Sampras and the KPS 88

[roundiesee]

Did Sampras really hate the KPS 88? Wilson supposedly designed this racket for him. I think most of us mere mortals who like ProStaff rackets would have loved to play with the KPS 88 regularly had it been less heavy and more maneuverable, but I can't imagine this to be an impediment for a strong guy like Pete. Does anyone know why Pete switched to the Babolat PSTGT? I imagine that Wilson is in the process of making another frame for him, but whether he would like this is anybody's guess

 

[RFRF]

It had no Kevlar braid that's why he hated it some sources said

 

[1970CRBase]

My fantasy : I wish Monfils or Tsonga will switch to that racquet, change to ohbh and use serve n volley

 

[OTMPut]

you got it wrong.

1. pete didn't get the money he probably hoped for. at least in comparison with fed his $ was miniscule.

2. babolat paid him decent $. they are hoping to market themselves away from the tweener image.

 

[roundiesee]

Thing is I just watched some excerpts of Sampras vs Federer at MSG, and Pete was really playing well with the KPS. Just wished he had continued with it; seemed like it was built for him

 

[Meaghan]

It had no Kevlar braid that's why he hated it some sources said

Theres a big thread by pt630 that shows kevlar strands in the kps88. ...Maybe not 20% like his 85 tho.

I expect it something to do with money and sponsorship.

 

[movdqa]

I think that Pete should have just gone with a bigger racquet with a racquet du jour paintjob if he wanted more money. Federer can have his own small-headed frame and still sell a ton of them (even if most people that buy it can't use it effectively) but the market has shown that Pete doesn't have that clout.

 

[quest01]

My fantasy : I wish Monfils or Tsonga will switch to that racquet, change to ohbh and use serve n volley

lol If Tsonga and Monfils switched to the kps88 they wouldn't be on the ATP tour anymore. They would both end up outside the top 200.

 

[BreakPoint]

lol If Tsonga and Monfils switched to the kps88 they wouldn't be on the ATP tour anymore. They would both end up outside the top 200.

Why? Monfils used to use a leaded up Prestige Mid just fine. I'm sure he can handle the KPS88. And Tsonga used Wilson racquets for a long time so he's probably used to the ProStaff feel.

 

[VGP]

Theres a big thread by pt630 that shows kevlar strands in the kps88. ...Maybe not 20% like his 85 tho.

I expect it something to do with money and sponsorship.

The kPS88 is a quality stick. Braided construction with graphite and kevlar's the good stuff.

 

[big ted]

i thought he did like the racquet. didnt he help develop it afterall? and it wasnt until an exhibition with roddick that he tried his babolat and got hooked on that brand - probably liking the extra power, etc.. now wilson is probably trying to design a racquet for pete thats similar to that babolat hes been playing with..

 

[Meaghan]

i thought he did like the racquet. didnt he help develop it afterall? and it wasnt until an exhibition with roddick that he tried his babolat and got hooked on that brand - probably liking the extra power, etc.. now wilson is probably trying to design a racquet for pete thats similar to that babolat hes been playing with..

Its interesting as I've used both and found the 88 more powerful than the bab pst

 

[0d1n]

^^ That may be the case in stock form...but leaded up to roughly the same specs that could change (and probably would).
Still...Sampras probably changed for the extra forgiveness not the extra power. He doesn't need power.

 

[movdqa]

> That may be the case in stock form...but leaded up to roughly
> the same specs that could change (and probably would).

Not all Babolats are rocket launchers. The frame that Babolat frame that Sampras uses is one of their low-powered frames.

 

[Cup8489]

> That may be the case in stock form...but leaded up to roughly
> the same specs that could change (and probably would).

Not all Babolats are rocket launchers. The frame that Babolat frame that Sampras uses is one of their low-powered frames.

In stock form, I'd agree with you. customized to specs similar to the KPS88, however, it's a rocket launcher.

 

[movdqa]

> In stock form, I'd agree with you. customized to specs similar to
> the KPS88, however, it's a rocket launcher.

Yes. But the KPS88 is far stiffer - I'd expect the KPS to have the bigger engine.

 

[Tar Heel Tennis]

In stock form, I'd agree with you. customized to specs similar to the KPS88, however, it's a rocket launcher.

I can tell you from personal experience that a 390g KPS88 hits heavier than a 390g PSTGT. needless to say, control is bettervwith the KPS as well.

 

[VGP]

Remember that Sampras also went with a full RPM Blast setup whereas he was using a gut main/poly cross hybrid with the kPS88. He's "shrunk" the sweet zone down to the size of a mid with the added spin benefits of the full poly......

 

[Cup8489]

I can tell you from personal experience that a 390g KPS88 hits heavier than a 390g PSTGT. needless to say, control is bettervwith the KPS as well.

I've heard different things from my former instructor, who played both a Pure Storm Tour (non GT) and a KPS at 370 grams. Not sure what the actual specs were, but he felt he had better control (through spin) with the Pure Storm, but that it was the more powerful frame of the two, and so he used more spin with it than with the KPS to tame the power.

 

[movdqa]

What really matters is the swingweight. I have some racquets weighted to 17+ ounces but they are quite low-powered because most of the added weight is in the handle. If you lead the frames up to the same swingweight, the added stiffness of the KPS should provide more power.

That's the experiment that I'm going through now.

I find that my tgk238.4 XL (I received it at 322 grams unstrung and added about 7 grams of lead between 11 and 1) hits with more power than my 13.3 oz KPS88. The tgk238.4 probably weighs about 12.3 to 12.4 ounces with overgrip. I believe that the swingweight is near 350 but I'll have to take it to a shop with an RDC machine to verify that.

 

[movdqa]

Just took another look at the PSTGT - looks like a great racquet for customization - light, one the low side of stiff and with a decent swingweight. A PSTLGT in the same weight package would be interesting.

 

[roundiesee]

What about the "feel" of the PSTGT? Has anyone played with it and does it come close to the Prostaff "feel" (when customised to replicate the KPS specs preferably)?

 

[gplracer]

PSTGT excuse my ignorance but which racket is this?

 

[SFrazeur]

PSTGT excuse my ignorance but which racket is this?

PSTGT = Pure Storm Tour GT.

-SF

 

[Tar Heel Tennis]

I've heard different things from my former instructor, who played both a Pure Storm Tour (non GT) and a KPS at 370 grams. Not sure what the actual specs were, but he felt he had better control (through spin) with the Pure Storm, but that it was the more powerful frame of the two, and so he used more spin with it than with the KPS to tame the power.

Without question, I would have to hit with more spin with the Babolat to keep the ball in the court. One of the benefits (for me) with the KPS is the ability to swing all out and not think twice about missing the court.

With my PSTGT, I still feel the need to tone down my swing to keep the ball in the court.

 

[Tar Heel Tennis]

What about the "feel" of the PSTGT? Has anyone played with it and does it come close to the Prostaff "feel" (when customised to replicate the KPS specs preferably)?

I much prefer the feel of the KPS88. regardless of the weight I added to the PSTGT, it doesn't feel as 'substantial' as the KPS.

 

[roundiesee]

Thanks Tar Heel, good to know (for those who are still using this racket especially) ; I was nearly on the verge of acquiring a PSTGT, but now I won't bother

 

[courtking]

Thanks Tar Heel, good to know (for those who are still using this racket especially) ; I was nearly on the verge of acquiring a PSTGT, but now I won't bother

I went thru the road.. I have been playing with St. Vincent, and then K90, then KPS88.. then tried PSTGT (b/c all of the hype around.. ).. but PSTGT is not the same a KPS88 or a St. Vincent.. does not matter how you modified it.. If you string ST. Vincent low, mine around 35lb main VSGut, 38lb ALU Power cross.. you don't feel much of the difference between St. Vincent and K90, KPS88 in term of sweet spot.. KPS88 has a large sweespot.. I think it feels bigger than a PSTGT.. so save $$ to buy some more KPS88 or the new PS6.0 85..

 

[roundiesee]

I went thru the road.. I have been playing with St. Vincent, and then K90, then KPS88.. then tried PSTGT (b/c all of the hype around.. ).. but PSTGT is not the same a KPS88 or a St. Vincent.. does not matter how you modified it.. If you string ST. Vincent low, mine around 35lb main VSGut, 38lb ALU Power cross.. you don't feel much of the difference between St. Vincent and K90, KPS88 in term of sweet spot.. KPS88 has a large sweespot.. I think it feels bigger than a PSTGT.. so save $$ to buy some more KPS88 or the new PS6.0 85..

Thanks courtking; I do have a new kps 88 and ps 85, so I hope that these should last me for the next few years. I need to be careful about my elbow though because these frames are quite stiff. I usually use a multi at low tensions.
From the opinions thus far, I might gather that Pete switched to the Bab not because he was unhappy with the kps 88, but likely because of "endorsement" issues. Hell, Pete could probably play with a granny stick and still win 99 % of is matches!

 

[BreakPoint]

pretty sure St Vincent was not braided but laid up strands of old style graphite. Would feel and play nothing like newer PS85 or 88.
I had a China PS85 and a Taiwan PS85 and the Taiwan stick was way heavier and had a much nicer flex. It too was graphite strands, I wish I still had it, the China frame was crap compared to it:twisted:

The St. Vincents were indeed braided graphite.

http://web.archive.org/web/20060616...warehouse.com/Reviews/60/ProstaffOrigins.html

The Taiwans used unidirectional graphite layup for about a year. I didn't like the Taiwans because they were too heavy and stiff. I much prefer the China versions, both the older China versions and the more recent ones.

 

[VGP]

wow, misinformation abounds.