I take back what I said about mids (well some of it)...

[nickb]

O... M... G...!!!... TWO-HUNDRED FRAMES PLUS!!!???... Nick, you realise that if you'd kept hold of them you could've opened your own shop by now?! :wink: Well, I suppose it's no wonder then you're so bloody knowlegable about racquets if you've owned and played with that many?... and I thought I was fond of a frame or two?!... over 200 frames though, and in approx just 5 years?!... you truly are the young Talk Tennis Prince of racketaholics! (though Hyogen might give you a good, er, duel!?)

hahaha...I am really board now so I will try to write a list:

- over 15 of the same fischer pro no1
- 4 Magnetic pro no1
- Over 10 nsix-one tour 90s
- at least 8 k90s
- 4 Tour 90s
- 6 PS85's
- 4 PS95s
- 4 PDR
- 4 PD
- 2 N Pro Open
- Over 10 mfil 200
- 4 Babolat pure storm
- 2 Vantage 95
- 4 Head LM Radicals
- 6 Volkl tour 10 mid
- 1 volkl DNX 10 mid
- 3 Volkl C9 pro
- 6 nsix-one 05s
- 4 Ksix-one 95
- 4 nsix-one team
- 2 ksix-one team
- 6 POG Mid
- 4 O3 Tours
- 3 O3 White
- 2 Dunlop Aerogel 100
- 2 Head Flexpoint prestige MP
- 4 Yonex RDX 500 Mid
- 4 Babolat Aeropro drive
- 1 Cortex aeropro
- 6 Babolat Pure Control Team
- 2 K Blade MP
- 2 I Prestige Mid
- 6 Wilson H Tour MP
- 4 Dunlop MFil 300
- 2 New pure storm babolat
- A load of older wilsons...like the PS zone

Thats just what comes to my mind right now from the last 2 years...holy ****...hyogen loses!

Edit thats around 150 not including a load I have missed off that I cant remember and not counting the other years where I was actually worse .

LOL

 

[nickb]

Aren't you British? How would you know if you're a 5.0? There are lots of people on this board who self-rate themselves higher than they actually are because they feel it'll bring them respect.

I posted a video...did you see it?

Most people rated me 5.0...some 5.5...a few even said I could play pro if I had started younger.

Why would I rate my self higher?....my coach is a former D1 college player and ATP top 500 player...he rates me a solid 5.0.

 

[Klatu Verata Necktie]

I posted a video...did you see it?

Most people rated me 5.0...some 5.5...a few even said I could play pro if I had started younger.

Why would I rate my self higher?....my coach is a former D1 college player and ATP top 500 player...he rates me a solid 5.0.

Is your coach an American? If he isn't, then his rating probably isn't accurate. Also, rating yourself according to people on this forum's opinions is foolish.

I'm not saying that you aren't a 5.0. I'm simply saying that there's no way to know unless you've been rated by a USTA pro and have played 5.0 tournaments.

Why would you rate yourself higher? I don't know you, so I can't give a motive, but there are reasons why someone would want to classify themselves at the highest levels of amateur American competition.

 

[bertrevert]

I called the K Blade a toy...well...because to me it feels like a toy. I did go on in that post to say take that for what its worth...my rackets are 360g and I hate dense string patterns. Many of us here really found K Blade to be a horrible frame...but you could love it...which is why I added that bit into my post.

It bogles the mind that you can ignore:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/feedback.html?pcode=KBL93

Wow, a popular MID.

Proabably if there's one thing it isn't - it isn't a toy.

I don't think of any MID as a toy whatsoever, as they're all pretty darn demanding. Heh, I suppose if you're above some MIDs then you're in pretty exalted company. Seems all a bit overdone as a criticism. I'll have to find out.

 

[Ross K]

hahaha...I am really board now so I will try to write a list:

- over 15 of the same fischer pro no1
- 4 Magnetic pro no1
- Over 10 nsix-one tour 90s
- at least 8 k90s
- 4 Tour 90s
- 6 PS85's
- 4 PS95s
- 4 PDR
- 4 PD
- 2 N Pro Open
- Over 10 mfil 200
- 4 Babolat pure storm
- 2 Vantage 95
- 4 Head LM Radicals
- 6 Volkl tour 10 mid
- 1 volkl DNX 10 mid
- 3 Volkl C9 pro
- 6 nsix-one 05s
- 4 Ksix-one 95
- 4 nsix-one team
- 2 ksix-one team
- 6 POG Mid
- 4 O3 Tours
- 3 O3 White
- 2 Dunlop Aerogel 100
- 2 Head Flexpoint prestige MP
- 4 Yonex RDX 500 Mid
- 4 Babolat Aeropro drive
- 1 Cortex aeropro
- 6 Babolat Pure Control Team
- 2 K Blade MP
- 2 I Prestige Mid
- 6 Wilson H Tour MP
- 4 Dunlop MFil 300
- 2 New pure storm babolat
- A load of older wilsons...like the PS zone

Thats just what comes to my mind right now from the last 2 years...holy ****...hyogen loses!

Edit thats around 150 not including a load I have missed off that I cant remember and not counting the other years where I was actually worse .

LOL

Repeat after me young man... "My name is Nick Bond - and I am a racket-a-holic!...''

And, off the top of my head and from what I can recall, I don't think you've listed the PSC 6.1, the Fischer Vac Pro (SSmith rod), the C1o Pro, or the Fischer Classic Pro (or whatever it was called)?... you remember the one with a slight stars and stripes cosmetic thing going on that you so memorably posted a review for? :wink:

Listen... I know full well myself that there's little that can beat that feeling of anticipation and excitement that always arrives along with the packaged racket the mailman has just delivered. Hope springs eternal... 'could this be the one'?... anyway, it beats a whole range of other stuff you could be overly into or addicted to or whatever (alcohol abuse, substance abuse, morris dancing, etc etc etc )...

 

[nickb]

Is your coach an American? If he isn't, then his rating probably isn't accurate. Also, rating yourself according to people on this forum's opinions is foolish.

I'm not saying that you aren't a 5.0. I'm simply saying that there's no way to know unless you've been rated by a USTA pro and have played 5.0 tournaments.

Why would you rate yourself higher? I don't know you, so I can't give a motive, but there are reasons why someone would want to classify themselves at the highest levels of amateur American competition.

Yes my coach is an american. He played D1 tennis. He is a UK PCA coach (the highest level possible) and has the highest level of USPTA. He is well known and members of his family are playing D1 tennis right now.

Ok?

 

[nickb]

It bogles the mind that you can ignore:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/feedback.html?pcode=KBL93

Wow, a popular MID.

Proabably if there's one thing it isn't - it isn't a toy.

I don't think of any MID as a toy whatsoever, as they're all pretty darn demanding. Heh, I suppose if you're above some MIDs then you're in pretty exalted company. Seems all a bit overdone as a criticism. I'll have to find out.

Like I said in the thread I posted in. That is my OPINION. I feel its a toy...so do other people on here. I said "take that for what its worth". I am allowed to say what I want on here...thats just how I feel about it...sorry that annoys you.

Whats your problem?

 

[Klatu Verata Necktie]

Yes my coach is an american. He played D1 tennis. He is a UK PCA coach (the highest level possible) and has the highest level of USPTA. He is well known and members of his family are playing D1 tennis right now.

Ok?

Congratulations.

 

[rockbox]

Is your coach an American? If he isn't, then his rating probably isn't accurate. Also, rating yourself according to people on this forum's opinions is foolish.

I'm not saying that you aren't a 5.0. I'm simply saying that there's no way to know unless you've been rated by a USTA pro and have played 5.0 tournaments.

Why would you rate yourself higher? I don't know you, so I can't give a motive, but there are reasons why someone would want to classify themselves at the highest levels of amateur American competition.

Nick plays with former pros and doesn't get wipe off the court. He's at least a 5.0 even though that service toss is way ugly.

 

[nickb]

Repeat after me young man... "My name is Nick Bond - and I am a racket-a-holic!...''

And, off the top of my head and from what I can recall, I don't think you've listed the PSC 6.1, the Fischer Vac Pro (SSmith rod), the C1o Pro, or the Fischer Classic Pro (or whatever it was called)?... you remember the one with a slight stars and stripes cosmetic thing going on that you so memorably posted a review for?

Listen... I know full well myself that there's little that can beat that feeling of anticipation and excitement that always arrives along with the packaged racket the mailman has just delivered. Hope springs eternal... 'could this be the one'?... anyway, it beats a whole range of other stuff you could be overly into or addicted to or whatever (alcohol abuse, substance abuse, morris dancing, etc etc etc )...

Oh...so add another 10 then

I remember the review...one of my finest..

True. Did I tell you im alcoholic and smoke 60 a day?? :shock:...jk.

LOL

 

[nickb]

Nick plays with former pros and doesn't get wipe off the court. He's at least a 5.0 even though that service toss is way ugly.

My funky service toss gets the job done...:wink:

Im actually going to change my serve...just got to find some time.

Nick

 

[rockbox]

Nick,

What does your coach think about you changing racquets all the time? I personally thinks it inhibits improvement since you are constantly tweaking your strokes every time you make a change.

 

[nickb]

Nick,

What does your coach think about you changing racquets all the time? I personally thinks it inhibits improvement since you are constantly tweaking your strokes every time you make a change.

He thinks its bad for my game and has not helped my game at all. He gets a bit pissed off every time I bring a new racket on court.

I feel the same way.

It really has got to stop now...I have reached a level where there are more important things to think about like fitness and hard work.

Nick

 

[anirut]

Nick, there's no Redondo mid in the racket list, yet ... haha.

 

[nickb]

Nick, there's no Redondo mid in the racket list, yet ... haha.

Noooooo....

 

[bertrevert]

Any coach I've encountered is really not interested in talking racquets, nor in their pupil changing them, simply because the greater gains are to be made in ... ugh, footwork, fitness, strategy etc etc etc.

Taking our cue from those above us, our teachers, is intelligent. Were you to be on tour I doubt you'd be wanting to be switching too often esp. when your meal ticket depends on it.

BTW this thread says you take back some of what you said about MIDs, but what don't you take back of what you said.

What criticisms remain?

No problem Nic, what I'm getting at is the fact that there are some relatively popular MIDs out there bodes well...

 

[nickb]

Any coach I've encountered is really not interested in talking racquets, nor in their pupil changing them, simply because the greater gains are to be made in ... ugh, footwork, fitness, strategy etc etc etc.

Taking our cue from those above us, our teachers, is intelligent. Were you to be on tour I doubt you'd be wanting to be switching too often esp. when your meal ticket depends on it.

BTW this thread says you take back some of what you said about MIDs, but what don't you take back of what you said.

What criticisms remain?

No problem Nic, what I'm getting at is the fact that there are some relatively popular MIDs out there bodes well...

Yep. Im a coach as well and will be going full time in a few months. I dont think it will be a good example to my students if I change rackets all the time.

What criticisms remain?

I still feel that they are becoming less popular as time goes by and that they are not much use for todays big hitting junior players. I also think that lower level players should stay away from them unitl they reach a higher level or if they want to improve quickly.

 

[slice bh compliment]

Any coach I've encountered is really not interested in talking racquets, nor in their pupil changing them, simply because the greater gains are to be made in ... ugh, footwork, fitness, strategy etc etc etc.

Taking our cue from those above us, our teachers, is intelligent. ....

Truth.
BUt, as the OP mentioned, his coaches told him to use lighter frames, since that's the future of tennis.
Maybe statements like that were based specifically on the student, nickb, but it's funny that most coaches I know [and hit with] use heavy frames. And most players on their way to college or even pro tennis use frames that are over 320 grams.

THose who do not, use simply what they are given by their reps. The coaches can obviously feed and play with anything. In fact, many of them choose lighter frames for feeding/rallying/teaching purposes, since they do a lot of that all day. Some just use and push what the sales rep suggests.

It's funny to me that a pro would tell a 5.0 to use a light racquet (any of those light, stiff, HH pieces of ****e). But I can totally see a pro saying that a sub 12 ounce, solid stable frame like a new Babolat Aero Storm Tour or even a leaded up Aero Storm or Aero Pro Drive (like Rafa uses) would be the future of tennis rather than a Pro Staff 90 or a Prestige. That makes sense to me.

And your point about footwork, fitness, finess, sound strokes, strategy/tactics, technique, etc makes even more sense.

 

[nickb]

They were not telling me to use really light frames...just stuff around 320g strung like Pure drives etc. They just dont suit me...after a few days I just cant keep the ball in the court.

Nick

 

[J011yroger]

Proabably if there's one thing it isn't - it isn't a toy.

I don't think of any MID as a toy whatsoever, as they're all pretty darn demanding. Heh, I suppose if you're above some MIDs then you're in pretty exalted company. Seems all a bit overdone as a criticism. I'll have to find out.

I think I called the KBT a tinker toy, or a gutless piece of junk, one of the two. You can find my review if you search around.

J

 

[BreakPoint]

hahaha...I am really board now so I will try to write a list:

- over 15 of the same fischer pro no1
- 4 Magnetic pro no1
- Over 10 nsix-one tour 90s
- at least 8 k90s
- 4 Tour 90s
- 6 PS85's
- 4 PS95s
- 4 PDR
- 4 PD
- 2 N Pro Open
- Over 10 mfil 200
- 4 Babolat pure storm
- 2 Vantage 95
- 4 Head LM Radicals
- 6 Volkl tour 10 mid
- 1 volkl DNX 10 mid
- 3 Volkl C9 pro
- 6 nsix-one 05s
- 4 Ksix-one 95
- 4 nsix-one team
- 2 ksix-one team
- 6 POG Mid
- 4 O3 Tours
- 3 O3 White
- 2 Dunlop Aerogel 100
- 2 Head Flexpoint prestige MP
- 4 Yonex RDX 500 Mid
- 4 Babolat Aeropro drive
- 1 Cortex aeropro
- 6 Babolat Pure Control Team
- 2 K Blade MP
- 2 I Prestige Mid
- 6 Wilson H Tour MP
- 4 Dunlop MFil 300
- 2 New pure storm babolat
- A load of older wilsons...like the PS zone

Thats just what comes to my mind right now from the last 2 years...holy ****...hyogen loses!

Edit thats around 150 not including a load I have missed off that I cant remember and not counting the other years where I was actually worse .

LOL

That confirms it. You've got some serious issues and an obvious racquet addiction.

I advise you to seek professional help immediately. :lol: LOL

BTW, they must pay you extremely well to string racquets. :shock:

 

[BreakPoint]

They were not telling me to use really light frames...just stuff around 320g strung like Pure drives etc. They just dont suit me...after a few days I just cant keep the ball in the court.

Nick

Hmmm....IMO, any racquet that's only 320g (11.3 oz.) strung IS a really light racquet.

 

[Bubba]

Aren't you British? How would you know if you're a 5.0? There are lots of people on this board who self-rate themselves higher than they actually are because they feel it'll bring them respect.

I actually played with Nick for the past 3.5 years... he's a solid 4.5/5.0 - very good serve and volley game. In fact, glad you're back in my K90 camp b/c your net play was great with the 90!

Not only that... we played at David Lloyds in Leeds 3+ times a week together... carpet courts... very fast and the ball stays low. His game is def 4.5/5.0.

Further - I play usta (4.5) and yes, a bunch of people self rate high... but just as many rate low and sandbag... USTA ratings don't mean a lot either... too easy to influence/sandbag IMO

For example... I had a 4.0 match this week... my opponent (a teaching pro at another club I come to find out) was rated 4.0... he was an easy 5.0!

 

[bertrevert]

I think I called the KBT a tinker toy, or a gutless piece of junk, one of the two. You can find my review if you search around.

Of course I read your review. My different context means a different view.

PS. keep up your priate ways and there can be only one result.

 

[martin]

hahaha...I am really board now so I will try to write a list:

- over 15 of the same fischer pro no1
- 4 Magnetic pro no1
- Over 10 nsix-one tour 90s
- at least 8 k90s
- 4 Tour 90s
- 6 PS85's
- 4 PS95s
- 4 PDR
- 4 PD
- 2 N Pro Open
- Over 10 mfil 200
- 4 Babolat pure storm
- 2 Vantage 95
- 4 Head LM Radicals
- 6 Volkl tour 10 mid
- 1 volkl DNX 10 mid
- 3 Volkl C9 pro
- 6 nsix-one 05s
- 4 Ksix-one 95
- 4 nsix-one team
- 2 ksix-one team
- 6 POG Mid
- 4 O3 Tours
- 3 O3 White
- 2 Dunlop Aerogel 100
- 2 Head Flexpoint prestige MP
- 4 Yonex RDX 500 Mid
- 4 Babolat Aeropro drive
- 1 Cortex aeropro
- 6 Babolat Pure Control Team
- 2 K Blade MP
- 2 I Prestige Mid
- 6 Wilson H Tour MP
- 4 Dunlop MFil 300
- 2 New pure storm babolat
- A load of older wilsons...like the PS zone

Thats just what comes to my mind right now from the last 2 years...holy ****...hyogen loses!

Edit thats around 150 not including a load I have missed off that I cant remember and not counting the other years where I was actually worse .

LOL

This is terrible and a serious problem unless you're a millionaire but still....
Everytime you probably think but what if i try that other racket will that make me play better??
I have a m-fil 300 and i can make it heavier or lighter, more or less powerful anyway i like it. It is definitely cheaper than changing rackets.

 

[J011yroger]

Of course I read your review. My different context means a different view.

PS. keep up your priate ways and there can be only one result.

That is an awesome picture of keith!

Although he doesn't look too good lately.

Keep me posted on your journey with the KBT.

I think you will become disenchanted.

The racquet is like a beautiful girl, who you like a lot, and have a great time going out with when all is going swell. But then as soon as the going gets tough, she leaves you out to dry.

J

 

[bertrevert]

I think you will become disenchanted.

The racquet is like a beautiful girl, who you like a lot, and have a great time going out with when all is going swell. But then as soon as the going gets tough, she leaves you out to dry.

Hehe heh but it's always love at first bite.

NOw to pick up nickb's thread here.

As you pointed out perhaps the MID is a w3eapon of yesteryear.

I want to put it to you that the "mysteries of science" the "triumph of human ingenuity" and the "sheer bloody-minded-ness of tennis players" everywhere will keep this sucker alive.

What I'm thinking is that we'll see these kind of hybrid MIDs, Fed-lite for the masses - the KBT!

We'll not see anyone wanting to give up the finesse of this game because power alone doesn't rule.

Besides a MID in the right hands is surely the more powerful. The tweeners allow a player to commit less UE, but it's the MIDs which whack the hell out, and the MPs are the halfway house.

It's funny, ever since, I started runnign road races and half marathons, I have some kilometres in my legs that allows more explosive movement and for longer. I think earlier my footwork was too slow/sloppy to match up w smaller racquet.

So the beautiful girl (KBT) has got me like there's no tomorrow, even though of course, there is. And will it be tough or not?

 

[nickb]

Glad you like the KBT...

Cant you see what me and J are saying?

When you are used to a tour 90 it does not produce a heavy ball and feels unstable when you hit the sweetspot on a hard hit ball. It just feels a bit plastic to me.


Anyway if you like it thats all that matters..

Nick

 

[bertrevert]

Yep and said so elsewhere myself, however, what did you think of the view that MIDs will survive and regain post-Fed popularity?

They will hybrid them and make them more widely accessible.

I 'd consider natural of companies seeking to maximise profits to seek out all sorts of new niches with ever finer gradients.

Case in point is that you can build MIDs that sit inbetween the "classic" specs and utilise different materials.

 

[Anton]

They wont have the wilson "box beam" feel...but im hoping I can get them close enough to switch.

Will prob get:

90
330g unstrung (+ lead tape).
12 pts head light
wilson grip shape
leather

Nick

I'd suggest you go for 18x20 and 60 flex - the 95" 60flex vantage I got with 16x19 was way too hard to controll and had a very bouncy quality like a much stiffer frame. Though I wouldn't put it past Vantage to completely mislabel their product.

 

[nickb]

I'd suggest you go for 18x20 and 60 flex - the 95" 60flex vantage I got with 16x19 was way too hard to controll and had a very bouncy quality like a much stiffer frame. Though I wouldn't put it past Vantage to completely mislabel their product.

I have the 95 frames...I am pretty sure I will like the 90...I have some demo's that will get here soon.

I cant stand 18x20 patterns.

Nick

 

[nickb]

Yep and said so elsewhere myself, however, what did you think of the view that MIDs will survive and regain post-Fed popularity?

They will hybrid them and make them more widely accessible.

I 'd consider natural of companies seeking to maximise profits to seek out all sorts of new niches with ever finer gradients.

Case in point is that you can build MIDs that sit inbetween the "classic" specs and utilise different materials.

I think they will survive but they wont get more popular.

If they "hybrid" them they wont be real mids any more will they? I dont really think 93 should be considered a mid.

There are mids that sit inbetween classic specs right now...they still are not popular.