Diary of a Racketaholic

DQFfc3.jpeg


Picked up a Vcore 98 during the EOFY sales so I could have a somewhat "normal" racquet in my bag to give out to clients to try. Sand Beige looks much better than the normal red colour.
 
taylor15 said:
Did you have any extra fees ordering recently? I think my import fee was $75 last time I got 4 racquets from Europe, heard it could be worse now.
Click to expand...
I believe it shipped out of Germany if I remember correctly. I don’t think there was much of any fee on it.
 
veelium said:
Be wary of the XL for tennis elbow.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I don’t know if it was the XL, pr the fact that it was so much lighter in static weight with a more even balance, or the tendons in my arm being not as stretched out/still affected by my wrist break and recovery, or a combination. My Physio and I think it’s probably a combo. So the Fedoras are now sadly being put to the side and I’m going back to the Prestiges to see if that helps. And of course will be doing exercises and so forth. I haven’t had tennis elbow in many, many years. A bummer but it’s not catastrophic. Just annoying. I’ll deal with it.
 
JGads said:
Yeah, I don’t know if it was the XL, pr the fact that it was so much lighter in static weight with a more even balance, or the tendons in my arm being not as stretched out/still affected by my wrist break and recovery, or a combination. My Physio and I think it’s probably a combo. So the Fedoras are now sadly being put to the side and I’m going back to the Prestiges to see if that helps. And of course will be doing exercises and so forth. I haven’t had tennis elbow in many, many years. A bummer but it’s not catastrophic. Just annoying. I’ll deal with it.
Click to expand...

Only since I just dealt with this (I too rarely ever get TE), I can share some quick advice that should keep you playing a lot of tennis, with minimal time off. I spoke with multiple Orthos, and the advice that worked, didn't require any needles in my arm, and got me fully recovered is below:

First one is if you are doing the flexbar exercises and they hurt and don't seem to help - stop playing for a while. You probably aren't there, but it's just good to know. It really sucks when you can't hit your FH properly due to pain. That is typically accompanied by months off the court to get better. I kept playing, ended up with the partial tear and I was done for months. That said, the Flexbar works, and may very well get you back at it with no more pain. Even if it does the job, consider the points after this one.

Another thing is the tennis elbow arm bands actually are good as a preventatives. They don't fix TE, but they will support your arm and lessen the risk of it coming back. Well worth the $20 or so to have a few in the bag. I'd start wearing them right away, but you REALLY want to wear them once you are recovered. I barely notice mine is on. I am a huge fan of this one. $12 for 2 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07253Z16J?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

Side tip that also made a big difference and you should consider - The carpal tunnel wrist brace. Just wear it when you sleep. It is very easy to aggravate the TE when you are sleeping and in wierd positions for your arm. The wrap was given to me by an ortho and it made a huge difference in my recovery. Definitely grab one like this - https://www.amazon.com/Carpal-Tunnel-Support-Splint-Stabilizer/dp/B08S2TDDNQ?pd_rd_w=mY3Lu&content-id=amzn1.sym.ea1d9533-fbb7-4608-bb6f-bfdceb6f6336&pf_rd_p=ea1d9533-fbb7-4608-bb6f-bfdceb6f6336&pf_rd_r=078TTPJ02EK8SSNXXRFY&pd_rd_wg=sgtaH&pd_rd_r=9532a8ae-449e-4014-9fef-7cc4cd4040f5&ref_=sspa_dk_detail_sbt_img_2&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1 For $20 it can keep you on the court. I rarely see that discussed here, but sleeping many times is where TE actually gets worse.

Scenario if things actually do get worse for some odd reason (hopefully that won't happen) Rest the arm. Just do it. It sucks but you can recover completely from TE if you rest. So just monitor that.

Finally, don't forget Lorenzo. Send him a nice text now and then. He has your back in this situation, I can attest to that.
 
Power Player said:
First one is if you are doing the flexbar exercises and they hurt and don't seem to help - stop playing for a while. You probably aren't there, but it's just good to know. It really sucks when you can't hit your FH properly due to pain.
Click to expand...
Inquiring as I've never had proper tennis elbow but golfer's issues.
I thought the tennis elbow is mainly a (1hbh/slice) backhand issue?
With Golfer's forehands were killing me but issues with backhands.
Or does nothing work with tennis elbow?
 
Power Player said:
Only since I just dealt with this (I too rarely ever get TE), I can share some quick advice that should keep you playing a lot of tennis, with minimal time off. I spoke with multiple Orthos, and the advice that worked, didn't require any needles in my arm, and got me fully recovered is below:

First one is if you are doing the flexbar exercises and they hurt and don't seem to help - stop playing for a while. You probably aren't there, but it's just good to know. It really sucks when you can't hit your FH properly due to pain. That is typically accompanied by months off the court to get better. I kept playing, ended up with the partial tear and I was done for months. That said, the Flexbar works, and may very well get you back at it with no more pain. Even if it does the job, consider the points after this one.

Another thing is the tennis elbow arm bands actually are good as a preventatives. They don't fix TE, but they will support your arm and lessen the risk of it coming back. Well worth the $20 or so to have a few in the bag. I'd start wearing them right away, but you REALLY want to wear them once you are recovered. I barely notice mine is on. I am a huge fan of this one. $12 for 2 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07253Z16J?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

Side tip that also made a big difference and you should consider - The carpal tunnel wrist brace. Just wear it when you sleep. It is very easy to aggravate the TE when you are sleeping and in wierd positions for your arm. The wrap was given to me by an ortho and it made a huge difference in my recovery. Definitely grab one like this - https://www.amazon.com/Carpal-Tunnel-Support-Splint-Stabilizer/dp/B08S2TDDNQ?pd_rd_w=mY3Lu&content-id=amzn1.sym.ea1d9533-fbb7-4608-bb6f-bfdceb6f6336&pf_rd_p=ea1d9533-fbb7-4608-bb6f-bfdceb6f6336&pf_rd_r=078TTPJ02EK8SSNXXRFY&pd_rd_wg=sgtaH&pd_rd_r=9532a8ae-449e-4014-9fef-7cc4cd4040f5&ref_=sspa_dk_detail_sbt_img_2&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1 For $20 it can keep you on the court. I rarely see that discussed here, but sleeping many times is where TE actually gets worse.

Scenario if things actually do get worse for some odd reason (hopefully that won't happen) Rest the arm. Just do it. It sucks but you can recover completely from TE if you rest. So just monitor that.

Finally, don't forget Lorenzo. Send him a nice text now and then. He has your back in this situation, I can attest to that.
Click to expand...
I’ve had a touch of TE a couple of times and the flex bar was the cure. But dang, this post should be a sticky… I’m trying to burn 97,109 into my memory in case I ever need to look this up for the deeper cures. The sleeping thing is genius.
 
veelium said:
Inquiring as I've never had proper tennis elbow but golfer's issues.
I thought the tennis elbow is mainly a (1hbh/slice) backhand issue?
With Golfer's forehands were killing me but issues with backhands.
Or does nothing work with tennis elbow?
Click to expand...

Yeah slice for sure, but if it gets bad enough it impacts the ability to finish on the FH side if you hit with a more SW grip. That's what happened to me. Slices were brutally painful as well, I just stopped hitting them completely.
 
Power Player said:
Only since I just dealt with this (I too rarely ever get TE), I can share some quick advice that should keep you playing a lot of tennis, with minimal time off. I spoke with multiple Orthos, and the advice that worked, didn't require any needles in my arm, and got me fully recovered is below:

First one is if you are doing the flexbar exercises and they hurt and don't seem to help - stop playing for a while. You probably aren't there, but it's just good to know. It really sucks when you can't hit your FH properly due to pain. That is typically accompanied by months off the court to get better. I kept playing, ended up with the partial tear and I was done for months. That said, the Flexbar works, and may very well get you back at it with no more pain. Even if it does the job, consider the points after this one.

Another thing is the tennis elbow arm bands actually are good as a preventatives. They don't fix TE, but they will support your arm and lessen the risk of it coming back. Well worth the $20 or so to have a few in the bag. I'd start wearing them right away, but you REALLY want to wear them once you are recovered. I barely notice mine is on. I am a huge fan of this one. $12 for 2 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07253Z16J?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

Side tip that also made a big difference and you should consider - The carpal tunnel wrist brace. Just wear it when you sleep. It is very easy to aggravate the TE when you are sleeping and in wierd positions for your arm. The wrap was given to me by an ortho and it made a huge difference in my recovery. Definitely grab one like this - https://www.amazon.com/Carpal-Tunnel-Support-Splint-Stabilizer/dp/B08S2TDDNQ?pd_rd_w=mY3Lu&content-id=amzn1.sym.ea1d9533-fbb7-4608-bb6f-bfdceb6f6336&pf_rd_p=ea1d9533-fbb7-4608-bb6f-bfdceb6f6336&pf_rd_r=078TTPJ02EK8SSNXXRFY&pd_rd_wg=sgtaH&pd_rd_r=9532a8ae-449e-4014-9fef-7cc4cd4040f5&ref_=sspa_dk_detail_sbt_img_2&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1 For $20 it can keep you on the court. I rarely see that discussed here, but sleeping many times is where TE actually gets worse.

Scenario if things actually do get worse for some odd reason (hopefully that won't happen) Rest the arm. Just do it. It sucks but you can recover completely from TE if you rest. So just monitor that.

Finally, don't forget Lorenzo. Send him a nice text now and then. He has your back in this situation, I can attest to that.
Click to expand...
Wow, thanks for taking the time to write all that. So much appreciated.

My arm got KT-taped up today and my Physio (a tennis player) told me to ice it and rest it the next two days, then begin some very light work with super light dumbbell (like 2 kg) doing wrist curls. She said she could feel inflammation there but it wasn’t so bad. So I am to take today and tomorrow and ice and so forth and reassess the next time I hit some balls.

I have been playing through some discomfort the last couple of weeks, but it honestly hasn’t been discomfort that overly intrudes on the tennis, more so my elbow has felt it only on some shots here and there as well as right after I’m done playing. Many days, the very next morning I haven’t felt anything. But then I’ll feel that pull/discomfort when picking something up in a certain way, like a heavy water pitcher, that kind of thing. Finally after it just wasn’t going away, I decided on a couple of things in the last days: see the physio, and break from the Fedora (I really was/am hoping it’s not the frame, but I need to make sure at the moment so they will be off to the side)…

But yeah, the discomfort, I really almost don’t feel it during, just at the end of a tough match, or right after finishing.

As for the flex bar, a question: what’s the line of pain, etc, that you mean, in terms of feeling? Because like I can do the green bar, but I feel the pull/stretch. It doesn’t feel great. But it isn’t horrific. So I was doing this for a bit but then in the last week I’ve stopped as a precaution before seeing the Physio. She said for now to leave it alone until we reassess.

Also, unlike in the past when I’ve felt tennis elbow more in my forearm area, this time it’s really concentrated right at the connection point of the tendon/bone right at the elbow. That’s where I feel it, really.
 
JGads said:
Wow, thanks for taking the time to write all that. So much appreciated.

My arm got KT-taped up today and my Physio (a tennis player) told me to ice it and rest it the next two days, then begin some very light work with super light dumbbell (like 2 kg) doing wrist curls. She said she could feel inflammation there but it wasn’t so bad. So I am to take today and tomorrow and ice and so forth and reassess the next time I hit some balls.

I have been playing through some discomfort the last couple of weeks, but it honestly hasn’t been discomfort that overly intrudes on the tennis, more so my elbow has felt it only on some shots here and there as well as right after I’m done playing. Many days, the very next morning I haven’t felt anything. But then I’ll feel that pull/discomfort when picking something up in a certain way, like a heavy water pitcher, that kind of thing. Finally after it just wasn’t going away, I decided on a couple of things in the last days: see the physio, and break from the Fedora (I really was/am hoping it’s not the frame, but I need to make sure at the moment so they will be off to the side)…

But yeah, the discomfort, I really almost don’t feel it during, just at the end of a tough match, or right after finishing.

As for the flex bar, a question: what’s the line of pain, etc, that you mean, in terms of feeling? Because like I can do the green bar, but I feel the pull/stretch. It doesn’t feel great. But it isn’t horrific. So I was doing this for a bit but then in the last week I’ve stopped as a precaution before seeing the Physio. She said for now to leave it alone until we reassess.

Also, unlike in the past when I’ve felt tennis elbow more in my forearm area, this time it’s really concentrated right at the connection point of the tendon/bone right at the elbow. That’s where I feel it, really.
Click to expand...
Yes that’s where mine was. That connection point. It was same for me before, I typically got twinges in my forearm and this was a first.

A good example of my pain level with this concentrated joint version was i could not bounce a ball off my strings. So it can get really bad.

What took me out was arming a putaway shot. It took the pain to a different level and I was done. So I don’t want to see you get to that.

If you feel the pull and stretch with the green bar it sounds fine. I’d keep doing that and see how it progresses. Also you may want to play a little less tennis for a few weeks. TE is basically an overuse injury. You can still play but just be wary of the pain increasing. Definitely play loose as possible. This is why I went to the mannarino setup with the low tension apd. The goal is to use the lowest amount of swing effort while still generating the ball you want.

So yeah maybe string that prestige low. Or try just with one. 40#s is a good start point. It really helps to have a lot of power because that will help your arm not tighten up.

Final wildcard. It got real bad when using the volkl and I went for that putaway. It has that same rectangle grip of the old head frames. I feel like it may be worth keeping in mind. We both hit pretty semi western I think. I have no idea if that can aggravate, but it’s easy to grip tight on those slimmer grip shapes. Maybe try modding a prestige handle to the more modern shape. Total wildcard but i feel like it may have made things worse for me.
 
JGads said:
And, it seems, tennis elbow.

Back to burgundy (and friends).
Click to expand...
Do you still have Grandpa? The Dunlop Adrenalin Surge 108 has the weirdest specs, 27.5 inches, 10.8 ounces, 10 points headlight, doesn't take to customization, feels like an aluminum racket, but even strung with poly at 55 worked wonders whenever I had shoulder or elbow problems. Think your issue was a tender shoulder all those years ago? Maybe Grandpa can enter the spreadsheet!
 
Power Player said:
Yes that’s where mine was. That connection point. It was same for me before, I typically got twinges in my forearm and this was a first.

A good example of my pain level with this concentrated joint version was i could not bounce a ball off my strings. So it can get really bad.

What took me out was arming a putaway shot. It took the pain to a different level and I was done. So I don’t want to see you get to that.

If you feel the pull and stretch with the green bar it sounds fine. I’d keep doing that and see how it progresses. Also you may want to play a little less tennis for a few weeks. TE is basically an overuse injury. You can still play but just be wary of the pain increasing. Definitely play loose as possible. This is why I went to the mannarino setup with the low tension apd. The goal is to use the lowest amount of swing effort while still generating the ball you want.

So yeah maybe string that prestige low. Or try just with one. 40#s is a good start point. It really helps to have a lot of power because that will help your arm not tighten up.

Final wildcard. It got real bad when using the volkl and I went for that putaway. It has that same rectangle grip of the old head frames. I feel like it may be worth keeping in mind. We both hit pretty semi western I think. I have no idea if that can aggravate, but it’s easy to grip tight on those slimmer grip shapes. Maybe try modding a prestige handle to the more modern shape. Total wildcard but i feel like it may have made things worse for me.
Click to expand...
Pain when simply bouncing off the strings is wild. Ugh. Thanks again for the feedback.

jackcrawford said:
Do you still have Grandpa? The Dunlop Adrenalin Surge 108 has the weirdest specs, 27.5 inches, 10.8 ounces, 10 points headlight, doesn't take to customization, feels like an aluminum racket, but even strung with poly at 55 worked wonders whenever I had shoulder or elbow problems. Think your issue was a tender shoulder all those years ago? Maybe Grandpa can enter the spreadsheet!
Click to expand...
No, I gifted Grandpa to another arm sufferer years ago. And yeah it was my shoulder then. Elbow issues, non existent for many years.

That stick was so great. Weirdly great. Always appreciated that gesture and had to pay it forward.
 
Anyone have a good recommendation for hats? I like the perf holes on this because it’s cool and everything but the salty sweat stains don’t come out in the washing machine. Looking for better material and easier to wash.

IMG-4487.jpg
 
TwinCinema said:
Anyone have a good recommendation for hats? I like the perf holes on this because it’s cool and everything but the salty sweat stains don’t come out in the washing machine. Looking for better material and easier to wash.

IMG-4487.jpg
Click to expand...
My issue last summer is that I just sweat through hats like crazy in the summer and I wanted something that would absorb and dry really fast. I got some hats from Mission and love them. I haven’t washed them in the washer but I do hand wash them and they look new after.

www.mission.com

All Headwear

Control your temperature and unlock peak performance with innovative wearable cooling solutions designed to improve comfort, performance and overall Heat Health.
www.mission.com www.mission.com

I’m a big fan of these hats. Best tennis hats I’ve owned.
 
leng jai said:
Solinco marketing and hypebotting is next level. The amount of clients and people around the club I've seen turn up with Mach 10 strings in the last few weeks is outrageous. It's Hyper G all over again.
Click to expand...
More comfortable blue hyper G is easy too market if everyone is already using hyper g.
I've ordered a set as well even though I dont particularly care about hyper g.
 
Fellow holics, I've stopped holicing for now. For a while I was trying so many different racquets. Then I narrowed it down to the PSVS and the PA98. I've finally settled on the PA98 with just a leather grip under an OG. I love the PSVS, but just find it a little too demanding for my aggressive play style.

After so long, it's a strange sensation to not want to try or tinker with other set ups. This racquet does everything I need it to. When it doesn't it's because of my footwork and/or confidence.

PA98 with tour bite 17 @ 55#s and I'm set. Happy holicing!!!

P.S. I'll still be following this thread attentively. I love reading all of your racquet journeys. Easily the best thread on TTW with the best posters.
 
tim-ay said:
nCode90 coming soon..... what a temptation. But sadly there are too many racquets already just sitting around watching Babo madness.
Click to expand...
Soundbyte said:
My friend and I both said "we'll probably get one, even though we won't play with it"

But then as another friend's wife once said "it could be worse. His hobby could be drinking, gambling, or expensive cars!"
Click to expand...
naturalexponent said:
yesterday i briefly had the intention of maining the n90 if i could pick up a pair of reissues, then i took the one i have out for a spin in 85F heat at 6am and was like yeah this ain't it haha

1wMH6Ki.jpeg
Click to expand...

Been a while guys. Tapping in for this exciting news. Not hitting much these days just really busy with my 2 1/2 yr old/work. Also wife is 6 mos pregnant.....

All of those circumstances not gonna stop me from loading up on these. Buying at least 2! Long live the pro staff! Long live the 90!

Still searching for a name for my boy... "nCode Pro Staff 90" has a nice ring to it

Cheers guys and happy hitting
 
Last edited:
gino said:
Been a while guys. Tapping in for this exciting news. Not hitting much these days just really busy with my 2 1/2 yr old/work. Also wife is 6 mos pregnant.....

All of those circumstances not gonna stop me from loading up on these. Buying at least 2! Love life the pro staff! Love live the 90!

Still searching for a name for my little boy... "nCode Pro Staff 90" has a nice ring to it

Cheers guys and happy hitting
Click to expand...
Father of 3 daughters all under 10 with a boy on way in the fall. Our dogs have all been named after tennis players, including Sampras.

Had to talk my wife OUT of naming the baby boy Sampras...because our dog is named Sampras.

Get yourself an extra to pass down to the baby. Instead of a Rolex or similar..."this was my dad's racket of choice. Here's of photo of him playing in mixed doubles back before that UTR system existed. When kevlar and gut were the only options....and he walked uphill in the snow both ways to the courts every day!"
 
gino said:
Been a while guys. Tapping in for this exciting news. Not hitting much these days just really busy with my 2 1/2 yr old/work. Also wife is 6 mos pregnant.....

All of those circumstances not gonna stop me from loading up on these. Buying at least 2! Love life the pro staff! Love live the 90!

Still searching for a name for my little boy... "nCode Pro Staff 90" has a nice ring to it

Cheers guys and happy hitting
Click to expand...

Actually, Wilson would be a pretty good name for a baby. I say do it. A holic from birth. Maybe some day he'll have a Pro Staff in hand.
 
makes me wonder what tennis related word would make the worst name for a kid. of course there's the alphanumerics like "CX200" but I think "Boom" or "Clash" would be pretty bad too
 
esgee48 said:
Score related? Love or Zero
Play related? Not Up
Wonder how Zero Mustel, the comedian/actor got his name?
Click to expand...

There’s a Netflix serial killer show called You which had two characters from a tennis family, and the son was called Forty and the daughter was called Love. Might be the cringiest thing I’ve ever seen on tv.
 
taylor15 said:
305s stock dropping like a water balloon from a 3rd floor sorority balcony. Time to invest in TF40.
Click to expand...
I'm still playing with mine. I do wish we could order TF frames from TWE as the last gen TF40 are under $100 there. At that price it would be worth giving it a shot out of curiosity.
 
Vicious49 said:
I'm still playing with mine. I do wish we could order TF frames from TWE as the last gen TF40 are under $100 there. At that price it would be worth giving it a shot out of curiosity.
Click to expand...

I think I bought TW's final last gen TF40 16x19 demo? Strung once but apparently never used. My impression is that it's a just a TF Blade with a weird grip ...
 
I was at the Libema open a few weeks back, and the ‘Indian Maharadja’ brand had a rack with rackets. It almost looked like repainted rackets from other brands (one was very aero-like). Anyone know? Maybe they ‘did a Carve’?
(Should have taken some pictures, but didn’t)
 
SupahMan5000 said:
Been hitting with the ncode RF pro and it’s such a firm racket. It’s not that bad but I just felt so jarred

The ultra 99 pro isn’t a soft racket but that felt like it had so much more give than the RF
Click to expand...
is anyone here actually maining an RF01 pro? curious to know. about a year on from the release, i dont see many in the wild
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

henrytennisadelaide
Diary of a Racketaholic... picture thread
Replies
20
Views
5K
Deleted member 775108
D
J
Diary of a Diabetic Racketaholic....
Replies
22
Views
3K
WYK
WYK
I
APD vs APDC vs APD GT
Replies
7
Views
3K
baseline_monster
baseline_monster
Mateo
APD GT 2012/2013 Diff
Replies
1
Views
2K
tennistomcat
tennistomcat
Z
Racquet choice dilemma
Replies
9
Views
2K
AJK1
A
Back
Top