Orion
Semi-Pro
Thanks again TW for the opportunity to test cool products.
String and tension used for test: Babolat RPM/Babolat Xcel @ 44/44
Tennis experience/background: 48 year old USTA rated 4.0, played high school tennis, got back intimidating playing regularly and league in mid 30's. Intermittent wrist pain from a torn TFCC tendon. 5 years removed from surgery.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Baseliner- flat off both wings. Wrist pain deters me from volleying, so usually come to net expecting to hit 2 volleys max. [emoji6]
Current racquet/string setups: Head Gravity Pro - Alu Power 16 / Babolat PHT 17 @ 46
How many hours did you play with the racquet? 13 hours - 4 hours on the ball machine, 5.5 hours Singles, 3.5 hours Doubles
Comments on racquet performance:
-Groundstrokes: Solid from both sides. The frame swings lighter than its weight. I played with it fully stock with the first 3-4 hours then with a TF Vibra Clip ATP dampener….no overgrip, no lead, no head tape. I felt a difference receiving bigger balls, the PA VS 2020 does get pushed around. This may be addressed by lead in the head but I enjoyed the natural balance and rarely play big hitters. This may seem weird but it felt like the ball popped from the strings, but didn't hit the court with same velocity… like it died mid-air. I noticed a lot of string movement around the 9 hour mark.
Forehand - I could take big cuts at the ball that generated good spin. The ball jumped off the strings and gives the sensation of catching the ball early. Control seemed to wane moving the ball around the court. I felt more comfortable hitting down the middle of the court. I was never able find the solid feel I get hitting inside out and down the line with the Gravity Pro. I attribute to my preference for an 18x20 and hitting a flat ball. It was difficult to dial my swing in. It may be I never got adjusted to the weight.
Backhand - The more comfortable side for me. I had more control and could pull the ball easier from side to side than with the forehand. I like the launch angle the ball leaves the strings, easier to get good lift. Good depth and nice spin from normal cuts at the ball. Don't feel my ball was that heavy though. I found a deadly slice return as the strings settled in...low net clearance and the ball stayed low.
-Serves: I found it easy to get through the air. Used to serving with the Gravity Pro, this almost felt like I was serving with a Walmart kids frame. It didn't deliver the pop I remember from the Babolat Roddick PD but I really enjoyed the consistency. There's an unexpected flex from the frame. The ball comes off dampened but not muted.
-Volleys: Solid off both sides. There is a surprising stiffness to the frame on contract. It has just the right flex. I have a tendency to break the head to early in anticipation of wrist pain. I experienced no pain volleying which is normally where I'm most troubled. It's a solid Doubles frame for me.
-Serve returns: The lightweight of the frame coupled with the firm feel made returns easy. I never never got the plow I get from the Gravity Pro. Feels like this was a result of the lack of heft. Even when I got a good rip I wasn't able to hit a punishing return.
General reaction/comments on overall performance: This is a great intermediate frame…lightweight with good flex and firm enough not to get pushed around too much. It left me wanting more so I'll definitely tweak it to see if I can get a heavier ball from it with some lead. I did notice alot of string movement last night with the center strings and outer mains. I expected to not like the frame and have it confirm my Gravity Pro marriage. Some days I don't want to compete I just want to hit balls and the Gravity Pro can be demanding. I found the PA VS 2020 to be a nice frame to just hit. I swapped frames between sets playing Singles and didn't hand to adjust too much....just didn't feel like I could go for shots I normally would. I've been in a funk since losing my Dad in February and sometimes the Gravity Pro feels like work. There's an innate desire to go for shots with the Gravity Pro. The PA VS 2020 provided a change of scenery given and fits my recent lack of desire to compete and just hit balls.
I'll continue contributing as I play around with setup. I'll be trying the RPM in the Gravity Pro.
Sent from my SM-T867U using Tapatalk
String and tension used for test: Babolat RPM/Babolat Xcel @ 44/44
Tennis experience/background: 48 year old USTA rated 4.0, played high school tennis, got back intimidating playing regularly and league in mid 30's. Intermittent wrist pain from a torn TFCC tendon. 5 years removed from surgery.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Baseliner- flat off both wings. Wrist pain deters me from volleying, so usually come to net expecting to hit 2 volleys max. [emoji6]
Current racquet/string setups: Head Gravity Pro - Alu Power 16 / Babolat PHT 17 @ 46
How many hours did you play with the racquet? 13 hours - 4 hours on the ball machine, 5.5 hours Singles, 3.5 hours Doubles
Comments on racquet performance:
-Groundstrokes: Solid from both sides. The frame swings lighter than its weight. I played with it fully stock with the first 3-4 hours then with a TF Vibra Clip ATP dampener….no overgrip, no lead, no head tape. I felt a difference receiving bigger balls, the PA VS 2020 does get pushed around. This may be addressed by lead in the head but I enjoyed the natural balance and rarely play big hitters. This may seem weird but it felt like the ball popped from the strings, but didn't hit the court with same velocity… like it died mid-air. I noticed a lot of string movement around the 9 hour mark.
Forehand - I could take big cuts at the ball that generated good spin. The ball jumped off the strings and gives the sensation of catching the ball early. Control seemed to wane moving the ball around the court. I felt more comfortable hitting down the middle of the court. I was never able find the solid feel I get hitting inside out and down the line with the Gravity Pro. I attribute to my preference for an 18x20 and hitting a flat ball. It was difficult to dial my swing in. It may be I never got adjusted to the weight.
Backhand - The more comfortable side for me. I had more control and could pull the ball easier from side to side than with the forehand. I like the launch angle the ball leaves the strings, easier to get good lift. Good depth and nice spin from normal cuts at the ball. Don't feel my ball was that heavy though. I found a deadly slice return as the strings settled in...low net clearance and the ball stayed low.
-Serves: I found it easy to get through the air. Used to serving with the Gravity Pro, this almost felt like I was serving with a Walmart kids frame. It didn't deliver the pop I remember from the Babolat Roddick PD but I really enjoyed the consistency. There's an unexpected flex from the frame. The ball comes off dampened but not muted.
-Volleys: Solid off both sides. There is a surprising stiffness to the frame on contract. It has just the right flex. I have a tendency to break the head to early in anticipation of wrist pain. I experienced no pain volleying which is normally where I'm most troubled. It's a solid Doubles frame for me.
-Serve returns: The lightweight of the frame coupled with the firm feel made returns easy. I never never got the plow I get from the Gravity Pro. Feels like this was a result of the lack of heft. Even when I got a good rip I wasn't able to hit a punishing return.
General reaction/comments on overall performance: This is a great intermediate frame…lightweight with good flex and firm enough not to get pushed around too much. It left me wanting more so I'll definitely tweak it to see if I can get a heavier ball from it with some lead. I did notice alot of string movement last night with the center strings and outer mains. I expected to not like the frame and have it confirm my Gravity Pro marriage. Some days I don't want to compete I just want to hit balls and the Gravity Pro can be demanding. I found the PA VS 2020 to be a nice frame to just hit. I swapped frames between sets playing Singles and didn't hand to adjust too much....just didn't feel like I could go for shots I normally would. I've been in a funk since losing my Dad in February and sometimes the Gravity Pro feels like work. There's an innate desire to go for shots with the Gravity Pro. The PA VS 2020 provided a change of scenery given and fits my recent lack of desire to compete and just hit balls.
I'll continue contributing as I play around with setup. I'll be trying the RPM in the Gravity Pro.

Sent from my SM-T867U using Tapatalk
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