More comfortable TF40

[vanworth]

Love my tf40 305s 18x20 first gen but they do give me some arm pain.

I’ve been doing some research and Blade 18x20, Head Gravity Tour and Head Speed pro seem super close in specs.

Anyone who has played any of these compared to TF40 how did they find the difference in comfort?

I don’t really want to go the clash route and find the Prince phantoms underpowered for my game.

 

[MiddlingPlayer]

I play with the new 16X19 315 TF40 and it's very comfortable to hit with. If you haven't tried it, I would highly recommend try this years rackets. The new Head Speed Pro is also a very comfortable racket, but it was too powerful for me when I demoed it as i kept hitting the balls long.

 

[Spin Diesel]

What strings at which tension do you use? I find mine rather comfortable?

 

[Rosstour]

I wrecked my arm using a gen1 TF40. Lovely racquet but I don't think I can go back to using it.

I'd go with the Blade, but 16/19. That's my next racquet.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Look at the Head Speed series. Try the MP and the Pro. The Pro swings heavier than the published weight, not sure why.

 

[Spin Diesel]

I demoed Speed Pro and Gravity Pro alongside the TF40 and I think they are quite a bit less controlled. So if you like me, enjoy it because of its control, then they might not be what you‘re looking for.

Maybe the Prestige 18x20 could be an option. Though it has a pretty different balance.

 

[vanworth]

What strings at which tension do you use? I find mine rather comfortable?

I have changed from poly to Prince premier control multi, just would rather play with poly. Got a match tonight will see how it goes!

 

[vanworth]

I play with the new 16X19 315 TF40 and it's very comfortable to hit with. If you haven't tried it, I would highly recommend try this years rackets. The new Head Speed Pro is also a very comfortable racket, but it was too powerful for me when I demoed it as i kept hitting the balls long.

I prefer 18x20 as play lots of slice

 

[vanworth]

I demoed Speed Pro and Gravity Pro alongside the TF40 and I think they are quite a bit less controlled. So if you like me, enjoy it because of its control, then they might not be what you‘re looking for.

Maybe the Prestige 18x20 could be an option. Though it has a pretty different balance.

thanks I’ll do some research on that one

 

[vanworth]

I wrecked my arm using a gen1 TF40. Lovely racquet but I don't think I can go back to using it.

I'd go with the Blade, but 16/19. That's my next racquet.

how have you got on with the blade?

 

[Rosstour]

how have you got on with the blade?

I played with it once and it was absolutely magical, it was like I was drawing a path for the ball and then pulling the trigger. The game slowed down even further. Absolute control on every shot including the serve (rare for me to gel with a racquet on the serve immediately). Violent topspin. Pinpoint precision on dropshots and slices.

 

[jindra]

Another one of those threads where players think they're talking about racquets but really are talking about their level of play.

 

[DontQuixote]

The latest one is quite soft. Try the latest one.

 

[vanworth]

The latest one is quite soft. Try the latest one.

do you find it softer? I don’t think gen one is a harsh racket by any means, just not soft enough for me and my game with poly.

 

[vanworth]

I played with it once and it was absolutely magical, it was like I was drawing a path for the ball and then pulling the trigger. The game slowed down even further. Absolute control on every shot including the serve (rare for me to gel with a racquet on the serve immediately). Violent topspin. Pinpoint precision on dropshots and slices.

interesting, I did try the 7th gen 16x19 but as I’ve said I don’t like that string pattern for my game, I’m leaning towards the 18x20 as the one I may add to my bag.

 

[vanworth]

Another one of those threads where players think they're talking about racquets but really are talking about their level of play.

you may well be right, however, you come across very arrogant

 

[StanAO14]

Artengo tc960. Also use a thinner gauge string and don’t string higher than 48lbs/ 22kg

 

[Dillon4787]

played or owned almost all of these -- haven't played the 18x20 blade but in terms of feel, you're on the right track. Both the v8 Blade and the Gravity tour are great and pretty comfortable relative to the TF40.

 

[jalapeno74]

Played with all (some) of the raquets mentioned. My 2cents:

- Gravity Tour - easy to use, nice blend of power and control, 100" works well for 2HBH. Feel is good
- Speed Pro - great racquet, does everything well. Never really liked it though (combination of thickness, shape and size I guess). Very comfy
- Blade 18x20 (only played the v7) - not my cup of tea, kinda slow. Prefer the 16x19 by far

 

[Parabellum]

Diadem Elevate FS 98 or FS Tour 98 if you want heavier. Closest you'll get to a TF40, foam filled and errthang.

 

[Ryebread]

New prince 100p

 

[Rosstour]

interesting, I did try the 7th gen 16x19 but as I’ve said I don’t like that string pattern for my game, I’m leaning towards the 18x20 as the one I may add to my bag.

I love my 18/20 but it puts too much weight in the hoop for me. I don't mind neutral racquets but they are known for putting more stress on the upper arm and shoulder, which happened to me

I thought I wanted to get away from 16/19 but Blade 98 showed me otherwise.

 

[Chairman3]

Are you having arm pain or elbow pain?

If arm, like forearm, it could be a combination of the balance of the 305, which is only a few points HL, and swingweight.
You may need a more HL racquet as they can feel easier to swing.
This is a pretty soft racquet so it could be too much arm in your swing.
You may even have one overspec as tecnifibre doesn't have the best QC and your swingweight could be higher than listed.

 

[DontQuixote]

do you find it softer? I don’t think gen one is a harsh racket by any means, just not soft enough for me and my game with poly.

Take a look at this vid:

This ATP pro tried many racquets to change to the TF-40 came in second, but in the end he ended up changing to the TF-40.

Everyone talks about how soft it is. Even Andrew Gu from Tennisspin changed his racquet to TF-40 after trying it. (16x40) BTW for both Andrew and this ATP pro.

Try it I think you will find a similar racquet to what you know but a lot softer on the arms.

 

[FutureF1]

I’m right now on a gut/PTP hybrid on my 1st gen 18x20 at 53/48 and I’m still getting some tennis elbow issues. Obviously level of play is one thing, but I also don’t mishit that often. It’s been a little while on the poly so not sure if it being dead could hurt the arm too, but I fear going softer could completely destroy the control of the racquet, so similar boat to OP.

 

[nohandedbackhand]

18x20 with poly and having pain = 100% string lower. You’d be surprised how low you can go and still maintain control. Maybe thinner gauge string too but lower tension will likely make more of a difference.

 

[Nate7-5]

Another one of those threads where players think they're talking about racquets but really are talking about their level of play.

 

[aarenes]

As others have said, string lower but you could also try just stringing 18x19 and seeing if that helps

 

[EKTiger]

look at prokennex maybe

 

[vanworth]

Update - no pain from premier control strings, also now tried MSV focus hex and didn’t feel pain. I think the strings I had must have suddenly died, but not ever had that before where it was sudden crippling pain from nowhere!