Did you buy a new racquet in 2021!

[Sean Sullivan]

It's been a great year.

I acquired quite a few racquets... they just might not be 2021 releases. I got the G360+ Speed Pro, Gravity Pro, Prestige MP, Extreme Tour, Yonex VCP 97HD, VC95 (2018), Dunlop SX 300 Tour, Wilson Blade Pro 16x19, Ultra Pro 16x19, and Prince Phantom 97P.

I also bought a ton of strings, and a Gamma Progression II 602 FC Pro Drop Weight Stringing Machine (which I'm ecstatic about).

I feel tired just writing it down.

That Gamma Drop Weight is a great machine. You might lose a little time compared to the electronic/lock out machines, but having the ability to allow each string to stretch for a few seconds under the constant pull of the drop weight takes care of pre-stretching and makes each job as accurate as you are.

 

[beltsman]

I bought just one racquet in 2021, a new black Speed MP.

 

[A_Instead]

I bought the new VCore Pro 100 and V8 Blade..
Both Great..both very similar.. Vcore Pro 100 just provides a little more margin and a tad more pop..
I can use either interchangeable once I built up the Yonex grip butt..

 

[Crashbaby]

Are the Regnas worth the cost? Do they Play 50 to 75 percent better than rackets cisting that percentage less?
Or is it more of a Prestige /status thing to own a few?

If you are a dedicated YY fan, then yes they are a must have.
No, they don’t play 50 percent better, but do have fantastic feel and are not muted like the the entire current yonex range.
The paint for me is absolutely incredible, it’s Matt black and in some areas it’s translucent so you can the see the carbon weave underneath.
Yes, there is some prestige, but I wouldn’t have bought them if they were not on sale at the time, 30 percent off. I had wanted one for about 2 years and only pulled the trigger when the sale came up. An Ezone 98 has the performance or even more, but not the feel.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

C’mon what’s just 1 more!! Haha

You devil you... stop it!

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

That Gamma Drop Weight is a great machine. You might lose a little time compared to the electronic/lock out machines, but having the ability to allow each string to stretch for a few seconds under the constant pull of the drop weight takes care of pre-stretching and makes each job as accurate as you are.

I agree, however, I might be doing a lot of pre-stretching unintentionally, as I'm making sure the weight is parallel to the ground. Some of my string jobs are feeling distinctly firm even at 46 lbs (that was with my VC95). I think I'm taking out much of the stretch from the polys. As long as I stay consistent on this front, I will find my way and my personal tension settings that work for me on my machine.

 

[the_ghost]

2 x Prince Phantom 93P which are my daily drivers for the past 6 months and a Head Prestige Mid because the price was good.

I previously played with the LM Radical but didn't want to keep hunting for them.

 

[beltsman]

I would buy more but prices are too high

 

[JustTennis76]

I bought a couple of graphene 360+ prestige mp rackets at the discounted price of $159 a piece. I normally don't buy anything new but the reviews about the feel of the frame, thin 20 mm beam and a true 98 head size was very intriguing to me. So far played couple of sessions and liking it but it could be just the honeymoon period. If that changes, watch out the classifieds section.

 

[kevin qmto]

2021 was the first year in over a decade that I bought a brand new off the shelf racket. Picked up the Prince Pinnacle.

 

[abhi_trip]

Did anyone buy a Prince this year, and in particular a Vortex frame ?

I bought a Synergy 98 this year. An underrated gem of a frame.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

2021 Vcore 95, 2021 Vcore Pro D
Buying a Regna 98 sometime this month.

 

[Crashbaby]

2021 Vcore 95, 2021 Vcore Pro D
Buying a Regna 98 sometime this month.

On clean hitting days, the Regna feels fantastic. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this stick.

 

[10S-Junkie]

2021: Bought a Dunlop CX200 18x20 but found it too unstable/under powered in stock form. Sold it and bought a Prince Phantom 100X 18x20 which was better but couldn't gel with the round head shape. Sold it and bought a Yonex Vcore Pro 97D which I am very happy with and it's now my main stick.

2022: ???

 

[Crocodile]

From what I’m reading here, people have been quite active buying new stuff and there seems to be quite a bit of interest it buying the Reyna. Tennis Only, here in Australia, has them in stock but they are over $500 au which is a bit dear.
Prince also seems to be gathering interest with their frames. The Vortex shape reminds me of the V Engine V 10 catapult they sold here in Australia.

 

[Crocodile]

2021: Bought a Dunlop CX200 18x20 but found it too under powered/unstable stock so sold it and bought a Prince Phantom 100X 18x20 which was better but couldn't gel with the round head shape. Sold it and bought a Yonex Vcore Pro 97D which I am very happy with and it's now my main stick.

2022: ???

You did well!

 

[Crocodile]

I bought NOS Wilson Pro Staff Classic 95 18/20 , 3 in all. Nice rackets.
Also got my hands on some Head MIA rackets and a few nice Dunlop and Slazenger rackets from yesteryear.
Imo, rackets from the past are a way better deal than the mainly Chinese made that this thread maybe wants to promote..pollution issues etc.
The atp pros prolly would agree..
PT57A etc.

Those Dunlop’s and Slazenger’s sound interesting. How far back did you go with your purchase? I used to use the white Jimmy Connors OMS and Phantom Pro and Silhouette models and wth Dunlop mainly the 4D aerogel 200 and biomimetic frames.

 

[Crocodile]

I would buy more but prices are too high

They certainly are and sometimes even the older stuff is more expensive than the new stuff.

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

I bought a vortex 300. It’s amazing. May not be the frame of the year but underrated frame of the year for sure. It’s currently battling the 360+ radical mp for top spot.

Yea I loved demoing this racquet, it especially gives such good feel on spin serves and makes them really easy compared to pretty much any other racquet. Really nice on serve and topspin groundstrokes at the least

 

[tata]

Almost made it through 2021 without buying one but I just ordered an Angell the other night. Custom 97 in 18x20 at 290 unstrung. Strung balance is close to even I'd say. This is my attempt at the holy grail for a light player frame that suits my flatter hitting.

 

[Casper777]

Bought many raquets this year

- Babolat Pure Aero VS (hurt my arm, going to sell those)
- Volkl V Cell 10 300 and 320 grams (love those 2, espetially the 320)
- Volkl V Cell V1 Pro (a lemon with completely off specs, a shame because it's a great frame)
- Volkl C10 Pro (quite difficult to play with but a brutal frame, especially on serves!)
- Wilson Pro Staff v13 (nice one, actually quite easy to play with)
- Yonex VCore Pro 97 (nice but VERY plush and a bit unstable)
- Yonex VCore Pro 97D (should arrive on Friday)

And you know what? with all that I keep coming back to my Yonex Regna 98 loaded with HGS strings

 

[hypervox]

2 x Head radicals sold it after about 3 months
2 wilson blade V7 18x20 sold after 2 months
2x technifibre tfight 305rs that I use
2 x babolat pure strike 98 16x19 still in use

 

[Srik]

Started playing tennis in covid as a recreational player and it turned into an addiction now, with all the technical details that I’m loving about the game and trying to implement on court and it gives great satisfaction.

bought 1) ncode npro open in 2020 after starting with $15 Walmart racquet initially
2) bought 2021 vcore pro 100 and I’m loving this so much

 

[Curtennis]

I definitely went nuts in 2021 with lots of buying, but also lots of trading and selling.

I’ve convinced myself it’s not so bad because I still spent less than putting together a golf bag. $800 for 2 drivers, 1200 for an iron set, 200 for a putter…. After trading and selling I definitely spent less than that so I’m just gonna keep telling myself how frugal I am for playing tennis instead of golf.

I tried a lot but the only “new 2021” model I settled on was a Vcore 95 (2 purchased used, 1 on a good sale new). I did pick up and hold on to 2 custom RFs and a few Babolat Pure Aeros. I’ve got 3 different racquets to chose from now depending on the situation.

the goal is ZERO new racquets in 2022. I might have to block this site from my devices.

 

[abarth20]

MY 2021 list
- 360+ Speed MP - To much swingweight, tad mushy
- 360+ Radical MP - Superior feel, Solid , needs more power
- 360+ Prestige S - Unstable without lead.
- Nova FS - Extreme feel, launchy stringbed
- Phantom 290x - Rubbish

 

[Sean Sullivan]

I agree, however, I might be doing a lot of pre-stretching unintentionally, as I'm making sure the weight is parallel to the ground. Some of my string jobs are feeling distinctly firm even at 46 lbs (that was with my VC95). I think I'm taking out much of the stretch from the polys. As long as I stay consistent on this front, I will find my way and my personal tension settings that work for me on my machine.

Yeah, your jobs are going to come out feeling a bit firmer than when they come off a lockout machine that stops pulling the moment it applies the full weight. But I see that as a perk of drop weight/constant pull machines - the accuracy of knowing you removed the variability of the string's individual stretch characteristics. With a typical poly, I stop the bar at about 15-20 degrees and it will usually stretch to hold at parallel over the next few secs. Nylon has a lot more stretch.

On topic - I picked up a pair of old model Gravity Tours in 2021 for $129/ea

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

On clean hitting days, the Regna feels fantastic. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this stick.

Nice! I play so often I only have clean hitting days, really, so this might be a great experience.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

From what I’m reading here, people have been quite active buying new stuff and there seems to be quite a bit of interest it buying the Reyna. Tennis Only, here in Australia, has them in stock but they are over $500 au which is a bit dear.
Prince also seems to be gathering interest with their frames. The Vortex shape reminds me of the V Engine V 10 catapult they sold here in Australia.

Yes, I might be buying from them, maybe some Aussie magic will come with it, I love Australia so if I do that I can enjoy thinking about my times there while playing, bonus!

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Bought many raquets this year

- Babolat Pure Aero VS (hurt my arm, going to sell those)
- Volkl V Cell 10 300 and 320 grams (love those 2, espetially the 320)
- Volkl V Cell V1 Pro (a lemon with completely off specs, a shame because it's a great frame)
- Volkl C10 Pro (quite difficult to play with but a brutal frame, especially on serves!)
- Wilson Pro Staff v13 (nice one, actually quite easy to play with)
- Yonex VCore Pro 97 (nice but VERY plush and a bit unstable)
- Yonex VCore Pro 97D (should arrive on Friday)

And you know what? with all that I keep coming back to my Yonex Regna 98 loaded with HGS strings

Hey, let me know what you think about the D, I'm using it now and going to buy a Regna 98 as I mentioned. One tip, if you use poly in the D, go under 50 lbs, there's long discussions about this in the HD thread and I think the D has the same string characteristics as the HD.

 

[jonestim]

In the last 10 years I have purchased 50+ racquets - although mostly used, and I have re-sold about 35 of them.

2021 was the first year I bought no new racquets. I finally settled on a setup and am happy with it.

 

[DJTaurus]

2 x Head radicals sold it after about 3 months
2 wilson blade V7 18x20 sold after 2 months
2x technifibre tfight 305rs that I use
2 x babolat pure strike 98 16x19 still in use

RS or Strike and why ?

 

[Crocodile]

In the last 10 years I have purchased 50+ racquets - although mostly used, and I have re-sold about 35 of them.

2021 was the first year I bought no new racquets. I finally settled on a setup and am happy with it.

Wow, that’s discipline and contentment there to make the change. Your collection must be fantastic, I should have kept mind and I sold my collection cheap compared to what’s happening now, I guess yesterday’s value is what it is.

 

[Crocodile]

Did anyone buy a Pacific racquet in 2021 or something different like like a Furi, Kneissl or a Bolt, or Zus

 

[ankernike]

I purchased a few racquets this year. I like to purchase in pairs so I can try out different string setups.

3x Prince Phantom 100X 305
2x Diadem Nova FS
2x Diadem Elevate FS
2x 2021 Yonex VCore 95
2x 2021 Yonex VCore Pro 97 310
2x 2021 Head Radical MP

Not a racquet, but my favorite purchase of the year... Tourna ES-700.

Is there anything you dislike about the tourna machine? I’m in the market for a new one (switching from a neos 1000). The clamps look really solid and I like the idea of a push down clamp.

 

[Puyo]

2xWilson 104 V8

 

[hypervox]

RS or Strike and why ?

Currently using the pure strike more. The rs is great but I struggle with the swing weight after 2 sets

 

[CosmosMpower]

Yes Wilson Clash 100 Pro LE, Blade V8 18x20, White/Black G360+ Speed Pro, G360+ Radical Pro, Green VCP 97 310 brand new, bought lots of used frames as well.

 

[CosmosMpower]

As far as very late releases Tecnifibre is meant to release the update to the TF 40 but looks like we may not see it until January 22. It’s a very good frame and high quality construction.
A new E Zone is also around the corner.

I wonder if that's why the current TF40 is on sale. Any idea what they will change on the new one?

 

[EggSalad]

I got back into playing this summer after a very long breaks. I first bought a couple of the black 360+ Speed MPs. They were excellent racquets to get my back into playing. But the more I played and my game came back, I was itching for a frame more similar to what I used to play with. Thin beam, control oriented, heavy, flexible. And I found that in the Gravity Pro. I absolutely love these racquets. It’s like all the old school stuff I like with a modern twist and 100sq inch head.

Now I just need to get my strings dialed in and 2022 should be a really fun year for tennis.

 

[SlvrDragon50]

Impulse bought a Prince Twistpower 97 Tour and 93P in the sale.

 

[Crocodile]

I wonder if that's why the current TF40 is on sale. Any idea what they will change on the new one?

Possible string pattern options and marketing push on existing technologies to highlight the advantages that they already have.

 

[Sweatii_yetii]

I definitely went nuts in 2021 with lots of buying, but also lots of trading and selling.

I’ve convinced myself it’s not so bad because I still spent less than putting together a golf bag. $800 for 2 drivers, 1200 for an iron set, 200 for a putter…. After trading and selling I definitely spent less than that so I’m just gonna keep telling myself how frugal I am for playing tennis instead of golf.

I tried a lot but the only “new 2021” model I settled on was a Vcore 95 (2 purchased used, 1 on a good sale new). I did pick up and hold on to 2 custom RFs and a few Babolat Pure Aeros. I’ve got 3 different racquets to chose from now depending on the situation.

the goal is ZERO new racquets in 2022. I might have to block this site from my devices.

This site has definitely accelerated the spending habits on tennis gear lol.

 

[Strayfire]

Let's see:
- 1 TC97 320g - wow what a short playing period with it. Couldn't deal with it and now it lives in my closet!
- 1 Vcore Pro HD - brings my total to 3 of them...

But now I have my eye on getting a set of TF Igas! Hahaha

That and I dropped $860 on a Spinfire Flame dropweight machine. Still haven't managed to do a full restring on it but I'm getting there.

 

[Sweatii_yetii]

do you guys tend to lean towards brand new rackets or try and score a deal on used frames?

Typically if I’m curious about a frame I’ll try and pick up a used one and if I don’t like it I can re sell for the smallest loss possible unless it’s a familiar line that I’ve used before like the prestige or speed where I will just impulse buy a new one.

This year I tried my first Yonex frame which was the vcore pro 97. Really enjoy just how easy it is to swing. Feels effortless.

racket I was most disappointed with was the pro staff 97 bought it simply because I liked the specs and it looked sexy lol. Glad I bought it before the price increase since I was able to recoup the majority of my money.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Nope. No racket purchase since 2020. I've got a whole cadre of frames I like so I've got bases covered. Spending more trying different string setups than spending on frames.

 

[zaskar1]

Well it’s almost the end of 2021 and I have to say it’s been a tough year. The price of new racquets have certainly got expensive to buy. $259 US plus stringing and shipping plus exchange rate for some is getting up there for a Head Prestige Pro just recently released.
Anyway, just wondering if any of you switched to a new 2021 model? Which one did you buy? Perhaps you bought one of the new Blades or Yonex V Core Pros for example, or something else.
Did any of the new releases this year that you tried or demoed stood out as candidate for the best racquet release of the year?

crocodile
i did a racquet switch for the 1st time in 5 yrs. formerly played with PS97s, three generations, normal wear and tear
was ready to go with the PS97 v13.
i aquired the Blade 98 18x20s v7, i liked them a lot. was ready to get a few more, but
then i got some Blade Pro 98 18x20 v7s
i found the Blade Pros play different even with the same strings and tension
the BPs seem to be easier to swing and to get effective shots, i have to swing through more.
i might try the BP 18x20 v8 in the near future, but i would rather spend time playing and practicing rather than messing around with
racquet customization and changing out strings, as it takes me a few weeks to get them to feel right
the racquet affects your game 10-20%, the rest is up to you.
just my opinion
z

 

[Curtennis]

crocodile
i did a racquet switch for the 1st time in 5 yrs. formerly played with PS97s, three generations, normal wear and tear
was ready to go with the PS97 v13.
i aquired the Blade 98 18x20s v7, i liked them a lot. was ready to get a few more, but
then i got some Blade Pro 98 18x20 v7s
i found the Blade Pros play different even with the same strings and tension
the BPs seem to be easier to swing and to get effective shots, i have to swing through more.
i might try the BP 18x20 v8 in the near future, but i would rather spend time playing and practicing rather than messing around with
racquet customization and changing out strings, as it takes me a few weeks to get them to feel right
the racquet affects your game 10-20%, the rest is up to you.
just my opinion
z

Blade pro V7 and pro V8 should be identical. It’s all supposed to be the pro stock H22 mold I think.

 

[chagazzo]

I finally broke away from the Head Radicals and went back to a Wilson Pro Staff. They feel like butter, like always. I ended up buying 3 PS 97's and ended up buying my son 3 PS 97L's as well. We also share the the black 15-pack bag as well. I love the gear we have!

 

[Sardines]

No. But I also found that old stock racquets have selling for higher than MAP now because of the new racquets, which is so sad! Good thing I stocked up on my frames to last me 5 years at least.

 

[Schmetterball]

Bought a new Speed MP Black in April, sold it together with my white Speed MPs in September, felt too sluggish sometimes.

Bought 2 barely used Ezone 98 2020 as a replacement and have been using them since with good success.

As an impulse buy I also got 2 new Prince TXT 290 since I’m a big fan of the twaron feeling. If they play close to the 310/305 versions in a more maneuverable package I guess I will enjoy playing with them. My plan is to make a commitment by spring.