racquetreligion
Hall of Fame
I always add 40-50gsm to the handle using lead tape to most frames so prefer head heavy based frames if they are available around 300-330gsm
Best feel/control 18x20 Head racquet
- Thread starter FedGR
- Start date
I always add 40-50gsm to the handle using lead tape to most frames so prefer head heavy based frames if they are available around 300-330gsm
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Thats not a HEAD racquet
I know. I was looking at the Head Speed Touch Pro but the PS played surprisingly similiar albeit a tad softer. Leaning toward the PS.
stingstang
Professional
I've been wanting to try putting a CAP grommet & leather grip on an MG Rad for ages. In theory the result would be 12 ounces, 330-340SW and that soft old school feel. Cheap too. Anyone tried it?
TennisHound
Legend
Its kind of a sleeper racquet, but the Pro Kennex Q Tour 325 plays really nice. High forehands are very easy. It doesn't feel quite as solid as a Prestige MP, but it has more power. Its very HL 8-9pts, so you could use a lighter grip and get it down to 7pts HL and probably at least 12 oz. At that weight you could even add some lead at 12 (maybe 2x3"strips) and it would be right around 12.2oz strung, possibly 12.1.
Simplicius
Semi-Pro
...
Hey guys,
I have lately been using the 2015 Blade 98 18x20 that I absolutely love. However, If I hit with it for 2 hours, 3 days in a row, my forearm muscles get tired and I can't control it the way I would like.
So I am looking for a slightly lighter, easier swinging, 18x20 racquet from Head that plays "similar" to the Blade. I've been looking around for info but the more I look the more confused I get with Head's naming scheme. I believe the holy grail of Head Racquets is the Graphene XT Prestige MP but then I also see that the youtek and youtek IG are (??) as good. How about the Radical or Speed series?
Any input is appreciated!
Graphene and Graphene XT Head racquets are more stiff than soft. I hear Graphene Touch is softer, but ihaven't tried one. You're looking for comfort and control with a nice sized sweet spot, look at the older Prince Tour 100 18x20. Low 56 flex. About 11.9 oz strung. The 18x20 pattern adds control. Slightly heavier with a little more pop is the Prince Textreme Tour 100P 18x20, flex 62, around 12 oz. If you do like Head's stiffer feel, try the 2017 Babolat Pure Strike 18x20. In between is the 2017 Wilson Blade 98 18x20 CV. TW has a $20 for 4 racquets demo deal. It's a great way to actually try the feel of playing with the racquets side-by-side before you buy.
Agree with this assessment re: the Prince sticks. I'll be interested to see what the new Speed Pro 360 is like. But the Tour 18x20 feels a lot closer to the old school radical tour twin tubes. Nice flex, good plow through, and excellent accuracy.
basil J
Hall of Fame
Becker Melbourne IMO is still one of best and versatile 18 x 20 frames ever made. Comfortable, decent power, Great spin, HL, great at the net and great for dictating play from the baseline. PK Redondo MP is a great 18 x 20, maybe a little too low powered for some folks, but an arm friendly versatile frame.It's a little heavier than your newer frames at 12.4 Oz strung, but it's HL enough where the weight is not an issue. Good luck finding one. I like the 200GMW as well, but its too low powered for me at this point of my life. Still a fun hit though.
MajesticMoose
Hall of Fame
I think my favorite racquet (which was also an 18x20) was the Head Liquidmetal Prestige Mid. LOVED that frame and wish I still had it. Any of those mid 2000s Prestige Mid frames were amazing. Including the Youtek prestiges.
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
Hey guys,
I have lately been using the 2015 Blade 98 18x20 that I absolutely love. However, If I hit with it for 2 hours, 3 days in a row, my forearm muscles get tired and I can't control it the way I would like.
So I am looking for a slightly lighter, easier swinging, 18x20 racquet from Head that plays "similar" to the Blade. I've been looking around for info but the more I look the more confused I get with Head's naming scheme. I believe the holy grail of Head Racquets is the Graphene XT Prestige MP but then I also see that the youtek and youtek IG are (??) as good. How about the Radical or Speed series?
Any input is appreciated!
IG Radical mp, previous models (Youtek, Microgel, etc.) It's exactly what you need -- a Blade with lower swingweight. The Blade was Wilson's response to Head's Radical line.
FedGR
Professional
I haven't updated the thread recently but yesterday I fell in love with another racquet. lol
So I've been meaninglessly buying more racquets than I can play with and bought several Heads. One of them is an IG Radical Pro with a gut/poly setup. I hit with it for about 2 hours yesterday and felt AMAZING! Best tennis I've played recently. I only added an overgrip, no dampener.
What is funny is that when I was shadow swinging it in the house when I first got it, I thought that I wouldn't like it at all. Since I am a small 5.8 guy, I thought I would have trouble maneuvering it. However I was able to swing it around and hit extremely well, to my surprise. Very solid, great plow through, TONS of spin and pace, great comfort. Even though it's unstrung weight is higher than my Blade 98, It was easier for me to move it around.
My opponent commented on how much more pace my ball had. So happy and surprised. I couldn't believe how good and confident I was with it. I felt like my shots had so much pace and depth that I could focus on my game play and move my opponent around. Damn. I guess the search is over, for now. Need to play with it more to make sure I can consistently play that well.
Thank you all for your suggestions, they are appreciated.
So I've been meaninglessly buying more racquets than I can play with and bought several Heads. One of them is an IG Radical Pro with a gut/poly setup. I hit with it for about 2 hours yesterday and felt AMAZING! Best tennis I've played recently.
I only added an overgrip, no dampener. What is funny is that when I was shadow swinging it in the house when I first got it, I thought that I wouldn't like it at all. Since I am a small 5.8 guy, I thought I would have trouble maneuvering it. However I was able to swing it around and hit extremely well, to my surprise. Very solid, great plow through, TONS of spin and pace, great comfort. Even though it's unstrung weight is higher than my Blade 98, It was easier for me to move it around.
My opponent commented on how much more pace my ball had. So happy and surprised. I couldn't believe how good and confident I was with it. I felt like my shots had so much pace and depth that I could focus on my game play and move my opponent around. Damn. I guess the search is over, for now. Need to play with it more to make sure I can consistently play that well.
Thank you all for your suggestions, they are appreciated.
I loved Melbourne.
Along with C10 pro, the best balanced between groundies and volleys.
I just couldn't serve well with both of them.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I haven't updated the thread recently but yesterday I fell in love with another racquet. lol
So I've been meaninglessly buying more racquets than I can play with and bought several Heads. One of them is an IG Radical Pro with a gut/poly setup. I hit with it for about 2 hours yesterday and felt AMAZING! Best tennis I've played recently.
What is funny is that when I was shadow swinging it in the house when I first got it, I thought that I wouldn't like it at all. Since I am a small 5.8 guy, I thought I would have trouble maneuvering it. However I was able to swing it around and hit extremely well, to my surprise. Very solid, great plow through, TONS of spin and pace, great comfort. Even though it's unstrung weight is higher than my Blade 98, It was easier for me to move it around.
My opponent commented on how much more pace my ball had. So happy and surprised. I couldn't believe how good and confident I was with it. I felt like my shots had so much pace and depth that I could focus on my game play and move my opponent around. Damn. I guess the search is over, for now. Need to play with it more to make sure I can consistently play that well.
Thank you all for your suggestions, they are appreciated.
I was reading the thread @FedGR and thinking to recommend the IG Radical Pro, but thought it's not what you're after since it's a 16x19... then I read your post. Very happy you found this racquet. It is great, has lots of power when needed, but has heaps of control and feel as well. Hope you're still using it... I guess I will read on...
FedGR
Professional
Thanks for thinking suggesting this racquet! Theoretically, it was not what I was looking for as it is quite heavy and 16*19. When I first swung it, I thought I wouldn't like it at all however it ended working GREAT for my game. I will try the lighter MP version as well.
I haven't played with the Pro for a couple weeks as I am on vacation and also broke the natural gut before I left but next week I will be back and hopefully I can replicate the string setup.
I didn't think I could find a better racket than my 2015 Blade 98 18x20 but maybe the YTIG Radical Pro is the one.
