Underdog
Professional
I think it’s a fair take. The PA is on the more powerful, wild side of the 98s. The Rad is maybe the most balanced. I’d say go with you heart, as we all should on such a light matter.
Pure Aero 98 Club
- Thread starter Underdog
- Start date
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Yep, I think your reasoning makes sense. I've dialed back to the Extreme Tour, as I was having trouble controlling the PA98 w/ its high launch angle, and low margin for error on flatter shots.
Underdog
Professional
Yes, I confess I’m worried myself about this. I don’t want to give up on the Aero just yet, since I’m a huuuge Nadal fan and fond of the line, but I’m also having trouble to get dialed in with how wild it may be.
I’m starting to considering more rounded 98s, maybe the Blade (I may be alone in this, but I hate the looks of the Radical), or going a little different spec in a Gravity MP.
Anyways, a long way to go with my Aero still. I hope I tame it.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Don't get me wrong - I still hold that the PA98 is a great racquet - just for my game I need a little more confidence in swinging all out.
It's interesting you bring this stuff up @Underdog and @Fighting phoenix . In talking to the guys I hit with most about what type of ball seems hardest to handle, there seems to be a consensus that for as intimidating as the spinnier, higher-bouncing balls can be -- the kind of stuff you tend to generate with more open-pattern spin frames and more western swing paths -- they seem to think that the more pacey, through-the-court, tightly-spun, lower-bouncing/skidding balls are, on average, tougher to get back -- ie. the kind of stuff that you generate with more flatter-hitting frames/mechanics (more eastern forehands, etc.). I'm inclined to agree, which is one of the several reasons why I've gravitated more towards the Radical/Prestige/Tour/VCP-Percept side of the world, as opposed to the PA98 and friends. Nevertheless, both have their obvious advantages and disadvantages, and there is no single superior frame type (otherwise we'd all be using it!).
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Yeah I really think it depends on your style of play. This winter, I played a young baseline grinder who showed up with a PA19 (banana), and at first I thought it was a strange choice of racquets given his pusher playing style. But then as he wore my 52 year old body down getting to everything with lots of loopy topspin shots, I realized it fit his game style perfectly.
I am slightly more old school with a decent amount of forehand topspin, mixed with slice backhands and serve and volley tennis, and I need to rely on attacking approach shots with more depth / plow through like you're describing, and a spin friendly monster can be great, but I also need to more effectively put my opponent on the defensive with more penetrating shots. Hence why I'm migrating away from the PA98...maybe I will from the Extreme Tour as well, but so far I find it to be a pretty good compromise.
Exactly, it doesnt matter if you are 52 or 32 as I am(I have seen 60 years old guys running non stop because they were marathon runners or 300km bicyclists). What it does matter is to ask yourself " Do I want to engage in that type of rallies where the fittest wins? Because lets get it straight here : It is very difficult to produce winners with these type of guys. I have been playing lately with a bunch of 25year old non stop running machines with pure aero and pure drives that just put the ball back in play deep, had my balls been lower bouncing skidding through the court balls, it would much more difficult for them to return the ball, let alone return them deep. One could argue, hit through the ball more rather than windshield wiper it with the PA98. This will be my last resort as we all know it is very difficult for amateur players to consistently strike the ball in front of them.
Tan Tennis
Rookie
I totally agree with you. I prefer a through-the-court topspin kinda racket more than high bouncing topspin racket. It's not that I didn't play well with PA98, I think I do play very good with it with better margin. But when facing a pusher, this just simply invites them into high bounce looping topspin battles which I don't like. So, I'm back with my Blade and Percept and Tfight kinda rackets. hahaha.
Underdog
Professional
Yeah, I get sort of the same feeling, @Trip @Fighting phoenix and @Tan Tennis (wow, I watch your videos all the time, how cool is it to have you and TennCom here). My strokes are excessively swipey, so I tend to hit more loopy than I’d like sometimes and the opener stringbed in the Aero makes my shots even more loopier at times. That’s not constant, though, as when I’m closer to in the zone, I hit good penetrating spin shots. Nevertheless, I do feel that, when in position, I hit more zipping shots with my VCP (weighted at 10-2). That’s what made think about going for a Blade and considering the extra forgiveness a GMP. Maybe going for a Blade would even be better at the net, I don’t know.
I do have a fondness to the Aero, though. I will give it more time. I didn’t really have the time to get dialed in with it yet.
I do have a fondness to the Aero, though. I will give it more time. I didn’t really have the time to get dialed in with it yet.
I also hate playing with guys using Pure Aero 2019
Some guys even use shaped poly with PA 2019 (already has spin-effect grommets)
No accuracy/consistency in placement and almost impossible to project the trajectory. They play to big target areas. Even they do not know / cannot control where their balls will land. They can play a lot of high launch, loopy shots which drop inside the court at the last moment and bounce high. Some of them are very happy / ecstatic as their gear help them win some easy games. (However, a real NTRP 4.0 with solid and all-around tennis skills and techniques could beat them easily.)
It's a waste of time as one simply cannot maintain/improve tennis skills and techniques playing with these guys. There is no value playing with them as no serious tennis players play like this or can tolerate this "special gear". The truth is that no advanced player / professional player would need "power assist" (easy power) and "spin assist" (easy spin) from their gear. They only need accuracy, predictability and consistency from their gear (they can then control the placement / where their shots will land). They generate their own power and their own spin
It is always a trade-off. Tweener / spin machine is fun (as the TW playtesters often say, "It's a fun playtest")
. It depends on what you want from tennis (it is your own answer).
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Underdog
Professional
No problem. We’re just discussing the Aero’s playability after all.
I’ll update when I’m back home and playing.
I am on the same journey, I played the Blade 98 16x19 for years (BLX and then V8) and now switched to the PA98. I used to play Hyper-G in the Blade, 1.15mm or 1.2mm, 24/23 kg or 23/22 kg depending on whether I felt I need a bit more power/spin or more control.
Now with the PA98 I tried some strings and will continue to do so, but so far I settled with Hyper-G 1.2mm at 23/22 kg, which is my reference setup (RS).
What I have tried and compared it to my RS:
- 4G 1.25mm at 21/20kg
Less spin/power than RS and not noticeably more control - 4G Soft 1.25mm 20/19kg
Bit more spin/power than 4G above, but still less than RS, control even worse - Lynx Tour 1.2mm at 23/22kg
I really hoped to get an interesting setup here, but I felt like my shots did not have bite or power anymore, played short so often. - Hyper-G 1.15mm at 23/2kg
Launch angle was very high, had a lot of difficulty controlling the shot to stay in the court. Felt way different than RS, even though it's "just" 0.05mm difference
- Grapplesnake Game Changer 1.2mm
I hope to improve spin compared to RS while maintaining most of control/power - Hawk Power 1.25mm
Just for fun, never played the string, curious how it playes and the looks with the color on the PA98 - ReString Zero 1.23mm and 1.28
Need to get my hands on it here in Europe/Switzerland
Also thought about hybriding the Hyper-G 1.2mm main with Hyper-G 1.15 cross or maybe also Hyper-G soft cross, but not tried that yet.
But to be honest, I am very happy with my reference setup, it plays amazing on the PA98 compared to the Blade. I get so much more power and spin out of the racket on groundstroke and serves, and the spin helps to maintain control very well. So I don't really need a new setup, but as I switched frames I thought that maybe there is a better setup for me with the PA98.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Yeah, my coach grabbed my PA98 (when I was hitting with other racquets from my bag at the end of the night), and was positively salivating about the racquet. Didn't want to put it down... and as he played with it more and more, you could see his confidence increasing and him going for more and more shots and exploring just what could be done with the racquet (more pace, more angle, more vicious slices and topspin shots).
He loved the setup and was not fazed by the 366g strung weight. Just went for it with a smile on his face.
I must admit that the last re-tune has improved things... and I am now very happy with the setup, balance, etc. Sometimes, when the racquet shows potential, one just needs to stick it out and try to find the setup that works.
Having said that (and as I previously stated), I think I prefer my G360+ ETs (modified) to the PA98 as they hit a bit more of that through-the-court shot, are easier to hit flat bombs with (at least for me and my stroke mechanics), and are plusher. For the same reason, I like the PSVS probably a bit more than the PA98, but it is still a fabulous racquet... and since I love Alcaraz, will remain in my collection.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I also hate playing with guys using Pure Aero 2019
Some guys even use shaped poly with PA 2019 (already has spin-effect grommets)
No accuracy/consistency in placement and almost impossible to project the trajectory. They play to big target areas. Even they do not know / cannot control where their balls will land. They can play a lot of high launch, loopy shots which drop inside the court at the last moment and bounce high. Some of them are very happy / ecstatic as their gear help them win some easy games. (However, a real NTRP 4.0 with solid and all-around tennis skills and techniques could beat them easily.)
It's a waste of time as one simply cannot maintain/improve tennis skills and techniques playing with these guys. There is no value playing with them as no serious tennis players play like this or can tolerate this "special gear". The truth is that no advanced player / professional player would need "power assist" (easy power) and "spin assist" (easy spin) from their gear. They only need accuracy, predictability and consistency from their gear (they can then control the placement / where their shots will land). They generate their own power and their own spin
It is always a trade-off. Tweener / spin machine is fun (as the TW playtesters often say, "It's a fun playtest")
What about Rafa... he's a pretty serious player, yet he seems to be playing well with these types of racquets... and he seems to be able to hit smaller targets.
I think it just comes down to playing style, preferences, and skills (I'm nowhere near Rafa and his immense talent, so I can not extract the same thing as him out of the same racquet - especially at his chosen specs for almost 6 hrs in the 2012 Australian Open, just as reference).
Rafa's style and that racquet helped him halt Federer in his tracks. So did Djokovic and his racquet setup and style (although this style is completely different to Rafa and his style). Hence, the different racquets, different styles, different game... same outcome (Bye Bye Federer and GS titles).
We just all need to pick up what works for us and play with that. There is no perfect racquet for everyone, just the best racquet for you. But, it's fun to try different options and styles since I'm not trying to make a living out of the tennis I play.
Rafa's racquet is an old pro stock mold of Aero Pro Drive with a hard to verify graphite layup. The racquet is also heavily customised. The estimated/guesstimated specs are posted on many websites/forums. It is not a Pure Aero 2019 and it does not have spin-effect grommets, hence shots are not loopy like Pure Aero 2019 (balls are regularly 10ft or even 15ft+ above the ground, indeed hilarious).
Rafa plays a spin game but he brings his own power and own spin with a racquet of 360-370pts SW. He can place his shots well with his own power and own spin (hence he has excellent control of the ball trajectory - "craftsman like" thru practice, and most importantly no high launch, no 10ft above the ground, no inconsistent launch, ...).
In his later career, he reduced his spin game a bit (especially on non-clay surfaces) as competitive professonal players on ATP Tour already knew his game very well (and could attack him).
Rafa plays a spin game but he brings his own power and own spin with a racquet of 360-370pts SW. He can place his shots well with his own power and own spin (hence he has excellent control of the ball trajectory - "craftsman like" thru practice, and most importantly no high launch, no 10ft above the ground, no inconsistent launch, ...).
In his later career, he reduced his spin game a bit (especially on non-clay surfaces) as competitive professonal players on ATP Tour already knew his game very well (and could attack him).
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Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I feel like you missed the point... but fair enough.
Alcawrath
Professional
Yeah, idk if it's just in my head (very possible) but I just strung up my PA98 with cyclone and hit with it tonight. My previous string was confidential, and cyclone, a much softer string, felt way better to me. More predictable, more controlled, better spin, better pocketing. Now if I only could rationalize why hyper g, which is almost identical to confidential, feels good to me in the PA98.
Hawks9451
Professional
Should keep the same tension when trying new strings regardless of gauge/stiffness.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
In mine I have silicone in the handle... and it plays well, is comfortable (especially with the latest setup), and I'm getting more dialled in the longer I play. It's still not the best feel I have ever felt, but it's good enough that I want to keep on playing with it... and I may find a string hybrid combo that will further improve things in the future. I'm getting an order of Toroline strings (a sample of all of them) coming in, plus numerous hybrid combos to try. Lots of fun on the horizon.
There is something about this racquet that makes it hard to put down (or hard not to keep coming back to), and at the end of the day, I would say that is one of the characteristics of a great racquet. Plus, as you've said, you can't argue with the results you get when playing with it.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Not sure if you're asking me... and I'm not sure about a "Yonexy feel" (describe what that feels like for you... as the Yonex feel for me may be different to you).
The racquets that I like or feel have competed well with the Aero (both 100 and 98) are: Dunlop Srixon SX300 Tour (100 sq. in previous version), and the G360+ Extreme Tour and Pro (I have not tried the Auxetic versions as I have multiples of the G360+'s).
Another racquet that competes well with the Aero (and maybe more the Aero 98), but doesn't have the Yonexy feel (in my opinion), is the Shift 99 315/ 99 Pro v1 (I haven't tried the Shift 99 300, but I soon will - although mine will be weighted up to the 315 specs with silicone in the handle).
The Solinco WhiteOut 305 18x20 may also fit here but not have a Yonexy feel (which I've heard good things about regarding spin, control, and power - but I have not had a chance to hit with as they are very hard to get in Australia in 4 3/8 grip size). I have also not tried the Dunlop Srixon FX 500 Tour or any of the Pro Kennex Ki Q+5 range, but they may compete (again not sure of the Yonexy feel part).
Sorry and I hope that was helpful.
Underdog
Professional
I’d describe the Yonex feel as buttery solid. At least in my experience and certainly compared to the plasticky hollow of the Aero.
I'd say Shift more or less has that kind of feel. The interesting thing is my two go-to racquets these days are Shift 99 v1 and PA 98. They play differently yet similarly, depending on the opponents. If I want to play a control game that day, I probably go with Shift. In other words, if I'm playing with someone around my level, I go with Shift. If I'm playing a player much better (or worse) than me, I go with PA 98.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Very interesting. I'm about to string up the Shifts and play them back-to-back with the PA98. I demoed the Shift 315, and I can see where you're coming from. Both have a directness to them but also are comfortable when applying spin to the ball.
I will be comparing the 300 to the 315 as well (but my 300 has had silicone added to the handle and is 315g unstrung - so it should be more of a level playing field, and the difference should be the string pattern rather than weight and string pattern).
The PA98 has something about it that just makes it hang around in my subconscious and I want to pick it up again and play with it. I have re-strung my G360+ ET with Toroline Wasabi (Carbon) in the Mains and Caviar in the Crosses (known as K-PRO - as it's Karue Sell's hybrid of choice) @ 48M/45C, so I will get to run a side-by-side comparison with the PA98 (as well as test the K-PRO).
Lots of exciting tennis and testing ahead (as long as the weather cooperates).
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Played a few days ago with the PA98 and the restrung ET and PSVS.
The PA98 is slowly growing on me more and more... and I'm able to flatten out more as I'm gelling with the last modification. Based on the feel of the Toroline K-PRO strings (Carbon Wasabi/Caviar) in the ET, I can't wait to try it in the PA98. I love the versatility of the frame, the amount of spin I can produce, and as the strings have loosened up a bit, and I can flatten out my shots more, I can also produce more of the through-the-court bounce and movement (which is helping to elevate the racquet that further fraction).
The ET was a seamless transition (as I picked it up next), it had great control, and better comfort than the PA98, but also a fraction less easy power (in comparison - otherwise plenty good). The more crisp/direct feel of the PA98 might just transmit information that fraction more than the ET (and therefore be less muted and slightly less vague - which is a good thing), but I loved playing with both... and both have so much potential to be tapped. Fabulous frames.
The PSVS I had a bit more difficulty after I swapped to it after the ET. Not sure whether it was the different weight or balance... or just that the choice of strings needs time to bed in (which might be the case), but I just had a few mistiming issues and a few difficulties on the BH side. After 10-15 minutes though, I was more in the groove and played well with it (but the adjustment was noted, and I will see whether as the strings settle in, things improve).
Great night of hitting all around... and I'm hoping that tonight the weather holds out to allow me another chance to play tennis and compare these racquets.
The PA98 is slowly growing on me more and more... and I'm able to flatten out more as I'm gelling with the last modification. Based on the feel of the Toroline K-PRO strings (Carbon Wasabi/Caviar) in the ET, I can't wait to try it in the PA98. I love the versatility of the frame, the amount of spin I can produce, and as the strings have loosened up a bit, and I can flatten out my shots more, I can also produce more of the through-the-court bounce and movement (which is helping to elevate the racquet that further fraction).
The ET was a seamless transition (as I picked it up next), it had great control, and better comfort than the PA98, but also a fraction less easy power (in comparison - otherwise plenty good). The more crisp/direct feel of the PA98 might just transmit information that fraction more than the ET (and therefore be less muted and slightly less vague - which is a good thing), but I loved playing with both... and both have so much potential to be tapped. Fabulous frames.
The PSVS I had a bit more difficulty after I swapped to it after the ET. Not sure whether it was the different weight or balance... or just that the choice of strings needs time to bed in (which might be the case), but I just had a few mistiming issues and a few difficulties on the BH side. After 10-15 minutes though, I was more in the groove and played well with it (but the adjustment was noted, and I will see whether as the strings settle in, things improve).
Great night of hitting all around... and I'm hoping that tonight the weather holds out to allow me another chance to play tennis and compare these racquets.
I bought 3 used PA98, my SW measurements:
- 298.75
- 292.95
- 293.34
Alcawrath
Professional
I need a little help. I've been loving the PA98, as I've said before on these forums, for it's serve and baseline play. However, I've been playing more doubles recently and really struggle with my volleys. I switched back to the blade v7 for a match and voila my volleys were back to acceptable (never been my strong suit). Any recommendations from those using the PA98 on how to volley better with this racquet? I know it's a broad question but I'll take what I can get at this point, I'm not ready to give up on it just yet.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
That’s funny cause I have the same issue - I feel like you have to have impeccable footwork and set up perfectly to volley well with the pa98, not as much grinding from the baseline. It is something that I see as a weakness with it somehow - not totally sure if it’s me or the racquet, but it’s definitely noticeable vs other racquets I’ve mained recently
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Could you both elaborate on how exactly you struggle (what I mean is... I'm always late, or the racquet feels clubby and hard to manoeuvre, etc)?
What do you feel is lacking?
In order to try and help, I feel like I need to know where the issue is stemming from (what it might be).
Cheers
Fighting phoenix
Professional
To me grinding from the baseline feels great, as are serves, except sometimes I have trouble keeping the ball in the court. Where I struggle is on transition points - like if I want to chip and charge, and of course on a slice backhand shot like that I'm not swinging full out, the ball will just die on the string bed and the feel is really brassy and the opposite of plush. Then at the net - if it's an easy put away volley and I'm in good position, it's great. If it's a low angle volley however, the racquet feels a little clubbish and the sweet spot feels tiny, and it often just dies on the string bed and into the net.
That's why I've migrated more to the Extreme Tour Auxetic as my main - I don't get as much power hitting from the baseline, but the feel is better, and I get more touch and maneuverability on transition shots and at the net. The downside is that it sometimes lacks stability, which is why I'm experimenting with lead in the hoop to mitigate.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
From what you are saying (about the PA98), it sounds to me, like you need to add a bit of weight in the handle to make the racquet feel easier to swing, then add weight to the head of the racquet to lift and expand the sweet zone.
I would give it the "Liquidmetal treatment" (as I like to call it), where you add weight to 2,4,8, and 10 o'clock to expand the sweet spot/zone towards the four corners. This will give you a better sweet zone, make the racquet feel more plush, and make it less jarring on off-centre shots. Furthermore, I would add a small amount of weight at 12 o'clock to expand the sweet zone a little higher as well, in order to eliminate any dead spots towards the top of the racquet face.
I also added a very small amount (0.25g) and 3 and 9 each just to cover any problems on the width (but this is up to you).
The amounts added don't need to be excessive... for example, at 2,4,8, and 10 o'clock you could add (0.5g in each location). I would match anything you add to the head with equal or greater amount inside the butt cap (sometimes up to double).
The Extreme Tour we have covered elsewhere, so I won't comment on it here.
Hope that helps.
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Fighting phoenix
Professional
What about a thin strip of lead from 4 to eight across the whole hoop, plus a leather grip?
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
You could always try it... and if not right remove bits to suit, but I'm not sure whether that would be too much... plus I had a bit more at 3 and 9 previously, and found the racquet to feel too clubby and hard to manoeuvre at net and on quick exchanges... so I removed most of what I had at 3 and 9 (from 0.75g each down to 0.25g each), and added it to 2 and 10 (in addition to what I had there before).
This solved the problem and made the racquet swing much better and perform much better at the net and with volleys.
Adding leather might make the racquet feel harsher rather than more plush, so I would not do this with the PA98 (myself)... but even this is personal.
If you're happy to experiment... then just go for it and find your own setup and configuration (after all, that's what modification is all about - personalising your racquet setup).
Alcawrath
Professional
Yeah, I would second what Fighting Phoenix said, I only feel like volleys have a chance when my footwork is absolutely perfect using my PA98. If it's not, I hit off center and the ball absolutely dies short or I hit the frame.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
If it sounds feasible... you could try what I suggested to solve the issue.
Anyone tried a multi in the PA98? I've been enjoying a full bed of Velocity in some of my other frames recently, but it doesn't feel right putting anything other than a poly in a Babolat lol...I may just start with YPTP 17g, it's my typical go-to in a new frame because I'm most familiar with it.
HeavyHitter
Rookie
If you like forgiving stringbed (not mushy or muted) but are hard hitters looking for a good grab on the ball, try Solinco confidential 1.25mm at 24~26kg. Good compromises, good tension holding and surprising pop. This should work well for rec players as well. Don't string too low, it'll actually feel harsh
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I finally got to hit with pa98… mine was a bit lighter in SW.. 318… strung with tour sniper 1.30mm at 53lbs. I have been playing with ez98 2022 for the last 2 years.
This stick surprised me a lot. Hits like a truck. Ton of power and very very respectable control. Stringbed evenly spaced so I found the control predictable and uniform across the whole stringbed. In some ways I actually liked the consistency of launch angle more than ezone believe it or not.
For the first time in 2 years I am considering switching.. gotta make sure it’s not honeymoon only so I will give it a good 2 weeks or so. Fantastic stick. Once I put the dampener… I am not bothered by the feel at all either…
This stick surprised me a lot. Hits like a truck. Ton of power and very very respectable control. Stringbed evenly spaced so I found the control predictable and uniform across the whole stringbed. In some ways I actually liked the consistency of launch angle more than ezone believe it or not.
For the first time in 2 years I am considering switching.. gotta make sure it’s not honeymoon only so I will give it a good 2 weeks or so. Fantastic stick. Once I put the dampener… I am not bothered by the feel at all either…
BomBomBecker
New User
Same here, just with combo YPTS/YPTP, and leather grip is must.. racket is so good, have everything.. I use before v8
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
It's on the list of strings to try... but haven't gotten there as yet.
Underdog
Professional
So, bad news, maybe.
I’m back home after 2 months. 2 months tennisless. Second day home I hit the court with the Aero I had had little time to get used to. My elbow hurt. Maybe it’s the racquet, maybe it’s because I was basically completely out of shape and tried to play like I had been playing for weeks. More on that to come, but I can’t say I won’t be looking for some more comfortable options
I’m back home after 2 months. 2 months tennisless. Second day home I hit the court with the Aero I had had little time to get used to. My elbow hurt. Maybe it’s the racquet, maybe it’s because I was basically completely out of shape and tried to play like I had been playing for weeks. More on that to come, but I can’t say I won’t be looking for some more comfortable options
