Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Ironically there is a chance that I will pick 20 year old Profiles as the goto racket...
Good job, thats a long time without a racket purchase!
Have you managed to end your racquetholism? Please share your advices
- Thread starter DonDiego
- Start date
Good job, thats a long time without a racket purchase!
Cheers! I feel that way too, since my game isn't that high level anyway. Seems every time I switch racquets, I get completely new string too and I eventually adjust with enough time. Perhaps I just need something else to change while I keep the racquets and string setups the same. Lessons maybe? I always balk at the price/hr, and yet here I am spending more money on equipment.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
I am fairly certain I figured out the strings but I need to do some serving to know for sure. Lessons can be awesome or a waste of money. Really depends. But if you get the right coach it is really worth it.
I guess I won't really know until I try out some coaches. Just like racquets...or strings......****.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
I think you should if you want to get better. I tell all my friends who stress about rackets and such who need lessons to get lessons instead. The way things are these days one racket is about 2-3 lessons....
n8dawg6
Legend
no substitute for GOOD training. some dudes/gals will just take your money ...
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
YUP. The real challenge I have had is that most are old school and dont really seem to get or advocate "modern" strokes. They may be competent coaches but unable to teach what I am looking for. Honestly I got closer posting a vid here on the tips section.
So are you telling me that I should buy old school racquets to match the coach??? YES, YOU MUST BE!!!
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
PS85 rules!!
I would pay double for a coach who was an expert in using high sw rackets and a modern stroke and who could break down the components for me.
Coaches usually freak out at my large handle and "heavy" rackets.
Anyhow I will want to focus on playing and not the racket here soon...
Hnefi
Semi-Pro
I ended mine actually with a tournament loss... Was on the tail end of going through like 4-5 different racquets in a 10 month span, finally thought I had settled with one, and got whipped by an old gentleman who literally outran and outrallied me even though I probably had 25 years on him. After thinking about it, I was so mad that I didn't even make this guy beat me, I just beat myself and tried to play the hardest type of game possible by hitting out and hard on every shot.
From that point forwards I got something more suitable for an honest look of where my game was, and started putting time into my game instead of lead tape setups and demoing new "grail" sticks. Went down from maybe 10 racquets in my closet to 3 - 2 yonexes I play with, and one old radical I found in a garage sale and keep around for kicks.
From that point forwards I got something more suitable for an honest look of where my game was, and started putting time into my game instead of lead tape setups and demoing new "grail" sticks. Went down from maybe 10 racquets in my closet to 3 - 2 yonexes I play with, and one old radical I found in a garage sale and keep around for kicks.
If he outran and outrallied you, isn't that contradictory to you saying you beat yourself?
The Dark Knight
Legend
Respectfully.....you just proved my point .
"Granny sticks".....you are looking down on them and you are stuck with your ego and only using one type of stick . You will never find the holy grail.
These "granny sticks" as you Call them ....did you know Mark Woodforde played with a 106 head frame ?
Donnay who is known for making player sticks just came out with a 116 that they think is revolutionary ......it's made for high level players my friend
Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.
So either you enjoy racquet alcoholism (which is understandable) or your insane .
If you refuse to open your mind to different ideas you will end up with the same results and be trapped in racquet search hell....lik a hamster running on a wheel .
The choice is yours .....no need to respond .....it's your nightmare ....I don't need to comment anymore .
danbrenner
Legend
The fact that you even think that there's a holy grail makes me laugh. There are only desires specs and a wheelhouse that we ar comfortable in. And even though I called it a granny racquet it doesn't mean I haven't tried them. Because I have. I just don't like super light large headed sticks. and it just so happens that just about every pro and club player alike all over the world generally agr Es with me. Believe me it's no coincidence that every male pro in the top 1000 is using a normal weight and size frame. You sound like one of those people who are sucked into a religious cult and need to reassure yourself of your own ideals by shoving them down everyone else's throat or by over preaching them. No one cares what you use. Especially me. Sonic it's a 116 that uneanma use go for it. But just understand that it's a granny stick. Always was and always will be. And there's no holy grail. Just certain specs and feel that you are comfortable with. We usually refer to it as our wheelhouse. But u might wanna stop over analyzing people you come off a real ******. And that avatar isn't doing u any favors either. It seems that it has gotten into your head and you have taken the tone of batman when dishing out your moronic advice.
Peace
The Dark Knight
Legend
You don't get the point .....
This comfort zone you speak of ..... Im telling
You that you need to go outside of it ....not necessarily a "granny stick" but something very different than your comfort zone.
What you have been doing is not working .....and that's a fact because you are a alcoholic .
If you keep doing the same things you will get the same results .
Now I am glad that k made you laugh but you have also made me laugh .....you show how you are trapped in your private hell .
You talk about how it's no accident that the pros use about the same specs.....that's true because they have something in common: they are world class pro's .
But what the hell do you have in common with a world class pro ? Why on earth would you copy any equipment they use at all ? You don't play like them , train like them and you certain don't change your racquet after every set .
The strategy you have been using has not worked .....don't you think it's time you tried something radically different ? You keep trying the same specs and keep failing .
I can only lead a horse to water but I can't make him drink .
Finally I have no idea why on earth you would take this as a personal attack ? I don't think you have been using the right strategy .....that's my honest opinion.....you don't have to agree with it .
There's no point in arguing back and forth because there is no right answer as this is opinion.....
I can however tell you that for me my strategy has worked and I am playing with a stick that I would never have tried and that others as yourself look down on and laugh at .
But that's ok ....ill just keep on winning.
The Dark Knight
Legend
Ooops.
Hnefi
Semi-Pro
Not really. I lost because I tried to hit winners from everywhere and my (smart) opponent ran everything down. I eventually beat myself with errors.
After that match I realized that I was making tennis way too hard on myself, trying to play that low margin style with a pro spec frame.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Crocodile
G.O.A.T.
What i do is have 2 matched racquets as my playing frames and all the other racquets I buy are my experimental frames. I like to test racquets for 4 things:
1. Which racquet has the best arm safety
2. I like to compare then and now scenarios so I will hunt down prominent racquets from the 90,s and 80,s
3. I like to hunt down racquets that are unusual or somehow unique such as spin frames and different designs.
4. I like to by things that are rare
I hope to see myself as an enthusiast or researcher rather than a racquetholic but maybe I am delusional as well and OCD. I believe there is therapy for this and it's looking at your bank statement and realising that you need to give it a rest for a while.
Oh, BTW this forum is also responsible for my condition. When I read someone posting for some advice on a racquet or some comparison I sometimes feel the need to buy the racquets and do a thorough test myself then answer the forum post. And lately Iv'e developed an interest in finding Pro Stock frames and working out what's really under those paint jobs.
Overall there are worse things you could spend your money on right.
zoobears
Rookie
I am someone who at one point in the past, played through rain and snow. I owned maybe 30 rackets and perhaps have tried, borrowed, exchanged, bought and sold numerous frames.
I found myself out of the whole rackets game when i found myself less able to be as explosive as before. I'm 31 now and in the last few years I definitely felt some middle age happening to me. A 6.1 90 just wasnt working for me the same way now as it was when i was younger, full of testosterone and adrenaline. I found that this experience rather numbed me from tennis. I ended up sticking to the pure drive Roddick for its easy power and spin at the expense of fun, and sold 90% of my frames. I stayed with one racket. No more auction sites. My racketholicism ended.
Recently a friend asked me to help him bid on the auction site for a racket. And I found the plethora of deals just waiting to be snapped up. I bought 2 ai98 and an ncode blade 98. Now I'm back.
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
I found myself out of the whole rackets game when i found myself less able to be as explosive as before. I'm 31 now and in the last few years I definitely felt some middle age happening to me. A 6.1 90 just wasnt working for me the same way now as it was when i was younger, full of testosterone and adrenaline. I found that this experience rather numbed me from tennis. I ended up sticking to the pure drive Roddick for its easy power and spin at the expense of fun, and sold 90% of my frames. I stayed with one racket. No more auction sites. My racketholicism ended.
Recently a friend asked me to help him bid on the auction site for a racket. And I found the plethora of deals just waiting to be snapped up. I bought 2 ai98 and an ncode blade 98. Now I'm back.
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
Thanks for the great advice.
I would also add:
1. Use the same string too.
Strings and lead tapes/leather grips lead to additional problems.
Backhanded Compliment
Legend
Mostly I scratch that itch by moving around minute amounts of lead to my frames depending on the season
jonestim
Hall of Fame
Stop carrying other racquets in your bag.
For the last few months I have only had my three Textreme Tour 100Ps in my bag. Recently I was hitting with a guy who took about 15 years off who was interested in demoing new racquets. I stuffed my bag full of racquets and came to the court with 10 different ones from my closet. While he was demoing I pulled out some for myself with varying results. That ended up having me keep a couple in my bag next to my 100Ps. Forward to yesterday. I got to the court early and was practicing serves and hitting against the wall with my 100Ps and something just felt off. I pulled out one of the other frames and had better results. Then my hitting partner showed up and I quickly lost serve twice and was down 0-3. I pulled out my 100P and ended up losing 6(4)-7. The other racquets will be coming out of the bag again. If I'm hitting poorly it is because I am hitting poorly, not because the the racquet is a problem
For the last few months I have only had my three Textreme Tour 100Ps in my bag. Recently I was hitting with a guy who took about 15 years off who was interested in demoing new racquets. I stuffed my bag full of racquets and came to the court with 10 different ones from my closet. While he was demoing I pulled out some for myself with varying results. That ended up having me keep a couple in my bag next to my 100Ps. Forward to yesterday. I got to the court early and was practicing serves and hitting against the wall with my 100Ps and something just felt off. I pulled out one of the other frames and had better results. Then my hitting partner showed up and I quickly lost serve twice and was down 0-3. I pulled out my 100P and ended up losing 6(4)-7. The other racquets will be coming out of the bag again. If I'm hitting poorly it is because I am hitting poorly, not because the the racquet is a problem
Backhanded Compliment
Legend
Well I carry other racquets but for some reason I groove so much with my main that I only iuse them for some serving or hitting against a wall. Maybe the real message is having strokes that demand being grooved. My backhand is Wawrinka-esque and when I make changes I end up missing by 3-6 inches consistently.... I just hate that feeling.
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
I also need help. I rationalize it by saying this or that. My go to is that I can always sell it and make my money back because it's such a good deal.
I'm down to deciding between two frames. Between the models, I have 2 and 5 frames respectively.
Of course, that's nothing compared to the rest of the collection and I don't consider myself a collector.
I'm down to deciding between two frames. Between the models, I have 2 and 5 frames respectively.
Of course, that's nothing compared to the rest of the collection and I don't consider myself a collector.
CopolyX
Hall of Fame
Why? Am I hurting anyone? Well, ok..maybe driving my wife a bit crazy. Luckily she has a bit of the disorder also. But hey..plus it help the slowly growing tennis industry economy.
Now I will also do racquet donations to my local usta for kids and seniors getting into the game, that afford the proper equipment.
Whatever you give, you will receive twofold....
Have fun, bottomline....share and learn...keep your eye on the ball...
Now I will also do racquet donations to my local usta for kids and seniors getting into the game, that afford the proper equipment.
Whatever you give, you will receive twofold....
Have fun, bottomline....share and learn...keep your eye on the ball...
smalahove
Hall of Fame
I have two RF97As on the way. This is will be the 4th and 5th RF97A I buy, now in grip size two with matching specs.
They will be added to a pretty full arsenal on rotation: 2x Pure Strike Tour, 2x Tour Textreme 95, 2x 6.1 95S.
I have found one thing: this time around, I won't be selling the other frames for a long time, as I've found out I appreciate and tinker with diff setups and opt for different frames as my tennis skills (still) evolve.
They will be added to a pretty full arsenal on rotation: 2x Pure Strike Tour, 2x Tour Textreme 95, 2x 6.1 95S.
I have found one thing: this time around, I won't be selling the other frames for a long time, as I've found out I appreciate and tinker with diff setups and opt for different frames as my tennis skills (still) evolve.
M Pillai
Semi-Pro
I doubt "end of search" claim in 2 months. So what stick are you using now?
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Looks like you answered your own question.
You don't surf......you surf. Yep, that's crazy.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
I've fallen off the wagon with the Pacific Pro 1
Consider this. I"ve been a pro level surfer, 4A in California, surfing 6 days a week, with at least 2 of those double sessions. THAT is surfing to me. Fully sponsored (FREE boards) from several companies, Oneill VIP sponsorship. Surfing less than 10 days a month is NOT surfing at all.
All these "surfer's" around who say they surf are just pretender's. Like a 3.0 level tennis player saying he's a "tennis player". NO HE"S NOT. He's just learning.
As for the 4A. That is the highest level a surfer, pro or amateur, can reach in California. I won a combined 1A, 2A, 3A, and placed 5th in the 4A in a Steamer Lane contest back in '68. That gave me enough points in 4A to get an automatic entry into any 4A event for the following 2 years. I entered 4 total 4A events, never placing worse than 12th, ensuring another 2 years of automatic entry without needing to qualify. I sustained a 6 screw, wire, plate tib/fib break racing my first motocross in 1971, which is why I"m not written up in Surfer or Surfing Magazine through those years. I am listed in the credits for both Surfing California, and Windfinder. My name appears in several big wave surfing books.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Read the post I replied to and tell me if you see the incongruity.
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
By pivoting to GuitarGear-Aholism
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Zlatni
Rookie
Been there and I hate to say it, but that is way worse. [emoji12]
At least in tennis you are looking for that one racquet that you can use all the time. When you are talking about guitars, there is no "one." Each guitar has its own sound.
You could buy one of those line 6 guitars and amps, but we keep telling ourselves that there is no substitute for real Fender Tweed DLX or ash body Tele with vintage wound pickups.
And of course the biggest problem is finding space to store all the gear. There is no way I can conspicuously hide my 1960AHW 4x12 cabinet. [emoji51]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
el sergento
Hall of Fame
Never say never and all that, and well, there're no cure for an addictive personality, and sooner or later I'll be lying in bed and random babies carrying the latest Yonex's or whatever will be crawling on my ceiling both taunting and horrifying me...................................................BUT
..................... I think I'm cured
Here's what I did. Instead of little changes here and there, essentially getting the exact same racket but from different brands and then mucking around with lead tape and voodoo dolls and leather grips and whatnot just to get the same results. I thought long and hard about what I really wanted from a racket and what would get me more W's. For me, that was power off the ground and off the serve. I can't volley, have ok but not great touch and "feel" never did anything for me except drive me towards some pretty limp-@#$% sticks that couldn't kill a fly.
So, instead of incremental change, I just went for the biggest, stiffest racket I could get my hands on that wouldn't kill my shoulder and forgot about "feel", "muteness" , "crispness", "ball-pocketing", "lushness", "scent", "MGr=mc2" and all the other thousand tennis-porn subcategories that TT junkies hyperinflate out of proportion.
What did I settle for?? Just probably the most popular racket on the planet.............. the APD. That's right, I'm not special, and I'm not, as LeeD pointed out, a tennis player....................... I'm just a freakin' 4-4.5 hacker trying to learn not to suck.
................. see you all back here in 6 months when I go back to my PS85, leaded to 16oz (20 pts head-light) and strung with weedwhaker line
..................... I think I'm cured
Here's what I did. Instead of little changes here and there, essentially getting the exact same racket but from different brands and then mucking around with lead tape and voodoo dolls and leather grips and whatnot just to get the same results. I thought long and hard about what I really wanted from a racket and what would get me more W's. For me, that was power off the ground and off the serve. I can't volley, have ok but not great touch and "feel" never did anything for me except drive me towards some pretty limp-@#$% sticks that couldn't kill a fly.
So, instead of incremental change, I just went for the biggest, stiffest racket I could get my hands on that wouldn't kill my shoulder and forgot about "feel", "muteness" , "crispness", "ball-pocketing", "lushness", "scent", "MGr=mc2" and all the other thousand tennis-porn subcategories that TT junkies hyperinflate out of proportion.
What did I settle for?? Just probably the most popular racket on the planet.............. the APD. That's right, I'm not special, and I'm not, as LeeD pointed out, a tennis player....................... I'm just a freakin' 4-4.5 hacker trying to learn not to suck.
................. see you all back here in 6 months when I go back to my PS85, leaded to 16oz (20 pts head-light) and strung with weedwhaker line
Pmasterfunk
Hall of Fame
For me, solving the problem was realizing I play like feces no matter what racquet I use.
Now that's a problem worth keeping!
swizzy
Hall of Fame
you will hit rock bottom.. i was bad, thought it would be fun.. pretty easy to get started. you get a few nice finds for a song and you are hooked. my main quest was looking for different qualities in a frame i would play with and grabbed tons along the way i would never play with for various reasons. the reality is i love the ps 85..and it's cousin the 90. when i play it is my only choice. the room with the racquets was a distraction from this basic truth. they are still very cool because i love tennis..and if i sell them there is profit in every one. i only resold one group over the years. i picked up 8 never strung mint prince racquets for $35 on craigslist.. mostly variations on the graphic and 2 borons. i made over $1800 on the bay and this propelled me on to further clutter the walls of the racquet room.. should have just booked a cruise instead.
Mine ended as my skills progress. Over the years, I gradually play better games with all the racquets I have but one just felt better than the rest and changes of racquets, string tensions or even overgrips would have a noticeable impact on my strokes. Due to whatever reason, that one racquet happens to be a Prestige Tour 600. It is old but well-maintained, so I decided to stick to it. Racquets may compliment my strokes but it's up to me to decide how to strike.
Carefree
Rookie
I'm working on this. I used to be bad, now it's just a new frame (x2) every year. I'll watch the TW racquet reviews in bed in the spring and my girlfriend will say "Is it that time of year again?".
But, this year is different (I know, I know). I went for a platform frame. I contacted a racquet customizer that my friend used. A guy that used to play on tour and has customized racquets for some pros. We had a long chat about racquets and went over some of my past frames and why those didn't work. I took my old frames over to his house and we went over the specs of them. I swung a few of the frames that he had lying around to see if they felt maneuverable, not, etc....
It was actually kind of an odd experience. His room in his basement is just full of racquets and parts. A box of old frames including some Head pro stock hairpins. A bunch of stuff from some of the top junior players in Canada. All I could think was: What the hell am I doing here? I have to be the worst player he's ever done work for.
Anyway, he helped me come up with a list of possible racquets. I demoed a few and just based it on feel. Crisp, damp, etc.
He did one of my frames, I hit with it, then gave him my feedback and we made a few tweaks including strings and tensions.
I think this is THE one.
But, this year is different (I know, I know). I went for a platform frame. I contacted a racquet customizer that my friend used. A guy that used to play on tour and has customized racquets for some pros. We had a long chat about racquets and went over some of my past frames and why those didn't work. I took my old frames over to his house and we went over the specs of them. I swung a few of the frames that he had lying around to see if they felt maneuverable, not, etc....
It was actually kind of an odd experience. His room in his basement is just full of racquets and parts. A box of old frames including some Head pro stock hairpins. A bunch of stuff from some of the top junior players in Canada. All I could think was: What the hell am I doing here? I have to be the worst player he's ever done work for.
Anyway, he helped me come up with a list of possible racquets. I demoed a few and just based it on feel. Crisp, damp, etc.
He did one of my frames, I hit with it, then gave him my feedback and we made a few tweaks including strings and tensions.
I think this is THE one.
crazyups
Professional
One of the positives of getting older is you get to justify your racquetholism. And I was on my way to rehab until I realized the reason I am losing some speed and strength is because I am about to turn 57. Now I am in the market for bigger, more powerful frames(for singles). I mean 102-107 headsize frames, maybe slightly extended and lighter. So 1 more year of holism until I go back to rehab.
smalahove
Hall of Fame
Ha,ha, what a fool! Now, wait a minute ...
So, 18 frames later, what wisdom do I have to share with you peeps this time around?
There is no magic frame. There hasn't been any game-changing new tech in decades, just different offerings from company to company and from year to year. Stick with the stick that makes you enjoy your tennis.
Oh look, Prince's launching a new line
D
Deleted member 742196
Guest
Not as frenzied as some of ya’ll on these forums - no doubt TW’s inability with shipping overseas has helped.
The past three years I’ve probably bought about 30 frames in a quest to move away from the Pro Staff 85. And it was a quest, these just no damn way I have the athleticism to use the PS85 for matches - except I was hooked.
My quest this year finally reached its end with the following path:
PS90 >> TC97 >> PS95 >> TC95.
Now I’ve ordered three TC95’s and gosh dammit, 1 TC90. Stupid Stupid Stupid - I should not have ordered the TC90. If I end up preferring it to the TC95 I’ll have screwed myself over again.
The goal was to find a frame 95+.
The past three years I’ve probably bought about 30 frames in a quest to move away from the Pro Staff 85. And it was a quest, these just no damn way I have the athleticism to use the PS85 for matches - except I was hooked.
My quest this year finally reached its end with the following path:
PS90 >> TC97 >> PS95 >> TC95.
Now I’ve ordered three TC95’s and gosh dammit, 1 TC90. Stupid Stupid Stupid - I should not have ordered the TC90. If I end up preferring it to the TC95 I’ll have screwed myself over again.
The goal was to find a frame 95+.
TC90 is an awesome racquet - haven't tried the other Angell's - but love it way more than the PS90. It let's me do anything I want with the ball, provided I am able to do it - and I don't think more square inches would make much difference. Of course, I still have tons of other racquets - and have the Volkl PB10 Mid coming for Christmas, but there you go - I don't see moving away from the TC90 for a while.
