Struggling with My Current Racquet – What Should I Switch To?

[r_matos1]

Hey everyone, which racquets would you recommend that meet the following characteristics?

• Good power while still offering solid control
• Thin beam profile (<23mm)
• Suitable for players with a flatter shot
• Good for a one-handed backhand
• Maximum weight of 310g
• Slightly higher stiffness for a more direct and crisp feedback

I've been playing with the Pure Aero 98 for the past few months, but I haven't fully adapted to it. I've even tried adjusting my playing style to make it work, but somehow, it just doesn't seem to click with my game.

 

[10S-Junkie]

Enter your preferences in racquetfinder.com to see what current models meet your required specs and then go from there...

 

[shadow10]

I would demo these:
-Wilson Blade 98 V9 16x19
-Tecnifibre Tfight 300S or 305S
-Dunlop CX 200 or Tour
-Head Boom Pro.

Good luck!

 

[gfwp]

Hey everyone, which racquets would you recommend that meet the following characteristics?

• Good power while still offering solid control
• Thin beam profile (<23mm)
• Suitable for players with a flatter shot
• Good for a one-handed backhand
• Maximum weight of 310g
• Slightly higher stiffness for a more direct and crisp feedback

I've been playing with the Pure Aero 98 for the past few months, but I haven't fully adapted to it. I've even tried adjusting my playing style to make it work, but somehow, it just doesn't seem to click with my game.

Pro Staff X. PS X for the friends.

 

[jimmy8]

Wilson blade 98 v9 16x19 - 62 RA, but it has good stiffness with the technology in the racket.

Wilson shift 99 300 - 23.5 mm beam, just slightly over your spec, but has everything you need and want. Amazing, confidence inspiring racket.

 

[time_fly]

I would demo these:
-Wilson Blade 98 V9 16x19
-Tecnifibre Tfight 300S or 305S
-Dunlop CX 200 or Tour
-Head Boom Pro.

This would be my list too, assuming you want to stick with a 98” head size. I have personally hit with the Boom Pro and the CX 200 Tour (16x19) lately and can confirm they suit your preferences. The others on the list should be good fits too.

 

[Steve Huff]

What is your playing style?

 

[jimmy8]

Cx200 tour 16x19 - i owned one for a while. It lacked for power. I demoed it before I bought it, but the demo came strung with full bed multi - dunlop iconic all - which is one of the most powerful multis out there. I use hybrid - poly in the mains, multi (velocity) in the cross - I had no power with this setup.

 

[iceman_dl6]

The RF01 300g version. Just weight up the hoop to your desired preference and you are good to go! It is my go-to racquet and is so versatile that has that direct feel you are looking for since it has no dampening tech

 

[Hit 'em clean]

PS97 has all of the criteria. You don’t say what you didn’t like about the PA98… that would help more in identifying something you may like

 

[gfwp]

PS97 has all of the criteria. You don’t say what you didn’t like about the PA98… that would help more in identifying something you may like

And PS X is the same with more power

 

[Steeez]

PS97 has all of the criteria. You don’t say what you didn’t like about the PA98… that would help more in identifying something you may like

Pretty sure PS97 is above his "maximum weight of 310g"

 

[SpinToWin]

You really should say what about the aero you do not like. Or other frames you have used at least. “Good power while still having control” is super relative. Some reference points help with making suggestions

 

[Trip]

@r_matos1 - Before just throwing frame suggestions at you (some of which may be more off-base than are worth trying), I'm going to pile on with @Steve Huff and some others here and ask for more info, namely:

• What's your skill level (in NTRP or otherwise) and play style?
• What exactly have you found so difficult about the PA98? (be as specific as you can)

The more you give us, the better we can be with our recommendations.

 

[AmericanTwist]

I would add that a more open string pattern like a 16x18 strung tight on Prince frames might help you. But like others have said please tell us what you don't like about the Babolat.

 

[ryushen21]

As a practical old fart of TTW and a coach myself, I'm gonna suggest you perhaps invest in some instruction to improve your technique rather than a new racquet.

Just from what I can extrapolate from your post, it gives the impression that you might be a beginner to intermediate level player. The biggest mistake that most players in this range make is not continuing to get instruction and going right into the gear craze. Find a good coach or small groups to join and continue improving your technique.

 

[Trip]

Indeed, a very good point by @ryushen21.

That being said, while the PA98 is probably serviceable enough by almost any adult male, for it to be used effectively enough in trade for its level of demand, I would say the player really needs to have a certain baseline-minimum level of skill and physicality, which isn't necessarily a match for everyone, even those who are committed to lessons, coaching, etc. Sometimes a frame is just simply beyond a person, flat out. That's not to volunteer the excuse of fiddling with gear in the place of improving the player in all cases, but rather to say that there simply may be a better fit for where @r_matos1 is right now, while also providing a similarly high performance ceiling to accommodate for future improvement. Maybe not quite as high as the PA98, but high enough to not limit the ceiling for sake of lowering the floor and simply being a better fit overall.

Ultimately, though, until he shares more, we really don't and/or won't know what the case is, and most pontificating on frames at this point will remain exactly that.

 

[ryushen21]

Indeed, a very good point by @ryushen21.

That being said, while the PA98 is probably serviceable enough by almost any adult male, for it to be used effectively enough, I would say it has a certain "floor" to it on skill level and physicality, which isn't necessarily a match for even those who are most committed to lessons, coaching, etc. Sometimes a frame is just simply beyond a person, flat out. That's not to volunteer the excuse of fiddling with gear in the place of improving the player in all cases, but rather, there may be a better fit for @r_matos1, for where he and his capabilities are right now, while also providing a similarly high performance ceiling. Maybe not quite as high as the PA98, but high enough that the trade could be worth it.

Ultimately, though, until he shares more, we really don't and/or won't know what the case is, and most pontificating on frames at this point will remain exactly that.

And to be fair, we've all been there and bought the wrong racquet for the wrong reasons. I remember having an APD that was terrible for how I played and my skill level but I loved Rafa and was determined to use it. It never worked out for me.

The flatter hitting and the 1HBH are big echoes of myself that I read in the OP's original statement. I remember hitting flatter because I was afraid of spin and learning how to hit it and saying the 2HBH felt too restrictive. Now I have a big topspin FH and a 2HBH. I could be wrong through.

But we definitely need more information to help this guy find a racquet more suited to his style of play.

 

[Rosstour]

Hey everyone, which racquets would you recommend that meet the following characteristics?

• Good power while still offering solid control
• Thin beam profile (<23mm)
• Suitable for players with a flatter shot
• Good for a one-handed backhand
• Maximum weight of 310g
• Slightly higher stiffness for a more direct and crisp feedback

I've been playing with the Pure Aero 98 for the past few months, but I haven't fully adapted to it. I've even tried adjusting my playing style to make it work, but somehow, it just doesn't seem to click with my game.

Don't listen to the "gear doesn't matter" guys. In fact ignore them.

Do you have a head size or particular balance you're after? How big/tall are you?

 

[janelgreo]

I know the Pro Staff 97 v14 is 315g but give it a shot. I tried the Pure Aero 98, VCore 98, & Pro Staff v14 and the Pro Staff v14 was leaps and bounds better for me, the feel was amazing, especially when hitting the sweet spot, such an enjoyable racquet to play with and I had the best OHBH with it. I have similar play style (flat hitter, OHBH) as you and I came out with the PSv14.

 

[AgressiveBaseliner89]

If you consider Wilson try Blade v9 18x20. It is much better than 16x19

 

[janelgreo]

And to be fair, we've all been there and bought the wrong racquet for the wrong reasons. I remember having an APD that was terrible for how I played and my skill level but I loved Rafa and was determined to use it. It never worked out for me.

The flatter hitting and the 1HBH are big echoes of myself that I read in the OP's original statement. I remember hitting flatter because I was afraid of spin and learning how to hit it and saying the 2HBH felt too restrictive. Now I have a big topspin FH and a 2HBH. I could be wrong through.

But we definitely need more information to help this guy find a racquet more suited to his style of play.

This is so spot on, I'm the opposite, buying the Pro Staff RF97 because I love Federer and wanted to mimic his style of play. Obviously no one can play like Roger lol and lo and behold, it never worked out for me either. Most recently, purchased the PA98 because Tsitsipas looked great with it and many pros are using it, and unfortunately the racquet felt horrible for me and knew almost immediately it wasn't for me.

I'm in the boat where I just love the looks of the OHBH and it's serviceable for me but I know switching to a 2HBH would be the better choice overall. That being said, I can't play tennis everyday and it's just now a side hobby for me and play matches/tournaments when I can, for fun and to keep the competitive drive alive. I don't have the time nor patience to switch to a 2HBH.

Like you said, everyone is different, different skills, levels, styles of play, interests, etc... and a racquet plays a big part in the enjoyment of the game. Many times I feel that like you and I, people purchase what's "hot" and just play with it, not knowing that other options out there may suit them better.

Hopefully OP answers with the questions that have been asked so he can find that racquet.

 

[Soundbyte]

Thin(ner), crisp, stiff, with some power?
Diadem Elevate V3, Consider the Axis 100/98 from them as well (but they Axis is probably too similar to the Pure Aero 98, although the feel is better IMO)
Boom Pro with some lead at 10/2 I agree with.
The Pure Drive 2025 and Ezone 98 are old faithfuls.
Pure Aero Rafa 290 with some mods would work too.

Also consider the SX300/300 Tour from Dunlop
If you want a little less power and more control, the Tec 305S is next stop.
If you let us know what other rackets you've gelled with, it might be easier to make recommendations. But honestly just demo some. I echo this all the time, but there are so many quality rackets available these days. You can always chase the next best thing, but chances are even out of the list of rackets I mentioned, I be you'd like 75+% of them.

 

[RobManser]

I reckon a Tecnifibre T-Fight 305S (18x19) would be spot on. I'm triallling one at the moment. The feel is crisp and direct without being harsh, the control is excellent, and it doesn't feel heavy in the hand (the new model that is). It's not the most powerful racket out there - that's the only criticism. Spin is ok, so you won't be launching balls, and it suits a flatter style very well. Obviously you can spin if you want to, but it's not a PA. I trialled a Blade v9, as suggested above, and it was far, far too muted for me. The lady I sold it to said the same. My Blade v8 was lovely. If you get a 305S, the word out there is to be careful on strings and tension.

 

[soulfree914]

Yonex Percept 100D and maybe the RF01 300g.

 

[r_matos1]

I'll try to answer all the comments and questions in a single post:

What I didn't like about the Pure Aero 98 is that it seems to work well only with spin. Of course, I use spin in my shots, but when I try to accelerate the game with a down-the-line shot, I feel like the racquet doesn't respond the way I need it to. Maybe it's a technical issue on my part, but I just don't like the feel.

Additionally, it's the only racquet that has caused discomfort in my elbow, which made me consider other options.

I've recently tested a few racquets, including the Blade 98 v9, Speed Pro, and Gravity Pro. Out of the three, I liked the Gravity Pro the most, but in the end, I found it too demanding for me.

My level is around NTRP 4.0 (I think), I take lessons twice a week and play at least once a week.

My playing style is aggressive from the baseline, aiming to keep pressure on my opponent and control the points. I'm willing to take some unforced errors if it means having more chances to finish the point with a winner. I handle transitions and net play well.

My main weaknesses are my physical conditioning (I'm 1.80m, 92kg, and have had four knee surgeries) and my serve, which is just average.

I know that technique is essential, and I continue working on it with regular lessons. However, I want to find a racquet that suits my game better without compromising my technical development.

Where I live, the options for testing racquets are limited. From the ones mentioned here, I'll see if I can test the Head Boom Pro and Tecnifibre 305S.

 

[RobManser]

You could consider buying rackets that you want to test, and selling them on? That way you get to try the strings and tension you prefer and you get much longer with the racket. You'll typically lose about £40-£50 per racket, plus stringing costs. I know it can get expensive, but if you think how important a racket is and how long it'll last if you find the right one. The strings are such a big part of it that a demo with random strings at an unknown tension can only tell you so much about a frame.

 

[r_matos1]

You could consider buying rackets that you want to test, and selling them on? That way you get to try the strings and tension you prefer and you get much longer with the racket. You'll typically lose about £40-£50 per racket, plus stringing costs. I know it can get expensive, but if you think how important a racket is and how long it'll last if you find the right one. The strings are such a big part of it that a demo with random strings at an unknown tension can only tell you so much about a frame.

That's exactly what I've been doing! The last four racquets I tested weren’t new, and I resold them afterward. Where I live, the exchange rate is 1 USD = 6 BRL, and a new racquet costs around $315, while the new Tecnifibre goes for $415. So, I really need to be precise in my choice.