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2doofs

New User
Hi all,

I'm a 3.5 player and I like playing from the baseline and I have pretty good groundstrokes off both wings. I rarely go to the net but I try to if I can. I would say I have a decent serve. Usually topspin first serve and second serve with more spin. Sometimes I hit flat and slice first serves. I like to hit into the open court and behind the opponent. I also like aiming down the lines (more comfortable off the forehand), cross court, and angles from both wings. I'm patient and I try to mix it up with a dropshot or slice sometimes.

The racket I like the most racket so far is the Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 RED strung with Volkl Cyclone 16 at 55 lbs. I have also used the Wilson K Blade 98, Head Youtek Speed MP (2009 ish?), and Babolat Pure Aero. I found that my groundstrokes on the Pure Strike (red) is becoming too loopy and not as flat and penetrating when I want them to be. Is it my technique or because that I haven't restrung it ever since I got it more than a year ago? The strings are smoother now but the tension still seems pretty good. I rarely break strings and I play well without restringing.

I'd like a racket that hits good serves, topspin and flat groundstrokes (with good plow through), nice feel, touch, and control and with enough power when I need it.

Is the Pure Strike 16x19 RED still a suitable racket for me or should I look at different rackets? I don't really like to tinker with lead tape so I would rather just get a racket without customizing.

What do you all think of the rackets that I'm interested in?
Wilson Blade 18x20 (2015)
Head Graphene XT Prestige Pro

Any other rackets I should look at?

Thank you!
 
Last edited:

TennisCJC

Legend
get a yonex ezone dr 98. this is last gen so the frames will go on sale and disappear soon. they are very solid all court racekts
 

Traffic

Hall of Fame
Hi all,

I'm a 3.5 player and I like playing from the baseline and I have pretty good groundstrokes off both wings. I rarely go to the net but I try to if I can. I would say I have a decent serve. Usually topspin first serve and second serve with more spin. Sometimes I hit flat and slice first serves. I like to hit into the open court and behind the opponent. I also like aiming down the lines (more comfortable off the forehand), cross court, and angles from both wings. I'm patient and I try to mix it up with a dropshot or slice sometimes.

The racket I like the most racket so far is the Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 RED strung with Volkl Cyclone 16 at 55 lbs. I have also used the Wilson K Blade 98, Head Youtek Speed MP (2009 ish?), and Babolat Pure Aero. I found that my groundstrokes on the Pure Strike (red) is becoming too loopy and not as flat and penetrating when I want them to be. Is it my technique or because that I haven't restrung it ever since I got it more than a year ago? The strings are smoother now but the tension still seems pretty good. I rarely break strings and I play well without restringing.

I'd like a racket that hits good serves, topspin and flat groundstrokes (with good plow through), nice feel, touch, and control and with enough power when I need it.

Is the Pure Strike 16x19 RED still a suitable racket for me or should I look at different rackets? I don't really like to tinker with lead tape so I would rather just get a racket without customizing.

What do you all think of the rackets that I'm interested in?
Wilson Blade 18x20 (2015)
Head Graphene XT Prestige Pro

Any other rackets I should look at?

Thank you!
I'm not familiar with the term RED for the Pure Strike 16x19. Are you referring to the previous generation Pure Strike? I don't know much about that model.

At 3.5, almost everything boils down to technique in general. But I believe there are so many varieties of racquets and strings to provide a crutch in certain areas.

My son just switched from a ProStaff 97 LS to the new Pure Strike 98 (16x19) and strung it up with HyperG18 @ 49/48#. When he first demo'd the racquet, it was strung with RPM Blast at 53#. It hit very well for touch shots like volleys, drops and lobs. The added weight over the PS97LS helped with good BH. He couldn't hit a FH. Lower launch angle and lower powered than his old stick so kept dumping it into the net. The balls that did make it over lacked pace.

I got a chance to hit with it for a few minutes and I'd say it had great feel. The HyperG provided good control and spin. The launch angle was similar enough to my V1Pro. Just lacked a bit of pop so I had to take full swings at baseline and the ball would line drive toward the baseline and dip at the last second. But I couldn't sustain that effort for an entire match.

BUT...what I really want to say is...

Your Cyclone strings (strung a bit on the high side) probably died 7-9months ago. You just didn't give it a proper burial. The tension is all lost. Whatever initial performance you enjoyed from that string is long gone. You slowly learned to adjust your play to keep the ball in. But realizing now that you just can't seem to hit the same shots consistently anymore.

You say you are not a string breaker and play well with it for a long time. Well, maybe you've found your limit. Poly strings should be re-strung every 15-20hrs at the lastest.

Before you go investing in a new racquet (well, unless that's what you are really after), I would get your racquet re-strung. Try Cyclone at 51-2#. You may be surprised to get some of your desired power and spin and consistency back.
 

2doofs

New User
Bruh your post makes no sense... If you gradually hit loopier then it's technique evolving

@styksnstryngs

I recently played with my K Blade 98 18x20 strung with Spiky Black Shark at 55 lbs and I was able to hit flat without much difficulty. However, 55 lbs with this string is too stiff so I need to lower the tension or use a different string. I like the K Blade but it is not headlight enough (maybe I'll put a replacement leather grip).
 

2doofs

New User
I'm not familiar with the term RED for the Pure Strike 16x19. Are you referring to the previous generation Pure Strike? I don't know much about that model.

At 3.5, almost everything boils down to technique in general. But I believe there are so many varieties of racquets and strings to provide a crutch in certain areas.

My son just switched from a ProStaff 97 LS to the new Pure Strike 98 (16x19) and strung it up with HyperG18 @ 49/48#. When he first demo'd the racquet, it was strung with RPM Blast at 53#. It hit very well for touch shots like volleys, drops and lobs. The added weight over the PS97LS helped with good BH. He couldn't hit a FH. Lower launch angle and lower powered than his old stick so kept dumping it into the net. The balls that did make it over lacked pace.

I got a chance to hit with it for a few minutes and I'd say it had great feel. The HyperG provided good control and spin. The launch angle was similar enough to my V1Pro. Just lacked a bit of pop so I had to take full swings at baseline and the ball would line drive toward the baseline and dip at the last second. But I couldn't sustain that effort for an entire match.

BUT...what I really want to say is...

Your Cyclone strings (strung a bit on the high side) probably died 7-9months ago. You just didn't give it a proper burial. The tension is all lost. Whatever initial performance you enjoyed from that string is long gone. You slowly learned to adjust your play to keep the ball in. But realizing now that you just can't seem to hit the same shots consistently anymore.

You say you are not a string breaker and play well with it for a long time. Well, maybe you've found your limit. Poly strings should be re-strung every 15-20hrs at the lastest.

Before you go investing in a new racquet (well, unless that's what you are really after), I would get your racquet re-strung. Try Cyclone at 51-2#. You may be surprised to get some of your desired power and spin and consistency back.

Traffic, thanks for your detailed post. Yes, I meant the previous version of the Pure Strike (the red racket). I agree with you, I think it is time to restring. I kind of do want a new racket but for now, I'll restring my K Blade, PS, or my Youtek Speed MP and see if I still like them.

Good luck to your son!
 
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