kevin qmto
Legend
I tend to agree, that Baricade seems to click with me. Seems like it did for few others though.
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
Depends entirely on your latest set of priorities. Share enough of those, and we might be able to save you the playoff time altogether.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
Bro how are you going to come in here and ask us these questions?
This is like asking a room full of Golden Retrievers if they think it is ok to eat a donut that someone else licked.
The answer always gonna be FUCH YEAH!
TwinCinema
Professional
What fun would that be?
AERO98 VS ALL 2025
Nadal15thslam
Hall of Fame
This is a genuine question though, I have a lot of frames but they keep tempting me with this offers...
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Even if you settle on one racquet, you might need at least 2-3, due to sweaty hands and so forth.
Not to mention how difficult is to match them very closely.
For example only 2 out of my 3 identical models are closely matched, so I am looking to replace the third 293.1.
KC!
Hall of Fame
Dah! That’s what we holics do
RF_PRO_STAFF
Hall of Fame
I'm truly intrigued by the idea of ordering a professionally created XL frame from R&R. There's some great choices in either 27.25 or 27.5 inch length:
- '23 VC95
- V4 UP16 or 18m
- Extreme Pro 2024
- Percept 97
- '23 VC95
- V4 UP16 or 18m
- Extreme Pro 2024
- Percept 97
Guttersnipe
Rookie
The New old stock Toalson from 2010 that I bought off the bay was refunded unfortunately.
My Racquet Holic tendentious have now gone into overdrive, and I just bought my all time favourite frame (Been looking for a second one for a long time now with 0 luck) Pure Control 95+ That looks almost brand new! But it’s grip size 5...
My Racquet Holic tendentious have now gone into overdrive, and I just bought my all time favourite frame (Been looking for a second one for a long time now with 0 luck) Pure Control 95+ That looks almost brand new! But it’s grip size 5...
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in my book, you can't be a true holic unless you buy first, think later
TwinCinema
Professional
Had another 90 mins with the PS97 this morning (ProStaff not Pure Strike) and as much as I enjoyed it, consider this as much an endorsement of razor code as for the PS97 itself. It's wild how much that string unlocks every stick I've put it in. Unlike when it had 4G in it, I was finding ways to add spin, blocks were going over the net, and it felt incredibly reliable. I also think it's interesting that it's an 18 gauge string but is 1.20. Usually 1.20 is a 17 or 17L gauge, but with razor code it's 18 -- keep that in mind if you're thinking 18 is too thin.
I'm starting to dial in my 2HBH with this stick, and as a lefty the cross-court angles I can find with it are giving people fits. The combo of string and stick means I have enough power on tap to drive a heavier ball to the baseline, but enough control to not send shots too long, too wide, or too launchy-high. I had one absurdly long doubles rally against a good player at the net where I knew he was anticipating me to pass him down the line while I was in the ad court. But my lefty forehand means I naturally go cross-court on that side, so I set him up with 4-5 cross-courts in a row to his partner, and the partner kept backhand-cross-courting it back to me. Finally I unleashed the DTL passing shot and got him. And although I've had this racket for a total of like 9 days, I had enough confidence that I could grip-and-rip and hit that winner. Tennis is fun.
I'm starting to dial in my 2HBH with this stick, and as a lefty the cross-court angles I can find with it are giving people fits. The combo of string and stick means I have enough power on tap to drive a heavier ball to the baseline, but enough control to not send shots too long, too wide, or too launchy-high. I had one absurdly long doubles rally against a good player at the net where I knew he was anticipating me to pass him down the line while I was in the ad court. But my lefty forehand means I naturally go cross-court on that side, so I set him up with 4-5 cross-courts in a row to his partner, and the partner kept backhand-cross-courting it back to me. Finally I unleashed the DTL passing shot and got him. And although I've had this racket for a total of like 9 days, I had enough confidence that I could grip-and-rip and hit that winner. Tennis is fun.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
The Strike Vs continues to impress. Really impress. It’s the control over the short ball that stood out the most from today’s crash session of several mini sets and handfed games, just easy to whip over that shorter ball when it’s there and create that really tight spin that gets the ball up and over and shooting off the corner of the court with venom, producing the winner or the easy volley. The feel is just really nice, but with some zing out of that sweet spot.
I can’t believe I’m Babbling on like this but here we are. A contender.
I can’t believe I’m Babbling on like this but here we are. A contender.
gino
Legend
Razor code and really all tec strings are great performers. Stiff albeit great performers. Really glad to hear the PS97 is working for you. I think im gonna start scooping a few of these up out of fear the pro staff will be discontinued (Hubi endorsing blade really scares me, he was the perfect pro staff guy)
It's an awesome frame. I still have three and find that it's closer to a prestige then the strike 98. Even though the beam design is close to the strike 98, the way it flexes and whips around reminds me of half a dozen prestige iterations I've loved. this is real outlier in the babolat lineup. Whoever decided to do the aero 98, drive 98, and strike 97 deserves a raise. What an awesome collection of sticks. I also went multiple sentences w/o mentioning the paintjob, which i didnt think was possible
Have a shop shave off the molded pallet and 3d print you a pallet of whatever size you need! Some frames can accommodate a Head pallet with minimal work
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Yeah the way it moves through the air is clean. The slice it cuts is crazy good (very important shot for me). And yes, just the best paintjob.
New member of the family. This stick is a keeper. Will take several more sessions to really see where it stands exactly among my family Heads but somehow, it just belongs.
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
Have you gotten to play much at the net with the PSVS? Its a legit, every volley can be a put away volley, stick.
Guttersnipe
Rookie
I’ve shaved a pallet my self in the past with positive results (using a giant flat head screwdriver...lol). The only thing is, you can’t (easily) change is the butt cap sizing, so it will be a bit lumpy & not as flush as I’d like.
Could always cannibalise another butt cap...but time will tell.
naturalexponent
Legend
Back into the vc95 2023 sigh. Sure it’s not as forgiving as a 98 or 100 but that’s the wrong reference point! It’s got all the maneuverability of a mid, with more forgiveness than a mid 
Also hit w a TXP I acquired a few months ago for the first time today and loved it. Felt a bit heftier than the prestige classic, even more solid. Swung naturally for my strokes. Absolute pleasure on volleys. Shoulder couldnt handle serving with it unfortunately. Need to accept my limitations on heavier sticks, as fun as they are off the ground.
Also hit w a TXP I acquired a few months ago for the first time today and loved it. Felt a bit heftier than the prestige classic, even more solid. Swung naturally for my strokes. Absolute pleasure on volleys. Shoulder couldnt handle serving with it unfortunately. Need to accept my limitations on heavier sticks, as fun as they are off the ground.
If you put on a Head pallet, just put on a head buttcap? Or purchase whatever size buttcap you need if you want to try to get a Babolat buttcap on there
Fed Kennedy
Legend
Guttersnipe
Rookie
You just want to see a head pallet on a PC95+ lol.
I’ve got a couple of retro babolat granny sticks (Pure Power, Pure Power Soft & The Soft VS) that I never see the light of day...much easier DIY, but not go all out to make it a Frankenstein bab/head hybrid
optic yellow
Legend
The decision of match stick is based entirely upon what is your greatest comfort playstyle.
gino
Legend
Current loadout is not too outrageous but my Wilson and head stockpiles don’t advise the best frame of reference lol
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
I have to be in the mix. 5 pds, 4 storms/strikescontrols. 5 apds.
RF_PRO_STAFF
Hall of Fame
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
You can borrow one of mine!
kevin qmto
Legend
tim-ay
Legend
I’m weak with only 3 Origins, 4 PSVS,1 PA+(-) and 1 Rafa 22. I’ve sold about 20 others over the years, multiple times with same models, and always lost money. That should count for something, other than being stupid. I miss those play versions of the 2012 PD. Dayem.
i think i have 13 or 14 copies of the 2015 PD. a couple 2012 PDs, a trio of 2003 PD teams, a couple of aerostorm gt, and this 2025 PD.
none of them are my mains. do i need therapy?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Not too much as I’m only now really getting back into points so I did have some volleys but the volley is one area where my wrist still tells me it needs some strength back (especially on the backhand side). But I’ll probably go Vs in my session with my coach tomorrow where we work on a ton of volleys. And the Vs, I already feel, does have this great “catch/hold/throw” sensation I love on volleys for either punching them or deadening them, just so.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
What was the trick to it?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
I only have the two but I am asking myself now if the Strike Vs is a gateway drug. A used Storm Team (my old flame) is on the way. It was like 35 bucks. Had to be done.
tim-ay
Legend
I don’t know about winning from there, but the key to losing from there is to start over hitting, lose confidence, and start double faulting a lot.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yess. You will love it. This is the path I went down 6 months ago and have no regrets. Keep an eye out for a pure control swirly too. One day one may pop up.
The old babs play great and can be found at those kind of prices, which is a huge bonus.
Roads_to_tennis
Rookie
Good to see that people are saying prince and prokennex as favourites. Both am stinging guy and zero love tennis guys are great.
I think you missed gladiators tribe youtube channel
Recently I have seen some instagram/online posts and noticed that there are some glossy vcores out there. Mainly the 98s? I have searched high and low all over the internet and can't seem to find anything about this. (looked online stores at the usual suspects and nothing) Anyone have any idea? Looks aside (even though it's 100x nicer). I've always been a fan of the feel of glossy over matte.
www.instagram.com
LobSpin on Instagram: "YONEX Vcore 98 2023 glossy"
26 likes, 2 comments - lobspin on April 24, 2024: "YONEX Vcore 98 2023 glossy".
www.instagram.com
naturalexponent
Legend
Recent convert to old babs thanks to @gino - had the opp to play with a pd team swirly and I’m obsessed with that raw feel. Of course this means I’m on the hunt for even more sticks I don’t need haha
Fed Kennedy
Legend
You did what any sane man would do.
You saw the barbarians gathering in the distance and began stockpiling an arsenal.
We all need to fortify our Babolat war chests before winter closes in.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Got in some competitive doubles today. These guys are strong doubles players, they play at 4.0 and 1 at 4.5. I was very rusty, but I went with the Origin anyway.
Quick side note. I think I just love Champagne Lynx tour. It's such a perfect string in these power Babs. Strung super low at 40#s, I still have surprsingly good control. The main thing to watch out for is blocking back big serves without chopping a little can result in a flyer. But all in all, I play more consistently with this setup. It really feels like cheating. Also Wasabi X seems like a nice cross string, I really enjoyed the feel of this string bed, and my second Origin strung with O-Toro sat and watched for the day.
This Origin is super fun and was very playable. I didn't really see anything I was struggling with. Actually on short balls I put all of them away and didn't miss one. That was a pleasant surprise. Groundstrokes are just really heavy, I hit a ton of winners and my rally ball was very consistent - super happy with my backhand today. We took a set 6-0, it was just an onslaught of power and my partner's serve was ridiculous.
It's such a solid frame with really good feel. And so much easier to use for me than a thin beamed 95, even with the crazy 360 swing weight. I am going to keep using it as long as it continues to enhance my game. Probably the best coach ever for making sure that I'm using my leg drive. I got caught standing up straight on a FH, and it punished me right away. But majority of the day I was moving, bending the knees, driving from the legs and the frame was a breeze. The amount of power is pretty hilarious because these guys have played with me for years and just couldn't stay in a rally after around 3-4 balls. I think I lost maybe 2 rallies today and was hitting super relaxed. Never tightened up and muscled anything.
If you see one of these at a good price, just grab one. It's so damn fun to use, worst case you have a howitzer to bring out now and then, but best case, you may end up using it all the time. Who knows.
Quick side note. I think I just love Champagne Lynx tour. It's such a perfect string in these power Babs. Strung super low at 40#s, I still have surprsingly good control. The main thing to watch out for is blocking back big serves without chopping a little can result in a flyer. But all in all, I play more consistently with this setup. It really feels like cheating. Also Wasabi X seems like a nice cross string, I really enjoyed the feel of this string bed, and my second Origin strung with O-Toro sat and watched for the day.
This Origin is super fun and was very playable. I didn't really see anything I was struggling with. Actually on short balls I put all of them away and didn't miss one. That was a pleasant surprise. Groundstrokes are just really heavy, I hit a ton of winners and my rally ball was very consistent - super happy with my backhand today. We took a set 6-0, it was just an onslaught of power and my partner's serve was ridiculous.
It's such a solid frame with really good feel. And so much easier to use for me than a thin beamed 95, even with the crazy 360 swing weight. I am going to keep using it as long as it continues to enhance my game. Probably the best coach ever for making sure that I'm using my leg drive. I got caught standing up straight on a FH, and it punished me right away. But majority of the day I was moving, bending the knees, driving from the legs and the frame was a breeze. The amount of power is pretty hilarious because these guys have played with me for years and just couldn't stay in a rally after around 3-4 balls. I think I lost maybe 2 rallies today and was hitting super relaxed. Never tightened up and muscled anything.
If you see one of these at a good price, just grab one. It's so damn fun to use, worst case you have a howitzer to bring out now and then, but best case, you may end up using it all the time. Who knows.
gino
Legend
Honestly, I had this same fear so I scooped up 4 Pure dads in a matter of days
Im thinking a 2025 PD with the old drill pattern (or even the 2015 pattern) would have been exceptional.
In my defense, when i mained the 2015, they weren't easy to find in good shape. So i did what i had to do... Then i switched racquets
gino
Legend
Did you get to try the 98 man?
kevin qmto
Legend
Lost in the semis today but this kid was really good. Honestly I was getting pretty tired after 2 long matches back to back days and my feet are absolutely raw. Was still only 3 points away from winning.
Hah! Only off by 30. I have 11 of them, plus one Strike 97. That is a lifetime supply, I think. I keep 4 in rotation and have been using those for 2+ years. The other 7 I haven't touched. Grommets are very durable also. CAP-like. I've only changed them on one frame so far.
I love the dwell time. With the Cyclone 19 setup I use, plus the heavier static/SW, it is insane.
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