Flexi + Tight Pattern in the Centre

TennisTechie

New User
Hi Everyone!

I love the tight 18x20 pattern of my Head Speed XT Pro but the stiffness is not arm friendly. I am looking for a more flexible arm friendly racquet with a similar dense pattern.

Mains density around the centre is my concern so wouldnt mind 16x19 as long as the mains are tighter around the centre...for example the 18x20 Prince 100P is nowhere near as dense as the Speed Pro, with the mains spaced like a typical 16x19 in the 100P

Anyone know whether the Babolat Pure Control 95 18x20 has a dense main pattern around the centre?

Also tried the Speed Touch Pro but although it is listed as 63RA, it seems to play stiffer?

Thank you!!
 

CopolyX

Hall of Fame
what are you using for a (xt) string setup?
what was the string setup int the speed touch pro?
Remember, stiffness is not just one element...

but yes there a good amount of low flex players sticks with either a 18 x 20 or a 16 x19 ..
if you want to go this route, I suggest demo-ing
 

moon shot

Hall of Fame
Babolat pure control 95 (18x20)

7sdMKj7.jpg


Y6zNaxK.jpg
 

moon shot

Hall of Fame
I haven’t seen these in person but it looks to me the biggest difference in these is the spacing of the crosses. I would think the babolat stringbed will feel firmer at the same setup for that.
 
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moon shot

Hall of Fame
Ok, here we go again.

disclaimer: these are images I found on the internet and scaled to be the same height. If someone has these frames they can verify if this looks correct.

It appears the outer mains are roughly the same width but the pure control has a more open center and even spacing. The Speed gains head size mostly in width due to the narrow head shape of the Pure Control. The crosses of the Control are a bit more dense than the Speed in the middle of the frame.

ha6npjK.jpg
 

mrravioli

Semi-Pro
I had both Graphene Speed Pro and Pure Control 95+. Both are extremely dense in center, with PC95+ maybe a bit more. Both offer good spin though. Speed Pro has the stiffness and super maneuverability. Spin from my PC95 might come from the extra 0.5 inch. It’s also much plusher than Speed Pro but also more demanding.
 

TennisTechie

New User
Thanks everyone for their input, particularly moon shot!

It appears the speed pros are a bit denser in terms of mains in the centre but I cant think of any other racquet that has low RA/arm friendliness with such a dense mains pattern at centre. The pure control 95 is as close as it gets I think.
 

moon shot

Hall of Fame
Thanks everyone for their input, particularly moon shot!

It appears the speed pros are a bit denser in terms of mains in the centre but I cant think of any other racquet that has low RA/arm friendliness with such a dense mains pattern at centre. The pure control 95 is as close as it gets I think.

The comparo above has a few ways it could be incorrect, I would trust someone with eyes on the frame over that.

In the same category as the pure control would be the Pro Tour / Radical Tour / Prestige MP & I.Radical to IG Radical MP. Though they were marketed as 98 they are really 95. The Ultra Tour, Angell TC97, and Sirxion CX 2.0 Tour are also worth a look from what I’ve read. While their head sizes are different the density is similar, just with different amounts of string outside the woven pattern.
 

TennisTechie

New User
Thanks again! The Head racquets generally have higher RAs and the more recent Graphene XT and Touch lines seem to play stiffer then the specified RA as well?

The Ultra Tours' specs sound pretty close to what I'm after also but the vibration frequency is 144 which suggests it might not be as arm friendly (the Pure Control is 130)? Though the TW playtesters gave very high marks for comfort.
 

moon shot

Hall of Fame
I’m biased as I play the Ultra Tour, but I find it to be very forgiving, expecially leaded up. It was over a year ago but when I demoed the Pure Control it didn’t feel nearly as soft as I would have expected with multi. I haven’t liked the graphene frames but really I would say demo and compare.

Some lower frequencies feel twangy to me while most babolat feel reminiscent of striking a galvanized fence pole. I consider the vibration frequency like a flavor, most people have a range they prefer and that differs from person to person.

I’m a recreational player so my assessment of the pure control may not be the best, but the rest of the frames I mentioned are well regarded by others around here.
 

skuludo

Professional
I can think of two rackets that is as dense or denser than the Head Speed XT Pro. They are the Wilson Pro Staff ROK 93 18x20 and the Pro Kennex Micro Mid 95 with a 22x30 pattern.
 
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