Racket Recommendations

[JT102]

Hi all, I am currently a UTR 10.5 junior, and have struggled with wrist issues (TFCC) for around a year in my freshman and sophomore year (currently a senior). This was mainly due to technique, hitting with better players a bit too fast, and using a 2019 Pure Aero with 55 pounds of poly. I now use the Blade 98 v7, and have switched my strokes to use less wrist (think Alcaraz style forehand takeback or, I guess, Ben Shelton but with an almost eastern/half semi-western grip). My backhand is also a lot flatter now and plays almost exactly like Shelton or perhaps a less extreme Cam Norrie. After watching Shelton's games, I think I play pretty similar to Shelton - a mix between faster hard forehands and spinny lefty forehands deep, a flatter more penetrating backhand, and like to come to the net or S&V.

I have wanted to switch from the Blade 98 because of quality control issues, as all 3 of my rackets have different weights and I have a Yonex sponsorship on the table anyways. My current blades are too HH, and with the new semi-eastern grip, I'm not having too good of a time unless I have 2-3 overgrips on to rebalance. I demoed the Ezone and the Percept, but had some bad experiences with the rackets - I felt that the Ezone demo (TW strings) in particular was very stiff and hard on the arm, whereas online it says the Ezone is now pretty arm friendly - could just chalk it up to demoing strings I guess.

I've wanted a more HL racket anyways compared to the Blade (as I already put on 2-3 overgrips). I can't demo the racket because it is discontinued, but would the old VCore Pro 97 HD from 2019 (or any variations) be a good fit? It seems to be 7 pt HL strung compared to 4 pt for the blade, and very control-oriented while still having decent spin (also I prefer darker colors so the color is a plus). I've noticed that Shelton also seems to have used the HD in the past, so that could be a good sign as well. The other racket I've demoed and enjoyed was the newer Pure Aero (odd since it's also 4 PT HL -> I guess my blades really were HH huh), but was worried since the old Pure Aero destroyed my wrist (maybe could try the Pure Aero Tour that Alcaraz technically uses?)

Anyways, it's really tough for me to demo non TW rackets, because I don't live near a major major city and there aren't very many tennis shops around. To sum it up, for somebody like me, would you recommend the VCP HD, Pure Aero (or Pure Aero Tour), or any other rackets? Thanks!

 

[AmericanTwist]

Stiff frames with high tensioned poly can do numbers on arms as many have attested to. Since you are a UTR 10.5 you should have the strokes to play with any frame. The Blade 98 v8 is a fine frame and so is the v7. Can you do some weighting or modifying with frame? If not, then you have several choices. You can also consider hybriding with syn gut or natural gut too (but doesn't address frame issues).

Yonex production quality is the best and since you have sponsorship you can consider the vcore 95 or percept D. Give these a chance. The HD is another option differing only from the D by 3 ra stiffness points but is no longer produced (but maybe attainable once you get to the ITF level if made custom).

I would also recommend the Ultra v4 or v3 18x20 but both need customizing. Quality seems to be better recently but still lags behind yonex. I would also recommend the Blade 98s.

Dunlop make great underrated frames. Try the cx 200 tour 18x20. Of course this also needs modification.

Head speed Pro 100 and Gravity pro are also good choices for 100/18x20 frames.

Artengo 960 control tour are supposed to be similar to the ultra v4s but read that quality is not as good as Wilson's (but they are probably also made in China).

Babolat pure strike v2 16x20 is another frame you can consider. Pure strike 18x20 3G is yet another (firmest among the choices).

Prince ATS 100p, phantom 100x 18x20, and phantom pro 100 are frames to consider in the prince line.

Tecnifibre tf40 305 18x20, solinco whiteout 18x20 are also other choices.

I suggest picking an RA number within a 2 or 3 point range and focus on those choices. Know that head size will affect power (example, a 95" 62ra frame will be much less forgiving and have less power than a 100" 62ra frame).

Btw, a UTR 9.7 friend who always beats me uses a RF97A and plays well with it. The frame does much of the work. Conversely, I theorize many pros play with frames in the mid to high 50s in RA since retail versions of similar frames are mostly higher in RA stiffness (to accommodate us non-pros).

Update us as to which frame you pick lol. Good luck! Btw, where are you located?

 

[Fintft]

Shift 300 ProLabs version

 

[Soundbyte]

Yonex Percept 97H if you can handle the weight is great, otherwise the lighter variation.

Prokennex 5g/7g fit your bill perfectly.

I'd also argue the newest Prestige Line (Pro or Tour) would be worthwhile.

I 100% agree on the Dunlop CX 200 Tour. On sale for $100 now too

 

[JT102]

Stiff frames with high tensioned poly can do numbers on arms as many have attested to. Since you are a UTR 10.5 you should have the strokes to play with any frame. The Blade 98 v8 is a fine frame and so is the v7. Can you do some weighting or modifying with frame? If not, then you have several choices. You can also consider hybriding with syn gut or natural gut too (but doesn't address frame issues).

Yonex production quality is the best and since you have sponsorship you can consider the vcore 95 or percept D. Give these a chance. The HD is another option differing only from the D by 3 ra stiffness points but is no longer produced (but maybe attainable once you get to the ITF level if made custom).

I would also recommend the Ultra v4 or v3 18x20 but both need customizing. Quality seems to be better recently but still lags behind yonex. I would also recommend the Blade 98s.

Dunlop make great underrated frames. Try the cx 200 tour 18x20. Of course this also needs modification.

Head speed Pro 100 and Gravity pro are also good choices for 100/18x20 frames.

Artengo 960 control tour are supposed to be similar to the ultra v4s but read that quality is not as good as Wilson's (but they are probably also made in China).

Babolat pure strike v2 16x20 is another frame you can consider. Pure strike 18x20 3G is yet another (firmest among the choices).

Prince ATS 100p, phantom 100x 18x20, and phantom pro 100 are frames to consider in the prince line.

Tecnifibre tf40 305 18x20, solinco whiteout 18x20 are also other choices.

I suggest picking an RA number within a 2 or 3 point range and focus on those choices. Know that head size will affect power (example, a 95" 62ra frame will be much less forgiving and have less power than a 100" 62ra frame).

Btw, a UTR 9.7 friend who always beats me uses a RF97A and plays well with it. The frame does much of the work. Conversely, I theorize many pros play with frames in the mid to high 50s in RA since retail versions of similar frames are mostly higher in RA stiffness (to accommodate us non-pros).

Update us as to which frame you pick lol. Good luck! Btw, where are you located?

California, I'll try and test out some of the rackets you've suggested, and my friend has a few Vcore Pro HDs so I'll try those out with semi-decent strings instead of TW strings. I've tried the pure strike but didn't quite like it, and I try to stay away from HEAD due to quality control issues I've had in the past. Thank you for the suggestions, I'll try them out and update this thread again!