What's on your bucket list?
- Thread starter galain
- Start date
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
I've had a hit with so many different racquets and held many more. I'd like to hit with one of Lendl's Adidas or Mizuno frames. It could be a beat up stock from the thrift store. I'll likely be disappointed. It's one I've never had my hands on.
I've hit with the Max 200G, Wilson Pro Staff 85, POG OS and Midplus, T2000, F200, and many, many more.
I've never hit with a Yonex either. I've had opportunitites but just didn't. I'll stick to the Lendl frames.
I'm interested to read what others say. I like my lighter weight modern frames for competitive matches.
I've hit with the Max 200G, Wilson Pro Staff 85, POG OS and Midplus, T2000, F200, and many, many more.
I've never hit with a Yonex either. I've had opportunitites but just didn't. I'll stick to the Lendl frames.
I'm interested to read what others say. I like my lighter weight modern frames for competitive matches.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
At the risk of sounding like King Solomon, I have tried almost everything. I have a Lendl personal frame, in fact… if DAK is ever in my neighborhood, and has taken his vitamins, he’s welcome to try it out.
I think it would be fascinating to play a match with equipment and attire dating from 1900. I would also love to have a Hazell Streamline in my collection, exemplary of beauty and forward thinking almost 100 years ago.
To me, the changes in tennis equipment are analogous with the changes in high altitude alpine mountaineering gear, from the 1920’s to 1950’s, from the 1950’s to 1980’s, and from the 1980’s to today. It’s not too far a stretch for an amateur to bag a 14’er, or an amateur to hit a 100mph serve nowadays. Yet at one point in time, it was extraordinary, and at points prior, impossible.
I think it would be fascinating to play a match with equipment and attire dating from 1900. I would also love to have a Hazell Streamline in my collection, exemplary of beauty and forward thinking almost 100 years ago.
To me, the changes in tennis equipment are analogous with the changes in high altitude alpine mountaineering gear, from the 1920’s to 1950’s, from the 1950’s to 1980’s, and from the 1980’s to today. It’s not too far a stretch for an amateur to bag a 14’er, or an amateur to hit a 100mph serve nowadays. Yet at one point in time, it was extraordinary, and at points prior, impossible.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
It’s basically whatever is in my auction site watch list at any given time lol.
The Adidas GTX MID-T was certainly on it until I finally got one. So that’s one down.
I’ve always wanted to own an actual pro’s match used racket. Was watching a Baghdatis one in Italy for a long time to see if the seller would drop the price to something a bit more reasonable. They never did. Eventually they just stopped relisting it.
I’ve also always wanted one of the octagonal Fox Bosworths to compare to the Tour 96.
The Adidas GTX MID-T was certainly on it until I finally got one. So that’s one down.
I’ve always wanted to own an actual pro’s match used racket. Was watching a Baghdatis one in Italy for a long time to see if the seller would drop the price to something a bit more reasonable. They never did. Eventually they just stopped relisting it.
I’ve also always wanted one of the octagonal Fox Bosworths to compare to the Tour 96.
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
Retro:
I’ll bring my 100+ year old Spaldings. Are you in CA? My wife and I were briefly thinking of going to support the Bengals in the Super Bowl.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Yes—Though I live a little off the beaten path, in the Sierra Nevada mountains near Yosemite National Park.
davced1
Hall of Fame
I have the POG but only the 93 mid size so the oversize version that Agassi played with is on there and the other ones he played with the Donnay Pro One and Head Radical. I have never for some reason hit with a Yonex so any classic Yonex would do but let’s say the ones Navratilova and Hingis played whatever models that was. Borgs Donnay, PS 85 St Vincent and the original aeropro drive is on there too. The Wilson Javelin also because Edberg played it. The Original Big Bubba 32 inch long 137 sq inch head would be cool to try too.
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Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
Interesting question! 
Personal stock from the legends of the game is obviously always very tempting. The first time I played my personal Agassi racquet was indeed pretty special, and it would be fantastic to have racquets from Sampras, Graf, Nadal and others.
That aside, I'm fortunate enough to have played with hundreds and hundreds of "regular" racquets. Two racquets that have been mentioned above, Bosworth Tour 96 and the original Big Bubba, could be interesting. Never seen those live.
Personal stock from the legends of the game is obviously always very tempting. The first time I played my personal Agassi racquet was indeed pretty special, and it would be fantastic to have racquets from Sampras, Graf, Nadal and others.
That aside, I'm fortunate enough to have played with hundreds and hundreds of "regular" racquets. Two racquets that have been mentioned above, Bosworth Tour 96 and the original Big Bubba, could be interesting. Never seen those live.
@dak95_00 @kevin qmto I am not sure where you guys are located. But if you are ever near DC/VA/MD I have the Adidas GTX Pro T and Fox WB-210 that you can try out as well.
My bucket list includes the Donnay Apollo (almost impossible to find with grommets intact) and the Fila Astroceramics.
Maybe we should start a location list in case other members are in the area. I can start:
georgeyew - Leesburg, VA
My bucket list includes the Donnay Apollo (almost impossible to find with grommets intact) and the Fila Astroceramics.
Maybe we should start a location list in case other members are in the area. I can start:
georgeyew - Leesburg, VA
galain
Hall of Fame
That's a nice idea George. If anyone is ever in the Black Forest region of Germany (the other side of the Forest from where TW Europe is), I'd be happy to introduce you to slow red clay.
When does the winter season start and end there?
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
Slow red clay, maybe some sweet Rossignols = paradise.
galain
Hall of Fame
Last time I played I had my F300's out for the ride! Good times!Slow red clay, maybe some sweet Rossignols = paradise.
galain
Hall of Fame
Winter season usually goes from October to April/May. There are some indoor facilities with clay too. Not my local courts which are carpet, but they're around.
Henry Hub
Professional
Current bucket list is anything the Wimbledon Museum have stashed away per the link below:
In particular, that glorious prototype Dunlop Maxply:
Just for @retrowagen, this is my hoard of Streamlines (I have actually contacted the Wimbledon Museum to get a recommendation for a restorer for the Red Star as the laminated layers are unpeeling):
In particular, that glorious prototype Dunlop Maxply:
Just for @retrowagen, this is my hoard of Streamlines (I have actually contacted the Wimbledon Museum to get a recommendation for a restorer for the Red Star as the laminated layers are unpeeling):
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Only if you wanna lose badly to someone with a pure aeroSlow red clay, maybe some sweet Rossignols = paradise.
speedysteve
Legend
Volkl C9 Pro extended [Tick] - I own and regularly use 2
Blackburne DS 107 and 97 [Tick] - Have strung both and hit with both
Prince EXO3 Tour [Tick] - Have used a lot.
Have one New Old Stock left, I struggle to part with
Mad Raq (16 mains x 40 crosses) [soon to be ticked] - Have one incoming to restring and hit with.
Snauwaert Ergonom, maybe someday
Power Angle, maybe someday (oh hey that's current)
Blackburne DS 107 and 97 [Tick] - Have strung both and hit with both
Prince EXO3 Tour [Tick] - Have used a lot.
Have one New Old Stock left, I struggle to part with
Mad Raq (16 mains x 40 crosses) [soon to be ticked] - Have one incoming to restring and hit with.
Snauwaert Ergonom, maybe someday
Power Angle, maybe someday (oh hey that's current)
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
Friends don't let friends play with modern Babolats...Only if you wanna lose badly to someone with a pure aero
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
✅ Dream achieved. Magic.
galain
Hall of Fame
Ok - as the OP I've been keeping stumm because I think you're all more interesting than I am and because I have quite the bucket list.
I'd love to hit with one of the HiTens that Snauwaert put out back in the day.
I'd love to hit with one of the Lacoste Equijets.
To own, I'm pretty content. I have more sticks than I can shake a..errm..stick at so there's nothing really pressing. Perhaps some of those from my young days that have taken up sentimental residence in my head - the wood graphite Yonex Pioneer is one I'd like to have. Le Coq's TXM is another. I plan to pick up a Copper Ace one of these days as well as a Dunlop Turbo Plus, only because together with the Silver Ace it was the graphite stick everyone in my area was using when graphite first became a thing.
There are more! There are always more. But these are the first thoughts that come to mind.
I'd love to hit with one of the HiTens that Snauwaert put out back in the day.
I'd love to hit with one of the Lacoste Equijets.
To own, I'm pretty content. I have more sticks than I can shake a..errm..stick at so there's nothing really pressing. Perhaps some of those from my young days that have taken up sentimental residence in my head - the wood graphite Yonex Pioneer is one I'd like to have. Le Coq's TXM is another. I plan to pick up a Copper Ace one of these days as well as a Dunlop Turbo Plus, only because together with the Silver Ace it was the graphite stick everyone in my area was using when graphite first became a thing.
There are more! There are always more. But these are the first thoughts that come to mind.
HBK4life
Hall of Fame
Where did you get one?
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
I hit with a HiTen before I sold it. It was a thrift store find. That crazy open pattern made it have an extremely high launch angle with lots of topspin. It was designed or designated to be strung with thick gauge strings at ridiculously high tensions. I would think a poly string at a normal tension could be achieved today and be controllable. I also think some of these open “spin” frames that were out in the last five years mimicked them as well.
It was a weird hit. I sold it to a collector for a ridiculous amount of money.
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
From another collector.
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
galain
Hall of Fame
Dude!Book the court, I'll bring my Hi-Tens and an Equijet.
galain
Hall of Fame
That's a hell of a thrift shop find! Of all the things to go through the auction site, I think I've only seen two or three of these come up, ever. I'm not surprised you sold it at a profit.
Sanglier
Professional
One racquet on my bucket list that I finally managed to check off is this Sovereign, recently deaccessioned from Racquetfreak's massive collection. As it originated from the Netherlands and was once part of a matched pair, I strongly suspect it is the same one that @hannah1901 mentioned in a thread here a decade ago. If so, then its twin brother must be the one sitting in the 80s-Tennis collection. Indeed, this example is serial-numbered "JB-BA1", but came with the spec card for "JB-BA2", meaning that 80s-Tennis and I probably have each other's spec card.
Speaking of specs - the card says the frame should weigh 351g and measure 7 Pt HL; mine measured 346g strung (328g unstrung), and 8 Pt HL (way more than that without the strings), so they are not all that on-spec. Granted the card is meant to go with the twin brother, so maybe the written specs are accurate for that other unit. However, if this were the case, then JB-BA1 and JB-BA2 were not really the identical twins that they were supposed to be!
Measured flex is 64 RA. The racquet is very plush and comfortable to play with, but there is nothing on it that screams "I cost an arm and a leg" (the car I was driving in 1986 was 33% cheaper than this)! There is no depth or glow to the finish, no mysterious swells and bulges like on the Wilson Excalibur; it is just plain, drab, understated, and resolutely utilitarian. Maybe they were going for that Prince-Charles-going-for-a-stroll-in-Balmoral sort of vibe? Maybe Kunnan Lo personally made these at home and had his wife trace the gold stripe by hand? Or maybe this was a market-research project (to gather demographic data on the sucker community) doubling as social commentary on the growing consumerism of the era?
Speaking of specs - the card says the frame should weigh 351g and measure 7 Pt HL; mine measured 346g strung (328g unstrung), and 8 Pt HL (way more than that without the strings), so they are not all that on-spec. Granted the card is meant to go with the twin brother, so maybe the written specs are accurate for that other unit. However, if this were the case, then JB-BA1 and JB-BA2 were not really the identical twins that they were supposed to be!
Measured flex is 64 RA. The racquet is very plush and comfortable to play with, but there is nothing on it that screams "I cost an arm and a leg" (the car I was driving in 1986 was 33% cheaper than this)! There is no depth or glow to the finish, no mysterious swells and bulges like on the Wilson Excalibur; it is just plain, drab, understated, and resolutely utilitarian. Maybe they were going for that Prince-Charles-going-for-a-stroll-in-Balmoral sort of vibe? Maybe Kunnan Lo personally made these at home and had his wife trace the gold stripe by hand? Or maybe this was a market-research project (to gather demographic data on the sucker community) doubling as social commentary on the growing consumerism of the era?
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vsdtrek
Semi-Pro
Same as many others - the Adidas Lendl GTX Pro T. Such a legendary frame of my favorite player. Doubt I’ll ever see one in person and even if I did, my shoulder is such I’ll never be able to actually do anything other than tap some shorter shots off a wall. Either way, I occasionally check used sporting good stores just in the ultra rare chance one shows up. Ironically, I found a Max 200G about 3 weeks ago.
I could have bought one when I first got into tennis back in 1985 but I ended up buying a Kneissel Aero because the store only had that as a demo and it did look cool.
I could have bought one when I first got into tennis back in 1985 but I ended up buying a Kneissel Aero because the store only had that as a demo and it did look cool.
galain
Hall of Fame
Same as many others - the Adidas Lendl GTX Pro T. Such a legendary frame of my favorite player. Doubt I’ll ever see one in person and even if I did, my shoulder is such I’ll never be able to actually do anything other than tap some shorter shots off a wall. Either way, I occasionally check used sporting good stores just in the ultra rare chance one shows up. Ironically, I found a Max 200G about 3 weeks ago.
I could have bought one when I first got into tennis back in 1985 but I ended up buying a Kneissel Aero because the store only had that as a demo and it did look cool.
They come up on the auction site fairly regularly and you get lucky sometimes with the price.
vsdtrek
Semi-Pro
I’m spoiled by the $6 200G. Those GTXs are just a ton of money for what I’d be able to do with it now. May have to change to a Mac fan after hating the guy for 40+ years.
galain
Hall of Fame
I hear you. I was never a Mac fan but have really come to appreciate how great he was since he retired. I was lucky enough to find my 200G in a second shop too - paid $10 for it because it had a broken string!I’m spoiled by the $6 200G. Those GTXs are just a ton of money for what I’d be able to do with it now. May have to change to a Mac fan after hating the guy for 40+ years.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-word of caution
-use a SOFT BALL when you try any of these older wood frames!
-these things are so old now that the glue has dried out
-they dont do well with hard tennis balls anymore
RDM
Rookie
Message me the postal details of your Queensland contact and I’ll send up the Yonex Pioneer I’ve been saving for you.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Good suggestion.
When I hit with it briefly I used regular balls (not newly opened). I have since bought some kids' green balls which should be a little softer for the next time I hit with it.
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Wilson HPS hyper carbon 6.0 95 Sq inch
Head tgk 238.1
Yonex Vcore 95D
Head tgk 238.1
Yonex Vcore 95D
vsdtrek
Semi-Pro
I had some of the HPS 6.0 95s. Probably the most beautiful paint jobs of any racquet I ever owned (really nice matte red). IIRC, a bit firmer feeling in the tip than the standard 6.0 95 (then again, just about anything was) and maybe a touch more mobile feeling but the regular 6.0 95 seemed to have a bit more pop. Really didn't keep them long and kept using the regular 6.0s until it seemed the QC got worse. Once they went to the China manufacturing, I would get ones where the grip shapes and lengths just seemed way different.
I fully agree, I don't know how they were able to transition from the matte to the gloss finish so smoothly. It is just beautiful.
Correction...I was referring to the HPS 6.1.
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
How do you distinguish the China made ones from the others? Where were those made?..
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Bought a pr. of HPS 6.0 95 from Canada BITD. Nuff Said
vsdtrek
Semi-Pro
It’s been over 15 years since I used any (used the model for about 10 years) but IIRC, the other ones were Taiwan. Before that, they may have been Chicago. That’s really going back.
The China ones had a shorter and (to me) fatter grip. It seemed like I was putting less overgrip on as the taper at the top of the leather grip began sooner. Really annoying and I finally moved on and began the fun of buying a different model every other month.
speedysteve
Legend
With the Blackburne we've found that 15-20g of lead hot glue gunned in under the butt cap (so it's right at the end of the handle, but is also removeable) gets you a nice 2 pts HL @ around 340g strung, and makes both the 107 and 97 much better.
In stock weight and balance they were not good for us.
One frame my friend got has original strings. It plays very well. No idea how old they are.
The other 2 frames I restrung with synth gut renowned for tension maintenance.
You won't find a more arm friendly racquet / string combo with lots of pop and spin available.
I have a feeling Warwinka's stick is a hammer wielded by Thor god like strength!
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
None now. I'll probably start selling off my small collection as my kids don't want them. Kids would want a picture of them just so they could say what I had, but not the actual racket itself.
galain
Hall of Fame
Anything in your collection Steve that you think you'd have particular trouble parting with?
I'm set for life, hit with loads of different rackets, anything above this is gravy. I'd highly reccommend the T2000 and Rossi f200 if never hit with those (very unique at the very least). If I had to pick maybe a Lendl or Becker frame, or maybe a wooden Donnay Borg, but not if it costs me an arm or leg
