes with tight spin and big pace.

Volleys were classic Pure drive - difficult as hell to control.
 
Fed Kennedy said:
In my ongoing art installation piece in which I attempt to dress, play (live?) like a French Davis Cup player circa 2001 I must say x-One Biphase 15L in the Origin at #57 is winning although maybe I can play higher level with the Swirly +, it is my contention that the Origin will go down as one of the most sought after frames. Of all time.

I also had this arcane glimpse of the universe in which Nalbandian appeared on a banana yellow jet ski and handed me a leaded up POG longbody, not sure what it means
Click to expand...

DrfRTvp.jpeg
 
That new GPro 2025 PJ looks pretty sick. If they brought the SW down I may have to give that one a shot at some point.

Some developments on my racquet choices since I last posted. I was loving the Percept 100D because of the sick slices I can hit with it. I am noticing a lack of easy power and depth. It was fine in most of my matches until I played a 26 year old last night whose clearly a level better than me. His balls came in so fast that he had me on the defensive all night. This is when it got exposed. If I was a higher level player like Karue then I don't have that issue as I'd be getting to the ball faster, setting up earlier, and hitting out in front. But for me I was constantly scrambling and the lack of easy power was a liability. I didn't have my PA98s with me because I didn't want to use them as a crutch if I was having a bad day. I did have a few other older frames with me and surprisingly the one that seemed a really good combo of control but with more power than the 100D was . . . . The PK 5G!! A $129 frame may be what I try to give a true shot for the next few weeks or months.
 
I must be insane but I feel more connection to the ball with the origin and Rafa than the carve. Carve was not bad, but the rafas feel like classic babolats, which is more of my sense of home.
 
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