Options, options, options…

[izzo]

Hi all,

I’ve grown up playing at a high club level, usually sec 1 inter-club throughout, now almost 40. UTR is now in high 7’s at the moment (simply as I don’t get to play enough with kids) but skill wise I am competitive with the high 8’s and 9’s as I have solid technique, but I make poor decisions going for low percentage shots and simply don’t get to play enough these days. You know, the usual thing.

I grew up playing the Prince Precision Response had a long break from tennis and played with the Prince Tour 98 ESP for many years until one of the local guys told me it’s too old and not the right racquet for me. Since then I’ve been on the racquet treadmill never quite gelling with a racquet for my game.

I play all court but like to serve and volley lots and have good hands at the net.

I’ve gone through Pro Staff 315, Blade 98, Extreme Tour, Speed MP and now have finally settled on the Pure Aero 98.

I loved the Pro Staff for my baseline game which is fairly flat and drive the ball a lot and rely on timing but I found it less effective against heavy topspin players and struggled on my serve. Blade was good but a bit meh and struggled on my OHBH. ET was good as well but caused me wrist pain. Speed was great in almost all areas but I just felt it wasn’t quite right in some areas unfortunately. I tried out the PA98 and loved it, serves are huge and effective (best serving racquet I’ve tried) and volleys are perfect with this frame. The downside is I’ve lost much of my baseline game unless I play quite whippy which I can do on my backhand but struggle with on my forehand which is a flatter shot with an eastern grip.

So my question is, are there any good powered racquet’s (like the PA98) that are as light and solid and the net and good for serving but might also suit more of a flatter driving baseline game?

Thanks for any advice. Thanks!

 

[tele]

I would demo the ats 98. Despite the reviews about the high launch angle, it is good for shots with a flatter trajectory as long as you are swinging through the ball. It definitely provides more pop than the prince exo3 tour 98, which shares the mold with your esp and which I used to have. The ezone 98 also seems like a good candidate for a demo since it has a relatively tight stringbed.

 

[dak95_00]

Try the Head Gravity Pro or the Tour. While the Pro is on the heavy side, it checks all of the boxes for control and power.

I have played with many of the racquets you listed and I’m also a fairly flat hitter. The Gravity Pro has that classic Prince feel with the power and control a flat hitter seeks. It will check the boxes you are looking to check.

I tried the Tour but didn’t find it feeling significantly lighter so I stayed with the Pro. Before the Pro, I used the Prince Graphite 90 for many years before I switched to the Head Gravity S for a couple of years. The S, now called Team, is a great racquet too but it’s just too light. The Pro packs a punch due to its higher static weight and allows me to overpower opponents.

 

[izzo]

Thanks legends!

Try the Head Gravity Pro or the Tour. While the Pro is on the heavy side, it checks all of the boxes for control and power.

I have played with many of the racquets you listed and I’m also a fairly flat hitter. The Gravity Pro has that classic Prince feel with the power and control a flat hitter seeks. It will check the boxes you are looking to check.

I tried the Tour but didn’t find it feeling significantly lighter so I stayed with the Pro. Before the Pro, I used the Prince Graphite 90 for many years before I switched to the Head Gravity S for a couple of years. The S, now called Team, is a great racquet too but it’s just too light. The Pro packs a punch due to its higher static weight and allows me to overpower opponents.

I would demo the ats 98. Despite the reviews about the high launch angle, it is good for shots with a flatter trajectory as long as you are swinging through the ball. It definitely provides more pop than the prince exo3 tour 98, which shares the mold with your esp and which I used to have. The ezone 98 also seems like a good candidate for a demo since it has a relatively tight stringbed.

 

[ichaseballs]

RF01 might be a good fit. would try it~

also can try...
Yonex Ezone 98
Yonex Vcore 95
TF 305 16x19 (on sale recently)
gravitys are a mix of old school and new. 98 coming soon...

 

[McLovin]

I’ll suggest a couple lesser-favored brands in the Solinco Whiteout and the Dunlop FX 500 Tour. Two frames that, had they existed when I was in my 40s, I’d be all over now.

My game is predominant baseline in singles, hitting flatter with an eastern FH and 2-handed backhand. But, in doubles, I’m S&V off both 1st & 2nd serves, and attacking the net after my return. While I’m not a great volleyer, I’m competent enough to keep them deep until my partner can put it away .

Both the Whiteout & the FX 500 Tour are excellent all-around frames IMO. The FX is what the Pure Drive 98 should be, and the Whiteout 18x20 reminds me of a combination of the old Pure Control & Wilson HPS 6.1. The Whiteout 16x19 was very similar to the VCORE 98 (2021 version).

 

[ZIMING]

I like PA98 with lots of spin. But I feel a lot that it rattles somehow when I hit big heavy balls. So I mostly play with older pd which I never feel a tiny bit of lack of solidness and stability.

Try 2012/2015 pd plus(I think better than standard PD) if you happen to run into. It is light, fast, very solid, good spin, and easy.

I bought pd98 for more solid feel to replace PA98 but I felt very terrible in use.