Another great racket review. As a teenager, friends' of mine used the Kneissl white star racket (GTX Pro equivalent). I regret that I never even demoed it at the time.
Showing the vast difference in equipment from each tennis era only affirms for me why you can't have a tennis "Goat" only a best of their "Era" there will never be an equal playing field between past greats and modern greats
I had a coach who was an ATP pro in the 80’s and he played with Lendl’s original racket, the Kneissl white star. He never added lead weights to the hairpin frames he received from Kneissl. That racket was quite impressive.
@@goldencalf5144 I understand why lots of people hate it but it's heaven for me. Super soft, the top half of the head is basically useless, evenly weighted so an effort to get around, not really a volleyer's stick....but there's nothing that feels like. Nothing.
The paintjob is the “second generation” GTX pro. The first generation was a more grey paint job and different stripes. Pity I gave away all the ones I had.
I played with this briefly around 1990 because of being a fanboy at the time haha.. but was disappointed because it didn't give a sense of control.. like .. at all. Switched it for a max200g and wow..what a difference that was! Control, feel.. well... at the time you know :p
We can see in that video that Ivan Lendl hits the ball backhand and forehand as easily as a soccer ball with an impressive turn of the wrist with that heavy racket
Unfortunately, I can't play well anymore with my old rackets, they are too heavy for me. I noticed when I started to approach the age of 65, that I didn't have the same strength in my arms anymore. If I choose a newer and lighter racket it works well.
:) i stopped tennis after 2004 ... when i was not able anymore to find some keenex asymetric , i used to use for many years ^^^ all were to light , was to lazy to change my technics :o)
I had that racquet for 15 year until a visitor to my house stole it. It was a very hard racquet to play with, but I got used to it. Since I had a long fast swing it worked for me. But after I switched I started hitting home runs with modern racquets.
in Russia, this racket was produced under the license of Kneisl. I used to play with it as a child. Compared to wooden rackets, it was a powerful step forward.
@@Fed610 ну вообще производство ракеток началось после начала перестройки примерно в 1986 или 1987. И вроде бы качество ракеток стало падать после чего Кнайсл отозвал лицензию, как я слышал.
@@DreamWatcher-h1j не знаю с какого года считать эту т.н. Перестройку (скорее с 87 года), ракетки пластиковые выпускались. Если не ошибаюсь на ВИСТИ, а был ещё комбинат Хоккей (клюшки Союз, инвентарь, ракетки бадминтона и пр.). Вот туда Kneissl и завезли оборудование во второй половине 80-х, я его видел и смотрел на стенд с крутящейся ракеткой, там ещё целый огромный корпус должны были запустить. Вот с Перестройкой всё и рухнуло, до сих пор, кстати, стоит простаивающий огромный комбинат. ВИСТИ недавно проходил, брошен.
I had this one and its "evolution" from Mizuno. It is a type of racket that does not help you at all, you must always hit the ball perfectly; only Lendl could play with this racket.
Tennis was very different then. The rackets weighed a kg. 😂 It wasn't possibile to make certain shots today with those rackets. It was played more with "touch" , flat forehand and slice backhand, much less power and speed. A different sport, other times!
thanks for your video..all thses things you sais I already knew it...of course at that time lendl as many players like noah with those tennis rackets had a powerful serve and great game..If we gave today those rackets to tennis players, would they have their big strikes??? I am not sure....but very sure
I always wondered why Adidas never made a 90 sq inch version of this racquet for Ivan at some point (say after not winning any slam in 1988). Everybody knew the weight and small sweet spot of this 82 sq inch racquet and with age, and a half step short, it would be disastrous for Ivan. A larger head version would have also helped Ivan at Wimbledon with his volleys, return of serve and second serve.
Mizuno eventually did that when he switched to them (he played Wimbledon 1990 with their larger head racquet) but he really disliked it and switched back to his old model shortly afterwards.
Yes, I remember I seen Becker playing adidas. A Swedish player that also had success with that racket was Thomas Högsteht he took a set against Pete Sampras in Stockholm Open -91.
I tried to like this racket and the max 200G... the grips were too short for a 2 handed backhand. I settled on a POG 110... like agasi and chang, better fit for my backhand.
I am 47 and playing tennis with rackets I bought when I was 17 years old.......tried to change to new ones and return back to the old pros pro. I wouldn't go further because I started with wooden racket though.
Unfortunately, I can't play well anymore with my old rackets, they are too heavy for me. I noticed when I started to approach the age of 65, that I didn't have the same strength in my arms anymore. If I choose a newer and lighter racket it works well.
I learned to play tennis with this racket. I still own one and use it from time to time to warm up. The feedback is great. But you need time to set up your (flat) shots. I find it a horrible tool for volleys. No surprise Lendl always lost to Becker at Wimbledon. Heavy racket with a very tiny sweet spot. But the feeling to blast a one handed backhand down the line for a winner with it is unparalleled.
You don't need to long swing, just block back due to heavy weight and stable characteristics, improve my double fault, won many 4.5 level matches. Pinpoint accuracy, low power and low launch angle I can hit or slice many short balls which my opponents did not feel comfortable with, small sweet spot is good 👍, because no trampoline effect or no erratic bounce. Racket also Good at control depth short or deep. People who play this racket understand what I am saying
i have the Kneissl Twin with Ivan Lendl Stamped on side - just to hard to play , very Flexy , Prefer Prince Original Graphite 107 - Easier to Hit : Good Review BTW
The Wilson T2000 that Jimmy Connors played with was the worst racket i ever played with. If you didn't hit the tiny sweet spot the racket would twist in your hand.
@@aaronaragon7838 I doubt it. Just like with golf clubs and balls manufacturers of racquets and strings are always trying to improve the product for the next generation of players. I started playing tennis in the early 70's and can't imagine try to play with a Jack Kramer wooden racquet strung with whatever nylon string of the day. I currently use a Babolat Pure Aero 98 2023 with Solinco Confidential strings at 50 lbs.
Another great racket review. As a teenager, friends' of mine used the Kneissl white star racket (GTX Pro equivalent). I regret that I never even demoed it at the time.
Lendl was the king of indoor tourneys ! Watched many of his matches back then with the sawdust coming out of the pockets....
Showing the vast difference in equipment from each tennis era only affirms for me why you can't have a tennis "Goat" only a best of their "Era" there will never be an equal playing field between past greats and modern greats
True, what is possibly different is that the players today are better physically trained.
The male players today are all over six feet tall and thin like Sinner, Zverev, Tsisipas, etc.
I had a coach who was an ATP pro in the 80’s and he played with Lendl’s original racket, the Kneissl white star. He never added lead weights to the hairpin frames he received from Kneissl. That racket was quite impressive.
Who was it ? I might know them !
Adidas has always made very few rackets! I remember this and a previous one in wood that I think Nastase used. I don't remember any others.
Love the clip, thank you! I love the racquets of that era - still pull out my beloved Rossignol f200's now and then when I'm feeling energetic!
You have the F200? Wilander was my favourite player in the 80s and I wanted his racquet. What's it like?
@@goldencalf5144 I understand why lots of people hate it but it's heaven for me. Super soft, the top half of the head is basically useless, evenly weighted so an effort to get around, not really a volleyer's stick....but there's nothing that feels like. Nothing.
The Adidas was really a Kneissl.
The paintjob is the “second generation” GTX pro.
The first generation was a more grey paint job and different stripes.
Pity I gave away all the ones I had.
I played with this briefly around 1990 because of being a fanboy at the time haha.. but was disappointed because it didn't give a sense of control.. like .. at all. Switched it for a max200g and wow..what a difference that was! Control, feel..
well... at the time you know :p
We can see in that video that Ivan Lendl hits the ball backhand and forehand as easily as a soccer ball with an impressive turn of the wrist with that heavy racket
I’m still playing competitive tennis (over45) with my Dunlop max 200G.
Unfortunately, I can't play well anymore with my old rackets, they are too heavy for me. I noticed when I started to approach the age of 65, that I didn't have the same strength in my arms anymore. If I choose a newer and lighter racket it works well.
Dunlop max 200G, good stick by the way.😀
That's what I played with back in the day. I used to hit a hard flat forehand with that thing. Not very forgiving for mishits as you get older though.
@@MrAndersinvestigate using a macebell for exercise - 360s in particular
:) i stopped tennis after 2004 ... when i was not able anymore to find some keenex asymetric , i used to use for many years ^^^ all were to light , was to lazy to change my technics :o)
I had that racquet for 15 year until a visitor to my house stole it. It was a very hard racquet to play with, but I got used to it.
Since I had a long fast swing it worked for me. But after I switched I started hitting home runs with modern racquets.
perhaps, thanks to this theft, the thief is now progressing in tennis.
in Russia, this racket was produced under the license of Kneisl. I used to play with it as a child. Compared to wooden rackets, it was a powerful step forward.
Ещё Kneissl завëз оборудование для совместного выпуска ракеток и чего-то ещё на комбинат Хоккей в Москве, но наступила Перестройка и всë рухнуло.
@@Fed610 ну вообще производство ракеток началось после начала перестройки примерно в 1986 или 1987. И вроде бы качество ракеток стало падать после чего Кнайсл отозвал лицензию, как я слышал.
@@DreamWatcher-h1j не знаю с какого года считать эту т.н. Перестройку (скорее с 87 года), ракетки пластиковые выпускались. Если не ошибаюсь на ВИСТИ, а был ещё комбинат Хоккей (клюшки Союз, инвентарь, ракетки бадминтона и пр.). Вот туда Kneissl и завезли оборудование во второй половине 80-х, я его видел и смотрел на стенд с крутящейся ракеткой, там ещё целый огромный корпус должны были запустить. Вот с Перестройкой всё и рухнуло, до сих пор, кстати, стоит простаивающий огромный комбинат. ВИСТИ недавно проходил, брошен.
I had this one and its "evolution" from Mizuno. It is a type of racket that does not help you at all, you must always hit the ball perfectly; only Lendl could play with this racket.
How Jimmy Conners could play with the Wilson T2000; us unreal. Sweat Spot...
I agree. Extremely unforgiving racket.
Well, most other players at the time were playing with wooden racquets. Just as demanding.
Tennis was very different then. The rackets weighed a kg. 😂 It wasn't possibile to make certain shots today with those rackets. It was played more with "touch" , flat forehand and slice backhand, much less power and speed. A different sport, other times!
Really was hoping Lendl himself was gonna show up at the end for a quick set lolol
yes that would be something.🎾😀
thanks for your video..all thses things you sais I already knew it...of course at that time lendl as many players like noah with those tennis rackets had a powerful serve and great game..If we gave today those rackets to tennis players, would they have their big strikes??? I am not sure....but very sure
I always wondered why Adidas never made a 90 sq inch version of this racquet for Ivan at some point (say after not winning any slam in 1988). Everybody knew the weight and small sweet spot of this 82 sq inch racquet and with age, and a half step short, it would be disastrous for Ivan. A larger head version would have also helped Ivan at Wimbledon with his volleys, return of serve and second serve.
Mizuno eventually did that when he switched to them (he played Wimbledon 1990 with their larger head racquet) but he really disliked it and switched back to his old model shortly afterwards.
I think it was Becker's first racket on tour and Nastase's last.
Yes, I remember I seen Becker playing adidas. A Swedish player that also had success with that racket was Thomas Högsteht he took a set against Pete Sampras in Stockholm Open -91.
@@MrAnders I think Jose Higueras also.
I tried to like this racket and the max 200G... the grips were too short for a 2 handed backhand. I settled on a POG 110... like agasi and chang, better fit for my backhand.
I've played on that La Costa court.
Nice, 😊
Tiny sweet spot. Lendl was so accurate.
Love this!
Great. Thanks for the video. I get my T2000 out every year for a laugh.
I am 47 and playing tennis with rackets I bought when I was 17 years old.......tried to change to new ones and return back to the old pros pro.
I wouldn't go further because I started with wooden racket though.
Unfortunately, I can't play well anymore with my old rackets, they are too heavy for me. I noticed when I started to approach the age of 65, that I didn't have the same strength in my arms anymore. If I choose a newer and lighter racket it works well.
@@MrAnders It's all about keeping active so what ever works is good for us....
А Kneissl сейчас выпускает ракетки?
I learned to play tennis with this racket. I still own one and use it from time to time to warm up. The feedback is great. But you need time to set up your (flat) shots. I find it a horrible tool for volleys. No surprise Lendl always lost to Becker at Wimbledon. Heavy racket with a very tiny sweet spot. But the feeling to blast a one handed backhand down the line for a winner with it is unparalleled.
Whatever happened to Adidas racquets?
I met Ivan. I tried the raquet many years ago in my teens and hated it disappointedly.
For groundstrokes it was ok but it sucked on volley’s
Is it me or does he look like Bjorn Borg!
Exactly what I was thinking!
Nice stick.
That's what she said.
How about Boris Becker Puma..
Súper cool ❤
Yvan, do you remember Chang ? 🤣
so ... every one forgot mcenroe after RG84 ??
Still got my Head Vilas , Head Pro and Davis Topspin in my closet.
Je viens de la donner à un collègue.
La bleue était plus légère.
You don't need to long swing, just block back due to heavy weight and stable characteristics, improve my double fault, won many 4.5 level matches. Pinpoint accuracy, low power and low launch angle I can hit or slice many short balls which my opponents did not feel comfortable with, small sweet spot is good 👍, because no trampoline effect or no erratic bounce. Racket also Good at control depth short or deep. People who play this racket understand what I am saying
This guy looks more like Bjorn Borg.
I want to buy an uncle racket
i have the Kneissl Twin with Ivan Lendl Stamped on side - just to hard to play , very Flexy , Prefer Prince Original Graphite 107 - Easier to Hit : Good Review BTW
The Wilson T2000 that Jimmy Connors played with was the worst racket i ever played with. If you didn't hit the tiny sweet spot the racket would twist in your hand.
disagree. much better than other rackets at the time
@@kraftwerk05 This would be a debate that neither of us could win. How about a nice game of chess.🥴
388.4 g ;)
I bought a wilson pro Staff 6.0 85 i always wanted to have as a Teenager but now in my mid 30is i bought it and i must say
Unplayable
Definitely a champions racquet...but no Pro-Staff
Ujujujuj.
Ujujujuj. Slå en rak backhand 😄
Will it work today? No
probably the right answer.😊
The game is too fast today…would be very tough…
Have we reached the end of racquet tech improvements? Strings?
@@aaronaragon7838 I doubt it. Just like with golf clubs and balls manufacturers of racquets and strings are always trying to improve the product for the next generation of players. I started playing tennis in the early 70's and can't imagine try to play with a Jack Kramer wooden racquet strung with whatever nylon string of the day. I currently use a Babolat Pure Aero 98 2023 with Solinco Confidential strings at 50 lbs.
Lendl was a machine. All he needs now is a decent haircut.