Tour 90 more demanding than the 6.0 mid?

[vkartikv]

I have tried the 6.0 85 before but the racquets were never in my grip size - until yesterday. I got an opportunity to hit with a friend's 6.0 that looked like it had seen better days but atleast it was the right grip size.

To begin with, I did not find the racquet to be 'demanding' - as long as your attention is on the ball and not what racquet you are using or your opponent is, there really should be no problems. Anyhow, I have never hit more powerful and precise serves in my life! One would think that to find the sweetspot on an 85 sq.in. racquet can be demanding but for any player 4.0 or up, this shouldn't be a problem, atleast not over time.

I am a 4.5 level player who used the tour 90 for close to a year. I find the tour 90 to be more demanding than the 6.0. Though both racquets were exceptionally stable at the net, it took more effort to place groundstrokes with the tour 90 than it did with the 6.0. The only downside to the 6.0 was the extra effort it took to get to high bouncing balls on the backhand side, but this is something that can be worked on.

Contrary to what is said and published, the tour 90, inspite of being slightly larger than the 85 is definitely not more powerful. I find it hard to understand why Fed briefly changed over from the 6.0 to the tour 90. Of course, he regained his senses to dump the racquet but now that I have had the chance to play with both racquets, I do not understand why people still find the 6.0 to be demanding. Having played with a C10 Pro the previous day, I had no trouble adjusting to the 6.0. I do not mean to brag but I just dont see why the 6.0 is considered 'demanding' by 4.0 level players and up.

Any thoughts/comments?

 

[armand]

Thanks for the post, vkartikv, I found it very insightful.
I play with the 6.0 frequently and I'm thinking of getting the Tour 90 not as my main stick but just to use to hit around and practise with.
I know that the 6.0 has this sort of magical quality in not only precision but it also gives the player a 6th sense about how to find the sweetspot. Of course, I don't expect for the Tour 90 to be as good as the 85 but I am interested if it has better topspin, power and stability that I've read.
So, what should I do?
BTW, I've hit with the nCode Tour 90 and liked it, though not enough to buy one. And people say they liked the Tour 90 more than the nCode. So you can see the bind I'm in. Little help? Anyone?

 

[VGP]

Could it be that the PS 85 is a bit more open in the heart of the stringbed than the Tour 90?

 

[Keifers]

I own a couple of the PS Tour 90s and I demoed the 85 last year (TW demo).

For me, the Tour 90 is a beast to swing. A number of people here have described it as cumbersome and I agree. Feels like they put too much weight in the area at the top of the throat (where it meets the hoop).

I found I was mishitting with the 85 noticeably more than with 90" (or larger) racquets -- especially on returns of serve. That's what ruled it out eventually for me. The 85 is one of the sweetest hits in tennis, though. (Sigh!) Also moves very nicely through the air in spite of its high-ish static weight and swingweight.

 

[anirut]

There's something magical about the rackets from the 6.0 era with the 85 sq.in. head. I really can't understand why racket companies stopped making good rackets like those oldies.

I don't have the 6.0 85 but I have the Sting SC 85 (from the same era) as well as the Tour 90 (Asian version). I must say the Tour 90 s*cks in comparison for my oldish style of play. For me, even the T10VE mid that I play with is still no match for that kind of feel and precision.

But, as many have said on this board that today's game has changed, I guess that's why the companies ruled out the old-style rackets to cater to the 'wants' of the masses.

At least the 6.0 85 and the POG are still around ... and I haven't tested the nCode 90 yet. So, who knows, some modern rackets may be 'close'.

 

[morten]

yes a pig.....

 

[rocket]

For me, the Tour 90 is a beast to swing. A number of people here have described it as cumbersome and I agree. Feels like they put too much weight in the area at the top of the throat (where it meets the hoop).

Yeah I thought the balance/configuration of the tour 90 is peculiar, not that heavy but not aerodynamic enough to swing fast, whereas the 6.0 85 cuts right through the air once you get it going. How Fed could wack it so easily is beyond me...

 

[morten]

well, he doesnt.....

 

[vkartikv]

For Adely:

I gave away all the tour 90s I own. After playing with the 6.0, there is no comparison and every time you pick up the tour 90, you're left wondering 'is this the replacement they came up with for the 6.0?????'. And of course, the ncode tour 90 is much worse than the original tour 90 in terms of racquet twisting/stability at the net. For the price at which it sells, I am a little hesitant to recommend it.

Like you have mentioned, the 6.0 seems to have some magical ability to let you find the sweetspot - if you are atleast an intermed. player, that is. I was using continental grips on my forehand with the tour 90, I just couldn't work out the SW grip with it. But with the 6.0 85 and after watching Courier play, I must say that my forehands have improved ten fold and volleys are an absolute delight.

Final note: I do not know what exactly it is you are looking from your game, but if you are out to have fun, stick with the 6.0.

 

[armand]

For Adely:

I gave away all the tour 90s I own. After playing with the 6.0, there is no comparison and every time you pick up the tour 90, you're left wondering 'is this the replacement they came up with for the 6.0?????'. And of course, the ncode tour 90 is much worse than the original tour 90 in terms of racquet twisting/stability at the net. For the price at which it sells, I am a little hesitant to recommend it.

Like you have mentioned, the 6.0 seems to have some magical ability to let you find the sweetspot - if you are atleast an intermed. player, that is. I was using continental grips on my forehand with the tour 90, I just couldn't work out the SW grip with it. But with the 6.0 85 and after watching Courier play, I must say that my forehands have improved ten fold and volleys are an absolute delight.

Final note: I do not know what exactly it is you are looking from your game, but if you are out to have fun, stick with the 6.0.

Thanks for great the info!
My reason for wanting the Tour 90 is for practice because I need a racquet that is difficult to use.
I've been using another racquet that has a much larger sweetspot and over time, I slowly realize I can no longer find dead center so easily since switching to it. I want a racquet that can teach me again where to hit and I thought the 6.0 85 would've been good for that task but it isn't because that magical property doesn't transfer to other racquets.
I do have a racquet that is good to that task(Presitge Classic) but I used it for 4 years and it has a dense string pattern and I just want to have something new now. Pro Staff Tour 90?

 

[vkartikv]

Thanks for great the info!
My reason for wanting the Tour 90 is for practice because I need a racquet that is difficult to use.
I've been using another racquet that has a much larger sweetspot and over time, I slowly realize I can no longer find dead center so easily since switching to it. I want a racquet that can teach me again where to hit and I thought the 6.0 85 would've been good for that task but it isn't because that magical property doesn't transfer to other racquets.
I do have a racquet that is good to that task(Presitge Classic) but I used it for 4 years and it has a dense string pattern and I just want to have something new now. Pro Staff Tour 90?

Good luck finding one, much less in your grip size. I think **** has some listed. I had 4-5 in the 3/8 size about 3-4 months ago, but sold them all for close to $100 each. I think its good to challenge yourself every now and then to see how you can adjust to different conditions. sometimes i play with bare hands and no racquet...

 

[Midlife crisis]

My reason for wanting the Tour 90 is for practice because I need a racquet that is difficult to use.

Nothing like a good old traditional wood racquet for that.

 

[jasonbourne]

Well I love the 6.0 also but play a couple of matches against folks who can run you around the court and see how well you hold up. Even Edberg doesn't use the frame to play matches anymore. If your set up is not spot on with the 6.0 you're dead meat. Still love it though. BTW the Tour 90 is a pig.

What is Edberg's replacement racquet?