Diary of a Racketaholic

I bought a Prestige Tour ‘23 from a guy at my club. I went out for an hour today with my hopper to hit some served and drop feeds. Really intriguing racquet. Even though it’s 22mm beam, it feels very thin in hand. It has decent power and a surprising amount of spin.

I’m going to hit the ball machine tomorrow with it. And hopefully the muscle in my back will be good to go for some casual matches this weekend.

That paint job is amazing too. And laid over top of a Blade 98 and Whiteout, it’s pretty darn close to being the same head size. The head is just a touch narrower.

If I can make this thing work in point play, I can tell it will bring me a lot of joy.
 
Ryebread said:
The three best racquets of the past 12 months!

All three are delicious. Similar, but different.

Rotating them every 2-3 weeks is keeping me from looking at other options.

https://flic.kr/p/2r9VFbr


All completely stock and yet ridiculously close in spec!

Specs / All strung with Pure Rush 18G and the same OG

Static / Balance / SW

2024 Extreme Pro - 327 / 32.0 / 320

2025 TFight 305S - 326 / 32.0 / 319

2025 Gravity Tour - 325 / 32.5 / 320

(for reference, without OG, The EP's SW is 324)
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I really liked the GT. So close to being perfect and dethroning the BP for me.

I'm not a TFight guy but I also have a new TF40 305 that's going to be hanging for the foreseeable future.
 
ryushen21 said:
I really liked the GT. So close to being perfect and dethroning the BP for me.

I'm not a TFight guy but I also have a new TF40 305 that's going to be hanging for the foreseeable future.
Click to expand...

What’s the spec of your BP? And how is the balance of your new tf40 305?!
 
I’m getting a pair of the new BOA dialed Head shoes. I kinda like how the Sprint Pros look and these new shoes look but I doubt I’ll stick around with these

Very curious how double boas will work in tennis. I’ve used them a ton in cycling
 
dr. godmode said:
G98 might be the worst offender for this lol... we all honeymooned over it but I'm not seeing a ton of people stick with it.
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Was late to the game but currently honeymooning with it tbh. Played some of my best-ever tennis today, just totally zoned with this thing when it felt like the bigger I went - and the bigger the ball coming in - the better it worked. Absolutely smashed a buddy who’s usually an even matchup. Doubt I can keep it up but I will be chasing that high for a while.

Last time out I did a brief swap with a friend who just picked up a 25 Ezone100 and I had a great time bashing groundies. That’s a really fun stick too! It almost had me questioning my feelings for the GT98, but today recommitted me to riding with the grommet whistle.
 
Ryebread said:
What are your concerns?
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To elaborate on some previous posts...

I feel like a slightly stiffer layup would add some power and also help resolve of the stability issues I had at net.

I also wish the racquet wasn't so muted. It has that awesome hoop flex and if it had some of that classic Head feel/response, it would truly be amazing.
 
ryushen21 said:
To elaborate on some previous posts...

I feel like a slightly stiffer layup would add some power and also help resolve of the stability issues I had at net.

I also wish the racquet wasn't so muted. It has that awesome hoop flex and if it had some of that classic Head feel/response, it would truly be amazing.
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As someone who does not like muted rackets, i personally felt that the GT98 was fine and was very string dependent in how much more muted or crisp it can feel. Tour bite for me worked quite well for me. Though i personally would also not mind and prefer if it had a stiffer layup altogether.
 
hdjs94 said:
As someone who does not like muted rackets, i personally felt that the GT98 was fine and was very string dependent in how much more muted or crisp it can feel. Tour bite for me worked quite well for me. Though i personally would also not mind and prefer if it had a stiffer layup altogether.
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I could see TB being a good option. Tour Status would be my go to though.

As a general stance, I've been over racquets trending towards mutedness for a long time. Feel needs to make a big comeback.
 
ryushen21 said:
I could see TB being a good option. Tour Status would be my go to though.

As a general stance, I've been over racquets trending towards mutedness for a long time. Feel needs to make a big comeback.
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Ah i mean tour sniper by TS. Gotta look into tour status.

But I’m with you on the whole everything going muted trend. Even babolat going the muted direction… tfights are like one of the only few options out of the “new” current gen racket offerings that isn’t following the muted trend.
 
TwinCinema said:
This. Epic. Unforgettable. Time to buy a PA98.
Click to expand...
Soundbyte said:
Agreed...maybe I just need to some Pure Aero 98s to up my game...
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So . . . in a twist of events and in true 'holic nature . . . In honor of Alcaraz and the RG Final I decided to put the PA98 in the bag the other night. Fuuuuuudge . . . I forgot how good this frame is. My bag for now is just the PA98 and 305s. Those are 2 pretty darn good racquets to have to choose between.

The Rad Pro honeymoon is over as it causes arm pain for me and is just a bit too much racquet for me to handle. I love the plow through with it but if I can't use it for more than 1-2 sets it's a deal breaker. They'll be hitting the sales forum soon.
 
Vicious49 said:
Who was it? Which one of you guys bought the frame?

"A Babolat racket used by Rafael Nadal during his 2017 French Open-winning final was sold at a Prestige Memorabilia auction for $157,333.20 including buyer's premium on Sunday, the most ever paid for a tennis racket."
Click to expand...
It was me. You guys got me all excited about playing with the Origin so I had to see what ithe fuss is all about.
 
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I think Head and Yonex should allow us to plan out the next round of Percept and Gravity lines, so they MAKE ANY F SENSE.

97D and 97H could be so much better with more modern specs
The 97D doesn't need to be 342 SW with 18g and overgrip, just b/c someone wants a 97 and dense pattern.
The 97H could be that heavy, but we don't need two options at 340+ "out the door SW".
100D could be improved, it's dense, we don't need it to be 65 RA. Make it 62 and more headlight.
97 needs a lot of work, it's insulting. I understand it is a platform stock, but it has ZERO stability. The blade is a platform stick but is still stable enough for many.

GT98 and GMP both could make more sense lol
GT98 should be the 16x20
the MP should be the 16x19,
who is in charge here?

I do give Head cred for the 2025 Gravity PJ though. My gawd are they beautiful.

ok, diary, good night.
 
Ryebread said:
Static / Balance / SW

2024 Extreme Pro - 327 / 32.0 / 320

2025 TFight 305S - 326 / 32.0 / 319

2025 Gravity Tour - 325 / 32.5 / 320

(for reference, without OG, The EP's SW is 324)
Click to expand...
nice setup and looks great.
how is it possible to have a decrease of 4SW by adding an OG to the handle (lets say an OG weighs avg. 5g each), on the EP?
 
esm said:
nice setup and looks great.
how is it possible to have a decrease of 4SW by adding an OG to the handle (lets say an OG weighs avg. 5g each), on the EP?
Click to expand...
I will test more, this is the first time I've done that.
I usually check SW unstrung and then "out the door".
I guess b/c anytime you move the balance point, the SW would move too.
Overgrip moves the balance a fair amt.
 
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Ryebread said:
I will test more, this is the first time I've done that.
I usually check SW unstrung and then "out the door".
I guess b/c anytime you move the balance point, the SW would move too.
Overgrip moves the balance a fair amt.
Click to expand...
yeah, the balance point will move, as you have tail weighted the racquet.
the SW will increase when adding weight to the racquet, althought it'd ve a small(er) amount towards the tail end, than the top end.
which/what device(s) do you use to measure the specs?
 
Ryebread said:
I think Head and Yonex should allow us to plan out the next round of Percept and Gravity lines, so they MAKE ANY F SENSE.

97D and 97H could be so much better with more modern specs
The 97D doesn't need to be 342 SW with 18g and overgrip, just b/c someone wants a 97 and dense pattern.
The 97H could be that heavy, but we don't need two options at 340+ "out the door SW".
100D could be improved, it's dense, we don't need it to be 65 RA. Make it 62 and more headlight.
97 needs a lot of work, it's insulting. I understand it is a platform stock, but it has ZERO stability. The blade is a platform stick but is still stable enough for many.

GT98 and GMP both could make more sense lol
GT98 should be the 16x20
the MP should be the 16x19,
who is in charge here?

I do give Head cred for the 2025 Gravity PJ though. My gawd are they beautiful.

ok, diary, good night.
Click to expand...
Please add the Dunlop CX line to this list. Mainly the specs. Players frames with the swingweight of a beginner racquet. Huh? I don’t mine using a little lead but I’m not trying to buy a stock racquet only to know I have to cover the hoop with lead.
 
EggSalad said:
Please add the Dunlop CX line to this list. Mainly the specs. Players frames with the swingweight of a beginner racquet. Huh? I don’t mine using a little lead but I’m not trying to buy a stock racquet only to know I have to cover the hoop with lead.
Click to expand...
Sadly that’s nothing new for Dunlop. I have an old Boron comp that’s static weight is 350 and SW is 301.
 
In classic fashion, may be officially making the switch for my main racket to the PAVS from the 305s after trying it out for the past month. Coincidence that Alcaraz happened to win recently with the PA98... Always liked how the PA98 played but just didn’t like the muted feel which is completely solved with the PAVS. While the 305s is still supreme in the control, redirecting pace and direction, the PAVS provides that much more topspin and depth/power with good enough control that still lets me swing through the ball and take full cuts without having to worry about letting the ball go out. Backhand is sufficient enough. Serves feel quite good especially with the additional cross string which I didn’t expect. Much better than the aero 100 in the serve department.

Opponents all agree that the PAVS just provides a significantly more harder ball with spin. Should have tried the PAVS out from the start of my demo racket journey over the past year, but just recently found out it provides a less muted feel than the PA98.

305s is staying though and not going anywhere. It has its place in my bag.
 
Played again tonight with the EZ98, second session with Tour Bite Round in a full bed. I dunno but this is probably the closest I’ve been to switching my main setup since January 2024 when I fell hard for the PSVS, and especially since later that year when I discovered how good razor code white 1.20 plays in it.

There’s something about the combo of how… well, “easy” the EZ one is to use, with just how friggin nasty it can be. It’s an attacking frame with touch; light enough to whip around and change your mind on a shot mid swing, but with enough plow and stability (weighted up as I have it) to get one more ball in, Coco style, and get the W.

TB Round is giving me heavy topspin with directional control and enough deadness that I have finally started to truly swing out with this sucker instead of holding back because of its power (relative to my other frames like the PSVS and PS97v14). And because I have a wicked angle on my cross court 2HBH as a lefty, I hit more winners tonight than I have in over a month. vamos
 
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Ryebread said:
I think Head and Yonex should allow us to plan out the next round of Percept and Gravity lines, so they MAKE ANY F SENSE.

97D and 97H could be so much better with more modern specs
The 97D doesn't need to be 342 SW with 18g and overgrip, just b/c someone wants a 97 and dense pattern.
The 97H could be that heavy, but we don't need two options at 340+ "out the door SW".
100D could be improved, it's dense, we don't need it to be 65 RA. Make it 62 and more headlight.
97 needs a lot of work, it's insulting. I understand it is a platform stock, but it has ZERO stability. The blade is a platform stick but is still stable enough for many.

GT98 and GMP both could make more sense lol
GT98 should be the 16x20
the MP should be the 16x19,
who is in charge here?

I do give Head cred for the 2025 Gravity PJ though. My gawd are they beautiful.

ok, diary, good night.
Click to expand...
Disagree on the Gravity MP, the 16x20 helps to keep control on the 100 headsize, fits it very well. Great allrounder frame. Havent tried the others in your list.
 
Today was just an awful outing for me. Don't believe I ever dropped a set against the guy, and got smoke 0 and 2.

Nothing was working, footwork was non-existent and the ballstriking wasn't there. Swapping from the BAP to the Origin has no effect. Just didn't have the stuff today. Probably the worst outing I've had in a few years.

But I'm also old enough at this point to just say "it wasn't happening" and move on. Trying not to suck again tomorrow!
 
taylor15 said:
I removed the leather from my BP16, and now I’m wondering why I don’t play with this frame. It booms serves and I think it was meant to be lighter than what leather makes it.
Click to expand...
I used to tail weight BPs. It’s just the wrong move… leather included. Play them as light as possible and if you add lead anywhere, put it on the head. But yeah, the Origin has confused everything I used to believe and BP setups included.
 
Very interesting to know that babolat intentionally puts more dampening tech in the lighter frames of each silo by adding the dampening tech to the throat and the head of the racket while the heavier frames like the 98s only have the dampening in the throat and not in the head.

Not sure if this was common knowledge or not.
 
Finally hit with this thing. I thinks it’s pretty excellent, bageled my poor college friend in a set with it tonight, usually these sets are more competitive. Not sure why I don’t hear of anyone using these Burn frames. I believe this is the first generation? Did they lose the magic in the later revisions?

https://imgur.com/KwRTltL
 
Power Player said:
Yeah the Ki Tech is not for everyone, but I am 100% sure it's not why you hit long. It just gives you some extra punch while protecting the arm, but for me the frame is super easy to control depth with and a big reason I have fallen for it.

Luckily serve was not an issue for me. I went straight from the XL Q+ so I was DF'ing a bit at first, but once I got settled in, the serve probably won me every match I have played with it so far. It's not because of the frame, as much as my serve technique has been fine tuned over the past year and it's just better now. But the frame doesn't hold me back in terms of power or spin.

Such a good feel on these new BAPs. It's such a blast to have an old school feel with quality power. I'd agree it's medium, which is where you want to be with a control frame in the modern game. I would rate the Q+ as medium/high.
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I just got mine yesterday and tried it today with FireWire boost at 53lb. Coming from a phantom 100x, I found it very hard to control. The swing weight felt really high and I had a rough time adjusting.
 
Ignore the hat, I sometimes loosely put it on cause it gets uncomfortable I just wear it to wick sweat usually. Sometimes it ends up looking as ridiculous as it does here

Backhand has come a long way in the last few months. Definitely improving the weight transfer but you can see it’s like there’s a wall where I can get my upper body to lean through. My upper body is very straight up even when my legs move forward

 
SupahMan5000 said:
I just don’t gel with the dense patterned stuff rackets anymore

I don’t really understand the 305s hype if I’m being honest but I sold a lot of them so I don’t really care one way or another
Click to expand...
Yeah I feel it's definitely the most overhyped racquet of 2025. It's actually a good frame that like a Blade does everything well but doesn't excel at anything and is maybe the stiffest, most uncomfortable frame I've used in a long time. I suppose the feel is unique as it's not dampened like most modern frames but it's a frame for high level players that have arms that can handle the unforgiving stiffness. I simply don't understand how anyone could put it on the same level as the PA98 which is also not overly arm friendly but nowhere near as uncomfortable overall. I haven't touched the 305S since I got the PA98. I will say the paint quality on the 305S is a level above all other brands and I like the white finish.
 
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SupahMan5000 said:
Ignore the hat, I sometimes loosely put it on cause it gets uncomfortable I just wear it to wick sweat usually. Sometimes it ends up looking as ridiculous as it does here

Backhand has come a long way in the last few months. Definitely improving the weight transfer but you can see it’s like there’s a wall where I can get my upper body to lean through. My upper body is very straight up even when my legs move forward

Click to expand...
thats a beastly backhand. stable stance.. strength coming through the legs. great power as an end result.
 
kevin qmto said:
Finally hit with this thing. I thinks it’s pretty excellent, bageled my poor college friend in a set with it tonight, usually these sets are more competitive. Not sure why I don’t hear of anyone using these Burn frames. I believe this is the first generation? Did they lose the magic in the later revisions?

https://imgur.com/KwRTltL
Click to expand...
There is only one generation of this frame it’s the Burn FST. Completely different mold than the regular burns you see today. They had a 95, 99 and 99S spin effect. Pretty interesting frames, thin beam but with pretty high stiffness ratings in the high 60 low 70 range.
 
heavyD said:
Yeah I feel it's definitely the most overhyped racquet of 2025. It's actually a good frame that like a Blade does everything well but doesn't excel at anything and is maybe the stiffest, most uncomfortable frame I've used in a long time. I suppose the feel is unique as it's not dampened like most modern frames but it's a frame for high level players that have arms that can handle the unforgiving stiffness. I simply don't understand how anyone could put it on the same level as the PA98 which is also not overly arm friendly but nowhere near as uncomfortable overall. I haven't touched the 305S since I got the PA98. I will say the paint quality on the 305S is a level above all other brands and I like the white finish.
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Well, I've switched to it and now 3-4 months later I'm still a pretty big fan. We're always asking for less dampening tech, and this has delivered in that regard. Great maneuverability, stability, slightly more power than a blade and generally does everything a little bit better. Caveat is that you're right in that stiffer strings feel very jarring, but softer polys are a great fit.

I also agree that the PA98 is an amazing performer, but I find the launch angle to be higher than I like (I have no trouble generating my own spin) and the feel is uninspiring...to me, the 305S is just more fun to play with and a minor/negligible difference from a performance perspective.
 
www.facebook.com

Introducing the ARTHUR ASHE COMPETITION 2025 – Limited Edition Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Arthur Ashe’s legendary victory on the London grass with a racquet as iconic as the moment itself. This HEAD Legacy Arthur Ashe Competition 2025 racket

Introducing the ARTHUR ASHE COMPETITION 2025 – Limited Edition Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Arthur Ashe’s legendary victory on the London grass with a racquet as iconic as the moment...
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Saw this last night at the club Head Legacy Arthur Ashe Competition 2025. Cool silver paint job shout out to original. Not thinking about getting one, but it is interesting.
 
Fighting phoenix said:
Well, I've switched to it and now 3-4 months later I'm still a pretty big fan. We're always asking for less dampening tech, and this has delivered in that regard. Great maneuverability, stability, slightly more power than a blade and generally does everything a little bit better. Caveat is that you're right in that stiffer strings feel very jarring, but softer polys are a great fit.

I also agree that the PA98 is an amazing performer, but I find the launch angle to be higher than I like (I have no trouble generating my own spin) and the feel is uninspiring...to me, the 305S is just more fun to play with and a minor/negligible difference from a performance perspective.
Click to expand...

I'm not dissing the playability of the frame as to me it's on par with a lot of the really good 98's like EZ98, Blade 98, Extreme Pro, etc. and when you group all the really good frames it becomes a matter of personal preference. I just can't get over how stiff and unforgiving it is. It's for a select audience whose arm can handle it over prolonged usage. I'm using two 25PD's as my regular frames at the moment so it's not like my arm is noodle soft but man I got some pretty bad wrist and elbow pain from using the 305S (I even put in Cyclone Tour 17G) and I just couldn't responsibly recommend this frame to regular folks and I think the influencers need to do a better job explaining that when calling a racquet S Tier as comfort matters a lot.
 
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When you don't hit with the Origin consistently, it becomes quite the log to wield. Luckily I had the BAP (de-leaded) to get the arm moving again. If anyone feels like swapping a Pure Aero 98 in L3 for an Origin, let me know.

I'm solidly in the phase of my racket cycle where I'm heading back towards "I need a modern pleener, quit thinking you can hit with [insert less popular frame]"
 
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