New Racquet

[Jabb97]

Hello everyone!

I bet some of you had been stuck in the decision-making process of choosing a new tennis racquet. With so many to choose from I am lost myself and I need some advice. The only problem is that I live in the UK and there are not many racquet demoing services available here.

I currently use a few year old Yonex Ezone Dr 100. I'm an intermediate player heading to advanced level. Regarding my playstyle, I'm mostly a baseliner but really enjoy going to the net once in a while. My current racquet is fine, it sometimes feels just a little bit stiff and not too head light which I don't enjoy.

I have four racquets that I'm really interested in but would be very difficult to get my hands on for a demo as mentioned before.

Head G360+ Speed MP, I've heard it's a good all around racquet offering a lot of spin, control, feel and free power, slightly less stiffer.

Dunlop CX 400 Tour, I've heard its directed at flat players but the frame is very similar to speed mp, not sure about the stiffness though.

Prince Tour 100 (310), this racquet seems like it's got everything I'd like from a tennis racquet, the questions marks are free power, stiffness and plow-through. Swingweight is not too high comparing to my current Yonex but static weight is 10g higher. Would I manage?

Prince Phantom 100x 305, I've heard it's a very comfortable frame but it lacks stability, power and plow-through, but if anybody has different experiences with it please comment!

I am also open for any other racquets recommendations and not 100% fixed on these four frames. There's just so many good frames that it makes it really difficult to choose one.

Thanks for your help!

 

[JoaoN]

IMO, the speed MP is a better choice among the 4 frames you listed. BUT, since you mentioned you would prefeer a more HL balance, you might need to add weight to the handle if you go with the speed, be aware that it has a moderate to high stock swingweight.

 

[La Pavoni]

Sports shops will be opening up pretty soon, so demoing options should open up a fair bit? I also think some of the online places are still doing demos at the moment? There's an online one in Norwich and one in Manningtree.
I'm sure there's other people who can recommend other services.

 

[Jabb97]

IMO, the speed MP is a better choice among the 4 frames you listed. BUT, since you mentioned you would prefeer a more HL balance, you might need to add weight to the handle if you go with the speed, be aware that it has a moderate to high stock swingweight.

That's the problem with Speed MP, I feel like I will need a bit more maneuverability. At first I'd like to check the stock form, without thinking about the lead tape. I'm currently working on strenghtening my body, especially rotator cuffs hence the need for a HL racquet.

 

[Jabb97]

Sports shops will be opening up pretty soon, so demoing options should open up a fair bit? I also think some of the online places are still doing demos at the moment? There's an online one in Norwich and one in Manningtree.
I'm sure there's other people who can recommend other services.

I will definitely check them out thanks!

 

[beltsman]

Hello everyone!

I bet some of you had been stuck in the decision-making process of choosing a new tennis racquet. With so many to choose from I am lost myself and I need some advice. The only problem is that I live in the UK and there are not many racquet demoing services available here.

I currently use a few year old Yonex Ezone Dr 100. I'm an intermediate player heading to advanced level. Regarding my playstyle, I'm mostly a baseliner but really enjoy going to the net once in a while. My current racquet is fine, it sometimes feels just a little bit stiff and not too head light which I don't enjoy.

I have four racquets that I'm really interested in but would be very difficult to get my hands on for a demo as mentioned before.

Head G360+ Speed MP, I've heard it's a good all around racquet offering a lot of spin, control, feel and free power, slightly less stiffer.

Dunlop CX 400 Tour, I've heard its directed at flat players but the frame is very similar to speed mp, not sure about the stiffness though.

Prince Tour 100 (310), this racquet seems like it's got everything I'd like from a tennis racquet, the questions marks are free power, stiffness and plow-through. Swingweight is not too high comparing to my current Yonex but static weight is 10g higher. Would I manage?

Prince Phantom 100x 305, I've heard it's a very comfortable frame but it lacks stability, power and plow-through, but if anybody has different experiences with it please comment!

I am also open for any other racquets recommendations and not 100% fixed on these four frames. There's just so many good frames that it makes it really difficult to choose one.

Thanks for your help!

Speed and if you want more HL add weight to handle.

 

[t_pac]

The Phantom is indeed quite low powered, it will feel pretty anemic coming from the DR imo. Stability should be OK with the ATS at 10/2 though. The TT310 is a great frame, decent free power, plow through is fine (and can be improved with lead if needs be), super stable and doesn't play as stiff as the RA suggests. The O3 version is my main frame.

 

[Lorenn]

Speed 360+ MP and Prince 310 at both well rounded racquets. They handle most styles of play well. I don't think the 10 grams will be problematic.

 

[JoaoN]

That's the problem with Speed MP, I feel like I will need a bit more maneuverability. At first I'd like to check the stock form, without thinking about the lead tape. I'm currently working on strenghtening my body, especially rotator cuffs hence the need for a HL racquet.

You could just swap the stock cushion for a leather one, it should keep it under 310g unstrung, and HL enough, without any lead.

 

[SinneGOAT]

Hello everyone!

I bet some of you had been stuck in the decision-making process of choosing a new tennis racquet. With so many to choose from I am lost myself and I need some advice. The only problem is that I live in the UK and there are not many racquet demoing services available here.

I currently use a few year old Yonex Ezone Dr 100. I'm an intermediate player heading to advanced level. Regarding my playstyle, I'm mostly a baseliner but really enjoy going to the net once in a while. My current racquet is fine, it sometimes feels just a little bit stiff and not too head light which I don't enjoy.

I have four racquets that I'm really interested in but would be very difficult to get my hands on for a demo as mentioned before.

Head G360+ Speed MP, I've heard it's a good all around racquet offering a lot of spin, control, feel and free power, slightly less stiffer.

Dunlop CX 400 Tour, I've heard its directed at flat players but the frame is very similar to speed mp, not sure about the stiffness though.

Prince Tour 100 (310), this racquet seems like it's got everything I'd like from a tennis racquet, the questions marks are free power, stiffness and plow-through. Swingweight is not too high comparing to my current Yonex but static weight is 10g higher. Would I manage?

Prince Phantom 100x 305, I've heard it's a very comfortable frame but it lacks stability, power and plow-through, but if anybody has different experiences with it please comment!

I am also open for any other racquets recommendations and not 100% fixed on these four frames. There's just so many good frames that it makes it really difficult to choose one.

Thanks for your help!

Look at the Wilson clash 100/100 tour. Very headlight and comfortable, and good power.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

I felt the TT100 (310) was a little too powerful for me and had a little extra stiffness I could live without. The TT100P I demoed at the same time was much better I thought. I also prefer it over the SpeedMP which felt a little more erratic. Stuck between the two, I’d go Speed.

Haven’t tried the other two. Closest I come to the 100x is a Phantom 100P which I use on occasion when just hitting.

That being said, I’m gonna give a Blade 104 v7 some match time tonight over my tried and true Pure Strike 18x20. The 104 has such controllable power (strung 55 lbs, dynawire or nxt) and is more maneuverable than my PS even at 27.5”. The feel is unparalleled, in my opinion.

 

[Jabb97]

Look at the Wilson clash 100/100 tour. Very headlight and comfortable, and good power.

I had a look at them and they seem very good and arm friendly.

 

[Jabb97]

The Phantom is indeed quite low powered, it will feel pretty anemic coming from the DR imo. Stability should be OK with the ATS at 10/2 though. The TT310 is a great frame, decent free power, plow through is fine (and can be improved with lead if needs be), super stable and doesn't play as stiff as the RA suggests. The O3 version is my main frame.

Speed 360+ MP and Prince 310 at both well rounded racquets. They handle most styles of play well. I don't think the 10 grams will be problematic.

I felt the TT100 (310) was a little too powerful for me and had a little extra stiffness I could live without. The TT100P I demoed at the same time was much better I thought. I also prefer it over the SpeedMP which felt a little more erratic. Stuck between the two, I’d go Speed.

Haven’t tried the other two. Closest I come to the 100x is a Phantom 100P which I use on occasion when just hitting.

That being said, I’m gonna give a Blade 104 v7 some match time tonight over my tried and true Pure Strike 18x20. The 104 has such controllable power (strung 55 lbs, dynawire or nxt) and is more maneuverable than my PS even at 27.5”. The feel is unparalleled, in my opinion.

So for now as I can see the best choice is either Speed MP or Prince Textreme Tour 100 (310). I have also checked Wilson Clash, I'm afraid though that it might be too big of a jump when it comes to the RA. I have also added Prince Textreme Tour 100P to the list.

 

[VaMoose98]

I prefer the Price TT 310 over the speed for a few reasons:
1. the launch angle is lower (weird despite open pattern)
2. It swings faster for me and yet feels more stable somehow
3. My regular hitting partners told me my ball speed and spin is much better with the prince.

My main takeaway is I don’t know why the TT 310 is so good, I wanted to like the speed more because it looks cooler, but the prince is just an undeniably awesome racquet. You should demo them side by side.

 

[ichaseballs]

since you like Yonex, i would recommend something not on your list... the new vcore98/100.

 

[time_fly]

Head G360+ Speed MP. Just demoed this one. It's not very maneuverable. If you don't like the feel of weight in the head, this probably isn't a good option. But it's going to be more comfortable than your frame and have reasonably similar power.

Dunlop CX 400 Tour. Tried it briefly. I preferred Dunlop's FX 500. I thought the CX 400 wasn't too much more comfortable or precise; it just had less pop.

Prince Tour 100 (310). I've used this one quite a bit. It's a very well rounded frame. The frame feels somewhat stiff but less than your Yonex, and the sweet spot is huge so the stiffness is rarely a factor unless you hit right on or near the frame. It handles very easily for 310g, although you could always consider the "Iga" 295g version too. The only downside to this frame is that it lacks a bit of precision. I find it to be a large 100; it looks more like a 102 or 103, and the string spacing is wide open.

Prince Phantom 100x 305. I owned the previous generation Phantom 100 Pro and tried the 100X 305g briefly. It's a spin-friendly control frame, completely different than your Yonex and most of the other options above. But it will be much less stiff and be more maneuverable than your typical power 100, which is something you are looking for. I wouldn't buy this before demoing because it's so different, but I think you should try it if you can since it's totally different and will give you an idea if it's a direction you would like to go.

 

[Jabb97]

Head G360+ Speed MP. Just demoed this one. It's not very maneuverable. If you don't like the feel of weight in the head, this probably isn't a good option. But it's going to be more comfortable than your frame and have reasonably similar power.

Dunlop CX 400 Tour. Tried it briefly. I preferred Dunlop's FX 500. I thought the CX 400 wasn't too much more comfortable or precise; it just had less pop.

Prince Tour 100 (310). I've used this one quite a bit. It's a very well rounded frame. The frame feels somewhat stiff but less than your Yonex, and the sweet spot is huge so the stiffness is rarely a factor unless you hit right on or near the frame. It handles very easily for 310g, although you could always consider the "Iga" 295g version too. The only downside to this frame is that it lacks a bit of precision. I find it to be a large 100; it looks more like a 102 or 103, and the string spacing is wide open.

Prince Phantom 100x 305. I owned the previous generation Phantom 100 Pro and tried the 100X 305g briefly. It's a spin-friendly control frame, completely different than your Yonex and most of the other options above. But it will be much less stiff and be more maneuverable than your typical power 100, which is something you are looking for. I wouldn't buy this before demoing because it's so different, but I think you should try it if you can since it's totally different and will give you an idea if it's a direction you would like to go.

Thanks a lot that's a great insight. Have you tried playing with the Textreme Tour 100P by any chance?

 

[teachingprotx]

Look again a the wilson clash series try the 100. If you are spraying long with it, try the clash 98, I’ve sold more clashes in the last year than any other racket so you’ll be in good company as so many folks love it