My bi-annual racquet demo...

[richsox]

I'm following this demo session very closely, as right now I am strongly considering a move from a 2012 PD (been using PD's for over 10 years) to the TFights (although I am not sure if it will be the 320 or 305). I'd be very interested in your views on the Tfight 320 and 305.

I somehow feel that I have moved on from using the PD (which when I started 10 years ago playing tennis with a PD Team) I was very much a still a novice

I play 4 times a week (am in mid-40's), prefer singles, and probably a 3.5 in U.S. speak (in the UK we have a different rating system, and I'm a 7.2 LTA rating). My primary weapon is my serve - fairly pacey 1st, and 2nd decent kicker. I camp out at the baseline a lot.

I feel ready to move to a Pure Drive-esq type of power racket to maintain my serve weapons, but I seriously need a more consistent ground stroke game (single backhand, Eastern Forehand).

I tested a Tfight 305 and beat a level 4.0 type player who normally pushes me aorund, and I just loved the feel/control of the TFight 305 (am now waiting for a demo to arrive)

I'm wondering if the 320 would be even better for me than the 305?

Many thanks

[Bartelby]

The 320 has a very, very wide 16/19 pattern so that may not suit.

[Murrayalmagrofan]

Originally Posted by richsox

I'd be very interested in your views on the Tfight 320 and 305.

I won't be demoing the 305. With a strung weight of 11.3oz, it's far too light for my game. However, if a stronger 3.5/4.0 baseline player asked me for a Tecnifibre racquet to demo, I would probably recommend the 305.

When I play against 4.5 & 5.0 players, I need a racquet with some serious weight and plow-through. That's where the Pro Braided was starting to fail me...but the TFight 325 shines.

Originally Posted by Bartelby

The 320 has a very, very wide 16/19 pattern so that may not suit.

Agreed. The TFight 320 has a very open 16/19 pattern and has a bigger sweetspot than the TFight 325. Control will be compromised with this stick...

[richsox]

You mentioned the Pro Braid. Is this not found on the 320 and the 325?

Also - is the 320 vastly different from the 325? Do you know which is the powerful serving stick?

I note that the 325 has a RA of 68 vs the 320 at 66

[Murrayalmagrofan]

Originally Posted by richsox

You mentioned the Pro Braid. Is this not found on the 320 and the 325?

'Pro Braid' refers to my current stick the Slazenger Pro Braided.

Originally Posted by richsox

Also - is the 320 vastly different from the 325? Do you know which is the powerful serving stick?

I need to demo both to know for sure. However, from comments I've read about both sticks, the extra mass of the 325 gives advanced players extra pop on their serves.

P.S. You may be in luck with me trying the 305. When I order my second group of demos, if I can't find a suitable 4th stick to add to my demo box, I'll add the 305.

[richsox]

Originally Posted by Murrayalmagrofan

'Pro Braid' refers to my current stick the Slazenger Pro Braided.

I need to demo both to know for sure. However, from comments I've read about both sticks, the extra mass of the 325 gives advanced players extra pop on their serves.

P.S. You may be in luck with me trying the 305. When I order my second group of demos, if I can't find a suitable 4th stick to add to my demo box, I'll add the 305.

I would welcome that as I will be demoing the 305 for 2 weeks starting this Thursday,and would be great to compare findings, although I appreciate we are 2 different players at different levels with differing playing styles no doubt.

[crazyups]

Originally Posted by Murrayalmagrofan

I won't be demoing the 305. With a strung weight of 11.3oz, it's far too light for my game. However, if a stronger 3.5/4.0 baseline player asked me for a Tecnifibre racquet to demo, I would probably recommend the 305.

When I play against 4.5 & 5.0 players, I need a racquet with some serious weight and plow-through. That's where the Pro Braided was starting to fail me...but the TFight 325 shines.

Agreed. The TFight 320 has a very open 16/19 pattern and has a bigger sweetspot than the TFight 325. Control will be compromised with this stick...

Can't you lead up the pro braided for weight and plow-through?

[Murrayalmagrofan]

Originally Posted by richsox

I would welcome that as I will be demoing the 305 for 2 weeks starting this Thursday,and would be great to compare findings, although I appreciate we are 2 different players at different levels with differing playing styles no doubt.

Okay, I'll see what my final decision ends up being. I'll probably order the second round of demos within the next day or so (while the first set is still in my possession). I want to see how good Tecnifibre's quality control is when I try a second TFight 325.

Originally Posted by crazyups

Can't you lead up the pro braided for weight and plow-through?

Maybe, but it would take a lot of trial and error to get the weight and balance just right.

[Murrayalmagrofan]

I have my first set of demos until Thursday. Second set were ordered this evening and will ship out tomorrow.

They include:

Tecnifibre TFight 325 VO2 Max
Tecnifibre TFight 320 VO2 Max
Tecnifibre TFight 305 VO2 Max
Solinco Pro 10 Mid+

Looks like you're in luck richsox!

[richsox]

Originally Posted by Murrayalmagrofan

I have my first set of demos until Thursday. Second set were ordered this evening and will ship out tomorrow.

They include:

Tecnifibre TFight 325 VO2 Max
Tecnifibre TFight 320 VO2 Max
Tecnifibre TFight 305 VO2 Max
Solinco Pro 10 Mid+

Looks like you're in luck richsox!

Perfect

Thanks Murray!

[Torres]

Originally Posted by Murrayalmagrofan

Babolat Pure Storm Ltd GT
This racquet was a pleasant surprise. I have pretty long strokes and can generate my own power, so despite the small sweetspot, I felt like I could really whip the racquet head and hit the ball with a ton of pace. Off center shots or defensive shots you might hit when pushed back deep behind the baseline, felt absolutely anemic with this racquet. I feel like Babolat has a winner on their hands if they just gave it a more open string pattern. However, this frame was by far the most accurate and precise stick that I hit with all night. Slice shots were amazing. I felt access to spin was decent despite the 18x20 string pattern. Volleys were sublime as the head could easily be maneuvered into position. Serves and overheads were decent but not spectacular. I felt like I lost at least 5mph on my serves (compared to my Slazenger). If I went with this racquet, I'd need to add some lead tape to the head (@ 9 and 3 o'clock + 12 o'clock).

Initial Grade = 8/10

I don't particularly like the Pure Storm but there are a heck of alot of errors / inaccuracies in your comments.

[Murrayalmagrofan]

Originally Posted by richsox

Perfect

Thanks Murray!

TW has a max of 4 demos per customer. So I will not get my 2nd group of demo racquets until I return the first batch. However, I will still post my feedback when I get them in. Might not be until sometime late next week.

Originally Posted by Torres

I don't particularly like the Pure Storm but there are a heck of alot of errors / inaccuracies in your comments.

I re-read my comments and I don't see anything erroneous/inaccurate that I wrote. If you have a different experience with the racquet, by all means start your own thread and share them.

[DevilDog]

Originally Posted by Bartelby

Biannual does mean twice a year.

Biennial means every second year.

I think some dictionaries may have decided that the word biannual is used for both and as they're descriptive and not prescriptive in nature they have changed the definition.

Where I come from the distinction is still pretty clear and I had no confusion as to what you meant.

Its good to know that Martians use the same word for Biannual.

[Murrayalmagrofan]

All,

It looks like my playtest has come to an end. I rolled my right ankle pretty badly. I've decided to go ahead an purchase one Tecnifibre TFight 325 V02 Max and once I'm back on the courts in a few weeks, I'll probably order another 2-3.

Sorry that I wasn't able to test the TFight 305 richsox.

[richsox]

Originally Posted by Murrayalmagrofan

All,

It looks like my playtest has come to an end. I rolled my right ankle pretty badly. I've decided to go ahead an purchase one Tecnifibre TFight 325 V02 Max and once I'm back on the courts in a few weeks, I'll probably order another 2-3.

Sorry that I wasn't able to test the TFight 305 richsox.

Sorry to hear about your injury Murray - that's a definite ouch factor for you (I once had a bit of an ankle roll, enough to scare me for good away from using Nike Vapor's - the Fed shoe, and I now only use K-Swiss defier RS's--I know they're chunky and heavy, but they are very stable and "fingers crossed" they stay that way for me!)

My time demo-ing the T305 is very Love-hate right now. I've been here many times, and seems when I first pick a stick up, I play like Tennis Robocop, and just play so unhibited. My 2nd test play with the T305, was not entirely as joyous as my first outing....

Compared to my PD, it is less forgiving, and I felt it played more stiff sometimes, but other times not. I've got another 7 days with it, and this weekend will play my usual grudge match with it aganist my No.1 buddy/competitor rival

I plan on adding the PD Roddick (again) and the Pure Storm Tour to my demo-ing, and will decide in 3 weeks which racket I go to...

Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery......

[Murrayalmagrofan]

Thanks. I'm sure I'll be better in 2 weeks or so.

I can understand the feeling you describe. If the strings in the demo racquet are fresh, they could loosen up a bit as you play with it more (a couple of service games loosens up new strings for me). Btw, that's a good additional group of racquets you selected there. Should find something great among those racquets.

[crazyups]

Sorry to hear about the ankle roll. I use McDavid ankle braces, the lightweight black ones. In fact I have never rolled an ankle using braces the last 25 years or so playing basketball or tennis. But a few years ago I rolled one really badly when I wasn't wearing them.
I see you put your slazengers up for sale. Are you sure it's not premature? They are super solid once they are customized. Plus they feel and look great. Be careful of the honeymoon period. That being said, maybe the tfights could outperform them for me. Or maybe the donnay pro one 16X19. BLX95 is getting a bit small headsize wise for me. Good luck.

[Murrayalmagrofan]

Originally Posted by crazyups

Sorry to hear about the ankle roll. I use McDavid ankle braces, the lightweight black ones. In fact I have never rolled an ankle using braces the last 25 years or so playing basketball or tennis. But a few years ago I rolled one really badly when I wasn't wearing them.
I see you put your slazengers up for sale. Are you sure it's not premature? They are super solid once they are customized. Plus they feel and look great. Be careful of the honeymoon period. That being said, maybe the tfights could outperform them for me. Or maybe the donnay pro one 16X19. BLX95 is getting a bit small headsize wise for me. Good luck.

Thanks. I've picked up an ankle brace and will probably always wear one from now on when I play on clay.

Regarding the "honeymoon period" - I had a chance to let my coach try the racquets and he also recommended that I switch to the TFight 325. The Slazenger Pro Braided is a great racquet for a serve-n-volleyer, but for an all-court player who gets to the net once, maybe twice a game, it needs more plow-through to deal with those heavy paced baseline rallies.

I feel my game has evolved to a point where the Slazenger was starting to become deficient. This is the reason why I do a 6 month playtest...

[2ManyAces]

I should really do something like this!