DonDiego's claim to racquetholics 7 kingdoms crown thread

[DonDiego]

In this, I will shamelessly list all racquets I have tried/demo/bought/resold since 2013. Ask me anything you want.

Let's see:

Head:

Ti.Radical mp
Liquidmetal radical mp
Microgel radical Mp
Youtek radical mp
IG radical mp
Graphene radical mp
Youtek radical pro
IG Radical pro
Graphene radical pro
IG radical OS
Graphene Radical Rev
Graphene Radical S

Microgel Prestige MP
Microgel Prestige Pro
Youtek prestige mid
Youtek prestige mp
Youtek Prestige S
Graphene Prestige S
IG Prestige mp
IG Prestige pro
IG Prestige mid
Liquidmetal Prestige Mid
Graphene prestige MP
Graphene Prestige Pro
Graphene Prestige Rev Pro

IG Extreme pro 2.0
Graphene Extreme Lite

Graphene instinct mp

Graphene speed pro
Graphene Touch speed MP

Wilson:

Pro Staff 95 6.1
2013 PS 95
blx 6.1 95 (16x18)
blx 6.1 team
Amplifeel 6.1 95 (16x18)
Amplifeel 6.1 Team (16x18 AND 18 x20)
KBlade98
BLX Blade 98 2010 (black and gold + pink)
2012 Blade 98 (black & silver)
2014 Blade98 (black & green)
2014 Blade 104
2015 Blade 98s

2012 BLX Pro open
PS 97
PS 97LS
Pro Staff 95s

Ultra 97

Prince

Prince Graphite 110
Prince Graphite 90
Prince Tour 100 (18x20)
Prince Tour 100T
Prince Tour 100T ESP
Prince Tour 98 ESP
Prince Warrior 100 ESP
Prince Warrior Pro 100
Prince Exo Tour 100 (16x18)
Prince Rebel 95 Team
Prince o3 White rehearsal
Prince Precision response rehearsal
Prince Classic Longbody
Prince Tour 100P

Volkl

C10 Pro
Organix 10 325


EDIT: Oh my god it's more shameful than I thought. When I'm done it's gonna be a disaster.


Dunlop

F3.0 Tour
M3.0
Bio 500 Tour
Aerogel 4d 300 Tour
Bio 100

Babolat

Pure Strike 16x19
Pure Strike 18x20
Pure Drive 2015
Aeroprodrive (1st model)
Aeroprodrive 2015
Pure Storm Gt
Pure Storm Team
Pure control
Pure control Tour
Project One7

Tecnifibre

Tfight ATP TP 305

Yonex

Rdis 100 mid
Vcore 98D
Vcore Xi98
Ai98
Ai98 Lite
Vcore Tour G310
DR 98
Duel G 97 (310g)

 

[Alex78]

What? Only 1 Völkl???
And I sure hope you're gonna include some Tecnifibres, Pacifics/Fischers, and Dunlops in your list. If not, I'd say you haven't really played any tennis so far

 

[sma1001]

Ask me anything you want.

Why did you demo so many?

What was the best from each manufacturer and why?

 

[lucky44]

Which one was most arm friendly?

 

[Absolute]

out of all the prestige mp, which one did you like the best in terms of feel and which one felt the softest?

 

[DonDiego]

out of all the prestige mp, which one did you like the best in terms of feel and which one felt the softest?

For feel, it would have to be the Youtek Mid. I absolutely loved it, but I need more help from a racquet. Among Prestige MPs, I liked the Microgel best. Softest would be the IG MP or the IG Prestige S.

Why did you demo so many?

What was the best from each manufacturer and why?

In part because I'm blind to reality and still think that a "holy grail'' is out there for me to find. In part because I've been injured (golfer elbow and shoulder), and this forced me to change racquets at a time where I was settled. In part because I have this bad habit of switching every time I lose a match

Head: Microgel Prestige MP and IG Radical MP
Babolat: Pure Storm GT
Dunlop: Aerogel 4D 300 Tour
Prince: Tour 100T (what I'm currently using)
Yonex: Vcore 98D
Wilson: No one really stands out, but I think the one I enjoyed most was the Amplifeel 6.1 Team (18x20). EDIT: The Pro Open is a great, underrated racquet. I'd pick this one.

Which one was most arm friendly?

Youtek Radical Pro
Prince Tour 100T ESP
Wilson Amplifeel 6.1 Team (18x20)
IG Radical MP

There aren't many high-stiffness racquets in this list.

 

[DonDiego]

Keep in mind that I've switched many more times than the number of racquets I listed. I went full circle many times, chasing back certain models 3-4 times...

Now, give me that crown.

 

[Zoolander]

I wanna know what the Prokennex Q Tour plays like, DonD. And i wanna know NOW!

 

[beltsman]

In this, I will shamelessly list all racquets I have tried/demo/bought/resold since 2013. Ask me anything you want.

Let's see:

Head:

Ti.Radical mp
Microgel radical Mp
Youtek radical mp
IG radical mp
Graphene radical mp
Youtek radical pro
IG Radical pro
Graphene radical pro
IG radical OS
Graphene Radical Rev
Graphene Radical S

Microgel Prestige MP
Microgel Prestige Pro
Youtek prestige mid
Youtek prestige mp
Youtek Prestige S
Graphene Prestige S
IG Prestige mp
IG Prestige pro
IG Prestige mid
Liquidmetal Prestige Mid
Graphene prestige MP
Graphene Prestige Pro

IG Extreme pro 2.0
Graphene Extreme Lite

Graphene instinct mp

Graphene speed pro

Wilson:

Pro Staff 95 6.1
2013 PS 95
blx 6.1 95 (16x18)
blx 6.1 team
Amplifeel 6.1 95 (16x18)
Amplifeel 6.1 Team (16x18 AND 18 x20)
KBlade98
BLX Blade 98 2010 (black and gold + pink)
2012 Blade 98 (black & silver)
2014 Blade98 (black & green)
2014 Blade 104

2012 BLX Pro open

PS 97LS

Prince

Prince Graphite 110
Prince Graphite 90
Prince Tour 100 (18x20)
Prince Tour 100T
Prince Tour 100T ESP
Prince Tour 98 ESP
Prince Warrior 100 ESP
Prince Warrior Pro 100
Prince Exo Tour 100 (16x18)
Prince Tour 100 (18x20)
Prince Rebel 95 Team
Prince o3 White rehearsal
Prince Precision response rehearsal
Prince Classic Longbody

Volkl

C10 Pro
Organix 10 325

***I am absolutely not done here. But am tired and it's late. Will continue tomorrow.***

EDIT: Oh my god it's more shameful than I thought. When I'm done it's gonna be a disaster.

EDIT: Ok, back at it!

Dunlop

F3.0 Tour
M3.0
Bio 500 Tour
Aerogel 4d 300 Tour

Babolat

Pure Strike 16x19
Pure Strike 18x20
Pure Drive 2015
Aeroprodrive (1st model)
Pure Storm Gt
Pure Storm Team
Pure control
Pure control Tour

Tecnifibre

Tfight ATP TP 305

Yonex

Rdis 100 mid
Vcore 98D
Vcore Xi98
Ai98
Ai98 Lite
Vcore Tour G310

You need to get going on the Volkls!!!

 

[BlueB]

What have you settled with, or at least what do you play with now? And why?

 

[DonDiego]

What have you settled with, or at least what do you play with now? And why?

I currently play with a Prince Tour 100T. First because it's not too heavy and it is soft, and this is what my shoulder needs after a tendonitis this winter. It's also a good frame to be consistent, as it's not too powerful and there's lots of "easy" spin to bring the ball down. I'm an aggressive 4.5 and power / plowthrough comes from technique, no need to wield an axe. I played with blades a lot this summer, but I find the Prince easier to play with and "safer" if I play 2-3 days in a row.

 

[DonDiego]

You need to get going on the Volkls!!!

I wanna know what the Prokennex Q Tour plays like, DonD. And i wanna know NOW!

Here in Canada, Volks and Pro Kennex are hard to find. Or else I would have tried a few, no doubt.

 

[beltsman]

Here in Canada, Volks and Pro Kennex are hard to find. Or else I would have tried a few, no doubt.

Ahh. Well that sucks big time. Order them!

 

[Wall Ball Wizard]

@DonDiego

Seriously, if you put all those racquet's attributes in a blender, you get the new Pure Strike.... BELIEVE THE HYPE!

 

[BlueB]

I currently play with a Prince Tour 100T. First because it's not too heavy and it is soft, and this is what my shoulder needs after a tendonitis this winter. It's also a good frame to be consistent, as it's not too powerful and there's lots of "easy" spin to bring the ball down. I'm an aggressive 4.5 and power / plowthrough comes from technique, no need to wield an axe. I played with blades a lot this summer, but I find the Prince easier to play with and "safer" if I play 2-3 days in a row.

Awesome that you've found a frame that suits all your needs! I love Prince too. I seem to always come back to O3 White, no matter what I try.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[mad dog1]

@DonDiego, you win the crown.

 

[Alex78]

All hail the king!
For what it's worth, I'm no slouch myself when it comes to switching rackets, and it's fun to me, but my achievements pale in comparison to the Don's

 

[Lucas2015]

Best and Worst QC (of specs) ?

Best and worst Paint durability?

Most solid and most hollow/cheap feeling?

in terms of brands first, and then any info you can give about specific models

 

[DonDiego]

@DonDiego, you win the crown.

I'll be satisfied when all racquetholic pretendents to the throne surrender their arms and kneel down before me. I know there are a few out there. I'll find you.

 

[Zielmann]

I'll be satisfied when all racquetholic pretendents to the throne surrender their arms and kneel down before me. I know there are a few out there. I'll find you.

Are you sure you wouldn't prefer that they surrender their racquets so you can try them all?

 

[DonDiego]

1-Best and Worst QC (of specs) ?

2-Best and worst Paint durability?

3-Most solid and most hollow/cheap feeling? in terms of brands first, and then any info you can give about specific models

1-Wilson was bad, especially the 6.1 line. But Head was bad too, with the IG radical MP. Not only the balance was completely different from one racquet to another, but the feel too. Some of them felt very hollow while others felt much more solid. Go figure.

Yonex is top notch, as is Dunlop and Prince, at least in my expeience.

2-Didn't notice any difference, really. Babolat Pure storm GT were really easy to break, as were the bumpers on the 6.1 Amplifeel line from Wilson.

3-I don't think you can rank in terms of brands, cause each brand has some hollow feeling and solid feeling racquets.
In terms of specific racquets: Head Prestige prior to IG are hard to beat for solid feel, as is the case for pretty miuch all older models (6.1 95 BLX, Kblade and Blade 98 2010, Prince Longbody or o3 White. The Tecnifibre felt very solid too. Extreme 2.0 would be an exception since it's not that old). Worst ones were: all the Graphene stuff, Wilson PS 97LS, and the lightest ones, of course.

 

[esgee48]

Whoa! 76 frames cited and going full circle several times! You have used more frames than anyone else here including those in the 'Racketholics' threads. I bow down to someone who has found his Holy Grail...FOR NOW.

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

To be a true holic, you have to keep several of the frames!! Congratulations on finding a frame that you currently are enjoying!! All Hail The Prince Tour 16x18!!! (psst. you know there is going to be a sickening update to that frame coming out early 2017 right?) ....just...one.....more....frame!!!!

 

[DonDiego]

To be a true holic, you have to keep several of the frames!! Congratulations on finding a frame that you currently are enjoying!! All Hail The Prince Tour 16x18!!! (psst. you know there is going to be a sickening update to that frame coming out early 2017 right?) ....just...one.....more....frame!!!!

No way! Damn...
No seriously, I'm a big fan of the O-Ports. So if Prince has stopped making those, I'll be fine.

 

[BlueB]

To be a true holic, you have to keep several of the frames!! Congratulations on finding a frame that you currently are enjoying!! All Hail The Prince Tour 16x18!!! (psst. you know there is going to be a sickening update to that frame coming out early 2017 right?) ....just...one.....more....frame!!!!

Hey John, have you played the Prince Tour Pro 16x18? Any insights?

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Mac33]

I'm still madly in love with the Yonex RDiS mid.

So solid on contact,laser precision feel from the 93 head size,can topspin or flatten it out at will.

The perfect blend of control and power.

It's 68 flex rating becomes addictive after a while too.

MVS Focus 1.18 mm string.

368g of muscle.

 

[DonDiego]

Oh-oh... falling in love with the Dunlop Bio 100. Never saw that one coming. With a leather grip, it's a Prestige Mid with a 16x19 pattern. Had to try it.

Looks like I'll be adding a new frame to the list! Going to try for two matches, tomorrow and Sunday.

 

[GBplayer]

You must be a Merchant Banker to afford that lot , do you need staff ?

 

[DonDiego]

Oh-oh... falling in love with the Dunlop Bio 100. Never saw that one coming. With a leather grip, it's a Prestige Mid with a 16x19 pattern. Had to try it.

Looks like I'll be adding a new frame to the list! Going to try for two matches, tomorrow and Sunday.

I put an end to that rather quickly. Hitting some serves was fun (as is always with thin beam 90-inch raquets), but I'm not gonna give it a real tryout.

On the other hand, I just got back my 3 IG Radical MP Played with them this morning and it was fantastic. I really, really believe this is MY stick. I went back to it at least 7 times despite all the racquets I've tried, so that says something. With 10g in the handle and Head Hawk 17 I have no complain at all. Looks like "76" will hold for a few more weeks, maybe all winter. Only thing I might indulge myself though is chasing a few cheap Youtek or Microgel versions for fun, but I'll stay in the Radical MP "family".

 

[Alex78]

I know what you're talking about - I keep going back to my LM Radical MP, too

 

[DonDiego]

You must be a Merchant Banker to afford that lot , do you need staff ?

Believe it or not, it didn't cost me that much. I'm lucky to have a friend who owns a store, and he lets me try racquets and trade the racquets I ditch for different ones, at a minimal cost.

Doesn't mean I would tell my wife about it though...

 

[DonDiego]

I know what you're talking about - I keep going back to my LM Radical MP, too

Hey, that one I've never tried. I think it's the most beautiful paintjob they did on the Radical.

 

[DonDiego]

I'm still madly in love with the Yonex RDiS mid.

So solid on contact,laser precision feel from the 93 head size,can topspin or flatten it out at will.

The perfect blend of control and power.

It's 68 flex rating becomes addictive after a while too.

MVS Focus 1.18 mm string.

368g of muscle.

It's very nice, yes. I found it a bit too much to handle though, and a bit stiff if you like full poly setups.

 

[Alex78]

Hey, that one I've never tried. I think it's the most beautiful paintjob they did on the Radical.

I concur - and it (the paint job) is in fact even a little deceptive. Wielding this stick in sunlight is one thing, but it really looks sublime with appropriate lighting indoors.

 

[DonDiego]

Just added the DR 98 to the list. Got two of them, beautiful sticks with great specs for what I like. Will demo throughout the week.

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

That is one of the few Prince frames I haven't tried out But I did pick up Diego's grail just for fun, added some lead and silicone and it is a fun frame!! All hail the racquet king!!!

 

[sma1001]

DonDiego - you still using the Prince 100T?

 

[DonDiego]

DonDiego - you still using the Prince 100T?

Nah... I wanted more plow, especially on serves. And I don't like tinkering with lead tape. I've been playing mostly with my IG Radical MPs for the past 4-5 weeks. I'm still looking for that slightly bigger, slightly more powerful Radical and the DR 98 could be it. Right now in my bag there's two of these, plus two IG Rads.

One frame that I'm missing and that I would be willing to try again is the Dunlop F3.0 Tour. Still don't know why I parted from them.

 

[Shroud]

There aren't many high-stiffness racquets in this list.

Yawn! Live a little Don Diego!

 

[DonDiego]

I think I've found my holy grail in the Wilson Ultra 97. Stay tuned!

 

[sbaniak]

I think you should consider flipping this thread around and listing the 5 or 6 rackets you have not yet tried and invite suggestions as to which order they should be tried in. I mean, you'll get to them all eventually on your own ... but this would give it a more exciting "blind date" kinda feel.

... just a thought.

 

[tegg96]

I think I've found my holy grail in the Wilson Ultra 97. Stay tuned!

Being the racqueholic that you are, why not try and get on board the Hype Machine that is the 2017 Pure Strike 16/19.
Like to hear your insights on this godly racquet.

 

[DonDiego]

Being the racqueholic that you are, why not try and get on board the Hype Machine that is the 2017 Pure Strike 16/19.
Like to hear your insights on this godly racquet.

I tried the previous version. What's so different (and special) with that one?

 

[beltsman]

I think I've found my holy grail in the Wilson Ultra 97. Stay tuned!

The suspense hangs in the air...

 

[tegg96]

I tried the previous version. What's so different (and special) with that one?

That is what we need to find out. If you check out the video review from the TW staff, they are gushing over the Pure Strike (projectone7) like its a rebirth of revolutionary racquetdom, far far better than previous version. So as you've properly tested more racquets than even the TW professional testers, you would provide a non biased perspective. Non biased in the sense your not receiving little packages in brown paper wrapping under the table.

 

[Power Player]

I think I've found my holy grail

Yes, the most cringeworthy phrase on the TT boards.

 

[DonDiego]

After a shoulder injury that made me hit with a 2-handed backhand for 6 months, I've completely lost my 1-handed backhand and am trying to get it back. 18x20 frames don't work anymore as I'm shooting long or in the lower part of the net all the time. Open patterns, low-powered frames are great for my 1-hander. I'm gonna demo a Pro Staff 95s (2014), what should I expect? (I played a few weeks with the Pro Staff 95 2012, and liked it a lot, except for serves where you really feel the wet noodle that it is. But other that that, it was great.)

 

[DonDiego]

The suspense hangs in the air...

Oh, I thought I had answered that. Well, here's one more example of "you should not look at written specs to choose your sticks". It was weird, without any plowthrough, and... just weird.

 

[graycrait]

LOL! And my friends call me a racket w....! I am a light weight. Now you need to apply Travelerjams chopping and weigthing to some of those rackets.

 

[JOSHL]

After a shoulder injury that made me hit with a 2-handed backhand for 6 months, I've completely lost my 1-handed backhand and am trying to get it back. 18x20 frames don't work anymore as I'm shooting long or in the lower part of the net all the time. Open patterns, low-powered frames are great for my 1-hander. I'm gonna demo a Pro Staff 95s (2014), what should I expect? (I played a few weeks with the Pro Staff 95 2012, and liked it a lot, except for serves where you really feel the wet noodle that it is. But other that that, it was great.)

Just made this my racquet of choice! Love the low swingweight and low power combo! Serves aren't as fast as other sticks but the accuracy is better. 2nd serves are better though. OHBH is great with this frame!