Any Firsthand Comparisons Between YouTek Prestige Pro, Angell TC95 and TC97?

[supineAnimation]

Can anyone offer, firsthand, the differences and similarities between the first YouTek Prestige Pro (no IG) compared to the TC95 and to the TC97. I originally wanted to go with the TC97 because of the closer head size, but it's pretty clear the difference in head size between the TC97 and TC95 is negligible.

I know the TC97 is a box beam (which is what I think my YTPP is) and the TC95 is a D beam, but I don't know what the difference is in regards to feel and flex. I know the TC97 has more flex in the hoop and the TC95 more in the throat, but If anyone has experience with all three and could compare them I would really appreciate it.

I'm thinking of the 63RA TC95 because of a recent onset of TE symptoms, but I'm a little nervous that it might be too flexible for me. I really wanna get as many of the qualities my dying YTPPs have as possible in the Angell stick, so if the 66RA TC97 with the box beam would play closer, I'd go that way. Thanks in advance.

 

[Anton]

I think TC95 63 is the way to go.

I tried YTPP demo a while ago and remember not liking it at all because it was unstable and and sweet-spot felt tiny. I tried leading it up but ultimately gave up on it.

TC95 is just better racket all around and you get more comfort and stability per weight with it. It's not too flexible and feels pretty solid overall.

TC97 flexes differently (you can feel head flex, where 95 flexes more uniformly) and has more power compared to TC95.

 

[supineAnimation]

I think TC95 63 is the way to go.

I tried YTPP demo a while ago and remember not liking it at all because it was unstable and and sweet-spot felt tiny. I tried leading it up but ultimately gave up on it.

TC95 is just better racket all around and you get more comfort and stability per weight with it. It's not too flexible and feels pretty solid overall.

TC97 flexes differently (you can feel head flex, where 96 flexes more uniformly) and has more power compared to TC95.

Thanks. I'm leaning that way, but I'm torn because of the box beam of the TC97.

 

[Soundbyte]

I prefer the TC97 out of those. To me, the biggest difference was the swingweight vs the TC97 and TC95 (63RA). The 95 has a higher swingweight. The Angells are solid all around rackets. It's really just splitting hairs for what you like.

The Head frame doesn't belong in the same league as the Angell frames.

 

[Anton]

The Head frame doesn't belong in the same league as the Angell frames.[/QUOTE]

Thanks. I'm leaning that way, but I'm torn because of the box beam of the TC97.

I personally like the TC95 flex more, because I like the racket to feel as 1-piece on impact. Dynamic head flex in 97 feels a bit weird to me.

 

[supineAnimation]

I don't know if I have the experience to sense the difference. That's why I was looking for an idea of which was closer to the flex of the YTPP.

 

[Anton]

I don't know if I have the experience to sense the difference. That's why I was looking for an idea of which was closer to the flex of the YTPP.

YTPP flexed more uniform, so I think 95 is better fit, but I don't know if 70 or 63 will feel closer...also if you like YTPP flex, why not just keep playing with that?

 

[supineAnimation]

YTPP flexed more uniform, so I think 95 is better fit, but I don't know if 70 or 63 will feel closer...also if you like YTPP flex, why not just keep playing with that?

They're dying. One is cracked, the hoop is deformed on the other and the third one can't be far behind. I write equipment reviews so I've strung them a lot over the years. Plus I'm looking to go with the 63RA because for the first time in 25 years playing I started developing some TE at the end of last summer.

But thanks. I'm leaning towards the TC95 with the 63RA right now.

 

[HRC-E.B.]

I'm thinking of the 63RA TC95 because of a recent onset of TE symptoms, but I'm a little nervous that it might be too flexible for me. I really wanna get as many of the qualities my dying YTPPs have as possible in the Angell stick, so if the 66RA TC97 with the box beam would play closer, I'd go that way. Thanks in advance.

You do realize that TE is not caused by an overly stiff racquet but, rather, by the overuse/lack of strength in small forearm muscles involved in the pronation/supination movements of the hand/forearm, the result of which is: the tendons bear the brunt of the force exerted on the area instead of the muscles who should normally take the load.

The overuse could be caused by an overly heavy racquet, inadequate technique, or simply too much tennis compared to the level of strength of those muscles.

So, unless you don't like your YTPP for whatever reason and were thinking of changing it for that reason, the answer to your TE concerns lies in physical therapy and strengthening exercises for those small muscles.

 

[supineAnimation]

You do realize that TE is not caused by an overly stiff racquet but, rather, by the overuse/lack of strength in small forearm muscles involved in the pronation/supination movements of the hand/forearm, the result of which is: the tendons bear the brunt of the force exerted on the area instead of the muscles who should normally take the load.

The overuse could be caused by an overly heavy racquet, inadequate technique, or simply too much tennis compared to the level of strength of those muscles.

So, unless you don't like your YTPP for whatever reason and were thinking of changing it for that reason, the answer to your TE concerns lies in physical therapy and strengthening exercises for those small muscles.

Thanks.

 

[joohan]

The overuse could be caused by an overly heavy racquet, inadequate technique, or simply too much tennis compared to the level of strength of those muscles.

I can subscribe to this. I've experienced signs of the TE only twice: first time when I started to play tennis, had rather inadequate technique(or none whatsoever...) and tried an APD strung with full poly... and second time just recently with my Donnay P1 International(RA 55). I swapped synthetic replacement grip for a leather one+overgrip which increased the grip size a touch more than my forearm likes, apparently, plus I was practicing serves 5 times a week instead of 2. After reducing the grip size and serving every other day - no problem.

 

[supineAnimation]

I can subscribe to this. I've experienced signs of the TE only twice: first time when I started to play tennis, had rather inadequate technique(or none whatsoever...) and tried an APD strung with full poly... and second time just recently with my Donnay P1 International(RA 55). I swapped synthetic replacement grip for a leather one+overgrip which increased the grip size a touch more than my forearm likes, apparently, plus I was practicing serves 5 times a week instead of 2. After reducing the grip size and serving every other day - no problem.

I've seen and know enough PTs and chiropractors over the years to believe it's not monolithic. In descending order from most likely causes to least, I'd say it goes: technique/contact position, strength, overuse, equipment.

For me, I've been playing for 25 years, both competitively and recreationally, teaching and coaching for 20, I do regular strength training including with a flexbar for more than a decade. The only thing that changed in the last year is that I started doing equipment reviews including a lot of far lighter and stiffer frames than I would ever choose to play with. So I'm confident that was the culprit for me. But equipment should definitely be the last thing to cross off the list after all the others.

 

[joohan]

I've seen and know enough PTs and chiropractors over the years to believe it's not monolithic. In descending order from most likely causes to least, I'd say it goes: technique/contact position, strength, overuse, equipment.

For me, I've been playing for 25 years, both competitively and recreationally, teaching and coaching for 20, I do regular strength training including with a flexbar for more than a decade. The only thing that changed in the last year is that I started doing equipment reviews including a lot of far lighter and stiffer frames than I would ever choose to play with. So I'm confident that was the culprit for me. But equipment should definitely be the last thing to cross off the list after all the others.

Well there is an expression my native language - "carrying wood into the forest" (similar to "carrying coals to Newcastle" I was told recently...). After 25 years, I bet you know full well what works for you, what doesn't and why.

 

[HRC-E.B.]

I can subscribe to this. I've experienced signs of the TE only twice: first time when I started to play tennis, had rather inadequate technique(or none whatsoever...) and tried an APD strung with full poly... and second time just recently with my Donnay P1 International(RA 55). I swapped synthetic replacement grip for a leather one+overgrip which increased the grip size a touch more than my forearm likes, apparently, plus I was practicing serves 5 times a week instead of 2. After reducing the grip size and serving every other day - no problem.

Good point! Totally forgot to mention how too small or too big a grip can absolutely exacerbate the problem.

 

[HRC-E.B.]

Another issue why modern racquets are said to cause TE is because NOT of their stiffness or poly but because, contrary to heavier racquets, they allow players to arm their shots and, second, they deflect and kick back more upon contact with the ball, where a heavier racquet would plow through.