I did a mass Power/Spin racket playtest as a Clash 100 Tour V1 user

[GrUlti]

Recently my friend was in the market for a new racket and tested a bunch of rackets, and I was able to join in on the fun and extensively test the rackets for a week. I’d like to share my experiences so people, especially with my racket history, have a resource when testing rackets.

My current racket and playstyle:

I am a predominantly topspin player on both wings, but can flatten on the forehand when needed. A natural counter puncher but I have been evolving a more aggressive game, taking advantage when in position and approaching.

I currently play with the Wilson Clash V1 Tour, with 1g at 12 and 3g 7” above buttcap for counterbalance, totaling 334g static strung weight, strung with TruPro Black Knight 17g @ 48-51lbs depending on when I need the string to peak. I actually really really love my racket, and the playtests do confirm this. Some things that I could wish more of, however:

• Only thing that actually matters: I would like to try lighter rackets, since my clash is quite heavy. This playtest did confirm that I can get away with a 300g racket stability wise, and I can be way more aggressive since racket face awareness is better when out of position.
• A slight boost of power at the very top end of shots. I feel sometimes that the power scale of my clash is that of a log curve, meaning it does bottom out at the hardest of shots.
• Maybe a teeny tiny decrease in launch angle. I love it currently on my forehand and have no trouble flattening out(and I actually need the high launch angle for certain shots), but the backhands could benefit from it.
• Not necessary but nice to have: A little bit more sweetspot awareness, but coming from the clash all rackets basically tick this mark

What I generally look for in a racket:

• Big power
• Big Spin, and modulation is a plus
• Big sweetspot and stability for my backhand
• Ability to play defensive shots, tested by half volley baseline.
• High launch angle, tested by my running forehands that have quite low net clearance. It is however one of my best shots

Disclaimers:
These racket demos all have varying stringing and racket conditions. I can ignore the different strings when evaluating the rackets but sometimes super dead strings and super beat up rackets make me wonder if I didn't enjoy them because of the conditions.

I did not test these extensively for serves, just because it would only be a last consideration if I decided to switch. Plus, I don’t think anything std length will ever be better for serves than my clash. This thing is an absolute beast.

Playtest:
The playtest will be divided into 2 sections, since my friend demoed 2 sets in two weeks.

Session 1:

• 2022 Yonex Ezone 100:

Simply the best racket cosmetic wise. I feel this and the percept are the only rackets that look like they are $250+(if such a price is EVER justified). The racket was a joy to play with. It felt like a point and shoot racket with really nice maneuverability, I can whip/rip on the forehand and the topspin generated was very visible as it dipped on the court, sometimes shorter than expected. Backhands(my more finicky shot) felt pretty solid too. I liked the responsiveness and stability when half volleying on the baseline defensively(best of the bunch). Only thing I don’t like is the launch angle that is too low for my taste. I wonder if this could be fixed by variable string tensions on mains and crosses.

• Yonex Percept 100:

Cosmetics look good on this too. Right away the feeling of hitting the forehands on the sweetspot felt very good, and that is where it went downhill for me. Any shots hit outside the sweetspot landed in the net for me, and it was hard to gel with my bh. I think this is a racket made for flatter hitting attackers, and I’m just not good enough to use this racket. Maybe, however, if I strung it at a low tension it could work.

Session 2:

• 2024 Head Speed MP:

Strung with old multifilament but was pretty nice actually. The cosmetics are not bad, but a step back from the previous speed IMO. The weight and plow felt most like my clash, and the hitting feel was not far off. The launch angle was quite low, but manageable. This racket is quite funny because it felt like I was playing a video game. I usually vary my swing path for topspin or penetration, but this racket felt like there is one optimal swing path that creates a good quality shot. Power was very middle of road, and spin could be dialed in. Great all rounder that is comfortable.

• 2023 Yonex Vcore 100:

Alert: Very beat up racket and questionable poly stringing. This racket disappointed me the most since I thought it would be the holy grail after testing the Ezone. Paintjob is matte, which I had really hoped to be satin. I just couldn’t gel with this racket. Sweetspot was very hard to find from both wings, backhand especially. Even when hitting the sweetspot I didn’t feel rewarded. Spin was hard to produce which is weird for a “spin” racket that is quite flexy. Demo companies really gotta check the quality of their rackets before sending them out because I feel bad not being able to give this racket a fair chance.

• 2023 Dunlop FX 500

I had the most fun with this racket. It was strung with an old Luxilon Element but still felt great. This is THE backhand racket. Don’t ask me how, but I was hitting the best backhands of my life with this racket, in and out of position, and also both drives and slices. Forehand felt great too. Funny thing is that hitting the fh sweetspot actually had a slight perceived power because the ball sinks into the stringbed more than expected. Easily adjustable, and actually this effect made me more confident to swing out more often. Only con playability wise is I needed a slightly higher launch for my running forehands, since some of those were clipping the net. Maybe just a shaped poly would already do the trick. Racket was a little stiff, but I wonder if that is because the strings are old. If I am switching rackets this will be in my must try final list.

• 2024 Head Extreme MP

Alert: Strung with dead poly. Love the bright cosmetics. The hitting feel felt similar to the speed mp but in a more fun package. High launch angle just like my clash, and massive power. I’m not sure if the demo is underspec but this was the lowest felt swingweight of the bunch. The dead strings were a shame however since the ability to create spin was horrendous. The ball came out the same launch as my clash but then it would just sail. Stability was a little lacking, which may be fixable with some lead. 1 of 2 rackets that handled the running forehand well, but ultimately I couldn’t really enjoy my playtest because the strings were just horrible, an extra shame because the main aspect to test in this racket is whether I have enough control.

• 2023 Babolat Pure Aero

POV: Excited the playtest the spin king and they sent it strung in Multi… Seriously though I actually enjoyed the multi stringing on this. Forehands might’ve felt best on this out of the bunch, very smooth experience due to the beam design. Spin was very good even with multi. Passed the running forehand check, and just really nice from the forehand wing. Backhands, however… I can’t believe there can be such a big feel difference between the two wings in one racket. I felt no stability when hitting my backhands in this playtest. Finding the sweetspot was an adjustment but even then the racket just did not plow and was shaky on impact. Trajectory was okay so maybe I could adjust, but it was just not fun. Also, this is the cheapest looking racket I’ve ever seen considering the awesome design. The finishing was not good up close, and I would actually rate my Prokennex Q+5 Doppio to be nicer in this aspect. It looks great from afar though, so maybe Babolat is up to something.

My conclusion:
For me the 2 rackets that stood out were the Dunlop FX 500 and the Head Speed MP. Coming from the Clash I don’t think I would be tempted to switch to the Speed since they were similar, unless my clash broke, but the FX 500 may be a consideration since it was just so fun, although the effects on my arm are yet to be found out. These two would be in my list for further testing if I were actually looking for a new racket. The Ezone 100 is just a great racket in general and I think I’d also be happy if I were handed this racket. The Pure Aero turned out to be a disappointment since the foreheads felt so good, but the backhands were a turn off. The real disappointment was with the vcore, since I was really hoping that Yonex would be my jam with the nice qc and everything, but maybe I should give it another chance if a friend happens to play with one. But in the end, I still love my current racket a lot, and would probably stay with it until it breaks/ gets too soft, which I am actually concerned about with clashes.

P.S.I’m generally excited to test any racket, but one I really want to know is the Prince Textreme 100. On paper this seems like a perfect contender for what I am personally looking for.

 

[Srik]

Since you liked FX 500, You can check out Dunlop SX 300 considering it’s just $99 now and some lead at 10 and 2 would be amazing for volleys and stability.

 

[dfwchar]

Nice detailed post! Following

 

[stapletonj]

I own 3 of these (varying years) as well as a Clash 100 V1.
I agree with what you say except for the vcore 100 which is my main stick.
I believe there, as you noted, you may have been the victim of a bad/old stringjob.

I have strung my vcore 100 (2023 model, but I also have the 2018 all red model) with poly, multi/poly, full multi, and gut/poly.
In all those iterations I have found pop, power and spin abundantly available, even without lead tape added anywhere.

Get hold of a vcore 100 (2023 model) strung with tight gut in the mains (like 62 lbs tight) and 55 lbs cross smooth poly and give it a whirl.
I think you opinion will change dramatically.

 

[GrUlti]

Since you liked FX 500, You can check out Dunlop SX 300 considering it’s just $99 now and some lead at 10 and 2 would be amazing for volleys and stability.

Damn that's a good deal actually. For some reason lately most of the hype I've heard for dunlop is the FX500, with the SX300 having somewhat mixed reviews.

 

[GrUlti]

I own 3 of these (varying years) as well as a Clash 100 V1.
I agree with what you say except for the vcore 100 which is my main stick.
I believe there, as you noted, you may have been the victim of a bad/old stringjob.

I have strung my vcore 100 (2023 model, but I also have the 2018 all red model) with poly, multi/poly, full multi, and gut/poly.
In all those iterations I have found pop, power and spin abundantly available, even without lead tape added anywhere.

Get hold of a vcore 100 (2023 model) strung with tight gut in the mains (like 62 lbs tight) and 55 lbs cross smooth poly and give it a whirl.
I think you opinion will change dramatically.

I really hope I can try another example soon. It's not just the strings, the frame looks like I tied it to my car and drove around, I wonder if of the frame integrity is compromised in my example

 

[Rosstour]

Nothing beats the Clash v1 Tour/pro/98 IMO

 

[GrUlti]

Nothing beats the Clash v1 Tour/pro/98 IMO

Luckily we’re not in competition for grommets. I really hope the frame lasts. I feel like mine is getting rounder over the years.

Since you have both the clash and the warrior I was wondering your experience with them compared to the clash. An Isner racket for ~100 sounds super cool

 

[Srik]

Damn that's a good deal actually. For some reason lately most of the hype I've heard for dunlop is the FX500, with the SX300 having somewhat mixed reviews.

You are right, I heard the same and gave it a try and did leather grip and 5 grams of tape at 10 and 2. It is so solid now. Almost feels like RF 97 but with massive spin window due to aero beam and 100 head size which is so forgiving plus it feels lot more comfortable irrespective of stiffness.

 

[jimdontcare]

Strongly consider going FX 500 with a shaped poly for a bit more launch/bite. Step up from Clash in every way, your demo is not deceiving you. If you enjoyed it most and know how to modify it to make it perfect I say go for it.

I like the SX 300 more than some but given your complaints with the aero I’m not sure it’s what you want. It also has one of the highest launch angles on the market right now. But a new edition is around the corner so you can consider holding off a moment and seeing what that looks like.

I’m a big fan of the Textreme Tours but they’re a step down in power from the FX 500 you tested (not enormous but noticeable). The 100 is more forgiving than the Percept 100 and more maneuverable than the Speed MP.