For a Volkl racket fan, which would you recommend right now?

[Raidy]

I've been out of tennis for a couple of years due to a persistent rotator cuff injury. I'm a pretty typical 4.5 player, although here are some more specifics of my game:

1. I'm a big server and tend to serve and volley quite a bit. I like to rip a relatively flat serve from time to time.

2. I hit a two-handed backhand. I slice a lot.

3. My previous racket was a Dunlop 200 CX, which admittedly I didn't like very much. It felt like there was a large obtrusive tube of rubber or something in the frame to me.

4. I string hybrid with Babolat VS Natural in the mains and Luxilon ALU Power in the crosses.

5. My favorite racket I've ever used was Volkl Organix 7 (yes, a 7) customized to 315G with lead tape at 10 and 2, and a bit under the grip.

I'm looking for something in the 98-100 inch range that will be especially good for S&V. I like a racket with good touch more than anything. If a Volkl racket works I'd really prefer it, but if not, I'm happy to consider any brand really. If anyone has any guidance for me I'd appreciate it. Unfortunately I don't have options to playtest in my area seeing as I live in Japan, where we're currently on lockdown, and my closest shop isn't allowing playtests. I see that Volkl recently came out with new V-Cell 10s, but the V-Cell 9 might be better for me spec wise.

Thanks for any advice .

 

[Shaolin]

c10. Best racquet they make.

 

[Raidy]

c10. Best racquet they make.

Thanks for the input. I was actually looking at the C10 pro and it would be the first time I've used a racket that heavy. I doubt it would be an issue, although I was a bit worried that it might be quite a bit of racket for me to handle.

 

[Casper777]

V Cell 10 320 gr... absolutely great frame! control with some nice pop and super maoeuvrable despite the static weight!

 

[Lavs]

Tour 10 Mid and V1 Classic are best from Völkl

 

[Shaolin]

Thanks for the input. I was actually looking at the C10 pro and it would be the first time I've used a racket that heavy. I doubt it would be an issue, although I was a bit worried that it might be quite a bit of racket for me to handle.

The swingweight is only 330 so it doesn't swing very heavy. Definitely give it a try.

 

[Seth]

Tour 10 Mid and V1 Classic are best from Völkl

V1 Classic in stock form? I’ve always been intrigued but that frame, but have never used it.

 

[Lavs]

Stock it is not playable. It needs leather grip, around 8g @ 3/9 and around 10g @ buttcap. Then it is absolutely brilliant.
The feel is like APD Original - raw and comfy. Very predictable response.

 

[SwingingAway]

I'd be a little weary if you've had a history of rotator cuff injuries and pick up a C10 Pro after a layoff. I love the C10 Pro, but picking one up after a long tennis layoff (a few years) didn't feel great on my shoulder until I got conditioned to it.

For what it's worth - I did switch to a Volkl V8 Pro for about a year and did enjoy that frame a lot. Quite like it on volleys, half volleys and overheads. When it comes to serves, I like it on slice and kick serves, but struggled a little on flat serves (although that's probably more of a user error than racquet issue).

 

[beltsman]

I've been out of tennis for a couple of years due to a persistent rotator cuff injury. I'm a pretty typical 4.5 player, although here are some more specifics of my game:

1. I'm a big server and tend to serve and volley quite a bit. I like to rip a relatively flat serve from time to time.

2. I hit a two-handed backhand. I slice a lot.

3. My previous racket was a Dunlop 200 CX, which admittedly I didn't like very much. It felt like there was a large obtrusive tube of rubber or something in the frame to me.

4. I string hybrid with Babolat VS Natural in the mains and Luxilon ALU Power in the crosses.

5. My favorite racket I've ever used was Volkl Organix 7 (yes, a 7) customized to 315G with lead tape at 10 and 2, and a bit under the grip.

I'm looking for something in the 98-100 inch range that will be especially good for S&V. I like a racket with good touch more than anything. If a Volkl racket works I'd really prefer it, but if not, I'm happy to consider any brand really. If anyone has any guidance for me I'd appreciate it. Unfortunately I don't have options to playtest in my area seeing as I live in Japan, where we're currently on lockdown, and my closest shop isn't allowing playtests. I see that Volkl recently came out with new V-Cell 10s, but the V-Cell 9 might be better for me spec wise.

Thanks for any advice .

Try out the 8 series. I've enjoyed every iteration I've tried.

 

[beepee1972]

Take a look at some of the ProKennex Ki 5 or 10 types, or the Q+ (or even Black Ace) series. I would stick around 300 grams, 98-100 head, and string all multi / syngut, or at least mains. I wouldn't go a lot over 300 grams if you have had shoulder issues. You haven't given us an indication of your age, might be good to know

 

[ae11]

i know you’re looking for 98+ but boris becker london tour is amazing for feel, volleys, slice, and serve. it would need weight, specially at the tip, for baseline plowthrough. i recommend looking at one, they can be found for cheap in good condition from time to time.

 

[morten]

The swingweight is only 330 so it doesn't swing very heavy. Definitely give it a try.

Only 330... Thats not low

 

[Raidy]

I'd be a little weary if you've had a history of rotator cuff injuries and pick up a C10 Pro after a layoff. I love the C10 Pro, but picking one up after a long tennis layoff (a few years) didn't feel great on my shoulder until I got conditioned to it.

For what it's worth - I did switch to a Volkl V8 Pro for about a year and did enjoy that frame a lot. Quite like it on volleys, half volleys and overheads. When it comes to serves, I like it on slice and kick serves, but struggled a little on flat serves (although that's probably more of a user error than racquet issue).

Thanks for that point. Yes, my rotator cuff is in pretty bad shape. I was actually getting an MRI for an entirely different thing and the doctor was like "you do know your rotator cuff is completely busted, right?"

I'm an active weight lifter and it almost never gives me issues on the overhead press or bench. Just ... well, rotating it hurts.

Take a look at some of the ProKennex Ki 5 or 10 types, or the Q+ (or even Black Ace) series. I would stick around 300 grams, 98-100 head, and string all multi / syngut, or at least mains. I wouldn't go a lot over 300 grams if you have had shoulder issues. You haven't given us an indication of your age, might be good to know

I'm 36. I will look into those rackets too!

A small update is I actually called into my local tennis shop and used their cage to playtest a bunch of rackets. Couldn't find anything "right" for me. I liked the Head Graphene Speed Pro a lot. Also liked the Babolat Pure Strike, although it seems pretty high on the power side. Hated the Prestige, hated the Gravity (they only had up to Tour, no Pro), didn't much care for the RF 97 at 340, didn't much care for the Wilson Blade. Everything else wasn't very memorable. The staff were a bit miffed that I tested like eight rackets and walked out without buying anything, but I couldn't find something that I really loved and they didn't carry Volkl.

 

[Crocodile]

For rotator cuff issues and Volkl racquets I would be very particular in what I choose. You see Volkl of today is a very different proposition to what it represented in the past. Now I know you mention that you used an Organix 7 with lead at 10 and 2. I assume that’s the one with the green Kawasaki paint job and at 74 ra is a very stiff frame with a 104
head. It’s a very powerful racquet but I find these, despite their handle system will jar your shoulder. Therefore if I wanted a shoulder safe Volkl I wouldn’t limit myself to current retail options. Anyway here are my picks:
1. Volkl PB 10 Mid very different to your racquet I know and harder to use but it’s fast feel and very headlight balance is good for the shoulder:
2. Volkl Orgsnix and Super G V1 Pro, SG probably better balanced for your shoulder. - more comfortable than the later models. News V Cell V 1 Pro about to release shortly but we don’t know how it will play.
3. Tour 10mp, VE 10mp DNX 10 mp, SG 29mp 325 and V Sense 10 mp if you can find them are good choices. The C10 probably a no from me unless you can find a 2013 yellow version which has a lower SW than the last 2 or 3 iterations. Current C10 SW is too high and the quality not as good,

If I had a rotator cuff problem the racquets I would try that are not necessarily a Volkl include:
1. Angell K7 Red and lime - very comfortable
2. Pro Kennex Q and K series frames and black ace
3. Head a Gravity MP or Tour but avoid Pto
4. Wilson Clash 98
5. Tecnifibre TF 40 315
6. Prince a Phantom 100P
7. Yonex V Core 95 2018
The problem with some of my choices here for you is that they are all low to medium powered racquets compared to your 7, but that’s where I think shoulder safety is at.
The other way around it is to try one of the more powerful frames or larger heads and put soft strings in them.

 

[Raidy]

For rotator cuff issues and Volkl racquets I would be very particular in what I choose. You see Volkl of today is a very different proposition to what it represented in the past. Now I know you mention that you used an Organix 7 with lead at 10 and 2. I assume that’s the one with the green Kawasaki paint job and at 74 ra is a very stiff frame with a 104
head. It’s a very powerful racquet but I find these, despite their handle system will jar your shoulder. Therefore if I wanted a shoulder safe Volkl I wouldn’t limit myself to current retail options. Anyway here are my picks:
1. Volkl PB 10 Mid very different to your racquet I know and harder to use but it’s fast feel and very headlight balance is good for the shoulder:
2. Volkl Orgsnix and Super G V1 Pro, SG probably better balanced for your shoulder. - more comfortable than the later models. News V Cell V 1 Pro about to release shortly but we don’t know how it will play.
3. Tour 10mp, VE 10mp DNX 10 mp, SG 29mp 325 and V Sense 10 mp if you can find them are good choices. The C10 probably a no from me unless you can find a 2013 yellow version which has a lower SW than the last 2 or 3 iterations. Current C10 SW is too high and the quality not as good,

If I had a rotator cuff problem the racquets I would try that are not necessarily a Volkl include:
1. Angell K7 Red and lime - very comfortable
2. Pro Kennex Q and K series frames and black ace
3. Head a Gravity MP or Tour but avoid Pto
4. Wilson Clash 98
5. Tecnifibre TF 40 315
6. Prince a Phantom 100P
7. Yonex V Core 95 2018
The problem with some of my choices here for you is that they are all low to medium powered racquets compared to your 7, but that’s where I think shoulder safety is at.
The other way around it is to try one of the more powerful frames or larger heads and put soft strings in them.

Thanks for this great wealth of information. Your comment helped steer me in the right direction. I also called into the TW racket helpline and got some great advice there.

In the end, I decided to go with the Black Ace from ProKennex at 300 grams. Stat-wise it just checked off every box for me. I like the 100" head size, the swing weight is a very doable 319, and the RA of 55-58 is just something I don't really see much. When I playtested a Babolat Pure Aero, I liked how it swung a lot, and the Black Ace has very similar stats, with just a thinner beam and much lower RA.

I strung it with Wilson Natural Gut in the mains and Luxilon ALU Power in the crosses at 57/53. This might be a bit overkill in terms of going for comfort as I imagine I could get away with a stiffer full bed of poly, but as a starting point I figured why not.

 

[Crocodile]

Thanks for this great wealth of information. Your comment helped steer me in the right direction. I also called into the TW racket helpline and got some great advice there.

In the end, I decided to go with the Black Ace from ProKennex at 300 grams. Stat-wise it just checked off every box for me. I like the 100" head size, the swing weight is a very doable 319, and the RA of 55-58 is just something I don't really see much. When I playtested a Babolat Pure Aero, I liked how it swung a lot, and the Black Ace has very similar stats, with just a thinner beam and much lower RA.

I strung it with Wilson Natural Gut in the mains and Luxilon ALU Power in the crosses at 57/53. This might be a bit overkill in terms of going for comfort as I imagine I could get away with a stiffer full bed of poly, but as a starting point I figured why not.

Well done, will be interesting to see how you go with in the next few weeks. Maybe report back if you want.