Getting a new racket, would like recommendations.
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If you are into spin/control, VCORE 98/100 will be your best bet. It gives you the power and the spin, but if you want a more flatter shot with EXTRA power, the EZONE 98/100 is there as well. I personally use the VCORE 98 and love it, the smaller head size gives me more control and the perfect amount of power. I loved the EZONE 98 too but I am trying to get with more spin, otherwise it would've been my racket of choice.
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
Look at TW's home page. There are a lot of 2023 rackets that are great rackets. TF 40, Head Boom MP and some others. If you like it, buy another one, and buy some grommets for that model. You'll need them eventually, and they might quit making them.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
How about a Pure Aero or Head Speed?
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
(not dissing you here) need more info - are you rated? size/strength? age? singles only doubles only? both? any elbow problems so far? what is your budget? Do you mind buying used?
do you tend to hit flat or you want to hit loads of spin? Do you play mostly on clay or hard courts? There are tons of VERY experienced people who would LOVE to help.
We need better info. to give you better quality advice.
do you tend to hit flat or you want to hit loads of spin? Do you play mostly on clay or hard courts? There are tons of VERY experienced people who would LOVE to help.
We need better info. to give you better quality advice.
As above... Gender, age, body build, swing type, play style, aim/goals in tennis (i.e. social, match or tournament play), will you get coaching? Do you have a tennis shop nearby? Are you having issues with the current racket? What level are your hitting partners?
Tennis is 80% technique (footwork, body rotation, timing, etc) while racket and strings make up the difference. Each racket does slightly better at different things (Flat\Power vs spin vs control) and as someone newly into tennis, have you settled on a playstyle (flat\spin hitter, counter puncher\aggressive baseliner\all court\serve volley... or moon baller\pusher)? It'll be a battle of what "Feels good" (gut feel) vs "wins more points" (suits game), while the Boost Aero seems to be a decent starting platform with 102sq especially at club social level
Self example: Male, mid 40s, average build/height, zero fitness, fast loopy swing, aggressive baseliner, organised club socials with occasional singles matchups, 10yr break after playing at a high level. I'm not seeing a big difference in points won\lost between a 2 decade old $50 ti.carbon (102sq like your boost aero) with fresh strings versus the 10+ player\power\spin frames I've been testing recently. New gen rackets are definitely "more" (i.e. overall package of power, spin, comfort, and maybe control), but 50% "more" (doubt any modern frame is twice as good as another) of 20% is still... 10% overall. Make bigger leaps in tennis level raising overall fitness and getting more hitting hours in.
Tennis is 80% technique (footwork, body rotation, timing, etc) while racket and strings make up the difference. Each racket does slightly better at different things (Flat\Power vs spin vs control) and as someone newly into tennis, have you settled on a playstyle (flat\spin hitter, counter puncher\aggressive baseliner\all court\serve volley... or moon baller\pusher)? It'll be a battle of what "Feels good" (gut feel) vs "wins more points" (suits game), while the Boost Aero seems to be a decent starting platform with 102sq especially at club social level
Self example: Male, mid 40s, average build/height, zero fitness, fast loopy swing, aggressive baseliner, organised club socials with occasional singles matchups, 10yr break after playing at a high level. I'm not seeing a big difference in points won\lost between a 2 decade old $50 ti.carbon (102sq like your boost aero) with fresh strings versus the 10+ player\power\spin frames I've been testing recently. New gen rackets are definitely "more" (i.e. overall package of power, spin, comfort, and maybe control), but 50% "more" (doubt any modern frame is twice as good as another) of 20% is still... 10% overall. Make bigger leaps in tennis level raising overall fitness and getting more hitting hours in.
Alcawrath
Semi-Pro
How's the boost aero working out for you? If I were a beginner I don't think I would switch away from a beginner's racquet until I (or a coach) noticed that I'm not getting enough out of it anymore. Until your technique is ready, a more advanced racquet could actually slow your development.
Since you're just a beginner in your first year, as @Alcawrath said, chances are you may be fine enough sticking with the Boost Aero for a little while longer. If you hunger for just a "beefier" version of what you've got now, you could always experiment with adding a leather grip and maybe a couple grams of lead tape at the top of the frame, as well as changing your string setup for more of whatever you need (power, spin, control).
If, despite all of that, you'd simply like to pursue a new frame anyways, I would look at 100", 300g frames with more direct feel, such as the Babolat Pure Drive or Pure Aero, Head Extreme MP and/or Prince Warrior 100 300g.
If, despite all of that, you'd simply like to pursue a new frame anyways, I would look at 100", 300g frames with more direct feel, such as the Babolat Pure Drive or Pure Aero, Head Extreme MP and/or Prince Warrior 100 300g.
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DutchLefty95
New User
My first racket was also a Babolat Boost Aero. Tried the next obvious option, that was the Pure aero (demoed the 98 and the 100). Plays really well but my choice was in the end the Shift 300. It depends really on your type and style of game but demo some spin oriented rackets and try also a complete opposite to feel the difference if you have the option to demo a lot
Tranqville
Professional
OP is a beginner and probalby does not know much about his own game. At this stage in your tennis journey, it's too early to commit to a long-term setup. This early choice will have big impact on your racquet preferences long-term. It would be good to have a racquet that avoids extremes and allows OP to transition when he develops a playing style. I'd look for something that combines power, some control and arm safety. 100 head, around 300g weight. Something like:
Dunlop FX 500
Diadem Nova v3
Technifibre TF-X1 v2 300
Head Speed MP
Speed MP is easy to recommend because it "unlocks" many Head racquets in the future.
Dunlop FX 500
Diadem Nova v3
Technifibre TF-X1 v2 300
Head Speed MP
Speed MP is easy to recommend because it "unlocks" many Head racquets in the future.
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gold325
Hall of Fame
Personally I would stick with that racket for now since you are used to it. Refresh your strings up with a new set. If you have a racket-nerd friend - maybe that person can have you add some weight and balance it up to increase some power and stability if you so desire. If going that route start with small small mods and slowly build up.
If you really want to spend the money now - then Pure Aero would be the next logical step I suppose. Right now is time to experiment with a few things so dont buy more than one. Go used if you can find a clean racket locally. 2-3 years down the line you might be ready to commit and buy a few of the same racket - to use for a few years after that.
Tranqville
Professional
What part of "I just started playing tennis this year" is difficult to comprehend? Blade 100 is an advanced racquet.
and you recommended the head speed mp 100...hahahaha...rofl...WOW..!!!
Maybe you should read your own words..!!!
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are you buying him a racquet?
I don't think so!! No need to comment on other people's recommendations, like you are some know it all.
I am an 18 year old, I started playing tennis with one of my friends who has been playing for a long time. I got someone from my church who is a former College player and high school tennis coach to coach me. I've gotten to the point where I can actively win points and keep a rally going with my friend who was #2 at his high school. One racket I have thought about is the yonex ezone 100 or 100l. I tried my friends 100l and liked the power it gave me. With my current boost aero I'm noticing that I have to try very hard to get power out of it and I wanted to upgrade to something that can provide me with more power.
My forehand is more of a flat forehand, my serve is consistent but not to powerful, and my backhand is your normal 2 hand back hand. I play mostly doubles and prefer my forehand a lot.
Money is not really an issue, anything under $300 is fine.
I've mainly been playing recreationally. I am 18 and I have decent strength. I am playing a lot with my friend from high school who was #2 at his high school and I can now keep a rally going and maintain a good score against him. I have had some coaching from a guy at my church who was a college player and a high school tennis coach. I currently have had no problems so far, I mainly play doubles, but do singles quite often as well. Money is not an issue anything under $300 I dont mind. I mainly hit flat and I play on hard courts. I am noticing a lack of power form my current racket, especially after trying my friends ezone 100l which I liked and I am considering but I'd like to know other recommendations that can provide me with power and control.
@paraly - Thanks for sharing more info. If you're thinking about an EZone, I would try the regular 100 alongside the 100L. At 18 years old, you're at the point strength-wise where moving to a 300g frame with a 320-ish swing weight shouldn't be all that big a deal, and, presuming you can get the racquet head moving at a speed that at least approaches that of the 100L, there's a high chance you'll hit an even bigger ball with the regular 100, plus have more stability as well. Just a thought before you move ahead with an EZone.
Are there any other rackets that are similar to the Ezone that I should demo? I've only really tried it and I liked it compared to my Boost Aero, but are there any other rackets with similar power that I should try before I buy an Ezone?
Sure, but since you're developing a more flat forehand, I would stick to frames that have a bit more dense central mains (the strings that run vertically up and down the face of the racquet), even better, 8 mains in the throat. This will help give you better control on more flat contact. The EZone 100/100L is one such frame. For even more free power, I'd also try and find something with a stock swing weight that's at least in the low-mid 320's. Easier playing frames that satisfy all of the above: Babolat Pure Strike 100 16x19 and Volkl V1 EVO.
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-Babolat pure drive was very similar, better flat (serve and groundstrokes) power, similar average topspin and 2H backhand, worse slice and volleys (probably technique related).
-Boom MP is on my test radar as a "similar" racket, but with "Spin" element in it.
-Did not try the pure strike or Volkl as they're not available for demo here.
Check your friend's string and tension, will that work for your current racket? Swingweight of the 100L is almost the same as your current racket, except the thicker beams are probably helping with power (maybe drop the tension a touch). If you're not keen on adding lead tape, the Ezone 100\Pure Drive probably gives you more room to grow (18yo is definitely growing!) over the 100L for 2-3 yrs. Since it's the only racket you've tried... why not try 3-4 more and test them out properly? The honeymoon period is always fantastic
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
Trip ain't wrong. good advice there.
pure drive is probably a good choice to demo. It is a stiff racket, but you are young and naturally limber, so you could probably handle it.
my personal preference for the vcore is also there, while it is a spin racket, you need some spin and it will give more spin more easily than the ezone
AS a beginner, I would not get into the whole "poly goes dead so restring every 8 hours" thing. You are probably not a string breaker (hitting flat) so that's good.
I would probably suggest a syn. gut for now. perhaps a multi later with a syn gut or poly cross....
If you are ordering demos from anywhere, check the string tension before you start forming opinions. (ask your mentors)
SOMETIMES, they get sent out with old dead strings in them or waaayyy loose.
For your first upgrade (and 2nd and 3rd really), don't be afraid to hit the "for sale" section on this website and don't be afraid to negotiate.
(Obviously, always use paypal) The pain of making a "wrong" choice is a whole lot less at $100.00 vs. $265.00 !!!
pure drive is probably a good choice to demo. It is a stiff racket, but you are young and naturally limber, so you could probably handle it.
my personal preference for the vcore is also there, while it is a spin racket, you need some spin and it will give more spin more easily than the ezone
AS a beginner, I would not get into the whole "poly goes dead so restring every 8 hours" thing. You are probably not a string breaker (hitting flat) so that's good.
I would probably suggest a syn. gut for now. perhaps a multi later with a syn gut or poly cross....
If you are ordering demos from anywhere, check the string tension before you start forming opinions. (ask your mentors)
SOMETIMES, they get sent out with old dead strings in them or waaayyy loose.
For your first upgrade (and 2nd and 3rd really), don't be afraid to hit the "for sale" section on this website and don't be afraid to negotiate.
(Obviously, always use paypal) The pain of making a "wrong" choice is a whole lot less at $100.00 vs. $265.00 !!!
codonnell
Rookie
I would also recommend sticking with the racquet for Atleast another year. One of my first carbon frames was actually the babolat esense comp. It was a great frame to branch into your more High end frames. In another year you may also have an idea of what you want more of too! I think the natural progression would be moving to a 100 head size from the 102.
The Yonex Ezone100 is a relatively light and solid racket and good from beginner to world class pro. It would be a safe choice. It has a swing weight that is high enough to be comfortable and to provide power but low enough that any adult can handle the weight.
I think the Yonex Vcore 100 is also a good choice for pretty much the same reasons.
I think a stock Wilson Blade 100 would also be good but it is not quite as powerful as the first 2 rackets I recommended but it is softer and more comfortable.
If possible, try to demo each of the rackets. Any of these 3 would be good for any level of player including ATP and WTA pros. The pros may want to tweak the frames by adding weight but in stock form, they are solid rackets.
I think the Yonex Vcore 100 is also a good choice for pretty much the same reasons.
I think a stock Wilson Blade 100 would also be good but it is not quite as powerful as the first 2 rackets I recommended but it is softer and more comfortable.
If possible, try to demo each of the rackets. Any of these 3 would be good for any level of player including ATP and WTA pros. The pros may want to tweak the frames by adding weight but in stock form, they are solid rackets.
