I get the feeling if this guy focused half as much on improving his actual strokes and footwork as he does thinking about his equipment he'd be a much better player.
The classic "it's the player not the racket" attitude. Yawwwnn You guys are welcome for taking time out of my day to make content to help people and give my ideas. If you don't appreciate it, you can just keep to yourself instead of talking down to someone for no reason. Insulting someone's tennis is honestly an embarrassing thing to do when you come at it from the angle you are. It's so ridiculous because you are using my "lack" of tennis skills to validate your attempt to devalue the information I'm providing here. I love playing. I like getting better. I literally created this channel to have a place where I can share my thoughts and journey to anyone who cares or can learn from it. So for you to come here and say something like that is completely missing the point of why this channel even exists and if that's lost on you, then what does that say? I'd probably be a better player if I didn't spend so much time on this comment, huh? Ha. Good day to you and your type.
@@ZeroLoveTennis I use some black cloth hockey tape, the Howies Hockey Tape one that is about 1 inch wide and go over the stock base grip\ by doing 1 overtop the original before going down to the bottom in wider spiral doing a 1/4 overlap at most going tight to the handle as one should with any over grip and use a waterproof superglue to keep the bottom from unraveling/having bunching. Now becuse the grip is now sticky, I take dirt/soil working it into the grip brushing off the bigger excess, then taking a damp paper towel/rag working the rest so I can have a fully working grip that feels like a worked in grip where sticky is gone without having to put wear on the grip. I like the tape as this keeps the grip as close to how the original factory handle with base grip is as possible, with the bonus of how durable the cloth is compared to a regular over grip. If the old cloth Mueller athletic/bandage tape was still available I would be using this but since that is gone and has more a flexible non cloth bandage tape feel, I am using cloth Hockey tape as this is good where I find over the Chinese crap or the Franklin hocky tape, the Howies works the best in all 3 main factors, the tapes stick, the feel, and the durability.
Regarding creating a bulge in your grip to fit into your palm, Babolat used to make a Smart Grip Kit which you stuck on your grip which had two bulges (second for a DHBH) which you then wrapped your normal grip on top of it. I think it may be discontinued now but an interesting idea which never really caught on.
Interesting! I had no idea. A clever idea but I think it's hard to market that kind of thing. I already got one comment implying this kind of thing is a total waste of time but it's from one of those "player not the racket" types I already made a video about. I think it's going to be much harder as a brand to promote this kind of idea. It's only going to reach the type who'd consider lead tape and so on. Even that alone must be less than 5 percent of tennis players.
@@ZeroLoveTennis IMHO, I think handles can be made a lot better than they are now. Handles haven't really changed since the wooden racquet era and I don't think it's a waste of time at all for manufacturers to really start looking at innovative ideas to make handles better. For one thing, I think if handles more ergonomic and fit into palms more comfortably and securely, there would be no need for example for Gasquet to have his enormous bulge at his butt end to stop his hand from slipping !!
@@a2casius I think another innovations for the handle could be a thing. I just think it's a hard thing to market what you're talking about. I don't think that's the kind of thing that can be pre-installed because everyone's way of holding the racket is so different and everyone's hand is different. So it's really up to the consumer to be the one to customize this. And I don't think most are really up for that. It's also just a little bulge in the handle. I don't think that requires something technologically new or innovative. Literally some metal tape can be the perfect thing and if one is inclined enough to do so, they can, as I showed in this video. I think handles could benefit from trying a new material out. I thought pallets were cool but it seems all the companies are phasing that out. Most people never took advantage of them but the occasional tennis player would and some do miss pallets being a thing.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Do you mean the old wood pallets or those replaceable grip sizes/2 main shapes like Babolat still makes for the higher performance models?
I know one of your problems with customizing racquets to end up with reasonable specs is overall weight and swing weight. How about starting with lite versions of great racquets and using them as your starting platform. Here are some suggestions: Head radical s, Head speed s, Tecnifibre tfight 295 rs, Volkl v-cell v1 mp (volkl racquets have a great unique feel that's way underrated and under the radar), Babolat pure drive team.
I'll check but first I'm just curious if you know the swingweight on those. Because a lot of the time, the swingweight is nearly the same as the middle or so versions but lighter, just more head heavy and so I don't bother. I've done searches filtering rackets via swingweight and these don't come up, I think, when I filter how I do. Below 100" head and swingweight like 316 or less. But I'll try again sometime. Starting to think I might have found a racket.
Question ...is there a way to use the xtp buttcap without making the resulting handle when you're done feel like you've got a bit of a bump at the bottom? Doesn't seem to go flush do you know what I mean?
I might make a video about this. You can shave a little off so it tapers to the edge. You can build up the area just past the bump so it's all raised the same height. A combo of both... Or get a smaller size and cut away the handle material to lower to the size of buttcap. But that's a pretty intense handle mod as it's permanent.
They all feel better. This is definitely the case for me, at least. Thing is, it's not as though the grip in stock form is necessarily perfect for those shots either. You just get kinda used to it. Same goes for this because it's subtle enough to not matter too much in other positions but for me, it really does feel better, even in those grips for serve and volley.
What's your overall impression of the Solinco racquets? Is either one a potential keeper? I hear extended length versions may be released later this year. If you prefer the foam-filled feel, the new TF40 305 may also be worth checking out; you'd have to extend yourself and most likely tail-weight to keep SW manageable, but still might be worth a look.
Are they not released? I mean, I'm holding one and demoing it. It's the extended version. They have potential for me but I break the strings so fast that it makes me want to keep looking despite how much I appreciate it otherwise. Starting to figure that I really want to keep the SW below 340. We'll see what ends up as my racket.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Interesting. I'm not seeing any of the extended models available for sale or demo from any of the major online retailers... Did you get yours locally by chance?
Yes! You can change that by this method. But I think figuring out why the base grip is influencing this is also very helpful. Do that first, rewrap it if you have to. Just do the same wrap, start at the same point but on the opposite side.
First thing i do with a new racket is take the base grip off and then wrap exactly half an overgrip around the butt cap and then put the base grip back on. I don't play with overgrip over the base grip, only half one underneath on the butt cap. I do this because in the past i have thrown away my racket a few times with sweaty hands and depending on the stroke i hold it with my whole hand out just three fingers. The serve with just 3 fingers, with a throwing motion and sweaty hands.. you get the point. But the thicker butt cap also fills that void in your hand. Don't like to play without it anymore.
Interesting. And the base grip holds up ok for you in terms of sweat and so on? What is your base grip material? So you mean to say you don't use overgrip at all as a surface you actually grip directly with your hand. Only under the base grip as a way to build up underneath it? Does it look anything like Gasquet?
@@ZeroLoveTennis head hydrosorb pro or head dual absorbing. No overgrip. My buildup is not like a baseball bat. It's like the butt cap is one to max 1.5 grip size bigger than original. So if the grip is L2, then my butt cap is equivalent of an L3 butt cap or L3.5
@@LarzB totally. I take the approach of filing down the corners that bother me. This way I can sculpt the shape but it's also very hard still. I like to feel the shape more but also round it out a little where the edges bother my hand.
@@ZeroLoveTennis that is a solution as well, but i like to try a lot of different rackets (expensive hobby) and the resale value decreases fast if you change the racket with customizations what you cannot revert. So that's not really an option for me. That's why i think silicone in the handle is also a horrendous idea. I use some removable lead behind the butt cap to lower the balance
That’s going super deep-never thought of doing this. What happens when you switch grips to volley? Obviously doesn’t throw you off, but I’d think that would be the case for me.
It doesn't. You build it up in whatever way feels right. You kinda get used to anything but this build up, for me, makes everything actually feel more comfortable. I think whatever part of your hand is over this buildup is probably not contacting this area of the handle fully because your hand just can't flatten out like that there. But it's really something personal to how you feel and hold it. I think a similar but personalized thing like I'm doing can be nice for everybody but certainly my exact build up and location won't work for everyone.
Also, I should say that this also makes it feel better in my hand for serves. In my case, there's literally no shit that feels worse. They all feel better. But if I have the racket backwards I will know instantly haha because it feels super off. But It's nice to know exactly where you want the racket in your hands. And this way, one side is always facing for forehands and the other backhands.
Haha one of the next videos. Not fully through the transition but I feel pretty close enough to make a video about it. Lots of content coming up and you can only make one at a time. Soon! Thanks for remembering.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I get the feeling if this guy focused half as much on improving his actual strokes and footwork as he does thinking about his equipment he'd be a much better player.
The classic "it's the player not the racket" attitude. Yawwwnn
You guys are welcome for taking time out of my day to make content to help people and give my ideas.
If you don't appreciate it, you can just keep to yourself instead of talking down to someone for no reason.
Insulting someone's tennis is honestly an embarrassing thing to do when you come at it from the angle you are.
It's so ridiculous because you are using my "lack" of tennis skills to validate your attempt to devalue the information I'm providing here.
I love playing. I like getting better. I literally created this channel to have a place where I can share my thoughts and journey to anyone who cares or can learn from it. So for you to come here and say something like that is completely missing the point of why this channel even exists and if that's lost on you, then what does that say?
I'd probably be a better player if I didn't spend so much time on this comment, huh? Ha.
Good day to you and your type.
Pinning your comment so people won't miss it ❤️
@@ZeroLoveTennis I use some black cloth hockey tape, the Howies Hockey Tape one that is about 1 inch wide and go over the stock base grip\ by doing 1 overtop the original before going down to the bottom in wider spiral doing a 1/4 overlap at most going tight to the handle as one should with any over grip and use a waterproof superglue to keep the bottom from unraveling/having bunching. Now becuse the grip is now sticky, I take dirt/soil working it into the grip brushing off the bigger excess, then taking a damp paper towel/rag working the rest so I can have a fully working grip that feels like a worked in grip where sticky is gone without having to put wear on the grip. I like the tape as this keeps the grip as close to how the original factory handle with base grip is as possible, with the bonus of how durable the cloth is compared to a regular over grip. If the old cloth Mueller athletic/bandage tape was still available I would be using this but since that is gone and has more a flexible non cloth bandage tape feel, I am using cloth Hockey tape as this is good where I find over the Chinese crap or the Franklin hocky tape, the Howies works the best in all 3 main factors, the tapes stick, the feel, and the durability.
Thank you for the Tip ! :)
Regarding creating a bulge in your grip to fit into your palm, Babolat used to make a Smart Grip Kit which you stuck on your grip which had two bulges (second for a DHBH) which you then wrapped your normal grip on top of it. I think it may be discontinued now but an interesting idea which never really caught on.
Interesting! I had no idea. A clever idea but I think it's hard to market that kind of thing. I already got one comment implying this kind of thing is a total waste of time but it's from one of those "player not the racket" types I already made a video about.
I think it's going to be much harder as a brand to promote this kind of idea. It's only going to reach the type who'd consider lead tape and so on. Even that alone must be less than 5 percent of tennis players.
@@ZeroLoveTennis IMHO, I think handles can be made a lot better than they are now. Handles haven't really changed since the wooden racquet era and I don't think it's a waste of time at all for manufacturers to really start looking at innovative ideas to make handles better. For one thing, I think if handles more ergonomic and fit into palms more comfortably and securely, there would be no need for example for Gasquet to have his enormous bulge at his butt end to stop his hand from slipping !!
@@a2casius I think another innovations for the handle could be a thing. I just think it's a hard thing to market what you're talking about. I don't think that's the kind of thing that can be pre-installed because everyone's way of holding the racket is so different and everyone's hand is different. So it's really up to the consumer to be the one to customize this. And I don't think most are really up for that. It's also just a little bulge in the handle. I don't think that requires something technologically new or innovative. Literally some metal tape can be the perfect thing and if one is inclined enough to do so, they can, as I showed in this video.
I think handles could benefit from trying a new material out. I thought pallets were cool but it seems all the companies are phasing that out. Most people never took advantage of them but the occasional tennis player would and some do miss pallets being a thing.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Do you mean the old wood pallets or those replaceable grip sizes/2 main shapes like Babolat still makes for the higher performance models?
I know one of your problems with customizing racquets to end up with reasonable specs is overall weight and swing weight. How about starting with lite versions of great racquets and using them as your starting platform. Here are some suggestions: Head radical s, Head speed s, Tecnifibre tfight 295 rs, Volkl v-cell v1 mp (volkl racquets have a great unique feel that's way underrated and under the radar), Babolat pure drive team.
I'll check but first I'm just curious if you know the swingweight on those. Because a lot of the time, the swingweight is nearly the same as the middle or so versions but lighter, just more head heavy and so I don't bother. I've done searches filtering rackets via swingweight and these don't come up, I think, when I filter how I do. Below 100" head and swingweight like 316 or less. But I'll try again sometime.
Starting to think I might have found a racket.
Question ...is there a way to use the xtp buttcap without making the resulting handle when you're done feel like you've got a bit of a bump at the bottom? Doesn't seem to go flush do you know what I mean?
I might make a video about this. You can shave a little off so it tapers to the edge. You can build up the area just past the bump so it's all raised the same height. A combo of both...
Or get a smaller size and cut away the handle material to lower to the size of buttcap. But that's a pretty intense handle mod as it's permanent.
What happens when you use a different grip? Like your volley grip, serve grip.
They all feel better. This is definitely the case for me, at least. Thing is, it's not as though the grip in stock form is necessarily perfect for those shots either. You just get kinda used to it. Same goes for this because it's subtle enough to not matter too much in other positions but for me, it really does feel better, even in those grips for serve and volley.
What's your overall impression of the Solinco racquets? Is either one a potential keeper? I hear extended length versions may be released later this year. If you prefer the foam-filled feel, the new TF40 305 may also be worth checking out; you'd have to extend yourself and most likely tail-weight to keep SW manageable, but still might be worth a look.
Are they not released? I mean, I'm holding one and demoing it. It's the extended version.
They have potential for me but I break the strings so fast that it makes me want to keep looking despite how much I appreciate it otherwise.
Starting to figure that I really want to keep the SW below 340. We'll see what ends up as my racket.
@@ZeroLoveTennis Interesting. I'm not seeing any of the extended models available for sale or demo from any of the major online retailers... Did you get yours locally by chance?
@@outcometechnology I did and I don't know why it's not online anywhere. And solinco website just says "coming soon"
Thank you! I always feel better on one side and hate when the less aesthetic side is facing me lol.
Yes! You can change that by this method. But I think figuring out why the base grip is influencing this is also very helpful. Do that first, rewrap it if you have to. Just do the same wrap, start at the same point but on the opposite side.
First thing i do with a new racket is take the base grip off and then wrap exactly half an overgrip around the butt cap and then put the base grip back on. I don't play with overgrip over the base grip, only half one underneath on the butt cap.
I do this because in the past i have thrown away my racket a few times with sweaty hands and depending on the stroke i hold it with my whole hand out just three fingers. The serve with just 3 fingers, with a throwing motion and sweaty hands.. you get the point. But the thicker butt cap also fills that void in your hand. Don't like to play without it anymore.
Interesting. And the base grip holds up ok for you in terms of sweat and so on? What is your base grip material?
So you mean to say you don't use overgrip at all as a surface you actually grip directly with your hand. Only under the base grip as a way to build up underneath it?
Does it look anything like Gasquet?
@@ZeroLoveTennis head hydrosorb pro or head dual absorbing. No overgrip. My buildup is not like a baseball bat. It's like the butt cap is one to max 1.5 grip size bigger than original. So if the grip is L2, then my butt cap is equivalent of an L3 butt cap or L3.5
@@ZeroLoveTennis and the little bit extra cushioning of the butt cap also increases comfort, especially the sharp edges of the butt cap will be gone
@@LarzB totally. I take the approach of filing down the corners that bother me. This way I can sculpt the shape but it's also very hard still. I like to feel the shape more but also round it out a little where the edges bother my hand.
@@ZeroLoveTennis that is a solution as well, but i like to try a lot of different rackets (expensive hobby) and the resale value decreases fast if you change the racket with customizations what you cannot revert. So that's not really an option for me. That's why i think silicone in the handle is also a horrendous idea. I use some removable lead behind the butt cap to lower the balance
That’s going super deep-never thought of doing this. What happens when you switch grips to volley? Obviously doesn’t throw you off, but I’d think that would be the case for me.
It doesn't. You build it up in whatever way feels right. You kinda get used to anything but this build up, for me, makes everything actually feel more comfortable. I think whatever part of your hand is over this buildup is probably not contacting this area of the handle fully because your hand just can't flatten out like that there.
But it's really something personal to how you feel and hold it. I think a similar but personalized thing like I'm doing can be nice for everybody but certainly my exact build up and location won't work for everyone.
Also, I should say that this also makes it feel better in my hand for serves. In my case, there's literally no shit that feels worse. They all feel better. But if I have the racket backwards I will know instantly haha because it feels super off. But It's nice to know exactly where you want the racket in your hands. And this way, one side is always facing for forehands and the other backhands.
So what backhand did you end up choosing? I thought you were going to let us know in this video!
Haha one of the next videos. Not fully through the transition but I feel pretty close enough to make a video about it. Lots of content coming up and you can only make one at a time. Soon! Thanks for remembering.
This is some hardcore grip customization.
Kinda. I think custom grip molds are a level up and much more expensive but this is cheap and reshapable. But it's pretty out there.