It's been awhile!

It has been awhile since I started this blog, and truthfully, life has just been hectic.  But, I have still been playing tennis, and playtesting all sorts of different equipment!  I am going to be much more active with this blog, and I really hope to branch out and meet some other tennis players from around the world.  I have also just committed to losing 50 lbs, and get into the best shape of my life.  So this blog may also contain any workouts that are tennis inspired, or that I feel have helped me out on the court.  I have a few surprises coming in the future, and want to create an active community of tennis fanatics, that come and share their stories and experiences, on and off the court.  My main racquet right now is Prince's Textreme Tour 100T, and I have spent many, many hours out on the court hitting with it.  As well as, many hours in the lab, stringing and customizing it, trying to make it the perfect racquet for me.  I will go into detail about my adventures with the Textreme Tour 100 T in a later blog.  Here is a quick peek inside my current racquet bag...

Prince Textreme Tour 12 Pack

From left to right here are the frames!

1. Prince Textreme Tour 100 P, 18x20, Strung with Diadem Solstice Power 16

2. Prince Textreme Tour 100 T, 16x18, Strung with Volkl Fuse nat gut/poly hybrid 16

3. Prince Textreme Tour 100 L, 16x18, Strung with Kirschbaum Premium Synthetic Gut 17

4. Angell TC-100, 16x19, Strung with Kirschbaum Helix 17

5. Vantage 95, 16x19, Strung with Kirschbaum Black Shark 17

6. Babolat Pure Aero Tour, 16x19, Strung with RPM Team 17

7. Prince Warrior Pro, 16x19, Strung with Ashaway Synthetic Gut 16

8. Prince O3 White, 16x19, Strung with Babolat VS Touch 15l and Ashaway Monogut ZX Pro 17

9. Prince O3 White LS 100, 16x19, Strung with Ashaway Monogut ZX 16

10. Prince O3 White, 16x19, Strung with Kirshcbaum Synthetic Gut 17

Have a great holiday, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to message me or comment below.  See you out on the court!

Welcome to Racquet Couture

I have launched Racquet Couture!!  Here is my business card with my information.  If you are interested in purchasing a new racquet or used send me a message.  I also string tennis racquets with my Gamma 5003 6 point mounting, crank/lockout machine!  I have various grips and overgrips, and have been pretty lucky in tracking down grommets.  Which I can also install!  If you just want to talk about tennis, or seek suggestions on customization, please comment below!  Because tennis is more fun, with the right equipment!!

Welcome to Tennis Fanatics!!

  My name is Johnathan Black, owner of Racquet Couture, and this is my first blog :)  I plan on reviewing lots of different tennis equipment, and hoping to find other players who love this great game.  I just strung my O3 White LS with Ashaway Dynamite 17, at 51 pounds, and my other O3 White (original, not the LS) with Kirschbaum Spiky Black Shark 17 at 48 lbs.  Two very different setups.  Initial thoughts on the Kirschbaum Black Shark are, amazing spin!!!  It has an octagonal profile, that are suppose to imitate shark teeth, and they really chomp down on the ball, like a shark on a school of fish!! It is surprisingly comfortable for a poly string, although I did string it lower than I would a synthetic or multi.  I have had no trouble controlling depth or placement, and a lot of shots that looked like they were going long, came down on the baseline!!  All Kirschbaum strings are prestretched at the factory, and this helps them to hold tension longer.  It seems to be working, as I have played with them for a week now and they are going strong!!  The Ashaway Dynamite 17 (optic Green) look really cool in my O3 White LS, and I only have about an hour on them.  I prestretched them, and that got rid of the coil memory almost completely!!  They were extremely comfortable, and light feeling.  My strings moved around a lot though and I was constantly straightening them out, but I heard after an hour they settle, and this will stop.  The standout feature on them so far is comfort!  If I had elbow issues I would definitely give these a try.  They were moderately powered, and added a little zip to my shots (always good to have a little extra power!)  but I will play with them some more before I can comment further on them.  Feel free to ask any questions, or give suggestions on anything involving tennis.  Also, share your experiences and your favorite string setups for your racquets.  Have a great day, and see you on the court!!