Diary of a Racketaholic

[tim-ay]

This sounds a lot like my VCP experience.
Pro staff feel on a pk? Can you speak more to that?

That box beam flex-feel is just very predictable and smooth. And touch shots feel like you are scooping the ball. It doesn’t seem to flex as much as the PS95 did, but its maybe 70% of that feeling (?). Once I weight it up a little the characteristics may change so I’ll know more on Sunday or next week.

I hit a few slices and drop shots that had me going ‘wow’. But I need to hit it more to dial in how I think about it. This is all based on 2 hours tonight where the Limoncello maybe had an hour. Definitely need more time to give you more about the feel vs. the days of yore’.

 

[Power Player]

Nice. Well at some point the epic 315 will cross the seas and ill get to give it a hit. I didnt realize it felt that good. I can let it do battle with the vc97

 

[Power Player]

That box beam flex-feel is just very predictable and smooth. And touch shots feel like you are scooping the ball. It doesn’t seem to flex as much as the PS95 did, but its maybe 70% of that feeling (?). Once I weight it up a little the characteristics may change so I’ll know more on Sunday or next week.

I hit a few slices and drop shots that had me going ‘wow’. But I need to hit it more to dial in how I think about it. This is all based on 2 hours tonight where the Limoncello maybe had an hour. Definitely need more time to give you more about the feel vs. the days of yore’.

How open is the string pattern? Thats the thing that always held me back. I like the linear 16x20 ball a lot.

 

[el sergento]

How open is the string pattern? Thats the thing that always held me back. I like the linear 16x20 ball a lot.

8 mains in the throat. Very similar to a Prestige Pro or a Strike.

 

[el sergento]

Wilson Sensation is a great cross string BTW. It's not quite NXT when it comes to feel or playability, but for the price, it's hard to beat considering it's still alive after 8+ hours. a

 

[tim-ay]

How open is the string pattern? Thats the thing that always held me back. I like the linear 16x20 ball a lot.

8 mains in the throat, but it’s pretty open. I also love the ball I get with the 16x20’s and that will probably keep the Limoncello more of a novelty frame for me. But it hits a nice ball, I just need to see if I get the control and drive through the court that I’m hooked on these days.

 

[tim-ay]

forgot to mention the sound. this sounds fantastic. a nice bass note , haha

 

[Power Player]

8 mains in the throat, but it’s pretty open. I also love the ball I get with the 16x20’s and that will probably keep the Limoncello more of a novelty frame for me. But it hits a nice ball, I just need to see if I get the control and drive through the court that I’m hooked on these days.

Thats a shame. Even the vcp97 seems a bit more open than I need.

 

[ryushen21]

I just acquired a second VC95. Should have it in hand early next week.

The TB in my current 95 has hit the cliff and started to die. I had forgotten that the longevity on TB is no up to the same level that I've gotten accustomed to with other strings. Once the new 95 arrives, the plan is to string it and one of the 100s up with BK and use that as a reference point.

 

[Power Player]

I just acquired a second VC95. Should have it in hand early next week.

The TB in my current 95 has hit the cliff and started to die. I had forgotten that the longevity on TB is no up to the same level that I've gotten accustomed to with other strings. Once the new 95 arrives, the plan is to string it and one of the 100s up with BK and use that as a reference point.

Yeah thats the bummer with tour bite. Tour sniper lasts longer and plays well in the vc95.

 

[Nollid]

forgot to mention the sound. this sounds fantastic. a nice bass note , haha

That’s one thing I definitely noticed. I was mesmerized by the sweet thump of Seppi’s racquet in person.

 

[ryushen21]

Yeah thats the bummer with tour bite. Tour sniper lasts longer and plays well in the vc95.

I still need to try TS. I keep forgetting to order it.

 

[Ryebread]

posted 14 closeup images of the new blade 98 16x19 us open edition!
the open has been amazing, have seen about 10 matches so far. epic.

Close up pics US OPEN BLADE V8 16x19

This cosmetic is interesting! Five images per post, so there are two comments below. in the last one, you'll see specs unstrung, strung, og added. may add 3 grams to the tail after playtest tomorrow (in stock form) Great job Wilson. I get my rackets unstrung from Tennis Warehouse. I did not use...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[Power Player]

I still need to try TS. I keep forgetting to order it.

Its really good. Great control. Performs a bit like Rs Lyon.

 

[Vicious49]

Of course the Regna shows up the day I leave for the US Open.

Speaking of which, I got really lucky with the matchups. I get to watch jokr and zverev tomorrow and Leyla on Saturday.

 

[BPlain]

Curious to hear what you think @tim-ay once you get a chance to hit with it. My 300g also arrived yesterday and had strung it with a full bed of BK 1.23 at 50. I'm at 330 SW after a couple OGs and dampener. Hitting with it on indoor hard courts tonight and green clay on Sat morning. Really curious to compare and contrast with 315g and also hear your thoughts having played with the rest of the PK line.

Round one of my Limoncello 300g vs 315g battle - held on indoor hard courts doing mainly drills and playing a set of doubles - goes to the 300g. As @tim-ay mentioned in his initial impressions, I did miss the weight in the handle on the 300g at the start but the more I played with it tonight, the more dialed in I got with it. I eventually stopped being so early to the ball and really appreciated the extra maneuverability the 300g offers and the wonders that does for overall feel. While it is by no means a "powerful" racket, it certainly gets way more free power than you would expect from a lighter, thin beam frame.

I was able to start altering my forehand by the end of the night between a flatter, penetrating ball and a more loopy, heavier topspin ball. I think the 315 would be better if your game is more flat, penetrating focused but the 300g holds up good enough on both accounts and really whips on well struck topspin balls.

Two handed topspin backhands felt great with the 315g previously but felt even easier with the 300g tonight. And I thought being able to really knife the backhand slice with the 300g's maneuverability was a big bonus. Volleys felt great with both. Again, the extra weight of the 315g could either help or hurt at the net depending your game. The 315g is a little more solid but the 300g holds its own just fine against a bigger ball at the net plus I was getting the racket in position quicker too.

I was able to get better pop on my first serve with the 300g, placement was easy, and slice serves felt great. I didn't get a chance to hit enough kickers to compare and contrast both frames.

Play test continues back on the green clay this Saturday but early results are promising. Overall, they are all great sticks and it's really just a matter of which version - 300g, 315g, or 325g - fits your game the best.

 

[JGads]

This sounds a lot like my VCP experience.
Pro staff feel on a pk? Can you speak more to that?

My 300 modded up felt a bit more Prestige than Pro Staff, but with an open pattern (and softer than your typical prestige pro). Either way, it’s a great feeling frame. But yeah the pattern is rather wide out towards the edges.

 

[StanAO14]

Of course the Regna shows up the day I leave for the US Open.

Speaking of which, I got really lucky with the matchups. I get to watch jokr and zverev tomorrow and Leyla on Saturday.

You might be the witness of one of the most remembered matches in woman’s tennis ever. What an epic story this is. For me this is probably the first time in a decade I will watch an entire woman’s match. Too bad I need to get out of bed 3 AM in the morning (start final europe time)!! Have fun vicious!

 

[JGads]

You might be the witness of one of the most remembered matches in woman’s tennis ever. What an epic story this is. For me this is probably the first time in a decade I will watch an entire woman’s match. Too bad I need to get out of bed 3 AM in the morning (start final europe time)!! Have fun vicious!

You sleep deprived as well? I am wiped from these two weeks.

But man I love it.

 

[StanAO14]

You sleep deprived as well? I am wiped from these two weeks.

But man I love it.

Not yet actually! I have seen a lot of matches till 12 PM (NYT 6PM), but in hindsight I should have watched Emma’s and leylah’s 1/4 and 1/2 final live..

 

[ryushen21]

Its really good. Great control. Performs a bit like Rs Lyon.

How many hours do you usually get out of it?

 

[tim-ay]

How many hours do you usually get out of it?

It’s close to BK for longevity, but BK plays so good right until the end. TS has a drop off right before breaking, but not like most poly’s….It’s in the same class as BK but just a little more to the left if you were graphing playability to hours. (Depending on what you get with BK…. I’d say if you get 10 hours out of BK, you’ll get 9 out of TS)

In some racquets TS is still my favorite string, but in the Doppio’s I just love BK…. Probably the tighter pattern and BK just accentuates the control and feel more than TS.

Edit - just realized I probably should have put TS into the Limoncello, with that open pattern. Next stringing… that might be the perfect fit for the ‘cello.

 

[Vicious49]

You might be the witness of one of the most remembered matches in woman’s tennis ever. What an epic story this is. For me this is probably the first time in a decade I will watch an entire woman’s match. Too bad I need to get out of bed 3 AM in the morning (start final europe time)!! Have fun vicious!

i was really hoping Fernandez would make it. Thee seems to be an energy to her matches that is missing from the other womens matches. I think this could be the first of many titles for her so im excited to be there for it.

 

[tim-ay]

i was really hoping Fernandez would make it. Thee seems to be an energy to her matches that is missing from the other womens matches. I think this could be the first of many titles for her so im excited to be there for it.

Emma stepping in like Agassi on those returns. That slice serve won’t work against a player like that. That’s the most impressive thing I’ve seen in the whole tourney, men or women. they are both awesome though, should be a great final (my money would be on Emma taking Fernandez down).

 

[ryushen21]

It’s close to BK for longevity, but BK plays so good right until the end. TS has a drop off right before breaking, but not like most poly’s….It’s in the same class as BK but just a little more to the left if you were graphing playability to hours. (Depending on what you get with BK…. I’d say if you get 10 hours out of BK, you’ll get 9 out of TS)

In some racquets TS is still my favorite string, but in the Doppio’s I just love BK…. Probably the tighter pattern and BK just accentuates the control and feel more than TS.

Edit - just realized I probably should have put TS into the Limoncello, with that open pattern. Next stringing… that might be the perfect fit for the ‘cello.

I still love BK in the 100. It's very hard to beat. But the 95 seems to call for something crisper which is why I tried TB. I also got a recommendation from Tier One to try their Tour Status as a crisper option so I may give that a try.

 

[Bobble]

I still need to try TS. I keep forgetting to order it.

Having any growing pains coming down from a bazooka like the VC100 to the 95? Asking because I'm about to be a vc95 investor and currently have a few 100s in my rotation.

 

[ryushen21]

Having any growing pains coming down from a bazooka like the VC100 to the 95? Asking because I'm about to be a vc95 investor and currently have a few 100s in my rotation.

I've never found the 100 to be Bazooka-like. It has ample power and I've been able to apply that manipulating shots in different situations on the court. I'd actually consider the VC100 tame compared to some of the Babs and even the EZone.

As far as the 95 is concerned, with my current setup of full poly at 47/45 it's super responsive. It is less powerful than the 100 but it's not anemic in any sense. The lead at 10/2 added just the right oomph to the SW so I have no issues hitting deep, heavy shots.

The biggest difference is that I have to keep my focus up with the 95 but when I do, I hit a cleaner, better quality ball.

 

[BPlain]

It’s close to BK for longevity, but BK plays so good right until the end. TS has a drop off right before breaking, but not like most poly’s….It’s in the same class as BK but just a little more to the left if you were graphing playability to hours. (Depending on what you get with BK…. I’d say if you get 10 hours out of BK, you’ll get 9 out of TS)

In some racquets TS is still my favorite string, but in the Doppio’s I just love BK…. Probably the tighter pattern and BK just accentuates the control and feel more than TS.

Edit - just realized I probably should have put TS into the Limoncello, with that open pattern. Next stringing… that might be the perfect fit for the ‘cello.

Haven't played with TS before. Could you expand on why you think it could play better in the Limoncello relative to BK?

 

[Bobble]

I've never found the 100 to be Bazooka-like. It has ample power and I've been able to apply that manipulating shots in different situations on the court. I'd actually consider the VC100 tame compared to some of the Babs and even the EZone.

As far as the 95 is concerned, with my current setup of full poly at 47/45 it's super responsive. It is less powerful than the 100 but it's not anemic in any sense. The lead at 10/2 added just the right oomph to the SW so I have no issues hitting deep, heavy shots.

The biggest difference is that I have to keep my focus up with the 95 but when I do, I hit a cleaner, better quality ball.

Thanks for that context.

Can’t remember if you’re an xl hobbyist, but did you try the vc100+? That one felt great but I demoed with full multi

 

[tim-ay]

Haven't played with TS before. Could you expand on why you think it could play better in the Limoncello relative to BK?

TS plays a little crisper, but very controlled in more open patterns. It's also just a shade larger than the 1.23 BK i have on hand. Has great touch. In more closed patterns its almost too crisp and I found that in the 16x20 PK's.

 

[ryushen21]

Thanks for that context.

Can’t remember if you’re an xl hobbyist, but did you try the vc100+? That one felt great but I demoed with full multi

I've never been an XL guy. They just never really appealed to me.

 

[Power Player]

My 300 modded up felt a bit more Prestige than Pro Staff, but with an open pattern (and softer than your typical prestige pro). Either way, it’s a great feeling frame. But yeah the pattern is rather wide out towards the edges.

So is it like the Eurostaff, which to me is a bit more of a ball massager than line driver?

How many hours do you usually get out of it?

9-10 typically. If you want crisper than Tour Bite though, I am not sure this would be the string. Its a little less crisp.

I love full Element in the Vc95s and I think ALU Power/Element could be a really great combo. The ALU should give me a little more time in a hybrid setup and the feel should compliment the VC95s perfectly. I guess I will find out soon.

 

[Sir Faultalot]

Thats a shame. Even the vcp97 seems a bit more open than I need.

I think it's a weird open pattern. Because the mains are actually very close together, more like a prestige (but not quite). Then the crosses on the other hand are widely spaced. It's an odd pattern that gives both power and reasonable control. I put a reverse hybrid (multi mains) in the rackets and am totally vibing with it.

 

[ryushen21]

9-10 typically. If you want crisper than Tour Bite though, I am not sure this would be the string. Its a little less crisp.

I love full Element in the Vc95s and I think ALU Power/Element could be a really great combo. The ALU should give me a little more time in a hybrid setup and the feel should compliment the VC95s perfectly. I guess I will find out soon.

I don't want crisper than TB. Equally crisp or slightly less crisp should be fine. TS sounds like it will be a good option.

Full element will be the first string job in the incoming 95. It's interesting that you mention the Element/ALU hybrid because I was actually thinking about picking up some ALU Rough just for the fun of it.

 

[J011yroger]

I don't want crisper than TB. Equally crisp or slightly less crisp should be fine. TS sounds like it will be a good option.

Full element will be the first string job in the incoming 95. It's interesting that you mention the Element/ALU hybrid because I was actually thinking about picking up some ALU Rough just for the fun of it.

Gonna be a little squishy...

J

 

[J011yroger]

So is it like the Eurostaff, which to me is a bit more of a ball massager than line driver?




9-10 typically. If you want crisper than Tour Bite though, I am not sure this would be the string. Its a little less crisp.

I love full Element in the Vc95s and I think ALU Power/Element could be a really great combo. The ALU should give me a little more time in a hybrid setup and the feel should compliment the VC95s perfectly. I guess I will find out soon.

Did I ever send you a set of Grey Fire?

J

 

[mad dog1]

Did I ever send you a set of Grey Fire?

J

No, you did not. Grey Fire is good stuff.

 

[Power Player]

Did I ever send you a set of Grey Fire?

J

Yessir, I have it in 1.30 though, which I very rarely use.

Actually I have BK 1.27 and Grey Fire 1.30 so I may as well try that combo in the Vc95.

 

[Power Player]

Gonna be a little squishy...

J

Yeah full Element is a little squishy but it works well in the 21 VC95.

 

[ryushen21]

Not gonna lie, I'm close to listing the other VC100 frames. I've got the chance to pick up 2 more VC95 for a really good price, so I'm really tempted.

The VC100 has been closer in the last couple outings and the 2g I added to the handle of one helped with the serve aspect. But the way that I have connected with the 95 is tough to reckon with. I'm still working on the focus aspect of keeping my form clean, but it feels like the complete package and everything is firing.

EDIT: I also just got the news that I'm in for the Head 2021 Protoype Playtest.

 

[J011yroger]

I feel an end of season demo clearance coming to the Pirate Ship Trading Co.

J

 

[J011yroger]

J

 

[Vicious49]

J

Nice. Im tempted to pick up another Prestige MP but dont think i really need a 2nd one.

 

[ryushen21]

J

I have some of my high school players that might be interested in those Yonex frames.

 

[JGads]

So is it like the Eurostaff, which to me is a bit more of a ball massager than line driver?

Compared to the Doppio or definitely the Top Banana, for me, yes, but I had a particularly hard time flattening out and really driving it with the Euro for some reason, but with the Espressos I think that drive is there a little more to be tapped. I’d say it’s there more because you can sting the ball flatter with less fear of the ball sailing, so this freedom allows you to try to hit through more rather than brush. With the firmer sticks with more pop, you come over it more to let the spin give you some safety. But this is my experience, and I had literally the tiniest cup of coffee with the Euro, just knew it wasn’t for me very quickly, so I’m not the best point of reference on true comparisons to that one.

 

[esm]

Not gonna lie, I'm close to listing the other VC100 frames. I've got the chance to pick up 2 more VC95 for a really good price, so I'm really tempted.

The VC100 has been closer in the last couple outings and the 2g I added to the handle of one helped with the serve aspect. But the way that I have connected with the 95 is tough to reckon with. I'm still working on the focus aspect of keeping my form clean, but it feels like the complete package and everything is firing.

EDIT: I also just got the news that I'm in for the Head 2021 Protoype Playtest.

Cool on the play test. Look forward to the review.
I can understand the situation with the VC100 - finally had a session after about 3 weeks and I was having a ball with the OG Pure Strike Wimby. Picked up the VC100 and put it back within a couple of mins. I think I just groove better with a 98… so I will dust off the other OG PS to have some more fun. I think I will keep both the VC100 in the bag for now and see how long they stay… or maybe I should just get a VC95 and see what the fuss is all about. Lol

 

[Addxyz]

J

Let's get a listing!

 

[Power Player]

Man this VC95 2018 version is dope.

The feel is just awesome in it with the full tour sniper. But the control I have over the ball is even a bit tighter than with the 21. Just a bit, but man, I am digging this thing. Glad I found another so I can roll with 2.

Worked on patterns and generating the 7/10 rally ball with no errors and it's just so easy with the 95s. I see why some people prefer the 2018 now. I have to add myself to that camp. Something about 62RA. It doesn't even play super soft like you may expect, but that extra little bit of bend just takes this thing to feel town without losing the traits of the 2021 version.

Would blacknight/greyfire be too muted of a setup in the 2021? I hated Cyclone Tour in it. Liked Tour Sniper. Really liked Element.

 

[JGads]

Man this VC95 2018 version is dope.

The feel is just awesome in it with the full tour sniper. But the control I have over the ball is even a bit tighter than with the 21. Just a bit, but man, I am digging this thing. Glad I found another so I can roll with 2.

Worked on patterns and generating the 7/10 rally ball with no errors and it's just so easy with the 95s. I see why some people prefer the 2018 now. I have to add myself to that camp. Something about 62RA. It doesn't even play super soft like you may expect, but that extra little bit of bend just takes this thing to feel town without losing the traits of the 2021 version.

Would blacknight/greyfire be too muted of a setup in the 2021? I hated Cyclone Tour in it. Liked Tour Sniper. Really liked Element.

feel is that much better/flexier? I detected that a little bit but since I hit them separately and weeks apart fro one another I wasn’t 100 percent sure. The new one seemed to have a little more pop due to the little more firmness? And faster to swing? Seems like that’s the general take from most.

 

[ryushen21]

Would blacknight/greyfire be too muted of a setup in the 2021? I hated Cyclone Tour in it. Liked Tour Sniper. Really liked Element.

Funny you should mention that. I strung up the 95 with BK/GF and went out for about 30 minutes. Less crisp than full TB and less muted than full BK. Further feedback to come.