The following is my review of the Gamma RZR 100T.
BACKGROUND:
I'm about a 4.0 level player (can hang with the 4.5s from the baseline on a good day) who likes to play first strike, attacking tennis. I would not consider volleying a particular strength of mine, but if I have the opening, I will most certainly end a point at the net. Love the forehand cross court and the backhand down the line.
I normally play with a Fischer Pro One 98 SL with either Natural Gut, or Gamma Professional. If I'm feeling particularly "polyish" I will use some Gamma Zo Verve (probably the best poly I've ever tried). I have 4 Fischers, and they vary slightly in weight and balance (due to customization), but they're all over 12oz and at least 7pt HL or more.
SETUP:
I strung the RZR 100T with Gamma TNT2 18g at M:58, X:55
PLAYING SCENARIO:
Played 2 sets with a buddy. Used my Fischer for set 1, and the RZR 100T for set 2. I won both sets.
OPPONENT COMMENTS:
"Wow, you get so much more power and spin with that other racquet" (this was after the first few games of set 2. I didn't ask, he just offered that comment, which told me that difference in power and spin must have been substantial enough for my opponent to notice.
SERVES:
In a word, SPIN. Crazy spin! I never ever get as much spin on my second (kick) serve with the Fischers as I did with the 100T. I could most certainly see the ball moving and arcing as it cut through the air, and there was a definite kick when it bounced. I don't think I double-faulted long at all with the RZR 100T (something I have been known to do with my Fischers on my 2nd serve).
For flat serves or "heavy" serves, I was able to generate considerable pace. I don't have access to a speed gun or anything, but I'm reasonably certain that on average, my serve speed with the RZR 100T was faster than with the Fischers.
I did not have any issues placing the serve where I wanted with the RZR. This isn't particularly telling though, as I don't have trouble with the Fischer either. More pace and spin from the RZR on serves and that is really the most prominent thing I noticed (this will be a common theme as you continue reading).
GROUNDSTROKES:
POWER! I get some serious juice on the ball with the RZR 100T. Call it a "beast" because it really is. Interesting thing is that it isn't /that/ heavy. My Fischers are actually heavier, but I think it's the weight distribution. The RZR is much closer to evenly weight than my Fischers and you really notice that on groundstrokes.
This change in weight distribution is a double-edged sword, at least at first. It did throw off my timing a bit. Sometimes balls would fly on me (I think as a result of being a little late). But I attribute this to ME and NOT the racquet. Some of the TW play testers recently reviewed the RZR 98 and a common theme was the the racquet was "erratic."
Folks, racquets are not erratic. People are erratic. When moving from a soft/flexy, head-light stick, to something that is stiffer and more evenly balanced, it's gonna take your brain a bit of time to write and debug a program that helps you adjust properly. That's just normal.
After a few games, I began to settle in a bit more. Backhand down the line started really clicking. I found that a slightly reduced back-swing helped my timing. And with the power that this frame brings naturally, there was no loss of pace.
Now I have to admit that I do see what the play testers meant about the RZR 98 feeling a little "brassy." I might say the same thing about the RZR 100T. However, I would not say that it's distracting or in any way reduces the overall enjoyment of crushing some groundies with this frame. Also, I was using a thin string ( TNT2 18 ), so perhaps some poly strung at a low(ish) tension might be a better fit for this frame and offer a more dampened feel.
In fact, I'd guess that a mid/low tension poly would compliment this frame well, as it is obviously an excellent choice for today's young/modern baseline basher and spin lover.
VOLLEYS:
Honestly, I didn't hit very many, so it's hard to comment. but I did track down a number of drop shots and was able to either drop right back or hit a nice, low, biting slice up the line for a winner. I was quite pleased with the consistency with which I was able to do this. Despite being a frame that can "crush" the ball, in the right hands, touch is not a problem.
APPROACH SHOTS:
Well my approach shots were great (probably why I didn't have to hit a lot of volleys). I was able to get them deep and with plenty of pace, but I wasn't over-hitting or sending them long (probably due to the insane spin one can generate with these RZR frames).
MISC OBSERVATIONS:
Spin spin spin! My strings were moving all over the place, and I could see and definitely HEAR the strings move when I hit a kick serve.
The weight distribution, as I already said, is a double-edged sword. If I end up making the switch to this frame, I will definitely need some time to adjust. I definitely gave away some free points due to hitting late. But I did begin to adjust after a time, and when I connected well, it was definitely a good feeling.
If you are a young, strong, fit guy who can handle the heft, I think this is definitely worth a demo. Cosmetics are nice, build quality is good, and though I sound like a broken record: spin and power are just excellent with this stick!
If you have a chance to demo this, you should. And you should give it a fair shake. Leave your normal racquet at home and only take this one so you won't be tempted to switch back (something I probably should have done, so I could have gotten 2 sets with it in).
I also have a RZR 98T which I hope to demo and post a review for as well (so keep your eyes out for that one).
Cheers!
sstchur
BACKGROUND:
I'm about a 4.0 level player (can hang with the 4.5s from the baseline on a good day) who likes to play first strike, attacking tennis. I would not consider volleying a particular strength of mine, but if I have the opening, I will most certainly end a point at the net. Love the forehand cross court and the backhand down the line.
I normally play with a Fischer Pro One 98 SL with either Natural Gut, or Gamma Professional. If I'm feeling particularly "polyish" I will use some Gamma Zo Verve (probably the best poly I've ever tried). I have 4 Fischers, and they vary slightly in weight and balance (due to customization), but they're all over 12oz and at least 7pt HL or more.
SETUP:
I strung the RZR 100T with Gamma TNT2 18g at M:58, X:55
PLAYING SCENARIO:
Played 2 sets with a buddy. Used my Fischer for set 1, and the RZR 100T for set 2. I won both sets.
OPPONENT COMMENTS:
"Wow, you get so much more power and spin with that other racquet" (this was after the first few games of set 2. I didn't ask, he just offered that comment, which told me that difference in power and spin must have been substantial enough for my opponent to notice.
SERVES:
In a word, SPIN. Crazy spin! I never ever get as much spin on my second (kick) serve with the Fischers as I did with the 100T. I could most certainly see the ball moving and arcing as it cut through the air, and there was a definite kick when it bounced. I don't think I double-faulted long at all with the RZR 100T (something I have been known to do with my Fischers on my 2nd serve).
For flat serves or "heavy" serves, I was able to generate considerable pace. I don't have access to a speed gun or anything, but I'm reasonably certain that on average, my serve speed with the RZR 100T was faster than with the Fischers.
I did not have any issues placing the serve where I wanted with the RZR. This isn't particularly telling though, as I don't have trouble with the Fischer either. More pace and spin from the RZR on serves and that is really the most prominent thing I noticed (this will be a common theme as you continue reading).
GROUNDSTROKES:
POWER! I get some serious juice on the ball with the RZR 100T. Call it a "beast" because it really is. Interesting thing is that it isn't /that/ heavy. My Fischers are actually heavier, but I think it's the weight distribution. The RZR is much closer to evenly weight than my Fischers and you really notice that on groundstrokes.
This change in weight distribution is a double-edged sword, at least at first. It did throw off my timing a bit. Sometimes balls would fly on me (I think as a result of being a little late). But I attribute this to ME and NOT the racquet. Some of the TW play testers recently reviewed the RZR 98 and a common theme was the the racquet was "erratic."
Folks, racquets are not erratic. People are erratic. When moving from a soft/flexy, head-light stick, to something that is stiffer and more evenly balanced, it's gonna take your brain a bit of time to write and debug a program that helps you adjust properly. That's just normal.
After a few games, I began to settle in a bit more. Backhand down the line started really clicking. I found that a slightly reduced back-swing helped my timing. And with the power that this frame brings naturally, there was no loss of pace.
Now I have to admit that I do see what the play testers meant about the RZR 98 feeling a little "brassy." I might say the same thing about the RZR 100T. However, I would not say that it's distracting or in any way reduces the overall enjoyment of crushing some groundies with this frame. Also, I was using a thin string ( TNT2 18 ), so perhaps some poly strung at a low(ish) tension might be a better fit for this frame and offer a more dampened feel.
In fact, I'd guess that a mid/low tension poly would compliment this frame well, as it is obviously an excellent choice for today's young/modern baseline basher and spin lover.
VOLLEYS:
Honestly, I didn't hit very many, so it's hard to comment. but I did track down a number of drop shots and was able to either drop right back or hit a nice, low, biting slice up the line for a winner. I was quite pleased with the consistency with which I was able to do this. Despite being a frame that can "crush" the ball, in the right hands, touch is not a problem.
APPROACH SHOTS:
Well my approach shots were great (probably why I didn't have to hit a lot of volleys). I was able to get them deep and with plenty of pace, but I wasn't over-hitting or sending them long (probably due to the insane spin one can generate with these RZR frames).
MISC OBSERVATIONS:
Spin spin spin! My strings were moving all over the place, and I could see and definitely HEAR the strings move when I hit a kick serve.
The weight distribution, as I already said, is a double-edged sword. If I end up making the switch to this frame, I will definitely need some time to adjust. I definitely gave away some free points due to hitting late. But I did begin to adjust after a time, and when I connected well, it was definitely a good feeling.
If you are a young, strong, fit guy who can handle the heft, I think this is definitely worth a demo. Cosmetics are nice, build quality is good, and though I sound like a broken record: spin and power are just excellent with this stick!
If you have a chance to demo this, you should. And you should give it a fair shake. Leave your normal racquet at home and only take this one so you won't be tempted to switch back (something I probably should have done, so I could have gotten 2 sets with it in).
I also have a RZR 98T which I hope to demo and post a review for as well (so keep your eyes out for that one).
Cheers!
sstchur
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