My 28” Racquets

[2handsbothsides]

Here’s a picture and brief description of my racquet journey over the last 30 years.


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From right to left.

1. Prince Graphite Longbody Original – played best for me right at 13 ounces, 10 points head light like Nalbandian and Canas. Did not like Ferrero’s 12 ounce, less headlight specs when he used POG LB.

2. Prince Classic Graphite 100 Longbody – I never liked the lower RA61 stiffness of this reissue verses the originals RA63.

3. ProKennex 7G – Lengthened to 28” and played best right at the same spec as my original POG LB. It took me several years to get used to the RA66 stiffness but I eventually played better with it vs POG.

4. Babolat Pure Drive Plus 2015 – Lengthened to 28”, I wanted to join the lighter racket trend but never could go any lighter than 13 ounces with my POG’s or 7G. I was able to go much lighter with this Pure Drive and it did play better than any of my previous set ups. Tried the 2021 and didn’t like the less stiff and more muted feel vs the 2015.

5. ProKennex Q+15 – Wish I had this one from the start! Lengthened to 28” and plays best for me about 5 grams less tail weight than my Pure Drives.

6. ProKennex Ki15 –Lengthened to 28”, Just experimenting with this one to see if I can go even lighter but I currently play best with Q+15.

 

[A_Instead]

Nice Bio..

 

[Donmikan]

Here’s a picture and brief description of my racquet journey over the last 30 years.


best photo sharing service

From right to left.

1. Prince Graphite Longbody Original – played best for me right at 13 ounces, 10 points head light like Nalbandian and Canas. Did not like Ferrero’s 12 ounce, less headlight specs when he used POG LB.

2. Prince Classic Graphite 100 Longbody – I never liked the lower RA61 stiffness of this reissue verses the originals RA63.

3. ProKennex 7G – Lengthened to 28” and played best right at the same spec as my original POG LB. It took me several years to get used to the RA66 stiffness but I eventually played better with it vs POG.

4. Babolat Pure Drive Plus 2015 – Lengthened to 28”, I wanted to join the lighter racket trend but never could go any lighter than 13 ounces with my POG’s or 7G. I was able to go much lighter with this Pure Drive and it did play better than any of my previous set ups. Tried the 2021 and didn’t like the less stiff and more muted feel vs the 2015.

5. ProKennex Q+15 – Wish I had this one from the start! Lengthened to 28” and plays best for me about 5 grams less tail weight than my Pure Drives.

6. ProKennex Ki15 –Lengthened to 28”, Just experimenting with this one to see if I can go even lighter but I currently play best with Q+15.

Great collection man. Them 28inch Pure Drives seem very interesting. Could you share some more specs, especially some from the lighterst rackets here?

 

[2handsbothsides]

I customize all my rackets in my workshop, so I have full control of any added head or tail weight. For instance, my Pure Drive Plus's are manufactured to be unstrung 300 grams +/- 7 grams. Two of my 2015 Pure Drives came in light, and one was heavy. I actually had to remove about 2 grams of the head guard on the heavy one to accurately match them all at my final playing weight and balance.

You must always clarify unstrung weight from final strung weight with strings, overgrip and damper as they add at least 20 grams. My 1/2" racket extension also adds about 5 grams. So I have played with these Pure Drives as light as 325 grams. The Solinco 300 Blackout XTD+ would be a good commercially available 28" Pure Drive clone that would be lighter than my Pure Drives, if that was your goal. Solinco also has 5 and 10 gram butt cap modules to simplify customization.

As a general rule longer length and heavier weight generally benefit the serve and 2 handed play. Lighter and shorter rackets benefit wippy one handed play. I play predominantly 2 handed and benefit from the stability and plow through of heavier more head light rackets. I play best with my Pure Drives about 335 grams and 1 inch head light. My current best playing racket is the ProKennex Q+15 at about 330 grams and 7 points head light. The Q+15 frame is available in 3 different weights and as light as 260 grams unstrung if you need lighter, but that would be more of a lower level hitting racket.

 

[georgeyew]

Can you share how you add the extra length to your racquets?

 

[2handsbothsides]

As long as you are only adding 1/2" or less the simplest way is to pull off the buttcap and insert a lightweight spacer. I use balsa for the insert. and use 5 minute 2 part epoxy on all touching surfaces of the butt cap, insert and racket handle to re-attach. I also like the Prince Butt caps available from Tennis Warehouse for extensions as they are longer and tapered to make very solid short extensions. But the original butt cap can generally be used.

 

[Joxrox]

How is the spin on that racket and could you describe it more ? ... i am thinking about to buy one but cant find any review ?

Did you also try the KI 15 ? 5 gram less and a little tinner beam..

 

[mmazzini1]

I truly love the Ki15 300 version 2022. You come from haevy racquets, i would suggest to try the 300g rather than the lighter iterations that did not impress me.

I have used the 7G for quite a bit, and I find the ki15 300 to be superior under almost any aspect.

How do you customise the PKs? As they have the kinetic mass in the handle...

 

[mmazzini1]

How is the spin on that racket and could you describe it more ? ... i am thinking about to buy one but cant find any review ?

Did you also try the KI 15 ? 5 gram less and a little tinner beam..

The ki15 300 is a spin machine

 

[Joxrox]

I truly love the Ki15 300 version 2022. You come from haevy racquets, i would suggest to try the 300g rather than the lighter iterations that did not impress me.

I have used the 7G for quite a bit, and I find the ki15 300 to be superior under almost any aspect.

How do you customise the PKs? As they have the kinetic mass in the handle...

Soory i cant handle 300g in a long Version i am 55 ;-)

Could you compare the KI 15 (280) with the Q+15 ?