4.5 racket recommendation

[TheSlice123]

Hey Everyone,

Was wondering if someone could recommend a racket for me to try or demo. Last summer I got back into tennis after not playing for a 4-5 years. Before that I was playing for about 10 years or so. I used to use Head Liquidmetal Radical and then the Youtek Radical (can't remember if they were pro version or another version, and I don't have those rackets anymore). So when I got back into it, I just blindly bought Head Speed Graphene 360+ Pro and strung them with RPM Blast. They were playing great until I started to have elbow problems and I never had any arm or elbow issues before. I thought it was the string, but I tried softer strings and multifilament strings and was still having arm issues with the Speed. I then tried out a few rackets and kind of rushed into Yonex VCore 95 2023. Was not having any arm issues there, but was just not playing as well and it felt like it was really underpowered. I'm 4.5 currently (trying to improve though and play tournaments/leagues) and I'd say I'm more of an aggressive baseline player, but can defend and serve pretty well so somewhat all around as well, but being aggressive is more fun for me. I'm also 32 so not getting younger so not sure how arm/elbow will react to future rackets. I'm trying out rackets again and here's what I tried out so far

1) Head gravity pro- felt really easy to hit with. However, it is heavy and also head heavy which feels even heavier. I was playing a set and by the end of it, felt like my arm was on fire. This one wasn't really elbow (more like biceps/shoulder) was so maybe I just need to get stronger or get used to it? Not sure, but hitting the ball felt good with this one
2) Babolat Pure Aero 98- my favorite so far out of these new demos. Felt easy to put power and spin on the ball, pretty good with serves and volleys too and think it fit my play style pretty well. I can't tell if this will give me arm problems yet- so far I've used it after using gravity pro, and then also at the end of long session and arm was not feeling great. I'm only going to use this one today and see how it feels, but I'd say its my favorite so far. I did feel like if I didn't swing fast the ball just flies to the back fence, so I wonder if this one will get exhausting trying to swing 100% all the time. But seems like it was made for attacking
3) Yonex Ezone 98- Felt somewhat similar to Pure Aero, but maybe with less spin and a little more muted. Just didn't think it was special to me, but not bad. Also, didn't give me arm issues which is good
4) Head Speed Graphene 360+ pro - that was the original racket used. I actually really like this one. Felt like a great all around racket and can hit any kind of shot with it and forgiving, and felt great hitting the ball. Problem is the elbow issue I'm getting from it
5) Yonex Vcore 95 2023- forehand was good, serve was good, but just didn't feel like I could much power into the ball and was not really forgiving. Also, volleys and returns didn't feel great. Probably because it's lighter and not as stable. Arm felt good though, no issues.

So I'm essentially trying to find something similar to head speed that wouldn't give me arm issues. Here's what I'm thinking of demoing next:

1) Head Speed Mp - thinking lighter version will maybe not give me arm problems, and then I could customize it if I want
2) Head gravity mp- same thinking as above
3) Wilson Blade v9 - hit that one for 20 mins or so and felt pretty good so was going to give this a try
4) Yonez Percept- thinking of trying the 100D version. Seems like a good all around racket and it seems like yonex's don't give me arm issues
5) Head Radical Mp- radicals were my old rackets so feel like I should give them a try. Probably do mp version since pros seem to give me arm issues

Any other rackets I should try or any insights on the rackets above? These are all going to be demos with probably crappy strings. And any string recommendations/set ups that are more arm friendly but fun to hit with like RPM blast? I've been using head lynx a bit and those seem to work well for me and don't feel as bad on the arm as RPM blast.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[agradina]

From all the racquet gravity pro mp and blade are the most confortable.With all the rest i dont recomend if u had elbow problems.I sugest u pick one of those.
String with a multifilament in the cross for more confort, like head lyxn tour main/head velocity mlt. Blade 16x19 v9 seems good for u.
I wouldnt play with any racquet that give me any kind of elbow or soreness pain.

 

[jimmy8]

It seems like you would like 98-100 sqin with a weight of 305 grams and about 23mm beam and low RA. I think try Blade 98 v8 or v9 16x19. Try head extreme tour. Try prince ats textreme tour 98. Try yonex vcore 98.

 

[tim-ay]

I just mentioned in the holic thread, if you like Radicals it is hard to beat the TW 99 dollar Rad MP Graphene XT. you need to add lead and weight to the handle, but it plays great weighted up. I know those had a rap of being hard on the arm but yeah, stock it’s 295g static. Get the weight up to 330-335 fully set up and the frame is pretty sweet. I like it as much or more than the new Auxetics. YMMV.

edit - ditch the rpm string. try something with better playability that is softer. I recommend TRUSports Durafluxx 123 in a Rad (haven’t hit the auxetic speed). String in the high 40’s and that’s a very controlled, easy on the arm set up. it’s a great poly that lets you swing out with great control and spin.

Blade v9 is a great frame too. Hit one last night for a few min that a 4.5 was using and he hit the crap out of the ball. He won’t be 4.5 very long…. forget the multi cross suggestion though, it won’t last in the v9 very long.

 

[Soundbyte]

I just mentioned in the holic thread, if you like Radicals it is hard to beat the TW 99 dollar Rad MP Graphene XT. you need to add lead and weight to the handle, but it plays great weighted up. I know those had a rap of being hard on the arm but yeah, stock it’s 295g static. Get the weight up to 330-335 fully set up and the frame is pretty sweet. I like it as much or more than the new Auxetics. YMMV.

edit - ditch the rpm string. try something with better playability that is softer. I recommend TRUSports Durafluxx 123 in a Rad (haven’t hit the auxetic speed). String in the high 40’s and that’s a very controlled, easy on the arm set up. it’s a great poly that lets you swing out with great control and spin.

It's Tru Pro (formerly Tier One) Durafluxx. But agreed, great string

 

[tim-ay]

It's Tru Pro (formerly Tier One) Durafluxx. But agreed, great string

thanks. i keep calling them Tier One and can’t get used to Tru Pro. ha, Tru sport is a pretty bad miss.

 

[Soundbyte]

thanks. i keep calling them Tier One and can’t get used to Tru Pro. ha, Tru sport is a pretty bad miss.

I hear you. They're my main string brand so it took me quite awhile to adjust!

 

[TheSlice123]

I just mentioned in the holic thread, if you like Radicals it is hard to beat the TW 99 dollar Rad MP Graphene XT. you need to add lead and weight to the handle, but it plays great weighted up. I know those had a rap of being hard on the arm but yeah, stock it’s 295g static. Get the weight up to 330-335 fully set up and the frame is pretty sweet. I like it as much or more than the new Auxetics. YMMV.

edit - ditch the rpm string. try something with better playability that is softer. I recommend TRUSports Durafluxx 123 in a Rad (haven’t hit the auxetic speed). String in the high 40’s and that’s a very controlled, easy on the arm set up. it’s a great poly that lets you swing out with great control and spin.

Blade v9 is a great frame too. Hit one last night for a few min that a 4.5 was using and he hit the crap out of the ball. He won’t be 4.5 very long…. forget the multi cross suggestion though, it won’t last in the v9 very long.

Seems like a few people are suggesting Blade as well so hopefully that one is still available to demo. It did feel pretty good the other day. I've hit with Clash before and didn't really like it, but blade felt better. Gotta see if they have the graphene xt as well. Do you know if there's a lot of difference between that one and the newer version? Thanks for the string suggestion- I'll check that one out, never heard of that one before

 

[Federerkblade]

Why not a yonex 100d ?

 

[gino]

Hey Everyone,

Was wondering if someone could recommend a racket for me to try or demo. Last summer I got back into tennis after not playing for a 4-5 years. Before that I was playing for about 10 years or so. I used to use Head Liquidmetal Radical and then the Youtek Radical (can't remember if they were pro version or another version, and I don't have those rackets anymore). So when I got back into it, I just blindly bought Head Speed Graphene 360+ Pro and strung them with RPM Blast. They were playing great until I started to have elbow problems and I never had any arm or elbow issues before. I thought it was the string, but I tried softer strings and multifilament strings and was still having arm issues with the Speed. I then tried out a few rackets and kind of rushed into Yonex VCore 95 2023. Was not having any arm issues there, but was just not playing as well and it felt like it was really underpowered. I'm 4.5 currently (trying to improve though and play tournaments/leagues) and I'd say I'm more of an aggressive baseline player, but can defend and serve pretty well so somewhat all around as well, but being aggressive is more fun for me. I'm also 32 so not getting younger so not sure how arm/elbow will react to future rackets. I'm trying out rackets again and here's what I tried out so far

1) Head gravity pro- felt really easy to hit with. However, it is heavy and also head heavy which feels even heavier. I was playing a set and by the end of it, felt like my arm was on fire. This one wasn't really elbow (more like biceps/shoulder) was so maybe I just need to get stronger or get used to it? Not sure, but hitting the ball felt good with this one
2) Babolat Pure Aero 98- my favorite so far out of these new demos. Felt easy to put power and spin on the ball, pretty good with serves and volleys too and think it fit my play style pretty well. I can't tell if this will give me arm problems yet- so far I've used it after using gravity pro, and then also at the end of long session and arm was not feeling great. I'm only going to use this one today and see how it feels, but I'd say its my favorite so far. I did feel like if I didn't swing fast the ball just flies to the back fence, so I wonder if this one will get exhausting trying to swing 100% all the time. But seems like it was made for attacking
3) Yonex Ezone 98- Felt somewhat similar to Pure Aero, but maybe with less spin and a little more muted. Just didn't think it was special to me, but not bad. Also, didn't give me arm issues which is good
4) Head Speed Graphene 360+ pro - that was the original racket used. I actually really like this one. Felt like a great all around racket and can hit any kind of shot with it and forgiving, and felt great hitting the ball. Problem is the elbow issue I'm getting from it
5) Yonex Vcore 95 2023- forehand was good, serve was good, but just didn't feel like I could much power into the ball and was not really forgiving. Also, volleys and returns didn't feel great. Probably because it's lighter and not as stable. Arm felt good though, no issues.

So I'm essentially trying to find something similar to head speed that wouldn't give me arm issues. Here's what I'm thinking of demoing next:

1) Head Speed Mp - thinking lighter version will maybe not give me arm problems, and then I could customize it if I want
2) Head gravity mp- same thinking as above
3) Wilson Blade v9 - hit that one for 20 mins or so and felt pretty good so was going to give this a try
4) Yonez Percept- thinking of trying the 100D version. Seems like a good all around racket and it seems like yonex's don't give me arm issues
5) Head Radical Mp- radicals were my old rackets so feel like I should give them a try. Probably do mp version since pros seem to give me arm issues

Any other rackets I should try or any insights on the rackets above? These are all going to be demos with probably crappy strings. And any string recommendations/set ups that are more arm friendly but fun to hit with like RPM blast? I've been using head lynx a bit and those seem to work well for me and don't feel as bad on the arm as RPM blast.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

man, using RPM blast in a thick guage with a wet noodle will destroy your elbow

start with the string. buy volkl cyclone tour 18 and put in your speed, will be altogether a different hitting experience. its probably softer than any of the multis or syn guts you tried, just because something isnt poly doesnt mean its not stiff

 

[TheSlice123]

Why not a yonex 100d ?

The percept 100d? Yep, I was thinking of demoing that one. I hit with one for like 10 minutes and felt pretty solid so was going to check that out

man, using RPM blast in a thick guage with a wet noodle will destroy your elbow

start with the string. buy volkl cyclone tour 18 and put in your speed, will be altogether a different hitting experience. its probably softer than any of the multis or syn guts you tried, just because something isnt poly doesnt mean its not stiff

I learned the hard way! I remembered that I liked RPM blasts and also used head rackets so just put the blast in speed and didn't think anything of it until elbow was crying. Thank you for volkl string suggestions- it does look like they are more arm friendly strings/rackets so I will check out that string

 

[gino]

The percept 100d? Yep, I was thinking of demoing that one. I hit with one for like 10 minutes and felt pretty solid so was going to check that out



I learned the hard way! I remembered that I liked RPM blasts and also used head rackets so just put the blast in speed and didn't think anything of it until elbow was crying. Thank you for volkl string suggestions- it does look like they are more arm friendly strings/rackets so I will check out that string

furthermore, im going to rock your world, go back to those radicals. track them down on e..bay (they are there trust me) & use those. they are incredible rackets, djokovic still uses the liquidmetal mold to this day. youll find way more youtek out there, but i would rec the lm, microgel, or youtek v1

 

[oldmanyellingatcloud]

Were you a string breaker when you were playing more consistently? I would first suggest finding comfortable strings. You don't need to reinvent the wheel with your setup until you figure out what you need and works with your game as it is now. Cheap synthetic gut or a value multifilament like Head Velocity will help you with the arm. Velocity gives me the control of poly without ever having to worry if my arm will hurt or if I'll develop tennis elbow. in my own return to tennis I've tried Hyper-G, Lynx Tour, Hawk Touch, Gosen OG Sheep Micro, Velocity, and I've come to the conclusion that unless one needs poly for durability or for the margins, it's way too costly and potentially damaging to use full time. and I really liked Hawk Touch!

it'll be hard to find something retail that plays similar to your old Radicals. acknowledging that is the first step in finding your new racquet. I play with Radicals like I did when I was younger and when I was getting back into tennis I made the mistake of comparing everything else on the market to what I had in front of me. if you're okay with playing something used or you just want to get back to what you're familiar with, the old Radicals are extremely capable racquets for today's tennis

if you want to stick with Head and you have the ability to do so, try the MPs from each of the silos (Prestige, Gravity, Speed, Radical, Extreme, Boom, even Instinct). this will introduce you to how racquets feel in 2024 and maybe there are specific silos you'd like to look into further

Yonex makes wonderful frames though I'm only familiar with the VCores as I got to demo some when my now regular hitting partner was demoing them.

 

[TheSlice123]

Were you a string breaker when you were playing more consistently? I would first suggest finding comfortable strings. You don't need to reinvent the wheel with your setup until you figure out what you need and works with your game as it is now. Cheap synthetic gut or a value multifilament like Head Velocity will help you with the arm. Velocity gives me the control of poly without ever having to worry if my arm will hurt or if I'll develop tennis elbow. in my own return to tennis I've tried Hyper-G, Lynx Tour, Hawk Touch, Gosen OG Sheep Micro, Velocity, and I've come to the conclusion that unless one needs poly for durability or for the margins, it's way too costly and potentially damaging to use full time. and I really liked Hawk Touch!

it'll be hard to find something retail that plays similar to your old Radicals. acknowledging that is the first step in finding your new racquet. I play with Radicals like I did when I was younger and when I was getting back into tennis I made the mistake of comparing everything else on the market to what I had in front of me. if you're okay with playing something used or you just want to get back to what you're familiar with, the old Radicals are extremely capable racquets for today's tennis

if you want to stick with Head and you have the ability to do so, try the MPs from each of the silos (Prestige, Gravity, Speed, Radical, Extreme, Boom, even Instinct). this will introduce you to how racquets feel in 2024 and maybe there are specific silos you'd like to look into further

Yonex makes wonderful frames though I'm only familiar with the VCores as I got to demo some when my now regular hitting partner was demoing them.

I would break strings after like 10-15 hours of use I would say. I did usually like head rackets, but I'm okay with switching it up. And yep was going to try the MPs of each different line. Kinda excited to try out Boom and Extreme- hear good things about those

 

[Bigmctennis]

Have you tried the new speeds? The auxetic technology seems to make all the new head radicals more arm friendly

 

[Trip]

@TheSlice123 - Welcome to TT. First off, let's take a look at where you're coming from: the LM Rad and YT Rad. Without you knowing which model for sure, I'm going to presume it was the MP in both (as that was by far the most common model):

So, you're coming from a sub-300g, 95" (pre-Graphene era Heads were measured from the outside of the frame inwards, so their "98's" were actually more like 95-96's), 18x20 pattern, 21-21.5mm straight beam control stick. Great all-court frame that is still playable enough today, provided you can make the denser pattern and slightly smaller head work well enough. As such, at least to have something you know agrees with you, there's nothing stopping you from grabbing one or more off The Bay, FB marketplace, etc.

Next, your G360+ Speed Pro. Seems like you've been through the ringer with strings, but how about frame customization? Without getting too in the weeds with tuning for any particular spec, in general, you might be able to solve the inability to flatten out by adding a bit of handle weight on/under the forehand palm area, which will lower the balance point and make it easier to play a flatter stroke. If you've already been down that road with not much to show for it, then perhaps it is time to look onward. I'll go brand by brand:

Babolat - As much as you enjoyed the PA98, I would recommend the Strike 97 for something as familiar as possible, or Strike 100 16x20 for a more "easy button" option. The PA98, while blending power, spin and control very well, is also a fairly demanding frame, as you've discovered -- you pretty much need to be at close-to-full RHS with it to really make it come alive, and produce enough control; and the layup may or may not be a bastion of comfort.

Dunlop - CX 200 Tour would be most similar to your LM Rad MP, but just a bit heavier and more head-light. If you don't mind a customization journey, the CX 200 might be fun, otherwise CX 400 Tour for the "easy button" option. In fact, if a fair amount of early feedback is any indication, the 400 tour may be a potential 2024 Racquet Of The Year... we'll see.

Head - Radical MP is worth a demo for sure. It's likely going to feel a bit more stiff/crisp, and but the 16x19 will give you a bit more lift for free. Otherwise to consider: Extreme Tour, Gravity MP, Speed MP.

Tecnifibre - TF40 is definitely a mandatory demo -- the TF grips share the more rectangular shape that you're used to on your older Radicals, as well as a more direct and solid feel (from being foam-filled). I would suggest trying both the TF40 305 18x20 and 305 16x19.

Wilson - Ultra Pro would be a similar analogy to the CX 200 Tour; both again perhaps less forgiving and/or assistive with free power than you may want. For a bit more of both, I'd go Blade 98, 18x20 will be most like what you're used to, although the easier lift from the 16x19 may be more welcome. The "easy button" option would be the Blade 100.

Yonex - Percepts will be closer to what you're used (I think you'll find the VCore's to be a bit too wild and EZones perhaps a bit too harsh, despite their mutedness). So the Percept 97 would be akin to the Strike 97 -- something closer to your Rad MP's, while the 100D/100 would be the better move if you wanted a bit more easy power and forgiveness.

Hope most of that helps! Any questions, feel free.

 

[TennisViking]

Definitely try a number of softer poly strings first. I would also try a few hybrid setups.

If you like your current racquet expect for arm comfort, you can definitely improve comfort from softer strings.

Strings have a very large impact on arm comfort, probably more than the racquet.

 

[TheSlice123]

Have you tried the new speeds? The auxetic technology seems to make all the new head radicals more arm friendly

I have not yet- going to try either the 2022 or 2024 Speed Mp next, depending if the store has it.

@TheSlice123 - Welcome to TT. First off, let's take a look at where you're coming from: the LM Rad and YT Rad. Without you knowing which model for sure, I'm going to presume it was the MP in both (as that was by far the most common model):

So, you're coming from a sub-300g, 95" (pre-Graphene era Heads were measured from the outside of the frame inwards, so their "98's" were actually more like 95-96's), 18x20 pattern, 21-21.5mm straight beam control stick. Great all-court frame that is still playable enough today, provided you can make the denser pattern and slightly smaller head work well enough. As such, at least to have something you know agrees with you, there's nothing stopping you from grabbing one or more off The Bay, FB marketplace, etc.

Next, your G360+ Speed Pro. Seems like you've been through the ringer with strings, but how about frame customization? Without getting too in the weeds with tuning for any particular spec, in general, you might be able to solve the inability to flatten out by adding a bit of handle weight on/under the forehand palm area, which will lower the balance point and make it easier to play a flatter stroke. If you've already been down that road with not much to show for it, then perhaps it is time to look onward. I'll go brand by brand:

Babolat - As much as you enjoyed the PA98, I would recommend the Strike 97 for something as familiar as possible, or Strike 100 16x20 for a more "easy button" option. The PA98, while blending power, spin and control very well, is also a fairly demanding frame, as you've discovered -- you pretty much need to be at close-to-full RHS with it to really make it come alive, and produce enough control; and the layup may or may not be a bastion of comfort.

Dunlop - CX 200 Tour would be most similar to your LM Rad MP, but just a bit heavier and more head-light. If you don't mind a customization journey, the CX 200 might be fun, otherwise CX 400 Tour for the "easy button" option. In fact, if a fair amount of early feedback is any indication, the 400 tour may be a potential 2024 Racquet Of The Year... we'll see.

Head - Radical MP is worth a demo for sure. It's likely going to feel a bit more stiff/crisp, and but the 16x19 will give you a bit more lift for free. Otherwise to consider: Extreme Tour, Gravity MP, Speed MP.

Tecnifibre - TF40 is definitely a mandatory demo -- the TF grips share the more rectangular shape that you're used to on your older Radicals, as well as a more direct and solid feel (from being foam-filled). I would suggest trying both the TF40 305 18x20 and 305 16x19.

Wilson - Ultra Pro would be a similar analogy to the CX 200 Tour; both again perhaps less forgiving and/or assistive with free power than you may want. For a bit more of both, I'd go Blade 98, 18x20 will be most like what you're used to, although the easier lift from the 16x19 may be more welcome. The "easy button" option would be the Blade 100.

Yonex - Percepts will be closer to what you're used (I think you'll find the VCore's to be a bit too wild and EZones perhaps a bit too harsh, despite their mutedness). So the Percept 97 would be akin to the Strike 97 -- something closer to your Rad MP's, while the 100D/100 would be the better move if you wanted a bit more easy power and forgiveness.

Hope most of that helps! Any questions, feel free.

Appreciate pulling all that together, that is actually helpful to see what I was using. Brings back good memories. These are lighter than the Speed I was using, although swing weight doesnt seem that far off (I think Speed G+ Pro is around 330 vs 324/325 but I'm not sure if 5 points is significant or not). Unfortunately, I wasn't able to try PA98 by itself for full session the other day as I broke strings in first 5 minutes so may have to demo that again. Okay, haven't thought about Technifibre, wasn't on my list so I'll see if I can get my hands on that. They do look pretty intriguing. I have tried Strike before (not the newest version, think it was previous) and actually did like it so maybe I'll try that one again too. Appreciate all the suggestions

Definitely try a number of softer poly strings first. I would also try a few hybrid setups.

If you like your current racquet expect for arm comfort, you can definitely improve comfort from softer strings.

Strings have a very large impact on arm comfort, probably more than the racquet.

I did put in Luxilon Element IR Soft in one of the head speeds, but it broke after like 3 hours for some reason so I couldn't really tell if it was going to work out or not. I put Technifibre NRG 2 in another one which is a multifilament, but was having some arm issues with that too, and I think that was supposed to be more arm friendly. I did string at 50 though so maybe I'll try few other strings that were suggested and go down to like 47.

 

[GimmeBackMyDog]

I play an Auxetic Extreme Tour.

Try that one.

It seems to get overlooked but it's very arm friendly IMO.

I think the Pure Aero 98 and Ezone 98 are more powerful.

But the Extreme Tour is softer and has a better feel.

 

[GimmeBackMyDog]

Just to note, I also suffer from lifelong tennis elbow.

I use the Extreme Tour with RPM Blast @ 51lbs in the mains and Luxilon 4G Desert Bronze in the crosses @ 51lbs for a little extra arm comfort.

I haven't had a problem with the combo but you could always just do a full bed of 4G and see how you like it.

 

[GimmeBackMyDog]

I'll give you my exact setup.

Mains @ 51 lbs

Crosses @ 51 lbs

This is the best looking dampener for this racket.

I have a bag of dampeners but some of the them, like the Sampras dampener, tend to pop off the racket while playing.

Very tacky. But I like tacky.

The Dunlap overgrip is slightly less tacky.

Old school protection tape. I grew up in the 80's.

I use 2 inches of tungston tape at the 12 o'clock position.

I like the extra forehand whip.

But putting a couple inches at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions may widen the sweet spot and help prevent elbow pain.

I hate the tape that comes with overgrips.


So I use this to finish off the overgrip.

Or....

The purple color is really cool but, if you don't want different colors, black is always the solid second choice.

And this...

My Babolat rackets all came with these but for some reason my Head rackets did not.

Kind of odd that Head doesn't give you one of these with their rackets.

That's kind of my OCD tennis racket setup.

I love my racket.

But I would also give the Blade and the Radical a try.

They should be pretty arm friendly as well.

 

[TheSlice123]

I'll give you my exact setup.

Mains @ 51 lbs

Crosses @ 51 lbs

This is the best looking dampener for this racket.

I have a bag of dampeners but some of the them, like the Sampras dampener, tend to pop off the racket while playing.

Very tacky. But I like tacky.

The Dunlap overgrip is slightly less tacky.

Old school protection tape. I grew up in the 80's.

I use 2 inches of tungston tape at the 12 o'clock position.

I like the extra forehand whip.

But putting a couple inches at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions may widen the sweet spot and help prevent elbow pain.

I hate the tape that comes with overgrips.


So I use this to finish off the overgrip.

Or....

The purple color is really cool but, if you don't want different colors, black is always the solid second choice.

And this...

My Babolat rackets all came with these but for some reason my Head rackets did not.

Kind of odd that Head doesn't give you one of these with their rackets.

That's kind of my OCD tennis racket setup.

I love my racket.

But I would also give the Blade and the Radical a try.

They should be pretty arm friendly as well.

Thank you so much for the detailed post! I'll have to try some of this set up. I have extreme out to demo right now so will try that out in next few days
But yea I've been demoing speed MP 2024 and it feels really good, but also getting arm pain. It kind of starts when I try do serving or overheads, ground strokes seem to be fine. It may also be something they put in the head rackets because I tried the radical and was also getting arm pain (so now speed, gravity and radical all gave me discomfort). Might just have to switch away from head
I think Speed MP has been my favorite so far, with Yonex Percept 100D a close second, followed by pure aero because it was really fun. I was hoping speed mp was not going to give me arm trouble but looks like it will. No pain from the Yonex though

 

[fuzz nation]

The percept 100d? Yep, I was thinking of demoing that one. I hit with one for like 10 minutes and felt pretty solid so was going to check that out



I learned the hard way! I remembered that I liked RPM blasts and also used head rackets so just put the blast in speed and didn't think anything of it until elbow was crying. Thank you for volkl string suggestions- it does look like they are more arm friendly strings/rackets so I will check out that string

I've seen enough to believe that RPM Blast is overpriced garbage. For anybody who enjoys it, I wish them well.

If your arm is in dodgy shape, I'd say stay away from any poly options for at least a couple of months.

As for racquets, it's great that you're trying this and that. I was impressed with the Dunlop CX-200 Tour when I used it for several months last year. Every time I find some feedback on current Dunlop frames, it seems to be consistently positive - those guys appear to be putting out really good gear, but not quite winning the popularity contest yet. They have a CX-200 model that's a 98" frame that could be worth a look (the CX-200 Tour is a 95").

Right now I'm very much liking the Prince Phantom 97P, which is a little bit of an old-school sort of soft and heavier racquet (my handle is leaded for extra head-light balance). Very much my style coming from several years with the Volkl C10. You might want to check out the Phantom 100 models as well as their ATS Tour 98 (specs look rather good).

Yonex frames seem to click for some and not so much for others. If you've already done well with their gear, that could be your answer right there. Lately though I try to encourage folks to keep in mind that there's probably more than one or even two "right answers" for them out there among all the racquets available to us. If something seems to perform okay without any arm harshness, it may be time to pause the search - you've likely found one of them.

 

[stephenpinkus]

Try the appropriate Volkl racquets. Easy on the arm. Responsive.

 

[ed70]

Prince Phantom 16x18 100p is worth a hit. Has comfort, good power & plough, and pretty good control. Picked one up in UK heavily discounted & been hitting with it side by side with my usual Angell frames.