Looking for a low-powered player's racquet

[BatTennis]

Hello,

As a proud racquetaholic, I'm looking for a new racquet that suits my new game style, which has changed from a few years ago. My main racquet is the Head Youtek Speed MP (16x19, 315g) and I use a strong eastern forehand grip and a two-handed backhand. Level of play, I'd say 4.5 NTRP, with good technique. I tried tweener racquets such as the APD13, but I don't enjoy playing with it (but I admit it is a very good racquet).

I really like to hit the ball with my own power and a full swing, so I need a low-powered racquet that works well with flat and low-top spin balls. I play a very aggressive all-court tennis, going for the forehand winner as soon as I have the chance. So, I'm going on a demo spree.

Which one do you think is more appropriate among these? I'd like to avoid trying some of them, as they are too many. Any other suggestion is appreciated!
- Head Prestige Pro or MP (I fear they might be too difficult);
- Head Prestige S or Tour (similar to the two above but more playable for my level);
- Wilson Blade 18x20;
- Pure Strike 18x20 (I guess this might be too stiff);
- Wilson Ultra Tour;
- Prince Textreme Tour 100P (the easiest of the bunch?);
- Wilson Pro Staff 97 or 97L;
- Head Speed Pro (instead of MP).

I think using a more difficult racquet might be beneficial to improve my game in the long-term. I don't play competitively, so I just like having fun.
Thank you.

 

[styksnstryngs]

I'd buy the old microgel radical mp and a little bit of lead tape. Super control oriented and not very powerful.

 

[Voytek Bunia]

TT 100p is a must to demo as is speed pro.

 

[whacktheball]

Try the volkl vsense 10 325. It is a low powered racquet with a great ball feel and excellent control. Works great with poly at low tension.

 

[Roland G]

I have a Prestige XT S which gets an occasional outing and may become my main stick. It's low-powered with a smallish sweet spot but great control and very maneuverable. If you swing it fairly fast and hit on the centre of the strings it's a very rewarding frame. I'm adding a bit of weight to it - 3g at 12 and 6g at the top of the handle. It's light enough to play a bit around with the specs so we'll see tomorrow.

 

[sma1001]

If you were me then you'd avoid the recent Heads - anything with the word "graphene" in it. Why? Because they are hollow and have a less than optimum feel when even minutely outside the sweetspot (which most of us are 90% of the time). I'm biased of course - as are all of us on the forums - but i think you have identified the wrong Prince. The Phantom Pro 100P has a classic box beam, and a low stiffness rating. This is a god formula for low power and control. Demo it - and others - and see what you think. You are the ultimate arbiter of the truth - for your own game.

 

[ced]

Hello,

As a proud racquetaholic, I'm looking for a new racquet that suits my new game style, which has changed from a few years ago. My main racquet is the Head Youtek Speed MP (16x19, 315g) and I use a strong eastern forehand grip and a two-handed backhand. Level of play, I'd say 4.5 NTRP, with good technique. I tried tweener racquets such as the APD13, but I don't enjoy playing with it (but I admit it is a very good racquet).

I really like to hit the ball with my own power and a full swing, so I need a low-powered racquet that works well with flat and low-top spin balls. I play a very aggressive all-court tennis, going for the forehand winner as soon as I have the chance. So, I'm going on a demo spree.

.

The way you describe your play i would think that the 18 x 20 Technifibre TFight DC315 LTD (18M) would be the perfect fit for you !!! Give it a try and I don't think you will turn back .

 

[n8dawg6]

if you are playing just for fun then you are unlike any 4.5 i have ever met. regardless, frames like the prince tour 100P and touch speed pro are good low-powered alternatives that still give you a little more forgiveness than frames like the prestige MP, the srixon tour racquet, or the wilson ultra tour.

 

[nvr2old]

PrinceTT tour 100p great stick. A couple for sale in TTW for sale section.

 

[BatTennis]

Just finished playing with the Prestige Pro. Amazing stick, what a pleasure playing tennis with it. Definitely harder in defensive situations but loved it when I was in control. Very curious to try the 18x20 now.

 

[Big Bagel]

I would say any of the Prestiges are a good choice, and the Wilson Ultra Tour. The others on your list aren't bad, but the Prestiges and the Ultra Tour I think fit the best, especially since you said you usually hit flatter.

 

[CosmosMpower]

Textreme Tour 95, Angell TC95 or TC97

 

[Matthew Lee]

Why don’t you try a thicker string gauge, or a higher tension?

 

[ROCKinCourier]

if you are playing just for fun then you are unlike any 4.5 i have ever met. regardless, frames like the prince tour 100P and touch speed pro are good low-powered alternatives that still give you a little more forgiveness than frames like the prestige MP, the srixon tour racquet, or the wilson ultra tour.

People should know their ranking. If they say anything like "I should be around" or "something like" ...

Then I just assume 3.5. There's nothing wrong with that either. It's just people that hit around for fun tend to overrate themselves forgetting how difficult it is to turn casual practice performance into match performance.

 

[n8dawg6]

People should know their ranking. If they say anything like "I should be around" or "something like" ...

Then I just assume 3.5. There's nothing wrong with that either. It's just people that hit around for fun tend to overrate themselves forgetting how difficult it is to turn casual practice performance into match performance.

exactly. 4.5s are 4.5s bc they are very competitive and they have won a lot in league play at some point along the way. anyhoo.

 

[ROCKinCourier]

exactly. 4.5s are 4.5s bc they are very competitive and they have won a lot in league play at some point along the way. anyhoo.

Yeah, but I just realized OP is from London -- so he can come back and shut me up real quick since they obviously have their own ranking system, and it might be difficult to translate that to USTA rankings

 

[BatTennis]

Lol. I used to be ranked in my home country (not the US, and not even the UK) and the comparable level (from the website) is 5.0. Given that I have a quite demanding full-time job now and I only play with friends and colleagues, my level of tennis and fitness is not what was before, so I assumed a level of 4.5. And this is also why I mentioned that I prefer having fun to winning.

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

Angell K7 or TC97 ... the tc95 is not low powered... Also think about the classic Head microgel radical ... a great frame and a great deal on TW

 

[time_fly]

Just finished playing with the Prestige Pro. Amazing stick, what a pleasure playing tennis with it. Definitely harder in defensive situations but loved it when I was in control. Very curious to try the 18x20 now.

Interesting, I found the Prestige Pro to be relatively powerful. The 18x20 has a much lower launch angle; if you switch from the Pro to the MP during a session expect to hit the net a lot at first. The Blade plays a lot differently than the other sticks on the list because it is lighter with more weight in the head. I'd also look a the new Yonex VCORE Pros if you can get the chance. I have tried the 310g and it is very easy to use and has excellent stability and control. It probably needs a bit of weight to hit a heavier ball, but with the stock weight and balance there's plenty of room to add a bit of weight without turning it into an unwieldy club.

 

[WestboroChe]

Hello,

As a proud racquetaholic, I'm looking for a new racquet that suits my new game style, which has changed from a few years ago. My main racquet is the Head Youtek Speed MP (16x19, 315g) and I use a strong eastern forehand grip and a two-handed backhand. Level of play, I'd say 4.5 NTRP, with good technique. I tried tweener racquets such as the APD13, but I don't enjoy playing with it (but I admit it is a very good racquet).

I really like to hit the ball with my own power and a full swing, so I need a low-powered racquet that works well with flat and low-top spin balls. I play a very aggressive all-court tennis, going for the forehand winner as soon as I have the chance. So, I'm going on a demo spree.

Which one do you think is more appropriate among these? I'd like to avoid trying some of them, as they are too many. Any other suggestion is appreciated!
- Head Prestige Pro or MP (I fear they might be too difficult);
- Head Prestige S or Tour (similar to the two above but more playable for my level);
- Wilson Blade 18x20;
- Pure Strike 18x20 (I guess this might be too stiff);
- Wilson Ultra Tour;
- Prince Textreme Tour 100P (the easiest of the bunch?);
- Wilson Pro Staff 97 or 97L;
- Head Speed Pro (instead of MP).

I think using a more difficult racquet might be beneficial to improve my game in the long-term. I don't play competitively, so I just like having fun.
Thank you.

What about the Phantom Pro 100P? I tried that one out and it was even lower powered than the Tour100P. Super flexy.

 

[WestboroChe]

Try the volkl vsense 10 325. It is a low powered racquet with a great ball feel and excellent control. Works great with poly at low tension.

Very similar the TT 100P. In fact when I was demoing it at one point I thought I was hitting with my 100P until I looked down.

 

[asifallasleep]

if you are playing just for fun then you are unlike any 4.5 i have ever met. regardless, frames like the prince tour 100P and touch speed pro are good low-powered alternatives that still give you a little more forgiveness than frames like the prestige MP, the srixon tour racquet, or the wilson ultra tour.

you cannot be serious!!! (sorry, couldn't help because of your avatar photo)

 

[Dartagnan64]

if you are playing just for fun then you are unlike any 4.5 i have ever met. regardless, frames like the prince tour 100P and touch speed pro are good low-powered alternatives that still give you a little more forgiveness than frames like the prestige MP, the srixon tour racquet, or the wilson ultra tour.

Every 4.5 I've ever met plays for fun. Competitive for sure but that's fun for them. They certainly aren't playing for money or prestige.

 

[dak95_00]

I’ve been down this road before. I’ve hit with many of the Prestige 18x20 racquets and found them to be the lowest powered; especially, when strung at higher tensions. I absolutely hated the XT version.

I’ve hit the Blade 98 18x20 a couple of times and found it okay but maybe too powerful.

The racquet that I ended up liking the most was the Blade 104 and its 18x19 pattern. It had controllable power which was more important than just low power. It’s comfortable and not harsh. That’s my $0.02

 

[WestboroChe]

I would also check out the Redondo by ProKennex. Looks like a more flexible version of my old PS.

 

[gplracer]

Pro Staff 97 or Blade. One is head light and one is more head heavy.

 

[PrinceMoron]

Go left field and try a technifibre flash 300, it is a blast.

Or DR98+ is super plush and huge on serves and returns.

Or Phantom 93P for total enjoyment