Need advice: Wilson HPS 6.1, HPS 5.0, nCode 6.1

[dberke]

I am a 4.5 all-around player who uses a Wilson Hyper Prostaff 5.0 MP racket strung with Wilson NXT strings at 63 lbs. I play 3 times a week and need an extra racket for when I break strings. I hit a fair amount of topspin and break strings after about 10 hours of play.

I like Wilson rackets and want to buy another one that is fairly similar to mine only with a bit more control. Do you think the Hyper Prostaff 6.1 or the new nCode 6.1 would be any better than my HPS 5.0? I played one match with the ncode and I liked it except it was strung too loose so I didn't find the control on the groundstrokes that I wanted. I've never played with the HPS 6.1. Any ideas on how these rackets compare and which one I should buy. It would be easy if I could demo a HPS 6.1, but I can't find one.

Thanks a lot.
Dave

 

[SC in MA]

I play with a few guys who use the HPS50. Two of them are teaching pros who hit the ball with great pace and both have a tendancy to overhit. I asked both if they've ever tried other rackets and both have, but they've never found one they like as much as that one, so I'm not sure how easy it will be to find one that plays similarly. I know one of them tried the HPS61 and he really didn't like it, but I don't recall any specific reason. Another guy I hit with who uses it is more of a finesse player who only occasionally puts great pace on the ball. He's very consistent and doesn't seem to have any control problems. I'm not sure how any of them string their rackets.

Regarding the HPS61 and nCode61, I have used them both. You can do a search on my user name and find a number of postings where I compare them. The short version is I prefer the nCode61. It's more arm friendly and has more pop, which can be controlled thru string choice and string tension. My game is all-court where control is a big part of my game. I find the that the nCode61 works very well for me. On clay, I add a bit of weight at 3 & 9.

One upcoming tournament junior I drill with very recently switched from the HPS61 to the nCode61. I've only hit with him once since his change to the nCode and I don't think he's ever hit the ball better. More pace and surprisingly more consistency. However, he did struggle with the timing on his serve, which I attribute to desire to really crank 'em. He has a semi-western FH which he can hit with great pace, spin and heaviness. I did notice that he was hitting his forehands with less arc than with the HPS61. I mentioned this to him and he also noticed it, though he said he didn't consciously change anything in his stroke mechanics. He can really crank his forehand and I think this less-arc forehand makes it even harder for opponents to deal with since its on them even faster. He has a two-handed backhand that is more of a rally backhand compared to his punishing forehand. He's in the process of transitioning from a baseline player to more S & V and aggresive approaches to the net. He strings his own rackets with Babolat Hurricane at 62lbs.

One other point is that the HPS61 is now discontinued and you'll have a hard time finding a new one. However, you can probably find some used ones at attractive prices.