Ok, Here’s A Review of the Racquet
Wilson [K]factor K6.1 95 (16/18)
I’ve been playing with this stick for about 2 months now, averaging about 6 days per week, clocking about 2 1/2 hours ++ each time. I’ve been doing some practice rallies and used this stick to play in the inter-university ranking league (amongst the other university players).
Thus far, the racquet has proven to be extremely solid. I dare say that this stick is the best racquet I’ve ever used compared to many which I have tried (though not as long) such as:
1. HEAD Microgel Extreme,
2. Head Microgel Radical Mid,
3. Babolat Pure Drive Standard,
4. Babolat Aerodrive,
5. Prince O3 Tour,
6. Prince O3 Hybrid Shark,
7. Wilson Ksix-one Tour 90.
This racquet compared to the others have proven to be more suited for my game and has improved on the comfort of my game. To me, it was important that the racquet improved on my strengths without having to make too much of adjustments to my strokes and game. Though the 320++ grammes (Strung weight) was a little heavier than my previous stick (Prince Triple Threat Scream), I didn’t find it harder to adjust my swing or the timing of my racquet swing.
Overall, this stick has great feel on the serve, groundstrokes, and volleys. Thus far, serving with this stick has been very pleasant. My serves generate more spin in the kick serves though when I wanted to hit a flat ace, the racquet did not produce the power that I usually get with a 100 square inch frame (my previous stick). However, the extra heft on the racquet provided a lot of good plow through the serve which helped greatly in increasing the control of the ball placing in my serves.
On the groundstrokes, the feedback, response, stability, and spin-potential really made me happy with the racquet. Hitting the shots harder didn’t reallly matter due to the extra spin I can generate with this stick. Presumably due to the weight of the stick also, hitting the ball reduced a lot of unnecessary twisting and the result was a nice feel on the racquet’s sweetspot. However, the racquet does demand for the player to hit it at the sweetspot (which is pretty small on a 90-95 square inch frame) but that did not alter or affect my game at all.
My net game has always been a big problem. Though I occasionally come up to the net to keep my opponents guessing, it is not in my mainframe during the game. Especially during tournament matches, my net game mostly comes after approach shots which already is a 85% point ending shot (if not, I’ll not come up at all). However, hitting these approach shots (running shots, flicking forehands - to keep the low balls in) were extremely comfortable. The extra spin I get from this racquet makes me very confident when hitting my approach shots. Thus, making me feel more comfortable to step up inside the service box. When I’m already there, the racquet deserves all the credit because my net game is merely a touch-put-away game without much of a punch that some strong doubles-player (or general net-players) would have. But again, that is ME to be blamed ’skill-wise’. The racquet improved my touch and feel at the net though not giving me outstanding net games during real competitive games. Once again, it’s all ME.
