How has your taste in racquets changed in the last few years?

ZeroLove

ZeroLove

New User
I imagine quite a few people have turned to the dark side and see the appeal in spinny/powerful racquets. I think the options for this type are also more balanced, refined and attractive.

I also imagine that some are tired of so many racquets optimizing for that and want something more balanced.

Or...some are coming for very "players" style racquets and finding more happiness with the middle-ground options of today.

So...do tell; how have your tastes evolved? Tell me in racquets ;)
 
I went from classic 18x20 rackets with a 95 head and +350 weight to lighter rackets with a 98 head, but I was still using an 18x20 string pattern.

And currently I prefer 100” rackets with a 16x19 string pattern that still offer good control and some power (but controlled) like the CX 400 Tour, Speed MP, Prince TT290 with weights in the 329-332g range, ready with strings and OG. I also noticed that overly powerful rackets hurt my game, as well as those with very low SW (nothing that lead tape can't solve). My ideal SW is in the 330-334 range.
 
Two changes in recent years:

With improved ball striking quality my setup got more powerful and the racquets lighter.

Being more loose I can now create more spin more consistently to handle the power.
In terms of weight I went from the infamous "as heavy as able to handle" to "as light as just enough stability". The better my tecnique the lighter racquet I can handle. Love my whippy headlight setup @329g with 320mm balance (incl. strings).
 
I think like a lot of players, I too have gravitated to lighter rackets for the modern game (and due to age!). I grew up playing the:
Synergy 26db ( > 345g) to
Response Ti ( ~ 340g) to
Pro Staff 97 ( ~ 332g)

But here's a different take. In recent years, I got a Briffidi SW1 as well as the BP1 and have become very interested in Static Weight, Swing Weight and Balance. Back in the "days above" I had no idea QC was so bad and 2 of the exact same racket could have totally different specs. I always wondered why my two 26db's played so differently in HS !!! Today, I try to weight up all my rackets to have the exact same spec:
Static Weight: 326g (11.5oz)
Balance: 325.5mm (5.5pts HL)
Swing Weight: 326

I used to be all about having 2 or more of the same racket in my bag and that's all I would play. Now that I am no longer so serious about competition, I like to have 1 racket of different types in the bag, each serving different purposes. Currently, what I have in the bag is:
ATS Tour 98 (16x19)
Blade v9 100 (16x19)
Speed Pro Aux 1.0 (18x20)
Prestige MP Aux 2.0 (18x19)
And yet, they are all weighted to the same spec, roughly. But as you can imagine, they play differently due to their inherent characteristics. Full disclosure - I am looking to swap out the Prestige for a different 18x19, really interested in the new T-Fight 305s. So eagerly waiting on reviews to come in (due March 14) :)
 
So I’ve been a fan of Tecnifibre tfight 305 until they decided to scratch the thinner beam xtc and Jack up the swing weight and beams on the ISO and RS. The RS wasn’t entirely as powerful as the iso ironically with the thicker beam. But now they just have an odd direction.

I’m one who gravitates towards control rackets. But I also like a little more access to spin. Using the gravity pro : wow. I get more spin from this than I did with the 3 tfights listed above. Better grip, control. It is hefty but I’m still young. I’ll use it til my arm falls off. Excellent control. 20 mm beam is thin. But so much control for those with mass power.

Another racket I am starting to love after a few hits is that new babolat 16x20 pure drive.

Thanks tecnifibre for ruining your line of rackets ;)
 
I've been playing tennis for 4 years. I have been using Head 100 295 g thick beam racket for 2.5 years. Light power, light spin. But then I tried the 305 16x19 Blade, which was much harder to play with less power, less forgiveness. I was getting exhausted fast. But in spite of everything I really enjoyed it and won the first amateur tournaments. Surprisingly, but a fact my technique has improved. I currently have a v9 18x20+10g to handle. It's very hard like I'm learning to play tennis all over again. But damn it, I'm getting high from it and I don't want to go back to the lightweight racket. I want to master the Blade and stay with it for a long time. What's wrong with me??
P.S. sorry for my bad English
 
I have been largely using tweeners for years now but played my best tennis last year with Extreme Pro. I haven't clicked with other 98's as well however so still have some tweeners in the bag.
 
johnmccabe said:
Lighter and more open pattern. Went from 350g gravity pro to 328g gravity MP with a few racquets in between.
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Nice, I've also opened up patterns a bit. Helps to have more durable strings than what was available a few years ago because I enjoyed the spin but hated the breaking of strings in a few hours. In like 5-6 more years maybe I can worry about that less haha.
 
socallefty said:
Dark side? Why is it the dark side?
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Haha many reasons, culturally speaking. Maybe it's the sellout impression of turning to spin or a racquet that makes power and spin easy. It's almost like giving in to dark-magic or something. But every sport tends to have it's niche audience that hates on something that makes a certain thing "easier" to do.
 
Chris B. said:
Two changes in recent years:

With improved ball striking quality my setup got more powerful and the racquets lighter.

Being more loose I can now create more spin more consistently to handle the power.
In terms of weight I went from the infamous "as heavy as able to handle" to "as light as just enough stability". The better my tecnique the lighter racquet I can handle. Love my whippy headlight setup @329g with 320mm balance (incl. strings).
Click to expand...
Very nice. I had a similar transition some years back when the RF97 was my racquet. It was as heavy as reasonably possible and forced me to clean up my swings and technique overall. I eventually graduated with higher quality strokes and went down in weight a bit and haven't really looked back. That was maybe 8 years ago? It's an interesting growing phase, to go with as heavy as possible to as light as possible and still keep up with your tennis.
 
Not including all but the major ones I stuck with the longest: PDR -> Ezone 100 -> PA 100+ -> Blade Pro 98 16x19. After some point in time I just didn't get much satisfaction hitting on them tweeners anymore, even if the ball coming off of them were marginally better.
 
I have been playing 48+ years. Played 4.5 and a little 5.0 but at 68 years old, now play mostly 4.0 and 3.5 players. After the wood racket era, I mostly have played thin beam control frames with decent SW such as Prince Precision Graphite, Volkl 10 customized to 330+ SW, Wilson 6.1 95, & Technifibre T-Fight 320 but I did try the lighter, wider and stiffer tweeters along the way. I always go back to the thinner beams. I did like the Yonex Ezone 98 customized to 328 SW for about 3 years though. Currently using WilsonBlade100v9 SW328. I went up to 100" head with the Blade100 in an attempt to get a more forgiving racket since I am older. I do like some of the new 100" frames that I demo-ed: Yonex V Core 100, Percept 100 and Speed MP 100 L.
 
My taste hasn’t changed at all even though I demo lighter racquets periodically and even bought a couple of them including StrIke VS, but never felt like playing a match with them. My preference this century has been about 12 ozs, 20-22 beam width, 98 head size, SW 330-340, 6-7 pts HL, Stiffness 64-67 - racquets have been Babolat Pure Control, AeroStorm Tour, Pure Strike Tour G1 and G3. I demoed just about every 11.5-12.3oz racquet then available from the top brands everytime I switched racquets.

Racquets before that were smaller head size - Dunlop wood, Dunlop Max200G and Wilson Sting from the 70s-90s. I bought a Head Ti S2 once in the late Nineties after a long break of 7 years from tennis and it gave me tennis elbow (only time in my life) in about 3 weeks - that’s when I first joined this forum for about a year in 2000 to learn about racquets.
 
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In high school I used a 97 sqin prince cts synergy db 26. Good control, power, stability. I didn't play with spin or touch so didn't care about that at all. Used this racket until 2020, used for about 27 years.

In 2020, tried a few rackets, loved the 95 sqin head prestige pro 360+. So much precision and control, so much stability, decent enough power, spin and touch. I wanted more maneuverability and more forgiving head size so I tried other rackets.

I used a Wilson blade 98 16x19 v8 for about a year. Good all around, but wanted more control and more stability.

I got a free blade 98 16x19 v9 because I was a play tester. This racket is amazing. So much control and stability. And it still is very maneuverable. Incredible. But...

I still prefer the wilson shift 99 300 prototype. I can control the ball with spin, the 99 head size is more forgiving, I have plenty of stability, touch and power. The racket inspires confidence more than any other racket. And it's very maneuverable.
 
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Went from:
  1. Pure Strike Team
  2. Solinco Whiteout 18x20 XTD
  3. Yonex Percept 100D
  4. Head Boom MP 2024
  5. Diadem Nova v3
So I think I'd summarize my taste as Control --> Tweener/ Power racquets? These also roughly lined up with increasing confidence to go for big shots and my serve getting better and better.

My next racquet is the Diadem Axis, so... spin racquets next?
 
I got back into tennis about 3 years ago after a 10-12 yearlong hiatus. My last racquet before my long break was a Wilson K Factor Six One 95 (332g unstrung). Last year, I demoed about 20 racquets and ended up going with what felt most familiar to me: the Yonex Percept 97H. It is just 2 grams lighter and the headsize is just 2 square inches larger, so I was able to enjoy a similar flavor racquet with some modern touchups. I still love these sticks.

But the trend everywhere seems to be moving towards bigger heads and lighter frames so I'm trying to get with the times and grow my game! I picked up a TFight 305S a couple weeks ago and I'm having fun getting used to a much lighter stick and a slightly denser string pattern. I find myself missing the 'ol trusty, calming, dependable heft of my heavier Percepts, but I also find that I just don't get tired anymore! I think a lighter racquet is hard to use in a different way, but it's definitely easier to adjust to a lighter racquet than versa vice.

I understand the "dark side" sentiment, because now that I have let go of these notions, I can finally admit to myself that at least a small part of me enjoyed brandishing heavier, smaller racquets because I thought it meant I was more skilled because I enjoy a more 'demanding' racquet. Glad I'm over that now. But I have no regrets - the weight training paid off!
 
ZeroLove said:
Very nice. I had a similar transition some years back when the RF97 was my racquet. It was as heavy as reasonably possible and forced me to clean up my swings and technique overall. I eventually graduated with higher quality strokes and went down in weight a bit and haven't really looked back. That was maybe 8 years ago? It's an interesting growing phase, to go with as heavy as possible to as light as possible and still keep up with your tennis.
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Interesting! Seems like I am going through a very similar transition right now. It is a fun phase, feels like I'm more actively choosing my playstyle.
 
As I am approaching half-century old… I usually look for something that is “easier” to use with “easier/free” power on tap. But also have access to some “fun” racquets to mix it up. lol.
 
Dark side? No, I went the other way.

Angell TC 95, but changed from 16x19 to 18x20. It has enough ”power”, but the very dense pattern gives a good feel and allows me to string low.
 
Lately I've got for a little more power, stability, and forgiveness, as well as a little lighter. I went from the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20 to the Yonex Vcore Pro 97HD to the Yonex Percept 100D. All have had weight added, but the ending weight has gone down slightly each time. I'd say it's mainly because I'm getting older, not playing as often, and not playing as seriously most of the time compared to what I used to do.
 
Hmmm where to start. I think the main transition in recent years has been from denser string patterns with thinner beams back to slightly thicker beams with open string patterns. Also away from extended frames back to standard length.

So a few examples.

PK QiK+5X (or however it was called, the extended 100 from a few years ago).
Babolat Pure Storm Ltd +
Head Speed Pro Pro Stock 1/4” extended
Wilson Blade v7 98 18x20
Wilson Blade v9 100
Wilson Pro Staff X

Now I’m testing some frames, might move to to the Yonex VCore 98 depending on how I get along with it. It’s either that or sticking with the X.
 
I like the new Ezone 100 and new Pure Drive nowadays.. so efficient.. like a hybrid vehicle that gets 48 mpg.
Also like the new Ezone 98 for good measure.. like also having a hybrid SUV even at 36 mpg is good enough to win the race.
Both still beat the 22 mpg Blade, etc..
 
I wish I had taste regarding racquet choice. I can play with any racquet with no problem; from the made in 1980s to the current, from mid to oversize, from the light to the heavy, from the crisp-feeling to the muted-feeling etc. etc. Every occasion is unique and likeable for me.

I believe, unfortunately, I would've been a better player now if I had sticked with one model of frame or a similar type at least.
 
jxs653 said:
I wish I had taste regarding racquet choice. I can play with any racquet with no problem; from the made in 1980s to the current, from mid to oversize, from the light to the heavy, from the crisp-feeling to the muted-feeling etc. etc. Every occasion is unique and likeable for me.

I believe, unfortunately, I would've been a better player now if I had sticked with one model of frame or a similar type at least.
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Oh I hear you. I honestly feel I can pick up a racket and hit with anything anymore.
But I’ know’ comfort zone is properly weighted and stable to fit my semi western grip.
 
jxs653 said:
I wish I had taste regarding racquet choice. I can play with any racquet with no problem; from the made in 1980s to the current, from mid to oversize, from the light to the heavy, from the crisp-feeling to the muted-feeling etc. etc. Every occasion is unique and likeable for me.

I believe, unfortunately, I would've been a better player now if I had sticked with one model of frame or a similar type at least.
Click to expand...
I can play or rally with any racquet also after a 5-10 min adjustment. I was even surprised with how well I could rally with a ‘Tennispointer’. But there are certainly some racquets with a narrow spec range that I’m going to win more matches with primarily because I can serve better and defend better with them. I can likely play offense well with a much wider range of racquet specs especially if I can tune the string job to my liking.
 
jxs653 said:
I wish I had taste regarding racquet choice. I can play with any racquet with no problem; from the made in 1980s to the current, from mid to oversize, from the light to the heavy, from the crisp-feeling to the muted-feeling etc. etc. Every occasion is unique and likeable for me.

I believe, unfortunately, I would've been a better player now if I had sticked with one model of frame or a similar type at least.
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oscillating between options to maintain a honeymoon phase? I kinda get that...
 
ChrisJR3264 said:
I am loving the Pure Drive 98 actually.
Seems quite controlled.
I wouldn’t mind trying the new strike 100 16x20 either.
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I liked the old strikes better. I think they went a bit backwards on the new models, softening them up a bit but maybe they should have to orient them away enough from the rest of the lineup. However, I never see Pure Strikes in the wild anymore. There was a time they were very popular. They've already lowered the prices on TW, haven't they?
 
ZeroLove said:
I liked the old strikes better. I think they went a bit backwards on the new models, softening them up a bit but maybe they should have to orient them away enough from the rest of the lineup. However, I never see Pure Strikes in the wild anymore. There was a time they were very popular. They've already lowered the prices on TW, haven't they?
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I used a pure storm tour for almost 10 years back in the day. The strike doesn’t compare to the storm.

The 2021 strike 18x20 was very good.
 
Used to play with a blade 98 18x20 because Raonic was my idol (yes I’m Canadian that’s why). I thought for a while that I needed a 18x20 pattern to keep my shots controlled, but at one point the blade’s sweetspot was too small for me. So, I switched to the gravity pro for a bigger sweetspot. I then switched my strings after watching the racquet and runners review of the gravity pro (which was lynx tour at 49lbs) and it changed my mind on spin generation. I was able to get more spin for free which was nice. I tried to get that feeling again with restring zero and that feel happened again. I became a spin player with a gravity pro. After a while I reached the limit in terms of spin. I now play with the vcore 98. It’s similar to my old blade and gravity. But, it obviously has more spin and power than both of them.
In conclusion, I went from really control oriented frames to spin oriented frames.
 
1998-2007
Prince Precision Response Titanium

2007-2022
KSix One Tour 90 / KBlade Tour 93

2022
Prince 97P (found I got too easily pushed around with this)

2023
Prince Phantom Graphite 97 (Japan) (was ok but also got pushed around with it)
Head Graphene XT Speed MP (found it a bit too powerful but it was nice - I hated my forehand with it)

2024 - current
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14 (349g) (amazing)
Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 (363g) (amazing if I’m not playing with someone who’s a 5.0 and above)
Wilson Pro Staff X v14 (349) (can handle most situation with this one but less direct response)

My weekend cruisers / sometimes hit
Head Radical Tour 690 OS
Head Pro Tour 630

As my technique got a lot better and after trying a bunch of modern rackets I found that I can do way more damage with heavy headlight controlled power rackets with direct feedback.

I know I go against the trend, but this is what I found works for me.
 
While I do a lot of racquet testing I still go with the heavier comfort orientated sticks. If anything I may have gone a little lighter. For the last 10 years it’s been the Pro Kennex Q Tour 325 and then choosing the 315 version of the same racquet with a very close swing weight of 331 down to 328. The 315 is a 16 by 19.
Also im still happy using a C10, PBmid? Yonex Percept H and D, 93P, Angell Lime and TF 40. and Dunlop CX 200 tour,
So it’s mainly comfort box beamed racquets that I like.
I actually tried a few more lively sticks because I’m not getting younger and I really liked the Dunlop FX 500 tour which really improved my power and dexterity however I could feel my wrist after about a week, The TF 40 305 in the 18/20 and 328 swing weight and 64 RA is also a great racquet to switch to and it’s great on backhand slices but you miss out with the serve: The C10’s and Q Tours just crush the ball and volleys stay hit and the 93P is a sublime creation of 355 grams of strung goodness with a 330 swing weight but still fast because of its ultra thin beam,
The thick beam wide bodies do give heaps of easy power but it’s kind of kills the visceral feeling of exquisite tennis,
 
I've changed racquets a lot over the years, but it's safe to say I have a soft spot for classic mids (93 / 95 / 97) with a thin beam (<22mm), minimum 310g and all the way up to 330g, headlight, controlled string pattern, and a SW around 330 +/-.

Still love the feel of those frames, but being now in my mid-50's they're less and less realistic for me to play for extended periods of time. Plus, the combination of high static weight and SW starts bothering my arm. Not really a tennis elbow, rather a fatigue that lingers. So, one of the things I'm looking for is dropping SW to 320-325 with a slightly lower static weight, and consider frames in the 98-100 sq.in. size. What stays important for me is comfort (though this can be adjusted by strings / tension), maneuverability (beam can't be too thick or the hoop too round), and a predictable string bed that doesn't launch too much. I have a couple of matched Radical MP's on order, that I've asked TW to customize with a Fairway grip and a couple of grams of lead in the hoop to get to my target SW. I'm hoping for decent stability and power from the slightly thicker beam in the middle of the hoop (20mm / 23 mm / 21mm profile), without maneuverability being too compromised. The 16x19 pattern with 8 mains in the bridge is supposedly one of the most controlled and consistent in the market, so I should feel at home. We'll see how that goes.
 
My racket of choice for the last few years has been a Pure Aero 2023 with leather grip and leaded up to 340g, and before that I played with the Yonex Percept with a leather grip and leaded up to 340g.

I just spent a week playing with the new VCore 98 2026 and this is one of the most mind blowing experiences I've had in tennis. When I serve, my ball usually hits the fence in one bounce, but now my serve is hitting the fence while it is still on the way up.
 
ReopeningWed said:
My racket of choice for the last few years has been a Pure Aero 2023 with leather grip and leaded up to 340g, and before that I played with the Yonex Percept with a leather grip and leaded up to 340g.

I just spent a week playing with the new VCore 98 2026 and this is one of the most mind blowing experiences I've had in tennis. When I serve, my ball usually hits the fence in one bounce, but now my serve is hitting the fence while it is still on the way up.
Click to expand...

I feel like I should try that racquet. I just don’t like Yonex at all
 
I've tried and demoed many, many, many racquets over the years but keep coming back to the same couple of racquets. So I've sort of stopped looking and wasting time and $$$ on stringing all the other racquets up only to be disappointed in how the other racquets play and feel.
 
I would say that my taste isn’t changing, but I’m always trying to balance the trade off in my priorities. I prefer the buttery feel of a thin box beam, but I crave the effortless power and spin of modern frames. The fact that I don’t have the grip, modern technique or athleticism of youth should tell me to embrace the classic frames, but the competitor in me is always looking for a little more help.
 
PistolPete23 said:
Same taste; love the feel of uber flexible control box beams but was looking for a bit more firepower when playing points, because you know, ain’t getting younger. Found the 2025 PK Black Ace Pro. Now I’m good.
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Same here. As much as i try and also quite enjoy modern power & spin frames, I always end up going back to my flexy control 95 sq in racquet, heavy, with hefty SW, 18x20 and tons of feel, iPrestige and PT 630 above all. I just cant get enough of the old school Head feel
 
mmazzini1 said:
Same here. As much as i try and also quite enjoy modern power & spin frames, I always end up going back to my flexy control 95 sq in racquet, heavy, with hefty SW, 18x20 and tons of feel, iPrestige and PT 630 above all. I just cant get enough of the old school Head feel
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Next time I hit, I’m bringing my Prestige Classic 2.0. Head box beams forever!
 
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