i.prestige, customizations!?

[Tigerarp1]

Im in the process of trying to either modify my i.prestige MID(93), or find a new racquet. This thread is to help me with trying find the best way to mod my prestige in hopes of not having to buy a new racquet. This is what I would like to do. I need to turn my i.prestige into a more consistent baseline racquet. Currently, my racquet is stock and strung w/ prince OSG 16g at 50lbs.

*I need more spin on groundstrokes so that I can afford to hit hard AND high over the net to give me a larger margin for error, so that I can keep the ball going as long as I need to.

*I would like to get some more weight in the racquet to make it more stable on groundstrokes and returns, when playing against hard-hitting nationally ranked players.

What have you guys done to your prestiges, that has worked and would give me what I am looking for.

 

[TheRed]

For more spin: Try a 17g. I found monogut produces a lot of spin but any any 17g would be better.
For more stability: Do you want to maintain the same balance? if so, the same weight at 3/9 as you do under the grip.

 

[PrestigeClassic]

I haven't tried many of the high-spin polyester strings (monogut?), but you should get more spin by going to a 17g or even an 18g string, optimally gut in the mains if not all around, and also by adding lead tape to the head of the frame. The gut might be the difference in serving a kicker just inside the lines or a few inches out. The lead tape in the head will stabilize the spin/pace of your opponent's shot and also make it easier to add your own spin/pace. With lead in the head, a leather grip would be great for maintaining the balance, but you could also just add some lead to the handle with the stock synthetic, if you want to maintain the balance. Even with these tweaks, you'd be a good player if you can play with this frame like you want. I added 6g to the sides only of mine, still with stock synthetic, and it plays great. I didn't think this frame in particular needed any counterbalancing in the handle. Anyway, it hits nice shots that land just inside the baseline, but I don't think the i.prestige will ever be the best frame with which to be hitting high looping groundstrokes. However, that's not to say that there isn't a high margin of error in your shots. It hits flatter, but with a lot of control so you can really lace into some shots. Just look at the playing styles of Safin and Federer and you'll see why they play the frames they do.

 

[PurePrestige]

Maybe try a Poly string, or hybrid for more spin. I put a poly in my i.Prestige and it felt like I got a very nice boost in spin potential.

I also felt the lack of stability for returning big serves mainly. I'd suggest a leather grip also, and add lead at 10 and 2 maybe. I added lead in small amounts at 10 and 2 so I didnt notice it necessarily changing the racquets playing characteristics while I was making it more stable.

 

[nimxnooj]

PurePrestige,
how did the leather grip help you with the stability? 'cuz i'm currently playin with the i.prestige mp xl and i think its lackin in some stability as well.

 

[Prostaffer]

grip

it weighs slightyl more, also leather is slightly bigger so you get better stability from a bigger grip.

 

[Flatspin]

Best Ever

Seems that you understand that the i Prestige is a remarkable frame ... u've been using it. I, like you, thought the "pasture is greener on the other side" and tried other frames. I try to be "open minded" and try different frames so that I am not missing something. However, I keep coming back to the i Prestige. For me, it's something about the i Prestige .... maybe it does everything well, it's crisp response, weight, feel, response, accuracy and over-all dead on performance. I suggest that don't be suckered in believing that changing you racquet will improve your performance. Seems that your leaning that way. It's just a "hard core" players frame that has to be dialed in.
Stability may be improved by increasing your grip size. Over the past few years I swithed from a 4 1/2 to 4 5/8 grip. Increased the amount of torque you can excert. However, take care that it is to much. Experiment with different string and tension. Many have suggested a 17 gauge. A good hybrid can produces remarkable results in making it easier to hit topspin. Work on technique and your game. As your game, as your game has, reaches a high level, game improvements become more difficult and require more work. It's a mistake thinking that some how a frame change is going to improve your game. More often it hurts your game. Try different tensions, string, hybrids, lead tape. You are already using one of the best frames ever, IMHO!! Good luck

 

[Tigerarp1]

well, I took my i.prestige, put on a leather grip. I then put 4.5grams of lead tape in the head at 3 and 9, and then to keep the balance, i put 2.5 grams of lead tape on the handle. I added less to the handle, becuase the leather grip already adds some extra weight. I checked the balance, expecting to have to make some changes in order to keep it the same as the stock balance, but it was PERFECT.

I took the racquet out to the court, and the additional weight gave me much more stability, and much more spin potential. I was able to hit all my strokes about 1.5 feet higher over the net, with the same pace as normal and have them still land inside the baseline with plenty of margin for error. I only got to hit for about 15 minutes, but this seems to have done alot already. I will try some 16L monogut in the racquet later, then possibly a 17g.

My serves seemd to also improve, I was able to get the same amount of pace, with added spin on both first and second serves. Serves also required much less effort, I was able to just let the weight of the racquet do the work!!! Will post more later, when I have played more seriously with the frame.

 

[GermaniumGenie]

that is a lot of weight added at once...

The racquet is already fairly heavy...adding 7g of lead tape at once could lead to injury. Know your limits, and make sure you are strong enough to handle that type of weight. When I switched from a lighter racquet to a heavy racquet, my shoulder started getting irritated. It went away after giving it some rest, but I didn't play during like 3 weeks of the spring tennis season at school because of it.

 

[Tigerarp1]

i switched from a 10oz racquet to this one w/ no problems... i dont think adding 1/4of an ounce will be too much.