Need suggestion for MG Radical MP

AMGF

Hall of Fame
Hi, new here! :)
I've been playing tennis since I was 10yo (now 40). I'm a solid 4.5+ I would be better if I played year long but I rarely play during winter. I've got a long forehand swing but a more compact two hands back hand. I'm an all around player and hit on the rise a lot.

Anyhow, I've been playing with my Microgel Radical MP for the last 5 years or so. I really love that racquet and I would basically like to keep the same style of racquet but I'd like to change to a more open string pattern than my Radical's 18X20.

What would you suggest I try?

So far I came up with:
-Head Speed
-Head Prestige
-Head Radical
-Wilson Blade 98S
-Wilson RF97
-Price Original Graphite 100
-Babolat Strike tour

Really curious to see what you racquet gurus think I should try.
Thanks!
 

TobyTopspin

Professional
Of the sticks on your list, I would go with the Blade 98s.

The MG Radical MP is a maneuverable, flexy, control frame. The Blade 98s has the same traits, but the string pattern will give you more spin most likely. Both sticks feel similar to me in most areas of the game. I get plenty of spin from either one, but I prefer the Radical because it is a little more solid with the 18X20 pattern. Plus if I want to give my arm a break, I can use some multi on the Radical where as the 98s would eat through the string job a little quicker. The 98s isn't nearly the string eater that the 99s is though.

I've spent a good bit of time with both of these sticks and I could easily switch to either one full time without any modifications. I could also switch mid match between both of these sticks and be fine.

Give the 98s a demo. It maybe the most underrated stick on the board.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
They'd all work fine, but bear in mind your're increasing SW by at least 10 points, then adding another handful or more of stiffness in the new rackets, making a more powerful racket overall, but also more prone to damaging fragile body parts, like elbows, shoulder's, and wrists.
Go to the courts, you will see all sorts of good players using all the racket's you listed, so all work just fine, plus another 30+ rackets you didn't list.
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
Thanks all for the feed back. :)

One small rant, the shop I went to made it clear that they don't expect me to demo all the racquets I have an interest in. The clerk was all, yeah you can try a couple racquets (5$ each to demo) then we will refund the amount on the purchase of racquets. But if you want to demo them all, then we will only take 25$ off, the rest is out your pockets. WTF? Anyhow...

I demo'ed the 98S and Strike Tour. The Strike tour felt really similar to my Radical but in a heavier package. I thought it was quite stable and would plow through ball more easily than the lighter MG Rad. But it didn't feel like a big improvement so I ruled this one out.

The 98S was a lot of fun. Massive amount of spin, the ball would drop hard in the court and bounce high. My practice partner had to be way behind the baseline to hit my long forehands. It confirmed that I want an open string pattern. But the string bed was really bouncy and soft. I don't think it had anything to do with the racquet itself, just not enough tension. For some reason, My serve lost some power compared to my Radical while I was epecting the opposite. Weird.

My quest continues...
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
They'd all work fine, but bear in mind your're increasing SW by at least 10 points, then adding another handful or more of stiffness in the new rackets, making a more powerful racket overall, but also more prone to damaging fragile body parts, like elbows, shoulder's, and wrists.
Go to the courts, you will see all sorts of good players using all the racket's you listed, so all work just fine, plus another 30+ rackets you didn't list.

That's part of the problem. I'm really not after more power. Just more spin. Not that I don't spin the heck of a ball. Just that my MG Rad 18X20 just is not very good at this. Magnificient at keeping the ball low, my passing shots sink right over the net in the feet of a volleyer. But from baseline to baseline, the bounce is just at the perfect height for my opponent, and the ball not really heavy.

It seems these days, manufacturers are stiffening up their frames. Not sure I understand why. :confused:
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
That's part of the problem. I'm really not after more power. Just more spin. Not that I don't spin the heck of a ball. Just that my MG Rad 18X20 just is not very good at this. Magnificient at keeping the ball low, my passing shots sink right over the net in the feet of a volleyer. But from baseline to baseline, the bounce is just at the perfect height for my opponent, and the ball not really heavy.

It seems these days, manufacturers are stiffening up their frames. Not sure I understand why. :confused:

Added weight or stiffer frames give you more power.

So you can use more of your stroke to generate spin and less to generate forward velocity as the frame makes up for that.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
But any real gain in spin is offset by a loss in velocity, and also a loss in penetration through the court after the bounce.
Possibly, it's really a wash, once your opponent dials into your new added spin.
And while high bouncing balls can be very effective against some player's, it's totally sweetspot city against other players.
Not saying the quest for the holy grail is not worth the trial and effort, but we need to be realistic here. The small possible gains are more in your head than in your actual shots.
Consider the rackets your competition uses. Everything from big spin stiff racket's to standard rackets to light soft rackets.
 

harryz

Professional
Prince Tour 100

Either 16x18 or 18x20 with a bit of lead to customize to your liking.

Harry Z
 

TobyTopspin

Professional
Thanks all for the feed back. :)

One small rant, the shop I went to made it clear that they don't expect me to demo all the racquets I have an interest in. The clerk was all, yeah you can try a couple racquets (5$ each to demo) then we will refund the amount on the purchase of racquets. But if you want to demo them all, then we will only take 25$ off, the rest is out your pockets. WTF? Anyhow...

I demo'ed the 98S and Strike Tour. The Strike tour felt really similar to my Radical but in a heavier package. I thought it was quite stable and would plow through ball more easily than the lighter MG Rad. But it didn't feel like a big improvement so I ruled this one out.

The 98S was a lot of fun. Massive amount of spin, the ball would drop hard in the court and bounce high. My practice partner had to be way behind the baseline to hit my long forehands. It confirmed that I want an open string pattern. But the string bed was really bouncy and soft. I don't think it had anything to do with the racquet itself, just not enough tension. For some reason, My serve lost some power compared to my Radical while I was epecting the opposite. Weird.

My quest continues...

What string was in the 98s? I had 4G strung at mid tension and there was no bouncy feeling for me. It's a low powered setup that works very well for that stick.

The TW demo system is nice. You don't get any credit for the demos, but you can throw a Prince in there to demo and it takes the price down to $10 for four sticks that you get to keep for a week.
 

TheRed

Hall of Fame
How about a tecnifibre 315 ltd 16x19. Similar flex, similar weight as your mg radical but 2 less mains and one less cross.
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
But any real gain in spin is offset by a loss in velocity, and also a loss in penetration through the court after the bounce.
Possibly, it's really a wash, once your opponent dials into your new added spin.
And while high bouncing balls can be very effective against some player's, it's totally sweetspot city against other players.

You bring some good points I didn't think about. I will keep that in mind when I demo the new frames.

Either 16x18 or 18x20 with a bit of lead to customize to your liking.

Harry Z

Would definitely like to try some of the new Prince! They are not available locally though. Will need some work though I think it is worth it.

What string was in the 98s? I had 4G strung at mid tension and there was no bouncy feeling for me. It's a low powered setup that works very well for that stick.

The TW demo system is nice. You don't get any credit for the demos, but you can throw a Prince in there to demo and it takes the price down to $10 for four sticks that you get to keep for a week.

The 98S was a demo from a local store and had an old string in it (from the seller's word). I don't remember what it was. TW doesn't offer the demo to canadians... :(

How about a tecnifibre 315 ltd 16x19. Similar flex, similar weight as your mg radical but 2 less mains and one less cross.

Sounds good, will need to search a bit to find this one as well, not available locally. I realize here is not the best place for tennis. :(
 

Sander001

Hall of Fame
Try the Radical Mid+ IG. I am shocked at how much lower powered the MG is since they're nearly the same racquet.
 
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