Racquet Help for player returning from a long break

[Clarky75]

Hi All,

I am a player returning to the game after a very long break

In the past I have mostly played with Head - Radical, Prestige, Babolat Pure Drive for a little bit , more recently Wilson Blade Counterveil

As I am 48 now, maybe the other thing in my mind is a 100 head size might be more forgiving, not sure. I did play a high level in my younger years and 20s early 30s

I recently purchased a Pure Aero 98, It has been good to get back into the game, but have found the PA 98 a bit hit and miss, few balls flying, was strung up with RPM Blast at 52lbs, but had sat around in my cupboard for 8 months

I struggled a bit on my One handed backhand, but to slice the backhand was great, the thing I think I struggled with was the thicker beam, I generally like a thinner beam, find it easier to move it aroumd, the thicker beams tend to feel a bit clumsy. Mind you I have not played for 5-6 years and only had a few sessions so far. I am doing a fresh re string with Yonex Poly Tour Pro in a hybrid with syn gut see how that goes before a final decision

I mostly play from the baseline, topspin forehand, one handed back hand, love to hit slice off the backhand too

It is hard to demo racquets where I am, only really a net and wall outside the tennis shop, gives you some idea, but not as great as court time

I hit the following

1. Babolat Pure Strike 98 16x19 - More easy to move, feel was not great. - Ruled out
2. Wilson Blade 98 - 16x19 - I had used it prior, felt nice, could play with it
3. Head Prestige MP Auexetic 16 x19 - Felt nice, could use not as nice as the blade for me
4. Yonex Percept 100 D - Liked this the most, the feel the connection, was my fav of the bunch

So many great frames, also should prob hit the Radical and Speed. I guess for me that feel is important and the control, like to feel connected, but as I am older, the extra forgiveness and some pop may help out as I have gotten older

Will see how the PA 98 goes with a fresh re string, and will decide but boy that Yonex did feel nice. Head is also an option as I played those for years, but so many good ones in the line

I have always stuck to mostly 98 and 16x19, but also a few 100 over the years, so many quality frames in the player control category

Really tough call, any feedback or advice would be appreciated

 

[TheRareCreature]

Blade is a safe pick - good all around and comfortable. I have two V7 98 16x19s. I demoed a speed mp which was quite nice but has a thicker beam so you may not enjoy. I also tried the radical pro but I prefer the blade or a pro staff. I’d say pick up a V8 blade on sale or grab the new V9.

 

[Hulger]

It seems like you prioritize feel, so perhaps consider the Ultra Pro 16x19 or even the 18x20 strung loosely. It offers a direct connection with a soft touch, unlike the harsh feel of Pro Staffs without significant weight. Its no-nonsense graphite construction moves through the air easier than the Blade, providing surprising pop and stability despite its low stock swingweight. Plus, there's plenty of room for modification if needed.

 

[jimmy8]

Try the Wilson shift 99 300. Forgiving 99 head, decent pop, high spin, great control, amazing feel, super maneuverability, great stability.

 

[Trip]

@Clarky75 - Welcome back to the game. Seems like you're most grounded on crisp/direct/connected, constant-width, box or hybrid-box beam frames with medium-dense patterns, so I would stick with that formula. The main question is: how much forgiveness would you prefer? The Blade 98 is fairly forgiving; if you need more, there's always the Blade 100. Don't overlook it. Also, just double-checking, was the Pure Strike you demo'd the very-recently-released 2024 model (symmetrical red stripes on the sides and a black head guard)? If so, that's a bit surprising that the feel was that off-putting, as Babolat cleaned up the layup a fair amount and got rid of most of the excessive level of muting, at least that's the majority consensus (including mine). Without knowing which gen Strike you tried, here's my shortlist for you:

- Babolat 2024 Pure Strike 98 16x19 or 100 16x20
- Dunlop CX 400 Tour
- Head Auxetic Prestige MP-L
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19
- Wilson Blade v9 98 16x19 or 100
- Yonex Percept 97/100/100D

Hope that helps! Any questions, feel free!

 

[Clarky75]

@Clarky75 - Welcome back to the game. Seems like you're most grounded on crisp/direct/connected, constant-width, box or hybrid-box beam frames with medium-dense patterns, so I would stick with that formula. the main question is: how much forgiveness would you prefer? The Blade 98 is fairly forgiving; if you need more, there's always the Blade 100. Don't overlook it. Also, just double-checking, was the Pure Strike you demo'd the very-recently-released 2024 model (symmetrical red stripes on the sides and a black head guard)? If so, that's a bit surprising that the feel was that off-putting, as Babolat cleaned up the layup a fair amount and got rid of most of the excessive level of muting, at least that's the majority consensus (including mine). Without knowing which gen Strike you tried, here's my shortlist for you:

- Babolat Pure Strike 98 16x19
- Babolat Pure Strike 100 16x20
- Dunlop CX 400 Tour
- Head Auxetic Prestige MP-L
- Tecnifibre TF40 16x19, either 305 or 315
- Wilson Blade 98 v9 16x19
- Wilson Blade 100 v9
- Yonex Percept 97/100/100D

Hope that helps! Any questions, feel free!

Thanks for that

I managed to hit with a few more, I think I narrowed down to the Blade V9 16x19 or the Yonex Percept 100D, I loved that feel, really nice stick

I believe it was the new Babolat Pure Strike, I will need to double check

I also hit the Head Speed Pro and Radical Pro, I used to like the head racquest but I just did not enjoy it

So its either the Blade or the Percept

 

[Clarky75]

Try the Wilson shift 99 300. Forgiving 99 head, decent pop, high spin, great control, amazing feel, super maneuverability, great stability.

I heard good things about the Shift, but I did not hit that

 

[AmericanTwist]

Demo a lot of frames to get an idea of size and flex. Then demo some more. Sometimes people dismiss a frame once or twice, but end up with it the third time as the charm. Strings, ambient temps, weighting, whatever other random factors come into play.

 

[Clarky75]

I am between the following 3

Babolat Pure Strike 100 2024 model
Wilson Blade V9 100
Yonex Percept 100 D

All quality sticks

 

[Trip]

Babolat Pure Strike 100 2024 model
Wilson Blade V9 100
Yonex Percept 100 D

That's a solid shortlist, though I'm curious: which Strike 100? The more firm 16x19? Or the softer 16x20?

Overall, which way are you leaning between Strike, Blade and Percept, and what qualities are tipping the scales for you?

 

[Clarky75]

That's a solid shortlist, though I'm curious: which Strike 100? The more firm 16x19? Or the softer 16x20?

Overall, which way are you leaning between Strike, Blade and Percept, and what qualities are tipping the scales for you?

Hit both strikes, probably prefer the 16x19

I am leaning towards the Yonex, it just felt great and I felt connected to the ball more, just a plush feeling, plus the quality control and weight was spot on, the others were not so. But honestly could hit with any of them

 

[Rosstour]

Do the Blade

 

[Clarky75]

Do the Blade

I did enjoy the blade 100, even the 98 16x19 I loved. But as I am a bit older now, the 100 just a bit more forgiving, beautiful racquets

 

[Rosstour]

I did enjoy the blade 100, even the 98 16x19 I loved. But as I am a bit older now, the 100 just a bit more forgiving, beautiful racquets

You're only 48 bro c'mon lol

 

[Clarky75]

You're only 48 bro c'mon lol

And out of shape and fitness and slow 48 yo. Back into it after a long lay off, but improvement in my movement is coming

 

[Clarky75]

Do the Blade

Do you have the Blade?

 

[Rosstour]

You're only 48 bro c'mon lol

I jest but there is a reason behind it.

I switched to a 100sqin/27.5" racquet when I was 28 because I hadn't played regularly in a while and my old Pro Staff 95s were hampering my game as I had lost a step

Then switched to Warrior 100

Then TF40 98, now Clash 98 and I'm hitting with my old Pro Staff again because I have no longer lost that step

 

[Rosstour]

Do you have the Blade?

No, but only because I have arm pain from a RC tear 2 years ago. I play with a Clash v1 98 now but when I demoed the Blade 98 it was absolute magic

 

[VitalSigns]

Have you tried the Head Auxetic Extreme Tour? Nice blend of control and spin, I really feel connected to the ball, and comfortable on the arm

 

[Clarky75]

Have you tried the Head Auxetic Extreme Tour? Nice blend of control and spin, I really feel connected to the ball, and comfortable on the arm

Funny I did not try that one, I demoed the Radical Pro and the Speed Pro, I used to play the Radical Tour back in the day

I may give that one a demo as well

 

[Clarky75]

No, but only because I have arm pain from a RC tear 2 years ago. I play with a Clash v1 98 now but when I demoed the Blade 98 it was absolute magic

Blades the V9 feel great, I used to have the CV blade, and the old Pro Staff Classic 6.1 in the day

 

[Clarky75]

@Clarky75 - Welcome back to the game. Seems like you're most grounded on crisp/direct/connected, constant-width, box or hybrid-box beam frames with medium-dense patterns, so I would stick with that formula. The main question is: how much forgiveness would you prefer? The Blade 98 is fairly forgiving; if you need more, there's always the Blade 100. Don't overlook it. Also, just double-checking, was the Pure Strike you demo'd the very-recently-released 2024 model (symmetrical red stripes on the sides and a black head guard)? If so, that's a bit surprising that the feel was that off-putting, as Babolat cleaned up the layup a fair amount and got rid of most of the excessive level of muting, at least that's the majority consensus (including mine). Without knowing which gen Strike you tried, here's my shortlist for you:

- Babolat 2024 Pure Strike 98 16x19 or 100 16x20
- Dunlop CX 400 Tour
- Head Auxetic Prestige MP-L
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19
- Wilson Blade v9 98 16x19 or 100
- Yonex Percept 97/100/100D

Hope that helps! Any questions, feel free!

Forgot I must try the Head Prestige MP-L

I used to use the Prestige back in the liquid metal days, loved that racket

How would the head Prestige compare to the Blade 100 and the Yonex Percpet 100D. That is where my head is at now

 

[Fintft]

Forgot I must try the Head Prestige MP-L

I used to use the Prestige back in the liquid metal days, loved that racket

How would the head Prestige compare to the Blade 100 and the Yonex Percpet 100D. That is where my head is at now

Prestiges are great, but especially in prostock form, such as 293.1.

Barring that, try a Shift 300.

 

[Trip]

How would the head Prestige compare to the Blade 100 and the Yonex Percpet 100D. That is where my head is at now

Versus the Blade and Percept, the Prestige, with its more conventional drilling angles and full-length cap grommet, is going to feel more calm, composed and "true", but less dynamic, on contact, and overall, a bit more biased to be hit as flat as possible. That said, the MP-L, at such a light spec and a 21 MGR/i in stock form, is really a customization platform, and really requires it to be as equally playable, but in doing so can be tailored to match the swing physics of either a Blade or a Percept, though ideally you'd want to really know your customization basics, and have access to a swing weight machine, in order to make it happen with utmost precision.

Suffice to say, if you're looking for the most "pickup-and-play" experience with the least amount of customization needing, I'd point you to the Blade or Percept, both of which will offer a much more playable spec in stock form, and only require minimal, if any, amount of hoop lead and/or handle weight.

Hope that helps. Any further questions, feel free.