Wilson kps 88 string tension?

PrinceMoron said:
34 kilos

and here is why I did it

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/sampras-racket-harmony-a-vital-key-to-success-714080.html
Click to expand...
Although the article is interesting and worth reading, your rationale is far from sound! First of all, K88 is not the same racquet that Sampras played in his time. Secondly, you are no Sampras! Thirdly, even the gut that Pete used back then is probably not the same one as the gut from the same manufacturer that might make it today. Fourthly (which is also mentioned in the article), the balls that Pete played back in days are different than the balls we have today.

So any correlation with what he used in his days vs. what you (or anyone of us) is going to use is impossible. To recommend a tension that worked for him to someone that you never heard of just because Pete used is pretty flowed.

The best way to figure this out is to chose your string and play test with different tensions for quite some time in order to figure out what is the best for you!! Anything else is in the best case, just a reference point that you might use as start for yourself!

Fedja
 
Prince Synthetic 18 Gauge at 58 pounds.
Excellent control. Good feel. Cheap costing string. Allows me to do a huge American Twist serve and great ground strokes for spin/angles. Breaks fairly often but at $4.25 a string if you have your own stringer its not a big deal.
 
MrAWD said:
Although the article is interesting and worth reading, your rationale is far from sound! First of all, K88 is not the same racquet that Sampras played in his time. Secondly, you are no Sampras! Thirdly, even the gut that Pete used back then is probably not the same one as the gut from the same manufacturer that might make it today. Fourthly (which is also mentioned in the article), the balls that Pete played back in days are different than the balls we have today.

So any correlation with what he used in his days vs. what you (or anyone of us) is going to use is impossible. To recommend a tension that worked for him to someone that you never heard of just because Pete used is pretty flowed.

The best way to figure this out is to chose your string and play test with different tensions for quite some time in order to figure out what is the best for you!! Anything else is in the best case, just a reference point that you might use as start for yourself!

Fedja
Click to expand...

I wasn't recommending, just saying what I had tried. I grew up playing with Kevlar, strung like a board. I find Alu Power soft and comfortable in comparison, so for me it is hard to understand people sayiing they need to go down a few pounds in tension, or they get aches and pains. Gut at 75lbs feels like a rocket launcher.

I do actually play some matches with PS85s, especially doubles, but the only ones I have left are Taiwan factory codes.
 
MrAWD said:
Although the article is interesting and worth reading, your rationale is far from sound! First of all, K88 is not the same racquet that Sampras played in his time. Secondly, you are no Sampras! Thirdly, even the gut that Pete used back then is probably not the same one as the gut from the same manufacturer that might make it today. Fourthly (which is also mentioned in the article), the balls that Pete played back in days are different than the balls we have today.

So any correlation with what he used in his days vs. what you (or anyone of us) is going to use is impossible. To recommend a tension that worked for him to someone that you never heard of just because Pete used is pretty flowed.

The best way to figure this out is to chose your string and play test with different tensions for quite some time in order to figure out what is the best for you!! Anything else is in the best case, just a reference point that you might use as start for yourself!

Fedja
Click to expand...

Same here. I feel like a fool wasting money. I should have demoed this before going all out on buying.

The racquet is perfect, but the only thing that ticks me off is the weight. It's tough to swing when you're forced out wide and sprinting at the ball. I think I'd prefer a much lighter racquet, tone down the SW a bit, too. Then open it for customization. The KPS88 is simple too heavy against today's extremely offensive game. It doesn't help that I tend to play defensively.

In correspondance, I suggest a string tension at around 59-60. It's a very powerful, solid racquet.
 
I remember when the original came out and it was considered light! Now we look at frames like this and consider them heavy. My friend used to play with a Prince Woodie oversize. I wonder how much that beast weighed?
 
gplracer said:
I remember when the original came out and it was considered light! Now we look at frames like this and consider them heavy. My friend used to play with a Prince Woodie oversize. I wonder how much that beast weighed?
Click to expand...

I may be wrong, but back then the balls were probably far from as spinny and fast as today. Then again, I'm only a kid.

For today's game, I still feel the KPS88 is a bit too heavy. Although it's really stable against these kinds of shots, it's still hard to lug around on the run. My rotator cuff is still sore from fast swings. Back then, I bet guys and gals didn't need to do much to return those flatter serves. Nowadays, we have to turn our shoulders, keep good ground, and smack back those spinning bullets that can now cause burns on our skin if we dare try to touch them with our bare hands.
 
In my country, natural gut is expensive, so I threw in some NRG2 at 60 with a Tourna grip and a Sampras dampener for the ultimate whoopin' stick experience.
 
I played with the K95 with gut a few weeks ago and I didn't like the trampoline feeling. I have more of a modern game now. In the old days, when I used an eastern forehand with mostly flat strokes, I did like the softer and springier stuff. What I've found, in going to a SW forehand and stiffer racquets is that I prefer crisp.

Of course the KPS is aimed at old-school players that use gut at higher tensions and like the extra power and ease on the arm.
 
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