Versions of Boris Beckers Puma/estusa mold
- Thread starter Hankenstein
- Start date
michael valek
Hall of Fame
proracketeer
Professional
Like!
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Off to hit with them now. Will report!!
proracketeer
Professional
934
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Nice HEAD racquets
michael valek
Hall of Fame
They play UNBELIEVABLY. absolutely different. They all 345g strung but play more solidly than the estusas. And solid like the pumas but lighter. Definitely pro frames.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Also not like any head racket I ever used. Thank goodness
michael valek
Hall of Fame
michael valek
Hall of Fame
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Proof of heads manufacture of the boris frames.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Says tk92 on it if you can’t see it
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Also a question for string experts. The strings in these are silvery white colour, possibly Wilson according to the guy I bought the frames from, but it doesn’t say anything on the strings.....I really like the strings. Anyone have an idea of silvery white Wilson strings could be? Thanks
teachingprotx
Legend
Oh I’m excited for this man!! Been waiting for a review since these first came out !!! Yee -hah!! I hope you can find an RDC MACHINE . Oh my gosh I’d go nuts to know that flex!!!!
teachingprotx
Legend
I have no idea what they could be sorry !!
teachingprotx
Legend
I also do wonder if Becker actually used any of the head pressed limited edt ones in tournaments? Or if he used his old stash of pumas ?
The tops of his pumas always looked pretty fresh too . Wonder if he or his team ever “ touched up the red paint “? To make em look new ?
The tops of his pumas always looked pretty fresh too . Wonder if he or his team ever “ touched up the red paint “? To make em look new ?
teachingprotx
Legend
Was just thinking Michael !!
If Boris supposedly played with the puma vilas .. did he use that actual frame to make the limited edition head frames ya think ?
I have no idea what the puma vilas specs are but would be interesting to match up the specs between the limited edt with a true puma vilas !
If Boris supposedly played with the puma vilas .. did he use that actual frame to make the limited edition head frames ya think ?
I have no idea what the puma vilas specs are but would be interesting to match up the specs between the limited edt with a true puma vilas !
michael valek
Hall of Fame
i think he did use them, if you find pictures of him using the frames, red and blue, but with nothing written on them, neither puma nor estusa, that must be them.....
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Also anyone know what strings boris used? Tension etc?
teachingprotx
Legend
Could be wrong but I think I recall Babolat nat gut
Strung up tight like 68 lbs or more
Strung up tight like 68 lbs or more
teachingprotx
Legend
And he liked his frames fatigued , more flex , broken in feel . After really think g about it , I think don’t quote me but I think .....
Boris racket the whole time was really using the vilas puma .....
Also I think the vilas is more flexy than the “ puma super “
Memory serves the puma at a ra value of 61-63?
And the vilas ra value of 58-56 ? Or lower ?
So thusly ... if I’m correct on all accounts ( which I never am )
and Becker was using the “broken in “ vilas puma .. them perhaps his RA - was in the low 50’s !, intriguing I presume !
I’ll fish -post a new thread on th vilas and see what we get ! Be right back
Boris racket the whole time was really using the vilas puma .....
Also I think the vilas is more flexy than the “ puma super “
Memory serves the puma at a ra value of 61-63?
And the vilas ra value of 58-56 ? Or lower ?
So thusly ... if I’m correct on all accounts ( which I never am )
and Becker was using the “broken in “ vilas puma .. them perhaps his RA - was in the low 50’s !, intriguing I presume !
I’ll fish -post a new thread on th vilas and see what we get ! Be right back
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Yeah but those are much heavier.
teachingprotx
Legend
Ohhhhh ? Ok cool I didn’t know . Good info . What are your babies weighing in at again Michael ?
teachingprotx
Legend
Oh and by the way I’m incredibky jealous of you and those rackets man ! Ya know I’ve never even seen one in real life do they look as good as they do in pics !.?
teachingprotx
Legend
My dream racket would be those rackets in all red. The same red as they are just all over and a white grip or a tourna grip blue - with white tape..ala krickstein style . Weight 10.6 oz
12 pts HL
RA -30
Thought I’d have it with my new to me circa 1987 volkl t 9 jr,, but alas 13 oz too heavy for me
12 pts HL
RA -30
Thought I’d have it with my new to me circa 1987 volkl t 9 jr,, but alas 13 oz too heavy for me
michael valek
Hall of Fame
345g strung. And yes. Lovely.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
There’s one of his frames on £bay now. Search for Staff Boris Becker Pro Stock Puma Super Tennis Racket, Tennis Racquet 1986. In the photos you can see his specs. 345g. It’s a puma but lighter than most. Some of my supers have the extendable grip, some have the old system.
LeoFulgencio
Rookie
Collected in 6-7 months. First the Vilas Power and the Winner, then Pro and Super.
teachingprotx
Legend
Here is my pic for the group my new estusa 26 junior
teachingprotx
Legend
Could the strings be Wilson enduro polyester strings ? They def came in silvery white I believe and was the softest poly in Wilson’s string stable .
I personally used that string for years and miss it badly . Soft And great spin !
Also couldn’t remember did you ever get the flex rating on the world champion becker frame ?
tennistiger
Professional
The original string in the World Champion racket was the Kühnel Masterpiece. A Multi with thick outer core. But it was more beige/yellow.
teachingprotx
Legend
Ah !! Perfect ! @tennistiger brings his wealth of knowledge once again !’thank you tennis tiger!
What is the swing weight of that stick - I presume it might me "lighter" (lesser SW) ?Here is my pic for the group my new estusa 26 junior
teachingprotx
Legend
Not sure it’s a 26 so lighter than regular but strung up it’s 12.3 oz unfortunately. Was hoping for like 10 and change on the weight
Not sure it’s a 26 so lighter than regular but strung up it’s 12.3 oz unfortunately. Was hoping for like 10 and change on the weight
The way the BB WC 95 championship racket swings when unstrung - I would be able to crush the ball by accelerating the racket head.
Strung - it is entirely different matter, much higher (perceived) SW. Also, somehow more "polar" feeling in its weight distribution.
I guess I will have to start the strengthening exercise program, for the forearm(s) in particular, at home.
I have not tried the PB Braided, but I guess the lighter SW and the balance might be perfect in terms of maneuverability.
To me, the BB WC 95 racket would be perfect with the more headlight balance, or reduced weight.
Tennis has evolved and changed, as well as we getting older...
Last edited:
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
Is there someone (maybe @tennistiger??) who knows if Boris ever played with a Puma with a real PCS handle system on?
I just saw a Pro Line Super on the bay sold as his personal racket, but as far as I know (from reading here) he always played no PCS...furthermore the racket in question is in 4 grip size, instead on 5, as I know him to play with.
Thanks in advance for any help
I just saw a Pro Line Super on the bay sold as his personal racket, but as far as I know (from reading here) he always played no PCS...furthermore the racket in question is in 4 grip size, instead on 5, as I know him to play with.
Thanks in advance for any help
To the best of my knowledge, no (the subject has been written on here at "talk tennis").
I just saw a Pro Line Super on the bay sold as his personal racket, but as far as I know (from reading here) he always played no PCS...furthermore the racket in question is in 4 grip size, instead on 5, as I know him to play with.
Thanks in advance for any help
I highly doubt that racket has been his personal racket. At that time (if we have seen the same racket) Boris was already using the Kennelbach (Head) baked rackets.
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
I think the same, there are few details which make me think that's a fake one...including the fact that few months ago I saw a fake PT57A on sale from the same person.
Truly hope that no one gets caught in that trap
tennistiger
Professional
There were two PCS systems, the retail Vilas/Winner had a normal foam handle with a thread inside. You can screw off the butt cap and remove two pieces to make the racket shorter than normal lenght. At the time Becker started to play with the Vilas in beginning of 1985 his rackets had this 2 piece PCS system with the red buttcap. But this changed soon during 1985. After that always foamed handle with grip 5.Is there someone (maybe @tennistiger??) who knows if Boris ever played with a Puma with a real PCS handle system on?
I just saw a Pro Line Super on the bay sold as his personal racket, but as far as I know (from reading here) he always played no PCS...furthermore the racket in question is in 4 grip size, instead on 5, as I know him to play with.
Thanks in advance for any help
The retail Super had a complete adjustable handle which ofte made problems.
Chronik
Die größten Momente in PUMAs 70-jähriger Geschichte innovativer Produkte, legendärer Athleten und Meilensteine.
about.puma.com
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
Tiger thanks again to spread your knowledge...then that one on the bay is definitely a fake.There were two PCS systems, the retail Vilas/Winner had a normal foam handle with a thread inside. You can screw off the butt cap and remove two pieces to make the racket shorter than normal lenght. At the time Becker started to play with the Vilas in beginning of 1985 his rackets had this 2 piece PCS system with the red buttcap. But this changed soon during 1985. After that always foamed handle with grip 5.
The retail Super had a complete adjustable handle which ofte made problems.
Chronik
Die größten Momente in PUMAs 70-jähriger Geschichte innovativer Produkte, legendärer Athleten und Meilensteine.
tennistiger
Professional
Show a picture, I can tell you then.
It might be a sensitive matter, since the item is put on the well known auction site, from what I remember at rather considerable price.
To me it looked like the claim is highly suspicious, and I have stated why in my previous post here, regarding this matter.
The item itself can be genuine, and it is most likely really genuine version of Puma Boris Becker Super, but the question is whether the seller's description of the item and its history and origin seller is correct.
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
tennistiger
Professional
Thats a normal retail frame.
My dream racket would be those rackets in all red. The same red as they are just all over and a white grip or a tourna grip blue - with white tape..ala krickstein style . Weight 10.6 oz
12 pts HL
RA -30
Thought I’d have it with my new to me circa 1987 volkl t 9 jr,, but alas 13 oz too heavy for me
Disregarding rather unrealistic wish for the RA (in my view, but hey, to each his own, and I do like and appreciate the flex of the old school racquets);
I would agree that the thing of desire would be this frame, either considerably more headlight (and of lesser - lower swing weight) and/or lower static weight.
Say, 10.6 oz and the balance of the Babolat APD - to compensate for the lower weight, or PB Braided weight, or slightly lower strung weight, and 12 pts. head light.
I think that would fit modern tennis better, be easy to customise if needed by anyone, and simply allow in stock form more control throughout the fast swings and in tight, pressure situation when in need of defense or counterpunching.
I got two of the Boris Becker World Champion 95 racquets, and unstrung they swing very fast (which is rather normal for unstrung racquets), but strung - sadly, a completely different story.
Either hit the gym and start getting used to the balance and SW, or...
I guess we will never see the day when someone takes this exact frame and offers custom options of balance, weight and swing weight, such as Angell, Heysil or some other custom manufacturers. Such a shame, really.
proracketeer
Professional
Not sure... 27/25?
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
I found a picture of one his racket (which seems to be authentic) with tension sticker saying 70/66 lbs as value:
teachingprotx
Legend
Vs natty gut at 66 to 72 lbs range . With all frames fatigued and well broken in to increase flexibility
teachingprotx
Legend
Wish the retail super had the same flex of roughly 52-55 which is what his RA HAD to be in that spec range . My old fatigued puma super ( not what Becker ever actually used ) mine got down to 60 and one was a 59 Ra. But the 59 may of had a fracture in the head hoop . I think Becker used the ra 57 from the vilas puma throughout his career with a super PJ
michael valek
Hall of Fame
I’ve been playing with some Yamaha secrets recently. I tried my puma today and it felt like it was actually snapped in the middle it was So flexible.
