At age 58 it’s time for a new generation player frame: Follow My Saga Here

Do I remember correctly you once extended a Microgel Radical OS? The Agassi 25th edition is actually the TiRadical mold, and doesn't play with all the flex of Andre's real frame. It measured 62 but felt more like 65 RDC to me. Sweet 12 oz oversize frame. Downside is, only available on secondary market, so no demo.

I have (6) Rad Tours I stockpiled a while back! Love them but didn’t serve my best with them, and that’s my best shot!!


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Recently moved from playing with the 6.1 95 18x20 and RF97 to the Head Prestige Mid. This is a much easier frame to play with and the biggest differences in my game are the serve and one handed backhand. Also went from practicing an hour to being able to practice 1 1/2 to 2hrs no problem. The Mid is lighter but not by so much that it takes it out of my wheelhouse in terms of weight. Next going to try the Head 2.0. Good luck and be aware of going with a lighter frame and the tension being too high. Can easily happen going from the heavier Wilson frames to the lighter frames.

The Prestige Mid is the closest thing to an AK90 I’ve played. [emoji2]


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Bender

G.O.A.T.
I’ve not tried the 18x20 but liked the 16x19. Which generation is best guys? [emoji3]

The Blade was too low powered for me


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I went from:
  1. the 2012 PS 90
  2. to the 2014 PS 90
  3. to the RF97A
  4. to the Pure Strike 2nd Gen (16 x 19)
  5. to the Pure Strike 3rd Gen (16 x 19)
Re the Strikes, 2nd Gen has the lower RA IIRC, but the 3rd one feels more muted. Both are excellent frames and play very plus when strung with multis / synthetic gut, although I've never tried with natural gut (the multi and synthetic gut were on friends' frames). There really isn't too much of a difference between the two other than the more muted feel yet slightly higher RA on the 3rd gen, so if you have a sensitive arm, then the 2nd gen (One7) with a soft string in the main and a softer poly in the cross will serve you very well.

I had TWE match my all three of my 3rd gens to be stock static weight but with lead added at 12 to bring the SW to 340. No lead or silicone in the handle to balance the racquet so it's quite a polarised, beefy frame despite the low-ish static weight.

Honestly I don't see the point in getting Tour versions of racquets unless the specs are perfect for you. You can always add more weight to an anorexic racquet but you can't remove weight from a racquet that's too heavy out of the box.

Edit: realised you've got the 100 in your list, whereas I'm using the 98.

Also you may want to consider the new Pro Staffs that have come out. I know you've said they aren't for you but I've heard a lot of people (including me) didn't like the standard 97 because of its weird stability / inconsistent launch angle issues. Well, the new one has a tighter stringbed, which might be something you'll find interesting--plus, there'ss that new sexy 80s retro callback PJ.
 

DANMAN

Professional
BHBH,

playing with blade 16x19 here coming from PS 2017 Project one7 16x19 and now gelling after initially feeling it was underpowered.

that being said really like the strikes and have contemplated going back to them. Interestingly the review from Chris on TW who I follow for consistency between reviews favored the PS 100 which may be an easier frame to hit.
 

AceyMan

Professional
from the first post
Currently demoing: Graphene 360+ Prestige Mid

Since you started testing with a HEAD frame, maybe you could easily demo the new Speed Pro 360+.

On paper it looks worthy—18x20, low RA (62) mid-weight, constant beam.

There hasn't been much talk about it, but I'm looking at 100 in² sticks these days (I'm a '66 edition hooman), this Speed model included.

/Acey

p.s. I tried one of the Gravitys (Tour, I think) and liked, not loved it. The main knock for me was lack of pop on my serves, but groundies were excellent.
 
BHBH,

playing with blade 16x19 here coming from PS 2017 Project one7 16x19 and now gelling after initially feeling it was underpowered.

that being said really like the strikes and have contemplated going back to them. Interestingly the review from Chris on TW who I follow for consistency between reviews favored the PS 100 which may be an easier frame to hit.

yes, I’ve tried the PS 16x19, Tour, and 100. I tend to prefer the smaller frames but found the 100 played best of these.
 
Wilson hyperhammer 5.3 stretch. Worth a demo. Its 5.3 because that is what level it plays at! Its not as stiff as it is listed because its pretty open and is light enough to get lots of lead on it.

There is a reason its a top seller
I’m gonna try it!! Thank you Shroud!!!
 
from the first post

Since you started testing with a HEAD frame, maybe you could easily demo the new Speed Pro 360+.

On paper it looks worthy—18x20, low RA (62) mid-weight, constant beam.

There hasn't been much talk about it, but I'm looking at 100 in² sticks these days (I'm a '66 edition hooman), this Speed model included.

/Acey

p.s. I tried one of the Gravitys (Tour, I think) and liked, not loved it. The main knock for me was lack of pop on my serves, but groundies were excellent.
Yes, the Gravity MP is great platform for customization!! I love everything except the serve with it
 
from the first post

Since you started testing with a HEAD frame, maybe you could easily demo the new Speed Pro 360+.

On paper it looks worthy—18x20, low RA (62) mid-weight, constant beam.

There hasn't been much talk about it, but I'm looking at 100 in² sticks these days (I'm a '66 edition hooman), this Speed model included.

/Acey

p.s. I tried one of the Gravitys (Tour, I think) and liked, not loved it. The main knock for me was lack of pop on my serves, but groundies were excellent.
The Extreme Tour is so good!!
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
yes, I’ve tried the PS 16x19, Tour, and 100. I tend to prefer the smaller frames but found the 100 played best of these.
What was it about the 100 that made you like it more than the 98 and Tour?

I tried serving with the 2nd gen 98 18x20 yesterday. Did not like it compared to my Yonex 95D.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
I have a lot of lead tape and Blue Tack inbound. Now I know what to do with some of it.
My handle is easily 40+ grams so this is a good stick for adding that much and more. Though its no pog. This thing is a tank.

Though in the vein of this thread, my two cents is that its the kind of racquet to make up for waining physical skills. You may find yourself playing a different kind of game but playing it better and longer.

Bet you serve like Sampras...
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
Wilson hyperhammer 5.3 stretch. Worth a demo. Its 5.3 because that is what level it plays at! Its not as stiff as it is listed because its pretty open and is light enough to get lots of lead on it.

There is a reason its a top seller
I have an old Hyperhammer 5.3 midplus with powerholes that I have yet to string and try out. I got it years ago b/c it is supposedly the racquet Henin used and she was one of my favorite players.
 

graycrait

Legend
my two cents is that its the kind of racquet to make up for waining physical skills
How dare you suggest that at 65+ I can't physically "perform" like I did when I was 22!:) I'll be curious to watch this thread when I am 75 and @BounceHitBounceHit is 68:) He'll regret losing that 115" Ncode in that 20+ group racket trade we did some months ago. I'm hanging on to that Ncode just in case!
 

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
How dare you suggest that at 65+ I can't physically "perform" like I did when I was 22!:) I'll be curious to watch this thread when I am 75 and @BounceHitBounceHit is 68:) He'll regret losing that 115" Ncode in that 20+ group racket trade we did some months ago. I'm hanging on to that Ncode just in case!

I ain't as good as I once was but I'm as good once as I ever was.

J
 
It is guaranteed to take you from 5.0 to 5.3

Its better if you get geoff to bring it to your specs. Open pattern makes it a bit softer than it looks on paper.

You might like it. If you liked the Nadal racquet i bet you can hang with it. Be cool to see a vid review...
Thank you!! Where can I find one??
 
It is guaranteed to take you from 5.0 to 5.3

Its better if you get geoff to bring it to your specs. Open pattern makes it a bit softer than it looks on paper.

You might like it. If you liked the Nadal racquet i bet you can hang with it. Be cool to see a vid review...

I LOVE the latest Pure Aero but it doesn’t like my arm!!
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
I LOVE the latest Pure Aero but it doesn’t like my arm!!
was it a 110? remember at the same tension a 110 feels like 10lbs lighter. If you are worried try some soft strings at the low range. FWIW I was playing a ps85 with gut and alu power. I mangaged to frame so much I gave myself GE. Nothing like framed bh winners with the ps85. I had signed up for USTA and I recall my first match. I bought the hyper hammer 5.3 and used that. No pain. It was light yet solid and I found it a saviour. You might find it more arm friendly than you think.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
I went from:
  1. the 2012 PS 90
  2. to the 2014 PS 90
  3. to the RF97A
  4. to the Pure Strike 2nd Gen (16 x 19)
  5. to the Pure Strike 3rd Gen (16 x 19)
Re the Strikes, 2nd Gen has the lower RA IIRC, but the 3rd one feels more muted. Both are excellent frames and play very plus when strung with multis / synthetic gut, although I've never tried with natural gut (the multi and synthetic gut were on friends' frames). There really isn't too much of a difference between the two other than the more muted feel yet slightly higher RA on the 3rd gen, so if you have a sensitive arm, then the 2nd gen (One7) with a soft string in the main and a softer poly in the cross will serve you very well.

I had TWE match my all three of my 3rd gens to be stock static weight but with lead added at 12 to bring the SW to 340. No lead or silicone in the handle to balance the racquet so it's quite a polarised, beefy frame despite the low-ish static weight.

Honestly I don't see the point in getting Tour versions of racquets unless the specs are perfect for you. You can always add more weight to an anorexic racquet but you can't remove weight from a racquet that's too heavy out of the box.

Edit: realised you've got the 100 in your list, whereas I'm using the 98.

Also you may want to consider the new Pro Staffs that have come out. I know you've said they aren't for you but I've heard a lot of people (including me) didn't like the standard 97 because of its weird stability / inconsistent launch angle issues. Well, the new one has a tighter stringbed, which might be something you'll find interesting--plus, there'ss that new sexy 80s retro callback PJ.
You like the 3rd gen PS 16x19 more than the 2nd gen?

How is it with spin?
 

Bender

G.O.A.T.
You like the 3rd gen PS 16x19 more than the 2nd gen?

How is it with spin?
It could be placebo or my own technical improvements, but I noticed more access to spin with the 3rd than with the 2nd without any noticeable loss in its potential when flattening out shots.

I was kicking forehands up 5 ft and curling balls down the line on some running forehands yesterday night. I don't remember getting such nice arcs on my forehands before even on good days.

I will also add that the main difference in feel between the 2nd and 3rd gen is that the 2nd gen feels more "pingy" when strung up with something like ALU or Hyper G (full bed), whereas with the 3rd you get more of a soft pop. However I suspect that if I string any of my 3rd gens with synth gut or multis it'll feel too muted, whereas the 2nd feels buttery smooth with them in the mains.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
It could be placebo or my own technical improvements, but I noticed more access to spin with the 3rd than with the 2nd without any noticeable loss in its potential when flattening out shots.

I was kicking forehands up 5 ft and curling balls down the line on some running forehands yesterday night. I don't remember getting such nice arcs on my forehands before even on good days.

I will also add that the main difference in feel between the 2nd and 3rd gen is that the 2nd gen feels more "pingy" when strung up with something like ALU or Hyper G (full bed), whereas with the 3rd you get more of a soft pop. However I suspect that if I string any of my 3rd gens with synth gut or multis it'll feel too muted, whereas the 2nd feels buttery smooth with them in the mains.
Did you also try the Pure Strike 100 16x19?

What is the grip like? Similar to Wilson? My friend’s Pure Strike had the grip modded to rectangular head shape. I use an L3 usually
 

Bender

G.O.A.T.
Did you also try the Pure Strike 100 16x19?

What is the grip like? Similar to Wilson? My friend’s Pure Strike had the grip modded to rectangular head shape. I use an L3 usually
Nope, haven't tried the 100 so I can't help you with that one I'm afraid.

Grip is your standard Babolat grip--more rectangular than the Wilsons and about half size larger. I have noticed that after some use the grip / handle becomes quite rectangular, but unfortunately I don't play with Head frames so can't give you a valid comparison.

Edit: on second thought the 3rd gen grips feel a bit more rectangular than I remember the One7 being.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
Nope, haven't tried the 100 so I can't help you with that one I'm afraid.

Grip is your standard Babolat grip--more rectangular than the Wilsons and about half size larger. I have noticed that after some use the grip / handle becomes quite rectangular, but unfortunately I don't play with Head frames so can't give you a valid comparison.

Edit: on second thought the 3rd gen grips feel a bit more rectangular than I remember the One7 being.
You're using the PS 16x19 or the heavier PS Tour 16x19?
 

Bender

G.O.A.T.
How many grams did you add?
I got them matched by TWE (I bought three), so they all have differing amounts of tape.

But if it helps I said I wanted three racquets on spec, with lead at 12 until the SW was 340. Assuming the Strikes come in at 320 SW or so that's about 7 g or so
 
So what is your final word on this one? Is this any good in comparison to old Prestige Pro/Tour/Classic/600 or IG Prestige Mid?


Have you had a chance to try these are well?

I selected the PT 2.0 without CAP grommets. 335/32/325. Volkl Cyclone 18 at 20kg.

These are the same specs as my 2nd place contender, the HEAD Prestige 360+ Mid but the 18x20 offers better control/precision and lower trajectory so my ball goes through the court with more
 

Wilhelm

Hall of Fame
I like the 97P a lot

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If you like the 97P, you deserve to hit the 93P, it's surprisingly forgiving and some even find it easier to play with than the 97P.

Ultimately, other brands won't have the Wilson feel, but there are great frames out there nonetheless. I'm personally a big fan of Prince's approach of great control, comfort and superb predictability.
 
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