Pro Kennex Ki5 Pro Standard Edition
By: James Waterson
One of the most innovative racquet designers in the world today, ProKennex consistently pushes the limits on racquet technology by studying the interaction between equipment and athlete producing some amazing results. The previous line of racquets, the Kinetic series, was highly successful because it utilized miniature ball bearings placed in strategic locations inside the head of the racquet that allowed it to play with the stability, control, and power of a heavier frame without actually adding any weight, making these racquets the perfect solution to tennis elbow.
However, there was a small problem with the Kinetic series. Due to the ball bearings being magnetized they had the tendency to stick together reducing efficiency by a very large margin. This is where ProKennex’s new technology comes in, the Ionic series of racquets have the ball bearings but they have no particular magnetism so all of the ball bearings can move freely, which according to ProKennex, increases efficiency by around 56%.
The Ionic series control racquet, the Ionic Ki5 Pro Standard Edition, is not for the weak of arm. Easily the heaviest racquet on the market, weighing in at 12.9 ounces strung, this racquet facilitates the player with an excellent amount of control, stability, and spin on all shots except the serve, where many players would struggle with the sheer weight of the racquet. However, strong-armed traditionalists will absolutely love this racquet and will find a way to adjust to the weight.
The Ki5 PSE performs the best, and is much easier to use, from the baseline. Combining a very heavy weight with a larger head size (100 sq. in) and an open string pattern works effectively in providing a lot of control, spin, and stability for the full spectrum of ground strokes. The most surprising characteristic about the Ki5 PSE is that, even with the lack of maneuverability, it plays, and feels, fantastic and due to having so much weight the player doesn’t necessarily have to spend all of their effort in swinging the frame but instead use the momentum to help take the racquet all the way through, they only need to be strong enough to handle it.
The lack of maneuverability really hurts this frame on the volleys. While the racquets characteristics, especially the Ionic technology, provides the player with unbelievable stability and control the only way that the positive effects of the racquet can be utilized to their full potential would be if the player was extremely strong or had excellent technique. For most players, however, the weight may be too much to handle and the lack of maneuverability too frustrating.
Although it has been stated many times thus far in this review, the weight of the racquet compared to the player’s physical strength is the main determining factor in how it will play. For those players that can handle it they will find that the racquet delivers an excellent amount of power and spin simply because the weight in the head will provide more than enough momentum through the swing thus making snapping the wrist through the serve very simple. For those that cannot handle the weight they will most likely injure themselves and really should not consider this frame.
On the serve return the Ki5 PSE performs surprisingly well. Considering the racquets basic weaknesses like the hefty weight and lack of maneuverability, both issues actually work in its favor on the return. Because the racquet is so heavy it can handle hard and flat serves very easily and provides a nice and solid feel through the point of contact. The only problem is that some players may struggle with attacking a serve because of a combination of the relatively short return stroke and the difficulty in producing racquet speed but for the type of player that would even consider this frame then this problem isn’t unconquerable.
Taking the weight out of consideration, the Ki5 PSE delivers excellent spin and control on ground strokes, stability for volleys, power and spin on the serve, and a solid feel on serve returns but it really should only be considered by very physically strong and very advanced players who are looking for a racquet that will be able to provide enough control and weight for the type of feel they are looking for. However, if you are an advanced player who is looking for something not quite so heavy you may want to consider the other Pro Kennex Ki5 racquets, all of which still provide excellent control without the intimidating weight.
Rankings:
1 - Low
5 - Moderate
10 – High
Power – 4
Spin – 5
Stability – 10
Control – 10
Maneuverability – 4
Weight – 10 |
