Alternatives to PA 98

[Clarky75]

Hi All

I have the PA 98, a lot I like about this frame, good power, spin and control, but I am having a hard time with my OHBH, many others have also reported this, not sure but might be the aero dynamic throat and beam

What are some good alternatives

Some say the Head Extreme Tour, others the Dunlop SX 300 Tour, Yonex Ezone 98

Especially one thats good on the OHBH

Love to hear some thoughts

 

[TheBoom]

Vcore 98 is probably closer to the PA98 than the ezone. Shift 99 may be worth a try but it’ll be a bit lighter I believe.

I’d also throw in the Prestige MPL. Also a bit lighter, but I’ve always found the prestige to be a great OHBH racket.

 

[Trip]

OK, so first off, we need more info to guide you better.

What exactly is the issue with your OHBH? If I had to guess, would it be trouble twisting the racquet about the length-wise axis when wanting to come "over the top" on a topspin one-hander? If so, then you're not alone -- I noticed this on the regular PA23, for which I was TW playtester. The issue there is mainly the high twist weight, and there's not a whole lot you can do about that, other than look for a lower twist weight frame. Beyond that, the PA98 also has a fairly polarized mass distribution, which may also make it harder to "flick" the racquet with just the single hand in certain moments, especially in pressure situations. Overall, the Aeros are just designed and optimized as a two-hander's racquet first and foremost, as having two arms on that wing is just simply a better match for the high twist weight and high amount of consistent swipe that it really wants in order to be operated at its best (think of Rafa's, or Alacaraz's or Rune's backhands... and you get the gist).

That said, presuming you still want something with similar levels of stability, power and spin, but a more easily manipulated one-hander, I would look for a 98-100 with a bit lower stock twist weight, also possibly lower polarity and perhaps a slightly lower stock swing weight, all of which will make handling the OHBH an easier experience with less strain. Here's what I would look at (alphabetical by brand/model):

- Head Extreme Tour - fully customized (will take some patience)
- Prince Textreme Warrior 100 - w/ bit heavier base grip + 2-3g lead @ 12
- Tecnifibre TFight ISO 300 - w/ handle weight and lead at 9 & 3 or 10 & 2
- Wilson Shift 99 - w/ similar customization as TTW100, only a great fit if you really hit with a lot of swipe, but if you're coming from a PA98, that may be the case
- Yonex VCore 98 - w/ 1-3g lead at 12 or 10 & 2, maybe some handle weight

Hope that helps. Any questions, feel free.

 

[socallefty]

What‘s wrong with me? The same racquets I like for my FH are the ones I like for my 1HBH. According to TTW, I should like only some racquets for a topspin 1HBH while I can use a much wider range for my FH. I use the same fundamentals for my FH and 1HBH - so don’t understand why there should be a different preference for racquets on each wing. I do have different racquets I like for overhead vertical shots like the serve/OH smash, but like the same racquets for horizontal shots like groundstrokes and volleys.

There are guys like Cecchinato and Ram who hit beautiful 1HBHs using the Pure Aero. There are not too many pro players using a 1HBH, but they generally have a lot of variety in what they use.

If someone is not hitting their 1HBH as well as their FH, could the problem be their technique rather than the racquet? Can a different racquet cure technique flaws? Many 2HBH players have weaker BHs than their FH - is the problem also typically their racquet?

If there are different racquets that are good for the FH and BH, which one do you choose to optimize for? The stronger shot or the weaker shot? Also then what about the serve which might be optimal with a different racquet?

 

[REELSONREELS]

What‘s wrong with me? The same racquets I like for my FH are the ones I like for my 1HBH. According to TTW, I should like only some racquets for a topspin 1HBH while I can use a much wider range for my FH. I use the same fundamentals for my FH and 1HBH - so don’t understand why there should be a different preference for racquets on each wing. I do have different racquets I like for overhead vertical shots like the serve/OH smash, but like the same racquets for horizontal shots like groundstrokes and volleys.

There are guys like Cecchinato and Ram who hit beautiful 1HBHs using the Pure Aero. There are not too many pro players using a 1HBH, but they generally have a lot of variety in what they use.

If someone is not hitting their 1HBH as well as their FH, could the problem be their technique rather than the racquet? Can a different racquet cure technique flaws? Many 2HBH players have weaker BHs than their FH - is the problem also typically their racquet?

If there are different racquets that are good for the FH and BH, which one do you choose to optimize for? The stronger shot or the weaker shot? Also then what about the serve which might be optimal with a different racquet?

I tend to agree with you that most frames if good for forehands should be good for backhands, but I really agree with OP here that the PA98 really kind of stinks for OHBH. Whether it’s the high twist weight of the frame or the balance, it’s really not conducive to a consistent backhand and feels like you’re spraying at times. If I switch to my pure strike tour, the backhand wing is night and day from the PA98. But the PA98 has some great upsides as well (awesome spin, great for serves both flat and kick, awesome for volleys, and good for forehands) which is probably the reason why I’m trying to make it work…

 

[Honza]

I really liked the PA98 even on the ohbh. Its just in general a very bad and harsh feeling hitting it outside the sweetspot.
I am playing a modded Ezone now for 6 months. In my opinion stock its not playable (very head light) and modded it is a different stick and not close to a PA98.

Try the Percept 100D. I really enjoyed that one even stock.

 

[socallefty]

I tend to agree with you that most frames if good for forehands should be good for backhands, but I really agree with OP here that the PA98 really kind of stinks for OHBH. Whether it’s the high twist weight of the frame or the balance, it’s really not conducive to a consistent backhand and feels like you’re spraying at times. If I switch to my pure strike tour, the backhand wing is night and day from the PA98. But the PA98 has some great upsides as well (awesome spin, great for serves both flat and kick, awesome for volleys, and good for forehands) which is probably the reason why I’m trying to make it work…

The 1HBH is hit earlier in front of the body in order to get full extension at contact and generate appreciable topspin for control. To have a good 1HBH, you need to get to the ball earlier than on your FH where you can hit a bit later especially with an open stance FH. Fix your footwork, coil/takeback early and your spraying problems will likely vanish. Many rec players are late to the ball on their 1HBH and they end up bunting/lobbing the ball instead of hitting it with a proper topspin-generating swing.

If you take a lot of incomplete low-spin swings with your 1HBH because you are late, I’m not sure how you will fix it with a racquet. A heavier, higher SW racquet especially with a thinner beam might slow down your swing/shot and prevent the ball from flying out, but now if you generate good swing speed with your FH, your timing will be off and your FH is going to fly. Better to fix the footwork/technique rather than look for non-optimal equipment for your FH which presumably is your strength if the 1HBH is weak. Also high maneuverability like you have with the Pure Aero might be helping you generate swing speed and pace/spin on your serve/OHs that you will miss if you switch to a racquet that slows down your swing speed to help you control your weak 1HBH. If you like a racquet for your serve and FH, I would experiment with different string-jobs to get more control on the 1HBH rather than jump to changing racquets.

 

[REELSONREELS]

The 1HBH is hit earlier in front of the body in order to get full extension at contact and generate appreciable topspin for control. To have a good 1HBH, you need to get to the ball earlier than on your FH where you can hit a bit later especially with an open stance FH. Fix your footwork, coil/takeback early and your spraying problems will likely vanish. Many rec players are late to the ball on their 1HBH and they end up bunting/lobbing the ball instead of hitting it with a proper topspin-generating swing.

If you take a lot of incomplete low-spin swings with your 1HBH because you are late, I’m not sure how you will fix it with a racquet. A heavier, higher SW racquet might slow down your swing and prevent the ball from flying out, but now if you generate good swing speed with your FH, your timing will be off and your FH is going to fly. Better to fix the footwork/technique rather than look for non-optimal equipment for your FH which presumably is your strength if the 1HBH is weak.

Not arguing with you and agree with your points about technique and footwork and I do have a decent 4.5 OHBH with ample swing speed, but I think we are trying to convey that in our experience, the frame has been challenging for the backhand wing and may not be optimal for OHBH, but YMMV and some people like it for their OHBH as stated by Honza.

 

[REELSONREELS]

I really liked the PA98 even on the ohbh. Its just in general a very bad and harsh feeling hitting it outside the sweetspot.
I am playing a modded Ezone now for 6 months. In my opinion stock its not playable (very head light) and modded it is a different stick and not close to a PA98.

Try the Percept 100D. I really enjoyed that one even stock.

Agreed that outside of the sweet spot, it definitely is harsh.

I’ll try the 100D! Thanks for the tip!

 

[socallefty]

Not arguing with you and agree with your points about technique and footwork and I do have a decent 4.5 OHBH with ample swing speed, but I think we are trying to convey that in our experience, the frame has been challenging for the backhand wing and may not be optimal for OHBH, but YMMV and some people like it for their OHBH as stated by Honza.

FWIW, I find the Pure Aero and Pure Drive to be rocket launchers that I would never play with as I can’t imagine being precise with them even if I tune the stringjobs to get more control, but it is true for both the FH and 1HBH. I play with a Pure Strike Tour and love it. But there are probably 3 to 5 times more people who love their Pure Aeros than users of Pure Strikes, so YMMV indeed.

 

[slal1984]

Blade v9 100. It's a wrap!