Looking for a new racket

[NS_Tennis]

I'm looking for a new racket and would appreciate some insights on my top choices.

Current racket: I have been playing with the Volkl Organix 10 Mid for the past 8+ years (93 sq. in, 16x19) and am looking for something more forgiving and easier to play with.
Style and level of play: I play at around 5.0 level and don't have a problem hitting the sweet spot or generating my own power but looking for a racket that can help my game (specifically serves) as I start to play more competitive. I mostly play an all-court game and like hitting winners and changing direction with full swings for which the Organix 10 Mid is really good.
Rackets I've tried:
Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 3rd Gen: liked it but after playing a bit felt some discomfort in my arm possibly due to high stiffness
Yonex EZone 2022: was a bit too much power for me and didn't feel special
Yonex VCore 95 7th Gen: liked it the most out of the rackets I've demoed so far, but still did not feel special. Definitely had more power and spin and was serving better but not sure if I should switch to this yet. Maybe need to spend some more time getting used to it.
Other rackets I'm thinking about:
Prestige Pro 2021 or 2023
Prestige Tour 2021 or 2023
Yonex Percept 97

I prefer rackets in the 95-98 sq in range that have more control and can help with serving while being a bit more forgiving than my Organix 10 Mid.

 

[lazyfootwork]

Prince Tour 98
Volkl C10 Pro
Dunlop CX200 (in your preferred string pattern)

All three are should help achieve your goal of getting a bit more for free, are arm-friendly, and are well-priced relative to the market. Hope this helps!

Also if you’re willing to go used, I’d personally recommend the Head Youtek IG Radical Pro, this frame is something special. And TW still sells grommets that fit for $7

 

[jimmy8]

Try the Wilson ultra pro v4 16x19 - 97 sqin, 305 grams unstrung, beautiful cosmetics, amazing control like prestige tour auxetic, but more forgiving, RA is low for arm comfort.

 

[AmericanTwist]

If you are a true 5.0 you will like frames 63ra and lower. Try Wilson Ultra pro 18x20 v3 or v4, Blade v8 or Blade Pro 18x20, Dunlop cx 200 Tour 18x20, Head speed mp, speed pro, gravity pro, gravity mp. Prince 100x 18x20, phantom pro 18x20. yonex 97D or similar current line up. These are the frames I would demo first.

I'm currently playing with the Dunlop cx 200 tour 18x20 - sublime feel with pretty good spin and Wilson Ultra tour/pro 18x20 v3 (I haven't tired v4 yet but I'm sure I'd love it too as both have very consistent string bed).

However, a true 5.0 friend I have plays with the RF97A. I've hit with this stick and will say that you need good technique to play with it. However, if you can swing it and have good footwork, this frame will do all the work for you. 68ra which is much stiffer. Report back in a year or so once you've decided on which frame lol...

 

[Steve Huff]

If you have the power and want a great racket that's also easy on the arm, try the Pro Kennex Black Ace (whichever weight you feel best suits your game).

 

[Brando]

How tall are you, @NS_Tennis? I ask because certain recoil-weighted frames work better with certain arm lengths, making the racquet come thru more naturally for you (vs. your having to subtly muscle the face open or closed at contact). Upshot: I can tell you the frame that'll swing most effortlessly for you in your group.

 

[Soundbyte]

C10 Pro
Gravity Pro (100")
Prestige Tour 2023 (95")
Pro Kennex 5g/7g (these are 100" but play great and and still have good feel/control)

CX200 Tour/Artengo/Ultra Pro all require significant modding but can be modded to be great playing sticks.

 

[KC!]

Percept 97D has amazing feel & control. It’s an 18x20, but I don’t have any issues generating spin. The raquet feels like an extension of my arm, absolutely love it. I string in the low to mid 40’s with a controlled poly.

 

[NS_Tennis]

Thanks everyone! So many more options to choose from and I'm more confused now lol. But leaning towards the following:
- C10 Pro
- C10 Pro EVO
- Prestige Tour 2021 or 2023
- Prince Tour 95 or 98

Idk why but I've never been much of a fan of Dunlop or Wilson so might not go for them even though the CX 200 and Ultra Pro sound like great options - but I guess the other rackets above are similar as well.

I have always wanted to try the Head Prestige that's why it's still on my list but given I already play with a Volkl I might just go with the C10 Pro or C10 Pro EVO as they seem great for what I want.

Have limited options to demo so might just be able to demo 2 or 3 of these.

Prince Tour 98
Volkl C10 Pro
Dunlop CX200 (in your preferred string pattern)

All three are should help achieve your goal of getting a bit more for free, are arm-friendly, and are well-priced relative to the market. Hope this helps!

Also if you’re willing to go used, I’d personally recommend the Head Youtek IG Radical Pro, this frame is something special. And TW still sells grommets that fit for $7

Thanks! These all seem great options. Wondering if you have any insights on C10 Pro EVO?
The C10 Pro sounds great but just worried about the heavy static weight as it seems even heavier than my Organix 10 Mid which is already a pretty heavy racket while the C10 Pro EVO could serve as a good platform racket.

The Prince Tour 98 also seems great but not available anywhere in Canada and I was wondering how it compares to the 95? The TW reviews for the 98 are amazing so might be worth a demo.

Try the Wilson ultra pro v4 16x19 - 97 sqin, 305 grams unstrung, beautiful cosmetics, amazing control like prestige tour auxetic, but more forgiving, RA is low for arm comfort.

Thanks! Looks like a great option and will definitely keep it in mind.

If you are a true 5.0 you will like frames 63ra and lower. Try Wilson Ultra pro 18x20 v3 or v4, Blade v8 or Blade Pro 18x20, Dunlop cx 200 Tour 18x20, Head speed mp, speed pro, gravity pro, gravity mp. Prince 100x 18x20, phantom pro 18x20. yonex 97D or similar current line up. These are the frames I would demo first.

I'm currently playing with the Dunlop cx 200 tour 18x20 - sublime feel with pretty good spin and Wilson Ultra tour/pro 18x20 v3 (I haven't tired v4 yet but I'm sure I'd love it too as both have very consistent string bed).

However, a true 5.0 friend I have plays with the RF97A. I've hit with this stick and will say that you need good technique to play with it. However, if you can swing it and have good footwork, this frame will do all the work for you. 68ra which is much stiffer. Report back in a year or so once you've decided on which frame lol...

All of these seem great, but I've mostly only played with 16x19 pattern, so preferably looking for the same style. Might try one 18x20 to see how it plays though.

 

[NS_Tennis]

How tall are you, @NS_Tennis? I ask because certain recoil-weighted frames work better with certain arm lengths, making the racquet come thru more naturally for you (vs. your having to subtly muscle the face open or closed at contact). Upshot: I can tell you the frame that'll swing most effortlessly for you in your group.

I'm 5"8 so not too tall which is why I was looking for something that would help with serves as I tend to double fault a lot.

 

[NS_Tennis]

C10 Pro
Gravity Pro (100")
Prestige Tour 2023 (95")
Pro Kennex 5g/7g (these are 100" but play great and and still have good feel/control)

CX200 Tour/Artengo/Ultra Pro all require significant modding but can be modded to be great playing sticks.

Do you have any insights on:
C10 Pro vs C10 Pro EVO (both seem great and similar to what I'm looking for but EVO is lighter so might be easier to play with and customize)
Prestige Tour 2021 vs 2023 (2021 is on sale right now so if there is not that much difference might just go for that rather than 2023)

 

[Brando]

I'm 5"8 so not too tall which is why I was looking for something that would help with serves as I tend to double fault a lot.

OK, 5'8” means your ideal is 160rw (±2 points). Assuming you use an overgrip, you’ll want to start around 157rw. Your current picks (listed below with their rw’s) give me a map of your spec prefs, so here’s what’s currently out there in your wheelhouse:

– Pure Aero 2019 [156rw]
– Dunlop CX 200 Tour 16x19 [160rw– a li’l high but has most of your specs]
– Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20 [158rw– for reference; 18x20 seems not 4 u?]
– Dunlop FX 500 Tour [155rw]
– Head Prestige Pro 2021 [156rw– but 18x20]
– ProKennex Ki Black Ace Pro [159– has all your specs]
– Solinco Whiteout 305 [156rw]
– Tecnifibre TF40 315 16x19 [155rw]
– Wilson Blade 98 v8 16x19 [157rw]
– Yonex V Core 100 [155rw]
– Yonex V Core 98 305 [158rw]

YOUR CURRENT PICKS
- C10 Pro [185rw]
- C10 EVO [148rw] (idk if there’s a Pro EVO)
- Prestige Tour 2021 or 2023 [2021: 170rw]
- Prince Tour 95 or 98 [164rw or 147]

The bolded frames are my picks for you. But you’re a good player and you’ll know for yourself. Hope this helps to narrow down your search.

[NOTE: an apt recoil weight will do wonders for your serve, esp. given your 5.0-level service motion. If you wanna know more about why recoil is impo, check out this thread.]

 

[puppybutts]

If you are a true 5.0 you will like frames 63ra and lower

there are plenty of pros who play with racquets with an RA above 64. what load of crock is that. OP is specifically looking for more power, which is a totally fine request for someone at 5.0 or above or any level. after talking about a "true 5.0", then you mention your friend who plays with 68 RA. no need to make people feel like they're not advanced if they don't play with a particular spec.

 

[NS_Tennis]

OK, 5'8” means your ideal is 160rw (±2 points). Assuming you use an overgrip, you’ll want to start around 157rw. Your current picks (listed below with their rw’s) give me a map of your spec prefs, so here’s what’s currently out there in your wheelhouse:

– Pure Aero 2019 [156rw]
– Dunlop CX 200 Tour 16x19 [160rw– a li’l high but has most of your specs]
– Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20 [158rw– for reference; 18x20 seems not 4 u?]
– Dunlop FX 500 Tour [155rw]
– Head Prestige Pro 2021 [156rw– but 18x20]
– ProKennex Ki Black Ace Pro [159– has all your specs]
– Solinco Whiteout 305 [156rw]
– Tecnifibre TF40 315 16x19 [155rw]
– Wilson Blade 98 v8 16x19 [157rw]
– Yonex V Core 100 [155rw]
– Yonex V Core 98 305 [158rw]

YOUR CURRENT PICKS
- C10 Pro [185rw]
- C10 EVO [148rw] (idk if there’s a Pro EVO)
- Prestige Tour 2021 or 2023 [2021: 170rw]
- Prince Tour 95 or 98 [164rw or 147]

The bolded frames are my picks for you. But you’re a good player and you’ll know for yourself. Hope this helps to narrow down your search.

[NOTE: an apt recoil weight will do wonders for your serve, esp. given your 5.0-level service motion. If you wanna know more about why recoil is impo, check out this thread.]

Thanks, that's really helpful! I wasn't familiar with RW before this.

The Volkl Organix 10 Mid that I currently play with has a RW of 157 and is really comfortable to swing for me.

I think I'll try the 18x20 swing pattern with CX200 Tour and Prestige Pro 2021 as they seem right in my wheelhouse (other than the string pattern) and have seen a lot of really good reviews from people similar to my playing style.

 

[Brando]

What? What? What? You say you already play 157 RW?!! I'm Shocked! Actually, that jibes with my database. Better players tend to be swinging their apt RW, or ±2 of it, already. (But ain't the confirmation nice?) Re. your picks: Dark Horses, and I love that look on you, @NS_Tennis. And both frames have ideal MgR/I for heavyweights, 20.9 and 21, respectively.

Funny thing? I almost excluded them for being 18x20. Then I thought, "I've found 'em and they're beautiful and on-sale. Might as well include them, if only for reference." In case you haven't played 18x20s, do string 17 gauge max. And if you're a string breaker, you're gonna love 18x20's durability.

Given their mass and (subsequently) large sweetspots, they'll play much like a 16x19 (but with a smidge less launch). Speaking of which, the CX200T has a103cm sweetspot (quite big for a 95) and the Prestige's is 110. I'm betting on the Prestige; who walks away from CAP grommets, if you can swing 'em? Either way, I can't wait to hear how it all turns out...

 

[t_pac]

TF40

 

[lazyfootwork]

How tall are you, @NS_Tennis? I ask because certain recoil-weighted frames work better with certain arm lengths, making the racquet come thru more naturally for you (vs. your having to subtly muscle the face open or closed at contact). Upshot: I can tell you the frame that'll swing most effortlessly for you in your group.

Sorry to hijack, but I’m curious. I’m 6’4”, can you name the best-swinging frames at my height?

 

[fuzz nation]

Sorry to hijack, but I’m curious. I’m 6’4”, can you name the best-swinging frames at my height?

Not a hijack in my humble opinion, but if you want to get into a bit of a back and forth chat with somebody without derailing a thread, you can click on that person's username and start a private conversation (in case you've never tried that).