Super Open String Pattern Racquets: Fad or new reality?

Lately I am reading on this forum, racquet companies releasing so many new racquets with super open string patterns, like 14X16, 16X16, 16X15, 18X16 etc. I also read that they are discontinuing some of their 18X20 offerings.

Why this sudden change of direction from the racquet manufacturers? What triggered this change? I think, it started with steam 99s last year. Is this just a fad? Marketing gimmick? Manufacturers want us to keep breaking strings and spend lot of money on strings? These super open string pattern racquets produce lot of spin. But what about control? How much control do we sacrifice for the spin? Personally, I haven't tried any of these spin monsters yet.

Is this trend a fad or a new reality?
 
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Fuji

Legend
I have a feeling all the companies will jump on board in the next few years of release, only to find that it's a trend, but some of the main stays like the 99S and maybe a couple of the more traditional ones like the Prince 14x16's will stay. It's all about getting these into the hands of juniors on whether or not they will stick around. If these companies can get some of the nations top ranked juniors on them, they will have a lot easier time justifying to keep the lines of extreme open patterns.

-Fuji
 

spinovic

Hall of Fame
I think they will stick around a while. Its not like the companies are replacing anything with them. They are still making the same traditional frames. They have simply added a spin version of each line they offer. With spin being such a big part of the game today, I expect these offerings to continue and other manufacturers to follow suit.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
It's a trend but some will definitely stick around. The problem is now you have to use full poly and a lot of players already hit with a ton of top, so the extra spin works against them.

The open pattern blade is not really blowing people's minds for example. The Steam works because it is a tweener and is more suited to an extreme pattern.
 

jonestim

Hall of Fame
I think they will stick around a while. Its not like the companies are replacing anything with them. They are still making the same traditional frames. They have simply added a spin version of each line they offer. With spin being such a big part of the game today, I expect these offerings to continue and other manufacturers to follow suit.

+1. Prince is actually adding a new 18x20 frame to their line - the Tour Pro 98 - and keeping the Tour 100 18x20 and the Tour 95 (renamed from Rebel).
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
I think it all depends. Apparently, 18X20 frames just don't sell that well or they wouldn't be dropping them. With poly becoming more and more mainstream, it was only natural that racquets would be made more geared toward the benefits of poly. With the 99S, it became crystal clear that the frame had exceeded the way most polys were made. They were too thin and breakage was a problem. There are polys out there now that address this for those that break too soon.

But, the open string pattern not only takes advantage of the spin potential available with polys, it also softens the string bed. We may yet see Mark Woodforde's setup with the Hi-Ten come back string and all! Can you imagine today's players with their grips and swings with Woodforde's Hi Ten (albeit lower weighted Hi-Ten)?
 

SFrazeur

Legend
Right now Wilson seems to be going with the spaghetti method: they are throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks. The Steam 99s is very popular. We'll see how well the Blade 98S and Prostaff 6.1 95S does
 
Not a fad and not new

Super Open patterns have been around for ages.

I think woodforde was the first....12x14 ?

Snauwert made it and then Wilson made it. I believe it was called the HI-10 ?

I am dying to get my hands on one !

Then Vortex came out with the same idea .....It's been out for a while. Wilson simply copied and is re marketing as a new idea.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
A trend or fad is when many people start doing the same thing.

Innovation can lead to trends but it is not the same thing.

There are more open pattern sticks on the market now compared to before, so yes - it is a fad.
 
A trend or fad is when many people start doing the same thing.

Innovation can lead to trends but it is not the same thing.

There are more open pattern sticks on the market now compared to before, so yes - it is a fad.

Now we are arguing what the term fad means ?

To me fad has a connotation that it's a new thing that's in style and quickly go away.

The fact is that it's been around for a long time .....and it's obviously here to stay.....

Same as polyester .....which has been around since the 70's .....it's not a dad either.
 
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Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
Now we are arguing what the term dad means ?

To me dad has a connotation that it's a new thing that's in style and quickly go away.

The fact is that it's been around for a long time .....and it's obviously here to stay.....

Same as polyester .....which has been around since the 70's .....it's not a dad either.

I don't think anyone's arguing what a 'dad' is and they've been around a lot longer than the 70's. ;)
 

spinovic

Hall of Fame
Dad, of course, could mean many different things to many different people. I happen to think mine is great, but who am I to argue with one who says their's is a jerk.
 
"Spin" is their only USP, so many downsides....

Fad or not, I feel this trend has very little chance of survival since "Spin" is the only USP that these new sticks have. But so many downsides.

1) Spin is more the result of technique than the equipment.
2) Very few pros will adopt these new sticks as control is the keyword at that level. Without pro adoption, marketing these sticks will be difficult for manufacturers.
3) Rec player who is lusting for spin will very soon realize his/her shots are either long or wayward. Very little control.
4) Rec player will soon realize he is spending too much money on strings and stringing & switches to full poly.
5) After switching to full poly, Rec player soon realizes his/her elbow/shoulder does not like the setup anymore.
6) With so much gap between strings, clamping/stringing these stricks is very difficult. Puts lot of stress on the strings while stringing, resulting in premature breakage of strings.

After couple of years when these super open sticks become mainstream, I predict, manufacturers will make a U-turn and start marketing "C" racquets (for control) as best since sliced bread! :) I am sure they will start churning out 20X22, 24X20 or whatever. And us, rec players, will fall for it and start buying Control instead of Spin!!
 
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Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
I'm glad a typo gives you so much enjoyment .

Damn autocorrect

I'll fix

Sorry about that, chief! I didn't mean any offense.

Fad or not, I feel this trend has very little chance of survival since "Spin" is the only USP that these new sticks have. But so many downsides.

1) Spin is more the result of technique than the equipment.
2) Very few pros will adopt these new sticks as control is the keyword at that level. Without pro adoption, marketing these sticks will be difficult for manufacturers.
3) Rec player who is lusting for spin will very soon realize his/her shots are either long or wayward. Very little control.
4) Rec player will soon realize he is spending too much money or strings and stringing & switches to full poly.
5) After switching to full poly, Rec player soon realizes his/her elbow/shoulder does not like the setup anymore.
6) With so much gap between strings, clamping/stringing these stricks is very difficult. Puts lot of stress on the strings while stringing, resulting in premature breakage of strings.

After couple of years when these super open sticks become mainstream, I predict, manufacturers will make a U-turn and start marketing "C" racquets (for control) as best since sliced bread! :) I am sure they will start churning out 20X22, 24X20 or whatever. And us rec players will fall for it and start buying Control instead of Spin!!

As of right now, if these were to be DC'd, I'd probably buy two more. I really like the 99S and can see myself playing with it from now on.
 

Vlad_C

Semi-Pro
Welcome to the Moonball Era.

If you thought the quality of tennis at your local park sucked before, just wait until they all get their hands on these open string pattern racquets.
 
Welcome to the Moonball Era.

If you thought the quality of tennis at your local park sucked before, just wait until they all get their hands on these open string pattern racquets.

+1

Evern though, I haven't played with any super open pattern racquet yet, I can imagine lot of high, lob-like shots... Not sure, I will enjoy playing against such shots...
 
Stringing the last cross: ugghhh...

I can't imagine stringing the last couple of crosses on these super open racquets! Ugghhh.... You feel like, string is going to snap anytime. So scary, especially since you are almost done with stringing except these last two crosses!! Unless they come out with different clamps with wider gap... Do they sell such clamps aready?
 
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dman72

Hall of Fame
.
6) With so much gap between strings, clamping/stringing these stricks is very difficult. Puts lot of stress on the strings while stringing, resulting in premature breakage of strings.

!!

I didn't even think about this part of it. Someone is going to have to design a new clamp to deal with these string patterns, I think. I'd be afraid to even attempt one with my klipper clamps.
 

ednegroni

Rookie
I don't think it's a fad, and players with heavy topspin will probably shred strings even faster. I don't know about you guys, but while the league season is going I pretty much string 1-2 racquets per week, and even with my discount I'm still paying $14 per ALU Spin pack.
 

SCRAP IRON

Professional
Lately I am reading on this forum, racquet companies releasing so many new racquets with super open string patterns, like 14X16, 16X16, 16X15, 18X16 etc. I also read that they are discontinuing some of their 18X20 offerings.

Why this sudden change of direction from the racquet manufacturers? What triggered this change? I think, it started with steam 99s last year. Is this just a fad? Marketing gimmick? Manufacturers want us to keep breaking strings and spend lot of money on strings? These super open string pattern racquets produce lot of spin. But what about control? How much control do we sacrifice for the spin? Personally, I haven't tried any of these spin monsters yet.

Is this trend a fad or a new reality?

I must say this- I am a 4.5 player that has a semi-western grip. I have used open string patterns like 16 x 18 and while I thought these were ideal for me, I found that the Wilson Blade 98s was even better. The power and control from this frame is unmatched for me. If you can harness the extra power that it possesses, then you are in business. It takes some getting used to and some experimenting with string tension, but it is not a gimmick for the good, amateur player. It is somewhat difficult to imagine a hard hitting professional using the extreme open pattern, but it's ideal for advanced club players. It is too early to tell if it is a fad like the ultra light weight Head Titanium rackets of the "90s." I think that players will find better results with these open patterns when Wilson releases these frames in smaller head sizes (95 sq inch).
 

Seth

Legend
Fad. It'll work for some players, but the vast majority of tennis players won't drink the Kool-Aid.
 

v-verb

Hall of Fame
I didn't even think about this part of it. Someone is going to have to design a new clamp to deal with these string patterns, I think. I'd be afraid to even attempt one with my klipper clamps.

My Hi-ten 30 came today and there's no way my Klipper clamps can clamp those strings. I've got to get a new stringer:cry:
 

THESEXPISTOL

Hall of Fame
Woodforde was ahead of his time...

Extreme Open Pattern:
MarkWoodfordeRacket01.jpg


Luxilon BB Original 1.80:
MarkWoodfordeString01.jpg
 

DonDiego

Hall of Fame
Most of you seem to think the only thing that changes with these new racquets is the super open pattern, therefore less control. What if manufacturers were now able to make the new frames ALSO controllable? That's pretty much what I read about the Tour 98 ESP. It's 16x16, but it's also low powered, heavy enough, headlight, thin beam, and the head is no larger than a IG radical MP (I measured it).

I'll be playing with it tomorrow and the day after. Then I'll tell you if it's there to stay :)
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
Wouldn't the manufacturers + retailers continue to sell/promote frames that chew through strings? Am I just being too Cynical? King Gillette was a genius.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
V_verb: I think you can adjust your KM clamps. They're the 4 screws near the teeth, not the single screw at the bottom.
 

bertrevert

Legend
+1
Evern though, I haven't played with any super open pattern racquet yet, I can imagine lot of high, lob-like shots... Not sure, I will enjoy playing against such shots...

See you're just imagining that. It's not really what happens. I for one went about my business hitting like I do. No change. But the ball produced at the other end is different. Basically your ball lands with extra RPM.

Or if due to the different launch angle you're getting depth wrong then you soon adjust.

These Spin racquets don't lend themselves to one shot, nor one type of shot as you're imagining.

So with the Steam 99S I couldn't really settle and the higher SW and open pattern left me hitting long or too short. But by crikey it hit through the ball with heavy spin at other end.

With the Blade 98S I got superb power and spin. But the thin beam got me down in the end. I couldn't get plow-thru.

Pluses and minuses of course but not a one-trick pony.

(Although I am not playing with one now.)
 

v-verb

Hall of Fame
V_verb: I think you can adjust your KM clamps. They're the 4 screws near the teeth, not the single screw at the bottom.

Thanks but I sold the Klippermate. Liking the Pro's Pro Challenger much better!

Posted this before some of my open pattern sticks. The left and right ones were Woodforde's

 

g4driver

Legend
I don't see me leaving my Steam 99S frames anytime soon.

As a 4.0 guy who plays singles and doubles in equal amounts, I prefer to hit flat to get the ball off the court as quickly as possible. The 16x15 pattern gives me spin when I want it. When I hit too much topspin in doubles, people get to the ball and it comes back. But when I flatten it out, the ball exits the court flat with pace.

At 8.5 Combo I hit three flat winners off the our opponents in the last game. There were probably 40 witnesses in Hilton Head during that match. My ridiculously good 4.5 partner was starting to cramp and it was time to finish the match. Their 4.5 served to my forehand and I hit a ROS flat forehand for a winner. He served again and I hit another flat winner. The third and final ball I hit in that game was a flat winner up the middle to finish the match. Did I have a superior 4.5 partner? I certainly did. Did my 4.5 partner win the match for us? Of course he did. But when he started cramping, I knew I needed to get him off the court and I got more aggressive.

The Steam 99S allows me to play 4.0 singles and hit a lot of topspin but it allows me to play doubles and hit flatter shots. I don't want a singles frame and a doubles frame, but I love the additional topspin in singles and the Steam 99S certainly gives me that, along with a much better dropshot when I see a guy 2 to 3 feet behind the baseline.

Sure spin is technique. But the Steam 99S allows a guy like me to hit topspin, and underspin easier, while allowing me to flatten out a ball even with the uber open pattern. The open pattern frames really work well for folks who can control them.
 

g4driver

Legend
sweet pics V-Verb.

Very nice collection.

How do those frames compare to the Steam 99S and the other super open pattern frames?
 

BHud

Hall of Fame
I am a flat hitter (4.5, age 55, former D1) and have found the open patterns to work against me. For example, I played with the Wilson 95S for 3 months, and was dialed into the sweetspot like no other racquets I had played with (no mods required...this one just fit my swing like a glove). Unfortunately, my flat OHBH would frequently fly, especially on return of serves. Slices were great, but my friends would pepper my backhand when serving knowing that I had a problem with control. The launch angle was just way off for my game. Not fun. :(

For me it's back to the Pure Drive. I can get as much spin as I need and actually have much better control with the backhand...although I'll be hitting the advil more frequently!
 
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g4driver

Legend
I am a flat hitter (4.5, age 55, former D1) and have found the open patterns to work against me. For example, I played with the Wilson 95S for 3 months, and was dialed into the sweetspot like no other racquets I had played with (no mods required...this one just fit my swing like a glove). Unfortunately, my flat OHBH would frequently fly, especially on return of serves. Slices were great, but my friends would pepper my backhand when serving knowing that I had a problem with control. The launch angle was just way off for my game. Not fun. :(

For me it's back to the Pure Drive. I can get as much spin as I need and actually have much better control with the backhand...although I'll be hitting the advil more frequently!

I'm curious how your forehand worked with the 95S?

I hit a 2HBH (flat or topspin) and a 1HBH slice with a lot of backspin, but I don't think I have ever a hit a flat OHBH in my life. lol I know 4.5 guys who can hit that shot, but I can't.

My Pure Drives looked cool, but the elbow pain wasn't. ;) I loved the weight or the 95S, but I prefer a 98/99/100 inch frame due to fewer mishits.
 

schenkelini

Semi-Pro
I have been playing with a Vortex pro116 for the last 3 years or so. I used to switch rackets every 6 months or so, but I like the Vortex so much that I quit demoing other rackets. I am 59 and somewhere between a 3.5 and4.0. The open string pattern gives more spin and the large head size gives me added power. At my age I feel the racket helps me keep up with the younger guys.
 

supineAnimation

Hall of Fame
I've hit with a few of them now and other than the Wilson PS95S, which wasn't as dramatic due to the head size, I found the sub-16x19 patterns unpleasant. Seems like the head twists more at contact, maybe because the ball is able to enter the holes between the strings more? Not sure, but I didn't feel this when I switched from 18x20 to 16x19 years ago. Maybe I could adjust but I've never had any trouble producing spin so I'd prefer to stick to 16x19.

I think the open patterns will stick around for smaller head sizes but not for larger ones, particular 100" and up. Plus it makes substantial difference in regards to string life and unless money's not an object for you, I'm not sure the increase in spin (which feels more like an increase in launch angle than anything else) is worth it.
 

BHud

Hall of Fame
I'm curious how your forehand worked with the 95S?

I hit a 2HBH (flat or topspin) and a 1HBH slice with a lot of backspin, but I don't think I have ever a hit a flat OHBH in my life. lol I know 4.5 guys who can hit that shot, but I can't.

My Pure Drives looked cool, but the elbow pain wasn't. ;) I loved the weight or the 95S, but I prefer a 98/99/100 inch frame due to fewer mishits.

Forehands were fine because I hit with more topspin on that wing. With regards to Pure Drives, I have previously strung them hybrid with 45 lb mains and 50 lb crosses. I just ordered 2 new PDs that I'm going to try with Double AR Twice Shark mains/Gamma Revelation 17 crosses, or Klip Detonator 17 to help alleviate the stiffness. I may drop tension a few lbs as well. It'll take some adjustment, but I'm all for less work these days!
 
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Fad or not, I feel this trend has very little chance of survival since "Spin" is the only USP that these new sticks have. But so many downsides.

1) Spin is more the result of technique than the equipment.
2) Very few pros will adopt these new sticks as control is the keyword at that level. Without pro adoption, marketing these sticks will be difficult for manufacturers.
3) Rec player who is lusting for spin will very soon realize his/her shots are either long or wayward. Very little control.
4) Rec player will soon realize he is spending too much money on strings and stringing & switches to full poly.
5) After switching to full poly, Rec player soon realizes his/her elbow/shoulder does not like the setup anymore.
6) With so much gap between strings, clamping/stringing these stricks is very difficult. Puts lot of stress on the strings while stringing, resulting in premature breakage of strings.

After couple of years when these super open sticks become mainstream, I predict, manufacturers will make a U-turn and start marketing "C" racquets (for control) as best since sliced bread! :) I am sure they will start churning out 20X22, 24X20 or whatever. And us, rec players, will fall for it and start buying Control instead of Spin!!

Is that politically correct his/her, he/she nonsense really necessary?
Just pick one gender and stick with it. I am sure you will not be lynched by an angry mob of hairy feminists.
 

v-verb

Hall of Fame
sweet pics V-Verb.

Very nice collection.

How do those frames compare to the Steam 99S and the other super open pattern frames?

Thanks g4driver!

I've had a Steam 99S and have a Pro Staff 95S and a Prince Premier 115 ESP (14 x 16).

The Woodfordes have way more spin than the Steam and Pro Staff S models. hard to say how much more but quite noticeable. The Premier ESP is closer but still the Woodfordes have more spin.

The super open pattern is easy on the arm as well and honestly apart from maybe an hour to acclimatize myself when I first got them, I can switch between normal sticks and the open ones easily.
 

ultradr

Legend
Is this trend a fad or a new reality?

Tennis has been constantly tweaked. Tennis has one of the most open regulations (lack of) on equipments and courts.

It has been polyester and topspin baseline game for last 10+ years.

It will change again. Not abruptly but small tweaks.
 

anubis

Hall of Fame
After playing with super open string patterns, I feel like they're more of a training tool than anything else. They help you to learn how to produce more spin, and how to harness that spin once you've learned how to produce it. But when it comes to competitive match play at higher levels, the super open string pattern can hold you back by reducing precision.

With super open string patterns, the only thing that is predictable is the amount of spin you'll generate. Everything else is up in the air.

I'd rather have very predictable directional control and height over the net, and make up the difference in topspin through technique.
 

g4driver

Legend
After playing with super open string patterns, I feel like they're more of a training tool than anything else. They help you to learn how to produce more spin, and how to harness that spin once you've learned how to produce it. But when it comes to competitive match play at higher levels, the super open string pattern can hold you back by reducing precision.

With super open string patterns, the only thing that is predictable is the amount of spin you'll generate. Everything else is up in the air.

Going to disagree with your assessment completely.

I could hit spin with a 16x19 pattern before switching to a Steam 99S, and don't need a "training tool" as you put it, to produce spin. I hit a lot more spin in singles, but in doubles, I prefer hitting flat. There are many guys who simply can't hit a flat ball with a uber open pattern frame, and quickly dismiss the frame, as they struggle with the volleys, and the control.

The uber patterns aren't for everyone but they work for some people, and while my backhand wasn't much of a weakness with a 16x19 frame, I hit more winners off of it now with a 16x15 frame. The Steam 99S has elevated my game, and certainly isn't holding me back.

The Steam 99S has made me a much better player.
 
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Bhairava

Rookie
After jumping on the 16x16 vagon I cannot and I will not come back. Any time I try 16x19, I lose spin and power and I don't get any advantage; precision is the same for me. With 16x16 thin frame I have outstanding spin, the power of a thick rigid frame with the touch of a flex,thin frame.
I think open pattern frame will be the future firstly on female WTA and then in ATP.
 

Bhairava

Rookie
Of course, I get nice spin with almost every racquet; full western grip plus windshield wiper technique give nice results. But with 16x16 I can hit with even more power because I'm sure my ball will drop inside. No problem with volleys and no problem with my almost-totally-flst 2hbh.
 

DonDiego

Hall of Fame
It would be nice if people commenting here would state their curent level/ranking. What works well at a lower level of play might not at a higher level, and vice-versa. Any 4.5 or above playing with those sticks?
 
I've hit with a few of them now and other than the Wilson PS95S, which wasn't as dramatic due to the head size, I found the sub-16x19 patterns unpleasant. Seems like the head twists more at contact, maybe because the ball is able to enter the holes between the strings more? Not sure, but I didn't feel this when I switched from 18x20 to 16x19 years ago. Maybe I could adjust but I've never had any trouble producing spin so I'd prefer to stick to 16x19.

I think the open patterns will stick around for smaller head sizes but not for larger ones, particular 100" and up. Plus it makes substantial difference in regards to string life and unless money's not an object for you, I'm not sure the increase in spin (which feels more like an increase in launch angle than anything else) is worth it.

+1, the biggest difference with these super open pattern racquets is the launch angle. With the extreme high launch angle, at least I have to force a ridiculously wristy low-to-high-armswing, rather than driving through the ball with hip/core-powered swing and loose arm. I think some just mistake the high launch angle as more spin.

Are these a fad? Well, no pros use them. Were hammers a fad? Well, no pros were using them...
 

supineAnimation

Hall of Fame
+1, the biggest difference with these super open pattern racquets is the launch angle. With the extreme high launch angle, at least I have to force a ridiculously wristy low-to-high-armswing, rather than driving through the ball with hip/core-powered swing and loose arm. I think some just mistake the high launch angle as more spin.

Are these a fad? Well, no pros use them. Were hammers a fad? Well, no pros were using them...
Former 5.5 but now ~4.5 due to a disability, though I still hit around the 5.0 level on a good day. I actually think these frames will work better for sub-4.5 players because it will help them get some spin that they're not getting with their existing technique. That's not to say I think higher level players won't like them, but I think most 4.5ers and up get ample spin from 16x19 or 18x20 frames and don't need larger holes in the stringbed for help.

And as I wrote earlier, after hitting with quite a few of them now I can attest that each one of them seemed to cause the head to turn on me at contact in an unwanted manner (with the exception of the PS95S, which I assume was due to the smaller head size keeping the holes between the strings smaller) and from what I've heard from my contact at the website for which I do equipment reviews, the strings move more and break more frequently with these frames.

If money's not an object for you and it's not a nuisance to string or get frames strung more frequently, then maybe that's not a factor. But it certainly is for me.
 
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