Changing racquet.. searching for ideas

[andredcastro]

Hey Guys
I'm looking to change racquets, and would like some ask you guys for some ideas... some will say test racquets, but it is quite dificult to do it where i live.

I'm looking to go back to playing some club and local tournamnets

About me and playing style
40s and out of shape. (Working on it)
One hand back hand
Agressive baseliner
I cant tell you my level in 4.0 or 5.0..but I would say advanced, i can generate my own pace. hit almost every shot on the book on demand.
Current racquets on my bag
Pro staff RF 97
Angell TC 95 18-20, 330grm unstrung.

What I'm looking for
Stable racquet with plow through
A bit easier to swing than the RF, but a bit more stable than the Angell TC 95.
Medium power racquet. I struggle with powerfull racquets as my shots tend to go long...

Currently on paper there are 2 racquets that i l'm looking at...

Yonex Ezone 98 ( put some lead to reach at least 320 grms)
Head prestige tour 2021

Any thoughts or other ideas?

 

[TennisLogic]

Many people have successfully switched from the RF97 to the Pure Aeros. It’s a powerful racquet but have you tried that?

 

[H.G]

Isn’t the Ezone 98 considered a powerful racquet!?if you want medium power I would try something like:

Babolat pure aero vs
Yonex v core 95
Yonex vcore pro 97 D (HD)
Head boom pro
Can always add lead if you need more mass

 

[andredcastro]

Many people have successfully switched from the RF97 to the Pure Aeros. It’s a powerful racquet but have you tried that?

Thanks for the insightm..
I tend to stay away from the darkside of the force...
Seriously. Ive played with babolats in the past (arround 2012) and with no exception, allways developed tennis elbow. Since i stoped using babolats never had any issue... so not going that route...

 

[andredcastro]

Isn’t the Ezone 98 considered a powerful racquet!?

I've see some people saying it is powerfull, others that medium to powerful, but controlable.. not sure what to think.
And when compare on paper to the 98 tour (suposed to be control raquect). The only difference i see is weight, singweight, balance, and static weight... you can easily costumize that.

The vcore97 might be interesting.
The vcore 95 i see mixed reviews on that one.

 

[Soundbyte]

Elevate V3
Blade Pro
PK Q+5x Pro
PT2.0
Solinco Whiteout
Ultra Pro 18x20 (may need a little lead lead tape)

To be honest, just having playtest the Pure Aero 98, I'd add that to the bunch too.

Im not kidding when I said there's tons of quality options these days

 

[scottydc5]

I would suggest the new line of Yonex Vcore Pro. They have 3 different weights in the 97 line for you to use from, they are on the low powered side, but more powerful than the Vcore 95.

I would also suggest the Tecnifibre Tfight TF40/ISO 315 or BladeV8 line

 

[jimmy8]

I was going to suggest head prestige tour auxetic after reading the beginning and middle of your post, but then saw you already are interested. It's a very precise racket and that control makes tennis more fun and enjoyable for me. You could also try Dunlop cx200 tour, it's almost the same racket.

For something different, you could try head radical pro, head boom pro.

 

[andredcastro]

I was going to suggest head prestige tour auxetic after reading the beginning and middle of your post, but then saw you already are interested. It's a very precise racket and that control makes tennis more fun and enjoyable for me. You could also try Dunlop cx200 tour, it's almost the same racket.

For something different, you could try head radical pro, head boom pro.

Thanks for the reply.

When I just want to have fun, I bring out my pro.staff 90. That is amazing to play, the only downside, is that you need to always be on attacking mode, and I dont have the stamina for it in competetive play...

 

[andredcastro]

I would suggest the new line of Yonex Vcore Pro. They have 3 different weights in the 97 line for you to use from, they are on the low powered side, but more powerful than the Vcore 95.

I would also suggest the Tecnifibre Tfight TF40/ISO 315 or BladeV8 line

Would you say the vcore are more powerfull than the ezone 98? Have read in some posts and reviews that they are... wich seems a bit strange to me.

 

[Trip]

Many people have successfully switched from the RF97 to the Pure Aeros. It’s a powerful racquet but have you tried that?

Even though the PA23 is arguably the most balanced Aero ever released, there are likely way better choices for the OP to transition to, as an Aero -- in any form -- is just about as polar-opposite a frame to an RF97 as I can think of (short of ultra-light, head-heavy beginner frames).

@andredcastro - I'm basing my suggestions off of exactly what you are asking for: an easier-to-use RF97 and/or a more-stable TC95 with a bit of assistive power:
- Babolat Pure Strike Tour 3rd Gen -- Please keep an open mind here. This Pure Strike is way, way more comfortable than the regular PS, with a handle vibration rating from TW of only 139Hz. It's a whole world of comfort away from the typical Babolat feel you're thinking of, and you'd be doing yourself a disservice by not at least trying it. It's very stable, hits like a truck, yet offers a bit less static weight than the RF.
- Head Radical Pro (either outgoing G360+ or new Auxetic) -- The G360+ is a bit more stiff, the Auxetic slightly softer, but both are overall pretty thuddy and precise control-baseliner sticks with good feel.
- ProKennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 315g -- Excellent control, medium power and the best in the business as far as arm protection goes.
- Tecnifibre TFight 315 ISO -- If a bit more power and spin are of interest, this definitely warrants a look. Also, despite the 68-69RA rating, it plays more like a mid-60's Pro Staff feel that you're used to.

Notice, I've left out softer, flexier options like the PK Black Ace 315, Volkl C-10 Pro, etc. because I really wanted to focus on the thuddier quality that you seem to like in the RF and TC95.

All of the 98's I suggested will afford you a bit more error forgiveness, a bit more free power and noticeably less static weight, while still being very stable, even in stock form, all while making tennis easier.

Hope that helps. Any questions, feel free.

 

[scottydc5]

The Vcore Pro is not more powerful than the Ezone, the regular Vcore varies on who you ask. I personally can not hit with or get used to the Ezone line. I have tried numerous times and my girlfriend has actually just switched from the Babolat pure drive to the Ezone 100. The Vcore line is for players that put spin on their shots, the Ezone is more for flat hitters, and the Vcore Pro is for the comfort, feel, and precision. I agree with Trip though that the Tecnifibre is extremely hard to pass up with everything you are asking for and the Vcore Pro 97 would be right next to it.

 

[andredcastro]

Even though the PA23 is arguably the most balanced Aero ever released, there are likely way better choices for the OP to transition to, as an Aero -- in any form -- is just about as polar-opposite a frame to an RF97 as I can think of (short of ultra-light, head-heavy beginner frames).

@andredcastro - I'm basing my suggestions off of exactly what you are asking for: an easier-to-use RF97 and/or a more-stable TC95 with a bit of assistive power:
- Babolat Pure Strike Tour 3rd Gen -- Please keep an open mind here. This Pure Strike is way, way more comfortable than the regular PS, with a handle vibration rating from TW of only 139Hz. It's a whole world of comfort away from the typical Babolat feel you're thinking of, and you'd be doing yourself a disservice by not at least trying it. It's very stable, hits like a truck, yet offers a bit less static weight than the RF.
- Head Radical Pro (either outgoing G360+ or new Auxetic) -- The G360+ is a bit more stiff, the Auxetic slightly softer, but both are overall pretty thuddy and precise control-baseliner sticks with good feel.
- ProKennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 315g -- Excellent control, medium power and the best in the business as far as arm protection goes.
- Tecnifibre TFight 315 ISO -- If a bit more power and spin are of interest, this definitely warrants a look. Also, despite the 68-69RA rating, it plays more like a mid-60's Pro Staff feel that you're used to.

Notice, I've left out softer, flexier options like the PK Black Ace 315, Volkl C-10 Pro, etc. because I really wanted to focus on the thuddier quality that you seem to like in the RF and TC95.

All of the 98's I suggested will afford you a bit more error forgiveness, a bit more free power and noticeably less static weight, while still being very stable, even in stock form, all while making tennis easier.

Hope that helps. Any questions, feel free.

Thanks... i had a look and all very interesting options. All a bit on the light side for my taste, but nothing that a leather grip and some lead won't fix.
I have someone I play with ocasionaly, that owns a pure strike... I'll see if I can test it. But as said in a different post, my elbow is not the biggest Babolat friend.

What is your opinion on the ezone 98 tour?

 

[KungfuTennis]

Prestige or CX tour with some lead