Requesting Racquet Recommendation

[Deleted member 732864]

Haven't played regularly in many years (7+). Used to play D3 singles, though that was a while ago. My racquet of choice had been the nCode six.one 90, though I can no longer swing these sticks fast enough to be competitive with ground strokes.

I've tried some of the newer frames (Pure Strike 16x18 version 1, 2012 Pure Drive, 2015 pure drive, 2017 pure aero), though none of these felt as smooth as I was used to. Even after weighting them with weight at the buttcap and at the head. The pure strikes were about 8pts head light, weight 330g-335g (i forget exact number), leather grip as well. Still did not feel very solid nor did I find good control.

Any recommendations for a stick that has that solid feel but maybe weighs in under 12oz strung?

 

[kimguroo]

try Yonex duel 310 or 330. even try older version tour g 310 or 330.

textreme 95 and textreme 100p or textreme graphite 100 XR (if you can get one since it's asian/japan exclusive racket).

T-fight 315 ltd might be an option too wither 16m or 18m.

 

[pfrischmann]

Well. 6.1 90 is a pretty amazing feeling stick. Do you want something in that soft controlled "players frame" or are you going to embrace the the "power tweener" . You tried the big three so my guess is you want something with more feel and touch..

Singles/doubles
Do you need power?

 

[styksnstryngs]

Prince 95 (the green Lucas pouille one)

 

[fuzz nation]

I'll recommend a look at the offerings from Volkl's "10-series" crop. Their current V-Sense 10 325g might be one to try to demo - I play with their Organix 10 325g, which preceded this frame by two generations. Once I did a little tailoring to my O10's with some lead tape, I dialed in a truly great fit for my needs.

The newer Volkl V-Sense Tour 10 looks rather interesting with its rather narrow beam and it weighs in at only 11.5 oz. according to the spec sheet. This is definitely the next Volkl I'll want to check out, especially if I need an alternative to the customized 12.6-12.8 oz. frames I use now.

 

[Deleted member 732864]

Well. 6.1 90 is a pretty amazing feeling stick. Do you want something in that soft controlled "players frame" or are you going to embrace the the "power tweener" . You tried the big three so my guess is you want something with more feel and touch..

Singles/doubles
Do you need power?

I play singles primarily, don't need power so much - I want more feel and flex out of my frames. I can generate enough power provided I can setup in time (the 12.5+ oz racquets, though, i just can't swing them fast enough anymore to have a reliable contact point, especially against heavy balls.)

 

[Deleted member 732864]

Has anyone found the Pro Kennex racquets a nice transition? I'm considering the prostaff 97 range as well, just to see how it plays compared to what I remoember of the ncodes.

 

[graycrait]

I have a 30 yr old friend who was a ranked junior and played D2 tennis. He kills all of us swinging this: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_MicroGEL_Radical_Midplus/descpageRCHEAD-HMGRAD.html

Strung with 16g Ashaway Kevlar x 17g Ashaway Zyex Pro at 62/62.

We encourage him to try something new but at 5'8" he cranks out easy measured 100mph serves and can send his kicker 3' over your head. If you are dumb enough to serve to his 2HBH you deserve everything you get.

 

[Ronaldo]

I have a 30 yr old friend who was a ranked junior and played D2 tennis. He kills all of us swinging this: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_MicroGEL_Radical_Midplus/descpageRCHEAD-HMGRAD.html

Strung with 16g Ashaway Kevlar x 17g Ashaway Zyex Pro at 62/62.

We encourage him to try something new but at 5'8" he cranks out easy measured 100mph serves and can send his kicker 3' over your head. If you are dumb enough to serve to his 2HBH you deserve everything you get.

Did he modify the Radical?

 

[graycrait]

Did he modify the Radical?

Nope, I string his rackets. His old Ti Rads were wore out and I told him I needed to wear safety glasses when I strung them as he had scraped the hoops for so many years. He laughed when he handed me the new rackets he found on sale at Academy Sports for 30 bucks ea. He gives me advice on how to beat folks in old man tennis.

 

[Ronaldo]

Nope, I string his rackets. His old Ti Rads were wore out and I told him I needed to wear safety glasses when I strung them as he had scraped the hoops for so many years. He laughed when he handed me the new rackets he found on sale at Academy Sports for 30 bucks ea. He gives me advice on how to beat folks in old man tennis.

Wondered if he CAPPed the grommets

 

[pfrischmann]

The Pro-Staffs feel has changed over the years. I'm not sure you will like the new 97. It's a much stiffer frame and can be harsh out side of the sweet spot. You may like the Angell racquets and the Wilson Ultra tour. The Wilson blade is very popular. Surprisingly, I see more 18X20 's than 16X19. The Yonex Duels and Prince Phantom and textremes should give you enough to try.

 

[graycrait]

Wondered if he CAPPed the grommets

Nope, stock racket, no mods, no lead, no capped grommets. He is like Agassi - lite! The way he plays he will be something in rec leagues 20 yrs from now. Really fun to step on the court with or against him.

 

[FoldingChair]

I'm biased but the DR 98 is pretty cool. Comes in about 11.5 strung range and has room for customization.

 

[re_ipsa]

You are accustomed to prostaff feel. I would suggest to consider variations of current or earlier pro staff offerings with bigger headsizes.

Thanks

 

[Ronaldo]

You are accustomed to prostaff feel. I would suggest to consider variations of current or earlier pro staff offerings with bigger headsizes.

Thanks

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_SixOne_95_18x20/descpageRCWILSON-61SMU17.html

 

[TennisMD]

I'm biased but the DR 98 is pretty cool. Comes in about 11.5 strung range and has room for customization.

I would echo this suggestion,especially since the OP does not want a 12.6 oz racquet.
Of interest, clearly not to make a decision on rkt choice , but Andy G previous TW employee and rkt tester and open player ( look at his TW video if still up) is still playing with the DR98.
I'm a senior player but very fit can still bench around 200 lbs and played with this rkt moved on to the plus as it really added to my serve and I'm not vertically challenged 6' 1"
Good luck, it's a great sport

 

[Deleted member 732864]

Thank you for recommending Angell racquets! I loved the last versions, when the company was known as Vantage, and wondered what happened to them. I think these will work great. Anyone know of any dealers which might offer demos of their heavier frames? 10-12pt head light can work with 12+oz

The Pro-Staffs feel has changed over the years. I'm not sure you will like the new 97. It's a much stiffer frame and can be harsh out side of the sweet spot. You may like the Angell racquets and the Wilson Ultra tour. The Wilson blade is very popular. Surprisingly, I see more 18X20 's than 16X19. The Yonex Duels and Prince Phantom and textremes should give you enough to try.

 

[pfrischmann]

If you google it, you will find a demo center.

 

[re_ipsa]

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_SixOne_95_18x20/descpageRCWILSON-61SMU17.html

Prostaff 95 6.1 25yrs anni would be best to my opinion

Sent from my ASUS_T00J using Tapatalk

 

[fivepointfiveplayer]

@OP : here's some tips on choosing your best racquet

1. Decide your budget
2. Go to a store which allows for racquet test before purchase
3. Choose one of these - Plush feel (flexible) or firm feel (stiffer). Go get a realkly flexible racquet and then go find a stiffer racquet for testing, and one in the middle. Focus on the feel and less on whether there is power control etc.
4. Choose one of the open string pattern or tighter string patter. Again demo racquets with open and tighter. Tighter string pattern gives more control for the same tension, while the open string pattern gives more power.
5. By now you should've narrowed down on these parameters and would've therefore narrowed down on racquet options
6. Now get a heavy racquet (12 oz +) and a lighter racquet with the same parameters (10oz to 12oz). Depending on your skill you should know what kind of balls you generally face in your matches or practices. Hit against the hitting partner and see how it behaves. If you don't have one get/rent a ball machine and dial up the spin and pace based on what you generally face. The key things you look for is racquet stability, plough through and overall control/power in that order. You will notice the heavier you go the better you are able to handle the pacy heavy ball, but find less of a difference and end up preferring lighter racquets on less pacy spinny balls (basically lower level plays). The key thing to notice is whether you are able to swing through fully and not having trouble with your pace and spin. If you are not able to, then you need to reduce overall weight by preferring to reduce head weight. So go for racquets that are more head light if you want to keep the heavier racquet. Or go for an overall lighter racquet. By now you would've narrowed down on your racquet of choice.
7. The one thing I would like you to know is you can customize your lighter racquet to go heavier, so I would always err on slightly lighter racquets which are head light so you can customize as you improve rather than struggle with a heavy one. Customization can be done by adding lead to the head loop and lead/silicone/grip etc on/in the racquet handle.
8. The one thing lot of people forget to do is mitigating shock factor on handle on lighter racquets. Putting silicone inside the handle or adding extra grips (buying size 1 base handle grip) with gels will help you handle shock a lot to help with elbow problems.

You have to go through all of this to choose the racquet of your choice. Everyone is different and you will like something others don't and vise versa.

 

[tmc5005]

Please avoid the Babalot Pure Drive and Pure Aero if you want to avoid tennis elbow.
Take a look at some of these:
Yonex EZone DR 98
HEAD XT Graphene MP
PACIFIC BXT X Tour Pro 97
Wilson Ultra Tour
Volkl Vsense 10 325g
Pro Kennex Kinetic KI Q Tour
Pro Kennex QI K5 315
Head Graphene Touch Speed Pro
Wilson 2015 Blade 98 18×20
WILSON Pro Staff 97S

 

[styksnstryngs]

HEAD XT Graphene MP

There are five of these

 

[PhxRacket]

Please avoid the Babalot Pure Drive and Pure Aero if you want to avoid tennis elbow.
Take a look at some of these:
Yonex EZone DR 98
HEAD XT Graphene MP
PACIFIC BXT X Tour Pro 97
Wilson Ultra Tour
Volkl Vsense 10 325g
Pro Kennex Kinetic KI Q Tour
Pro Kennex QI K5 315
Head Graphene Touch Speed Pro
Wilson 2015 Blade 98 18×20
WILSON Pro Staff 97S

Are you referring to the Graphene XT Prestige Pro? Or the 18x20?