Any RF97 or PS97S users try the DR98?

[asifallasleep]

I've pretty much tried every frame on the market and the lone frame intriguing me is the DR98. I demoed it briefly but not long enough to mod and really groove with it. Any RF97 or PS97S users spend any extended time with the DR98? I'm afraid i'd miss the plow, and solidity of the Wilson frames. Any comments?

 

[Anton]

DR98 is for more of a western brush up game...like a softer, less powerful APD. Similar power-per-weight to RF97 but less control...definitely more power than PS97S.

One thing about DR98 I didn't like is slices and defensive shots tended to float, could be a matter of adjustment.

 

[mawashi]

DR98 is for more of a western brush up game...like a softer, less powerful APD. Similar power-per-weight to RF97 but less control...definitely more power than PS97S.

One thing about DR98 I didn't like is slices and defensive shots tended to float, could be a matter of adjustment.

I had the RF97 for a month, the PS97s for 3 hrs and the Dr98 for a week. I agree with what you said about slices and defensive shots but not on the power assessment bit. The Dr98 is only 310g vs the RF 340g so it's really hard to say which is more powerful pound for pound. The feel is more muted and plush for the Dr98 than the RF97. The Duel 330g might be a better comparison against the RF97.

The 97S is a totally different animal and personally I don't quite know where to put this odd duck, it's a stick for those who want Rafa spin but don't have the technique or arm to pull it off. Mechanical aid anyone lol? It volleys pretty lousy too as directional control isn't there but overall it's more comfy and has easy spin/serves than traditional sticks. Has decent plow through but only cos the string bed is so open.

I've pretty much tried every frame on the market and the lone frame intriguing me is the DR98. I demoed it briefly but not long enough to mod and really groove with it. Any RF97 or PS97S users spend any extended time with the DR98? I'm afraid i'd miss the plow, and solidity of the Wilson frames. Any comments?

If you added 6-8g of lead to the head and counter-balance it with 8g or so at the butt you'll find it plays very differently. My VCTG has 6g at the head, 8g at the butt, it has only slightly less plow than the RF and still weighs 15g less.

It has a flexy throat so it will feel differently than the RF for sure.

 

[asifallasleep]

DR98 is for more of a western brush up game...like a softer, less powerful APD. Similar power-per-weight to RF97 but less control...definitely more power than PS97S.

One thing about DR98 I didn't like is slices and defensive shots tended to float, could be a matter of adjustment.

Ok thanks so much. Doesn't seem like it would be my cup of tea!!!

 

[asifallasleep]

I had the RF97 for a month, the PS97s for 3 hrs and the Dr98 for a week. I agree with what you said about slices and defensive shots but not on the power assessment bit. The Dr98 is only 310g vs the RF 340g so it's really hard to say which is more powerful pound for pound. The feel is more muted and plush for the Dr98 than the RF97. The Duel 330g might be a better comparison against the RF97.

The 97S is a totally different animal and personally I don't quite know where to put this odd duck, it's a stick for those who want Rafa spin but don't have the technique or arm to pull it off. Mechanical aid anyone lol? It volleys pretty lousy too as directional control isn't there but overall it's more comfy and has easy spin/serves than traditional sticks. Has decent plow through but only cos the string bed is so open.



If you added 6-8g of lead to the head and counter-balance it with 8g or so at the butt you'll find it plays very differently. My VCTG has 6g at the head, 8g at the butt, it has only slightly less plow than the RF and still weighs 15g less.

It has a flexy throat so it will feel differently than the RF for sure.

Not a fan of flexy frames and I really love the direct immediate response the ball has off of stiff frames. So I think you answered it for me. Thanks!

 

[smalahove]

I've owned 3 RF97A, recently sold a PS97S and have been playing with a DR98 for a few days now.

I agree with a lot of what's been said above. That being said, the DR98 is a very different racket type compared to the PS's.
I'd describe both the PS97S and RF97A as being plush, whilst the DR98 as being muted. I.e. there is a noticeable difference in feel between them; the yonex lacking a x-feel factor that differentiates plush from muted - ime.

The DR98 is awesome for the modern brush up game as Anton says; I'm not sure why but perhaps the feel and response makes me adapt very easily.

So far, I'm not giving up on the DR98, but the muted feel is a negative for me, as well as my serve is def below par on everything, esp. when I make the mistake of comparing it to the PST serves which as well above par (except on slower/safer spin/kick serves).

Imo/ime, the PS97S and RF97A have a common DNA, whereas many of the RF97A suggs, such as the PST are more distant. This is the same way I feel about going from the RF97A to a DR98: it only makes sense if you're willing to adapt/change your game in a specific direction, f.inst. focus on top spin on clay.

 

[mawashi]

Not a fan of flexy frames and I really love the direct immediate response the ball has off of stiff frames. So I think you answered it for me. Thanks!

Then the Duel330 might be worth a demo. Those of my friends who have tried the Duel330 says it has a very crisp response but with all the benefits of the large yonex sweet spot.

 

[asifallasleep]

I've owned 3 RF97A, recently sold a PS97S and have been playing with a DR98 for a few days now.

I agree with a lot of what's been said above. That being said, the DR98 is a very different racket type compared to the PS's.
I'd describe both the PS97S and RF97A as being plush, whilst the DR98 as being muted. I.e. there is a noticeable difference in feel between them; the yonex lacking a x-feel factor that differentiates plush from muted - ime.

The DR98 is awesome for the modern brush up game as Anton says; I'm not sure why but perhaps the feel and response makes me adapt very easily.

So far, I'm not giving up on the DR98, but the muted feel is a negative for me, as well as my serve is def below par on everything, esp. when I make the mistake of comparing it to the PST serves which as well above par (except on slower/safer spin/kick serves).

Imo/ime, the PS97S and RF97A have a common DNA, whereas many of the RF97A suggs, such as the PST are more distant. This is the same way I feel about going from the RF97A to a DR98: it only makes sense if you're willing to adapt/change your game in a specific direction, f.inst. focus on top spin on clay.

Would you agree that the DR98 feels like the current Blade 98? I preferred the Blade 93 by far. More stiff, more direct response. Which is closer to the Pro Staff line.

 

[mawashi]

Looks like the Tecnifibre TFight series might be more in your wheelhouse.

 

[smalahove]

Would you agree that the DR98 feels like the current Blade 98? I preferred the Blade 93 by far. More stiff, more direct response. Which is closer to the Pro Staff line.

It's been a long time since I tried the 2015 Blade 98 18x20, so I can only compare the DR 98 to the 2015 Blade 98 16x19 (which I just recently sold) and the 2013 Blade 98 18x20 (which I owned for a while a year+ ago).

My DR 98 is strung with msv hex which is a new string for me, but it falls in the std poly category imo. That being said, the DR 98 feels very muted in comparison to the blades. I thought the 2015 Blade 98 16x19 was an ok frame, but it def felt a bit hollow and tinny, esp compared to solid frames (IGPP, PS97S, XFP95 aso), and also when compared to the 2013 Blade 98 18x20.

Imo, the Textreme Tour 95 is a much better frame for that old/new hybrid thing, compared to the 2015 Blade 98 16x19.

I produce great baseline shots with the DR98 though, but it's def in the Pure Aero/Drive, Warrior, Tour 100 category.

Right now, I'd love a PST with the spin-game qualities of the DR98.
Or a TT95 with the punch of the PST.

 

[Anton]

I had the RF97 for a month, the PS97s for 3 hrs and the Dr98 for a week. I agree with what you said about slices and defensive shots but not on the power assessment bit. The Dr98 is only 310g vs the RF 340g so it's really hard to say which is more powerful pound for pound. The feel is more muted and plush for the Dr98 than the RF97.

Well I modify all my frames to preference so my DR98 was weighted up some.

 

[Anton]

The 97S is a totally different animal and personally I don't quite know where to put this odd duck, it's a stick for those who want Rafa spin but don't have the technique or arm to pull it off. Mechanical aid anyone lol? It volleys pretty lousy too as directional control isn't there but overall it's more comfy and has easy spin/serves than traditional sticks. Has decent plow through but only cos the string bed is so open.

I disagree, but again that's from modified perspective. PS97S with some weight in the butt is an advanced players stick for someone physically fit and with developed stroke production looking to play a more relaxed form and get good spin, control and placement.

I liked it, but I enjoy a bit more solid top-loop for defensive purposes.

 

[Tennis is GOAT]

How does the DR 98 compare to the PS97? (not the Spin Effect model). I really enjoyed the solid feel and power of the RF97 but am not willing to play long three setters with its weight. I enjoy the weight power and spin of the DR98 but dislike the muted feel. I can definitely produce my own spin and power but still enjoy more of a "modern players frame". Does the PS97 sound like it would be good fit for me? Any opinions and other racquet suggestions are greatly appreciated!


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[mawashi]

I disagree, but again that's from modified perspective. PS97S with some weight in the butt is an advanced players stick for someone physically fit and with developed stroke production looking to play a more relaxed form and get good spin, control and placement.

I liked it, but I enjoy a bit more solid top-loop for defensive purposes.

I've seen a couple of average players use it with some success but when I tried it, I didn't think much of it at all. I hit hard enough with a 18x20 and with the 16x19 I get enough spin on most sticks that I have no need for 16x18, 17/16 patterns.

I haven't see many guys with well developed strokes using the 97S. The 5s I know of use some really old dunlops, APD, K/N wilsons or Head prest and yet to seen a single solid 4.5 using a 97S. Maybe 2-3 among the 4.0s I know of.

 

[A_Instead]

I preferred the PS97S over the DR98.. But Preferred the PS97 over both...as its more traditional.
PS97S hits a vicious ball, but requires some time to get use to higher SW.

 

[asifallasleep]

Someone mentioned the RF97 as being the most sold frame in the tw classifieds. I'm starting to see tons of DR98's for sale.

 

[Anton]

How does the DR 98 compare to the PS97? (not the Spin Effect model). I really enjoyed the solid feel and power of the RF97 but am not willing to play long three setters with its weight. I enjoy the weight power and spin of the DR98 but dislike the muted feel. I can definitely produce my own spin and power but still enjoy more of a "modern players frame". Does the PS97 sound like it would be good fit for me? Any opinions and other racquet suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Yes, PS97 works just fine as a platform racket if you liked RF97 but want different weight...it's not quite the same feel, but close enough.

As far as playing long three setters with RF97? DON'T. For me RF works best when used with first strike mentality.

Yea you'll get into three setters, but if you have the technique to pound the serve and then put away approach shot games will get quite short. If you don't, and allow your opponent to put deep balls in play...things get a lot more sweaty and complicated.

 

[PSC85]

I've pretty much tried every frame on the market and the lone frame intriguing me is the DR98. I demoed it briefly but not long enough to mod and really groove with it. Any RF97 or PS97S users spend any extended time with the DR98? I'm afraid i'd miss the plow, and solidity of the Wilson frames. Any comments?

Giving Regna any thoughts? RF97 is my regular stick and use PS97S for casual hitting. But Regna feels right in between. It'll be an interesting demo.

 

[asifallasleep]

I demoed the DR98 and decided to stick with my RF97. The RF97 is just way more solid with a feel i prefer over the DR98. DR98 had good pop, not as much plow and at contact felt too flexy and mushy. Felt and played like a softer, thinner APD if that makes sense. My PT630 is a flexible frame but just feels way more so solid at contact than the DR98. None of this is shocking looking at the weight and composition of the RF97 and the PT630 compared to the DR98.

 

[Soul_Evisceration]

I demoed the DR98 and decided to stick with my RF97. The RF97 is just way more solid with a feel i prefer over the DR98. DR98 had good pop, not as much plow and at contact felt too flexy and mushy. Felt and played like a softer, thinner APD if that makes sense. My PT630 is a flexible frame but just feels way more so solid at contact than the DR98. None of this is shocking looking at the weight and composition of the RF97 and the PT630 compared to the DR98.

I recently demoed the DR98 and I more or less agree with your assessments that the RFG97 is just more solid. Also the RF97 is lights out better for volleys, dropshots, lobs and smashes over the DR98. From the back court, the DR98 is nice but as soon as I saw how terrible it was for feel shots, I went back to the RF97. Currently playing with my Solinco 10 Pro 18*20. It's stocked up to the same weight, balance and distribution than the RF97 and it has the same power except a lot better on the control department and no erratic stringbed shots like the RF97 seems to produce at times.

Do you get the same vibe with your PT630? I'd be curious to see the comparaison between the 2 racquets.

 

[asifallasleep]

I recently demoed the DR98 and I more or less agree with your assessments that the RFG97 is just more solid. Also the RF97 is lights out better for volleys, dropshots, lobs and smashes over the DR98. From the back court, the DR98 is nice but as soon as I saw how terrible it was for feel shots, I went back to the RF97. Currently playing with my Solinco 10 Pro 18*20. It's stocked up to the same weight, balance and distribution than the RF97 and it has the same power except a lot better on the control department and no erratic stringbed shots like the RF97 seems to produce at times.

Do you get the same vibe with your PT630? I'd be curious to see the comparaison between the 2 racquets.

I'd agree that the DR98 doesn't have as much feel and slices are not good either. PT630 has amazing feel and touch, i'd say equal power to the DR98, great control, not as maneuverable and fast thru the air as the DR98.......but it's not meant for that type of game. Compared to the RF97 the PT630 has less power, is a bit softer but still firm at contact, RF97 better on serves, volleys and groundstrokes. They are just different frames with different purposes. PT630 is probably the best feeling racquet ever made, soft but firm with great control. The RF97 is built for power with some feel and control.

 

[Ozellman]

Being primarily a Head Prestige player I sometimes hit with my PT57A and my RF97. The transition is easy between my regular sticks and these heavier ones. I've also got a DR98 which pretty much stays in my closet as I struggle to find the sweetspot of Yonex frames in general. I don't feel connected at all to the DR98 and it feels dead and powerless to me. The RF97 is a completely different stick with tremendous stability, plow through and power. I find the string pattern a bit too open for my liking though.

 

[Fxanimator1]

I've seen a couple of average players use it with some success but when I tried it... yet to seen a single solid 4.5 using a 97S. Maybe 2-3 among the 4.0s I know of.

Is there a difference between a "solid 4.5" and a "not solid 4.5"? Are they not the same rating? Your post makes absolutely no sense.

 

[asifallasleep]

I recently demoed the DR98 and I more or less agree with your assessments that the RFG97 is just more solid. Also the RF97 is lights out better for volleys, dropshots, lobs and smashes over the DR98. From the back court, the DR98 is nice but as soon as I saw how terrible it was for feel shots, I went back to the RF97. Currently playing with my Solinco 10 Pro 18*20. It's stocked up to the same weight, balance and distribution than the RF97 and it has the same power except a lot better on the control department and no erratic stringbed shots like the RF97 seems to produce at times.

Do you get the same vibe with your PT630? I'd be curious to see the comparaison between the 2 racquets.

I find the RF97 to be more maneuverable and easier to swing than the PT630, it has a much bigger sweet spot, a lot more power, serves bigger, slices better...... I can definitely appreciate the feel of the PT630, but i like the immediate string bed response and loads of feel I get from the stiff RF97 with 18g cyclone strung at 40lbs. I prefer stiff frames with thin gauge strings at low tensions over flexible frames. I really feel the smaller sweet spot on the PT630 on my 1 hand backhand. Now the PT630 has a decent sweet spot and most would not say it's small, It's just that the RF97 has such huge huge sweet spot.

 

[Soul_Evisceration]

I find the RF97 to be more maneuverable and easier to swing than the PT630, it has a much bigger sweet spot, a lot more power, serves bigger, slices better...... I can definitely appreciate the feel of the PT630, but i like the immediate string bed response and loads of feel I get from the stiff RF97 with 18g cyclone strung at 40lbs. I prefer stiff frames with thin gauge strings at low tensions over flexible frames. I really feel the smaller sweet spot on the PT630 on my 1 hand backhand. Now the PT630 has a decent sweet spot and most would not say it's small, It's just that the RF97 has such huge huge sweet spot.

Yeah it's funny because like you I keep going back and forth with the RF97, the Solinco 10 Pro (which is more or less the same as the PT630) and a bulked up PS85 (almost like the KPS88 bulked up but swings faster through the air than the BLX90 or KPS88 if I would have to imagine). I loved the Solinco but it doesn't give me the "WOW" factor like the PS85 and RF97A gives me and the PS85 is a fantastic racquet to be extremely crafty and outsmart your opponents but I have yet been amazed on the defensive end with this racquet which the RF97A gives me. The RF97A has great brute force but sometimes I find the stringbed a little erratic at times.

I know people are gushing over an AngellTC95 Flex 63 or TC97 but I feel like I would just have a Solinco 10 Pro/PT630 2.0 and that's not my intentions.

Anyways thanks for the feedback @asifallasleep . Much appreciated.

 

[asifallasleep]

Yeah it's funny because like you I keep going back and forth with the RF97, the Solinco 10 Pro (which is more or less the same as the PT630) and a bulked up PS85 (almost like the KPS88 bulked up but swings faster through the air than the BLX90 or KPS88 if I would have to imagine). I loved the Solinco but it doesn't give me the "WOW" factor like the PS85 and RF97A gives me and the PS85 is a fantastic racquet to be extremely crafty and outsmart your opponents but I have yet been amazed on the defensive end with this racquet which the RF97A gives me. The RF97A has great brute force but sometimes I find the stringbed a little erratic at times.

I know people are gushing over an AngellTC95 Flex 63 or TC97 but I feel like I would just have a Solinco 10 Pro/PT630 2.0 and that's not my intentions.

Anyways thanks for the feedback @asifallasleep . Much appreciated.

I've never used the Solinco, but I hit agin with my PT630 and it's still pretty fast through the air, sometimes moreso than my RF97. It's not as headlight as the RF97, but has a smaller head. The PT630 does hit some nasty spin on the ball, similar to my PS88. Just nasty topspin with a lot of rpm's, a heavy ball. Not as fast through the air as balls hit by the RF97 but heavier. Lot's of movement.

 

[roundiesee]

".....sometimes I find the stringbed a little erratic at times..."
Agree whole heartedly. Which is why I have switched to the Yonex TourG for the moment. Hope things will turn out better.

 

[Zavist]

It's been a long time since I tried the 2015 Blade 98 18x20, so I can only compare the DR 98 to the 2015 Blade 98 16x19 (which I just recently sold) and the 2013 Blade 98 18x20 (which I owned for a while a year+ ago).

My DR 98 is strung with msv hex which is a new string for me, but it falls in the std poly category imo. That being said, the DR 98 feels very muted in comparison to the blades. I thought the 2015 Blade 98 16x19 was an ok frame, but it def felt a bit hollow and tinny, esp compared to solid frames (IGPP, PS97S, XFP95 aso), and also when compared to the 2013 Blade 98 18x20.

Imo, the Textreme Tour 95 is a much better frame for that old/new hybrid thing, compared to the 2015 Blade 98 16x19.

I produce great baseline shots with the DR98 though, but it's def in the Pure Aero/Drive, Warrior, Tour 100 category.

Right now, I'd love a PST with the spin-game qualities of the DR98.
Or a TT95 with the punch of the PST.

I'm coming off of my RF97 and have been searching also. Would love to hit the Textreme Tour 95 next to the 2015 Blade 98 because those are about the last of the ones I want to try. I agree about the Blades VS the DR 98.
I'm using the Pure Aero and PAT with some success but I just can't get my game back to the old RF97 days no matter what strings and weight combos I try.

 

[asifallasleep]

I just got a great deal on a couple of DR98's so I'm going to mod them with leather grips and see how it goes. Never had the chance to try leather grips on the DR98 demo.

 

[rh310]

I'm going in reverse of the question: I use the DR98 (w/YPTP 120) and picked up a 2016 RF97 from TW that "must match Wilson specs" for an extra $10. Did the Federesque hybrid stringing on it.

Hit with it this morning. Very definitely heavier in the head than the DR98, but I loved it on 1HBH and slices. I'm having GE problems not due to the DR98, and the RF97 is just too heavy right now to swing without pain.

Pulled a DR98 out after a few minutes, and I have to say it's a great frame.

Could I change to the RF97? It would take some getting used to. It feels really good, though, and the drastically-improved plow might be worth the trouble.