Need recommendations for tennis racquet (currently using Blade v7 16x19)

[potaytopotahto90]

Hi all, here's a little background to my tennis journey so far (been playing for three years)

Racket 1: Started off with a Wilson Pro Staff Six.One BLX 100 (65 RA) strung with Kevlar strings (no idea the tension) and played alright with it, felt my elbows were sore after some sessions but mostly went away after awhile.

Racket 2: Transitioned to my next and current racket which is a Blade v7 16x19, and i mostly strung it in a hybrid setup, like Luxilon Alu Rough and either a multifilament or synthetic gut, at around 54lbs. Though I like how the ball caught the strings and i could feel the ball pocketing well enough to make directional changes, I was struggling as I felt it wasn't as maneuverable as I wanted it to be. And I'm currently feeling really bad tennis elbow that extends long after playing sessions and in my daily life.

Racket 3: Next, I moved on to a Vcore Pro 97 (310g) 2019 edition with a hybrid setup (syn gut in mains and poly in crosses this time at 52lbs and 50lbs respectively) but felt like my shots were overpowered ironically and I was constantly hitting long, missing the sweetspot. Sold it shortly.

Now I know most people would point out that I should probably lower my tension and use softer polys, or pay attention to my techniques and I do agree, as after hitting with the Vcore Pro I felt like I was rewarded in well-timed and executed shots, but I didn't feel like I could generate as much topspin as I wanted with that racket. I've been told I have a fast whippy topspin extreme semi-western forehand that can be quite heavy. Currently using a two-hander but I love the 1HBH and i'm hoping to transition to that with more practice as my 2HBH is very flat and I can't seem to generate much pace, mostly using it defensively and bunting shots back.

That all being said, I'm hoping you guys can shed some light on what racket would be good for a 1handed backhand, that can generate sufficient topspin and is relatively easy on the elbow? I'll definitely lower the tension of my Blade eventually but it's quite perplexing how my first racket didn't give it that much TE despite a higher RA and Kevlar strings and yet the Blade completely killed my elbow. Perhaps there are other factors to consider but I have no idea what to look for in that case.

Currently I've set my eyes on the Yonex Vcore 95 2021, Ezone 98 (thought I heard it's more suitable for a 2HBH), Wilson Blade v8 (16x19 or 18x20, not sure which is better for my game), and even the Pure Strikes since I'm not entirely convinced that stiffness ratings are the only factor here anymore.

Can't demo any rackets where I'm from unfortunately, so any advice would be great!

 

[Hansen]

in general:
would stay away from stiff, „head heavy“ and small headed frames
would recommend a 100 sq inch frame, low 60 ra or lower, at least 5 points head light, with a open 18 by 20 pattern so that you can use soft strings without control issues but also that you can create enough spin

 

[Hansen]

racquets like
head speed pro, head gravity tour (tail weighted), prince phantom 100 18 - 20 etc

 

[Yamin]

The tech on the blade makes it very stiff at higher tensions or hard impacts. Most of the rackets you have chosen have a more head heavy balance, and that will definitely translate to more TE on the 1hbh.

Try lower string tension in the blade to 48-50, and put some weight in the handle to get the balance a bit more head light and make it feel more maneuverable.

The 2022 speed pro also looks like it could be really good given your description.

Clash 98 v1 is also good to try and requires no adjustment from the blade, but it's a love/hate racket.

 

[AverageForehand]

- Wilson Ultra Pro 16x19 - but needs to be modified with a little bit of lead
- Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 100 v13 (16x19)
- ProKennex KiQ+5 (16x20)
- ProKennex KiQ+ Tour 315 (16x19)
- ProKennex KiQ+ Tour 325 (18x20)

I had pretty bad elbow issues and can only play with a Pro Kennex pain free.

 

[yourtennisfit]

Currently I've set my eyes on the Yonex Vcore 95 2021, Ezone 98 (thought I heard it's more suitable for a 2HBH), Wilson Blade v8 (16x19 or 18x20, not sure which is better for my game), and even the Pure Strikes since I'm not entirely convinced that stiffness ratings are the only factor here anymore.

Can't demo any rackets where I'm from unfortunately, so any advice would be great!

So if you are really experiencing TE from the Blade, I do not really understand the rackets you zeroed in on - as they all are around the same ballpark in stiffness etc
First of all - get the elbow checked out to eliminate possible physical problems. This forum always seems to think that by changing strings & rackets, you would get your elbow mysteriously solved overnight. But maybe also look into therapy, treatment and fitness etc

Back to the racket though - if you want to address TE, you should seek for a more flexible and less harsh one.
If you "already" feel the mid 60s stiffness of a Blade, the Ezone und Blade v8 should be around the same. Personally, I didn't feel anything with both the Ezone+ and Blade 16x19, but I so far have kept the elbow healthy luckily.
Softer alternatives might be the Clash 98 (lacking control though), Prestige Pro (formerly MP) or Yonex Vcore Pro. All other Prestige like rackets, like the Ultra Tour, might be worth a look too, but you really want to go low 60s or high 50s in terms of flex.
If you need a bit more help in terms of power, maybe look into a Head Speed MP or Extreme Tour.

If you cannot demo, that makes things slightly more complicated - but maybe then look for used rackets first or find someone in your local club that plays one of them.

 

[silentkman]

Hi all, here's a little background to my tennis journey so far (been playing for three years)

Racket 1: Started off with a Wilson Pro Staff Six.One BLX 100 (65 RA) strung with Kevlar strings (no idea the tension) and played alright with it, felt my elbows were sore after some sessions but mostly went away after awhile.

Racket 2: Transitioned to my next and current racket which is a Blade v7 16x19, and i mostly strung it in a hybrid setup, like Luxilon Alu Rough and either a multifilament or synthetic gut, at around 54lbs. Though I like how the ball caught the strings and i could feel the ball pocketing well enough to make directional changes, I was struggling as I felt it wasn't as maneuverable as I wanted it to be. And I'm currently feeling really bad tennis elbow that extends long after playing sessions and in my daily life.

Racket 3: Next, I moved on to a Vcore Pro 97 (310g) 2019 edition with a hybrid setup (syn gut in mains and poly in crosses this time at 52lbs and 50lbs respectively) but felt like my shots were overpowered ironically and I was constantly hitting long, missing the sweetspot. Sold it shortly.

Now I know most people would point out that I should probably lower my tension and use softer polys, or pay attention to my techniques and I do agree, as after hitting with the Vcore Pro I felt like I was rewarded in well-timed and executed shots, but I didn't feel like I could generate as much topspin as I wanted with that racket. I've been told I have a fast whippy topspin extreme semi-western forehand that can be quite heavy. Currently using a two-hander but I love the 1HBH and i'm hoping to transition to that with more practice as my 2HBH is very flat and I can't seem to generate much pace, mostly using it defensively and bunting shots back.

That all being said, I'm hoping you guys can shed some light on what racket would be good for a 1handed backhand, that can generate sufficient topspin and is relatively easy on the elbow? I'll definitely lower the tension of my Blade eventually but it's quite perplexing how my first racket didn't give it that much TE despite a higher RA and Kevlar strings and yet the Blade completely killed my elbow. Perhaps there are other factors to consider but I have no idea what to look for in that case.

Currently I've set my eyes on the Yonex Vcore 95 2021, Ezone 98 (thought I heard it's more suitable for a 2HBH), Wilson Blade v8 (16x19 or 18x20, not sure which is better for my game), and even the Pure Strikes since I'm not entirely convinced that stiffness ratings are the only factor here anymore.

Can't demo any rackets where I'm from unfortunately, so any advice would be great!

I've been using NG 18 gauge with my V7 16x19 because of my rotator cuff surgery. I have it strung at 52lbs but I my go to 50. To me, NG is the best option.

 

[soulfree914]

May not help with your elbow problems, but I transitioned from a Blade v7 16x19 to a Pro Staff v13 to get a bit more head-light racquet that can still produce a heavy ball. I love ripping my 1HBH and although the Blade v7 was great for it, Pro Staff works even better for me when I am on the defensive without enough time to take a full cut at the ball and with backhand slices. Surprising that you experienced elbow pain with a Blade though. For me, it was such a comfortably plush racquet that saved my arm every time I was framing or hitting outside of the sweetspot. The Pro Staff is a bit on the stiffer side so I miss the Blade sometimes in that aspect. I wouldn't use anything that starts with "Alu Power ..." though if you have elbow issues. Try to hybrid with a softer poly instead, something like a Ice Code or Isospeed Cream.

Prince racquets are mostly nice and plush and works well with 1HBH. The Textreme Tour and Phantom 100x are really nice.

 

[Lorenn]

"...maneuverable... Elbow injury. Looking for heavy spin...desire to switch to 1hbh"

Elbow issues just depends on where all the energy goes...which depends on the design of the racquet and the string chosen. Switching a racquet always introduces new stress to the system and is likely to cause issues. Easiest answer is to restring. You could switch to a forgiving 100/104/107 with nice strings until you recover. Speed Pro, Speed MP, Gravity Tour, Gravity Pro, Prince Textreme Tour, Prince Phantoms, Prokennex. Then after you feel you have recovered start exploring 98s.

 

[gvsbdisco]

I used V7 16x19 last season and liked it plenty. I had no reason to switch, but I bought a used beat up 2015 Prince Textreme Tour 100p and liked it better. Even though its an 18x20 the spacing is similar to the v7 16x19. Similar spin, swings faster and while I had no issue comfort wise with the Blade the 100p has very long mains and a larger sweet spot; I think it is more forgiving and comfortable. My volleys are poor so the increased head size has helped me out. I have not hit the current version of the 100p so I can't speak to it although I know they jacked up the RA.