New racquet after Prince Tour NXG

[F1mre]

Hi,

I've been playing a Prince Tour NXG Graphite Midplus (https://www.prostocktennis.com/products/prince-tour-nxg-graphite-midplus-1) ever since I started playing tennis. (learned tennis with a coach)

Now I'm planning to make a change to a new racquet. I decided it's going to be Yonex. I'm not excluding any manufacturer but had to narrow the 100s of racquets. Even Yonex have about 5-8 viable options for me.

I've already tested the Vcore 98, Vcore 95 and Vcore Pro 97, in this order. In case of Vcore Pro 97, I was poor from the T-line during warmup and my serves felt considerably weaker than with my racquet. The other two were okay. (serves felt weaker with the Vcores, too but it is to be expected I think) But I am not sure. I feel it's difficult to judge based on a couple of matches.

I felt my shoulder a little bit after the Vcore 98 and Vcore Pro 97. Maybe just due to the unfamiliarity with the racquets. Overall I'm leaning towards the Vcore 95.

What do you think? Where should I be going after my Prince? I'm a ~4.0 baseline player.

Thanks.

 

[Seth]

Respect for using the NXG. My old coach whooped people with the OS version.

 

[PRS]

Sounds like the ezone 98 might be a better fit actually.

 

[pedrogcr]

I would try the Head Gravity MP.
Many of the same great characteristics of the NXG (including the 16x20 string pattern), but in a modern, more comfortable and way more maneuverable racquet.

As you can see from the stat comparison, the main differences are weight and swing weight, and with the gravity being considerably lower on both, you can always make any necessary adjustment by adding some weight or even extending it by .25 to get it to the same length.

New item by Pedro Calazans

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[WYK]

The racquet I thought felt most like the NXG was the HEAD Prestige 99 MP-L. Stiff hoop with all the flex in the throat, low power, similar spin and feel.
I own two NXG's and the 18X19 Prestige.

Here's my thread on the NXG:

Let's talk about the Prince NXG Midplus 100

Designed for nearly two years from 2002 to 2003, and released in 2004. You either hated it, or you loved it. I joined TW back in 2004, almost exactly when the NXG arrived on scene. My take on it was mixed. I went with the Diablo instead at the time. Which was really a mistake. I'll explain in a...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[pedrogcr]

The racquet I thought felt most like the NXG was the HEAD Prestige 99 MP-L. Stiff hoop with all the flex in the throat, low power, similar spin and feel.
I own two NXG's and the 18X19 Prestige.

Here's my thread on the NXG:

Let's talk about the Prince NXG Midplus 100

Designed for nearly two years from 2002 to 2003, and released in 2004. You either hated it, or you loved it. I joined TW back in 2004, almost exactly when the NXG arrived on scene. My take on it was mixed. I went with the Diablo instead at the time. Which was really a mistake. I'll explain in a...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

I remember I really enjoyed that post and read through the whole weight reduction experience! But thought the removal of the cross bar was a little overkill! lol

And now this whole post got me thinking that, now that I'm using lower tensions, I might actually really enjoy playing with the NXG again! May have to take a look on eB@y to see if I find a cheap one to try.

Maybe stringing below 40lbs will help reduce the metallic feel of the racquet, which is the only thing I didn't like about it.

 

[pedrogcr]

But back to the OP's situation, another obvious replacement would be the Prince Phantom 100G, even though it plays much softer and with much less "plow through" than the NXG.

But again, adding some weight to it might get them closer the NXG in a much softer and maneuverable package.

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1drv.ms

 

[F1mre]

Thanks for the advices.

Anyways I'm using a Völkl V-Star 1.30 string with my current Prince. Maybe there is a better option. When I first strung with them, it was amazing for 2 matches then faded. The amazement wasn't there the second time I restrung them. It was strung to 25-24 kg both times.

I've also changed replacement grip a couple of years ago. It has a L2 grip. Based on general recommendations I'm between 3 and 4 but I am just fine using L2. One of the test racquets had L4 grip that started to bother me after an hour. Switching back to my L2 was a relief. Had no problems with L3s.

Yesterday I had a training session with my coach and used the Yonex Vcore 95. I felt both my elbows a bit afterwards. Never had such feeling in my elbows before. But otherwise there is someting I like about the smaller 95 head size. Probably manouverability.

How about the Prince Tour 95? Weight and balance are similar to my Prince. String pattern is not, but it's a bit smaller head size. The Tour 98 is also interesting but I'm a bit afraid of going down 25g+. If I've been able to handle this weight until now, I should stick with it for a few more years. I'm young enough to do so.

 

[pedrogcr]

The Tour 98 is also interesting but I'm a bit afraid of going down 25g+. If I've been able to handle this weight until now, I should stick with it for a few more years. I'm young enough to do so.

While that makes sense, I believe it's always best to start with a lower static weight and add it as needed. You can always add weight and SW, but can't decrease it, and you may be surprised at what you end up liking the most.

I used to play with a PCG 100 extended to 27.5 and approx 270g after the weight I added. It felt great and I could hit a very heavy ball with it. But, one day my shoulder started hurting so I went on a search for a lighter racquet that would give the same results.

After trying dozens of frames, I settled on the Phantom 100x 290g(!!!) as my main stick. Of course I extended it to 27.5 and added weight in the hoop and handle, and now play with it at around 340g (string and ready to play).

My second option is the Gravity MP Lite, which is originally 280g (!!!) And after the same mods weights around 335g strung.