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By admin, May 20, 2012 10:02 pm

這次回溫哥華，竟然給我找到了不少的珍貴文物。

那年留學英倫，有幸第一次去看溫布頓，那天親眼見到了正在冒起的網壇天王Pete Sampras，還有兩JIM大戰:Jimmy Connors vs Jim Courier, it was a classic match!

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By admin, May 18, 2012 10:36 am

Just came back from my trip to Vancouver. It was such a paradise with nice weather, beautiful scenery, wonderful food and most importantly free tennis courts with deep forest nearby.

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By admin, March 14, 2012 8:57 pm

昨天的球聚邀請來了兩位好久沒見的老朋友，我們一行4人打了場心情放鬆兼好玩的混雙比賽。

大前天剛剛過了第3年的快樂網球生涯，這兩位老朋友的重臨又令我回想起了這些年因緣份而結識了很多球場朋友們的經過。

如果到了七八十歲還能夠與這班陪伴著我走過人生的網球朋友們繼續在球場上馳騁，那將會是多好的事情啊。

很感謝他們一直以來的鼓勵和無私的分享，令當年的我重拾起對網球的熱誠，雖然進步很慢，但還是有目共睹的。(厚著面皮的說，哈哈。。。)

今天的重聚令我再次感受到了快樂原來可以很簡單，幾個志趣相投的朋友聚首一堂，天南地北地暢談一番，打一場球，出一身汗，整個人舒服晒!

其實快樂就是這麼很簡單，你以為有幾困難呢﹖哈哈。。。

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By admin, March 10, 2012 9:51 pm

日子過得真快，記得3年前的這個時候，膽粗粗地在討論區開始了我的第一貼後就踏上了這個奇妙的快樂網球旅程。

過去的一年裡，認識了40多位新的朋友﹔第一次因為受傷而休息了1個半月﹔認識了一位球技高超的鄰居﹔終於更換了跟隨自己20多年POG球拍﹔發球和反手有了明顯的進步(在放鬆心情和沒壓力下，哈哈﹔每個星期有了班固定的打球朋友﹔多舉辦了刺激的男單和混雙。

另外就是身體也比以前強壯了不少，Touch Wood整年沒有感冒傷風過，雖然是瘦了些，但這應該是正常的，因為目睹多數每星期打2至3次網球的師兄弟們都很苗條，哈哈。

總得來說我很感激上天給我的這些機會和會更加珍惜這些難得的緣份。

再次謝謝大家，希望今後的日子有更多的朋友和我一齊來享受Happy Tennis。

Some interesting statistics:

Courts Booked: ~185場
Tennis Balls: 62罐
Restring: 5次

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By admin, October 26, 2011 10:35 pm

After playing with Head YOUTEK IG Extreme Pro almost 3 weeks, I’ve decided it’s time for me to get an extra stick for spare in case my 1^st one broke as Head YOUTEK IG Extreme Pro is famous for eating strings.

It came to my attention someone has posted a 99.9% new IG Extreme Pro in a local tennis forum, so I contacted the seller directly and bought it without hesitation at almost 30% off the original price.

One of the most important reasons is because I do need an original Grip 3 IG Extreme Pro.

Originally I was thinking selling the original Grip 2 at the same tennis forum, and there was actually a NO Brain approached me asking for 50% off, then I found out it’s very easy to change the grip to a Grip 3 at a pro-shop, even better, I simply put an over grip on the of the Grip 2 solved the problem with $40.

After receiving the racket, I couldn’t be happier, as I found out it’s almost new, even newer than my 1^st one, absolutely no scratch on the bumper that makes me wonder if the previous owner actually went to court and hit the balls.

Then it’s the perfect Grip 3, I can feel it’s even a bit smaller than my DIY Grip 3.

Anyway, I do hope the pair will last for a long long time, probably another 20 years just like my beloved POG. Well, it may not be a good news for local pro-shop though.

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By admin, October 2, 2011 12:15 am

After playing almost 20 years with POG, it’s finally time for me to switch.

I’ve tried various spin-centric like rackets such as Babolat AeroPro Drive Cortex GT, Yonex V Core 100 S / Yonex E-Zone 100. Finally I’ve located my ultimate weapon which is Head YOUTEK IG Extreme Pro. The 16 x 19 familiar String Pattern is what I like the most about this racket as it’s exactly the same as my old POG. Well, POG was one of the best spin generating rackets back in the 80s, but as tennis technology has advanced by so much in the past 20 years as well as my age/fitness, so it’s finally the right time to experience the difference.

IG Extreme Pro is a very different beast in terms of stiffness mainly. Comparing to POG, IG Extreme Pro is 75 vs 62, people always say POG is one of the most arm/elbow friendly racket which I couldn’t agree more. Therefore, I am afraid putting poly strings on IG Extreme Pro is going to hurt my arm.

After taking the advices from the local pro shop and my tennis partners, I’ve selected Tecnifibre-NRG2 Gauge 17 (1.24), a multifilament string that supposed to be much softer and arm easy than Luxilon Alu poly. In additional, I didn’t go with the combination of Poly+Multi due to the same reason that IG Extreme Pro is quite a stiff racket. (ie, stiff racket + stiff poly string = tennis elbow). So the final specification is Main 58lbs and Cross 60lbs.

Finally, my tennis partner said POG is good for hitting flat balls, it’s good for spin due to it’s enormous string bed (107), but it did reach the end in modern tennis game which involves much more spins.

I am going to try this racket next Monday and report back my experience shortly.

Specifications:

Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11.7oz / 331.69g
Balance: 4 pts HL
Swingweight: 321
Stiffness: 75
Beam Width: 24mm / 26mm / 23mm /
Composition: d3o / Innegra / Graphite
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors: Black / Yellow
Grip Type: Head Hydrosorb Tour
String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 7H,9H,7T,9T
Two Pieces
No Shared Holes
String Tension: 52-62 pounds

Tecnifibre-NRG2 Gauge 17

Update: Oct 5, 2011

After using Head YOUTEK IG Extreme Pro for 2 hours, I would say it’s definitely one of the most amazing experiences in my tennis history. I can produce some of the wildest forehand shots from the baseline, volley at the net no longer goes long or twists like my old classic rackets. The most noticed area is my serve as IG Extreme Pro is able to produce a lot more spin and power than before. I do think I raised my game by another level 50% due to changing of the racket.

However, I do find the racket is quite head heavy as described by most reviews, other than that, it’s the perfect weapon as expected.

Update: Nov 13, 2011

Tecnifibre-NRG2 Gauge 17 was broken today after just 24 hours tennis session, wow! THIS IS TOO FAST AND TOO EXPENSIVE, I must admit Head YOUTEK IG Extreme Pro indeed a string eatting monster. I am going to pro shop tomorrow and ask for advice, probably choosing Gauge  will help.

Update: Nov 14, 2011

Today I went to the pro-shop and asked around, apparently, Tecnifibre-NRG2 is one of the most popular and cost effective multi around.

So instead of going to the route of Poly (Main) + Multi (Cross), I simply use Tecnifibre-NRG2 Gauge 16 for Main and Tecnifibre-NRG2 Gauge 17 for Cross, tension is still 58 (M) and 60 (C).

Finally I noticed one negative thing about multi is multi loose tension badly after a few hits (probably 10 hours session), they start to feel like very fragile and a totally different string comparing when they are newly strung, well I don’t really care as long as it won’t hurt my arm.

* A tennis mentioned last month “I now play with alu power + x-one hybrid. plays very well and last bit longer than full multi-filament.”

Well, if this new combination broke under 20 hours, then I will definitely give it a 2nd thought switching to his recommendation. Still my NRG last twice longer than his NRG, this must mean something (ie, he’s a powerful aggressive player)

Update: Dec 13, 2011

Damn it, I broke the string again in less than 16 hours, seemed my new combination will shorten the string’s life, ok, I will use Gauge 16 Tecnifibre-NRG2 for both Main and Cross next time or simply use a hybrid  instead (Poly for Main + Multi for  Cross)

Oh the feel of NRG2 is  amazing, even before it broke, definitely one of the best string I’ve ever  played, only it’s too expensive to keep. (ie, re-string at least once a month)

Update: Dec 23, 2011

I am going back to the first choice, Tecnifibre NRG2 Gauge 17 for both Main (58 lbs) and Cross (60lbs) and see if this time it can last for more than 24 hours. If it still breaks too fast, I simply switch to Poly, hard poly for main and soft poly for cross next time.

Update: Jan 21, 2012

Well, the previous combination Tecnifibre NRG2 Gauge 17 for both Main (58 lbs) and Cross (60lbs) didn’t last even for 14 hours,  it’s the cross got broken this time.

I am really getting frustrated as less and less duration the string lasts, so I went back to pro-shop today and asked them to simply switch to Tecnifibre NRG2 Gauge 16 for both Main (58 lbs) and Cross (60lbs), hopefully, I can reach 20 hours this time.

Update: Mar 20, 2012

The previous Tecnifibre NRG2 Gauge 16 for both main and cross did last almost twice longer, but it felt almost dead when reaching the end. The funniest thing is I didn’t break the string, but it gave up by itself automatically last night when sitting in the corner.

Anyway, I’ve tried to hit my other spare Extreme Pro with Black Code which is a full poly with excellent result and feel, I think I will switch it completely to Black Code for both of my rackets. I do have concern using full poly as they tends to hurt arms of many, but since Black Code is a very soft poly string, so let’s see.

Update: Mar 28, 2012

Poly is definitely hurting my arm and shoulder, so I’ve decided to switch back to NRG2 multi with Gauge 16 for Main (58lb) and Gauge 17 for Cross (60lb).

Update: Jul 5, 2012

I found Extreme Pro feels the best a few hours before I broke the string, so I decied to lower the tension this time, still the same NRG2 multi, Gauge 16 for Main (58lb) and Gauge 17 for Cross (60lb).

Update: Oct 22, 2012

The previous NRG2 last 3 times longer (ie, 3 months) because I was switching between POG and Head EP. Anyway, I have a new thought today when visiting the pro-shop, since my Extreme Pro is very stiff, why not try to put on a traditional synthetic gut which is very soft. So this time I restrung with Prince Synthetic Plus Gauge 16, Main (58lb) and Cross (60lb), the shop owner told me it may not even last longer than NRG, strange! As my existing Prince Synthetic Guts (15) normally last for 4-5 months, well, will try it out this Friday.

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By admin, September 17, 2011 7:56 pm

It’s been more than one month since my last appearance on the court. I enjoyed playing again today with my partner, I feel so good being able to come out and play again under the sunshine. 

I started slowly and picked up the pace gradually, worked on my forehand, then backhand, then volley and finally the serve. In particular, I emphasized on my form, not to “late hit” on every single shot and completed my swing motion more fluidly than before, there I see the effect immediately, my shots is more speedy and more spin. Now I regret that I was being so lazy and hurt myself eventually, stupid really!

Finally, I started to use Nike Patella Band for my left knee for extra protection. After the game, I rushed to Gigasport and bought another one for my right knee. The Petella Band worths the investment and it’s only HK$62 after discount, they worked pretty well I must say for my knees that’s getting older every day.  

Well, I simply try to use every possible method to extend my tennis game till 80 years old!

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By admin, September 15, 2011 9:52 pm

Were these two playing video game?

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By admin, September 6, 2011 6:15 pm

Suddenly, Federer is playing like champion again in his early 20s, beating the hell out of his opponent with bashing shots. Just look at his rhythm and footwork, something definitely has changed to him recently.