Fed Kennedy
Legend
V8 16x19, I playtested it, sweet feel but they pushed the power level too low. It seems v7 had more cojones but we will seeWhy not v8 though?
I am getting mugged myself, as people are robbing me of my BPs
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I have the 1.25 coming but I wont go higher than 48#s, which is already a plus. I was thinking I'd be having to string in the 50s all the time in this dunlop but with the right string that does not appear to be the case. M8 could be a winner, but I also have Head Hawk Touch contending.
I have not holicd on strings in a while. Seems like a cheaper way to optimize a setup for me then buying frames..lol.
Why not v8 though?
I am getting mugged myself, as people are robbing me of my BPs
You ever play a V7 blade? It feels much more like a classic Head. The V8 does not. Makes total sense he would like the V7 coming from Old blue.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Not a Blade Pro, no. But hit just a couple of minutes, with a regular V7 Blade, seemed close to LeGads, even better overall.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Im talking about the regular v7 blade, yeah.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
Yes I've liked it, from the little I've hit with it.
v7 18x20 is an epic frame... My coach uses the v7 16m... Loves it
Vicious49
Legend
It was fine when I hit at 75-80%. When I swung out fully is when I couldnt control it. Maybe I could have dialed it in over time but it just wasnt my style. I get some free power from the SMP300 but with better control so thats my ‘tweener’.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Unleashing my inner Lendl on a weak approach shot today.
Vicious49
Legend
Interesting . . . I just used the racquetfinder to input specs to see what would be similar to the SMP300. The only current frame that came up was the V1 Pro. Technically that frame is 23/20/23 but for the search purpose they count it as a 20mm beam. Even most of the previous frames included a lot of Volkl and a PKs (including the Doppio). I guess the bigger brands arent interested in creating 99/100” thinner beams with a 16/19 pattern.
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
I cannot control any racket when I blast it 100%. 75-80% is all you need, especially in rec tennis. If you need more, work on your technique, kinetic chain and use swing, not force.
I would say I swing at 30-60% on carpet, maybe 50-80% on clay.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Words of wisdom here.. 100%.
So it turns out my entire life crisis that happened in the course of last week was due to a simple abandoning form discipline as well..I reverted to swinging with my arm instead my body... Coach made a good point today . Right swing speed is the one that does not break your from especially on a neutral stance shot... I was swinging out of my shoes last week ... (Some mental glitch)... Back to ezone bliss.. crisis averted.. amazing how much more powerful, plow, blistering one can hit with so much less effort if they know how to hit a tennis ball... (Kinetic chain etc).. anyways... What happened in the meantime (during this depressive state) is I acquired a vc98 2023 in the process with poly tour rev in it.. miles better control than the 2021 version.. very very nice stick... My ez98s are all 320 sw... This puppy was 315sw. I would say vc98 creating more arch (very normal tasteful launch angle nothing egregious) and does spin the ball more but I don't necessarily think hat was a great thing... Ez98 bullies the ball more.. I think vc98 is a bit easier to use.. it does let me swing more freely but when form is good and hitting proper ez98 produces a better ball... I am sticking with ez98 but vc98 is very very nice. I'll continue to bring it around.. vc98 reminded me more of a control stick flavor (ala bladeish) vs ez98 in a very unexpected weird way which is what I was hoping for.. must be the 62RA... But I am sticking with my trusty ez98.. this is existential crisis number #3 or so in my last year with ez98 but came at the other end again..
@Pneumated1 - tried PTP 1.25 yellow at 49... Fantastic.. I can confirm pt rev is a very similar string.. easy peasy...all the way.
For whatever reason, first time I tried the 7 16x19
I didn’t love it. This week my son wanted me to hit with him before his academy classes started, so I used one of his v7 blades. I quite enjoyed it, really solid on the backhand and super comfortable. He has already expressed that he doesn’t want to change but he has almost outgrown his L1 grip. My local retailer has then for $150, and several between reverse and standard PJ. Thinking of getting two for him, and just grabbing one for myself too.
Mod them to an L2 or L3? Cheaper than new frames.
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
So sorry about your BP though
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Love the reverse PJ.
It is, but his pair are also pretty beat from 2 years of 12+ hours per week of use. Lots of paint chips and graphite scrapes. I figure it’s best to get them while I can as he doesn’t care for the v8 feel.
Yeah, it’s what he has now and it’s really great IMO. I’m one of the few people though that likes the old PJ better than the new probably. I liked the new at first, but I feel like in a few years it will be more of a fad than timeless
Vicious49
Legend
I should have said 75-80% of my normal swing. But i assumed it was implied because I am not the 1st to have mentioned percentages like this and noone else has ever been corrected. I need to take off of what I usually swing at with the PA. I dont know how much effort I put in on a normal swing, and im sure there are technique issues in there otherwise Id be a higher level than I am, but Im not swinging 100% on every swing like Im flinging a discus or shotput.
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
When we say 70% swing we mean 70% of max swing. Doesn't matter the racquet.
Vicious49
Legend
yes, 70% of your max tennis swing. Your max swing is what youd swing a tennis racquet at. Its not the same as you swinging all out like you would if you were doing the discus is it? If it is, it wouldnt look very controlled at all. Because im sure you could swing harder than your ‘max swing’ if you wanted to,
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Max swing is swinging out 100%. That is what max means. That is why Richard just said sometimes he only swings at 30% of his max on fast carpet and may go to 80% on clay. The incoming ball's pace can be used for power so you can redirect that with good timing and an easy swing.
A regular swing is typically 60-70% for most players.
If your max is only 100%, then how can you go out there and give 110%? And if that’s not enough, 111%
Good day on court today, but required some interesting problem solving.
Won my ladder match 6-2 6-3. Played a strong first set with the 95. My opponent was like Diego Schwarzman with a 1HBH playing with the Aero 98.
It was a very humid day for San Antonio, thankfully the temp was only 70 degrees, but the humidity caused my brand new Wilson overgrip to start slipping at the beginning of the 2nd. I lost trust that my 95 wouldn't fly out of my hand, so I opened the first service game of the 2nd with 5 double faults .
Decided to call in the SX300 Tour from the bullpen. Grip was dry and I ended up breaking back in a forever deuce game. Then, after a few games THAT grip started to slip so I switched to the Angell 100 with 1.28g DF. The thick DF does help tame the raw power of thr 100 and I was able to stay scrappy in the middle of the 2nd. As long as you can whip some spin on the ball the 100 provides almost overwhelming weight to the ball. I transitioned back to the 95 at 3-4 and was able to break with 3 really strong offensive points where I created openings for strong approaches, executed, and then could play pretty safe volleys to the open court. Then I closed out the match throwing some heat that only the 95 can produce. Probably topped out at 110-115mph.
Proud of the way I handled the wild ups and downs of this match. Thankfully no weird line calls today. I do wish I could feel more comfortable on court sometimes, but that's tennis. The only thing missing with the 95 is more authoritative short ball approaches. This is where I'm hoping some lighter/thinner string can help.
After we were done, we were chatting and then he offered to hit a little more. He was nice enough to let me try the Aero 98 and I have to say I was impressed. It felt nice and solid - not Babolat-hollow at all. It had more power and slightly less easy spin than the SX300 Tour. More power than the Ezone 98, Ezone had more control and easier execution of flatter balls. In the quick hit the Aero 98 felt better on my 2HBH.
Then, he had a surprise. He wanted to know if I wanted to try a 1st gen RF Prostaff! Who am I to say no? The black and red beast was a little worn, but I had never held or hit with one so this was a cool treat to end the day. It had some old locked up blue string, hard to tell. Even so, man o man, this was not the hit I needed to feel!
I never realized the beam was so thin. And the balance makes the racket feel damn near weightless despite being 350g+. Talk about hitting at 30%, I was would just swing super relaxed and boom! Off the ball would go. Now the idiot in me wants to find at least 1x and put some DF in it. You can tell that it absolutely wants you to play from the front foot, but that's not so bad. Did the RF ever have a wave of popularity here?
Won my ladder match 6-2 6-3. Played a strong first set with the 95. My opponent was like Diego Schwarzman with a 1HBH playing with the Aero 98.
It was a very humid day for San Antonio, thankfully the temp was only 70 degrees, but the humidity caused my brand new Wilson overgrip to start slipping at the beginning of the 2nd. I lost trust that my 95 wouldn't fly out of my hand, so I opened the first service game of the 2nd with 5 double faults .
Decided to call in the SX300 Tour from the bullpen. Grip was dry and I ended up breaking back in a forever deuce game. Then, after a few games THAT grip started to slip so I switched to the Angell 100 with 1.28g DF. The thick DF does help tame the raw power of thr 100 and I was able to stay scrappy in the middle of the 2nd. As long as you can whip some spin on the ball the 100 provides almost overwhelming weight to the ball. I transitioned back to the 95 at 3-4 and was able to break with 3 really strong offensive points where I created openings for strong approaches, executed, and then could play pretty safe volleys to the open court. Then I closed out the match throwing some heat that only the 95 can produce. Probably topped out at 110-115mph.
Proud of the way I handled the wild ups and downs of this match. Thankfully no weird line calls today. I do wish I could feel more comfortable on court sometimes, but that's tennis. The only thing missing with the 95 is more authoritative short ball approaches. This is where I'm hoping some lighter/thinner string can help.
After we were done, we were chatting and then he offered to hit a little more. He was nice enough to let me try the Aero 98 and I have to say I was impressed. It felt nice and solid - not Babolat-hollow at all. It had more power and slightly less easy spin than the SX300 Tour. More power than the Ezone 98, Ezone had more control and easier execution of flatter balls. In the quick hit the Aero 98 felt better on my 2HBH.
Then, he had a surprise. He wanted to know if I wanted to try a 1st gen RF Prostaff! Who am I to say no? The black and red beast was a little worn, but I had never held or hit with one so this was a cool treat to end the day. It had some old locked up blue string, hard to tell. Even so, man o man, this was not the hit I needed to feel!
I never realized the beam was so thin. And the balance makes the racket feel damn near weightless despite being 350g+. Talk about hitting at 30%, I was would just swing super relaxed and boom! Off the ball would go. Now the idiot in me wants to find at least 1x and put some DF in it. You can tell that it absolutely wants you to play from the front foot, but that's not so bad. Did the RF ever have a wave of popularity here?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
24 hours after more or less a mental breakdown, I found myself 1-4 down in the final set of a continuation. Nothing going right again, on defense too often again, staring listlessly ahead again. This is when I reminded myself, sitting there on the bench, to smile. Just one break, so just smile and at least try to enjoy the challenge. Smile and fight.
Later, match point down on his serve, 5-3, 40-30.
But in the end I pulled it off. Going for more, catching some fire, and serving out a 7-5 comeback third that was about as satisfying as it gets, from a mental perspective.
MSF season tally:
Prestige 4-1
Fedora 3-2
Z.1 Rad 2-0
Madness in the dirt.
Later, match point down on his serve, 5-3, 40-30.
But in the end I pulled it off. Going for more, catching some fire, and serving out a 7-5 comeback third that was about as satisfying as it gets, from a mental perspective.
MSF season tally:
Prestige 4-1
Fedora 3-2
Z.1 Rad 2-0
Madness in the dirt.
KC!
Professional
Yes, my pro instilled the 70% rule in me.
Vicious49
Legend
He also said he can't control any racquet if he swings at 100%. So to me 100% is the max you can control your swing at. Not the max you can actually swing. If I'm having to chop a zombies head off, I guarantee you that I'm swinging faster and harder than I am at a tennis ball. It's like having a car where the speedometer goes to 160 but your car has a limiter that caps it at 135. The max speed for that car is 135. As you learn to transfer weight better, make better contact, etc your controllable max swing goes up. Until you get to Alcaraz level I don't think the 2 ever line up. I really do think we are arguing semantics though as I think we are saying the same thing but in a different way.
On a different note, the pusher who used his watch after every point got knocked out so I won't end up facing him after all.
About to head out to the courts shortly. I've had to manage my playtime since I'm fasting. I go out there at 7 so I can drink water about a set in. Did drills on Thursday evening. Tonight it's doubles. Tuesday night it's 1 pro set. This is so I can be somewhat acclimated for a full 2 out of 3 set match on Thursday.
TimePlease
Semi-Pro
My understanding is along the lines of what @Power Player is saying. "100%" does indeed mean putting every ounce of your energy into the shot, and yes, for us rec players that's very difficult to control and will invariably sail over the fence. But as technique is crafted and perfected, a player can literally put 100% into a shot (yes, like your discus example) and still hit the target. Being able to do that is precisely the definition of good technique and the aim of competitive level coaching in all sports - the ability to apply the maximum kinetic energy and transfer it into a given kinesthetic movement without loss of control or efficiency. The reason those top players are taught to dial back the power to 70% is because to expect to hit the target every single time with 100% is not realistic; you just can't be reliably consistent enough giving 100%, especially in match conditions, under pressure, etc. We tend to tense up when we try too hard, whereas the best tennis is relaxed and effortless. Plus, it's energy-sapping as PP is saying. And, I would argue, it helps generate deeper, more stable confidence, the less unforced errors you make.
I think the other thing to bear in mind is that there are so many types of shots - and so many variations of technique to pull each one off - and I think this gets to the point that you were making, Vicious. Against hard hitters, when the ball is already coming in fast, even 70% (of "100%") is far too much. That, I think, is why @Richard Pioline mentioned lower limits as well (30-60% and 50-80%).
A discus thrower will still have to perfect his/her technique in order to get to a stage where they can put "100%" in without dumping it into the grass or accidentally killing a bystander... but the difference with a 'closed' sport like discus is there are far fewer variables at play, only really one, fixed technique to have to master, and therefore it's much easier to put in 98%...99%...without tensing up. For sure they are still taught to relax though.
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It looks very similar to the TF40 18x20 but with better customization options due to the removable butt-cap.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
So you don't think TS designs their own strings and is just rebranding OEM ones? Just curious because I find that pretty interesting if true. I have never hard of Starburn strings.
flyhome
Rookie
there are so many rebranded strings in the market and so many strings coming from the same rough one; some are just rebranded and some have slightly or bigger differences.
if you contact a Factory you will get a price list to produce x number of "Power Player" reels from the cheaper rebranded one to the more expensive new project (or with many modifications).
if you contact a Factory you will get a price list to produce x number of "Power Player" reels from the cheaper rebranded one to the more expensive new project (or with many modifications).
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah I definitely know that and agree but i was speaking to gsnake specifically. I need to try and check out starburn strings.
flyhome
Rookie
ok, that's what I heard here in Italy from some "insider"; as said, I would not be surprised M8 is a better evolution compared to Metal 8.
Maybe I'll place an order on tennisman (they have both strings) and try to compare. Stringpedia/Racketpedia has Starburn's strings on it's database.
Maybe I'll place an order on tennisman (they have both strings) and try to compare. Stringpedia/Racketpedia has Starburn's strings on it's database.
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Fintft
G.O.A.T.
I've hit today against a former opponent of Shapovalov, just to come home and watch him on TV - it was great:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/curious’-match-practice-videos.742579/post-17226907
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/curious’-match-practice-videos.742579/post-17226907
Vicious49
Legend
Played 4 sets of doubles tonight mostly with the c10 evo and SMP300 with a bit of c10 Pro mixed in at the end.
While the Evo is a fun frame to play with it lacks the punch of the other 2. It is the easiest to swing due to the light static and swing weights but doesnt have much power behind it. This one would be great for someone who is coaching all day and doesnt want to put much stress on their arm.
While the Evo is a fun frame to play with it lacks the punch of the other 2. It is the easiest to swing due to the light static and swing weights but doesnt have much power behind it. This one would be great for someone who is coaching all day and doesnt want to put much stress on their arm.
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
There are some differences on the inside of the throat and the number of grommets on the throat. The grommets around the hoop and the head shape/beam look identical. But, even though they seem similar, I think the Whiteout 16*19 has a more opern 16*19 than the TF40 16*19
ChrisG
Professional
yes 16x19, Tourna silver 7 tour 1.25. I'm really dialing with this now, team matches start in a few weeks and I need to be ready !
am1899
Legend
Also, I played some pickup doubles Saturday morning. More BP glory. So good. When your opponents say things like, “Great shot. On the line…again,” you know you’re on the right track (them, not so much).
So I ended up playing 5/7 days each of the last two weeks. Feeling really good about where my game is, and really enjoying playing tennis again.
OTOH, my body is breaking down. Nagging blister on my left foot. And my playing arm was starting to throb just before we left for FL. Hopefully some rest and relaxation is the ticket to restored health and good order.
So I ended up playing 5/7 days each of the last two weeks. Feeling really good about where my game is, and really enjoying playing tennis again.
OTOH, my body is breaking down. Nagging blister on my left foot. And my playing arm was starting to throb just before we left for FL. Hopefully some rest and relaxation is the ticket to restored health and good order.
tim-ay
Legend
Have fun! I’m working and bummed to be home. The Alcaraz/Tsitsipas practice is still burned in memory… along with so many other great matches.
ryushen21
Legend
This is exactly what I tell my HS players. They think power is the solution but I constantly preach "Placement over Power" and "consistency, consistency, consistency."
Vicious49
Legend
Hahaha! I was playing doubles with these guys last night and the 1 guy kept missing his overheads. He was basically mistiming it and doing a big wind up and shanking it or letting it drop too low. The more he missed the bigger the windup got. I tried telling him to focus on control not power. If he places it right it won't matter how much power he has behind it as he is like 4 feet from the net so he could just dink them off at an angle and still win the point. He still didn't listen. Just like when he's driving FHs in to the net. I told him to focus on net clearance. He shook his head like he understood but didn't do that either. That's why I don't really try to help anyone from that group.
ryushen21
Legend
Yep, this is a constant for me. Kids are more interested in the looking cool aspect of tennis rather than the playing well aspect. I've even shown them videos of pros hitting with 3ft or more of net clearance and they still want to blast it barely 6 inches over the net.
Other lessons I've taught them (that they often don't remember) include:
"Your 60% rally shot can win you 90% of the points you play."
"Don't hit hard at a person who hits hard at you."
"Know when to change pace and direction."
"Expect every shot to come back."
"Get ready as soon as you see the ball come off your opponent's racquet."
Vicious49
Legend
These are the 2 big ones (along with bad net positioning) that I can't get these guys to learn.
They wait until the ball is about halfway towards us before making any type of movement, then they take a step in that direction so I stop since it's not really my ball, and then they pull back and say 'yours!'. There were about 5 points last night where my partner didn't move in time so the ball got past and behind them, I get to the ball and they are just frozen in front of me. I'm like 'if the ball gets past you, don't think, just switch to the other side' otherwise it makes what I'm doing pointless.
Or 1 guy got lobbed on so many times and I keep telling him to take 2 steps back. Like you're already only 5'5" and you're crowding the net against a guy who every time he's on the defensive he's going to pop the ball up. Simple common sense and on court troubleshooting eludes a lot of folks.
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
These are great tips!!
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
Passing thru Houston Apr 6-9 and might have time to hit. I heard some folks from this thread might be there.
Vicious49
Legend
I am in Houston . . . unfortunately. What part of Houston are you visiting?
KC!
Professional
There are a lot of us who’ve played with the Prestige at one time or another. Francisco Cerundolo is playing FAA right now & noticed he’s playing with Prestige PT57A Pro Stock. I looked up his specs-27.5 inches, 350 static weight & 380 swing weight. I can only imagine this racquet hits a very heavy ball
