Bought the ProKennex Q Tour 315 (2019 version) at half price. I have heard so many good things about this racket that I couldn't resist. It feels like a cousin of the Wilson pro staff although I haven't played long enough; My brother fell in love with it so madly that I gave it to him.
Did you buy a new racquet in 2021!
- Thread starter Crocodile
- Start date
basil J
Hall of Fame
Been using Becker Melbournes for the last 10 years, tried a few this year as a replacement as they are getting tired. I purchased so I could take my time trying them out. I was Looking a little less static weight and more power with a decent swing weight:
- Yonex 97HD. Too low powered for me. Sold it
- Volkl c 10 pro. Excellent frame, just a tad too heavy. I bought two. Sold one, still have on the FS boards.
- Becker Melbourne. new Old stock, Got it from a shop in Australia on the auction site. I use it only in doubles for now, so I can save it.
- Wilson Blade V7 18 x 20. Sold it. Too muted and low powered for what I was looking for.
- Prince TT100P. added weigh at 3:00 & 9:00, using it with Technifibre NGR ( I usually only use gut). So far enjoying it and liking it more every time I hit with it. this frame plays very similarly to my Beckers, except it is easier to swing and I get a bit more easy power on my serves with it.
- Also demoed babolat pure strike 16 x 19 and 18 x 20. Liked both of them and if it doesn't work with the Prince, may revisit these. I found them a tad stiff and muted, but had power than the Blade.
- My Beckers weigh in at 12.6 strung with over grip and head tape. My princes are at 12.0 even with same set up. Not a huge difference, but because the Prince is stiffer, and it feels like it comes around easier and faster and I don't have to work as hard as I do with the Melbournes.
I've been bored due to COVID and experimenting with new racquets after returning to tennis, so I went a bit crazy this year.
Have bought:
1) ProKennex Q Tour 325 (2019) x2
2) Angell ASL2
3) Diadem Elevate Tour
4) Angell TC95 16x19
5) Angell TC97 16x19
Also got these for my birthday and anniversary from my gf:
1) Head Pro Tour 2.0 (x2)
2) Prince Phantom 97p
Haven't played with the Angell TCs yet but otherwise liked all the frames to varying degrees except the Diadem.
Have sold the Diadem, ProKennex and Head Pro Tour 2.0s. Now trying to focus in on my favourite racquet as I'm playing more seriously and don't want to be disrupting myself. My go-to racquet atm is the 97p, but don't think it's ideal for my serve.
The only ones I'm still interested in are the Pure Strike Tour and the Dunlop CX Tour 16x19, which I had 2 fun demos with.
Have bought:
1) ProKennex Q Tour 325 (2019) x2
2) Angell ASL2
3) Diadem Elevate Tour
4) Angell TC95 16x19
5) Angell TC97 16x19
Also got these for my birthday and anniversary from my gf:
1) Head Pro Tour 2.0 (x2)
2) Prince Phantom 97p
Haven't played with the Angell TCs yet but otherwise liked all the frames to varying degrees except the Diadem.
Have sold the Diadem, ProKennex and Head Pro Tour 2.0s. Now trying to focus in on my favourite racquet as I'm playing more seriously and don't want to be disrupting myself. My go-to racquet atm is the 97p, but don't think it's ideal for my serve.
The only ones I'm still interested in are the Pure Strike Tour and the Dunlop CX Tour 16x19, which I had 2 fun demos with.
I bought 2 Artengo TR 500s because I wanted a racquet that had the feel of wood. They are very stiff but also seem to compress upon impact like old wood racquets did. One is oversize and one is 102 sq. inches. I like them both - they are surprisingly stable and comfortable. The oversize is very powerful but does not seem to be available anymore; good for flat or topspin but not slice shots. The 102 sq. inch has much more control and is excellent for my moderate topspin shots.
Artengo are decent racquets.
i was surprised with the TR960 18m, so much so i bought another one, so i can rock two with the UT (of the same modded spec)
smalahove
Hall of Fame
12 rackets so far, one for each month 
(not really)
I'm aiming for the baker's dozen!
I was looking at the TF40 (which I've owned previously), but the thinner beam and 16x19 pattern of the new version intrigues me.
I am also considering the CX 200 Tour 16x19, but since I sold the VC95 because it lacks that extra, much needed forgiveness, I'm not so sure.
And lastly, I like the Boom MP proto, so I'm prob buying the Boom Pro.
(not really)I'm aiming for the baker's dozen!
- 3 x Yonex VCore 95 (2021)
- 2 x Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP (bought s/h)
- Tecnifibre T-Rebound 298 Iga
- Head Graphene 360+ Radical MP
- Head Graphene 360+ Extreme Tour
- Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro
- Yonex VCORE Pro 100 (emerald)
- Yonex VCORE Pro 97 (310g, emerald)
- Head Graphene 360+ Gravity Pro
I was looking at the TF40 (which I've owned previously), but the thinner beam and 16x19 pattern of the new version intrigues me.
I am also considering the CX 200 Tour 16x19, but since I sold the VC95 because it lacks that extra, much needed forgiveness, I'm not so sure.
And lastly, I like the Boom MP proto, so I'm prob buying the Boom Pro.
LiamMiguel
Semi-Pro
Bought 4 of the Blade Pro v8 through my school. Easily the best racket I have ever played with.
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jonestim
Hall of Fame
Was. Was fantastic.
Probably 3-4 St Vincent Pro Staffs, and the only one left is signed by Jim Courier and I believe a personal racquet of his. Pro Staff 6.0 95 and 6.1 95s. N90
Multiple ProTour 280s, Radical Tour MP and OS, Prestige MP, Ti Radical.
Babolat APD+, Pure Aero, Pure Drive Plus, Pure Drive Tour, Pure Strike 98
I was/am big into Prince. I've sold about half my POG OS and MP collection - and have 4 more to go. Had EXO3 Tours in both string patterns, Diablo Mids (wonderful frame), Classic Graphite 100 and 100 LB, Warrior 100s and 107, EXO3 White, 8-10 other classic ones. Textreme Tour 100Ps, 95, the 100 16x18. Magnesium 90 and 110.
Some Volkl V1 Pros, Pro Kennex 5g and 7g.
Dunlop 200g, Head Vilas
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Legend
Which one? 98 headsize or 104? 16x19 string pattern or 18x20?
lelopez
Semi-Pro
Picked up a Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Mid to go with my Graphene Touch Prestige Mids. The $119 price is way too good, plus I had other discounts that really made it $90.
I've made the commitment to lock all my k90's in a storage cabinet and throw away the key to have a lengthy transition period to the Prestige. If there is still stock and the price is right I may pick up another 360+ mid.
2022 will be for the optimum string search for me and this racquet.
I've made the commitment to lock all my k90's in a storage cabinet and throw away the key to have a lengthy transition period to the Prestige. If there is still stock and the price is right I may pick up another 360+ mid.
2022 will be for the optimum string search for me and this racquet.
Crocodile
G.O.A.T.
Are some unused, sort of new old stock still with the header cards and plastic on the handle or have you hit with most of them?
what I tend to do is buy 2 of things, one to keep and one to play with. I did sell most of my frames before they went up in price, all for a good cause may I add, but still like the idea of having frames to compare etc.
I like to collect new old stock in preference to used.
Crocodile
G.O.A.T.
I wonder when the next break through period will arrive where the new real technology is such that many will upgrade because of some major benefit. We had that with the wood/aluminium to graphite switch, the standard to midsize and mid plus evolution and then the widebody revolution.
At present we have next generation graphite and comfort technology ideas but the bigger thing at the moment is probably the strings. In particular some brands are trying to give you some of the polyester experience with multi filament comfort such as the Tecnifibre Triax string.
If I had to pick a trend for 2021 for some of the brands it has been the prevalence of frames having higher swing weights such as the new releases from Yonex and Pro Kennex. The exception is the new Wilson Blades. The other trend which started last year was developing a frame with Babolat Pure drive power but trying to achieve that with greater comfort. The Head Boom is such a racquet and last years Clash frames did that as well. One other trend is the custom trend and some newer start up brands.
What are people’s views on this?
At present we have next generation graphite and comfort technology ideas but the bigger thing at the moment is probably the strings. In particular some brands are trying to give you some of the polyester experience with multi filament comfort such as the Tecnifibre Triax string.
If I had to pick a trend for 2021 for some of the brands it has been the prevalence of frames having higher swing weights such as the new releases from Yonex and Pro Kennex. The exception is the new Wilson Blades. The other trend which started last year was developing a frame with Babolat Pure drive power but trying to achieve that with greater comfort. The Head Boom is such a racquet and last years Clash frames did that as well. One other trend is the custom trend and some newer start up brands.
What are people’s views on this?
jonestim
Hall of Fame
I played with all of them. The only vintage NOS one I picked up was a Prince Graphite Pro 90 - the gold/white striped one without the crossbar and a stiffness somewhere in the 50s. I took the plastic off and hit with it. Buttery. Best touch volleys of my life.
The only one I haven't hit with is the Jim Courier signed one. I have hit other St Vincents, although this one is a bit heavier and seems to be customized to his specs with his his string in it.
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Do tell about other discounts I’d pick one up for 90!
Notorious_Junkballer
Hall of Fame
I bought too many, again, none of which have turned into a regular match play option. When push comes to shove, I'm back to my CX 200 Tour 18x20.
ct
thats good to know, if i pick up another Blade Pro 18x20 i will definitely consider the v8 even though the specs for SW
are different. i usually add a lot of lead so i will just add enough to tweak the SW and balance.
z
lelopez
Semi-Pro
It was an extra discount code the Capital One shopping add on (it's kind of genius!) found and applied. I just checked again and that code is no longer valid. But even at $119, it is a great price.
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LiamMiguel
Semi-Pro
98 16x19
2020 Babolat Pure Strike Gen 3 18x20 - a bit demanding, did not enjoy the balance for my OHBH, too stiff (elbow did not enjoy it)
2019 Tecnifibre TF40 305 - great racquet, not a fit for OHBH due to balance/materials in head. Loved the foam feel.
2018 Yonex Vcore Pro 97 310 - felt great, played well but could not put away a ball, no power and insufficient stability. Super comfortable.
2021 Head 360+ Radical Pro - great on rallies, too demanding for my skill level on points, okay feel, great control and plow. Dense 16x19, good control, good slicing. No issues with comfort.
2021 Yonex Vcore 98 - played great, spin/power/control, okay on slices, no feel, could not tell how I hit the ball. No issues with comfort.
2020 Tecnifibre RS 305 - amazing racquet during rallies, serves, and forehands when I am on time. Too demanding for points with the hefty SW, hard for my OHBH to get around on time. The heavy SW also taxed my wrist on serves, though my elbow felt great due to the foam.
2021 Head 360+ Extreme Tour Nite - KEEPER, amazing feel, good enough power and spin, great whip on groundstrokes. The lower SW also helping with point play. Dense 16x19 that sliced very well. No comfort issues even though the feel is raw. Awesome paintjob.
2020 Babolat Pure Aero VS - I thought this was a keeper until my elbow started protesting. I hit my best forehands and perhaps serves with this racquet, OHBH was okay but required more of a topspin wiper motion. So much spin. Pattern says 16x20 but the strings are spread so wide that it is looser pattern than my Extreme Tour, with strings where one would never hit the ball. However, I could not slice well with the racquet and the feel was okay at best, felt & sounded hollow.
2020 Tecnifibre RS 300 - Potential KEEPER, good feel, power, spin, whip. Does everything well and I love the foam filling. The feel is good but totally different to my ET. Average spacing 16x19 but some how slices well. Foam makes it very comfortable.
Everything was strung with some sort of shaped poly in high 40s. Half of the racquets were purchased used, and excess racquets were sold off.
2019 Tecnifibre TF40 305 - great racquet, not a fit for OHBH due to balance/materials in head. Loved the foam feel.
2018 Yonex Vcore Pro 97 310 - felt great, played well but could not put away a ball, no power and insufficient stability. Super comfortable.
2021 Head 360+ Radical Pro - great on rallies, too demanding for my skill level on points, okay feel, great control and plow. Dense 16x19, good control, good slicing. No issues with comfort.
2021 Yonex Vcore 98 - played great, spin/power/control, okay on slices, no feel, could not tell how I hit the ball. No issues with comfort.
2020 Tecnifibre RS 305 - amazing racquet during rallies, serves, and forehands when I am on time. Too demanding for points with the hefty SW, hard for my OHBH to get around on time. The heavy SW also taxed my wrist on serves, though my elbow felt great due to the foam.
2021 Head 360+ Extreme Tour Nite - KEEPER, amazing feel, good enough power and spin, great whip on groundstrokes. The lower SW also helping with point play. Dense 16x19 that sliced very well. No comfort issues even though the feel is raw. Awesome paintjob.
2020 Babolat Pure Aero VS - I thought this was a keeper until my elbow started protesting. I hit my best forehands and perhaps serves with this racquet, OHBH was okay but required more of a topspin wiper motion. So much spin. Pattern says 16x20 but the strings are spread so wide that it is looser pattern than my Extreme Tour, with strings where one would never hit the ball. However, I could not slice well with the racquet and the feel was okay at best, felt & sounded hollow.
2020 Tecnifibre RS 300 - Potential KEEPER, good feel, power, spin, whip. Does everything well and I love the foam filling. The feel is good but totally different to my ET. Average spacing 16x19 but some how slices well. Foam makes it very comfortable.
Everything was strung with some sort of shaped poly in high 40s. Half of the racquets were purchased used, and excess racquets were sold off.
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Permitlady
Professional
Songs For A Dead Pilot
Semi-Pro
- 2019 Tecnifibre TF40 305 – Why you didn't like it for OHBH? I also play OHB and use TGT293.2 on daily basis, but found Tf40 to be a real 98" Head Radical I hoped for. Especially curious about materials in the head – you meant it is too stiff?
- 2020 Tecnifibre RS 305 – Is this one much stiffer than Tf40? What about the feel in comparison to it?
- 2020 Tecnifibre RS 300 – How different is this one to RS300? How about control of RS300/305 vs Tf40?
THANKS!
ChanterRacquet
Professional
Phantom 100P - too heavy with sw = 330 (naively thought TW spec for my PStrike 3gen 18m was representative of mine; nope! sw = 325, not 334) so first attempt at flexier, lower sw was a bust
Dunlop CX 200 OS - MY racquet (1st bought barely used, liked it so much I bought a 2nd new)
Prestige S 360+ - NICE and just a tad easier to swing than the CX OS, I use this if I’m on my 3rd day in a row of heavy playing
Speed MP 360+ - Laver Cup paint on Black Friday sale (so glad came 4 g underspec and sw = 321 instead of TW’s 328) how did I dismiss this racquet 1.5 years ago? 5 sw pts higher than my CX OS so just a tad more tiring, but holy crap it plays so well and solid. Picked up a used 360 a few weeks earlier but that came in way under spec at sw=306 so easy to use but lacks a little “plow”, same issue with Phantom 100X 290 with sw=310.
That doesn’t include the 12 +/- slightly older frames I picked up just to see how they played.
But I’m pretty well set with my 4 red racquets: CX OS, Prestige S, and Speed MP.
Dunlop CX 200 OS - MY racquet (1st bought barely used, liked it so much I bought a 2nd new)
Prestige S 360+ - NICE and just a tad easier to swing than the CX OS, I use this if I’m on my 3rd day in a row of heavy playing
Speed MP 360+ - Laver Cup paint on Black Friday sale (so glad came 4 g underspec and sw = 321 instead of TW’s 328) how did I dismiss this racquet 1.5 years ago? 5 sw pts higher than my CX OS so just a tad more tiring, but holy crap it plays so well and solid. Picked up a used 360 a few weeks earlier but that came in way under spec at sw=306 so easy to use but lacks a little “plow”, same issue with Phantom 100X 290 with sw=310.
That doesn’t include the 12 +/- slightly older frames I picked up just to see how they played.
But I’m pretty well set with my 4 red racquets: CX OS, Prestige S, and Speed MP.
TF40 - it was a bit head heavy. Even with adding a leather grip I could not get the balance to where I felt like I was hitting well with it. As you could tell from the rest of my racquets, I really favor HL for OHBH. RS 305 is also HH but its weight distribution allows for a OHBH much better, it could also be the case that I had a better backhand when I tried the RS 305.
RS 305 - did not feel stiffer. I did not own TF40 and RS 305 at the same time but the RS 305 along with RS 300 felt very comfortable. The RS 305 had an amazing 18x19 pattern that I could get great spin, control, and slice on it. It sliced like a 18x20 and spun like a 16x19, amazing pattern, just too demanding for me with its SW. I am not a little guy by any means (6'1, male, 35yo) but SW is not my friend when I want to be maneuverable during points.
TF40 had the best control out of the three
RS 300 has the best spin
RS 305 was the best for spin and control because you could almost achieve 18x20 control and 16x19 spin with its pattern. Honestly, it is the racquet I wish I could handle (or my wrist could for kick serves).
GummiiBear
Semi-Pro
Last year I bought 1 racquet, my G360+ Speed Pro. It got shelved once I realized a couple months ago that I hadn't hit with it in months.
... This year? Too many (for my budget). [I blame these forums! I jest, I jest.]
My stringer is going to let me try out the new Auxetic Prestige Pro for free, just to check it out, and I'm hoping it won't WOW me. But I'd like my curiosity satiated. Another stick that may pique my curiosity is the Babolat Pure Strike VS next year, only because it would be amazing if a newer model ends up similar to my Pure Control Team ('03). I love a 16x20 pattern. But I doubt I'll buy it. Though fingers crossed - since my roommate (hitting partner) likes my PCT (it resides in his bag), if the upcoming VS ends up feeling like what I'd hope, it'd be cool if he ends up buying it and I get to hit with it every now and then for fun.
I'd say I'm... ~85%+ confident I won't buy any racquets next year. Nor the year after that. Possibly not the year after after that. I tried the 97D, which cemented my 97HD as the racquet I consider "mine". As in, if asked what my racquet is, it's the only one I mention. When I think of my racquet history it starts with my first adult Volkl racquet I got when I was like 12 (Hot Spot 5 'Titanium'), then my Pure Control Team, long absence..., then my Speed Pro, and now my 97HD. I predict 2-5 years before possibly my next.
[I apologize for my tendency to write unnecessarily verbose posts, aha. I'm trying to learn to cull some text.]
... This year? Too many (for my budget). [I blame these forums! I jest, I jest.]
- Yonex VCP 97HD - I consider this "my" racquet (i.e., my main); it's what I use during matches, and I've got 10x-20x more hours with it over others. I found it 'difficult' to use, especially in the initial months ("Why did I choose to make things more difficult for myself?") but I knew the work with it would pay off. Definitely has.
- Pro Staff RF97 v13 (Custom, Gloss) - I really like this one, but I know it's too heavy for me. I thought it was stiff and caused shoulder soreness but since I dropped up the tension of the crosses, that ceased to be the case. It's nice for shadow swings. Tried it with my coach a couple times; hit some of my best groundstrokes, serves, volleys with it, at least according to him. Tested my endurance with it recently - I can go ~2 hours with it before pooping out.
- G360+ Prestige MP x2 - I only have one strung up. I got 'em because I had the sense it was like a near never encountered fits-like-a-glove racquet. Last year when I got my Speed Pro and this year demoing racquets in the lead up to my VCP 97HD decision, ..., both times I was 90% certain I'd choose this one up until like a week prior to my final decision(s). Since it happened twice and I got a good deal on them, I don't know. This purchase feels the most superfluous.
- Yonex VCP 97HD #2 - Waited for my baby to go on sale and figured $174 was a good price. I cemented my racquet choice and wanted a backup and/or one I can use for string experimentation. Or to have a wet/cold weather setup backup that I prefer for such conditions.
G360+ Prestige Mid- Somewhat of an impulse purchase (since the new line doesn't include a Mid). I returned it. May re-buy one only if I get rid of one of my MPs.- [Yonex VCP 97HD #3] - This may be my last buy for the year. I'm still on the fence as I don't know how valid of a justification "just in case" is. $174 still sounds nice.
My stringer is going to let me try out the new Auxetic Prestige Pro for free, just to check it out, and I'm hoping it won't WOW me. But I'd like my curiosity satiated. Another stick that may pique my curiosity is the Babolat Pure Strike VS next year, only because it would be amazing if a newer model ends up similar to my Pure Control Team ('03). I love a 16x20 pattern. But I doubt I'll buy it. Though fingers crossed - since my roommate (hitting partner) likes my PCT (it resides in his bag), if the upcoming VS ends up feeling like what I'd hope, it'd be cool if he ends up buying it and I get to hit with it every now and then for fun.
I'd say I'm... ~85%+ confident I won't buy any racquets next year. Nor the year after that. Possibly not the year after after that. I tried the 97D, which cemented my 97HD as the racquet I consider "mine". As in, if asked what my racquet is, it's the only one I mention. When I think of my racquet history it starts with my first adult Volkl racquet I got when I was like 12 (Hot Spot 5 'Titanium'), then my Pure Control Team, long absence..., then my Speed Pro, and now my 97HD. I predict 2-5 years before possibly my next.
[I apologize for my tendency to write unnecessarily verbose posts, aha. I'm trying to learn to cull some text.]
