Wilson ROK and Pure Storm LTD Comparison

Szerwo

New User
Hello, this is my first post on these ever useful boards.

I am trying to get some insight from those who have experience with the Wilson ROK and Babolat Pure Storm LTD. I have been playing with the Wilson ROK for several years, and am finally looking for a new stick. I have confidence, control, and generally enough power with the ROKs, but I feel as though they are really making me work on my serve. Even with practice I feel as though i am being held back by the stick. I had a short stint with the PDR (i fell in love with its monster serving potential) but ended up selling it and going back to the ROKs because I didnt have the control that i need with it on the groundies. I have decided that i am going to move forward with a new stick and on paper the Babolat Pure Storm LTD looks like it could be the one. I play a baseline game and can generate a pretty heavy ball with the ROK.

I have demoed several racquets recently, and have a demo of the Pure Storm LTD coming in the mail shortly, so yes I will be trying the racquet myself and making my own judgement. However, I am curious to get some insight before the racquet gets here. I am ideally looking for a racquet that plays and swings similarly to the ROK but that is more forgiving and has a bit more power.

So, can anyone give a subjective comparison of the power levels, control, spin, feel, etc between these racquets? Even if you have just played with either for a short span I would be curious to hear your impressions.

For reference, other racquets i have tried are the Babolat PDR, Babolat Pure Storm Tour, Wilson PSC 6.1, and Wilson Kblade 98.

Thanks a bunch in advance, i look forward to hearing your responses
 

rxblitzrx

Rookie
sorry, what's a ROK? i see that name all the time.

if you're looking for something with more power than a ROK, the PSL might not fit the bill. it's the most under-powered racquet i've ever played, but that's its only downside to my game. i simply string up with 18 guage, high-powered strings at low tension, and it solves most of my problems.
 
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mjv384

New User
Since the ROK is a very control oriented racquet, I think the babolat LTD would be more forgiving and giving you a little extra pop. I think you will like the racquet a lot. Good luck demoing it and you may also want to try a dunlop 200 (it is a little less powerful though). But overall I do think the pure storm LTD will give you that extra pop that you are looking for, especially if you put some poly in it.
 
I thought the PSL was pretty bad and had terrible feel. ROK is a very good choice, but if you want to switch maybe demo a KBT. Almost exactly the same as a ROK.
 

zmenon

New User
Off topic: If your ROK is 4 5/8 grip- hyper carbon double braid and in

good shape (8+/10 condition), I may be interested in buying it off you if/when you decide to make the switch.

Let me know.

Z
 

dktracer

New User
If you get the PSL make sure you put Pro Hurricane Tour in there, the racquet feels amazing with it. Use other string like a synthetic and you may hate the feel of it
 

Jonny S&V

Hall of Fame
sorry, what's a ROK? i see that name all the time.

if you're looking for something with more power than a ROK, the PSL might not fit the bill. it's the most under-powered racquet i've ever played, but that's its only downside to my game. i simply string up with 18 guage, high-powered strings at low tension, and it solves most of my problems.

Wilson ROK, it's direct descendent is the KBlade Tour, but they aren't THAT similar. The ROK was an EXTREMELY flexy racquet, 93 sq in head, 12.3 oz, head light balance, really nice racquet overall, but don't expect it to give anything in the way of power.
 

Szerwo

New User
Thanks for your responses.

I actually got a Head Microgel Prestige MP that I've been demoing for the past two days and its quite incredible. I really feel like it picks up right where my ROK left off. I didnt have high expectations for it but it stunned me with its predictability, control, and stability. With the exception of the timing on my 2HBH, all of my shots feel completely natural, but come off the racquet with more pace and the same level of predictability. The biggest difference is in the serve, where my percentage has gone up considerably and with a gain of around 10mph or more.

I should be getting a demo stick of the PSL in the next day or two, so i will be able to compare it to the ROK and MG Prestige MP at that time. If the PSL doesnt fit my game naturally i think i may have found a winner with the MG Prestige MP. I will also be taking the 4D AG 200 and 300 out after those as well. I'll keep you posted.
 

rxblitzrx

Rookie
Thanks for your responses.

I actually got a Head Microgel Prestige MP that I've been demoing for the past two days and its quite incredible. I really feel like it picks up right where my ROK left off. I didnt have high expectations for it but it stunned me with its predictability, control, and stability. With the exception of the timing on my 2HBH, all of my shots feel completely natural, but come off the racquet with more pace and the same level of predictability. The biggest difference is in the serve, where my percentage has gone up considerably and with a gain of around 10mph or more.

I should be getting a demo stick of the PSL in the next day or two, so i will be able to compare it to the ROK and MG Prestige MP at that time. If the PSL doesnt fit my game naturally i think i may have found a winner with the MG Prestige MP. I will also be taking the 4D AG 200 and 300 out after those as well. I'll keep you posted.

Yea, I with hit that MG Prestige MP. It's got great response, but the PSL is even better. IMO.

Can't wait to see your comparison between the PSL and Prestige.
 

mac777daddy

New User
I played with the ROK for several years as well. I had EXCELLENT top spin with it and EXCELLENT control. The racket did feel heavier after playing long rally's or long sets. Also it felt heavy on serve after serving numerous service games. I sold both my ROKS and went with a newer k blade.
 

bluescreen

Hall of Fame
i used to own two ROKs and ,unfortunately, ive found nothing close to it.

however, the k blade tour is the closest to i think, but still nothing like a replica or anything. i'd give a k blade a try.
 

Szerwo

New User
I appreciate your responses.

I would agree that the ROK is a great stick. I have enjoyed it thoroughly for the 4 years that i have played with it. I am not trying to get a stick that is exactly like the ROK, but rather one that has a similar response but exceeds its performance in certain areas (if possible).

A slight bit more power would be appreciated, in particular when it comes to serves. I have never had trouble putting away balls with the ROK in baseline rallies, but i have struggled to generate a heavy serve. It seems that my serves just top out at a certain point.

After playing with the MG Prestige MP for the last couple days, i have realized that there are indeed racquets out there that over a similar level of control and feel but give me a little more oomph on the serve. With a similar swingweight and static weight, there was almost no adjustment to my serve timing with the Prestige, but i was easily getting an extra 10mph on my first serve. The ball just seems to "pop" off the racquet, whereas with the ROK it kind of "thudded" off.

I still havent gotten my hands on the Pure Storm LTD, but i am really excited about it. Hopefully it is everything i am looking for. I plan on trying the Dunlop 200 and 300 as well. If the Storm and Dunlops dont work out, I will be perfectly content with the Prestige.

BTW, has anyone played with both the MG Prestige MP and the Pure Storm LTD? If so, i would love to hear some opinions on how they compare.
 

Kevo

Legend
I currently use the PS LTD and recently had a short hit with a MG Prestige MP recently. I would say the Prestige has more power, but the PSL has more control.

I personally love the control and precision the PSL has, even when hitting out. Not many frames I've tried offer that. To get the most out of it you really need to have some excellent swing speed and fluid strokes.

I thought the Prestige was a good frame too, and it would be an excellent stick for a lot of players. You just need to hit with them both and you'll know which one you like better.
 

rxblitzrx

Rookie
I also play the PSL and tried the Prestige MP. My feelings mirror Kevo; more power but less control. Making good contact with the PSL has a feeling like no other. Ultimately, I didn't enjoy the way the Prestige MP swung. It wasn't HL enough for me and the grip shape feels funny.
 

Szerwo

New User
Interesting. I have two questions then:

1. You're saying the PSL has less power and greater control, could you comment on how much the lower power evidences itself while serving (compared to the prestige)?

2. Is it possible to gain back a little bit of the lost power through your string setup. Have you had luck accomplishing this?

I should be getting the PSL to demo in the next 2 days so i will see for myself, I'm just curious in the meantime. Thanks
 

Kevo

Legend
I would guess that you would see a couple of percent less speed on serve with the PSL. I dropped maybe 3 or 4 mph on my serve when I switched from the Pure Drive Roddick to the PSL. I have since gained some proficiency with my technique, and my serve speed is slightly better than it was with the PDR.

I think the PSL is a frame you commit to and grow with. It's not really a frame for players who are looking for extra oomph on anything. I imagine you could gain a percent or two from the string setup, but I think the best strategy for this frame is to bring your own power and let the frame help you with precision.

I've hit more winners on average with this frame than any I've used. I've had runs in almost every match I've played with it so far (not that many yet though), where I've won 8 - 12 points in a row. This has happened against players that are higher rated than myself mostly since I just recently got bumped.

My game still suffers from my tendency to go for too much, but I can see a trend starting with this frame where I actually can hit with power and precision, controlling the points consistently until I have an opening. All I really need now is more focus and concentration on the court. If I could just buy a frame that had excellent decision making skills I'd be set. :)
 

rxblitzrx

Rookie
1. I can't comment much on serving since I didn't hit any with the Prestige demo.

2. For me, the PSL is sensitive to strings and tension, and I was able to get a little extra power from different setups. Poly mains and Multi cross was the most powerful. Full X-One Biphase offered the most comfortable hit and still lots of power, of all the strings I've tried. I did notice more pop coming off the 18 guage version versus the 17 guage. Even from the first ball, I felt very comfortable with 18 guage. It shreds pretty fast though, but is well worth it if you own your own stringer. As a side note, my demo had 16 guage Wilson NXT and it was about the same as 17 guage X-One Biphase. 18's are the way to go, in my opinion.
 
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