Looking for more power & a larger head

musicsoul · Nov 14, 2018

I'm playing with the Head Graphene Touch prestige mid now. I love the racquet, but I do shank my backhand too much. I know that improving technique and practice can solve this, but with the current standard of racquets being 97 - 100 inch I'm wondering if looking for a larger head is worth it. I also hope that with looking at a more modern frame I will get some more free power (also important for my backhand).

I've just demoed the new Yonex VCORE 95 and 98, both are good contenders. I liked the 95 better, but maybe that's too small of a step up from 93 inch. The 98 version felt stiff, but that could because of the strings in the demo.

I'm an aggressive baseline player, most of my points are made by aggressive deep spin balls in the corner and finishing the next ball. The most important thing for me when selecting a racquet is comfort, my shoulder (and sometimes elbow) is very sensitive.

I'm looking a Prince now (Phantom pro 100 & Beast 98). Any recommendations to demo? Help is appreciated!

Anton · Nov 14, 2018

DR98 is really a good midpoint between VCORE 98 (great racket btw) and softer mid-size rackets.

Phantoms may work for you too.

Dartagnan64 · Nov 14, 2018

You will bet more free power from the Beast lineup than the Phantom lineup. Phantoms are ideal for those that value feel and comfort over power. They are exceptional at comfort, great at feel and relatively average at everything else. I like them because they allow me to play every day without worrying about my arm.

You will always have to sacrifice something when moving up in head size. More forgiveness but less control. More power but less feel and touch.

Anyway, if you aren't worried about arm health and currently playing a Prestige, why not just try the Prestige Tour? That would be the smallest leap to get more forgiveness.

musicsoul · Nov 14, 2018

I actualy played with the Prestige tour before I got the mid, it was too stiff for my shoulder..

The Yonex DR98 looks as a good option! Thank you for that. I will demo that next to the Beast 98

Kevo · Nov 14, 2018

There's not that much difference between 93, 95, and 98 head sizes. If you're actually framing the backhand with the 93 it's very likely a high percentage of those shots will also be framers on a 95 or 98. So frame size alone might not be enough help without going 100+ imo.

Now if you go to something with less swing weight or lighter that might help a bit more, depending on why exactly you are framing the backhand. If you go to something stiffer for more free power then you will probably lose some feel too. So whatever you decide to try, demo first and be choosy. I find that I always go back to frames with more feel and control. Playing is just more satisfying for me that way. If I could find a frame that was larger and lighter and still had the control and feel I'd probably switch, but things just don't seem to work that way with tennis frames.

DonDiego · Nov 14, 2018

Blade 98 16x19 or even 18x20 would be a less drastic change.
I personally find that beam thickness is the hardest part to adjust to in a new frame. But it's me.

Dartagnan64 · Nov 14, 2018

musicsoul said:
I actualy played with the Prestige tour before I got the mid, it was too stiff for my shoulder..

The Yonex DR98 looks as a good option! Thank you for that. I will demo that next to the Beast 98

If it's too uncontrollable the VCORE 98 might be a better option coming from a control racket like the Prestige.

musicsoul · Nov 15, 2018

Dartagnan64 said:
If it's too uncontrollable the VCORE 98 might be a better option coming from a control racket like the Prestige.

Yes I aggree. The vcore 98 had definitly good controll, its still a very good contender. I’m really hoping these 98 options are not going to hurt my shoulder, like the Prestige tour did.

TagUrIt · Nov 15, 2018

If you have a one handed backhand, I'd say try the latest RF97. I demoed it, I enjoyed the weight and feel. Only reason I didn't stick with it was because of the handle length. I have a two handed backhand, the handle was too short for me. Great racquet though.

hurworld · Nov 15, 2018

G360 Speed Pro and Extreme Pro may suit your requirements too.

elsk · Nov 15, 2018

RF97 is an amazing racket if you can swing it, you have to be in good physical shape otherwise it will wear you down over time.

musicsoul · Nov 15, 2018

hurworld said:
G360 Speed Pro and Extreme Pro may suit your requirements too.

Yes, I was looking at the extreme review by TW. Looks interesting (don’t like the paint job though).

elsk said:
RF97 is an amazing racket if you can swing it, you have to be in good physical shape otherwise it will wear you down over time.

I agree, I’ve demoed it and it plays very good. But it slowed me down.

time_fly · Nov 15, 2018

I enjoy the Beast 98. Don't rule out the O3 version because of the stiffness. The ports, if you don't mind their distinctive feel, make it at least as comfortable as the solid-beam version despite the higher RA. Both have pretty generous sweet spots and might help with your mishit issues. My general advice on comfort when coming from a control stick like the Prestige Mid is to stick to a lower-powered racquet and give yourself more flexibility to use softer strings without giving up control.

musicsoul · Nov 15, 2018

time_fly said:
I enjoy the Beast 98. Don't rule out the O3 version because of the stiffness. The ports, if you don't mind their distinctive feel, make it at least as comfortable as the solid-beam version despite the higher RA. Both have pretty generous sweet spots and might help with your mishit issues. My general advice on comfort when coming from a control stick like the Prestige Mid is to stick to a lower-powered racquet and give yourself more flexibility to use softer strings without giving up control.

I agree. I play hybrid now in my mid. Alu power & wilson syn gut at 25kg

Seth · Nov 15, 2018

POG OS and call it a day.

nvr2old · Nov 15, 2018

Prince pp100p. String it up as a hybrid. No lack of power with good swing speed. Great feel and touch as well.

2nd Serve Ace · Nov 15, 2018

Prince has a 93 mid phantom that absolutely does not get resold, so the first user is totally loving It!

Prince has a fairly roundish hoop shape with a good spin window, so that would be a must demo for you.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

esgee48 · Nov 15, 2018

Head Prestige S or Radical S. Larger sized player frames.

musicsoul · Nov 17, 2018

I have a demo of the Ezone 98 now. Played 2 friendly sets with it yesterday and I’m impressed, it’s such a comfortable frame. I could generate lots of spin but hitting flatter is allot harder then with my Mid. Also my serves were allot slower.. I hope this is just because I need more time with the frame. It just swings slower trouth the air (it feels a little bit head heavy)

Dartagnan64 · Nov 17, 2018

Seth said:
POG OS and call it a day.

TBH this is my go to baseline singles racket on clay. It's a bit beefy for me on slick hardcourt but on clay where the ball bounces up, this racket is the bomb.

On slick hardcourt I actually play singles best with the Phantom 93P because it can hit flat much better and keep balls skidding low and out of the opponents strike zone.

Seth · Nov 17, 2018

Dartagnan64 said:
TBH this is my go to baseline singles racket on clay. It's a bit beefy for me on slick hardcourt but on clay where the ball bounces up, this racket is the bomb.

On slick hardcourt I actually play singles best with the Phantom 93P because it can hit flat much better and keep balls skidding low and out of the opponents strike zone.

I’m in a group that plays clay doubles exclusively. The POG OS is excellent for that at my 4.0/4.5 level.

Dartagnan64 · Nov 17, 2018

Seth said:
I’m in a group that plays clay doubles exclusively. The POG OS is excellent for that at my 4.0/4.5 level.

I’ve not used it much for doubles because it’s a bit more sluggish than my 93P. But it would be excellent for RoS and service games.

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