I find it almost impossible to have a sustained rally with a k90.

[Claudius]

Does anyone think the k90 is a difficult racquet to play with? It vastly improved my serve, and it's heavenly when I hit it right in the sweet spot, but it's so hard to get into long rallies. Particularly when I go for the "kill" shot, I'll usually shank.

Will my ground game improve as I get more used to this frame, or is the k90 just not for me?

 

[stormholloway]

You need to prepare earlier. You can't muscle the ball. Make sure when you're striking the ball that the energy is in the raquet head and not in your arm.

Start slowly and eventually you'll have found your rhythm and timing. The K90 is so solid from the baseline if you have your timing down.

 

[Deleted member 19728]

^^^ totally agree, it takes a solid month of hitting to really adjust to it, but once you do it is an amazing raquet.

 

[G-12]

You need to prepare earlier. You can't muscle the ball. Make sure when you're striking the ball that the energy is in the raquet head and not in your arm.

Start slowly and eventually you'll have found your rhythm and timing. The K90 is so solid from the baseline if you have your timing down.

Very well said.

 

[tailofdog]

Drop

Does anyone think the k90 is a difficult racquet to play with? It vastly improved my serve, and it's heavenly when I hit it right in the sweet spot, but it's so hard to get into long rallies. Particularly when I go for the "kill" shot, I'll usually shank.

Will my ground game improve as I get more used to this frame, or is the k90 just not for me?

I find that once i drop below 93 sq in head size i shank too many balls.
So you are not alone.

 

[Mick]

maybe you strung it too tight or your opponent was too tough

 

[quest01]

The K90 isn't designed for baseline bashing, its designed for serve and volley and all court players. Midsize racquets in general are designed for serve and volley type players while mid plus racquets are designed for aggressive baseliners. The only way to improve your baseline game is by switching to a mid plus racquet, unless you want to work on your serve and volley and all court game. All racquets are designed for specific people, thats why you need to match your skill level and style of play with the racquet you choose.

 

[Mick]

The K90 isn't designed for baseline bashing, its designed for serve and volley and all court players. Midsize racquets in general are designed for serve and volley type players while mid plus racquets are designed for aggressive baseliners. The only way to improve your baseline game is by switching to a mid plus racquet, unless you want to work on your serve and volley and all court game. All racquets are designed for specific people, thats why you need to match your skill level and style of play with the racquet you choose.

my feeling is, if you think about your choice of racquet (whatever it is) while playing a match, then that racquet is probably not suitable for you.

 

[slice bh compliment]

... I'll usually shank. ....

Not to worry, same with Federer.


[kidding]
Yeah, man, it's a small head. Great stick, and I have enjoyed demo'ing it (loved the Tour 90). But, I think there are other choices with the same weight, better feel and a liiiittle bit larger head.

I'm kind of a purist, too, but there are tons of good 93, 95 and even some 98 sq in headed frames that feel great, given the right strings, grip and specs.

i.e.,
Dunlop ag 200, Head MG PRestige Pro, Babolat Pure Storm LTD and Tour, Dunlop ag 300 tour, Fischer m-comp 95 and M-speed 98, and probbaly a few others.

But if it's that hard, braided feel you love, go with this Wilson 90 and learn to prepare better and line things up better. I personally think that's a tall order against guy who serve huge and make me have to either grind out points and mix in some defense into the attacking game.

 

[LeeD]

Well, if you shank a shot, it can't be the pilot holding the racket, can it?
They rallied over 30 shots when they used 60 sq in rackets, did'nt they?

 

[stormholloway]

I've gone through bouts of shanking with the K90 and it's not pretty. The more I shanked, the less faith I had in my swing and the worse my swing got. There were times when I would go out there and swing those little Sharapova lasso forehands all day without ever driving through the ball because I was afraid of mistiming.

You have to start slowly and find good rhythm, get the ball on the sweet spot a few times. Then you'll begin to reproduce that feeling. I gave up on the racquet simply because I couldn't dial in serves at all.

 

[ipitythefool]

OP, what kind of strings do you have on it?
May I suggest that you fork the cash and put gut mains and alu rough at mid tension? You will thank me

 

[prjacobs]

What frame were you using before the k90? It sounds like it's not the best fit for your game. It you can't rally with it and can't put the ball away with it, you're history, unless you're playing my mom . Actually my mom in her prime was a champion..... Try something else. I would bet that many people play with the k90 because they think that they should, when in fact, it's too much for most players.

 

[Jagman]

Originally posted by stormholloway:

You need to prepare earlier. You can't muscle the ball. Make sure when you're striking the ball that the energy is in the raquet head and not in your arm.

Start slowly and eventually you'll have found your rhythm and timing. The K90 is so solid from the baseline if you have your timing down.

This bears repeating, as this advice is everything you need to know in a nutshell. The K90 is not necessarily an easy racquet to play with because of its mass. If you are willing to let that mass do most of your work for you, the K90 will reward good technique, concentration, and smoothness of motion.

Smooth is fast. If you try to muscle the stick to get speed, you are going to end up fighting all that mass. You have to be physically relaxed, but mentally alert.

I've had some memorable long rallies with my oldest son, using the K90, and it isn't even my main stick (although I do go back quite a ways with the PS85 and generally heavy, stiff racquets).

The K90 isn't for everyone; no one racquet can make that claim. While I like to hit occasionally with almost any of the prostaff family, they are demanding racquets, and a lessening of concentration, endurance, preparation, or patience can quickly lead to frustration. I opt to use a slightly more forgiving stick, the Yonex RDiS 100 Mid, for regular play.

The K90 is a great racquet in many respects. You shouldn't shy away from it because of a few bad experiences. On the other hand, you shouldn't feel any reluctance to walk away from it if you find something that suits you or your game better. Plenty to choose from out there and the field just keeps getting bigger.

Keep practicing and improvement will come. Good Luck!

 

[mawashi]

Does anyone think the k90 is a difficult racquet to play with? It vastly improved my serve, and it's heavenly when I hit it right in the sweet spot, but it's so hard to get into long rallies. Particularly when I go for the "kill" shot, I'll usually shank.

Will my ground game improve as I get more used to this frame, or is the k90 just not for me?

The way I see it is, either you work at it till you get better using this stick or you need to see what works best for you n change to something else.

The K90 isn't that difficult to use but it is difficult to master as are a lot of mids.

mawashi

 

[Alley Cat]

The k90 is a fun stick for me to use when I am "on" (which is not nearly often enough!). Great control and heft....and surprisingly maneuverable. But when I play competitively as I get older I am finding that a 98 or 100 is needed for me to have success on court. With the k90 I just could not play a consistent or powerful enough game to compete. As I said, though, it is a sweet frame to hit with.

 

[stormholloway]

The K90 isn't that difficult to use but it is difficult to master as are a lot of mids.

Aside from Jagman's excellent comments, yours is key too. The question is: is it worth it to take the time to master such a demanding frame, which will certainly reward you down the line, or is it more important to find something suited to your level now so you can win some matches and get some confidence?

I think the answer is this: if you're thinking about your gear, your gear isn't right. It's been said before but it's wholly true.

 

[mawashi]

Aside from Jagman's excellent comments, yours is key too. The question is: is it worth it to take the time to master such a demanding frame, which will certainly reward you down the line, or is it more important to find something suited to your level now so you can win some matches and get some confidence?

I think the answer is this: if you're thinking about your gear, your gear isn't right. It's been said before but it's wholly true.

Exactly, just look at how many pros are using mid sticks? Honestly, who cares what type of stick you're using so long as you're good at using it.

Agassi (OS), Nadal (100), Del Potro (mp)... etc, etc.

There're guys who hit fine with a mid from day one but for the rest of us, it's easier to get a reasonably easy to use stick, get a coach, improve further than to beat yourself to death with something that doesn't suit your game.

mawashi

 

[Mick]

Exactly, just look at how many pros are using mid sticks? Honestly, who cares what type of stick you're using so long as you're good at using it.

Agassi (OS), Nadal (100), Del Potro (mp)... etc, etc.

There're guys who hit fine with a mid from day one but for the rest of us, it's easier to get a reasonably easy to use stick, get a coach, improve further than to beat yourself to death with something that doesn't suit your game.

mawashi

well, imo it's easier to use a mid size racquet at the amateur level because not everyone is at the same level like in the pro.
if you are a half a level above the people you play with, you can pretty much use any kind of racquet to play with.

 

[aimr75]

hey weren't you the guy who claimed you could take chris evert in a match? and you say you struggle to sustain rallies with a particular racquet? :lol:

 

[matchmaker]

The K90, if you compare it with other brands is actually rather 93 square inch, because Wilson measures from the outer rim of the racquet head.

It is very close to a 95 s.i., so if you shank I think you would have to move up to a 100 s.i. frame.

I rather think that it might be the weight distribution than the sheer head size.

If you look at the racquet power zone calculator on TW, you will see that the K90 actually has one of the biggest sweetspots out there.

What you might be looking for is a little less swingweight, that would help you to be on time with your preparation.

But if I were you, I would stick to the K90 and try to improve my footwork and preparation. You have to think on long term: are you going to play all court tennis or are just just going to stay at the baseline?

I do think BTW, you can sustain a long baseline rally with the K90.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

The K90 isn't designed for baseline bashing, its designed for serve and volley and all court players. Midsize racquets in general are designed for serve and volley type players while mid plus racquets are designed for aggressive baseliners. The only way to improve your baseline game is by switching to a mid plus racquet, unless you want to work on your serve and volley and all court game. All racquets are designed for specific people, thats why you need to match your skill level and style of play with the racquet you choose.

Um, no I play just fine with a mid from the backcourt. I'm trying to become an all court player, but it holds up just fine from the baseline.

 

[J011yroger]

Myself, BHBH, and Geoff, had a 115 ball rally on clay and all three of us were using K90s.

Not dinky warm up strokes either.

One of my friends is the poor man's Giles Simon, and we get into the most fierce groundstroke points. With me basically throwing the kitchen sink at him, and him standing in and turning it back on me. We have many points over 30 strokes.

So in answer to your question...no.

J

 

[mawashi]

The K90, if you compare it with other brands is actually rather 93 square inch, because Wilson measures from the outer rim of the racquet head.

It is very close to a 95 s.i., so if you shank I think you would have to move up to a 100 s.i. frame.

I rather think that it might be the weight distribution than the sheer head size.

If you look at the racquet power zone calculator on TW, you will see that the K90 actually has one of the biggest sweetspots out there.

What you might be looking for is a little less swingweight, that would help you to be on time with your preparation.

But if I were you, I would stick to the K90 and try to improve my footwork and preparation. You have to think on long term: are you going to play all court tennis or are just just going to stay at the baseline?

I do think BTW, you can sustain a long baseline rally with the K90.

Really a K90 is more a 93? Just where do you get your info?

A K90 is 90 sq in... http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=295535

mawashi

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

I use a K90 too, and it does take a while to get used to. Ive gotten really used to mine and I cant imagine using any other racquet now.

 

[Fed Kennedy]

what did you use before? the only way to get down with the k90 is to log many hours with the k90. Fed shanks a lot too: it's a small racquet...

 

[BreakPoint]

The K90 isn't designed for baseline bashing, its designed for serve and volley and all court players. Midsize racquets in general are designed for serve and volley type players while mid plus racquets are designed for aggressive baseliners. The only way to improve your baseline game is by switching to a mid plus racquet, unless you want to work on your serve and volley and all court game. All racquets are designed for specific people, thats why you need to match your skill level and style of play with the racquet you choose.

Hmmm....Jim Courier was an aggressive baseliner and he won many Grand Slams using an even smaller 85 sq in. PS 6.0 85. And don't get me started on Lendl and Borg, who both used even smaller racquets from the baseline. :shock:

 

[BreakPoint]

As someone else mentioned earlier, it also depends on what types of racquets you're used to playing with. If you grew up playing with standard wood racquets or something like the PS 6.0 85 or Max 200G, the K90 shouldn't be hard for you to use. However, if you grew up using big-headed, powerful racquets like a Pure Drive or a granny stick, the K90 may just be too much for you to handle. You may want to consider switching to something bigger and lighter.

 

[BreakPoint]

The K90, if you compare it with other brands is actually rather 93 square inch, because Wilson measures from the outer rim of the racquet head.

It is very close to a 95 s.i ., so if you shank I think you would have to move up to a 100 s.i. frame.

Not true. I've measured the head (stringbed) of the K90 several times and it is exactly 90 sq. in.

 

[SteveI]

What frame were you using before the k90? It sounds like it's not the best fit for your game. It you can't rally with it and can't put the ball away with it, you're history, unless you're playing my mom . Actually my mom in her prime was a champion..... Try something else. I would bet that many people play with the k90 because they think that they should, when in fact, it's too much for most players.

"I would bet that many people play with the k90 because they think that they should, when in fact, it's too much for most players."

Truer words were never posted. While many are well suited to play with this fine frame..many play with this frame based on TT hype and wanting the frame Fed is playing. Work on your game, fitness and demo..demo..

 

[fuzz nation]

It could just be that the racquet is a bad fit and its combo of weight, balance, and flex simply aren't meshing with your strokes. I've had bad fits with smaller and larger frames - remember that you still have to put the ball on the sweetspot, even if you're using a 100 sq inch racquet.

When I was trying just about every hefty frame I could get my hands on, I actually struck upon an much better fit with the 92 sq. inch NXG mid than with the same model of racquet in its 100 sq. inch midplus version. Despite the smaller hoop, I could immediately put the ball on the heart of my strings with that mid and rally like a fiend with it from the baseline. With the midplus, I was less consistent and couldn't use it as well. That experience made me worry less about headsize than finding that elusive "good fit".

If you've only been shredding with the K for a couple of weeks, you may need to consider that your settling in period with this racquet could take a few months. I'd also offer that if you just can't gain any confidence with that racquet, you should stop fighting with it. Aside from any necessary transition period (shaky yet enjoyable), I think that your gear should not be a distraction. If you're beyond it, you can concentrate on your game. If not, then it's holding you back.

 

[quest01]

Hmmm....Jim Courier was an aggressive baseliner and he won many Grand Slams using an even smaller 85 sq in. PS 6.0 85. And don't get me started on Lendl and Borg, who both used even smaller racquets from the baseline. :shock:

Thats completely untrue, Jim Courier was an all court player not just a baseline basher so the category he would fall into would be the racquet he used during his tour days, the PS85. As I stated before midsize racquets are designed for serve and volley AND all court players.

 

[stormholloway]

Jim Courier wasn't a baseliner? Dude you're on a roll. Don't stop!

 

[quest01]

Jim Courier wasn't a baseliner? Dude you're on a roll. Don't stop!

You need to read what I posted, hes an all court player not just a baseline basher. All court players play from all areas of the court including the baseline, come on you should know that. lol

 

[stormholloway]

You need to read what I posted, hes an all court player not just a baseline basher. All court players play from all areas of the court including the baseline, come on you should know that. lol

But he's not an all court player. Coming to the net occasionally doesn't make you an all court player. Finishing a point at net when the opportunity is presented on a silver platter doesn't make you an all courter.

Courier was the prototypical baseliner in every way. Borg served and volleyed at Wimbledon but he was still a baseliner.

 

[SteveI]

You need to read what I posted, hes an all court player not just a baseline basher. All court players play from all areas of the court including the baseline, come on you should know that. lol

Sorry to say man.. Jimbo was not an all-court player, His volley skills were not his strong point. I remember him trying to improve his volley when the rest of his game was going south.. looking to make changes to enhance his overall game. It was not pretty. I have to laugh when he is calling a match and he says that so and so just "bricked" that volley. Guy had hands of stone. Under the term "baseline basher" there is a pic of Jimbo. He was not all court either. Andy Murray and Fed are all court players.

 

[markwillplay]

if you are having trouble with the k90 (I did as well) and do not want to put in the time (months) to adjust, I would suggest a becker mid. Well, they don't make them any moe so maybe not such a good suggestion....but, I immediately played better with it. I still shank balls and have been looking abigger stick lately (becaue I have too much time on my hands recovering from injury) however, I have only really played with the becker for about 2 months and I really think I hit well with it right off the bat. I don't know what it was but the sweetspot was easier for me to hit consistantly...no doubt. It was also easier to swing. If you want to stay 93 or so...I really recommend finding a couple of these...or perhaps look at the pb 10 mid as some of the guys playing with that have had great experiences.

I found the k90 to be a little over my head in long matches...if I was on or playing someone who was not as good, no problem..if I was facing a lot of pace and spin and playing someone who was better...I was in trouble.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

Does anyone think the k90 is a difficult racquet to play with? It vastly improved my serve, and it's heavenly when I hit it right in the sweet spot, but it's so hard to get into long rallies. Particularly when I go for the "kill" shot, I'll usually shank.

Will my ground game improve as I get more used to this frame, or is the k90 just not for me?

It's not hard to sustain rallies unless you're on the full run for each shot you hit. But in that case, it doesn't really matter what racket you use unless you're very strong and use an illegal length racket, somewhere in the area of 14 feet long with a 13 foot long string bed should cover the entire court well enough.

Yeah, but overall, I don't find it hard to hit any shot with the K90 except for the forehand volley, which is purely just me because that shot has gone downhill for me a long time ago. It's not hard at all to maintain a rally as long as you get to the ball. If you can't get to the ball, you're out of the rally anyways. As for balls hit to you, it's very easy to keep things going.

The K90 isn't designed for baseline bashing, its designed for serve and volley and all court players. Midsize racquets in general are designed for serve and volley type players while mid plus racquets are designed for aggressive baseliners. The only way to improve your baseline game is by switching to a mid plus racquet, unless you want to work on your serve and volley and all court game. All racquets are designed for specific people, thats why you need to match your skill level and style of play with the racquet you choose.

MARAT SAFIN FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats completely untrue, Jim Courier was an all court player not just a baseline basher so the category he would fall into would be the racquet he used during his tour days, the PS85. As I stated before midsize racquets are designed for serve and volley AND all court players.

lol The most variety he had that could make him even close to an all court player would be his slice change-ups. Otherwise, full on baseline basher right there. He isn't a natural volleyer. He has no instincts up there, and will tend to be pretty rough on a few of them.

Jim Courier wasn't a baseliner? Dude you're on a roll. Don't stop!

Keep on!
With the force don't stop!
Don't stop 'til you get enough!

We should make a song for Quest1. I say we base it off of Michael Jackson's Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough and remix it to add some flaming effects.

 

[Mick]

just because the OP finds it almost impossible to "have a sustained rally" with a k90 doesn't mean it can't be done.

I find it almost impossible to hit a 2hbh too but there are many people who can hit a 2hbh very well.

 

[matchmaker]

Not true. I've measured the head (stringbed) of the K90 several times and it is exactly 90 sq. in.

Exactly, the stringbed is 90 s.i. but many other manufacturer's measure the frame with it. A PC 600 is noticeably smaller than a K90, yet the former is marketed as a 93 s.i. and the latter as a 90 s.i.

I really find the K90 is a sort of midplus-mid frame.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

just because the OP finds it almost impossible to "have a sustained rally" with a k90 doesn't mean it can't be done.

I find it almost impossible to hit a 2hbh too but there are many people who can hit a 2hbh very well.

Are we talking a 2 handed backhand in general, or with the K90?

Because if general, I'm in the same boat! Or... At least I was... I can hit a decent one now and probably play matches with it. But the bottom line is a one hander feels more comfortable to me, and two hander is just pure fun to use even if I do botch a few.

 

[Mick]

Are we talking a 2 handed backhand in general, or with the K90?

Because if general, I'm in the same boat! Or... At least I was... I can hit a decent one now and probably play matches with it. But the bottom line is a one hander feels more comfortable to me, and two hander is just pure fun to use even if I do botch a few.

2hbh in general, with any racquet.

federer wrote on his website that he could not hit a 2hbh either

 

[klementine]

You can adapt to any racquet really.

Sure, some racquets have different playing variables.. but the player has the control.

In the end... timing, footwork and consistency are what counts....

All this talk of headsize, beam width, shape and string density are mainly 'psychological'-- which can be a very motivating factor in switching racquets...

Flex and weight are the only factors that I could see attributing to a lack of consistency with the K90-- i.e. it feels like a very polarized frame (weight in the throat,lower head) and the fact that every K90 i've ever swung has been over 12.8oz

Head size, beam and string density are preferences.. not deterents.

 

[J011yroger]

Thats completely untrue, Jim Courier was an all court player not just a baseline basher so the category he would fall into would be the racquet he used during his tour days, the PS85. As I stated before midsize racquets are designed for serve and volley AND all court players.

That small headed racquet, and all court game are what kept him from winning the French.

Wait...nevermind.

J

 

[J011yroger]

i.e. it feels like a very polarized frame (weight in the throat,lower head)

Polarized is the opposite of what you describe.

Polarized racquets have the weight in the upper hoop and butt.

At the poles of the racquet (think north pole/south pole).

A depolarized racquet would have it in the throat/lower hoop.

Weight in at the ends=polarized=K90

Weight in the middle=depolarized=kps88

J

 

[slice bh compliment]

Wait a minute. There's misinformation here? Sometimes people are wrong? On the internet?

 

[quest01]

Jim Courier was definitely an all court player during his tour days and even today in the seniors tour. Thats how he won his 4 grand slams was by playing an all court game such as serving and volleying out wide on the add side, blasting forehands and approaching the net with a crisp volley winner, and by chipping and charging to keep his opponents guessing. He used the full court to his advantage and thats why he uses a midsize racquet because he was either an all court player or a serve and volleyer. Jim Courier fits the profile to the exact specifications of a player who can use a midsize racquet, according to the strict guidelines hes obviously above a 5.0, and his style of play corresponds correctly to someone who uses a mid.

 

[BreakPoint]

Exactly, the stringbed is 90 s.i. but many other manufacturer's measure the frame with it. A PC 600 is noticeably smaller than a K90, yet the former is marketed as a 93 s.i. and the latter as a 90 s.i.

I really find the K90 is a sort of midplus-mid frame.

No, I think you're confused. The K90's stringbed is exactly 90 sq. in. when you account for the PWS bumps. If you ignore the PWS, it's a hair larger than 90 sq. in. The PC600's stringbed is 89.5 sq. in. Head markets it as 600 sq. cm. (93 sq. in.) because the model name "PC600" sounds a lot better than "PC578". (89.5 sq. in. = 578 sq. cm.)

 

[BreakPoint]

Thats completely untrue, Jim Courier was an all court player not just a baseline basher so the category he would fall into would be the racquet he used during his tour days, the PS85. As I stated before midsize racquets are designed for serve and volley AND all court players.

LOL. You should just admit you never saw Courier play when he was on the ATP Tour than make a false statement like that. Courier was one of the players that started the whole modern baseline bashing style of play.

 

[J011yroger]

No, I think you're confused. The K90's stringbed is exactly 90 sq. in. when you account for the PWS bumps. If you ignore the PWS, it's a hair larger than 90 sq. in. The PC600's stringbed is 89.5 sq. in. Head markets it as 600 sq. cm. (93 sq. in.) because the model name "PC600" sounds a lot better than "PC577". (89.5 sq. in. = 577 sq. cm.)

I dunno BP, PC577 has a nice ring to it.

J