@Underdog - Short of seeing a video of you playing, from your descriptions alone -- a baseline-centric all-courter with a 4.0-ish skill level and high-ish physicality -- I think something with a bit more inherent free power and counterpunching stability would be a good idea, and I would say you're on the right track with the few models you've mentioned. In particular, I would focus on frame with the following characteristics:
- Head Size: 97-99", select 100's
- Weight: 305-315g unstrung, or 270-300g for a platform stick if you've got the customization skills
- Swing Weight: >= 315 so you don't have to add too much lead to make it playable, <=330-ish so it's not too sluggish with no recourse
- Pattern: semi-open 16-mains or open 18-mains, for best mix of control/spin/power
- Beam: >=21.5mm, <=24mm for enough free power and torsional stability, yet not too clunky
- Flex: >=62, <=66/67, for enough bludgeoning force and counterpunching thuddy-ness, without feeling like an arm-breaker
All of that considered, here's my shortlist (alphabetical by brand/model):
- Babolat Pure Aero 98
- Babolat Pure Strike 98 16x19, maybe 18x20 - maybe too muted or flat-hitter biased, but threw it in anyways
- Head Radical MP
- Head Speed MP, lightly customized, possibly the Pro
- Solinco WhiteOut 18x20 - not sure if you have access
- Tecnifibre TFight 300, customized up
- Tecnifibre TFight ISO 315
- Wilson Blade 100 v8
- Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14
- Wilson Pro Staff 97L or 97UL v14, customized up (for better power-to-weight ratio than the regular PS97 v14)
- Wilson Pro Staff X
- Wilson Pro Staff Six One 100 v14
- Wilson Shift 300, maybe 315
- Yonex EZone 98
- (upcoming) Yonex Percept 100D
Racquets I've left out, and why:
- Dunlop FX 500 Tour - probably a bit too muted and the upper string bed is too open/uncontrollable for flatter/rushed contact, unless you've got that Pure Drive type "swat" or "slap" to your swing
- Head Boom Pro - too muted, and too much of an uncontrollable hot spot in the upper half of the hoop
- Head Extreme Tour - a bit of a customization bear and very string sensitive as a result, plus the string bed is ultimately too lively or "hot" for most all-courters, versus the Radical which much more consistent/composed
- Head Radical Pro - this is probably the most contentious exclusion, but at equal strung spec to the MP, noticeably lower power-to-weight ratio and less counterpunch cradling from the narrower beam
- Tecnifibre TFight ISO 305 - while it has unrivaled "honeymoon potential", it's ultimately too much of a "hammer" to be of long-term usable for most 4.0's, let alone 5.0's
With little to know demo ability, if you had to buy something site-unseen, I'd probably go EZone 98 or Pro Staff Six One 100 v14 or X, maybe a Blade 100, -- any of those spec'd up to 330+ static, with a balance that's a fit for your mechanics and a recoil weight that's appropriate for your height and reach. If you have supreme customization capability (like, you own a Briffidi SW1, etc) then for more precision, a Pro Staff v14 97L or 97UL, with that nice extra-stable/powerful 23+mm beam, spec'd up to whatever static/balance/swing-weight is perfect for you. The Pure Aero 98
might standard a chance, but it may just be a bit too demanding and/or open of a string pattern if you don't have swipey-enough strokes.
I know that was a metric ton of info and geeking out. I hope some of it helps!
. I got reluctant over switching racquets, but now I’m very invested in going for a PA98. Do you have any recommendations customization-wise? What string pattern (thin round, thick shaped…) do you suggest to keep the best spin possible whilst keeping power and launch angle tamed, good control and predictability?
