Head Prestige users!

[Tigerarp1]

ok guys... I am really stuck and have no idea what to do. Here is the problem, I am using the i.prestige mid @58 with posg 16. I absolutely love this racquet from the baseline and on first serves. Honestly, I have never found a racquet that gives me the control on f-hands and b-hands that this racquet gives. The problem is, that I am trying to become an all-court player and finish most points at the net instead of bashing at the baseline (seems to be necessary to excell in College tennis). And the i.prestige seems to be too heavy/unwieldy/unmanuverable at the net. Now, my volleys are not that good, but everyone keeps telling me that it looks like i cant controll my racquet when up at net (and it feels that way too).

So here is the question? do you guys think that as I continue to work on my volleys and net game... that I will get stronger and be able to use the prestige? Or do you think I should switch to something a little lighter?

 

[spindoktur]

I use the MP version of the i.Prestige, and i find that it helps to choke up just a little bit when at the net... I do agree the the Mid is hefty, but I like its headlight-ness... don't know about your stick, but mine is about 9 pts HL @ a bit more than 12.5oz, and it feels nice at the net... its my reaction time that kills me... lol... switching racquets would just detract from all the other positives that you found in the i.prestige.. plus, you'd have to get used to a whole new feel...

 

[Tigerarp1]

I have heard some people talk about cutting off the sides of the CAP grommets... This would significantly lower the swingweight and weight and make the racquet more manuverable. Does anyone have any comments on this?

Right now my sticks weigh 13.4 oz and are 13pts head-light. The only thing I added was a wilson Leather Grip. I also used some lead to match all 4 of them. It was rediculouse how differnty they were... here are their original weights:
13 oz strung 10pts hl
12.5oz strung 9pts hl
11.9oz strung 7pts hl
11.3oz strung 3pts hl

It took me forever to match them all... and my only option was to match to the heaviest one.

Anyway... suggestions on the CAP grommet idea?

 

[Aeropro joe]

i found that using lighter rackets only helped marginally with my net play and drastically cut down on my other shots, so I kept my prestige. the only thing that helped me was practicing my footwork and reaction time on volleys. it also helps to come to the net at the right times and be in the right place to play the volley, the middle of the court next to the net isnt always the best place to stand. my biggest problem with volleys tho wasnt getting my racket there, but ending the point. (angle shots.)

 

[Tigerarp1]

anyone else?

 

[TheRed]

The Iprestige was good for my volleys but as good for my groundies so I　ｓｗｉｔｃｈｅｄ　ｔｏ　the classic mp. So I think it's a pretty good volleying stick. It also swings lighter than the LM prestige and in fact, I don't think it's very heavy for a players racquet. I suggest you stick w/ the racquet. Also, the first edition of the Ipres was heavier. I'm not sure which version you have.

 

[tarkowski]

anyone else?

13.4oz is in the upper range of what I hear people playing with. Even the most ardent mid-frame, heavy-racquet enthusiasts on this site seem to be under 13. So although I agree that footwork and practice are paramount, I feel trying something a little lighter would be a worthwhile experiment.

Given that a couple of your i.Prestiges are inherently lighter than 13.4, why not unlead them a few grams at a time and see what happens. It would be cheaper than buying a set of different frames altogether.

 

[wyutani]

didnt safin using that? or it is a paint job that he is using. oh, well, im pissed if he did...

 

[Tigerarp1]

alright...I think i will try to keep my prestige.... cause i just love it so much, but try to make it a little lighter by:
1. Removing the leather grip and using only 2 overgrips (takes off 1/2oz)
2. cutting the CAP part of the grommet strip off. I will only cut off the sides and leave the top part like on most other racquets. (removes 3/4oz)
This will bring the racquet down to a more respectable 12oz,
*I assume removing the sides of the CAP grommet will make the raccquet less stable, so i will probly add a little led at 3 and 9 until it feels good.

Hopefully, the end result will be a 12.4oz racquet with a slightly more head-heavy balance to make up for the lost mass in the head. And I will probly be able to drop the string tension from 58 to 54.

What do you guys think?

 

[DURICA533]

I use a ROK which is a similar racket and have used the Prestige many times. I used to have the same problem.

My long term fix was to work out.

I also found a contraption that is made for baseball pitchers/throwers that will work out your forearms. That made the biggest difference. Now when I get my racket out there, and I can do it relatively quickly, the racket does the rest of the work.

good luck

 

[bluegrasser]

Try a lighter Prestige, say the fxp mp.

 

[cabernetjunkie]

Stick with the prestige, thats a great racquet. Give youself some time to adjust to an all court game. Sounds like it really fits you if your fh and bh are that comfortable. HIT ALOT OF VOLLEYS!!!!!

 

[SFrazeur]

... here are their original weights:

13 oz strung 10pts hl
12.5oz strung 9pts hl
11.9oz strung 7pts hl
11.3oz strung 3pts hl

Did each racquet have different string on it? That could explain some of the

differences. Poly is heaver than Multi.

 

[Aeropro joe]

my prestige is only 12.2oz compared to ur i.prestige's 13.4 oz, so putting it on a diet would probably help.

 

[Tigerarp1]

no, the racquets all had similar synthetic gut and the same grips. I think I will try to acheive the 31.5cm ballance that almost all pros seem to use when i do my "trimming down". My racquet is extremely head-light right now...