Diary of a Racketaholic

Yiuh said:
Man your comments on the GT lined up with my impressions of in on a couple demos and I was debating a switch to it…. but maybe I’ll hold off. I also liked the Aux1 RadPro quite a bit honestly.
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For me, I just think the Radical is a line I should’ve spent more time. If we think of it as a modern prestige it fits great into my game

There’s a lot about the Gravity tour I enjoy tho, so if you didn’t find the previous rad pro switch worthy I don’t think there’s dramatic of a change that would make the aux2 more of a consideration than the Gravity Tour
 
hdjs94 said:
oh wow. I love the new paint job. I've tried the previous radical pro but not sure if I liked how the racquet felt as it was a bit muted as most of the head auxetic 1.0 are. curious to see if the new one has better feel with auxetic 2.0. Interested in seeing what your comparison take is with the new rad and the GT.
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Personally I only hit with the Aux 1 MP for an hour or so and felt it a bit stiff and firm. I think for once the dampened Aux2 worked out in my favor. It felt pretty muted like the extreme pro but there’s something about a clean connection with the radical that cuts through that muteness a little more than with the extreme pro
 
gino said:
Wow so this is the first radical you’ve tried ?

If you like the current mold, you’d probably like the 360+.. that one Cuevas used in the pro mold, but with a custom pattern. Many have remarked the new radical molds are very balanced frames, jacks of all trades but masters of none. I’d push back on that notion as I’ve long felt radicals (even in their new molds) are some of the best frames for flat ball strikers out there. Something about a linear swing mechanic that makes these things sing (IE Novak). Interested where you land, amongst your other favs which I’ve all tried, I get why you think the radical mp/pro could give you a lot of the same but maybe less things to be frustrated about (low cx200 tour power, lowish WO 18M spin, and low power/spin for ig prestiges). The Gravity tour is suspect feels a little more powerful and less direct than the radicals, but curious about your thoughts there
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Well I think we could frame a lot of rackets as jack of all trades right. The blade could be one of those too, but tbh they’re all just control oriented frames

The rad pro allows me to hit more directionally than I can with the Gravity Tour. My thoughts rn are a bit disjointed so I’ll leave my initial impression

Gravity Tour - higher margin , but still big pace. Also feel is a better thing here. I like the flex and plushness

Radical Pro/MP - still big pace but much more pt and shoot like the 305S

Edit: I’m at 45-50 min and the element in my rad pro is still not broken. I suspect 60-80 min is the element life in the denser radicals. I’m consistently breaking in 15min with the gravity tour
 
SupahMan5000 said:
Well I think we could frame a lot of rackets as jack of all trades right. The blade could be one of those too, but tbh they’re all just control oriented frames

The rad pro allows me to hit more directionally than I can with the Gravity Tour. My thoughts rn are a bit disjointed so I’ll leave my initial impression

Gravity Tour - higher margin , but still big pace. Also feel is a better thing here. I like the flex and plushness

Radical Pro/MP - still big pace but much more pt and shoot like the 305S
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Out of curiosity, how would you'd compare it with the 351.1 in Radical PJ?

To me it seemed very solid, powerful, but didn't swing easily ( at almost identical weight and SW to 293.1 ). Not much feel either.
 
Power Player said:
Oh damn you sold the rafas? Is it just because switching from the origin is too drastic?

But yeah I’m so far enjoying the origin as well. At some point I’ll revisit the Rafalito. Need to string it up with lynx tour.
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Listed the Rafas. Haven't sold them yet. I moved on from the Origins the first time around because I thought they were too powerful / got the holic itch, but I'm vibing with them now. I have 3 of the Rafas, I can't imagine I'll sell all three.
I swtich between rackets all the time. The PC2.0 and PS85 are my all time favorites. And I also have a 6.0 95 coming in as well (also used to use them back in the day). So as of now, the Rafa/Origin/305S/Incoming Axis 100 & 98 / Ezone 98 will constitute the "modern frames" in my collection. I always end up holding on to frames and then frequently never revisit them enough. So at some point I figure it's better to sell some and use the funds to purchase the latest frame just for giggles.
 
SupahMan5000 said:
Well I think we could frame a lot of rackets as jack of all trades right. The blade could be one of those too, but tbh they’re all just control oriented frames

The rad pro allows me to hit more directionally than I can with the Gravity Tour. My thoughts rn are a bit disjointed so I’ll leave my initial impression

Gravity Tour - higher margin , but still big pace. Also feel is a better thing here. I like the flex and plushness

Radical Pro/MP - still big pace but much more pt and shoot like the 305S

Edit: I’m at 45-50 min and the element in my rad pro is still not broken. I suspect 60-80 min is the element life in the denser radicals. I’m consistently breaking in 15min with the gravity tour
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Gravity tour seems to be a real string breaker, I’ve noticed the same. All that makes sense in those initial impressions. I think in general the gravity tour is very lively/spinny. I agree on GT98 plush feel, awesome layup

Anyways, we await your conclusions. I’m still mentally reeling that this is the first radical you’ve tried. I need to send you 5 different ones on extended demo to further inform your perspective lol
 
gino said:
Gravity tour seems to be a real string breaker, I’ve noticed the same. All that makes sense in those initial impressions. I think in general the gravity tour is very lively/spinny. I agree on GT98 plush feel, awesome layup

Anyways, we await your conclusions. I’m still mentally reeling that this is the first radical you’ve tried. I need to send you 5 different ones on extended demo to further inform your perspective lol
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When I was a head “sponsored junior” I just really felt like the prestige was the better option for my game but now that the ppl im hitting with are hitting bigger I need something with more free power so prestige wouldn’t be it for me at all

Much appreciated but as you can imagine I’m only entertaining current models for obvious reasons. I think what it will come down to is how much I am playing. I don’t think radical will do me any favors if I can’t slim down and frequently play at a high level. If I can get above a 10 utr this summer I’ll prob revisit
 
SupahMan5000 said:
When I was a head “sponsored junior” I just really felt like the prestige was the better option for my game but now that the ppl im hitting with are hitting bigger I need something with more free power so prestige wouldn’t be it for me at all

Much appreciated but as you can imagine I’m only entertaining current models for obvious reasons. I think what it will come down to is how much I am playing. I don’t think radical will do me any favors if I can’t slim down and frequently play at a high level. If I can get above a 10 utr this summer I’ll prob revisit
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I always thought radical was ever so slightly more powerful than prestige, through all the iterations I tried. I had a little head deal back in the juniors days too and also went prestige (Microgel and youtek). I flirted with the youtek radical for a hot min but eventually stayed prestige. Then ig speed (gravity mold) when I got to college ball. I kinda lol sometimes at how similar our preferences are and that seems to trace back even to the juniors. That’s partly why super interested to hear your thoughts on the radical as they evolve

I get the old stuff isn’t relevant in your search for a viable competitive option, more just to feel how the lineage has evolved. You can DM me if you ever want to borrow a Microgel or youtek. Cheers mate
 
I am looking forward to the release of the new radical mp. My current main stick is the 2023 radical mp and prior to that I used the previous iteration of the radical.
I recently demoed the head GT98 from TW and really liked it. My opponents and regular hitting partners said I was hitting a heavier ball with the GT98 than with the 2023 radical mp. I’m leaning towards switching to the head GT98 but I am going to hold off on any switch until I can give the new radical MP a try.
Anyone here have the chance to hit with both the head GT98 and the new radical MP? If so, how would you say they compare to each other?
 
EggSalad said:
I don’t know if it’s the awesome all orange paint job, the awesomeness of @SupahMan5000 , or the nostalgia of buying a couple Liquid Metal radicals with my own money after college but I’m really excited for the new radicals.

It also sounds like Head is really dialing in the Aux 2 in their lines.
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I really hope I’m not overhyping the Radical Aux2. I actually don’t think it’s a revolutionary change I just think I’m zeroing in on the right frame for me

Also I didn’t expect to be exposed to this many good players and it’s been helping my tennis. I don’t think radical would’ve worked well for me the last couple years
 
SupahMan5000 said:
I really hope I’m not overhyping the Radical Aux2. I actually don’t think it’s a revolutionary change I just think I’m zeroing in on the right frame for me

Also I didn’t expect to be exposed to this many good players and it’s been helping my tennis. I don’t think radical would’ve worked well for me the last couple years
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You’re not overhyping it. The last few iterations of the Radical have been well received in this thread. I also really value your opinion because you post a lot of great content, videos and descriptions of different racquets so it makes it easy for me to tell if I’d like something or not. For example, your description of the GT98 makes me realize it isn’t for me.
 
EggSalad said:
I don’t know if it’s the awesome all orange paint job, the awesomeness of @SupahMan5000 , or the nostalgia of buying a couple Liquid Metal radicals with my own money after college but I’m really excited for the new radicals.

It also sounds like Head is really dialing in the Aux 2 in their lines.
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Speaking of the LM Rad MP, I may end up listing 1 or 2 of these. No reason for me to hang on to 3 when Im not using them. Ive been lazy in taking pics but PM me if interested.

And speaking of @SupahMan5000 those Solinco grips arrived safe and sound. Thanks again.
 
mmazzinin1 said:
Wow BAP SW 321...that is low...let us know how it plays as i found the 330 Sw of the '21 model just perfect for the racquet
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Got out for an hour with the ball machine to test my elbow, 2025 PK Black Ace Pro, 2022 PK Ki5, and my usual Pure Strike VS (with gut/multi instead of regular full multi).

I ended up restringing the BAP demo with MultiFeel 1.30 Black (my usual string) and that brought swingweight up to 328. This frame felt very familiar to my memory of 2021 BAP. I definitely packs a good punch given it's low flex. If my elbow demanded it, I could and would main this frame.

Howevahhh...

PSVS has taught me that I prefer a more direct frame assuming my elbow can handle it. The power from both PSVS and Ki5 seems to come from it being less flexy and more direct compared to something like BAP. I had the multi demo strings in the Ki5 and just slapped an OG and a couple grams of lead on the buttcap to bring it up to 320g static, 325 balance, and roughly 323 SW. It was a little too light on the static to really make a call but the Ki5 reminded me of the PSVS in that same more direct power and that familiar 16/20 pattern that PK seems to do so well plus the magic beans.

The good news was my elbow was fine before, during, and after even with cycling through those frames and hitting a lot of balls. I'll likely stick with PSVS for now but if my elbow starts to bark more aggressively moving forward, I'd be inclined to pick up a Ki5 first and customize it knowing the BAP is there and waiting is my arm demands it. Nothing bad to say about the new BAP as it is a great frame. Just prefer more direct feel to BAP's more flexy feel.
 
EggSalad said:
You’re not overhyping it. The last few iterations of the Radical have been well received in this thread. I also really value your opinion because you post a lot of great content, videos and descriptions of different racquets so it makes it easy for me to tell if I’d like something or not. For example, your description of the GT98 makes me realize it isn’t for me.
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I appreciate that people are able to get some value from my thoughts and I can help further guide people in their decisions. Racket are still expensive at the end of the day even with certain trades deals and discounts
 
flyhome said:
ZSSlGi.jpg


Got It, perfect cheap solution!
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Got mine today, happy with it. I agree it's not perfect but it does pretty well. I left out the front horizontal bar on the top. A bit less stable, but more accessible.
 
flyhome said:
You can add the second from the top in the back too, It doesn't disturb and It makes everything more stable
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Really? If I do that in mine it effects the angle of the rackets and they don't sit as nicely in the bottom.

That may also depend on what rackets you have in it though...
 
flyhome said:
QgbWJ1.jpg


I did it in this way, but I'll try your way to see if It's better
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I just have bottom two and top back. Also, tennis ball cans for perfectly underneath. I have mine against the wall on a desk/counter. Works nicely and when I was cleaning up my office I realized I could store some cans of balls there for me to easily grab when I need them.

I also debated drilling holes in the bottom row to give another inch of space to have the rackets have more of a lean back...but I don't think it's worth the effort. I'm not bumping into or moving this, so the rackets stay in place just fine as is.
 
BPlain said:
Got out for an hour with the ball machine to test my elbow, 2025 PK Black Ace Pro, 2022 PK Ki5, and my usual Pure Strike VS (with gut/multi instead of regular full multi).

I ended up restringing the BAP demo with MultiFeel 1.30 Black (my usual string) and that brought swingweight up to 328. This frame felt very familiar to my memory of 2021 BAP. I definitely packs a good punch given it's low flex. If my elbow demanded it, I could and would main this frame.

Howevahhh...

PSVS has taught me that I prefer a more direct frame assuming my elbow can handle it. The power from both PSVS and Ki5 seems to come from it being less flexy and more direct compared to something like BAP. I had the multi demo strings in the Ki5 and just slapped an OG and a couple grams of lead on the buttcap to bring it up to 320g static, 325 balance, and roughly 323 SW. It was a little too light on the static to really make a call but the Ki5 reminded me of the PSVS in that same more direct power and that familiar 16/20 pattern that PK seems to do so well plus the magic beans.

The good news was my elbow was fine before, during, and after even with cycling through those frames and hitting a lot of balls. I'll likely stick with PSVS for now but if my elbow starts to bark more aggressively moving forward, I'd be inclined to pick up a Ki5 first and customize it knowing the BAP is there and waiting is my arm demands it. Nothing bad to say about the new BAP as it is a great frame. Just prefer more direct feel to BAP's more flexy feel.
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Good summary. BAP is an excellent frame and one of the most comfortable racquets on the market. However, in my view, it is too flexy to perform at its best with a full bed of multi. Gut/poly hybrid is what makes her shine. It just transforms giving you that more direct feedback that you are looking for. May be keep that as an option as soon as your elbow can handle that, but the BAP is probably the only frame that my elbow can handle in a gut / poly hybrid
 
SupahMan5000 said:
Ok so I did a hit with my fellow 10 or so UTR colleague with the Rad pro

All I’ll say is I might’ve preemptively switched to the Gravity Tour. Not to say this is a revolutionary upgrade if you’re using the 2021 or 2023 RPro but I’ve just never entertained the radical line enough
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I have two Rad Pro touch and it’s a terrific frame
 
Looks like Yonex locked down the next big tennis star. Fonseca has an immense forehand and his second serve is crazy. Most impressive is how level headed he is. I believe young Alcaraz won both Argentina and Rio back to back, and Fonseca could follow in his footsteps.

His frame specs are pretty beefy, 348 and 331 SW. That's a really nice classic setup. But he comes to net a lot behind his shots so it makes sense. I believe he uses the GOAT 16x20 pattern as well.
 
JGads said:
Greetings from NY, where I am hunting wide-version tennis shoes while I can.
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Lucky for you that you don't need to search for wide clay ones!
Even the regular width, me, myself, I have bought all the 10.5s Gel Resolutions clay, ahem.

Hey do you want a ...snow storm?
 
Last edited:
Fintft said:
Lucky for you that you don't need to search for wide clay ones!
Even the regular width, me, myself, I have bought all the 10.5s Gel Resolutions clay, ahem.

Hey do you want a ...snow storm?
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Would love some wide clays. But looks like the wide shoes are all hardcourt. Still will take it.
 
JGads said:
Would love some wide clays. But looks like the wide shoes are all hardcourt. Still will take it.
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Yeah, I am really worried about my friend who plays only in wide and slides out of control on clay, b/c like you he can't find them...

Ah, let's take a moment to congratulate the player who plays with our beloved FC (.1), although he lost the final, he downed Zverev:

www.tennis.com

Francisco Cerundolo battles past Alexander Zverev in Buenos Aires for biggest win of career | Tennis.com​

The Argentine’s victory over the world No. 2 at his hometown event on Friday was his first career win over a Top 2 player.
www.tennis.com
www.tennis.com
 
I didn’t hit with the MP yet but I was feeding and hitting a ball or two and it def feels stiffer even tho the measured RA is 1 pt higher

Will need to hit with it obviously but if it is noticeably stiffer then it might not be as viable for me as i had hoped
 
Power Player said:
Looks like Yonex locked down the next big tennis star. Fonseca has an immense forehand and his second serve is crazy. Most impressive is how level headed he is. I believe young Alcaraz won both Argentina and Rio back to back, and Fonseca could follow in his footsteps.

His frame specs are pretty beefy, 348 and 331 SW. That's a really nice classic setup. But he comes to net a lot behind his shots so it makes sense. I believe he uses the GOAT 16x20 pattern as well.
Click to expand...
Is he playing the vcore 95?
 
Fintft said:
Yeah, I am really worried about my friend who plays only in wide and slides out of control on clay, b/c like you he can't find them...

Ah, let's take a moment to congratulate the player who plays with our beloved FC (.1), although he lost the final, he downed Zverev:

www.tennis.com

Francisco Cerundolo battles past Alexander Zverev in Buenos Aires for biggest win of career | Tennis.com​

The Argentine’s victory over the world No. 2 at his hometown event on Friday was his first career win over a Top 2 player.
www.tennis.com
www.tennis.com
Click to expand...
He's use PT57A2, 18x20, 27.5”, 350g, 380sw strung.
 
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