New Demos: Welcome your suggestions

[10SDad]

I know this opens me up to a lot of opinions, but value the expertise here and trust I'll get some common direction.

Purpose: Looking for some direction on what demos I should pursue.
Reason: Coming off of several years of minimal play after back issues/surgery. Need to change racquet choice/weight/SW/power to adjust accordingly. Also, getting older!
Goal: Zero in on 3-6 racquets that I should demo.

Playing Style/Experience:
- 4.0 all-courter
- More doubles than singles (USTA 55's)
- Flatter hitter, Eastern grip, one-handed backhand
- FH bigger than BH
- Often will slice BH more than topspin
- Serve can be effective if I have the right power. 2nd serve not much different than first (I don't have a kick serve)
- Prefer Multi over Poly, but can play a hybrid
- I love to swing out on every shot...have a hard time dialing back during rallies and make more mistakes if I hold back

Physical:
- 61 years old
- Except for the back issues in good shape, exercise regularly, 6', 165 lbs
- Have had wrist/arm issues with stiff racquets, and have a torn labrum in right shoulder (I'm right-handed), but seem to have worked through that for now
- Ongoing/intermittent left Achilles issues since 2007, when I played way too many matches in a weekend in a summer USTA tourney (typically work through it, though)

Racquet History/Specs:
- I won't go into the dozens of racquets I've played with over the past 30 years, but here are what I have at the moment: T-Fight 315 LTD - both 16x19 and 18x20 (2013 model); Pure Storm GT; Volkl V1 Classic; Angell K7 Red; Dunlop 300G (TW reissue); Dunlop AG300 Tour
- I have always preferred lower RA racquets that I could modify with leather grips, silicone, and lead tape. All of my racquets are modded at this point. The T-Fight needs it just to get some additional pop.
- Like lower string tensions and plush feel.
- Until this point have preferred control over power.
- Have played 18x20 in the past and like the control, but most playing is 16x19 in recent years.
- At my age and with physical concerns, swinging a heavy racquet and serving with it over the course of a match takes too much of a toll and is unsustainable.
- Have always played 98" heads.

All that being said...
- Looking for a good transition to a 100" hoop.
- A bit stiffer (likely 62-67) for some additional power, but as plush as possible.
- Overall weight of no more than 11.5 oz...11-11.2oz. with OG is probably the zone.
- SW of 320 or less...maybe 315-320 optimally.
- Prefer a more rounded grip (for example, I swapped the T-Fight pallets with the more rounded Head pallets)
- 16x19 is fine, will consider the right 18x20, 18x19 or 16x20 are maybe a good middle ground
- Lower launch angle since I'm not a spinner
- Head-light...I'm not a big fan of even-balanced
- Still willing to customize, add some weight for stability, but not to the point that the racquet starts exceeding 11.5 oz.

Currently Considering:
Wilson Blade v8 100
Head Gravity MP and Extreme MP
Yonex Percept 100 and 100D, VCore (I know, it's more for spin), Ezone 100
ProKennex Black Ace 300 (not sure there's enough power here)
Solinco Whiteout 290 (98" I know...breaking my own rules here)
...and not sure if Prince has any real considerations

Hopefully enough but not too much info for some specific suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

TJ

 

[SupahMan5000]

Tbh CX400 Tour should be hitting many of those boxes

 

[Soundbyte]

Pro Kennex 5g or 7g may be a better option that the Black Ace.

Gravity MP-L (have to get from Europe) may be worth checking out.

Also don't overlook Angell Frames. Paul makes great rackets and you can customize specs.

 

[EggSalad]

I’d be looking into the ProKennex lineup. Their 16x20 frames (5G, Q+) are excellent all court racquets that are super easy on the body.

 

[rafafan20]

I think the Extreme MP is the ticket - tigher string pattern in the middle and a really good all around record with some comfort (very plush)...

 

[ChanterRacquet]

With racquet specs that basically match what you’re looking for, I enjoy the BA 300 and Extreme MP, both strung with multi have ample power. The BA with NRG2 is down right powerful. You’ll get a flatter launch with the Q+ series, but many of them are stiffer so may not fit the bill regarding feel (also the newer models have higher sw).

The Extreme MP isn’t the whippiest frame, I find the BA comes through easier.

The Blade 100 is not very powerful and swings a little heavier, though it does have tighter mains.

Every Vcore Pro 100 I’ve hit with, for whatever reason, encourages me to flatten out my strokes. It works well for that! Short balls from behind the baseline all day baby.

 

[Boubi]

Artengo TR 960
Not too expensive, if it does not fit ....
Don't take too small a grip, it might cause TE

 

[jimmy8]

Head Speed MP is a great racket that fits what you want. Highly recommend this racket. Good at everything. It's on sale.

 

[pro tour 280]

With racquet specs that basically match what you’re looking for, I enjoy the BA 300 and Extreme MP, both strung with multi have ample power. The BA with NRG2 is down right powerful. You’ll get a flatter launch with the Q+ series, but many of them are stiffer so may not fit the bill regarding feel (also the newer models have higher sw).

The Extreme MP isn’t the whippiest frame, I find the BA comes through easier.

The Blade 100 is not very powerful and swings a little heavier, though it does have tighter mains.

Every Vcore Pro 100 I’ve hit with, for whatever reason, encourages me to flatten out my strokes. It works well for that! Short balls from behind the baseline all day baby.

What tension do you string the NRG2?

 

[TennisHound]

Pro Kennex Ki10
Babolat Pure Strike Tour
Solinco Blackout

 

[Trip]

First off, here's an overview to familiarize with where this guy is coming from:

Before getting into frames, what about strings? I presume you've exhausted all possibilities in multi/syn-gut/gut, hybrids, gauges and tensions, but if not, maybe there's something left to unlock there?

Next, what is the major hang-up with the V1 Classic? Too cumbersome? Not enough control? Too stiff? Too head-heavy? Too muffled? All of the above / something else? Depending on what the issue is, perhaps you can string and/or customize around it -- lead tape around the handle to make it more head-light, etc.

Looking at new frames, you may not necessarily need a 100, but perhaps a 98 or 99 that it just more powerful/forgiving. I also would stick with only tighter 16-main or open 18-main patterns. Here's what I'd look at (alphabetic by brand/model):

- Dunlop CX 400 Tour, maybe CX 200 OS
- Head Radical MP, maybe even the Team
- Head Speed Pro, maybe the MP (with handle weight)
- Prince ATS Tour 100P (maybe 98)
- ProKennex Ki 5 (295)
- Solinco White Out 18x20 - probably too cumbersome, but worth a try
- Volkl V1 Pro
- Volkl V8 300g, 315g if you can handle it
- Wilson Blade 100 v8
- Wilson Blade Team v8 (as a platform) - 99" Steam mold w/ medium-tight 16x18
- Yonex EZone 98
- Yonex Percept 100 & 100D

Some notes:
- Babolat doesn't have anything for you. The PSVS is too underpowered, the Strike 98's have too much swing weight, Strike 100's are poor frames, PA's need too much swipe, PD's are too firm.
- TF doesn't have anything, either. X1's, no way. TF40, too underpowered. TFight 98's are too open, 18x19 305 too cumbersome to swing.
- Head - I'd be leery of the Extremes; again, I don't think they'll slice or be controlled enough when hit flat. IMHO, the Radicals will be the much better choice.
- Solinco - IMHO the WO 16x19 will be too open (noticing a trend?). 18x20 worth a try, although may be a tad too cumbersome.
- Wilson - Skip the Shift; it's not optimized as a flat-hitter's frame, and that dual-flex profile will be an issue. You might also consider the Blade Team flyer purchase (<$100) as a platform; a soft multi plus that ~70RA stiffness might be a nice combo.
- Also, I'd stay away from the VCores -- like the PA98, they need constant swipe for adequate control. I'm sure you'll honeymoon the 98 or 100, but long-term, I don't think you'll find enough flat control. Who knows, though, I could be wrong.

Hope at least some of that helps. Any questions, feel free.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

What tension do you string the NRG2?

55 lbs on my lockout

 

[CosmosMpower]

Radical Mp, blade v8, Vcore 95 the 2021 hits flatter than 2023

 

[Steve Huff]

i'd be looking at the Pro Kennex 5 series racket too, instead of the Black Ace series. Much more arm friendly than you'd think. Enough power and spin for most. Great with multifilaments or natural gut

 

[tomkowy]

Wilson - you have the Blade 100, nothing more fits your needs from their offer
Head - Gravity MP and Radical MP -> both will need some tailweight but both fit your description (SW slightly above 320)
Babolat - none
Tecnifibre - none
Yonex - Ezone 98 fits your description well, it just needs some tailweight. Sweetspot is big so it doesn't matter it's a 98.

If you can't choose from these four that I've mentioned, then you'll probably need to make some compromises. There are not that many racquets that have nice sweetspot, offer some pop and are good for flat hitters/ slices.

 

[stephenpinkus]

My recommendation - one of the Volkl frames I personally like the V1 MP iterations, however at 102, slightly larger than your preferred 100 head. The other issue is the squarish grip, but Volkl grips are easily interchangeable. Bottom line ~ Great on arm and shoulder.

 

[10SDad]

Much thanks to everyone for the detailed recommendations. I think I have some good options to pursue.

Since Trip detailed my current racquet stock, I thought it might be good to clarify how I got here. I'll try to go in sequential order. First, to answer his question around strings. I've been stringing for myself, my kids, and fellow club members for the past 20 years. I'm not saying I'm a guru, but I'm very familiar with string performance and have experiemented with a lot of different strings, tensions, etc. I've also actively modded my racquets over the years with adding leather grips, blue tack, silicone, and lead, including all of the racquets mentioned below. I've got an Alpha balance board, and a scale, so my mods are done with intent and parameters I'm trying to achieve. I've always felt like having a platform racquet and modding it would be the best approach, but I inevitably end up close to or over 12 oz. and that is now too difficult for this aging body to handle over the course of two hours of USTA matches. I've gone down the path of stiffer frames (e.g.: Pure Drive) but my wrist and arm just can't handle it...nor do I really like how that level of stiffness feels.

Dunlop 300G
I played this racquet when it first came out in 2002. At that point I was just getting back into tennis after a 16-year hiatus. I played in college, and had been using the Dunlop XLT. I played pretty well with the 300G to ramp up, but once I started playing better players I felt I needed more. I transitioned to the Head LM Prestige MP, and sold the 300Gs. Fast-forward to 2014 when the reissues came out, and I thought I should stock up and just mod them further. Got six (three still unused), but they just don't play like the originals to me.

Pure Storm GT
My son has played some outstanding tennis with the original Pure Storm for the past 18 years. The layup of that racquet is really nice, but by 2011 they were hard to find. I pursued the GT to see if I could get the same performance, but due to a different layup and a different SW it never played the same. I gave them to my daughter her senior year of college, but now have them back. I have continued to try to make them work at various points...I do like the 16x20 pattern.

V1 Classic Anniversary Edition
Had demoed the C10 Pro a number of times, but just too heavy. Took a chance on the V1. To answer Trip's question, the more even balance and bigger headsize just feels a bit unwieldy and slow through the air to me, and while I can get some power I feel like I lose some control. Don't like the grip profile much either. Again, have given it several runs, tailweighting, leather, hybrids...just doesn't gel.

T-Fights
I have still tried to gravitate to more flexible racquets with the intent of gaining power with the string setup. I love the feel of these 16x19's (18 is just a bit too much), and right now this is what I keep going back to. I pursued this because of my interest in how closely they supposedly play to a 57A, and because of the success I had with the LM Prestige's back in 2006-2010. I even leaded up those Prestige's (I'm not sure how I played with them), but even back in 2010 they were getting to be too much. (A lot more racquets between them and now.) As previously mentioned, these start at around 11.6 oz strung, but with the low SW I lead them up so they end up around 12 oz. Very solid, but after an hour my timing starts to go and my serves are laborious, and I'm still swinging for the fences to generate pop.

So to restate some of what I've previously said, I'm looking for that good combination of flex/comfort, a bit more power but with good control, and something that is closer to 11 oz than 12 oz with decent stability and a slightly larger head. I know. The Holy Grail everyone like me is looking for.

Oh yeah, I'll sign off here with my intials so I don't remain "this guy" to everyone.

Thanks.

TJ

 

[Junioradae]

Just hear me out ....prince phantom 107G...my main rackets are the phantom pro 100 18x20s , but on days where everything hurts, I go to the phantom 107Gs....305g....also have the prince ats tour 98 but never seem to gel with that ...