Diary of a Racketaholic

RF_PRO_STAFF

Hall of Fame
Wow Aero 98 is a cool frame. It's nice in all areas and excellent on serve. The feel is pretty much absent though, even with my favorite string Hawk Touch 1.20.
It also asks for fast swings I think. At lower swing speeds it also loses a bit more control than most other frames do.

I think mine needs a little bit of weight at 10 & 2 as it's a bit unstable right now. I'm not big on stability usually so I hardly ever use lead at the sides, nor do I play with higher swingweights, but this stick needs a little more.
 

Fighting phoenix

Professional
Wow Aero 98 is a cool frame. It's nice in all areas and excellent on serve. The feel is pretty much absent though, even with my favorite string Hawk Touch 1.20.
It also asks for fast swings I think. At lower swing speeds it also loses a bit more control than most other frames do.

I think mine needs a little bit of weight at 10 & 2 as it's a bit unstable right now. I'm not big on stability usually so I hardly ever use lead at the sides, nor do I play with higher swingweights, but this stick needs a little more.
It is a great stick, but agree that feel is absent and that it asks for fast swings, though sometimes I have trouble controlling those fast swings. Instead of adding lead, maybe use Lynx Tour - I like it in this racquet, and it's heavier and adds about ~4g of swingweight.
 

Ryebread

Hall of Fame
depends how much you’re talking about, but sure. sources of variation are 1. calibration, fan or some air movement, mounting error, overgrip extending a mil or so, lack of use and spring ‘heat up’ , poor release of racket (bumps your thumb or something and you don’t really notice)…..

Percept 97d
Overgrip
18g poly
329
330
325
335
333

Gravity Pro Aux
Overgrip
18g poly
333
337
337

Swing weight all over the place
 

skeeter

Professional
Figured TW's current 30% off Head racket sale was as good a time as any for a random Gravity MP 2023 purchase. Thinking 10g added to the handle to bring up the static weight and make it more HL is a good place to start. Not a lot of current options available for this 16x20, thin beam, low RA holic so it had to be done.
For those with the 2023 Gravity's, is the upper third of the head on these newer versions still fairly wider than the lower tw-thirds or half portions of the racquet as the previous versions? Not sure if I'm explaining it correctly as I haven't had one in the hand for a couple of years, but the tear-drop head shape seemed a bit "unique". But folks sure do seem to like them, and the 30% off has piqued my interest in the MP.
 
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RF_PRO_STAFF

Hall of Fame
It is a great stick, but agree that feel is absent and that it asks for fast swings, though sometimes I have trouble controlling those fast swings. Instead of adding lead, maybe use Lynx Tour - I like it in this racquet, and it's heavier and adds about ~4g of swingweight.
Not a big fan of Lynx Tour unfortunately. I might look at other heavier strings I have.
 

BPlain

Professional
For those with the 2023 Gravity's, is the upper third of the head on these newer versions still fairly wider than the lower tw-thirds or half portions of the racquet as the previous versions? Not sure if I'm explaining it correctly as I haven't had one in the hand for a couple of years, but the tear-drop head shape seemed a bit "unique". But folks sure do seem to like them, and the 30% off has piqued my interest in the MP.
I believe the Gravity tear-drop head shape is the unchanged from the 2021 model to the 2023 model.
 

Ryebread

Hall of Fame
The MP is prob awesome for 3.0-4.0 who seeks top tier control but don’t hit against a heavy ball. Otherwise it needs way too much weight to have effective plow and stability.

It IS unique that it’s 16x20 in such a feather of a package.
 
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I’ve been on a bit of a new racquet kick lately (the sales don’t help!) and my new Auxetic Prestige MPs arrived today. Did I need them? Not at all. Did I play a Flexpoint Prestige MP in college and want to try them out? Absolutely. I just finished stringing one up (I start everything with OGSM first and go from there) and swapping the grip for a fresh tan leather and man I forgot how great the Prestige line looks and feels. The mix of matte and gloss on these is especially good. Just feels great in hand. Very excited to take it out for a quick spin tomorrow.
 

Soundbyte

Hall of Fame
Newest version of the Briffidi TW adapter out. Had my dad get me the TW adapter for xmas...so I'll have to see if he got the old version or the new. New one looks much easier to use!
 

BPlain

Professional
The MP is prob awesome for 3.0-4.0 who seeks top tier control but don’t hit against a heavy ball. Otherwise it needs way too much weight to have effective plow and stability.

It IS unique that it’s 16x20 in such a feather of a package.
I’m planning to weight up to around 335g strung so we’ll see if that does the trick.
 

BPlain

Professional
Maybe just import a tour at that point?

The MP requires so much weight in the hoop. And then counter weight to fix the balance.

Good luck!
I'm a fan of the 16x20 pattern specifically otherwise I would have gone the Tour route from the jump. I'm going to start with a ton of weight in the handle first and then adjust from there. Not sure I'll be able to get it where I want but there are worse hobbies, right? :)
 

Ryebread

Hall of Fame
I'm a fan of the 16x20 pattern specifically otherwise I would have gone the Tour route from the jump. I'm going to start with a ton of weight in the handle first and then adjust from there. Not sure I'll be able to get it where I want but there are worse hobbies, right? :)
Yes indeed
I wish there were more options in 16x20

VC95
Shift 99
Gravity MP
PAvs
PSvs
Clash 98 v2

What am I forgetting?
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
I present, the Roadcone ensemble. 3x TGT 351.1s, 1x ADV bag, 1x Under Armor Hoodie.

Have Hit Pro, Black Knight 1.23, and Diadem ProX 1.20 in the TGTs. They are wickedly dangerous rackets for me. They are 310g with silicone, and are 335g out the door. Very polarized. Can change direction at will and the pendulum effort let's me uncork some awesome serves.

Nice!
Where did you get them from and how much did they cost?
 

Jono123

Professional
Ive recently swapped rackets. I went from a Blade 98 18x20 and bought a Clash Pro due to arm issues. The clash is garbage so I then bought a Pure Aero. Great stick and very happpy with it. Im a long term PD user and was always curious about them.
 

Superchoo

New User
Yes indeed
I wish there were more options in 16x20

VC95
Shift 99
Gravity MP
PAvs
PSvs
Clash 98 v2

What am I forgetting?
Prokennex 5g/7g
Absolutely, that PK pattern one of the finest and most consistent stringbeds I’ve played with. It is associated with so many legendary rackets here in this thread, as mentioned the 5/7g above, Top Banana, Banana light and Latte.
Apologies if I’ve missed any out.
 

Ryebread

Hall of Fame
Are you guys talking about gravity MP stock?
yes, I am baffled
it has no plow
it's light, it's low powered, it's stable "for it's weight" sure.

I guess there are a few peeps here that would love to buy a:
305 gram, 100, 16x20, with 325 SW, and 7 pt HL
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I think if you want a gravity right away and are in the us, it makes sense to grab an mp or pro. I say this since my Tour has been in customs for like 10 days so it may be a month from purchase date before it shows up. When I buy stuff from Germany this tends to happen for whatever reason. Thomann has given me free shipping on gear in the past due to the wait.

I absolutely love the pro though, so I’ll probably just match the tour to that when it shows up. First I will hit in stock, i just like the 6 pts hl balance a lot.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
yes, I am baffled
it has no plow
it's light, it's low powered, it's stable "for it's weight" sure.

I guess there are a few peeps here that would love to buy a:
305 gram, 100, 16x20, with 325 SW, and 7 pt HL
I’ve said this many times, but a friend of mine made top 500 in ATP with a sub 320 sw yonex 98. I know this because I have one of his frames that he gave me. His speed and hand eye coordination was elite so when you are taking balls super early constantly, plow is not always a big requirement.

He ended up in Gulbiss box and worked with Ostapenko before she won the French so he’s uh.. pretty pretty good.
 

Richard Pioline

Hall of Fame
I’ve said this many times, but a friend of mine made top 500 in ATP with a sub 320 sw yonex 98. I know this because I have one of his frames that he gave me. His speed and hand eye coordination was elite so when you are taking balls super early constantly, plow is not always a big requirement.

He ended up in Gulbiss box and worked with Ostapenko before she won the French so he’s uh.. pretty pretty good.
Actually, if you play more modern tennis and have a fast arm, you profit from lower SW more.
Also, most good players do not obsess over material and just play with what they are used to are given.
My friend who is new in our team, who has a very fast arm, plays the same ball with the PT2.0 and his Blade 16*19 CV. But he has to put more energy into the PT to put the same height and arch on it.
 

KC!

Hall of Fame
A
I’ve said this many times, but a friend of mine made top 500 in ATP with a sub 320 sw yonex 98. I know this because I have one of his frames that he gave me. His speed and hand eye coordination was elite so when you are taking balls super early constantly, plow is not always a big requirement.

He ended up in Gulbiss box and worked with Ostapenko before she won the French so he’s uh.. pretty pretty good.
Alcaraz & Kyrgios both play with relatively stock racquets with 325ish swing weights.

 

Ryebread

Hall of Fame
I think if you want a gravity right away and are in the us, it makes sense to grab an mp or pro. I say this since my Tour has been in customs for like 10 days so it may be a month from purchase date before it shows up. When I buy stuff from Germany this tends to happen for whatever reason. Thomann has given me free shipping on gear in the past due to the wait.

I absolutely love the pro though, so I’ll probably just match the tour to that when it shows up. First I will hit in stock, i just like the 6 pts hl balance a lot.

stinks you're waiting that long. hope it turns up soon for you!

hey, I finally strung up my percept 97D
if you love the gravity pro, man, the new 97D is a must demo.
I love the cosmetic of both.

virgin specs:
gpa is supposed to be a 315 frame: 11.08/314/31.75
p97d is supposed to be a 320 frame: 11.18/317/31.10
(I waited for an underspec 97d)

specs:
both strung with 18 gauge, pointed square poly (string weighs about the same as a16L)
both with same overgrip
gpa: 11.99/339.9/32.46 with sw of 335
p97d: 12.08/342.4/32.00 with sw of 331

97d feels easier to swing with that balance and smaller head
sweet spot feels the same
more putaway power, but it's so controllable!!!!!
little more point and shoot
same plow
diff feel, it's buttery like the gpa, but I prefer the feel of the yonex on touch shots and slices
I can put a lot more thump on my 2h back hand.
serve is good with both for me, but better with the 97 - more RHS I would assume.
only one match so far, I need to play against a few more people before I decide what's what.
but I'm excited!
 
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Fintft

G.O.A.T.
yes, I am baffled
it has no plow
it's light, it's low powered, it's stable "for it's weight" sure.

I guess there are a few peeps here that would love to buy a:
305 gram, 100, 16x20, with 325 SW, and 7 pt HL
Waht version (MP or MP Pro) are you talking about? Are you tallking MP Pro 2023?
Strung Weight:11.7oz / 332g
Balance: 12.75in / 32.39cm / 6 pts HL
Swingweight: 334

 

Nollid

Professional
Actually, if you play more modern tennis and have a fast arm, you profit from lower SW more.
Also, most good players do not obsess over material and just play with what they are used to are given.
My friend who is new in our team, who has a very fast arm, plays the same ball with the PT2.0 and his Blade 16*19 CV. But he has to put more energy into the PT to put the same height and arch on it.
RP spitting truth. My 351.1 is the lowest SW racket I've played in years and has plenty of plow and stability. I love meeting high level players that have picked a racket off the shelf, had it strung with who knows what at some random tension and wipe their opponents off of the court. It's kind of liberating to see. That's not me because I'm obsessed with feel, but I respect those guys.
 

Vicious49

Legend
Actually, if you play more modern tennis and have a fast arm, you profit from lower SW more.
Also, most good players do not obsess over material and just play with what they are used to are given.
My friend who is new in our team, who has a very fast arm, plays the same ball with the PT2.0 and his Blade 16*19 CV. But he has to put more energy into the PT to put the same height and arch on it.
I don't know many high level players but I think you're absolutely correct there. If you can hit out in front with more speed then you don't need as much mass behind. Remember that
force = mass x acceleration.

I don't consider myself a very high level now at 4.0 but when I was even lower level I liked more mass on my frames. As I've been improving I've been removing more and more lead. My FX500 tours are at 317-320 SW depending on what strings I have in there. My CX200 Tours are currently at 322 SW. My Regnas are all around 320 SW.
 

Richard Pioline

Hall of Fame
RP spitting truth. My 351.1 is the lowest SW racket I've played in years and has plenty of plow and stability. I love meeting high level players that have picked a racket off the shelf, had it strung with who knows what at some random tension and wipe their opponents off of the court. It's kind of liberating to see. That's not me because I'm obsessed with feel, but I respect those guys.
BUT, the 351.1 is crazy stable at even 320 sw. The plow is different from a 340sw racquet, of course, but it is incredibly stable. I don't know if I have ever seen a racquet that stable at these specs...
In this video I play it at 320sw! My playing buddy is the one who played Nole when he was young, so he was top three in Germany in juniors. Even with a slow arm and wrist like mine, the Rad MP is easily useable at even lower sw:

There are some racquets I find hard to use, like the CX200Tour at 310 sw or the UP at the same sw. However, I need to up my swing speed then it works fine. But I don't want to alter my swing for a racquet, but rather a racquet that supports my swing.
Also, the 351.1 is probably my favourite 98" on OHBH, like ever. Directly compared to the VC95, it was miles better and faster for my swing.

SHREK has been played against the gym wall, and while it is great, I think I prefer the 293.2. Slices are so wicked with the 293.2, probably my favourite racquet on slices ever.
The ISO305 against the wall is great, has incredible plow! However, at this balance, it really hurts my elbow on my onehander. The 293.2 is probably the most natural racquet in my hands ever, and I always wonder why I don't just play with it.
The FC is almost too easy for me to play with. Like I don't need to put any effort into it, all my strokes just work, even without moving my feet. The 293.2 needs a bit more effort, but is way more satisfying.
On Friday I will have a shoot-out between SHREK and 293.2 and yeah, play with one on Sunday, team league match. And next week, there will be a completely new contender, like the 97H, you know the deal...
 

Nollid

Professional
BUT, the 351.1 is crazy stable at even 320 sw. The plow is different from a 340sw racquet, of course, but it is incredibly stable. I don't know if I have ever seen a racquet that stable at these specs...
In this video I play it at 320sw! My playing buddy is the one who played Nole when he was young, so he was top three in Germany in juniors. Even with a slow arm and wrist like mine, the Rad MP is easily useable at even lower sw:

There are some racquets I find hard to use, like the CX200Tour at 310 sw or the UP at the same sw. However, I need to up my swing speed then it works fine. But I don't want to alter my swing for a racquet, but rather a racquet that supports my swing.
Also, the 351.1 is probably my favourite 98" on OHBH, like ever. Directly compared to the VC95, it was miles better and faster for my swing.

SHREK has been played against the gym wall, and while it is great, I think I prefer the 293.2. Slices are so wicked with the 293.2, probably my favourite racquet on slices ever.
The ISO305 against the wall is great, has incredible plow! However, at this balance, it really hurts my elbow on my onehander. The 293.2 is probably the most natural racquet in my hands ever, and I always wonder why I don't just play with it.
The FC is almost too easy for me to play with. Like I don't need to put any effort into it, all my strokes just work, even without moving my feet. The 293.2 needs a bit more effort, but is way more satisfying.
On Friday I will have a shoot-out between SHREK and 293.2 and yeah, play with one on Sunday, team league match. And next week, there will be a completely new contender, like the 97H, you know the deal...
Ha, funny you posted that video. For me it was that video that was like a parasite that incubated in my brain. I knew that I needed a 351.1 after watching it. It was just some amount of dumb luck that it worked well for me, but that video was what got me on the 351.1 train. So really, thanks for that.
 

KC!

Hall of Fame
BUT, the 351.1 is crazy stable at even 320 sw. The plow is different from a 340sw racquet, of course, but it is incredibly stable. I don't know if I have ever seen a racquet that stable at these specs...
In this video I play it at 320sw! My playing buddy is the one who played Nole when he was young, so he was top three in Germany in juniors. Even with a slow arm and wrist like mine, the Rad MP is easily useable at even lower sw:

There are some racquets I find hard to use, like the CX200Tour at 310 sw or the UP at the same sw. However, I need to up my swing speed then it works fine. But I don't want to alter my swing for a racquet, but rather a racquet that supports my swing.
Also, the 351.1 is probably my favourite 98" on OHBH, like ever. Directly compared to the VC95, it was miles better and faster for my swing.

SHREK has been played against the gym wall, and while it is great, I think I prefer the 293.2. Slices are so wicked with the 293.2, probably my favourite racquet on slices ever.
The ISO305 against the wall is great, has incredible plow! However, at this balance, it really hurts my elbow on my onehander. The 293.2 is probably the most natural racquet in my hands ever, and I always wonder why I don't just play with it.
The FC is almost too easy for me to play with. Like I don't need to put any effort into it, all my strokes just work, even without moving my feet. The 293.2 needs a bit more effort, but is way more satisfying.
On Friday I will have a shoot-out between SHREK and 293.2 and yeah, play with one on Sunday, team league match. And next week, there will be a completely new contender, like the 97H, you know the deal...
Your one handed backhand is artwork! Effortless flick, nasty slice too.
 

tim-ay

Legend
Head QC is just stellar. Boom Pro came in at 279 SW unstrung. hahahahahaha. Rad pro 299. WTF. Can you imagine reviewing rackets without a swingweight machine and commenting on these?

Time to go to work on them.

And if anyone went to school at Michigan…. FK Michigan!!!!! Harbaugh blows as much as Head QC. Go Bucks.
 
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