Pro Kennex 7G

[wedge]

Heheheh I would say it volleys beautifully once you're accustomed to the length. I've found that hitting too low in the stringbed on groundstrokes, the Kinetic Gods largely forgive you and the shot does vaguely what it was intended to do. But hitting too low on the stringbed on volleys, and those balls just beneath the sweet spot seem to go into the net

User error of course, and I'll get there -- looking forward to when I'm fully 7G-ified!

 

[mmazzinin1]

Thing is that today I used my Ki15 300 (2022). It is simply superior to the 7G in almost any aspect of the game. Similar stability, but (way) higher spin potential, more powerful but with no major control issues thanks to the the higher spin potential, and just easy, very easy- it pushes everything back. 7G has more touch though, that is true and is marginally more comfortable. They are both stiff frames, that cannot be combined with stiff poly at higher tension, or they would kill your elbow....

Long story short, I struggle to understand why the Ki15 300 which is the way to go into the PK line in Italy/Europe, has not much love in the US or Downunder....such an underrated frame!

 

[wedge]

I think the question becomes, what does the Ki15 feel like to hit with though. I feel like a lot of 5G and 7G players understand that they could surely play with better-performing frames, but there doesn't seem to be much substitute for the pleasingly solid, muted feel of the classic frames. For me, the feeling on contact is more important -- FAR more important even -- than how a racket performs. And I'm no special snowflake, I know many people feel the same way.

Ki rackets (I haven't played Ki 15, only three versions of the 5, and a 5X) don't feel the same, they aren't nearly as solid-feeling. I'm experiencing the same situation right now, playing with a Black Ace 105, and while I play WAAAAY more competitive tennis with it, it isn't as pleasurable as the 5G and 7G which hit much less heavy balls with way less spin. So I go back and forth quite a bit.

 

[wedge]

Thing is that today I used my Ki15 300 (2022). It is simply superior to the 7G in almost any aspect of the game. Similar stability, but (way) higher spin potential, more powerful but with no major control issues thanks to the the higher spin potential, and just easy, very easy- it pushes everything back.

That's the thing though, when a racket needs spin in order to get control, that doesn't quite feel like real control. If a frame needs tons of spin in order to get the ball where you want it, that feels like you're compensating for a shortcoming in the frame.

I've been playing my light 7G in stock form, so 320/321 swing weight, and it's actually shockingly maneuverable and whippy! Liking it better this way

Certainly not speaking ill of the Ki 15 -- I'd love to try one at some point, you make it sound like a lot of fun!

 

[mmazzinin1]

I understand the "feel thing" and I agree, but the 7G is no PT630 or iPrestige either in terms of feel... Don't get me wrong, great stick, but feel wise she is nowhere near the holy grails. So, in this case, I go more direct on performance....

Additionally, the 7G is not a control monster either, but it is a bit difficult to give racquet head speed to get around the ball and play with spin, which is an important part of my (modest) game, that her only flaw which is brilliantly overcome by the ki15 with added free power and the bonus of abundant Kinetic mass...

 

[mmazzinin1]

And for people with a Berrettini type of game, nothing beats the Ki15 300

 

[Power Player]

Additionally, the 7G is not a control monster either, but it is a bit difficult to give racquet head speed to get around the ball and play with spin, which is an important part of my (modest) game,

I have to get a 7G again at some point. It's so good. Still using the Q+5X, which probably will solve for those issues I quoted above.

 

[Power Player]

All in all had a good week off work and a good weekend of tennis. Got 2 hours in yesterday and another 2.5 in today. Also got my 3rd PK 7G in the mail yesterday and promptly strung it up with Grey Technifibre Razor Soft 17 at 46lbs. On court today it did not feel soft, I don't know if I'd want to feel what regular razor feels like...

The wind was strong today. So strong that it made for several "clown-tennis" points. The razor soft is very very controlled and stiff. In the 7G it felt very similar to greyfire with maybe a little more power. It would likely have paired well with one of the Angells.

Speaking of which, the most exciting development of the weekend was finally finding a string that truly compliments the Angell 95. Pacific PolyForce 1.25. A round semi-dead poly really put a "saddle" on the wild stallion that is my Angell 95. For the first time I could really swing more freely and shape the ball at will from flat to super heavy. It feels great in the frame too, big thwocks on each cut of the ball.

Now that I have the 3x 7Gs I can start to test strings in earnest. I'll leave the razor soft in for one more weekend but it will likely be the first to get swapped out. The fresh Hit Pro and Big Spin perform too well to cut out early.

Because it's Texas, I have named the team "The Theee Caballeros"

https://imgur.com/a/y0EMMPo

How did it end up with the HIT Pro in this racquet? I like to string at 40#s so I am not sure if HIT is the best choice, but it sure does feel nice.

 

[mmazzinin1]

Thanks Power Player- I should really give the Q+5X Pro e go as, without the flaws that you quoted, it would be quite amazing....

Still amazed though by the Ki15- did one double and one single this week,- super. The stability, the easy depth and the spin potential are just too good. Now I wanna try a Babolat PD+ and see how it compares to the Ki15.

 

[tim-ay]

How did it end up with the HIT Pro in this racquet? I like to string at 40#s so I am not sure if HIT is the best choice, but it sure does feel nice.

I still think Black Knight is goat in the PKs. Hit Pro is good but a little mushy in them for me.

 

[Power Player]

I still think Black Knight is goat in the PKs. Hit Pro is good but a little mushy in them for me.

I don't have that but I may try razor soft crossed with HIT. That combo has been gold for me before.

 

[tim-ay]

I don't have that but I may try razor soft crossed with HIT. That combo has been gold for me before.

That’s a great hybrid. I’m still a huge fan of razor soft in the mains, and full bed as well. HP will be a great cross for it

 

[Power Player]

That’s a great hybrid. I’m still a huge fan of razor soft in the mains, and full bed as well. HP will be a great cross for it

Cool, ill string that up tomorrow, hopefully get time with the frame sunday and post some impressions. I already know the 7g rules, so it's more about how it compares to the Top B, which is probably also interchangeable as well.

 

[Power Player]

As per usual I switched at the last second upon finding an almost finished reel of tour sniper. Shaped, grey and crispy string? Sign me up. I have it in the 7g at 40#s. I think I will put another 36 feet of it in one of my q+5x.