Head Youtek IG Speed Pro vs. Wilson RF97A

[PSC85]

Never realized the YTIG speed pro (2011, 98 sq. in., 16x19) was available until last week.

I've been dabbling with RF97A lately and wondering if anyone has used YTIG speed pro and how it compares to RF97A?

Here's a quick defunct description of it from tw europe:

http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/descpageRCHEADH-YTIGSP.html

This impressive update to the Head YouTek Speed Pro offers exceptional touch and feel for the advanced level player. Solid and stable, yet fast feeling through the hitting zone, this racquet is best suited to players with long, fast swings. From the baseline the racquet feels maneuverable allowing easy access to fast swings for power and spin generation. The balance of the racquet keeps plenty of mass behind the ball for deep, penetrating hitting. At net the racquet provides the player with all the feedback needed for confident and crisp volleys. There is ample feel for all the touch and finesse needed on drop volleys and angles. On serve this one is all about consistency and control - thanks to a solid response and good access to spin. This impressive offering from HEAD is a must demo for 4.5+ level players.

Head Size:
98 sq. in. / 630 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 69cm
Weight, unstrung: 335
Balance: 31cm / HL
Swingweight: 345
Stiffness: 68
Beam Width: 18mm / 18mm / 18mm /
Composition: d30 / Innegra / Graphite
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:
White / Black
Grip Type: Hydrosorb
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T, 10T, 8H, 10H
Two Pieces
No Shared Holes
String Tension: 52-62 pounds

 

[PSC85]

anyone used both frames and care to share thoughts?

 

[PSC85]

Hmm anyone?

 

[LeeD]

I've used both, but only for part of doubles set each.
I like my racket's a little lighter in SW, but not by much.
Why not add Technifiber's 320/325, Dunlop M/F2's, and the heaviest Strikes in to the equation?
I actually like my Mfil 200's just as much, but they have much heavier SW's.

 

[PSC85]

Thanks LeeD.

What piqued my interest is really that both are similar head size, almost similar in weight, balance, and have identical flex of 68. So I'm wondering how they compare with each other in general playability.



specs for RF97A:

Head Size:
97 sq. in. / 625.81 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 12.6oz / 357.2g
Balance: 12.38in / 31.45cm / 9 pts HL
Swingweight: 335
Stiffness: 68
Beam Width: 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm /
Composition: Braided Kevlar & Graphite / Basalt Fibers
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:
Red/ Black
Grip Type: Wilson Premium Leather
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 7T,9T,7H,9H
One Piece
No Shared Holes
String Tension: 50-60 pounds

 

[LeeD]

Sorry, forgot about the Prince Response.

 

[RalphJ]

The RF97A is not really comparable to any raquet in today's game. You can lead up all these racquets to a similar weight, but nothing from the factory comes close.

 

[Soundbyte]

Speed Pro plays softer and less powerful. I would say both are similar in terms of spin potential, and both swing similarly. The feel is definitely different. I'd give the edge to RF97 in terms of overall performance and crispness.

 

[PSC85]

Thanks Soundbyte. So you are referring to the 98 sq. in. YTIG speed pro that was only released in Europe as stated in my first post? They both have same RA stiffness and hence I was wondering if they'd feel the similar if not very much the same.

 

[Soundbyte]

Thanks Soundbyte. So you are referring to the 98 sq. in. YTIG speed pro that was only released in Europe as stated in my first post? They both have same RA stiffness and hence I was wondering if they'd feel the similar if not very much the same.

I'm pretty sure that's the version I had hit with. I'd need a picture to know for sure, but the specs seem on par with what I used a few years back. I may have head the Youtek non-ig version though.

 

[PSC85]

I'm pretty sure that's the version I had hit with. I'd need a picture to know for sure, but the specs seem on par with what I used a few years back. I may have head the Youtek non-ig version though.

TW reviewed the non-IG version, and it was measured at RA70. Not sure how it actually received good overall feedback for being so stiff. The follow up IG version never made it to TW US and was only a EU release. I'd like to try it out and see how it compares to RF97.

Do we know if Novak is using frames with 18 mm beam width (similar to pt57a), or 21 mm beam width (similar to LM Radical) that he burst onto the scene with?

 

[Hankenstein]

I have used both a good amount of time and they are pretty different.

The IG Speed Pro is harder in the feel, not so much power, but better controll and feels much faster.

RF97 is more solid, has better power and a larger sweetspot, but definetly feels heavier in the feel. I would also say the RF97 has more spin-potential.