landcookie
Professional
Higher swing weight maybe? I had to seriously lead up EP at 12 to make it work for me.
Head Extreme 2024 Thread
- Thread starter SinneGOAT
- Start date
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
All Babolat frames give me golfers elbow. No other frames have ever done this. There's just something about Babolat frames. Most likely stiffness
landcookie
Professional
I feel ya. Pure drive and pure strike doesn’t agree with me either. The pure drive of old felt like hitting with a metal pole. So for me to be ok with the aero is a surprise for me as well.
Znak
Hall of Fame
Got to hit with my buddy's EP. Never thought I would enjoy it so much. Coming from a Blade 18x20 it gives so many more options without losing too much control. Much like the Blade you can't really let off the gas I find, rewarded with fast strokes. Funnily out of the boom pro and speed pro the EP was the first head racquet that felt fantastic on the ohbh. Has anyone here hit with the new GT98 and/or Tfight 305s that can offer any feedback and comparison? Those three are on my demo list for this year.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Surely the EP has to be significantly more powerful compared to the Blade though... right?
Honza
Semi-Pro
The EP is not the EMP. Its a control spin racket.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Correct - I would characterize the EP as slightly more powerful than the blade, definitely not "significantly" more powerful.
Znak
Hall of Fame
Yeah I'd agree, from the little time I was playing with it there was slightly easier access to power. But interestingly I felt there was more heft on the ball with my Blade if that makes sense
SupahMan5000
Hall of Fame
GT has more power and more spin potential depending on where on the stringbed you hit
EP is much more consistent and predictable with good level of spin potential you can expect on every shot
To some the GT will be erratic so if you want more pop be prepared to have to control the ball too
FrankyRelax
Professional
I am settling with the EP as my main. Still dialing in strings but mostly figured out the low launch "problem" with a 4lb diff and a 1.17 cross
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
GT has more power than what? The EP? I find that really hard to believe. The GT has an RA of 59. That thing has to be a wet noodle. Probably as anemic as the Blade. If not worse.
SupahMan5000
Hall of Fame
GT is probably one of the most powerful in the Head lineup currently imo
Znak
Hall of Fame
Wow didn't expect that. Okay well that feedback lines up similarly to Beckett from tenncom. Will be curious to how the demo goes.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I think you're just trolling us now. The Speed MP and Extreme MP would totally blow the GT out of the water in terms of power. And we all know this.
SupahMan5000
Hall of Fame
maybe it's the way i swing and hit but the stringbed being so open at the top gives it a launchy stringbed and a ton of spin potential. and the sweetspot is pretty large with the head shape. neither the Speed MP or extreme MP offer the same level of court penetration the GT offers
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Played extensively with both (well, the extreme tour, but I also played several times with the pro):
Vcore98 has more power, extreme is a bit less launchy and I would describe it as more of a spin oriented control frame. Both are fairly plush and comfortable, great at the net and serve well. Vcore is slightly more stable. Both are great frames and the vcore was just slightly better for me given power and stability.
landcookie
Professional
I have a slightly different experience.
I liked the extreme pro but not the vcore 98.
I find the vcore 98 hard to generate spin and loop if that’s how you play - Extreme plays naturally for that style. With vcore it wanted me to swing more linear to make it work which isn’t my style. Ironic given its supposed to be a spin frame - I think it’s more geared toward players who hit through and want that spin for control (Fonseca, Tommy Paul etc) rather than players who want to shape their shots.
Vcore felt like it had a lot of mass/rigidity at the hoop and flexes at the throat which gives it a different feel to the EP. Even with 5g of lead at 12 the EP felt like it flexed more evenly than the EP (which I prefer).
Vcore is the more powerful frame. I can’t gel with it however so could not tap into its potential.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Interesting perspective - agreed that the EP flexes more evenly whereas the vcore flexes more in the throat. I hit with an in between eastern/semi-western grip (learned how to play tennis in the 80s), and I think you're point is an interesting one; however, I do feel like I struggle hitting through the forehand at times on the vcore, but it is great the way the extra spin brings the ball down when I'm going for a deep / powerful forehand.
landcookie
Professional
That was my problem with the vcore. I couldn’t hit forehands with it. When I do connect though the ball is insane.
On the other hand (literally) I could not miss backhands with the vcore.
I’m the type of the player you were referring to Vcore, flat-spin player, spin for control.
I agree with you Vcore is so underrated for this type of hitting. Ezone is my main racquet, recently I revisited Vcore, since I like the sand beige paint job, I was surprised how good control Vcore has for my flat hitting. With Ezone, I need to remember cover a little bit more when I’m going for bigger shots. But with Vcore, I’m can hit all out freely, the ball will drop. Yes, the flat ball trajectory is a bit higher with Vcore than Ezone. But I think it gives a good margin for error.
KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
So I’ve been wanting to try the Extreme pro for a while now and found one brand new at a great price. So it will be in my bag shortly.
I normally play with Gravity tour (2021), anyone that has played with both that could give me an idea of what to expect from the EP?
I normally play with Gravity tour (2021), anyone that has played with both that could give me an idea of what to expect from the EP?
landcookie
Professional
Very, very different racquets IMO.
Expect a completely different feel.
EP will be more whippy and spin friendly, but won’t have that (don’t know how to explain it) Gravity temperament.
KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
Different is what I’m looking for
Now I’m stuck thinking about what ”the Gravity temperament” is
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Well this was helpful
AndrewUtz
Professional
My friend has a g360+ extreme tour and an auxetic 2.0 pro. after adding leather grip on both and adding lead to the tour to be similar in spec, we strung them with his preferred setup of poly tour pro. after the customization for both the playability was almost the same for us between the two. But the biggest difference was that there is FAR more feedback in the g360+ version. Something magical. There’s remnants of that in the aux2.0 but it somewhat feels like less…
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
This makes sense. Auxetic 2.0 is more muted than the first version.
landcookie
Professional
I’m just a helpful citizen.Well this was helpful
Gravity feels…thin. Constant thinnish beam, 100sq inch tear drop head. For me Gravity feels anemic.
ET doesn’t have that with its variable beam and spin grommets etc. Light in stock form sure, but easily addressed once it’s been beefed up.
I play stock with HGSoft 1.20 mains / HGRound 1.20 cross and happy about my game now.
Soft version gives me a bit more power over Regular HG and is more easy on my arms (have some injury history), while Round is nice complement for better side accuracy and it's slickness enhances snap back keeping the spin potential comparable to full bed of shaped HG(S).
The Pro in stock form is maneuverable enough, so I can go "full" speed on most of the shots and the ball lands in deep, unless I put extra spin into the shot - that is great for short angles or dipping to opponent's feet.
AndrewUtz
Professional
i’m gonna put lynx tour mains and lynx cross for my friend here soon, he currently uses full bed of PTP but is wanting something a bit stiffer.
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KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
I just had my first session with the Extreme pro, strung with Lynx tour 1.25 at 25 kg.
I usually play with Head gravity tour (2021) and full bed Velocity.
What a fantastic racquet! Really easy to play with, great spin (of course). My one handed backhand felt really good. It was great with the Gravity so I was surprised that it was even better with the Extreme.
Will have to get used to the strings or restring with Velocity, because the poly is heavier which takes some getting used to for me.
But on the bright side, absolutely no discomfort in my wrists or elbows.
I usually play with Head gravity tour (2021) and full bed Velocity.
What a fantastic racquet! Really easy to play with, great spin (of course). My one handed backhand felt really good. It was great with the Gravity so I was surprised that it was even better with the Extreme.
Will have to get used to the strings or restring with Velocity, because the poly is heavier which takes some getting used to for me.
But on the bright side, absolutely no discomfort in my wrists or elbows.
AndrewUtz
Professional
i may be in the minority but i prefer the extreme tour/pro over the gravity pro. i think the feel is better ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
I may be joining the minority soon…will have to give it more time. But first impression is great, gravity is a more demanding racquet (at least for me) that I got to thinking ”what have I’ve been doing these last few years”
Znak
Hall of Fame
Agreed. Not a fan of the gravity lineup tbh.
Znak
Hall of Fame
KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
Wow! I just played my second session with the EP and it’s really a fantastic racquet. My opponents went on about how well I was playing and how they could feel the difference in the balls coming from me (compared to the Gravity tour 100).
Even though I know all about the honeymoon phase, and soon clay season will start here which changes everything, this will definitely be a switch for me. Have already ordered another one, got a great deal and payed only about 150$
Even though I know all about the honeymoon phase, and soon clay season will start here which changes everything, this will definitely be a switch for me. Have already ordered another one, got a great deal and payed only about 150$
Raf.spin
Rookie
I switched to Extreme Tour G360+ with tons of lead on the head and in the handle.
Previously I played 5 years with Blade 18x20 V6
The Extreme gives me crazy pace on my first serve with a high percentage of them going in.
2HBH is way better too.
It's like a cheat code.
Previously I played 5 years with Blade 18x20 V6
The Extreme gives me crazy pace on my first serve with a high percentage of them going in.
2HBH is way better too.
It's like a cheat code.
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AndrewUtz
Professional
amazing racquet, i’m gonna pick one up soon. been falling in love with my friend’s extreme tour nite.I switched to Extreme Tour G360+ with tons of lead on the head and in the handle.
KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
Yes! That’s how I felt playing with the 2024-version. Probably because I was coming from a Gravity tour, very different racquets.
Bigmctennis
Rookie
Bought and tried two of the extreme pros recently. Tried one with 2g of lead at 12 and the other with 2g grams of lead at 10&2. The 12 felt better but the problem I have with this racket is regardless of weight placement with volleys this thing feels like it’s going to fold in on itself, very unstable against 5.0 players up around the net
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
2 grams is nothing. Put 3 grams each at 3 & 9 and report back.
AndrewUtz
Professional
that is my preferred spec as wel except not quite 6 grams total, my friend thought that the swingweight was good but lost maneuverability though.2 grams is nothing. Put 3 grams each at 3 & 9 and report back.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Tell your friend to start lifting some weights.
AndrewUtz
Professional
haha, he didnt mind the swing weight, in fact we ended up keeping his around the same swing weight, just shifting the lead more to 12. I myself had it set up with about .25g per inch lead 6 inch strips around 3&9 front and back, wait... so i guess i did put three grams each at 3&9 lol, and i put like a gram at 12 and that was my preferred setup, note that its for the g360+ version which comes with a lower swing weight.Tell your friend to start lifting some weights.
