Foraying into racketaholism - next racket?

N

NS_Tennis

New User
Hi all,

I've begun my journey into racketaholism and am seeking advice/opinions from the experts out there to get recommendations on which racket to try next. Before I post the question, some background about myself:

I've been playing tennis for 20 years now and would self-rate myself a mid-level 5.0+ player (competitive club level) but not college level. I used to play competitively in high school and club level in college but wasn't good enough for varsity, and I've recently started playing league matches and am looking to play in tournaments as well as I like the competitive aspect of tennis. I'm also in my thirties and so in pretty decent shape physically (not the best though).
I've also been quite intrigued by the information around recoil weight and MgR/I so just for context, am about 5'8.

Racket history:
I played with a Volkl Organix 10 Mid for about 6 years before switching to the CX 200 Tour 18x20 (2021) about a year and a half ago. My CX 200 Tours are customized to 350g static weight, 32cm balance and 345 swing weight. I am mostly a baseline player with a 2HBH and a mix of eastern and semi-western FH so switch it up between top spin and flat shots. I like to hit hard and change direction from the baseline but am also prone to making errors with high level 5.0 and above players. Serve and volleying are the weakest aspects of my game, but I'm starting to come to the net more.

I really like this racket and don't really find anything wrong with it, but diving into the world of rackets is pushing me to look for a new stick as I search for the "perfect one". I really like the feel and control of the racket, and it gives me a lot more power than the Volkl but I feel like I still want more (power, spin, forgiveness - some combo of these 3) without letting go of the control/feel.

I've been looking at several different rackets (mostly older models - as I'm looking to buy used and so also cannot demo most of these) and after an extensive online search have landed on the following:

Head360+ Prestige MPFound really good reviews
HeadPrestige MP 2023Mixed reviews but seems more forgiving and powerful
HeadPrestige MPL 2023Same as above - can customize to my liking
Head360+ Gravity ProCheaper but similar to GPro 2023
HeadGravity Pro 2023Really good reviews, bigger sweet spot
YonexVCore 95 2023Lower on my list
YonexVCore 98 2023Good reviews but more spin oriented so not sure
WilsonBLX 6.1 95 16x18Really good reviews, more powerful
WilsonNCode 6.1 95 16x18Same as above - but some people like this better than BLX

Looking to see how you guys would rate some or all of these, comparison to the CX200 Tour and whether these would help fill the void I'm looking to fill. :)

Happy to provide any more info and thanks for reading!
 
Some obvious suggestions that you're missing from your list:

Head Prestige Tour (2021) or (2023) - possibly the best 95 in the market now
Head Pro Tour 2.0 (less power, more feel, heavy stock)

Wilson Pro Staff RF Autograph 97 - if you can find one at a reasonable price
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13, v14
Wilson Blade Pro 16x19 or 18x20
Wilson H22 pro stock

Yonex Vcore Pro 97 HD, Percept 97D, Percept 97H, some older Vcore Pro 97H, particularly the dark green one is awesome.

Check out Angell racquets, they share some old Dunlop DNA. V5 TC95 may be perfect for you, and you can order it in custom static weight, balance, swingweight etc.
 
Angell 100%

You can mod the Gravity Tour 98, Gravity Pro, or the Six.one 95. Blade Pro is also an option.

I Prefer the 305s over all those, but the custom Angell Route would be my recommendation. Fantastic frames.
 
I second trying out the vcore pro 97hd (if you can find one in good condition) if you just want a minor step up in forgiveness without losing the thin beam and 18x20 control of the cx 200
 
Lol who doesn't want more power, spin, and forgiveness? As a CX 200 Tour 18x20 user myself I think you should tweak your frame even more. Add 5-10-15g of weight to your desired balance. This gives you more power. For spin I recommend a shaped poly on the mains and a syn gut cross or a thinner round poly. As for forgiveness you can string a little lower increasing the sweet spot. Going to a bigger frame decreases precision of shots, but this may decrease return percentage so this is a trade-off.

The CX 200 Tour is really an outstanding frame for people who can return serve well with it. The accuracy is really good. Some people poopoo the 11 to 1 o'clock area for being too open, but people even the pros, play 16x19 patterns on 100" frames. Dunlop design engineers know what they are doing. When I was playing with full beds of syn gut, I would regularly break 3 or 4 strings up in the 11 to 1 o'clock area. Making these tweaks really transform the stock frame - which isn't bad at all compared to a lot of other frames.

Try my suggestions and see what results you get. Also keep the leather grip on it (along with over-grip I assume that everyone uses these days).

A similar frame is the wilson ultra pro (H19). Slightly bigger at 97 (only the area towards the throat is bigger for more slicing action). You will have to decide which factors you want to prioritize if moving on to a different frame. Let us know how it goes.

I also have a few Yonex HDs I would consider selling if anyone is keen. This is a really good frame too, but if I include the blade 98, I can't keep 4 different frames in my bag lol.
 
Thanks all!

Tranqville said:
Some obvious suggestions that you're missing from your list:

Head Prestige Tour (2021) or (2023) - possibly the best 95 in the market now
Head Pro Tour 2.0 (less power, more feel, heavy stock)

Wilson Pro Staff RF Autograph 97 - if you can find one at a reasonable price
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13, v14
Wilson Blade Pro 16x19 or 18x20
Wilson H22 pro stock

Yonex Vcore Pro 97 HD, Percept 97D, Percept 97H, some older Vcore Pro 97H, particularly the dark green one is awesome.

Check out Angell racquets, they share some old Dunlop DNA. V5 TC95 may be perfect for you, and you can order it in custom static weight, balance, swingweight etc.
Click to expand...
I looked at the latest Prestige's and demoed the 2021 Pro but found it too difficult to play with (maybe was the string setup) but I think I might actually want something larger than a 95.

Based off all the recommendations, I'm leaning towards Gravity Pro, Blade Pro or Vcore Pro 97 HD. I'm going to demo the GP this week but can't really demo the other rackets. Also, I'm currently getting 2 GPs for the same price as 1 Blade Pro so ...

Angell sounds like a great option, but I don't think I even know what settings I like right now other than generally a 340ish swing weight. Will probably look at Angell later down the road.
AmericanTwist said:
Lol who doesn't want more power, spin, and forgiveness? As a CX 200 Tour 18x20 user myself I think you should tweak your frame even more. Add 5-10-15g of weight to your desired balance. This gives you more power. For spin I recommend a shaped poly on the mains and a syn gut cross or a thinner round poly. As for forgiveness you can string a little lower increasing the sweet spot. Going to a bigger frame decreases precision of shots, but this may decrease return percentage so this is a trade-off.

The CX 200 Tour is really an outstanding frame for people who can return serve well with it. The accuracy is really good. Some people poopoo the 11 to 1 o'clock area for being too open, but people even the pros, play 16x19 patterns on 100" frames. Dunlop design engineers know what they are doing. When I was playing with full beds of syn gut, I would regularly break 3 or 4 strings up in the 11 to 1 o'clock area. Making these tweaks really transform the stock frame - which isn't bad at all compared to a lot of other frames.

Try my suggestions and see what results you get. Also keep the leather grip on it (along with over-grip I assume that everyone uses these days).

A similar frame is the wilson ultra pro (H19). Slightly bigger at 97 (only the area towards the throat is bigger for more slicing action). You will have to decide which factors you want to prioritize if moving on to a different frame. Let us know how it goes.

I also have a few Yonex HDs I would consider selling if anyone is keen. This is a really good frame too, but if I include the blade 98, I can't keep 4 different frames in my bag lol.
Click to expand...
Thanks for these suggestions! Will try tweaking my Dunlop's and let you know how that goes.

How does the Ultra Pro compare to Blade Pro? I'll see if I can try these out but would prefer to narrow down my options before.

So, I'm gonna try the GP and tweaking my current frame more and see how that goes. But if neither of them work out great then I'll try Blade Pro or Vcore Pro 97 HD. Also keeping Ultra Pro and Six.One 95 in the back of my mind.

Too many options lol
 
When the Blade pro retail came out a few seasons ago I don't think TW did a test on it. People who have hit with it think it is 64 or 65ra (most likely) which makes sense because people were raving about the power. Blade pro is really just that - pro stock frame offered to retail at a set flex number. But the current Blade Pro is 60ra, the same as the regular Blade which is also 60ra. I see no advantage as I focus mainly on flex then other attributes of frames.

Ultra Pro V3 is 63 or 64ra. I don't think TW did any test on this either as it wasn't offered then. Current model is 62ra which is a great flex number - control with some power as you found out in your 2021 cx 200 Tours. Ultra Pro v4 is a great alternative to the Dunlop. This frame offers the meanest slice of any frame out there.
 
1. Gravity Pro (almost any version, I personally favor the original 360+ but also had very good success with the Aux 2)

2. Several others mentioned Blade Pro, probably 18x20 since you're used to that. So playable stock or maybe just a leather grip if that's your thing (it is mine). Feels sublime so direct and communicative.

3. Tfight 305, ISO you can get on clearance and will come stock with great stable specs. major downside is it isn't very HL, so it takes a bit of doing to get the balance point somewhere better. you can buy the latest version but they lowered SW so it would take some customization. they fixed the balance point though.

4. A really good outside pick would be the Yonex Percept 97H (formerly called Vcore Pro 97H) Basically your same satic weight but lower SW, so faster swings more maneuverability for serves and volleys. Little bigger head plus isometric head for more forgiveness. Still thin beamed, still a nice feel and slightly more open pattern.
I think this could be a strong choice.

Obviously there are dozens of racquets that could be spec'd up but I think these 4 are strong choices with 1 and 4 being my top 2 recs.
 
@NS_Tennis - It wasn't quite clear to me: by "5.0", are you talking NTRP (the older, more traditional rating system) or UTR (the newer rating system, based on a record of playing other rated players)? I only ask because typically there is quite the difference between a 5.0 NTRP (a fairly high level, usually higher than most club players, even on-par with players from certain colleges) and 5.0 UTR, which equates to more of a mix 3.x, maybe 4.0-ish NTRP player, which IMHO is more aligned with your typical club player or mid to medium-high level rec player.

Presuming you're talking NTRP, then most of the suggestions above are probably appropriate enough, but even so, especially since you're now on the wrong side of 30 (welcome to the club!) and might not be in the best of shape (props for your transparency), you might want to try something that in stock form offers are larger sweet spot area and higher-quality average ball further off-center (note: I didn't say just a larger head size or thicker beam, as those specs in a vacuum don't always equate). I'm thinking of the likes of a Blade 98, Percept 97D or Gravity Pro, or even something a bit higher-powered like a Solinco WhiteOut or Pure Strike 98.

Curious as to your take on any/all of that.
 
NS_Tennis said:
Thanks all!


I looked at the latest Prestige's and demoed the 2021 Pro but found it too difficult to play with (maybe was the string setup) but I think I might actually want something larger than a 95.

Based off all the recommendations, I'm leaning towards Gravity Pro, Blade Pro or Vcore Pro 97 HD. I'm going to demo the GP this week but can't really demo the other rackets. Also, I'm currently getting 2 GPs for the same price as 1 Blade Pro so ...

Angell sounds like a great option, but I don't think I even know what settings I like right now other than generally a 340ish swing weight. Will probably look at Angell later down the road.

Thanks for these suggestions! Will try tweaking my Dunlop's and let you know how that goes.

How does the Ultra Pro compare to Blade Pro? I'll see if I can try these out but would prefer to narrow down my options before.

So, I'm gonna try the GP and tweaking my current frame more and see how that goes. But if neither of them work out great then I'll try Blade Pro or Vcore Pro 97 HD. Also keeping Ultra Pro and Six.One 95 in the back of my mind.

Too many options lol
Click to expand...

Blade Pro has more power than the Gravity Pro or Ultra. Ultra has the least. It is the most demanding frame of the 3. Amazing feel, but all these frames feel great. In this case the Wilsons are top tier in feel, with the Gravity a few rungs behind. There is no dampening tech in the Wilsons, with Head you have to deal with the Auxetic.

Usability I think the Gravity Pro is the easiest to use of the 3, but you do need to bring your own power. Larger sweetspot does help in this case.

Blade Pro is basically an older Radical in terms of the design. Ultra is a Prestige style frame. These are Wilson's pro stock answers for pros coming over from Head.

Gravity is a refined version of the old Speed, when they were very thin beam frames.
 
Trip said:
@NS_Tennis - It wasn't quite clear to me: by "5.0", are you talking NTRP (the older, more traditional rating system) or UTR (the newer rating system, based on a record of playing other rated players)? I only ask because typically there is quite the difference between a 5.0 NTRP (a fairly high level, usually higher than most club players, even on-par with players from certain colleges) and 5.0 UTR, which equates to more of a mix 3.x, maybe 4.0-ish NTRP player, which IMHO is more aligned with your typical club player or mid to medium-high level rec player.

Presuming you're talking NTRP, then most of the suggestions above are probably appropriate enough, but even so, especially since you're now on the wrong side of 30 (welcome to the club!) and might not be in the best of shape (props for your transparency), you might want to try something that in stock form offers are larger sweet spot area and higher-quality average ball further off-center (note: I didn't say just a larger head size or thicker beam, as those specs in a vacuum don't always equate). I'm thinking of the likes of a Blade 98, Percept 97D or Gravity Pro, or even something a bit higher-powered like a Solinco WhiteOut or Pure Strike 98.

Curious as to your take on any/all of that.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I meant NTRP 5.0 - I used to rally with a few d1 players so feel pretty comfortable on the baseline, but my serve has always been a let down for my level lol.

So, I'm trying out a Gravity Pro this week. I have pretty high expectations, but if it doesn't work out, I'll look at the Percept 97D/H or Blade Pro down the line - especially now that I've gone down this path, I feel like I want to try all of these rackets at some point.
 
Chairman3 said:
1. Gravity Pro (almost any version, I personally favor the original 360+ but also had very good success with the Aux 2)

2. Several others mentioned Blade Pro, probably 18x20 since you're used to that. So playable stock or maybe just a leather grip if that's your thing (it is mine). Feels sublime so direct and communicative.

3. Tfight 305, ISO you can get on clearance and will come stock with great stable specs. major downside is it isn't very HL, so it takes a bit of doing to get the balance point somewhere better. you can buy the latest version but they lowered SW so it would take some customization. they fixed the balance point though.

4. A really good outside pick would be the Yonex Percept 97H (formerly called Vcore Pro 97H) Basically your same satic weight but lower SW, so faster swings more maneuverability for serves and volleys. Little bigger head plus isometric head for more forgiveness. Still thin beamed, still a nice feel and slightly more open pattern.
I think this could be a strong choice.

Obviously there are dozens of racquets that could be spec'd up but I think these 4 are strong choices with 1 and 4 being my top 2 recs.
Click to expand...
Do you know if there's a big difference between Percept 97H and D? If I were to get the D and then add weight, is it similar to H, better or just completely different?
 
Did OP mention anything about RA/stiffness preference? Unless I missed it.
It can certainly play a (major) part on the feel and performance delivery.
Case in point, I set ul an ISO305 and TC95 V3 the same, including the string and tension, down to the same number of knots, OG and its electrical finishing tape… lol.
Switch back and forth and the TC95 felt like a noodle and did not like how it felt compared to the ISO305 at the time.
 
NS_Tennis said:
Do you know if there's a big difference between Percept 97H and D? If I were to get the D and then add weight, is it similar to H, better or just completely different?
Click to expand...
10g lower weight on the D and the D has an 18x20 versus 16x19 on the H.
SW is pretty similar so they should both play with alot of stability.

If you're a fan of 18x20's then I'd say go for the D because, for me, even a dense 16x19 doesn't play with quite the same "consistency/predictability" as an 18x20.
Because yes, you could add weight to the D if you felt you needed it.
 
esm said:
Did OP mention anything about RA/stiffness preference? Unless I missed it.
It can certainly play a (major) part on the feel and performance delivery.
Case in point, I set ul an ISO305 and TC95 V3 the same, including the string and tension, down to the same number of knots, OG and its electrical finishing tape… lol.
Switch back and forth and the TC95 felt like a noodle and did not like how it felt compared to the ISO305 at the time.
Click to expand...
No I didn't. Honestly, I don't know too much about my preferences for RA/stiffness except I don't like too high RA - greater than 64.

I demoed the Pure Strike along with the CX200 Tour and while the PS had really nice power, it was too crisp for me and I felt I would have arm/elbow problems with it. Comparatively, I liked CX200 T quite a lot and I believe it has a much lower RA so I would say that is what I prefer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: esm
NS_Tennis said:
Do you know if there's a big difference between Percept 97H and D? If I were to get the D and then add weight, is it similar to H, better or just completely different?
Click to expand...
The H is a heavy frame to swing. Even if you like heavy frames. Since you want to get your serve bigger I’d try and play a little lighter in weight.
 
Tranqville said:
OP is wielding "CX 200 Tours are customized to 350g static weight, 32cm balance and 345 swing weight." The H, with 330 unstrung weight and 330 SW, would feel like a feather in comparision.
Click to expand...

I understand that but the CX Tour is a fast swinging frame. I had one, and they take weight quite well. The Yonex HD is more of a log.
 
I can't speak for most of those, but you could grab 6.1s from most generations and get similar feels between them. I used to love the 6.1s and owned and used all from the classic through (K)s and didn't really notice a difference. LOVED the HPS though, and the ncode was probably my second favorite. Could probably pick a few up cheap off da bay.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
A little advice needed
Replies
2
Views
706
Slippery
S
W
New racket help
Replies
5
Views
898
Ramon
R
Gadz
Some racket advice needed please
Replies
15
Views
1K
torpantennis
T
B
need some advice getting racket.
Replies
0
Views
482
berserk
B
john5527
Help Buying a Racket
Replies
2
Views
593
smirker
S
Back
Top