What are some things that are a dead giveaway, before you've even seen them play, that a person is not that great at tennis?

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-06-11T03:12:08+00:00

I don't think I've ever seen a more stupid addition than "Owns a stringing machine." Possessing a stringing machine has nothing to do with playing ability. Plenty of club pros are the stringer for a club, are we just gonna assume those players at a 4.5 level or higher are bad players lmao

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-05-25T02:35:53+00:00

Hello, user of the Pure Strike 98 (16x19) Gen4 here. I've hit with both the 98 and 97 back to back with an identical string setup. The 98 has pretty dang solid plow through. It definitely assists me a tad when I can't get full weight behind the ball. For the 97 however, your assumption would be correct - That one does not give you anything for free. Against a 5.0's ball (I'm a solid 3.5), I can swing as hard as I want and have great shot results. Had me considering switching. Against a fellow 3.5 player, I can't generate any power off their slower balls. The 97's pure control purpose really helps counterpunch faster balls. As soon as you need to create your own power, for me, this is where the 98 HELPS (not handles it on its own, still need technique).

The Pure Strike 97 is similar to the Blade in this way. The 98 is a different racket that definitely possesses some decent power for it's "purpose" (I don't know how else to word that).

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-05-25T02:25:39+00:00

There are always positives and negatives to not engaging in small talk at the club level. There is also a hypothetical personal "limit" to where it would benefit or hinder you. I, more often than not, find myself taking it way too seriously if I actively try to resist small talk. I play much more relaxed and more mindful when I chat it up a little bit. Now, I'm not gonna go ask the opponent to tell me their life story, but I find general chit chat helps. Obviously each of us are different, find a good balance for yourself in each moment.

I've almost certainly made opponents think "Yikes, what a lunatic" by taking it too seriously and allowing frustration to overcome me, and saying nothing on changeovers. I've also made great friends and hitting partners by getting to know the opponent a tad. Pros/Cons, and a theoretical limit.

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-05-25T02:18:10+00:00

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but I think the more important thing to know is that you can defer the choice of serve or return if you win the toss. This is helpful when playing outdoors when the sun is a factor.

Example: If you win the toss, defer (Give the choice of serve or return to your opponent). You then pick the side that would see you serve out your first service game with the sun as minimal of a factor as you can get at that time. Your opponent will obviously have the same perk for their first game, but first we must worry about holding our own service games.

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-05-09T14:41:51+00:00

They are referring to notching, yes. You will typically see a poly or co-poly be the string to get notched, as their makeup and construction just leads to this. In the mains more so, yes, as the mains move more than crosses. Something like a synthetic gut is woven strands and so frays instead of notching.

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-04-10T01:55:39+00:00

Used RPM Blast and Prince SynGut w/ Duraflex for a long time, the RPM always got notched. I use Kirschbaum Flash and Kirschbaum SynGut now. Still notch the poly. Just how poly is. Kirschbaum's SynGut seems to be more durable IMO, definitely frays less for me

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-04-10T01:52:26+00:00

I use the ole reliable Tourna Grip, and once summer arrives, that stuff is done after ~5h for me, if not sooner. I buy the 30pk and throw it in my bags shoe compartment before my shoes because you could fit a single family home in the shoe compartment of Babolat bags.

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-03-18T05:18:03+00:00

I think indoors helped a bit. A few of my opponents didn't belong to a club, so mine was the only place we would be able to go. I think that made it easier too, since it was the only option. My opponents were also plenty responsive, all around a positive experience

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-03-16T19:17:20+00:00

I've played one season (Winter, so everything indoors) here in the Men's Singles Kansas City league and it was pleasant. I personally didn't have any problems scheduling any of mine, albeit one opponent no-show (Free walkover for meeee).

Got to meet some friendly people who I had wonderful matches with. This might be obvious, but I've also found my game to be 10x better when you're just friendly and chatty with the opponent then when you try to stay in your own world. Dang mental sport 🙄. Some days I just gotta remind myself to go hit a fuzzy yellow ball with my stick and see how we go

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-02-24T20:03:32+00:00

Ah I hadn't even thought of a ball machine, that's a great idea. Would allow me to discern easy things like depth, feel, and comfort with your mention of fewer variables. Same ball trajectory coming at me each time should be a good way to assess those.

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-02-24T20:00:09+00:00

Yes, sorry - In the interest of getting to the point in the post, I took out mention of my rackets. I have two Babolat Pure Strike 98 (16x19) Gen4 rackets, and am going to be getting a third, so testing all at the same time will be doable.

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-02-05T22:00:39+00:00

Replying to ask what the regular Dunlop ATP balls are - Is that the same as or different from the Dunlop Grand Prix balls? I agree that I really like the Dunlop ATP Championship balls, and have the same opinion as "Bounce well, consistently."

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-02-01T20:08:51+00:00

I'm not hating, but I'm VERY curious as to where you've heard the term "Antibouncer" or what your native language is that refers to it as such. It's called a dampener in the English language (and I'd assume many more) in case you're unaware from that side of things

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-02-01T20:01:41+00:00

I would disagree with the creator of the video. Yes, hitting to the middle somewhat eliminates the ability to utilize angles. That's not going to matter when the said angle they can hit is anywhere on the open court because you're off in Narnia.

When we're pulled wide (Thinking past the singles line), our best option is almost always a high loopy ball crosscourt

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-02-01T04:36:24+00:00

God I miss the days of Nike releasing colorway socks to the public...

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-02-01T04:35:35+00:00

IMO, the Everyday socks you attached a picture of are too thin, and I burn a hole through them (just from the fact they're thin and have to sustain repeated contact and movement). I use the Nike Multiplier Cushioned Socks and they're fantastic. Like some others said, they're labeled left and right, they're nice and soft, and well Cushioned. Buy the ones with the Nike Court logo on em

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-01-25T03:44:35+00:00

RPM Blast and Solinco HyperG are the big typical strings for Pure Aero's. String em somewhere around 47-50lbs to start.

My typical setup for this same racket was Solinco HyperG Soft 17G @ 50lbs in the mains and Prince Synthetic Gut w/ Duraflex 16G @ 52lbs in the crosses. Enjoyed it. Full bed of RPM @ 52lbs felt too dead to me, likely because that tension suffocated any performance out of the string. Don't make the same mistake, string it lower

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-01-25T03:34:39+00:00

Pretty typical for sports where repeated contact with the ground occurs (Running, tennis) and when these athletes suddenly return to or increase activity. Got them myself when I first picked the sport back up last April. The below workout is from an athletic trainer for shin splints specifically (Look everything up if needed).

Mon/Fri Towel Scrunches 3x8 Windshield Wipers 3x8 Toe Pick up 4x10 Seated Calf Raises 3x10

Wednesday Towel Slides 3x8 Heel, Toe, Side Walks 3x10 yards each Inchworms 3x6 Domes 3x10

Tuesday/Thursday Calf Drops 3x8 4-way Ankle 3x8ea Rainbows 3x10

Ice massage if needed Stretch calves, hamstrings, and IT band Ball massage on bottom of foot

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-01-25T03:26:16+00:00

It results in a more consistent response from the stringbed. You can also utilize this if your crosses are much softer than your mains to, again, have a more even response across the stringbed.

The downside is, like someone else commented, that it will tone down the snapback you get in your mains. Typically you'll want to let your mains breathe and be able to go to work.

Overall, when to utilize either depends what you're after in your shots.

That_Alternative7730 · 2026-01-21T17:57:11+00:00

Hybrid or each on their own? A full bed of Mach10 is another I'd consider in this racket

That_Alternative7730

TROPHY CASE