Racket recommendations

Hey everyone. I’ve been playing around with a few different rackets lately and would love some suggestions recommendations. I posted this on a great FB group and got some recommendations there too, but adding here as well :)

Background: I’ve been an 18x20 blade player for most of my life. I generate quite a lot of power myself, and hit with quite heavy topspin (but don’t need a super topspin oriented racket) and have a single handed backhand. As a U.K. player not really sure what my US level would be - but I’d guess around a 4.5-5.0. I play mostly from the baseline with a predominantly counterpuncher style.

Versus the blade, more recently I’ve tried:
- Head Speed Pro 360+: best I’ve ever served - crazy power & accuracy on serve - but was over hitting a lot on ground strokes. Everything except serve I preferred my blade.
- Head Prestige Pro (auxetic): I definitely prefer hitting forehands with this vs my blade (a lot more control whilst allowing me to flatten out to finish points easier) - and this is what I’ve been using for the last month, but really struggling on serve. I think I could eventually correct that with technique change
- Head Extreme MP 360+ and Tour: my coach’s racket… was quite fun but preferred the blade in every aspect
- Have also played for shorter periods with others like the Gravity pro & tour, babolat aero (hated it), and a few more

I normally string with Hyper-G to 53lbs.

Question is - do you guys have any recommendations on what else might be worth trying? Would ideally have something like my 18x20 blade, but with more control (e.g. steal the Prestige Pro's forehand), and the Speed Pro's serve :laughing:. Obviously can't pick and choose random things from various rackets, but giving a sense of what feels good!

Also in case people interested, here are the recommendations I got elsewhere:
- Yonex: DR98, EZ98 + Tour, VC95, VCP 97D + 97H (I have been very interested to try some Yonex sticks - I think I demoed a V Core Pro 98HD a few years ago and didn't gel amazingly, but want to try again)
- TF: TF40 (18x20), T Fight (18x19)
- Head: Boom Pro, Radical Pro
- Babolat: Aero VS, Pure Strike (incl. 2022 VS)
- Angell
- Diadem
- Prince: 93P, ATS 98, Synergy 98, Synergy DB26 MP
- Dunlop: CX200
 

janelgreo

Professional
Haha! Thanks Janel! It's definitely high on the list, trying to get a demo.

Haha great to hear, well you'll definitely get a lot of recommendations here, you have an extensive list. Tough part is trying them all, once you go down the rabbit hole it's tough to come out.
 
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