New Wilson frames, 16 x 15 pattern

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Part 1:
http://www.tennis.com/gear/2012/09/gear-talk-wilsons-john-lyons-part-1/39374/#.U****lF5Msc

Part 2:
http://www.tennis.com/gear/2012/09/gear-talk-wilsons-john-lyons-part-2/39407/#.UFOCD1F5Msc

Part 3:
http://www.tennis.com/gear/2012/09/gear-talk-wilsons-john-lyons-part-3/39411/#.UFOB-1F5Msc

JD: Who does the SpinEffect string pattern help more? Recreational players or those pros who are already hitting with so much spin?

JL: We’ve found that a 16x15 string pattern has a more dramatic effect on players of average ability, actually. There’s still an effect for better players, but our research shows that it’s not quite as pronounced for them, as they’re already swinging so fast and causing the strings to snap back.

 

[Torres]

All the 3.0-3.5 moonballers and 'down the middle of the court' bunters will be happy.

Control is going to be horrible. All this does is impede player development. It's a pattern aimed for your typical 55 year old club player who has no interest in getting better.

 

[Fed Kennedy]

Cool idea. Will probably be great for dubs. Didnt mark woodeforde use a custom super open pattern wilson?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

All the 3.0-3.5 moonballers and 'down the middle of the court' bunters will be happy.

Control is going to be horrible. All this does is impede player development. It's a pattern aimed for your typical 55 year old club player who has no interest in getting better.

Wilson and USTA must have a secret collaboration.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Cool idea. Will probably be great for dubs. Didnt mark woodeforde use a custom super open pattern wilson?

Wilson's idea is not about opening the string bed, but to reduce the friction of the mains and enhance the snap-back of the mains.

 

[Fed Kennedy]

Someone should try stringing up a tour 90 with the 16 x 15

 

[sundaypunch]

All the 3.0-3.5 moonballers and 'down the middle of the court' bunters will be happy.

Control is going to be horrible. All this does is impede player development. It's a pattern aimed for your typical 55 year old club player who has no interest in getting better.

Possibly. Still, they are going to sell a ton of these to younger players. Anything with the promise of more spin is guaranteed to sell initially at least.

 

[jonestim]

We’ve found that a 16x15 string pattern has a more dramatic effect on players of average ability, actually.

The snap-back effect, yes, it’s definitely maximized by a monofilament, a Luxilon-type string. You don’t see the effect with nylon or gut strings. They just move…but don’t snap back.

So - lets get as many average players as we can using poly.

 

[Chotobaka]

This is nothing new. Snauwaert's Hi-Ten series of racquets had even more open (12x13) string patterns.

 

[Bartelby]

The specific idea is the snapping action enhanced by having fewer cross strings than mains.

 

[db10s]

The strings aren't going to last long.

 

[baseline_monster]

May sound good in theory, but will be a pain in the ass when your strings are all over the place! Nothing more annoying than having to straiten your strings every other rally.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

May sound good in theory, but will be a pain in the ass when your strings are all over the place! Nothing more annoying than having to straiten your strings every other rally.

No one's telling you to do it.

 

[movdqa]

I guess evolution will eventually result in a 1x1 string pattern.

 

[Vcore89]

Just remember, the POG mid is still around.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Just remember, the POG mid is still around.

... again it's not about opening up the string bed. Their theory is by reducing the amount of crosses, there will be less friction thus the snap-back effect of the mains will increase.

 

[brianb76]

Looking forward to the demo

 

[Bartelby]

I dare say this is a technology that is more of a marketing strategy than normal given that topspin is essentially technique so those who lack it will be sold this as a solution and it will feel like it gives them something.

 

[Vcore89]

... again it's not about opening up the string bed. Their theory is by reducing the amount of crosses, there will be less friction thus the snap-back effect of the mains will increase.

Well, in that case...perhaps introduce a 75 sq in headzise with 11 x 10 string pattern?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I dare say this is a technology that is more of a marketing strategy than normal given that topspin is essentially technique so those who lack it will be sold this as a solution and it will feel like it gives them something.

This goes back to what some of the posters are saying about players development. I'm glad someone else took the bullet by keeping it real.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Well, in that case...perhaps introduce a 75 sq in headzise with 11 x 10 string pattern?

That can't happen because no current pro is playing such a small head size. It's not marketable.

 

[lim]

Anything with the promise of more spin is guaranteed to sell initially at least.

Unfortunately yes, since "technology" is apparently a suitable replacement for technique... While they're at it, can they just make sticks that swing themselves?

 

[PhrygianDominant]

The specific idea is the snapping action enhanced by having fewer cross strings than mains.

Just remember, the POG mid is still around.

I was wondering what the A B comparison would be on these two. I still have my POG mids....how much better can 16x15 be?

 

[Vcore89]

I was wondering what the A B comparison would be on these two. I still have my POG mids....how much better can 16x15 be?

As per Say Chi Sin Lo, it is not opening up the string bed but reducing friction therefore enhancing snap back. Theoretically, that sounds about right but will have to test it to know for sure.

 

[zapvor]

flat hitters like me are excited! yea........lol

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

I've read all four parts of that interview. Seems like it will help advanced rec players more than beginners. They indicated that Wilson found that there was a lot more spin using that pattern.
Again, actually trying it when it comes out will be essential.

 

[sundaypunch]

Unfortunately yes, since "technology" is apparently a suitable replacement for technique... While they're at it, can they just make sticks that swing themselves?

You aren't going to get any topspin with a square racquet face and flat swing plane. I'm sure that some of these players will buy the racquet and be disappointed.

There are also a lot of players that hit with plenty of spin and will buy anything with the promise of more spin. It would seem to be smart business sense for Wilson to come out with this line of racquets given the craze for spin at the moment.

 

[cknobman]

I am not going to knock it until I try it.

If anything I would argue that this racquet tech will actually HELP players learn the more modern swing techniques that are designed to produce spin.

If the "snap back effect" is real and tangible than it will be easier for an average player (who cannot swing a racquet 50+ mph) to see more spin on their shots vs using something like an 18x20 pattern.

 

[Dreamcastin]

I am not going to knock it until I try it.

If anything I would argue that this racquet tech will actually HELP players learn the more modern swing techniques that are designed to produce spin.

If the "snap back effect" is real and tangible than it will be easier for an average player (who cannot swing a racquet 50+ mph) to see more spin on their shots vs using something like an 18x20 pattern.

Id have to agree with you, if you try to take a hard flat swing with this thing your probably sending the tennis ball into the next zip code. I could see the possibility of this making a great begginer and maybe even advanced defensive player.

 

[souledge]

all you need is some BHBR / Tour Bite and the JET method and you'll be good to go!

 

[t135]

Wilson and USTA must have a secret collaboration.

classic.

 

[corbind]

I guess evolution will eventually result in a 1x1 string pattern.

Still too much string. Need a spin-producing force field and just do away with mains and crosses all together. :shock:

That was a lot of reading but in those three links and I'm still guessing that it won't be a huge hit. There has to be SOME company that has tested this stuff many times before and the results were not promising.

 

[dmcb101]

Anyone know the specs of these?

 

[max pl]

So - lets get as many average players as we can using poly.

this board is filled with average players using poly...

 

[dmcb101]

Anyone know the specs of these?

Bump............

 

[Mongolmike]

Interesting article/design. I'll demo it. I hit topspin FH-BH and kicker second serve, use polys and hate adjusting strings...sounds right up my alley.

Another positive for me is I self-string too. Fewer crosses means easier weaving and faster stringing. I'd venture that they will call for a 2 piece job, so with fewer holes that might make shared holes and tie-offs interesting... but all in all, I think it'd be easier to string.

On a commercial/club level even tho professional stringers might agree it is an easy stick to string, the stick will probably be more popular with lower level players who tend to not re-string very often (even tho many want a big spin poly like RPM which really needs to be re-strung frequently) so the clubs probably won't get a big boost in string jobs that would be easier to do.