Ultimate racquet of choice - tournament players and/or coaches
- Thread starter galapagos
- Start date
-
- Tags
- best racquet holy grail
galapagos
Hall of Fame
from TW review:
"The Prince Phantom 100X 18x20 reminds me of the Head Graphene 360+ Gravity Pro, but with a slightly lower powered feel. The Gravity Pro provides easier put-away power, and I could tell that this Phantom 100X 18x20 feels more flexible on contact."
less power??? Gravity Pro is a master-control racquet already . Even less power and I will be playing those tournament matches 2h longer haha
I am thinking: Phantom 100G or 100P with 16x18. that could be interesting. many legendary prince players used this pattern. something is working
Gee
Hall of Fame
Yeah, the PP100x 18x20 in stock form is not really a power serving stick like the TC95 16m (that I miss sometimes). I also want to finish points earlier at my age ;-)
That's why I am also considering another racquet with a bit more inherent power and forgiveness.
For instance the Head Prestige MPL customized to my desired specs seems like a good candidate but I'm not sure if that'll improve my game enough compared to my PP100X. Do you have some other suggestions?
Last edited:
galapagos
Hall of Fame
i think prestige MP-L is nice but not exactly for those "classic players" coming from Prestige Pro 18x20 or Angell TC95. It's a very interesting frame and in stock form its stable so you only have to play with lead at the top to increase power (it's a must) and then adjust balance to your preference. but the feel is a bit muted. towards vcore line...
i am looking at the yonex vcore tour as something "easier". As an ex speed pro user it is always on my short list and I found a lot of similarities between the 360+ version and my tc95 16x19 from the past. Wasnt a big fan of the auxetic 1.0 so let's see the 2.0 and direction.
maybe percept 100d? it is more 'solid' in feel than prestige mp-l. 100d is closer to angell family i just didnt enjoy the more responsive jump that was occasionally surprising.
Robbie2005
Rookie
Put dunlop cx200 tour 16 x 19 tour 2024 in tournament. I just put a smidgen of lead at 12 (around 1g) & overgrip. It had 16 gauge dunlop strings at 54lbs in.I think it will suit ur style & give u that extra pop. It's best racket i've tried. I think it will give u a smidgen more in every department compared to the tecnifibre rackets . It's a control racket but u can add the power & spin needed when u want 2. It's extremely stable . It's better than previous cx200 tours. From what u say u want from racket in vid i feel it's what ur looking for.First blood, first win!what a tournament (at least for me hahhaa)
galapagos
Hall of Fame
i am working on it !
Robbie2005
Rookie
U wont regret it . It's that good. I'm shocked no one barely reviewed it. They have completely changed racket from older models & fixed probs because it now as spin & putaway power.It's like they kept the control but fixed everything else.i am working on it !
Gee
Hall of Fame
Nice review!Head prestige mp l review
Maybe the Prestige Pro 16x19 is what you're looking for!
Last edited:
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Maybe! Or Maybe prestige tour. Its slightly bothering me that at the moment prestige pro 16x19 is only available through selected shops. And the only available online review is actually a negative review
I know so many great coaches with prestige racquet (with head contract in general) and they dont have the access either. A bit weird. If you dont want to sell, dont sell right?
yourtennisfit
Semi-Pro
Yonex vcore 98 tour. Seeded racquet in my tournament of sticks
If only this stick would be available in Europe
galapagos
Hall of Fame
it is getting there. I am from Europe and from what I heard every official rep must make a decision if they want to carry vcore tour and how many they want to buy. I convinced mine that vcore tour will be hotter than ezone tour in 2024 !If only this stick would be available in Europe
yourtennisfit
Semi-Pro
it is getting there. I am from Europe and from what I heard every official rep must make a decision if they want to carry vcore tour and how many they want to buy. I convinced mine that vcore tour will be hotter than ezone tour in 2024 !
I just looked on TWE and it seems like they just got it into stock
Just when I did want to stop buying frames I you had to choose for an aggressive baseliner, lefty spin FH but also flattening out shots - would you rather go for Pure Aero 98 or the VCT?
Currently I am somewhere between the PAVS and Blade 16x19
galapagos
Hall of Fame
imo VCT will be better at flattening shots. it is also softerI just looked on TWE and it seems like they just got it into stock
I you had to choose for an aggressive baseliner, lefty spin FH but also flattening out shots - would you rather go for Pure Aero 98 or the VCT?
Currently I am somewhere between the PAVS and Blade 16x19
Stradivarius
Rookie
Whats happening with the ProStaff line? An elegant weappn for a more civilized era?
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Another tournament for me. All the matches in the group with the vcore tour. Quite happy with that one although i must say that testing new gear during tournaments is the most efficient testing. Even sparing matches doesnt give you enough info.
Today semis! I will bring vcore tour and tfifght 305
Dan
Today semis! I will bring vcore tour and tfifght 305
Dan
galapagos
Hall of Fame
My tournament status update. I lost in the semis vs Speed ProAnother tournament for me. All the matches in the group with the vcore tour. Quite happy with that one although i must say that testing new gear during tournaments is the most efficient testing. Even sparing matches doesnt give you enough info.
Today semis! I will bring vcore tour and tfifght 305
Dan
the guy later lost in the finals vs Radical MP I started my match with a Vcore Tour and then after the first set I switched to tfight 305. I couldnt play my game that day but tfight 305 allowed me to lower unforced errors. I wanted to play the mindgames and i had a small window at 5:2 but somehow the guy managed to come back and close the match. Good tournament for me as i am switching too much and too often (strings included) but it also shows that my racquet selection is heading into good direction
staying positivelandcookie
Semi-Pro
@galapagos coming from a TC95/100 which Technifibre racquet would you recommend?
galapagos
Hall of Fame
TF40 315 if you want more control, less power. Tfight 305 18x19 if you want similar heaviness. (nothing similar to tc100, more tc95 vibes)
- feel is most similar with TF40 315
Last edited:
landcookie
Semi-Pro
How about in the spin / stability department? I haven’t looked at racquets in 5 years, going to do a mini demo to see what’s out there. Currently got Yonex Percept 97 and Speed MP on my list, with another to go. Thought about the pure aero 98 (been told it’s like a cheat code)?but don’t think my arm will like it.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
I tried tc95 with different specs and if they were low, the frame was unforgiving and unstable. I think TF40 315 is slightly too anemic and unstable in stock form but if you push it to around 322-330 SW it is rock solid. Just like with the tc95.
Spin goes to tc95. But the launch angle is higher as well. Percept 97 is Ok but i prefer tf40 with those 5 more grams
landcookie
Semi-Pro
Nice. My tc 95 and 100s are 328SW. Was playing at 340 but had to bring it down due to old age.I tried tc95 with different specs and if they were low, the frame was unforgiving and unstable. I think TF40 315 is slightly too anemic and unstable in stock form but if you push it to around 322-330 SW it is rock solid. Just like with the tc95.
Spin goes to tc95. But the launch angle is higher as well. Percept 97 is Ok but i prefer tf40 with those 5 more grams
Just watched your video on the tf40 and you speak quite highly of the 305. Where do you rank it?
Also, curious to know where does speed mp rank for you in terms of spin/ producing a heavy ball etc.
Thanks.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
It has that foam filled feel that i loved in the tc95. Maybe even better! It has lower launch angle (great) so you can unload without the fear of hitting long and/or you dont have to string higher or with thicker strings.
But it also doesnt have the same thump of the tc95.
I came to conlcusion that the reasons why I didnt like the tc95 were probably the reasons why it also performed so well if you learn how to manage it.
TF40 is a bit anemic on serves and this is my main issue with the racquet.
With tc95 i was using luxilon original 1.30 24/23 kg and with tf40 to get similar juice I recommend razor code 1.25 at 21 kg.
This gives a bit better picture of a difference between tc95 and tf40.
Tf40 315 and 305 is mainly difference in weight distribution. I prefer 315 but you have to play with lead to find the plow through and stability. Tf40 305 is ready to go in stock form and you have to find your balance point. However because the twist weight is already quite high in stock form it kinda never felt as good as my customized tf40 315 (when compared to tc95) which probably means that tc95 was stable for me because of the higher static weight and swing weight, not the twist weight.
But Ye. 305 is probably more safe for most of the users and I liked it too. Just slightly different feel of the swing
landcookie
Semi-Pro
No issues playing with lead so perhaps 315 is worth trying. The con about serves is a bit of a concern though.
Difference in strings between TC 95 and TF40 is huge so will keep that in mind.
What about the TFight 16x19 lines?
galapagos
Hall of Fame
They are closer in terms of how hot you can hit the ball but they are stiffer in feel. I had No issues with comfort but I found out that stiffer racquet have different sweet spot. Tfight 315 is less forgiving outside the sweet spot. Kinda dead. With softer racquets I feel better on off the center hits - they feel more forgiving even though the ball might be dead as well. I understand softer racquet better.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
HEAD Gravity Pro review. I love it! Big improvement in feel and overall connection. It is a demanding racquet but it's the one that can give you everything if you know how to use it. Modern version of a Prestige line? It is for the same type of players IMO. Demanding but rewarding.
Gee
Hall of Fame
I guess the Gravity Pro is right in my wheelhouse.
However I already own 2 Prince Phantom 100x 18x20 that I customized with some lead at the upper hoop in order to increase the swingweight to 338. They are very similar frames as I learned from other members here.
A few months I also purchased 2 Prestige Pros Auxetic 1.0 (as they were on sale at the half price). I prefer the control and the (firmer and more solid) feel sensation of the HPP but it also plays a bit more demanding than my PP100x 18x20s.
Especially on clay courts the Phantom 100x 18x20 and Gravity Pro will be more user friendly than the Prestige Tour/Pro Auxetic.
So I also think you can mention the 100sq inch 18x20 frames like the modern Prestige 98 versions.
Gee
Hall of Fame
What is so interesting about the Prestige MP?
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Its an „easier prestige pro” with most of the benefits of using a prestige racquet. If someone likes the Speed Pro but would like a bit more comfort, more dwell time and less power with easier spin and prefers thinner beam than 23mm then it’s the closest possible replacement from Head.
Ah and its 18x19
Gee
Hall of Fame
Are you talking about the '21 or '23 version?Its an „easier prestige pro” with most of the benefits of using a prestige racquet. If someone likes the Speed Pro but would like a bit more comfort, more dwell time and less power with easier spin and prefers thinner beam than 23mm then it’s the closest possible replacement from Head.
Ah and its 18x19
I wouldn't even consider to buy the 23 version against that huge price.
However the 21 version can be something with a leather grip (and maybe a little blue tack under the trap door as well) in order to lower the rather high standard balance (3 pts HL). The standard 334 SW seems solid to me that'll generate plenty of plowthrough and power potential. Unfortunately I only think the 66 RA is a bit on the stiffer side.
Last edited:
ZeroandOne
Rookie
Tf40 315 18x20. Ideal SW @galapagos? I played mine at 325 with good success but I wish I had more firepower. Razor code soft at 50/48.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
325 SW sounds good to me. You can go lower in tension. 46/46 lbs for example. After all its a prestige-like racquet. I know in theory razor soft is more powerful but I think I would prefer razor code in it (white). And I know pros using this setup in their 18x20 tf40. Maybe with a slightly stiffer string you might find it easier to go lower in tension without loosing control. Kinda double win ?
ZeroandOne
Rookie
Thanks. Unfortunately don't have access to razor white, but razor soft does the trick too. I like the feel.325 SW sounds good to me. You can go lower in tension. 46/46 lbs for example. After all its a prestige-like racquet. I know in theory razor soft is more powerful but I think I would prefer razor code in it (white). And I know pros using this setup in their 18x20 tf40. Maybe with a slightly stiffer string you might find it easier to go lower in tension without loosing control. Kinda double win ?
galapagos
Hall of Fame
The story continues another try with a leather grip on my tfight 305. The swing feels more natural. I am a bit too slow on my backhand side (my better shot so its a pickle!) but all the other strokes improved!
I will try k-pop soon as this is my second favourite setup in the tfight next to razor code. (Also - i prefer white razor code over the black one)
another try with a leather grip on my tfight 305. The swing feels more natural. I am a bit too slow on my backhand side (my better shot so its a pickle!) but all the other strokes improved! I will try k-pop soon as this is my second favourite setup in the tfight next to razor code. (Also - i prefer white razor code over the black one)
smithie
Semi-Pro
I’m using the 2023 VCORE 95 now.Hey @smithie . Noticed that you are selling your speeds. So what is your next stop ?
Although I enjoyed the Speeds I missed that pin point control that I used to have with the Ultra Pro/Gravity line and I found my game becoming more baseline grinding than the all court game that I’m used too. I found the new VCORE 95 hits the middle ground between the put away power of the Speed and the control of the Ultra Pro/Gravity. It also lets me play the all court style of tennis that I want to play which is one of the main factors.
I also had a couple of small things that helped me change also:
- I find the Yonex grip 3 perfect for me whereas the Head grip 3 runs a little small.
- The Yonex butt cap doesn’t flare which is what I prefer and used to from my Ultra Pro days as I used to swap out the original for the Pro Staff butt cap.
- I always found that I couldn’t use leather grips with Head rackets as it caused weird vibrations. I also felt that I had to used a vibration dampener with Head rackets for the same reason and I prefer not too.
- I’ve never served better than I do with the latest VCORE 95. It just seems to suit my natural serving motion and is more fluid in general.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
you must update your avatar pic
smithie
Semi-Pro
Ye good point I’ve not updated it since the Mayami prototype string testing we did - maybe I’ll do it tomorrow!you must update your avatar pic
What are you using these days?
galapagos
Hall of Fame
smithie
Semi-Pro
Haha nice plug! Which version of the VCore 95 are you using?
P.s. new picture as suggested!
