Diary of a Racketaholic

PA 100 2023 is too good! Do you play it stock or with some custom? It just makes everything so easy. Differently from you, i find the control to be amazing, considering the high power level, just a perfect combo. I truly love the tight string pattern.

Never tried Blast, will give it a crack soon. So far, my favourite is Dunlop Explosive Spin at low tension (44M/42X)
 
mmazzini1 said:
PA 100 2023 is too good! Do you play it stock or with some custom? It just makes everything so easy. Differently from you, i find the control to be amazing, considering the high power level, just a perfect combo. I truly love the tight string pattern.

Never tried Blast, will give it a crack soon. So far, my favourite is Dunlop Explosive Spin at low tension (44M/42X)
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It indeed is so good.
I play with 2 grams at 12 o'clock. Now experimenting adding leather grips for feel.
I tried so many strings on the PA 100 2023, the best one by a clear margin is the RPM Blast 1.25. I string at 53.
 
Not a huge update but I am suddenly and quickly becoming one of those "throw a leather grip on everything" guys. Not without tradeoffs and it's a little out of date with the lighter weight + higher balance trend, but it seems like a fast way to make seemingly most frames more suitable for my swings.
 
jimdontcare said:
Not a huge update but I am suddenly and quickly becoming one of those "throw a leather grip on everything" guys. Not without tradeoffs and it's a little out of date with the lighter weight + higher balance trend, but it seems like a fast way to make seemingly most frames more suitable for my swings.
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I'm slapping one in my upcoming Blade V8 98. Ought to make it super headlight.

It's the way for OHBHers.
 
jimdontcare said:
Not a huge update but I am suddenly and quickly becoming one of those "throw a leather grip on everything" guys. Not without tradeoffs and it's a little out of date with the lighter weight + higher balance trend, but it seems like a fast way to make seemingly most frames more suitable for my swings.
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The lighter weight trend kinda helps, you can slap it on almost anything without it becoming too heavy.
 
Honorary mention!. i discovered a really great set up. on my blade 100L .. because its light but so head heavy. its perfect for customization. i slapped on a TW leather 1.3mm grip. on a 3/8 i can usually play with a 1/2 so i added 2 og. specs are now. 11.52 oz static. and 6.0 pt headlight. the feel and playablity of this thing are off the charts. my new fave set up for my blades. ive been playing my best tennis wtih it. control and aggression are on tap. the 69 stiffness allows for pop that the 100 slightly lacks.. also if ;you were to do this same set up on the 100 the static would be at 11.8 oz. a little bit on the heavy side. but what i want to address is the two og. the feel of 2 og on the leather 1.3mm is where its at. one og on the leather doesnt get you this level of comfort.. also one og on top of leather on a hot day slips around quite a bit. so if you guys can get a hold of an L dont hesitate. also i added the rubber ring to the very end of the butt cap. over the leather but under the og's. i highly recommend you guys try that. i do that on every single one of my frames now. ill never go back. it adds that little bit of flare to the cap.

https://imgur.com/a/6yNBMMj
 
I seem to be gravitating towards the Acrostrike more and more. It doesn't have free power like some other frames but I love the way it absorbs and redirects power. My BH slice especially hit some sick angles on serve returns and other hard hit shots. It's a great frame for a counter puncher like myself. I just wish I had more than 1 of them. I have put in an order with TW to get a 2nd one with similar specs as what I have now but they've been out of stock on L3 for a while now.
 
So most of you know I’m a big fan of Razor Code; easily my favorite poly and I’m on my second reel of it after committing to it in my PSVS and then my TFight. I’m also on record for hating razor soft, since I tried a set of the carbon color and found it impossibly harsh and uncomfortable - it hurt my wrist and played nothing like the RC white I was used to.

But ever since I’ve sworn off RS, people have said the white color plays much better than the carbon. I’m always skeptical about color differences having noticeable playability differences but heard enough that I decided I had to see for myself. Got a sale set of Soft white 1.20 (same gauge as my reel of Code) and put it in the TFight.

I still don’t think it’s better than Code white but it’s definitely leagues better than Soft carbon. So consider this an admission that a) I was wrong about Soft in general; and b) I was wrong that color diffences don’t matter.

RSW is more powerful than RCW, but doesn’t give me quite the same spin and control. It has a slightly more muted, less connected feel on contact than RCW but in feeling a bit less firm, also has plenty of comfort. It’s easy to play for 3 hours in a row and the amount of pop it has while still being reliable and not erratic is quite nice. So if RCW is a 9/10 string and RSC is 4/10, I’d give RSW a 7.5 or so.

(And if anyone cares, which I can’t imagine you do or are still reading this boring-ass post, razor code carbon is an 8/10).
 
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Moving to a coastal city this week for the next 6 months.
Can't wait to run away from altitude tennis.
Pure Aero 100 works great on sea level.
 
TwinCinema said:
So most of you know I’m a big fan of Razor Code; easily my favorite poly and I’m on my second reel of it after committing to it in my PSVS and then my TFight. I’m also on record for hating razor soft, since I tried a set of the carbon color and found it impossibly harsh and uncomfortable - it hurt my wrist and played nothing like the RC white I was used to.

But ever since I’ve sworn off RS, people have said the white color plays much better than the carbon. I’m always skeptical about color differences having noticeable playability differences but heard enough that I decided I had to see for myself. Got a sale set of Soft white 1.20 (same gauge as my reel of Code) and put it in the TFight.

I still don’t think it’s better than Code white but it’s definitely leagues better than Soft carbon. So consider this an admission that a) I was wrong about Soft in general; and b) I was wrong that color diffences don’t matter.

RSW is more powerful than RCW, but doesn’t give me quite the same spin and control. It has a slightly more muted, less connected feel on contact than RCW but in feeling a bit less firm, also has plenty of comfort. It’s easy to play for 3 hours in a row and the amount of pop it has while still being reliable and not erratic is quite nice. So if RCW is a 9/10 string and RSC is 4/10, I’d give RSW a 7.5 or so.

(And if anyone cares, which I can’t imagine you do or are still reading this boring-ass post, razor code carbon is an 8/10).
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Thanks for this - RS white in my experience is an excellent round poly which combines excellent control with a nice balance of ball pocketing, stiffness and decent tension maintenance. The only real weakness is durability, seems to snap pretty quickly - it flexes beautifully in the tfights, which seem to be built to be played with it.
 
TwinCinema said:
So most of you know I’m a big fan of Razor Code; easily my favorite poly and I’m on my second reel of it after committing to it in my PSVS and then my TFight. I’m also on record for hating razor soft, since I tried a set of the carbon color and found it impossibly harsh and uncomfortable - it hurt my wrist and played nothing like the RC white I was used to.

But ever since I’ve sworn off RS, people have said the white color plays much better than the carbon. I’m always skeptical about color differences having noticeable playability differences but heard enough that I decided I had to see for myself. Got a sale set of Soft white 1.20 (same gauge as my reel of Code) and put it in the TFight.

I still don’t think it’s better than Code white but it’s definitely leagues better than Soft carbon. So consider this an admission that a) I was wrong about Soft in general; and b) I was wrong that color diffences don’t matter.

RSW is more powerful than RCW, but doesn’t give me quite the same spin and control. It has a slightly more muted, less connected feel on contact than RCW but in feeling a bit less firm, also has plenty of comfort. It’s easy to play for 3 hours in a row and the amount of pop it has while still being reliable and not erratic is quite nice. So if RCW is a 9/10 string and RSC is 4/10, I’d give RSW a 7.5 or so.

(And if anyone cares, which I can’t imagine you do or are still reading this boring-ass post, razor code carbon is an 8/10).
Click to expand...
It’s also very racquet dependent. Love RS in the PSVS but I don’t like it at all in stiffer racquets like the Origin
 
tim-ay said:
It’s also very racquet dependent. Love RS in the PSVS but I don’t like it at all in stiffer racquets like the Origin
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I can definitely see that. Would not have put it in my ProStaff 97 (which I don’t even have anymore, alas) and won’t put in my EZone. Never even put RC in the EZone.
 
SupahMan5000 said:
My partner and I hit the same way so I think it makes for a really good synergy since all of her mistakes are familiar to me and mine to her. So it’s very encouraging to just be like yeah I like that not a bad miss
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Funny, I kinda like playing doubles with people dissimilar to myself in terms of playstyle.
Can't say I ever played doubles with someone who plays exactly like me though.
 
veelium said:
Funny, I kinda like playing doubles with people dissimilar to myself in terms of playstyle.
Can't say I ever played doubles with someone who plays exactly like me though.
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i historically have needed to play with big servers and good hands players in order to makeup for my bad volleys and doubles IQ, but as i improve in doubles I can mix and match a little more

but one of my partners is more of a trickster and sometimes im just not ready for a ball to come back because he plays an angle volley instead of sticking it and they slap it at me
 
I've been full on holicing this week, boys. It's been weird for sure. Monday I was hittin around mostly with my new Prince 98 which has been an up and down experience. Felt like I was getting in the groove though. Tuesday I play a match and it's a disgusting start where I miss tons of balls, including a Sampras slam dunk lite and go down 0-3. Switched to my Speed Tour which I've been rocking since I got it. Turn the match around, but still sloppy. 40-0 up a break at 4-3. Get broken. I hit 2 double faults and then this guy had a slow cross court right on the service box line, a baseline ball deep to backhand that i goofed, and then a net cord ball on break point. Incredible. Third time was the charm serving for the set. 2nd set he was kinda giving up a bit and I destroyed most short balls but still making some bad errors.

Fast forward to yesterday. It was pretty hot out, but I was playing terribly. Prince was a disaster. Speed Tour a disaster. Switched between my Blade V9 and my trust old 2015 reissue which kinda worked out. Consistency was at least better. Didn't play long though, it was a bad session.

Today, I finally take out my road bike and did just under 20 miles. First ride in absolutely forever, but I like my new bike. Resting up at home when I get the text from one of my buddies. Figured ok I'll give it a shot. Played two sets with the Prince and destroyed. Think I got him 6-1 6-1.

I don't get it :-D
 
SupahMan5000 said:
grapplesnake worth trying/stocking?
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On average they have a comparative advantage in good feel, consistency, and playability duration. To me they feel pretty unique in the market but that's why nothing's successfully pulled me away from them for three years. M8 is a must try, kind of is emblematic of what Grapplesnake does differently. If you like it but wish there was something stiffer or a bit more traditional feeling, there's Tour Sniper. If you want better grab there's Soldier. If you need something that gives you a little more there's Alpha, which in my opinion is the best all around "soft" poly by a country mile. Those are my four favorites anyway.
 
Any of you have the swing tennis trainer? It’s like a grip attached to a stick with a magnet in it that snaps if you use the kinetic chain properly and feels oddly satisfying to use. Can be had for $25-35 on Amazon or Ali baba.

Here is the link.


Anyway, I can snap it on my fh and serve but no luck on 2 hander. Interestingly I can do it on the 1 handed backhand side. To add to the madness, the few times I play pickleball I have been hitting one handed backhands and it’s been a lethal shot. Gets me wondering if I need to switch it it. Easier said than done, but the footwork on the 1 hander is so sublime.

Gonna keep practicing the 2 hander with this thing, but it gets me thinking. Anyway, awesome little tool for shadow swing practice. It feels kind of like you are contacting the ball when done correctly, so it’s pretty addicting.
 
I played my first actual singles match in 2 years yesterday, which is the first since my hip injury in Nov 2023. Playing in 4.5 Ultimate league (4.0 USTA) I took the match 0-6, 7-6, 6-0. I do not believe I've ever had such a swing in a match before. I played with my blackout v1 285 pair I have that is 325 grams strung and 322 swing weight with some tungsten at 10/2. I have enjoyed the lighter frame b/c I can put a leather grip on them and keep the weight around 302gm unstrung.

I forgot how much I love the fight of actual matches, and how to figure things out. I knew my opponent (we played doubles together a while back) and figured out his game. What really helped was in the second set my serve started clicking and one thing going from blade 100 to blackout has done for me is amplify the one part of my game that is good - serves. Shot of the game was a running DTL one handed backhand winner. I haven't hit a one handed backhand in a very long time, but somehow it just happened. I was surprised, he was surprised..but I lost that game ultimately so it didn't help too much. Looking forward to the season and pushing for the playoffs this year, Solinco sticks in hand.
 
Team league season continues to be abysmal, first time ever I had proper cramps during a tennis match.
Maybe I watched too much Roland Garros but at 3-3 in the second set (1.5-2h in), I cramped so hard in the left inner quadriceps that I couldn't even walk or put any weight on my left leg.
Never ever had this but given the lack of proper training and the deliciousness of beer during early summer it's not a surprise.

Opponent was good though, Prestige user (one of the last 2 gen paintjobs), perfect technique on all the shots, must have been a very high level player in his younger days.
 
Played a really fun match over the weekend - one of those days where it was a real struggle early on - long deuce games, some breaking back and forth, then settling in and grinding away to get to 5 all. I held for 6-5 and then broke after about 12 dueces to win 7-5. Really entertaining rallies, especially for me since I won ;) 2nd set was of one of those dream-like experiences where you just can't miss. Full stretch out wide on the forehand, toss up a lob, it lands on the baseline for a winner... Dipping backhand passing shot that somehow clears the net and dives below the guy's racquet (he was right there)... Feathery backhand slice down the line for clean passing shot off a well-struck forehand approach. Multiple shoe-string drop volleys off challenging returns. See that shot down the line, grip it, rip it, and and nail it, etc. etc. It was the kind of day where tennis started to feel easy, against an opponent who should take me to the cleaners (and did a couple weeks ago), but somehow didn't. Those don't come around too often.

In hand, I had the C10 EVO, with small modifications. I decided to trim a bit of weight, removing about 1g of lead and getting it down to 330SW. That seems really good. Still weighty enough to not get pushed around and to not require a full swing on every shot, but just a little bit faster through the air. Narrowing in on the ideal spec.
 
In a shocking turn of events I have pulled the Regna 98's out of the closet and am stringing them up. I've realized until I can acquire more Acrostrikes that the Regna is the closest frame to it in terms of slices and some of the other aspects of play. The main difference being the Regna has a higher power ceiling if you can swing it fast enough.

Take that with a grain of salt though as I haven't played with the Regna in a few years so going off of what I can recall.
 
Vicious49 said:
It's official - I'm switching from the 305S to the AcroStrike 305. I just need to get more of them. They seem to be on backorder everywhere.
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usa.mizuno.com

Mizuno AcroStrike 305 Tennis Racquet

Discover the Mizuno Racquet Sports AcroStrike 305 Tennis Racquet, designed for the intermediate to advanced player looking for a medium-power racquet with control, touch and, feel.
usa.mizuno.com usa.mizuno.com

They are out of grip size 3 but have other grip sizes.
 
Just saw that TN reviewed The Learner. He hints in the comments that they may release it. That would be quite something, I am telling you all it's an incredible frame. I haven't touched anything else since I got mine. For me the Python release is my only chance at getting something somewhat on the level of this thing, but if they release this I think I will buy 5 and be done. It's that good.

 
Sometimes you win the spec lottery and sometimes you lose, like I did today. The C10 EVOs (version 1) I got for a song came in at 308g/31.2cm/277SW and 317g/31.5cm/289SW. I might be able to make the first one work, but the heavy one just seems like a freak. I think I will probably just pass these back along.
 
Power Player said:
Just saw that TN reviewed The Learner. He hints in the comments that they may release it. That would be quite something, I am telling you all it's an incredible frame. I haven't touched anything else since I got mine. For me the Python release is my only chance at getting something somewhat on the level of this thing, but if they release this I think I will buy 5 and be done. It's that good.

Click to expand...
What is it exactly?
 
Kozzy said:
Sometimes you win the spec lottery and sometimes you lose, like I did today. The C10 EVOs (version 1) I got for a song came in at 308g/31.2cm/277SW and 317g/31.5cm/289SW. I might be able to make the first one work, but the heavy one just seems like a freak. I think I will probably just pass these back along.
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Exactly my feeling even between same model (prostock) and very close spec wise, as I was posting in another thread:

On a side note, according to my new sparring partner, 20y old local tournament champion this week, the Red PJ Prestiges swing better than the Black ones- In Prostock I mean. Even the 18x20 red does better than an 16X19 black, while the 16X19 red even more so.
My new aquision red and white acquisition from @gsinko1, similar specs (well a tad lighter) fared as poorly as the black ones.

I was about to buy at least one more from Germany (where I am headed this week), but I am giving up, as I now have about 4 that I can play with (one being the clear cut favorite), plus a heavier one.
 
Kozzy said:
Sometimes you win the spec lottery and sometimes you lose, like I did today. The C10 EVOs (version 1) I got for a song came in at 308g/31.2cm/277SW and 317g/31.5cm/289SW. I might be able to make the first one work, but the heavy one just seems like a freak. I think I will probably just pass these back along.
Click to expand...
Specs on the v1s are all over the place, which is why I eventually became disillusioned trying to make them work. It's a shame both didn't come with more swing weight and a higher balance so a little lead and leather could get you to your target, but at least there's hope for the v2s.
 
Power Player said:
Just saw that TN reviewed The Learner. He hints in the comments that they may release it. That would be quite something, I am telling you all it's an incredible frame. I haven't touched anything else since I got mine. For me the Python release is my only chance at getting something somewhat on the level of this thing, but if they release this I think I will buy 5 and be done. It's that good.

Click to expand...
Some guys I know that sell Wilson Pro stocks have preferred the Ultra 98 over the P98.
veelium said:
What is it exactly?
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Tien's racket is just a 98 of the Ultra 100 racket.
 
CalciferKuma said:
Some guys I know that sell Wilson Pro stocks have preferred the Ultra 98 over the P98.

Tien's racket is just a 98 of the Ultra 100 racket.
Click to expand...
You sure on that? TN says the mold is a little different and the feel is not as muted. I have never used an Ultra 100 so I don’t know, but if it’s the same frame in a different size that would save me a lot of time and money. I don’t suspect that is the case though.
 
veelium said:
What is it exactly?
Click to expand...
I think it’s a custom mold they made for Tien. They took the h22 and made it into a power frame. It feels like a better version of the Nordic dots to me. And is a lot easier to use than an H22. That’s all I really know, it’s just a shame the Ultra line is so loaded with frames already because this one would probably be the king of it. Not sure what other silo they would release it under.
 
Power Player said:
You sure on that? TN says the mold is a little different and the feel is not as muted. I have never used an Ultra 100 so I don’t know, but if it’s the same frame in a different size that would save me a lot of time and money. I don’t suspect that is the case though.
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A few guys here have said that it's just the 98 version of the Ultra 100 with a thinner beam. It's typical Wilson Behavior, making all their pro stocks have good feel while the retail just pales in comparison. I wouldn't buy the Ultra 100 it will be inferior even if it's nearly the same frame.
 
Pneumated1 said:
Specs on the v1s are all over the place, which is why I eventually became disillusioned trying to make them work. It's a shame both didn't come with more swing weight and a higher balance so a little lead and leather could get you to your target, but at least there's hope for the v2s.
Click to expand...
Yep, honestly having two that feel and play the same is a blessing. Gonna stick with that for now and see how long the love lasts.
 
Kozzy said:
Yep, honestly having two that feel and play the same is a blessing. Gonna stick with that for now and see how long the love lasts.
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Any backward/side glances at the Q+ Tour since moving to the C-10 Evo? Where did you find the Evo to be superior to the PK?
 
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Pneumated1 said:
Any backward/slide glances at the Q+ Tour since moving to the C-10 Evo? Where did you find the Evo to be superior to the PK?
Click to expand...
Not yet, but I'll surely try it again. I think I need to add some lead and see how it compares after that. I like the feel of the C10 EVO better and it's just a little more lithe through the air.
 
CalciferKuma said:
A few guys here have said that it's just the 98 version of the Ultra 100 with a thinner beam. It's typical Wilson Behavior, making all their pro stocks have good feel while the retail just pales in comparison. I wouldn't buy the Ultra 100 it will be inferior even if it's nearly the same frame.
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just my $.02 i own the ultra 100 new version in my collection.. its a great 100" frame. feels like quality through and through. one of the most overlooked frames of the year.
 
I have to confess that I'm too picky about paint jobs.
All of Ultra 95 QZ, Learner, Nishikori, Ultra 99 sound exciting but that blue colour just doesn't do it for me.

The Tien kinda sounds like the 98 tour (japan version?) but with 16 mains.
But Wilson pro stocks are the most randomised and mysterious of them all, who knows what's inside.
Ironically with perfect timing someone is selling a 98 tour japan for a good price locally, bloody temptations.
If it's still here in a few days I'll take it.
 
danbrenner said:
just my $.02 i own the ultra 100 new version in my collection.. its a great 100" frame. feels like quality through and through. one of the most overlooked frames of the year.
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I never tried it but I believe you.

veelium said:
I have to confess that I'm too picky about paint jobs.
All of Ultra 95 QZ, Learner, Nishikori, Ultra 99 sound exciting but that blue colour just doesn't do it for me.

The Tien kinda sounds like the 98 tour (japan version?) but with 16 mains.
But Wilson pro stocks are the most randomised and mysterious of them all, who knows what's inside.
Ironically with perfect timing someone is selling a 98 tour japan for a good price locally, bloody temptations.
If it's still here in a few days I'll take it.
Click to expand...
Wilson does have some crazy random pro stocks. I bet some people have never heard a Wilson Blade/H22 16x20, standard length steam 100 pro stock, or sub 300 gram steam 99 16x19.
 
Power Player said:
You sure on that? TN says the mold is a little different and the feel is not as muted. I have never used an Ultra 100 so I don’t know, but if it’s the same frame in a different size that would save me a lot of time and money. I don’t suspect that is the case though.
Click to expand...
Haven’t actually played the Tien, and the Ultra 100 is a perfectly fine racquet, but you will be disappointed coming to it with that hope
 
veelium said:
I have to confess that I'm too picky about paint jobs.
All of Ultra 95 QZ, Learner, Nishikori, Ultra 99 sound exciting but that blue colour just doesn't do it for me.

The Tien kinda sounds like the 98 tour (japan version?) but with 16 mains.
But Wilson pro stocks are the most randomised and mysterious of them all, who knows what's inside.
Ironically with perfect timing someone is selling a 98 tour japan for a good price locally, bloody temptations.
If it's still here in a few days I'll take it.
Click to expand...
The gloss on the pro stock version takes the pj up multiple notches for me. I love it now.

Oddly enough Learner prefers matte and that is how some his glossy’s made it out into the wild. At least that is the rumor.
 
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