How do you convince yourself to play with an extremely valuable racquet?

shapovalovnextgoat

shapovalovnextgoat

Rookie
Say you are in possession of a pro stock frame, or a super rare racquet like the St. Vincent Prostaff. Would you regularly play with them? I can't get myself to play with such rare, pristine racquets. Of course, I've paid a good amount of money for them, and love seeing them on my wall. Having said that, I can never stop wondering what they play like, but also can't imagine any wear and tear from regular play on these beauties.

What would you do in such a dilemma? To those here that love collecting racquets that are old classics, rare frames or pro stocks, how do you get around to actually using them instead of it just being a show piece.
 
Yeah, but that rarely if ever happens though.

And if it does, then what? I’d rather enjoy stuff now while I can than possibly making profit somewhere down the line. I just don’t have a collector’s mindset.

Also, there are plenty of way better investement options out there. [emoji4]
 
Funnily, I've just answered in another thread that if I owned one of Boris Becker's frames -- one of my idols when I was a kid -- I just couldn't use it but keep it as new. So, how do I convince myself to play with such a tool? The truth is, I don't. Sorry for not bringing any valuable contribution to this topic 8-B.
 
How about hitting it against a ball machine for a session or 2 just to get the feel for it - that way you can avoid any scratches etc... do you still have the old strings in them?
 
OP the question you ask doesn't make much sense.

If you bought the racket as a memorabilia, you should keep it as such and if playing, only on a special occasion related to its history (which doesn't account for much playing).

If you bought it as an investment (as you indicate that your concern is), you shouldn't be playing with it at all, since that can lower or completely destroy its value.

If you bought is as a tool, the other two are of no consideration whatsoever, seeing that the racquet is highly prone to being scrapped at any given moment just by using it.

In other words, you shouldn't be asking yourself (or others) such questions of how you can have your cake, and eat it too.

8-)
 
I regret selling my two Bosworth Adidas GTX Lendls. I bought them new here a long time ago and never played with them. They were bought them as collectors items because he was my favorite player, but sold them because I lost my job at the time and needed the money. I should have kept one. They were sold it to someone here who I don't see around anymore. I did ask him many years later what he did with them and he said that he played with them and I think sold them.
 
shapovalovnextgoat said:
I’ve got old strings in some of the racquets, yes.
Click to expand...
Yeah so I doubt you would want to restring them and the old strings probably won’t get you what you are looking for in terms of how they feel when hitting. Agree with others - decide on why you bought them and get that utility out of them.
 
You might only use it once. And if it shows up to be the holy grail, I would happily hang it on the wall, when its services were over.
If it was a customized racket though, I would be hesitant to remove or tinker with the customisation.
 
The enjoyment of playing is worth more to me than the racquet.

Same with not driving a nice car or wearing nice clothes or eating on the good china.

Sometimes I drink out of the good glasses and if I break one I break one. But I'm not dumb so I won't use them outside for a BBQ or something stupid.

J
 
I use alone the half the my collection (60 raquets). With the other half (news or pristine condition), never play. I try to have at least two units of every model interesting.
Sorry : I know that my reply is a obvious.
 
If you’re a collector of such items and intend to display or resell the stick as memorabilia...do t play with it! Beyond that, does it make your game better?
 
I have owned many prostock rackets including several Edberg ps85's. I also have many stock ps85's and Im pretty sure I could not tell the difference so why risk playing one of the Edberg stock? My point is just get a stock model for playing and keep your scarce racket safe to protect your investment.
 
I have used every classic/rare frame I have. I rationalize it this way, when you are gone, you don't take anything with you. So why wouldn't you enjoy what your hard earned money as enabled you to acquire. We aren't going to be around forever, so why not enjoy it while you can. Even if the frame appreciates, it's not going to be life changing money.
 
i say play with it!; get a feel for what its like to play like your favorite tennis player (the reason why you bought it)!!
take it to your courts, and hit with your people
if they ask to borrow, say "sorry, no one but me",
only you! can care enough about that racquet, to not scratch it carelessly.
 
shapovalovnextgoat said:
Say you are in possession of a pro stock frame, or a super rare racquet like the St. Vincent Prostaff. Would you regularly play with them? I can't get myself to play with such rare, pristine racquets. Of course, I've paid a good amount of money for them, and love seeing them on my wall. Having said that, I can never stop wondering what they play like, but also can't imagine any wear and tear from regular play on these beauties.

What would you do in such a dilemma? To those here that love collecting racquets that are old classics, rare frames or pro stocks, how do you get around to actually using them instead of it just being a show piece.
Click to expand...

Burst the bubble - go out and play with it for the experience. The mystique of the racquet that's built up between your ears is handcuffing you. Once you realize that it doesn't produce highlight reel shots every time you swing at a ball, you'll get the enjoyment of having tried it, but you'll also see that it doesn't actually perform for you as well as your regular players. You won't kill it as long as you don't go scraping a low ball off the court or anything.

Funny that our pal 4-string weighed in earlier because I have an electric bass that's become a bit of a collector's item since I got it several years ago. I had the mystique thing going for a while, too, but then I played it with the band at a couple of practices and also at a gig. It wasn't as comfortable as my regular player, it didn't really make the sound that I wanted for our tunes, and I had to watch it like a hawk between sets. Pop!! So now I can put it away and not agonize about not using it while it perhaps gains a little more value as it ages.
 
For me I had to hit with every racquet I buy on the ball machine for a few hours, just out of the curiosity of what that pro feels when he hits a shot. I also love tinkering with my setup so trying out pro setups that had success is a fun way to see if I can take anything and try it on my racquet.

My mindset is the same as when companies try to sell you insurance on things like TV’s or computers: don’t buy anything you can’t afford to replace. I view the racquets I collect in the same way, that they’re a nice and fun item to display and use, and that if one flies out of my hand when I’m hitting with it and breaks, then I can always buy another one as soon as it’s up for auction. That being said, I’m still trying to source a Federer RF97 and K90, and those will be an exception to the rule due to their scarcity and price. I would still definitely hit with both of them once with a ball machine though just to see how his racquet feels and to try and blast forehands.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
If your curiosity is really that strong, Find another frame that is more used which you can play. If the value is going to be drastically deminished on your items such as signatured, pro customized, brand new in shrink wrap or etc than obviously don't play with them. But St Vincent and pro stocks are known for their performance and not their mantelpiece ability. You are really missing out on some enjoyment if you're not playing these sticks. Racquets are durable. It won't hurt to restring it and do some light hitting
 
shapovalovnextgoat said:
Say you are in possession of a pro stock frame, or a super rare racquet like the St. Vincent Prostaff. Would you regularly play with them? I can't get myself to play with such rare, pristine racquets. Of course, I've paid a good amount of money for them, and love seeing them on my wall. Having said that, I can never stop wondering what they play like, but also can't imagine any wear and tear from regular play on these beauties.

What would you do in such a dilemma? To those here that love collecting racquets that are old classics, rare frames or pro stocks, how do you get around to actually using them instead of it just being a show piece.
Click to expand...
Maybe not at the same price range but I purchased 2 of the red Laver Cup RFs last year and finally put one into play a couple of days ago. The first scrape on the frame really hurt me to the core but once that was done I got over it quick. Now I am thinking of putting the second piece into play.
 
I have an Jim Courier autographed St Vincent that I believe is one of his personal racquets. I haven't hit with it and won't. It is still strung with OG Jim Courier Micro.

Previous St Vincents I have owned I have had hits with - they weren't that valuable.
 
If you think it will appreciate, keep it as an investment. Really see no point in playing with it as there are many rackets that will play much better (unless you are a 6.5 rated player). If you derive enjoyment seeing it, and owning it, keep it new and enjoy showing it to your friends.
 
Just sell them and buy racquets you can play with. That’s what I do. I’ve had my share of valuable racquets and sold them as soon as I knew their value. I prefer to play older, beat up frames. New racquets cause me the agony of scrapes. The same is true of my cars.
 
I have four Pro Stocks in my regular rotation but I wouldn't consider them valuable. I don't know who used them (I could look it up but these racquets were errors so he doesn't use them anyways). If I bought a racquet as a collectable, say it was used by Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Agassi, Sampras, then I'd just store it. I also have an older set of three Pro Stocks that I used to use and will use when all of my current frames need strings (which isn't very often).

If you really want to know what it feels like, buy two of them and put one in a safe place. From personal experience, though, a racquet is just a racquet. That a great player used it is nice, but it's the player, not the racquet.
 
shapovalovnextgoat said:
True, but what if it’s a tool that appreciates in value, and you can actually end up making money off it in the future?
Click to expand...
Then it's no longer a tool but an investment.

However I would never buy a racquet unless I planned to play with it (perhaps an autographed one would be the exception)
 
jonestim said:
I have an Jim Courier autographed St Vincent that I believe is one of his personal racquets. I haven't hit with it and won't. It is still strung with OG Jim Courier Micro.

Previous St Vincents I have owned I have had hits with - they weren't that valuable.
Click to expand...
That's awesome. He was my favorite player when I first started playing. If I had that I would hang it on the wall.
 
shapovalovnextgoat said:
Say you are in possession of a pro stock frame, or a super rare racquet like the St. Vincent Prostaff. Would you regularly play with them? I can't get myself to play with such rare, pristine racquets. Of course, I've paid a good amount of money for them, and love seeing them on my wall. Having said that, I can never stop wondering what they play like, but also can't imagine any wear and tear from regular play on these beauties.

What would you do in such a dilemma? To those here that love collecting racquets that are old classics, rare frames or pro stocks, how do you get around to actually using them instead of it just being a show piece.
Click to expand...
Well you will play with it.. and then realize that you don't play any better with it than any other racquet and you will cry cause, now, it's not new anymore... just understand that and it will become crystal clear to you.
 
Get many of them and play them. May keep a nice one for collection.
I have six SV85's with one in 85-90% condition. I keep that nice one for collection and play with the rest.
 
Do you think they will appreciate enough to the point it makes sense to not play them? And what if they don't? Then you spent all these years for nothing.
 
I,ve thought about this situation for a while. I had a bit of a collection of racquets but they were manly racquets that I liked or interesting frames.
In the end I decided to sell most of them as I felt the money could be better spent on saving up for bigger items in terms of appreciation such classic cars.
If you can pick the right racquet you could make some money for sure. These days I like to live light and not hoard stuff so I tend to buy racquets for testing and research purposes and then on sell them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Customising an extremely light/UL racquet
Replies
11
Views
814
robin1982
R
L
What do you do with the racquets you don't really play with?
Replies
26
Views
2K
armsty
armsty
Crocodile
What do you do with your racquet collection ?
Replies
20
Views
1K
d-quik
d-quik
Z
  • Poll Poll
How many racquets do you play with?
Replies
15
Views
1K
zapvor
zapvor
Alafter
Waht to do with racquets you dont like nor hate...
Replies
9
Views
684
milo
M
Back
Top