Best of 2023 - What's in my Bag and What I enjoyed this year

S

Soundbyte

Hall of Fame
So we did something similar to this in years past buried in the Racketaholic thread, this year I felt starting a dedicated thread made sense (if only for archival purposes).

This has been another great year in terms of tennis and gear. I personally have tried tons of frames, strings, shoes, etc etc.

Figured I'd give a few of my thoughts:
Favorite Racket Brand: Angell. Its been many a year since I hit with Angell frames. In the last month or so I bought some more frames from Paul and have been reminded of how quality everything he puts out is. I know Angell is a small fish in the tennis world, but I'm never been disappointed in his product. And as I find myself favoring slightly extended offerings, his are the best around.

Favorite Racket: Head Prestige Classic 2.0. I never hit with the original, but for my tastes, this thing is just a joy to hit with. If you're used to light weight low swingweight rackets, you'll hate this on first swing. But if you stick with it, you'll love the raw feeling and control this offers. It's been a blast to hit with.

Favorite Strings: Gotta give my love to @TRU PRO Official. I've effectively converted to their strings. They're a better value than most 'big name' polys out there and honestly I don't feel like I'm missing anything. I've been digging BlackKnight and Durafluxx, and throwing in some poly-poly hybrid with Ghostwire crosses. I try other sets throughout the year, but nothing seems to grab me.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Babolat Pure Rafa Origin (1st) and Pure Strike VS (2nd). Let me get this out early...I am not a Babolat guy. Many years ago I played with the Pure Drive Team+/Roddick+ versions, but hadn't enjoyed a Bab frame since the Pure Control 95+ days. I got the Origin because I enjoy higher SWs and wanted to see what the fuss was about. I was shocked at how it feels and it plays. It eats strings compared to my usual denser pattern frames, but its a great racket. On a more recent note, I got two PSVS in a trade. And while these things require a good amount of lead at 12 to beef up the swingweight, these are nice as well.

Favorite Shoes: Lotto Raptors.

Favorite Overgrip: The Tru-Pro GripNRip. I feel like these are a more durable, slightly less tacky, but also longer, Tournagrip. So whats not to like?

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: There was a reddit thread where a 4.0 claimed he could get a set off Nadal, and now its become a meme. I find it hilarious to this day.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Sooo sooo many custom nicknames were given to rackets in the Racketaholic thread that its impossible to keep up. Not a fan of that trend.

Favorite Misc Purchase: GoPro. I bought one for my family, but combined with a fence mount from Functional Tennis, it gets some great footage. And it wasn't too expensive either thanks to Costco.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I just confirmed (thanks to Briffridi gear) that I need my SWs in the 335-345 range. Static weight I dont really care about but it tends to be in the 315-330 unstrung range. The more HL the better. I still prefer leather grip over synthetic. I favor 18g string over thicker strings. I have no brand loyalty. And most importantly, never go higher than 48lbs!

My current collection (in its entirety).
https://imgur.com/a/4qBqZaw
Left to right: PC2.0, PK7G, i.Prestige Mid Xtralong, RF97, PT2.0, PS85,PSVS, Origin, PC2.0, PK7G,PSVS,Origin, Angell React MPP, TC95, TC90

Looking forward to hearing from everyone else! Happy Holidays and here's to 2024!
 
Thread title says Best of 2024 but I think you mean best of 2023? My humble additions below:

Favorite Racket Brand: Wilson. Grip shapes that work for me, a stick I've come to enjoy maining (the Blade 98 v8 16m), and they put out the best PJ of the year with the Shift. (Ironically, the Blade v8 might be the worst PJ).

Favorite Racket: For 2023 releases, the Percept 97 was a nice surprise. Found it just a bit too unstable and whippy to pick it over the Blade but I do kind of wish I had one in my bag.

Favorite Strings: Boring choice is Element, but it's the comfiest and best controlled poly I know. Runner-ups are Toroline Caviar and Alu Rough.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Boom Pro -- everyone said it sucked and had no control. I found the opposite to be true. Also surprised by the Radical MP -- in a bad way. Caused wrist soreness from hit one, then I learned from these forums it wasn't just me; it's a common problem.

Favorite Shoes: Head Revolt Pro 4.0 -- most durable and stable shoes I've ever worn. I got them in... February? And only *now* are they just barely starting to wear down the sole traction. Unreal value.

Favorite Overgrip: Haven't found one that's tacky enough for me that doesn't wear out right away. But I use Wilson Comfort Pro overgrips - not quite tacky enough but they last a while and feel really nice on the bevels.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Don't really have one, though I enjoyed watching Kyrgios forehand supercuts on YouTube. Superhuman sh*t.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Any video from Tennis Spin.

Favorite Misc Purchase: Vuori Kore Elevate shorts; great pockets for tennis balls and comfiest to play long sessions in.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I thought I wanted a racket with more put-away power, but it turns out I don't need it playing against 3.5s and 4.0s... I just need to keep my control and work on fundamentals. Also, turns out some rackets feel great without a dampener and I need to try to play without one more often.
 
Favorite Racket Brand: For 2023 specifically, Babolat. I'm usually a Wilson/Yonex guy and Head was the 2022 winner for me, but this was the year I really had a lot of fun and success playing with a PST, PA98, and Rafa Origin, and where I got to try the APDO for the first time. It was a brand I swore off for a long time because I was trying to be a box beam purist for so long. I think for nostalgia and whatever "captures the imagination" best, Wilson is still tops for me.

Favorite Racket: VC95. Even though I've moved on from it for the most part at this point, it was the one that was there with me all year long -- having tried it at release at the beginning of the year (when I was meh about it), to rediscovering it in the spring/summer and finding a decent amount of success with it in match play, to the later humbling realization I needed more help on returns against better players.

Favorite Strings: Tour Bite. Not as much right now as it's colder, but during peak tennis season, I was really enjoying TB.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Shift Pro. I dismissed this as a gimmick but gels with me and it's pretty dang fun to play with.

Favorite Shoes: Vapor 9.5

Favorite Overgrip: I will forever be a Tourna original guy.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Little Fruit Fly's RF97 giveaway, where I was overwhelmed with a bunch of support and kindness from internet strangers, and I spent way too much time on this site.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Same as my favorite. It sucked up too much of my time and emotion and was just too much drama for such a silly reason.

Favorite Misc Purchase: Head Tour Team bag

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I really need to stop buying stuff and just focus on getting better. I am joining a league next year so I'm hoping that's enough to keep me disciplined.
 
Hello! I’m here with my typical contrarian takes.

Favorite Racket Brand: Adidas, played 90% of my league matches with the barricade.

Favorite Racket: Adidas Barricade (2009). I haven’t hit with any racket made in 2023, or even 2022 for that matter.

Favorite Strings: yonex poly tour rev when my arm is feeling good enough to tolerate poly. Gamma Ocho XP 17 when it’s not.

Biggest Surprise Racket: definitely the Yamaha YFG 50. A standard headed battle axe. Plow through to die for, an unmistakable sound signature, and as long as your eyes are calibrated, the most forgiving standard head size I’ve ever used. Played a couple matches with it and won em both.

Favorite Shoes: finally I can pick a contemporary product: adidas Court jam control. Just a great shoe.

Favorite Overgrip: Gamma Supreme. Great tack, long lasting. Cheap.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: idk really. Maybe just anytime someone on this board says nice things about my game or the pictures I take of rackets.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory:
Likewise on the “Any video from Tennis Spin.” Sorry but if you think that guy is a decent insight on literally anything you need to broaden your horizons or get your head examined.

But, definitely endless big 3 goat debate threads. Holy crap can we pump the brakes on those please? The endless bickering is nauseating.

Favorite Misc Purchase: I found a 1990’s Adidas jacket new with tags at a thrift store for $15. I wore it for like a week straight lol. I just love the aesthetics.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I have a problem. I’m buying way too much of it lol. My three 12-racket bags are full, my Head roller suitcase that holds 30 rackets is full. And my closet is almost full…. I’m quickly becoming a museum of random 80’s and 90’s sticks.
 
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Soundbyte said:
So we did something similar to this in years past buried in the Racketaholic thread, this year I felt starting a dedicated thread made sense (if only for archival purposes).

This has been another great year in terms of tennis and gear. I personally have tried tons of frames, strings, shoes, etc etc.

Figured I'd give a few of my thoughts:
Favorite Racket Brand: Angell. Its been many a year since I hit with Angell frames. In the last month or so I bought some more frames from Paul and have been reminded of how quality everything he puts out is. I know Angell is a small fish in the tennis world, but I'm never been disappointed in his product. And as I find myself favoring slightly extended offerings, his are the best around.

Favorite Racket: Head Prestige Classic 2.0. I never hit with the original, but for my tastes, this thing is just a joy to hit with. If you're used to light weight low swingweight rackets, you'll hate this on first swing. But if you stick with it, you'll love the raw feeling and control this offers. It's been a blast to hit with.

Favorite Strings: Gotta give my love to @TRU PRO Official. I've effectively converted to their strings. They're a better value than most 'big name' polys out there and honestly I don't feel like I'm missing anything. I've been digging BlackKnight and Durafluxx, and throwing in some poly-poly hybrid with Ghostwire crosses. I try other sets throughout the year, but nothing seems to grab me.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Babolat Pure Rafa Origin (1st) and Pure Strike VS (2nd). Let me get this out early...I am not a Babolat guy. Many years ago I played with the Pure Drive Team+/Roddick+ versions, but hadn't enjoyed a Bab frame since the Pure Control 95+ days. I got the Origin because I enjoy higher SWs and wanted to see what the fuss was about. I was shocked at how it feels and it plays. It eats strings compared to my usual denser pattern frames, but its a great racket. On a more recent note, I got two PSVS in a trade. And while these things require a good amount of lead at 12 to beef up the swingweight, these are nice as well.

Favorite Shoes: Lotto Raptors.

Favorite Overgrip: The Tru-Pro GripNRip. I feel like these are a more durable, slightly less tacky, but also longer, Tournagrip. So whats not to like?

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: There was a reddit thread where a 4.0 claimed he could get a set off Nadal, and now its become a meme. I find it hilarious to this day.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Sooo sooo many custom nicknames were given to rackets in the Racketaholic thread that its impossible to keep up. Not a fan of that trend.

Favorite Misc Purchase: GoPro. I bought one for my family, but combined with a fence mount from Functional Tennis, it gets some great footage. And it wasn't too expensive either thanks to Costco.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I just confirmed (thanks to Briffridi gear) that I need my SWs in the 335-345 range. Static weight I dont really care about but it tends to be in the 315-330 unstrung range. The more HL the better. I still prefer leather grip over synthetic. I favor 18g string over thicker strings. I have no brand loyalty. And most importantly, never go higher than 48lbs!

My current collection (in its entirety).
https://imgur.com/a/4qBqZaw
Left to right: PC2.0, PK7G, i.Prestige Mid Xtralong, RF97, PT2.0, PS85,PSVS, Origin, PC2.0, PK7G,PSVS,Origin, Angell React MPP, TC95, TC90

Looking forward to hearing from everyone else! Happy Holidays and here's to 2024!
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naturalexponent said:
Favorite Racket Brand: For 2023 specifically, Babolat. I'm usually a Wilson/Yonex guy and Head was the 2022 winner for me, but this was the year I really had a lot of fun and success playing with a PST, PA98, and Rafa Origin, and where I got to try the APDO for the first time. It was a brand I swore off for a long time because I was trying to be a box beam purist for so long. I think for nostalgia and whatever "captures the imagination" best, Wilson is still tops for me.

Favorite Racket: VC95. Even though I've moved on from it for the most part at this point, it was the one that was there with me all year long -- having tried it at release at the beginning of the year (when I was meh about it), to rediscovering it in the spring/summer and finding a decent amount of success with it in match play, to the later humbling realization I needed more help on returns against better players.

Favorite Strings: Tour Bite. Not as much right now as it's colder, but during peak tennis season, I was really enjoying TB.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Shift Pro. I dismissed this as a gimmick but gels with me and it's pretty dang fun to play with.

Favorite Shoes: Vapor 9.5

Favorite Overgrip: I will forever be a Tourna original guy.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Little Fruit Fly's RF97 giveaway, where I was overwhelmed with a bunch of support and kindness from internet strangers, and I spent way too much time on this site.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Same as my favorite. It sucked up too much of my time and emotion and was just too much drama for such a silly reason.

Favorite Misc Purchase: Head Tour Team bag

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I really need to stop buying stuff and just focus on getting better. I am joining a league next year so I'm hoping that's enough to keep me disciplined.
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Love these year end reviews. Thanks for kicking off @Soundbyte - copying @naturalexponent 's homework on a few items so quoting him here

Favorite Racket Brand: This year it's Babolat. PA Origin, Pure Strike Tour, PA98, PSVS all gems that I could play a match with.

Favorite Racket: Head Prestige Classic 2.0 like @naturalexponent - it's just a perfect midsize hitting experience

Favorite Strings: Always Volkl Cyclone Tour 18, Topspin Cyberflash 17L, and Diadem Soltice Black 18 - just running back my classics.

Biggest Surprise Racket: For me, it was the CX 200 Tour. Great feel, power, flex, and general playability. Dunlop is back

Favorite Shoes: Nike Vapor 9.5 reissue / V9 AJ3

Favorite Overgrip: Always a megatac guy

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: @Little Fruit Fly 's giveaway of the RF97s - before the thread became a wild wild west movie. It was a great way to share tennis memories and stories that fueled inspiration for the game, while it lasted.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Seeing all the trash shoes Nike tennis continues to put out

Favorite Misc Purchase: Slinger bag - just the best way to get a quick hit in

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: That shoes are more important to me than rackets

Adding in a couple categories:

Favorite classic/vintage racket: HEAD Ti Radical MP. Basically the djokovic mold & the layup is stellar

What gear I'd love to see in 2024: More Nike Vapor 9.5 reissues

Socks: Nike White Multiplier (somehow better than the black ones)

String tension: I'm down to 46 lbs this year, havent lost control yet, so might keep trending down

Gear that I wanted to buy but won't do it: The Novak Court FF3. Looks like a great shoe. Price point and lack of Nike swoosh keeping me at bay, for now

Pro exclusive gear I want for myself: Alcaraz PE Vapor Pro 1
 
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TwinCinema said:
Thread title says Best of 2024 but I think you mean best of 2023? My humble additions below:

Favorite Racket Brand: Wilson. Grip shapes that work for me, a stick I've come to enjoy maining (the Blade 98 v8 16m), and they put out the best PJ of the year with the Shift. (Ironically, the Blade v8 might be the worst PJ).

Favorite Racket: For 2023 releases, the Percept 97 was a nice surprise. Found it just a bit too unstable and whippy to pick it over the Blade but I do kind of wish I had one in my bag.

Favorite Strings: Boring choice is Element, but it's the comfiest and best controlled poly I know. Runner-ups are Toroline Caviar and Alu Rough.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Boom Pro -- everyone said it sucked and had no control. I found the opposite to be true. Also surprised by the Radical MP -- in a bad way. Caused wrist soreness from hit one, then I learned from these forums it wasn't just me; it's a common problem.

Favorite Shoes: Head Revolt Pro 4.0 -- most durable and stable shoes I've ever worn. I got them in... February? And only *now* are they just barely starting to wear down the sole traction. Unreal value.

Favorite Overgrip: Haven't found one that's tacky enough for me that doesn't wear out right away. But I use Wilson Comfort Pro overgrips - not quite tacky enough but they last a while and feel really nice on the bevels.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Don't really have one, though I enjoyed watching Kyrgios forehand supercuts on YouTube. Superhuman sh*t.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Any video from Tennis Spin.

Favorite Misc Purchase: Vuori Kore Elevate shorts; great pockets for tennis balls and comfiest to play long sessions in.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I thought I wanted a racket with more put-away power, but it turns out I don't need it playing against 3.5s and 4.0s... I just need to keep my control and work on fundamentals. Also, turns out some rackets feel great without a dampener and I need to try to play without one more often.
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For overgrip, if you haven't tried it yet, MSV CyberWet in white has been great for me. I am very overgrip sensitive, was a Wilson Pro Overgrip or nothing guy until they just got stupid expensive. MSV CyberWet are thicker than WPO, a little tackier, but last 5x as long.

I was replacing WPO after 2 hours. CyberWet is lasting upwards of 6+ hours serving, and for only groundstrokes 10+. Almost as good as a base grip. Only caveat is they did not function well at the height of heat+humidity this summer, but for 10 months out of the year they are great.
 
emhtennis said:
For overgrip, if you haven't tried it yet, MSV CyberWet in white has been great for me. I am very overgrip sensitive, was a Wilson Pro Overgrip or nothing guy until they just got stupid expensive. MSV CyberWet are thicker than WPO, a little tackier, but last 5x as long.

I was replacing WPO after 2 hours. CyberWet is lasting upwards of 6+ hours serving, and for only groundstrokes 10+. Almost as good as a base grip. Only caveat is they did not function well at the height of heat+humidity this summer, but for 10 months out of the year they are great.
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Same here, MSV Cyber Wet is the best synthetic/tacky overgrip and last longer than the others I've tried. I switced back to it for cold conditions because the Dyreex Absorbs (Tourna alike) while feeling great in hot conditions, during these cold conditions now, felt too thin and I wanted the extra Cyber Wet comfort.
 
Fun game! Looking forward to reading more submissions! Here are mine:

Favorite Racket Brand: Solinco. I was definitely sleeping on Solinco prior to this year. It's crazy to me that a string company could produce such decent sticks. I could happily use either WO or BO in any string patterns or length as my mine. Feel is right on spec for me and reminds me of the 2010-2013ish racquets I grew up with.

Favorite Racket: Whiteout 18x20 but honestly the Bolt 100L is the most fun racquet I hit this year and I love making my friends try it because of how crazy it feels.

Favorite Strings: Toroline Wasabi pom red has been an absolute workhorse for me during testing periods, but Tour M8 remains the only string to bring home a trophy.

Biggest Surprise Racket: FX500. Complete shock that Dunlop could come out of nowhere and make the best Pure Drive of all time.

Favorite Shoes: KSWISS Speed Trac. Too bad the cushioning gets so doughy after a few months of hitting, otherwise, this is the true Vapor Pro successor.

Favorite Overgrip: Tourna Grip remains goated.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Seeing rec match play really level up in terms of production quality and community engagement. I love Dill Plays' YT Tournaments and I though Karue's livestream last week with Clay Thompson and Marcus Giron was incredibly entertaining. Really captured the energy of what it's like to be in a tennis community. Also when Mark Sansait yelled "LOSER YOU'RE A LOSER I WIN!"

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: reading complaint posts on r/10s where people argue about NTRP levels

Favorite Misc Purchase: Briffidi BP1. So much easier than a balance board.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: It's very hard to determine which negative effects on my tennis are things I genuinely need to work on, and which are caused by trying new racquets every week so I can make videos. Of course I would much rather make fun videos than be a good tennis player, but it's hard to remember that since the flaws of my game are so public now.
 
Favorite Racket Brand: Yonex. I was a die hard Head guy going back to Prestige Pro and then Speed Pro, but I got a Speed Pro once that was 3 points off in head balance and I couldn't take the Q anymore, Yonex forever.

Favorite Racket: Regna 98 , the just right Ezone 98 alternative.

Favorite Strings: Tour Bite, tried it late this year, I can actually see a spin difference. Will be doing natural gut hybrid tests once I move to a new city with easier stringing option.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Yonex Perrrrrcept 100D, the 97 D is bettter for me, I still don't get it, but Karue does!

Favorite Shoes: Yonex, surprisingly good, and the Asics FF3

Favorite Overgrip: Yonex. I'm an evolved tennis player, DNA wise, it can be 60% humidity and sweat dripping from me all over, and my palms will have zero sweat. Someday they will clone my DNA for tennis use.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Tennis SPin happily saying his racket is customized to 14oz.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: I'll just defend Tspin here, the coaches have good solid opinions, especially on the VC95

Favorite Misc Purchase: Osaka Dragon Yonex bag

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I'm not losing a match or winning bc of gear, and I'm still to this day confused as to how anyone can have troubled switching from a Yonex shaped head to a wison or bab or head and vice versa, I could swap between head shapes every game and not be impacted. The sweet spot is still in the same place.
 
Favorite Racket Brand: Angell. Big fan of what Paul Angell does. I currently own a TC 95 and 97 (both patterns) and if I had unlimited money I would own a 90 and K7 Lime. Angell are the biggest serving frames for me - especially the box beam 97.

Favorite Racket: To be slightly hypocritical though, my favorite racket(s) at the moment are my Head Radical MP prostock TGT351.1s. These things have silicone in the handle, lead under the bumper at the tip, have that great polarized pendulum feel, and destroy the ball if I set up well enough. Runner up goes to my 3x Pro Kennex 7Gs. The PKs would still be my main if the TGTs had not dropped out of the sky. The 7Gs are easier to use, more forgiving, and hit almost as big a ball. I will boldly claim that the 7G may be the closest thing to the "perfect racket" that there is - and it is 20+ years old. Feel, length, balance, string pattern, grip shape, on and on - I have nothing but compliments for the frame. As soon as my physical capabilities dip just enough to not hang with the TGTs the 7Gs will get the nod for good most likely.

Favorite Strings: Mayami. Anyone who is on the racketholic thread is tired of hearing me say this, but Mayami has something special going. Tour Hex, Hit Pro, Big Spin (I need to try the rest) - all feel amazing. They are on the softer side, but still perform well into 8+ hours of heavy hitting. Hit Pro is my #1 favorite, and is the only round string that I have hit that creates as much if not more spin than many shaped polys.

Biggest Surprise Racket: I've bought, sold, and demoed more rackets in 2023 than I probably have the other 19 years I've been playing combined. The one that keeps bubbling up to the surface thru all the rest is the Furi Arma Pro v2. A buddy owned one and let me try it. It is a 101in Gravity Pro esque teardrop shaped head, but the kicker is that it is box beamed. It felt awesome hitting groundstrokes. Lord knows I will probably circle back and get one someday. They also have a 98 that is equally tempting...

Favorite Shoes: Babolat SFX3. Granted, I am not much of a shoe person. These feel great for me. I have a slightly wider foot and these Babolats have a wide toe box that has felt 10x better than what I usually end up using. Downside is that I am already starting to burn thru the toe after 2 months and I don't think they have a sole warranty.

Favorite Overgrip: MSV CyberWet in white. A little hard to source, but these things have almost basegrip level durability. I serve big and will not use anything that makes me feel like I could lose the racket out of my hand. I was a longtime Wilson Pro Overgrip guy, and would replace them after about 2 hours. The MSV I can go upwards of 8 hours on a single overgrip - and longer if I'm just hitting groundstrokes. Plus they are cheaper.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Lots of good moments/laughs on the racketholic thread this year. I'm not good at picking out favorites from stuff like this.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Every couple of months the racketholic thread derails a little into barbs back and forth. Glad the ship rights itself after a day or two.

Favorite Misc Purchase: ADV v2 tennis bag. Only

Bonus category - What Racket I regret selling the most: I bought a Head Youtek Prestige MP 18x20, put Tier 1 Black Knight 1.18 in it at 42lbs and played some of my most lights-out huge tennis of the year with it. Sold it to fund the purchase of the TGTs. Still wish I had it, and I'm sure I'll get one again someday. The cherry red Prestige Paint puts it on another level as well. I could stare at it all day.

Bonus category - What gear will I likely buy in 2024: A Briffidi with all the extra components. I'm too much of a gear nerd now to not have one.

Bonus category - Best advice I can give to others after 2023: Go to the doctor if you have a persistent issue. I hurt my elbow in October 2022 and kept playing thru it. I thought it was golfer's elbow (tendonitis). Switched to Multi, bought the 7Gs, etc etc. Took the whole month of April off. Only played groundstroke games the entire summer. Finally went to the doctor in August. Turns out it was ligament damage (think Tommy John surgery). Thankfully, I did not need surgery, but the issue was upstream. I had to strengthen my upper back, reduce the tension in my pec-minor, and do a lot of rehab before it has finally started to get better. If I had gone to the occupational therapist in Nov or Dec 2022, I probably would have been fine by spring.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: Strings are just as important as a racket. You can make the same frame play very very different using only string and tension as the variables. That said, after trying so many rackets this year I play almost the same no matter what I'm using. Both a good place and interesting place to be. The rhetorical question is, "would I be playing better today if I had spent the same money on lessons" and the answer is very likely "yes". So, budgeting for 1x private lesson a month is probably money better spent (for me) if what I really want to do is play better tennis.
 
Favorite Racket Brand: Head. Grip Shape is just perfect.

Favorite Racket: Head Extreme Tour & Pure Drive 100

Favorite Strings: Head Lynx Tour.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Wilson Shift

Favorite Shoes: Nike Vapor Pro

Favorite Overgrip: Wilson Comfort Pro overgrip.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Watching Gael Monfils vs Dustin Brown

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Watching TT members play Tennis.

Favorite Misc Purchase: Alo Tennis shorts

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: Pure Drive 100 is still supreme.
 
Favorite Racket Brand: This is a tough one, but I'll have to say Head - last year I really gelled with the Radical MP 360+, then dabbled with the Extreme MP for a few months (not controlled enough in the end), and now I'm maining the Extreme Tour (weighted to 340grams static, 322sw, lead at 10, 2, and 12). I grew up mostly with Wilson and love the classic feel of their grips and how their frames feel in the hand, but Head racquets are universally solid and I've come to rely on that brand the most.

Favorite Racket: Head Extreme Tour for now, but I have a few other challengers lined up to test in the off-season - namely the Angell React MP Pro and the Head Radical Pro.

Favorite Strings: Head Lynx Tour (champagne) - finally got my hands on a set of 1.20, which is super hard to get in the US; Toroline Caviar and Toro; variations of Tour Bite - either 1.20 regular, or TB Soft.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Babolat Pure Rafa Origin - surprisingly easy and fun to use despite the specs - and the Shift Pro 18x20 - great feeling racquet, stable, easy spin despite the dense string pattern.

Favorite Shoes: Asics Court FF - not a fan of Novak, but feel really locked down in these shoes which is really important given my reliance on a speedy all-court game.

Favorite Overgrip: Head Prime Tour - I like me some resilient tackiness in my grips, and I've been switching to this from Wilson Pro Comfort as I find the tackiness lasts longer.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: shout out to @dr. godmode as I find his videos consistently super entertaining, plus the Nordic calm of our friend Jonas on tennisnerd.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: getting stuck watching an overly long youtube video by that Czech guy doing a quality control check of some racquet he was testing (good guy, insightful, but videos are shockingly over-long).

Favorite Misc Purchase: Tough one, cause I love both my briffidi sw tool as well as the ERT 300 for measuring dynamic string tension.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: that looking for the holy grail of racquets is a slippery slope - really fun, but ultimately leading down a major rabbit hole and distracting me from improving my game ;-). Hopefully I'll be landing on my racquet of choice for 2024 soon, and I can focus on experimenting with strings (cheaper, super fun, and doesn't mess with my game like switching frames does) and improving my game.
 
Favorite Racket Brand: Yonex. They simply cannot miss. The QC is great, the frames are have just enough options for everyone without too much overlap and I've been a fan of every one that I've tried.

Favorite Racket: Whiteout 18x20 XTD has been a delightful find. I never really considered extended frames before but this was a pleasant introduction.

Favorite Strings: Head Hawk Power. Good string and I'm a big fan of the color.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Wilson Shift Pro - I'm not entirely sure if I understand whats going on with the technology but I was getting a ton of spin with it.

Favorite Shoes: Babolat Jet Mach III - When they're on sale for $50, they're too good to pass up on. Very comfortable, durable enough and I will be stocking up on these the next time they're on sale.

Favorite Overgrip: Yonex Super Grap is the only overgrip.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Amateurs thinking they could win a game off a pro.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: @dr. godmode 's video convincing me to try the Whiteout 18x20 just after I thought I had settled on a racquet.

Favorite Misc Purchase: Tons of lead tape to experiment with.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I have realized I'm not searching for the best racquet for me. I'm just interested in trying different racquets but I probably should hit with them for longer periods of time.
 
Favorite Racket Brand: Yonex. Great sticks, the Ezone 100 is very underrated and fortunate to own an Regna 98. Honorable mention, Wilson. No matter how many times I try to get rid of them, I always end up playing some tourneys with my PS 97 and Blade Pro.

Favorite Racket: Yonex Ezone 100. Has no major weaknesses, good control, great on ground strokes and volleys. In fact, it just does everything very well vs. a lot of rackets that are only good at one thing. Honorable mention, Wilson Blade 98 v8.

Favorite Strings: Luxillon ALU Power (silver and blue). Honorable mention, Solinco Confidential.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Solinco Whiteout 18x20 XTD. Really shocked by how well I liked this racket. Almost put it in the bag.

Favorite Shoes: Nike Vapor 9.5 Air Jordan. The re-release was amazing. They need to drop them more often. Way better than the paint job on the Mack Attack.

Favorite Overgrip: Wilson Pro. Honorable mention Yonex super grap.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Discovering Gladiators tennis.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Discovering trash bin tennis. Why did I ever even waste my time watching the California condor.

Favorite Misc Purchase: I was fortunate to be able to purchase 5 Yonex DR98's from a former D1 college tennis player on the cheap.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I finally settled on what I like or what works for me and don't need to waste more money trying other rackets, shoes, etc.
 
Favorite Racket Brand: Prince/Prince Japan. was a babolat kid and still own & use the Pure Control (in all variants) and found that I generally prefer the under-powered, comfortable stable option (TF40, CX200, VCP HD) but most companies only have one that suits my liking (not including if they offer different string patterns or weight) yet Prince has me questioning every time I go out, would I rather use the Twistpower 97x, Synergy 98 or the 2020 Japanese 310 tour? (in the cleanest white/black paint job, even bought the 95 that ive yet to get strung up) id be happy to take all 3 into a match and adjust depending on the conditions.

Favorite Racket: Aside from the Prince trinity of TP97x, S98 & Jap 310 Tour), TF40 305 (18x20 1st gen & 16x19 2nd gen), Babolat Pure Contol (95+ & Team)

Favorite Strings: Discovery of Pros Pro reels for under 45aud (red devil with its insane snap back & durability but doesn't have much "give" so only suits soft and dampened frames). still love YPTP 1.25 but the tension drops off a cliff and is made for a tight drill patterns so it can "lock" (most yonex are very dense)

Biggest Surprise Racket: Modern Day Tecnifibre & finding a trade for a TF40 after I had tired a guys TFight Iso...cant believe I dismissed them at first with their funky grip shape and french flag motif. The trade that I got was G#4, I shaved the foam palled down quite a bit where I grip my FH, it plays & feels like a dream. Its even debunked my hatred of HH frames.

Favorite Shoes: Diadora Torneo (best all round especially for sliding) & BIcon for (pure comfort)

Favorite Overgrip: Toalson Ultra is the best but im having a base-grip phase. I proxied a decent chunk of frames from japan this last year and some of the unbranded base grips on them are bat **** crazy tacky! wish I knew what they were tbh. Karakal have a very decent PU super base grip that isnt too slippery in the summer, because If I have bulk over grips I tent to replace them too frequently and when im running low I do the opposite...

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Finding Tennis Slander along with Simon Freund & continuing to watch Tennis nerd & Time410s (OCD)

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: watching a single episode of that official tennis channel interview called "Warm & Fuzzy" & Areg leaving Glads Tennis.

Favorite Misc Purchase: 3 Pure Control + GT Tours for less than 200aud in (9/10 condition all freshly strung with RPM blast at 40lbs...but I use 52) they are unplayable in a match situation, too much of a trampoline and I cant bring my self to cut em out. I prefer the thinner 95+ thats 18x20 instead of 16x20 but I dont have 3 of them :// also bought a Bridgestone (tecnifibre) back pack that fit 6+ racquets easily and makes walking to the near by courts a breeze that warms me up, helps my breathing and lets me feel zen/a state flow/in the zone.

Racquets that your mate served into the ground and you had to fix with Epoxy: Yonex VCP HD (green)...dont lend anything you aren't willing to lose.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: Guess im a Prince Fanboy now that I froth over a slightly rounder head shape and lead-ing just about everything up at 3&9 is worth the trade off
 
Favorite Racket Brand: For 2023 I started out heavy on Yonex & kind of been leaning more towards Head now.

Favorite Racket: Currently the 2023 Auxetic Radical Pro & Solinco WO 18x20.

Control/feel-Yonex Percept 97D, Spin/power-Yonex VCORE 100.

Favorite Strings: Stiffer strings-Confidential, Tour Sniper, Super Toro. Medium stiff- Hyper G & soft-Poly Tour Pro & Wasabi.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Solinco White Out 18x20. This is probably the best all around racquet I’ve played with this year. Excellent feel, control & easy spin for 18x20.

Favorite Shoes: New Balance CT Rally’s

Favorite Overgrip: Yonex Super Grap White

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: JGads - All the love everyone has shown him coming back. This is what I love about tennis. All the great people, who share a similar passion for tennis!

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory:
I would have to say the trolls on here that just try to get a reaction out of others.

Favorite Misc Purchase: Briffidi swing weight machine.

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I need to find a racquet & stick with it for the year for match play. I love trying new racquets but ultimately it probably hurts my game a little.
 
Favorite Racket Brand: Prince. Had Yonex VCP 97D, 97HD and Babolat Pure Strike VS in the bag for a while but sold them and now my Prince bag only has Prince racquets (ATS Textreme Tour 95, ATS Textreme Tour 98 and 2015 Textreme Tour 95)

Favorite Racket: Prince ATS Textreme Tour 95

Favorite Strings: MSV Co-Focus 1.18mm
Very arm friendly with high levels of control, spin and tension stability. Honourable mention to Tourna Black Zone 1.20 mm

Biggest Surprise Racket: Prince ATS Textreme Tour 95. Thought my search was over with the ATS 98 till I hit 10 balls with the ATS 95

Favorite Shoes: Asics Gel Challenger 13
Comfort, support and durability at a lower cost.

Favorite Overgrip: Gamma Supreme

Favorite Online Tennis Memory:
Rewatching old matches between the BIG 3

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory:
Constant, immature stupidity in GPPD about the BIG 3

Favorite Misc Purchase:
Elbow sleeve with long velcro strap. Gives me the adjustable, comfortable support and confidence to play for hours

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear:
16x19 string pattern works better for me. Better trajectory and less net cords
 
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Favourite racquet brand - Pro Kennex - best for arm and best for price

Favourite racquet- Artengo Control Tour 960 18/20 - great feel, great look and great price

Favourite strings - Pacific Natural gut - I still have some and they feel great

Biggest racquet surprise - Yonex Percept H - it crushes everything with heavy shots and is a lead tipped arrow

Favourite Shoes - New Balance - any shoe they offer in a 2 E width works for me

Favourite online memory - Jonas’s video at the Hoffsas Academy “ playing above the clouds” - what a beautiful place - they should build more tennis centres In beautiful places and scenic backdrops like this one - tennis places should strive to be inspiring and uplifting

Least favourite online memory - Don’t really like to comment on negatives but Nichola’s string and racquet choices for tennis elbow perhaps is a little questionable for my liking and many years of experience , but will test his theories out myself in the near future - you should keep an open mind right

Favourite overgrip - Babolat Pro Tour in blue colour - Original dry

Favourite misc purchase - None - I didn’t spend money this year due to crazy high cost of living in Australia.

What I learnt most with regards to equipment -
1. You choose the best equipment for your game as much as possible without hurting yourself
2. You choose the best equipment that most accentuates the greatest strengths you have as a tennis player
3. Your body’s physical health, movement and bio- mechanics is key to using your equipment to its full potential
4. Be prepared to make changes to your equipment as you get older and the game evolves so you can remain competitive
 
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Favorite Racket Brand: Prince. Despite the huge lag in releases we get in the Westworld in comparison to Japan, I have to give some props to Prince for the exciting molds they have in their line-up. From Twistpower to Synergy and Phantoms to Tours, my Prince journey is quite brief with the Synergy 98, now with the Tour 95 2015 which I borrowed from a friend and considering switching to it fleeing to Panama.

Favorite Racket: Pro Kennex Ki5 295. Hands down the best porforming frame despite its weight class. Did everything great!

Favorite Strings: L-Tec Meteor Pro 1.25, Dyreex Super Tour 1.25, Kirschbaum Flash (orange) 1.20, Mayami Tour Hex, Topspin Cyber Flash 1.25

Biggest Surprise Racket: Angell TC95 V3 16*19. Redefined my "wants" in terms of cosmetics and feel of well-made frame.

Favorite Shoes: K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2, still holding up well.

Favorite Overgrip: MSV Cyber Wet for cold conditions when I feel I need extra cushioning and Dyreex Absorb for hot conditions.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: getting to know more and more people regionally in Greece and worldwide.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: no info about future Prince releases

Favorite Misc Purchase: getting a drop weight stringing machine to save money and learn how to string my own rackets

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I learned my preferred specs of <=98 sq inches, unstrung balance of 8 points HL (approx), stiffness not higher than 65 unstrung, beam width no more than 22mm (throat and hoop), swing weight less than 330 strung, strung weight 327-330 (max)
 
FuzzyYellowBalls said:
Favorite Racket Brand: Yonex. I was a die hard Head guy going back to Prestige Pro and then Speed Pro, but I got a Speed Pro once that was 3 points off in head balance and I couldn't take the Q anymore, Yonex forever.

Favorite Racket: Regna 98 , the just right Ezone 98 alternative.

Favorite Strings: Tour Bite, tried it late this year, I can actually see a spin difference. Will be doing natural gut hybrid tests once I move to a new city with easier stringing option.

Biggest Surprise Racket: Yonex Perrrrrcept 100D, the 97 D is bettter for me, I still don't get it, but Karue does!

Favorite Shoes: Yonex, surprisingly good, and the Asics FF3

Favorite Overgrip: Yonex. I'm an evolved tennis player, DNA wise, it can be 60% humidity and sweat dripping from me all over, and my palms will have zero sweat. Someday they will clone my DNA for tennis use.

Favorite Online Tennis Memory: Tennis SPin happily saying his racket is customized to 14oz.

Least Favorite Online Tennis Memory: I'll just defend Tspin here, the coaches have good solid opinions, especially on the VC95

Favorite Misc Purchase: Osaka Dragon Yonex bag

What I learned the most about me with regards to tennis gear: I'm not losing a match or winning bc of gear, and I'm still to this day confused as to how anyone can have troubled switching from a Yonex shaped head to a wison or bab or head and vice versa, I could swap between head shapes every game and not be impacted. The sweet spot is still in the same place.
Click to expand...
@FuzzyYellowBalls I'm an EZ98 user thinking about giving the Regna 98 v3 a go. How does SW compare? I have an arthritic shoulder, can't get too beefy on the SW. How does your hitting experience compare from EZ98 to Regna?
 
ClownCar96 said:
@FuzzyYellowBalls I'm an EZ98 user thinking about giving the Regna 98 v3 a go. How does SW compare? I have an arthritic shoulder, can't get too beefy on the SW. How does your hitting experience compare from EZ98 to Regna?
Click to expand...
You should try it, let's call them cousins, the feel is different, the SW is just a tiny bit more, but if you had to say what Yonex is like the REgna 98, EZ98 is closest.
 
ClownCar96 said:
Cool, a cousin is good. I've tried dozens of sticks and keep coming back to EZ98.
Click to expand...
I don't think any racket has that boom boom power that you sometimes get with the EZ98 if you hit the sweet spot just right, EZ100 kind of has it, but that power spot that you can hit flat serves with just isn't in many other rackets. So, if that's why you love it you might miss that.
 
FuzzyYellowBalls said:
I don't think any racket has that boom boom power that you sometimes get with the EZ98 if you hit the sweet spot just right, EZ100 kind of has it, but that power spot that you can hit flat serves with just isn't in many other rackets. So, if that's why you love it you might miss that.
Click to expand...
Actually looking for something slightly less powered than EZ98
 
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