Q: ProStaff 5.9 vs 6.1 Stretch

[ChrisL]

Are these two racquets basically the same except for the price? Any comment
would be helpful. Thanks.

[Mike Hoye]

In article <696kh7$js5$2...@ha1.rdc1.occa.home.com>,

ChrisL <chr...@home.com> wrote:
>Are these two racquets basically the same except for the price? Any comment
>would be helpful. Thanks.

In a nutshell, the 5.8 (Not the 5.9, which is a low-end piece of shit
that shouldn't have the name "ProStaff" on the side) differs from
the 6.1 in three respects:

1) The color.

2) The price.

3) The frame cross-section, labeled as "Rectangular geometry". This
gives the frame a slight ring, apparently, when you hit the ball.
It's virtually unnoticeable unless you have both racquets side
by side and compare them.

Other than that, they're the same girl in a different dress.

--
Mike Hoye

[Greg Raven]

ChrisL wrote:
>
> Are these two racquets basically the same except for the price? Any comment
> would be helpful. Thanks.

The 5.9 Stretch is a completely different racquet than either of the 6.1
Stretches (95 or 110 sq in head).

The 110 sq in 6.1 Stretch feels, amazingly enough, very related to the
"regular" ProStaff 6.1, although it does feel heavier because of the
higher swing weight, some of which is due to the extra inch in length.

The 95 sq in 6.1 Stretch felt, to me, extremely ponderous due the the
MUCH higher swing weight. (I play with a ProStaff 6.1.)

The ProStaff 5.9 Stretch also has a high swing weight, in spite of its
relative lightness. Between the high swing weight, the dual taper beam,
and the rectangular cross section, it is surprisingly live for a "soft"
racquet. I find it uncontrollable and virtually impossible to play with.

Of the three, the only one I could recommend is the 110 sq in ProStaff
6.1. It is worth noting that Jonas Bjorkman plays a 6.1 Stretch,
although I don't know what head size.

--
Greg Raven (ihr...@kaiwan.com)
PO Box 10545, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
http://www.kaiwan.com/~ihrgreg

[Richard]

Greg Raven wrote:
>
> [...good stuff, trimmed for brevity...]

>
> Of the three, the only one I could recommend is the 110 sq in ProStaff
> 6.1. It is worth noting that Jonas Bjorkman plays a 6.1 Stretch,
> although I don't know what head size.

At last year's USO, I was surprised to see both Patrick McEnroe and Todd
Martin playing with Pro Staff 6.1s. I asked at the Wilson booth if these
were stretch models, but no one there could confirm it.

--
huddler
at
earth
link
dot
net A world without fences doesn't need McNealy, either.

[Ten]

>
>Of the three, the only one I could recommend is the 110 sq in ProStaff
>6.1. It is worth noting that Jonas Bjorkman plays a 6.1 Stretch,
>although I don't know what head size.
>
>

I don't think Bjorkman plays with a Stretch, I think he plays with a regular
6.1.

[Kimmo Kuusela]

>> 6.1. It is worth noting that Jonas Bjorkman plays a 6.1 Stretch,
>> although I don't know what head size.
>

>At last year's USO, I was surprised to see both Patrick McEnroe and Todd
>Martin playing with Pro Staff 6.1s. I asked at the Wilson booth if these
>were stretch models, but no one there could confirm it.

As I said earlier, almost every Pro Staff 6.1 that appears on the ATP tour
level tennis is of the type 95 sq. in., standard length, and 18x20 string
pattern.

And no, it is not for sale in North America.

-- K.K.

[Richard]

I'll remember that next time I play "Trivial Pursuit, Tennis Edition."

Patrick McEnroe has apparently switched from Prince, and Todd Martin from the
ProStaff 6.2. They've changed recently. Since the standard length 6.1 has
been around for a while, while the stretch version is fairly recent, I asked
at the Wilson booth about them perhaps using the stretch versions. I thought
perhaps they'd switched to a stretch length, as a few other pros have done
recently.

[Greg Raven]

Kimmo Kuusela wrote:
>
> >> 6.1. It is worth noting that Jonas Bjorkman plays a 6.1 Stretch,
> >> although I don't know what head size.
> >
> >At last year's USO, I was surprised to see both Patrick McEnroe and Todd
> >Martin playing with Pro Staff 6.1s. I asked at the Wilson booth if these
> >were stretch models, but no one there could confirm it.
>
> As I said earlier, almost every Pro Staff 6.1 that appears on the ATP tour
> level tennis is of the type 95 sq. in., standard length, and 18x20 string
> pattern.
>
> And no, it is not for sale in North America.
>

> -- K.K.

For those not familiar with the beast, the US version has a 95 sq in
head and standard length, but the string pattern is 16 x 18.

[Eugene Chan]

Kimmo Kuusela wrote:
>
> >> 6.1. It is worth noting that Jonas Bjorkman plays a 6.1 Stretch,
> >> although I don't know what head size.
> >
> >At last year's USO, I was surprised to see both Patrick McEnroe and Todd
> >Martin playing with Pro Staff 6.1s. I asked at the Wilson booth if these
> >were stretch models, but no one there could confirm it.
>
> As I said earlier, almost every Pro Staff 6.1 that appears on the ATP tour
> level tennis is of the type 95 sq. in., standard length, and 18x20 string
> pattern.
>
> And no, it is not for sale in North America.
>
> -- K.K.

What is not for sale in North America? Are we talking about the same
Pro Staff Classic 6.1si with 95 sq. in. head, 18x20 string pattern of
which I own 4 of? I now use the stretch model and find that serving is
easier and volleying is not.

Eugene Chan

[Kimmo Kuusela]

Eugene Chan <echanDELE...@gryphon.csusTHISTOO.com> wrote:

>What is not for sale in North America? Are we talking about the same
>Pro Staff Classic 6.1si with 95 sq. in. head, 18x20 string pattern of
>which I own 4 of?

Are they 27" long? I am talking about the standard length model.

Tom Parry wrote in Tennis Magazine's "Equipment Chatter" web page:

"Wilson makes the very popular 6.1 classic in a "16x18" pattern and a
"18x20" pattern. The "16x18" is the model sold in the USA. The "18x20" is
sold in Europe. Why? Marketing! When I worked at Wilson, (Research and
development) I often asked why the tighter version was not sold in the USA.
Many answers, none very worthy---thats the way it is! Most of the "tour
pro's" use the tighter pattern frame, better control! Keep in mind, they
are "pro's", you should demo any frame you might want to buy! ALSO VERY
IMPORTANT!!! The 6.1, as well as many other frames from all companies,
will be produced in different factories in different countries! If you are
buying a second frame that is the same as you have, make sure it is
produced in the same country! Just because it's the same "model" it may
well be very different in weight, balance and stiffness! You reduce the
chances of these "spec's" if you buy from the same plant! Best is to go to
a dealer that has a Babolat RDC to test the old frame and the new one!
Don't get caught-up in what the pro's play with! Many of them are playing
with a racquet that is only painted to look like a specific model! DEMO,
DEMO, DEMO!!!"

[Bill Yuey]

Kimmo Kuusela wrote in message <34b8d7f8...@news.utu.fi>...

>>> 6.1. It is worth noting that Jonas Bjorkman plays a 6.1 Stretch,
>>> although I don't know what head size.
>>
>>At last year's USO, I was surprised to see both Patrick McEnroe and Todd
>>Martin playing with Pro Staff 6.1s. I asked at the Wilson booth if these
>>were stretch models, but no one there could confirm it.
>
>As I said earlier, almost every Pro Staff 6.1 that appears on the ATP tour
>level tennis is of the type 95 sq. in., standard length, and 18x20 string
>pattern.
>

>And no, it is not for sale in North America.
>
>-- K.K.
>
>

I looked very carefully at some photos of Spirilea, Bjorkman and Rusedski
(players that use the Wilson Prostaff 6.1). Spirilea and Rusedski used the
model with the 16x18 string pattern and Bjorkman had the the model with
the18x20 string pattern. What is my point, you ask? I have absolutely no
idea.