Current 'Heavier' Racquets with Wide Open String Patterns?

[TripleB]

Which current 90 to 100 square inch racquets, with a weight of 11.4 ounces or more strung, have a wide open string pattern in the mains? (and just because it has 16 mains doesn't mean it's wide open)

After comparing my four most recent demos to several of my favorite racquets of the past, one of my favorites turned out to be my 1988 Prince CTS Approach 90...the 90 square inch head has a 14x18 string pattern that is wide open - even more so than my Prince Original Graphite 93 that also has a 14x18 pattern.

So I started looking at several of my racquets that I've used recently or liked in the past, taking a look at their string patterns....because even if two racquets have 16 mains (and a similar head size), one may have a much more open string pattern (referring to the mains) than the other. An example would be the Babolat Pure Strike with 16 mains that has a pretty closed string pattern (almost looks like by Head Radical Mid) while my Prince Textreme Tour 100T, that also has 16 mains, is absolutely wide open (again, referring to the mains)...or even my Tecnifibre TFight 295 Dynacore that has even more space between the 16 mains than the Tour 100T. Unfortunately nobody makes a racquet with 14 mains any longer...and I think Wilson even stopped making ones with 15 mains.

As crazy as it sounds, I'm really having some great success with this 90 square inch racquet. It's a bit crazy because it weighs in at 12.25 ounces and only 6.5 points headlight (with headtape, overgrip, rubber band) - not nearly as headlight as I normally like my heavier racquets and a lot thicker (maybe 30mm a the tip of the head) than I like...I typically only use thinner racquets. But it still has excellent maneuverability, a rock solid feel, easy spin, amazing control, and is fantastic on serves.

But the thing that the Approach 90 offers me that has been tough for me to find in any other racquet is it allows me to play a heavy spin loopy type game but also lets me flatten the ball out to hit winners when I want to, doing both with great accuracy.

Anyway, I guess I'm looking for a current racquet that has a wide open string pattern, hoping it weighs (or can be weighted) to play like my CTS Approach 90 that weighs in at 11.9 ounces strung!

Thanks!

TripleB

 

[blackpearl2007]

Assuming 11.4 is strung? Pure Aero Tour? With a 17 gauge that racquet is pretty open in the middle.

 

[Dartagnan64]

11.4 oz strung isn't a heavy racket. That's a standard tweener of which there are a bazillion with great spin potential. Pure Aero, Pure Drive, Head Extreme, Yonex EZONE DR, Wilson Ultra, Wilson Blade 16x19.

With those frames they don't need wide open string beds to get spin since a) they are larger frames so 16 mains in a 100 is like 14 mains in a 90, and b) they have frame and grommet systems to enhance spin. The spinniest will be the Pure Aero.

Of course if want to hit flat and loopy equally well that's a challenge as most companies are making spin frames with high launch angles or control frames with lower launch angles and tighter string beds and not much in between. You might want to at least look at some of the 16x19 95's out there like the Yonex VCORE 95.

 

[esgee48]

14x18 patterns are no longer made. But you already know this. Throwing this out as another option. String any 95-100 sq in frame with 16x19 or 16x18 as 14x18. Skip either the last mains or next to last mains. If you hit near the tip, skip the top cross else skip either the top or last cross. This will give you many more potential candidates. If you string your own, then this is an easy experiment. OTW, you need to explain to your stringer what you want them to do.

 

[TripleB]

11.4 oz strung isn't a heavy racket.

With those frames they don't need wide open string beds to get spin since they are larger frames so 16 mains in a 100 is like 14 mains in a 90.

Of course if want to hit flat and loopy equally well that's a challenge as most companies are making spin frames with high launch angles or control frames with lower launch angles and tighter string beds and not much in between. You might want to at least look at some of the 16x19 95's out there like the Yonex VCORE 95.

True on the 11.4 oz weight not being very heavy. With overgrip, headtape, and rubberband it will weigh in around 11.75 oz. If I were to find something that would work as far as spin and flat shots I have no problem adding 10 or so grams.

Concerning the 14 on a 90 equaling 16 on a 100, I would have thought the same. But comparing some of my 98/100 sq in 16x19 racquets to my 90 sq in 14x18 it is somewhat similar, but the 14 mains cover more overall width than the 16 mains on some (specifically the 16x19 Pure Strike) so the space between the strings on the 14 mains is much wider. I think I'm going to struggle to find a racquet with as much space between each of the mains as my Approach 90. Maybe it is the small head but I'm surprised I get such incredible control with such a wide open string pattern...it really is a point and shoot racquet.

You're exactly right...it seems racquet companies are marketing racquets for high spin or high control...tough to find a racquet equally great for both.

Thanks for the help...I'll look at that Yonex!!!

TripleB

 

[Dartagnan64]

True on the 11.4 oz weight not being very heavy. With overgrip, headtape, and rubberband it will weigh in around 11.75 oz. If I were to find something that would work as far as spin and flat shots I have no problem adding 10 or so grams.

Concerning the 14 on a 90 equaling 16 on a 100, I would have thought the same. But comparing some of my 98/100 sq in 16x19 racquets to my 90 sq in 14x18 it is somewhat similar, but the 14 mains cover more overall width than the 16 mains on some (specifically the 16x19 Pure Strike) so the space between the strings on the 14 mains is much wider. I think I'm going to struggle to find a racquet with as much space between each of the mains as my Approach 90. Maybe it is the small head but I'm surprised I get such incredible control with such a wide open string pattern...it really is a point and shoot racquet.

You're exactly right...it seems racquet companies are marketing racquets for high spin or high control...tough to find a racquet equally great for both.

Thanks for the help...I'll look at that Yonex!!!

TripleB

Might also look at the Prince Phantom Pro 100P. 16x19 in a fairly round head which opens the spacing in the mains quite a bit, but it still offers crisp control. It's just a bit out of your weight class though at 12 oz strung.

 

[hurworld]

Not all 16 mains in a 16x19 racquets are spaced the same. For example, DR98 has 8 centre mains (higher string density in the sweet spot region) compared to 6 mains in the throat for most 16x19 racquets.

 

[FCarmo]

Not all 16 mains in a 16x19 racquets are spaced the same. For example, DR98 has 8 centre mains (higher string density in the sweet spot region) compared to 6 mains in the throat for most 16x19 racquets.

For me and my experience this is the most important thing, the string density in the center... Blade 98 16x19 has 8 centre mains too, compared to six one 95 16x18 that has 6 mains in the troath, and I noticed a higher bounce in the Six.One, altought is a 95sq.

 

[mad dog1]

Angell TC95 16x19. VERY open string pattern.

 

[Pneumated1]

Angell TC95 16x19. VERY open string pattern.

Yes. As open as you'll see in a 95-96" frame. It's basically a player's frame with a pure aero stringbed. I hit it for a year but recently went to the TC95 18x20. But if you like a higher launch and loading the ball with spin, the TC95 16x19 is for you. Probably the best serving racquet you'll ever hit.

 

[FedLIKEnot]

Not current but easy to find: Pro Staff 95 Spin. Add leather grip maybe some weight in buttcap and counterbalance a touch with lead under bumper. Mine are matched and have played with them from 12.3 strung to stock strung before settling on my current setup.

In fact I found three of the white red version one brand new two were only strung once for 160$ total on two different flee bay listings. Oh and it’s a 16/15 pattern and very open. Haha.

 

[TripleB]

Not all 16 mains in a 16x19 racquets are spaced the same. For example, DR98 has 8 centre mains (higher string density in the sweet spot region) compared to 6 mains in the throat for most 16x19 racquets.

You're right...that's why I mentioned about my Pure Strike 16x19 in my original post...the mains are very close together for a 16x19 string pattern.

Just measured them again and the 14 mains in my 90 square inch head CTS Approach are the exact same overall width of the 16 mains in my Pure Strike - therefore much more wide open.

That's one of the reasons I put this post up...hoping someone could give me some specific heavier racquets with 16 mains that offer a lot of distance between the mains.

I tried the 285 EZone 98 and they seemed pretty close for 16 mains - while I loved flattening the ball out with the racquet I just couldn't get the heavy topspin or slice I was hoping for...tough to match the POG Mid or CTS Approach for spin but I'd like something at least in the same ballpark.

Are the mains on the VCore racquets (95/98) and the VCore Pro racquets (97) more wide open than the Ezone 98/100 racquets?

Thanks for everyone's help so far!

TripleB

 

[danbrenner]

Just get a pure drive and some rpm blast 15 @52. Add a leather grip. Wilson pro sensation Overgrip and call it a day

 

[graycrait]

out to be my 1988 Prince CTS Approach 90

Here is what I am swinging, there is a buttload of these 14x18s on the big auction site (note the third racket from the right):

 

[graycrait]

@TripleB , I recently wanted to buy a "new" racket as I hadn't purchased any new rackets recently. So I looked around for one that might allow me some free power (higher stiffness) while still providing some arm comfort. I got a Yonex Ezone DR 100. That thing is a bazooka, designed to allow me to send tennis balls to the international space station! It is comfy though. I have changed strings in it 3 times and still can't "connected" to it. I had a current UTR 13+ guy hit with it and he said it would take him a while to learn how to control it. In retrospect I should have picked up a Prince 93P, a Tour Diablo 93 or 4 or 5 more Prince 90 14x18s from the 80s for what that Yonex cost.

 

[TripleB]

Thanks to all for your valuable input!

After reading your opinions I'm going to order one more set of demos and if none of them work out I'll either stick with my 14x18 string patterned Prince CTS Approach 90 or my Prince Original Graphite 93...while neither offer everything I'm wanting (especially in dubs), they come pretty close to giving me the ability to hit excellent spin that penetrates the court and a flat ball that has some pretty good pop. The Approach definitely offers the best combo of heavy penetrating spin and flat ball (with pop) controlled shots I've found so far.

In trying to find a racquet that is 11.4 ounces or more, seems to offer easy access to spin, a solid feel, gives some decent pop (equivalent to my Approach...the ball seems to just pop off of this racquet, partly due to the weight I'm sure, but lands in), and hopefully the ability to hit a flat ball as well as it hits heavy spin, I've come up with quite a few offerings....strangely all from only two racquet companies. A couple are 'outliers' either due to weight or the lack of openness of the string pattern or the power level (which may be a bit high).

Love to hear any thoughts/experiences you've had on the following racquets:

- Yonex VCore Pro 97 (310)
- Yonex V Core 98 (305)
- Dunlop Srixon Revo SV3.0
- Head Graphene Touch Speed MP
- Head Graphene 360 Speed MP
- Yonex E Zone DR 100 (300)*
- Yonex E Zone 100 (300)*
- Prince Phantom Pro 100
- Prince Phantom Pro 100P
- Yonex V Core Pro 100

*Have tried the Ezone 98 (285) and liked a lot about it except the pattern didn't seem as open as I was hoping for...didn't really have the confidence with my spins or my second serves as I need...hopefully the 100 models are a bit more open. I have also tried the DR 98 and it didn't quite fit the bill either...for several of the same reasons.

Again, thanks for all the help and advice!

TripleB

 

[AgressivelyFrames]

For the OP, I would recommend the new Graphene 360 Extreme Pro. It seems to have everything you're looking for on paper. Pure aero tour is also a great choice. Even the Pure Drive tour has a pretty open 16x19