Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Tecnifibre TFight 295/300/305

[topspn]

I hated the few hours I used the 295 with Ice Code. Would not recommend a super soft/elastic, more powerful string like Ice Code. I'd like to think a deader, more tension-stable string like 4G, the new Lynx Tour, or Hyper G would pair well with this racquet.

I will note that the Pure Strike 100 beats out the 295 in terms of customizability. My coach had me customize some racquets for him, adding silicone and some lead. Really stabilized the racquet, made it a little softer, and removed clubiness you sometimes get with Bab QC.

hmm are you sure you didn’t try razor code white and not ice code? Ice code plays very controlled. On customization, I assume you allude to no trap door on the Tec? Yes, it would be a bit more difficult as you’d have to take off grip and buttcap to get some silicone in there or some weight in the handle.

 

[Daddy's]

Well it’s too hot , ashy and poor air quality to play. SoCal fires do get around. So I’ll do my review.

Racquet Received: TFight 300 RS

String and tension used for test: Started with Ice 17 51/49 Playable but not special. Seemed to bag out at 8/10 hrs.
Lynx Tour 16 48/46 A bit stiff first hr or so But really nice after that good power,spin and control. The open string pattern responds well to thicker strings.
I’ll probably try some 17 Toura BHS 7 tour next see how it responds to a little more crispness My favorite is usually a NG/Poly but I may stay with poly in this one.

Tennis experience/background: A solid 4.0 player but at the stage where I’m trying to not lose anything rather than think I’m going to be a 5.0 next year.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Old school all court. Play close to baseline, take the ball on the rise,pressure the ball, force the issue, put away weak shots. 3hrs doubles for every hr singles.

Current racquet/string setups: I play with a variety of racquets: Volkl SG10, BB Melbourne, Radicals in MG,TI, LM and I OS and MP. Not a fan of stiff, pingey racquets.
Lately it's been mostly a Gravity S that’s held my attention. I try most new strings but my favorite setup is NG/poly. That's whats in the gravity

How many hours did you play with the racquet? I’d say about 16

Comments on racquet performance:

-Groundstrokes: I went into this test thinking I’d try to get some more power than my soft racquets provide,without getting into a stiff, harsh, hollow feeling. That’s pretty much what I got. I found just the right amount of power to drive the ball to the baseline without hitting it to the fence. Seems to have a fairly flat angle of attack allowing you to drive the ball through the court with pace and a little hook down at the end to keep it in play. I could emphasize spin for safe rally shots to build points for the opening. After all, every shot can’t be a winner right?

-Serves: Excellent. When I first started with the racquet I had excellent results with slices and kickers but not overpowering with flat serves. Now with a little time this is maybe my best serving racquet. The heavy 16 string plus 3 gm lead under the grommet at 12. I can bomb to either side or go to spin with apparently the same motion because my opponents don’t seem to read where it’s going.

-Volleys: Very good. Looking back on my experience I’ve had good volleys with it but I haven’t really been called on for many great volleys. My approaches have been so much better that I’ve just been knocking the ball back into an open court.My wife did hit a couple floaters at the net that got me hit. No racquet is going to save you on those. Just get out of the way or hit it back is what she tells me. Hard to argue with the logic but she could help out a bit.

-Serve returns: Excellent on returns. There seems a lot of twistweight in the racquet that helps with the less than “perfect” strikes that you get on serve returns. It seems very adept at chipping or blocking back good serves and going on the attack with ones you can handle. Very stable.The racquet itself is very quick through the air, even in the heavier setup, making it easier to catch up with good serves

General reaction/comments on overall performance: All in all an excellent racquet ! I was looking for a comfortable racquet with a bit more pop without getting the discomfort and wildness of the stiffer dual taper racquets that I hate. The 300 gives me what I was looking for. Power and crispness. Great feel and comfort. Control and quickness. This racquet does feel like crisper Radical as jangotango said. It's probably not the best choice if you stay behind the baseline hitting big topspin jumpers. It doesn't play anything like an APD. It plays more like a control players racquet with more pop and solid feel.
I appreciate the Armor Cap and Easy Lock as a stringer. Good solid engineering.
I thought the grip was a little soft my try some leather but don't want the extra weight. I do miss the trap door but it will keep me from messing with it to much.
I’ve never been one to put too much faith in whatever new miracle graphite or technology they seem to come up with every couple years. This racquet just seems to be an all around improvement. I don’t know if it’s the foam or the r shaped shaft but it really feels different than any other of my racquets.
I apparently have a spec I like. No matter what a racquet starts out as I end up with it at 324 to 328 gms, 5/6 pts HL 320’s SW. I’m playing this at 328 5pts HL and it feels just fine.
This is going to be a permanent addition to my bag.

Overgrip Bonus: Liked this grip a lot. I'm not a dry grip fan and this wax coat seemed to have just the right amount of tack. I have to admit I didn't use the grip on the RS but on another racquet. My grip came in white and I was already going a little snow blind off RS color scheme.


Thanks to TW and Tecnifibre for the chance to test the Tecnifibre TFight 300 RS.

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

The 295 has more comfort, spin, and power than any generation of the Pure Strike 100.

I’ve been convinced for sometime now I would be better served by moving to a larger, more powerful frame. However this is the first one I could seriously consider




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[topspn]

I’ve been convinced for sometime now I would be better served by moving to a larger, more powerful frame. However this is the first one I could seriously consider


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Hmm very specific. Why is that?

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Hmm very specific. Why is that?

It is noticeably more powerful but still drives the ball well with good control and is super comfortable. The RA feels more like 60 than 70! [emoji41]


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[jangotango]

hmm are you sure you didn’t try razor code white and not ice code? Ice code plays very controlled. On customization, I assume you allude to no trap door on the Tec? Yes, it would be a bit more difficult as you’d have to take off grip and buttcap to get some silicone in there or some weight in the handle.

100% sure it was Ice Code, not Razor Code White. Strung up the 17g that came with the racquet, 54x52lbs. It started out really great, but after two practice sessions it felt way too springy, tramponliney, and didn't give any spin. Launch angle basically moonballing on every shot.

 

[jangotango]

I’ve been convinced for sometime now I would be better served by moving to a larger, more powerful frame. However this is the first one I could seriously consider




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I'm trying out the RS300 when it gets to me in about a week. I have the XTC 305 but it doesn't fit my one hander too well. After reading above review of the RS300, I think it'll be even better.

 

[tomato123]

Medvedev looking sharp, I know he doesn't technically use the RS but if he wins the USO I'm sure more people will be interested in what he's using/endorsing!

 

[AMGF]

I need more impressions on the 305RS. I’m looking for a replacement for my VC98+ and the specs on twu look very close. But the one thing I hate on my VC98+ is the low tw, but if I add lead to get the tw up, so does the sw. At 15.8tw no need for lead at 3/9 and I can just add some to 12 to get the depth I want.

Plus I switched back and forth between 16x19 and 18x20 for as long as I’ve been playing and think the 18x19 could be the perfect pattern.

I can’t wait for more 305RS impressions.

 

[tomato123]

Now that I've submitted my playtest review, here is my attempt at tail weighting the 300 to playtest it with customized specs

One strip of golf tungsten weight covered with 2 layers of gorilla tape to reinforce.

Bonus doggy pic

 

[fl4tsc]

I need more impressions on the 305RS. I’m looking for a replacement for my VC98+ and the specs on twu look very close. But the one thing I hate on my VC98+ is the low tw, but if I add lead to get the tw up, so does the sw. At 15.8tw no need for lead at 3/9 and I can just add some to 12 to get the depth I want.

Plus I switched back and forth between 16x19 and 18x20 for as long as I’ve been playing and think the 18x19 could be the perfect pattern.

I can’t wait for more 305RS impressions.

I've been able to get some more hours in with my 305 and it is an excellent combo of tons of power, while still being comfortable, having good feel, and decent control.

The launch angle is surprisingly high for an 18x19; at least in comparison to my 18x20 H22s.

Adding a leather grip didn't seem to affect the comfort too negatively like it did on the XTC as well.

Haven't had any issues with stability, though I would say the comparatively high stiffness is hidden extremely well, except for the occasional off-center shot where the vibration of the racket gets a little higher frequency.

 

[AMGF]

I've been able to get some more hours in with my 305 and it is an excellent combo of tons of power, while still being comfortable, having good feel, and decent control.

The launch angle is surprisingly high for an 18x19; at least in comparison to my 18x20 H22s.

Adding a leather grip didn't seem to affect the comfort too negatively like it did on the XTC as well.

Haven't had any issues with stability, though I would say the comparatively high stiffness is hidden extremely well, except for the occasional off-center shot where the vibration of the racket gets a little higher frequency.

Thank you! How is it at serve? Does the stability seems to match the high tw rating? How are the volleys with it?

Maybe a weird question but how is the sound? Foam filled frames often have a nice thump sound at impact, I’m wondering of this one does as well.

 

[ClaudTT]

Yeah win on Sunday sale on Monday. Good old racing motto.

 

[ClaudTT]

Now that I've submitted my playtest review, here is my attempt at tail weighting the 300 to playtest it with customized specs

One strip of golf tungsten weight covered with 2 layers of gorilla tape to reinforce.

Bonus doggy pic

Good. Let us know how it feels.

 

[Devil_dog]

Thank you! How is it at serve? Does the stability seems to match the high tw rating? How are the volleys with it?

Maybe a weird question but how is the sound? Foam filled frames often have a nice thump sound at impact, I’m wondering of this one does as well.

I haven't turned in my review yet. Still gathering my notes and thoughts about the TF305 racquet. But to answer your questions regarding serve and volleys: Really stable for volleys. I have tons of confidence hitting them with this stick. For serves, I don't get as much power as I do with my Pure Drive Plus sticks but fairly decent pop and with the control-oriented characteristics of the frame, I've been doing fairly well hitting my spots. I wish I can attest to the sound but I have to admit I don't notice too much difference in that regard.

 

[mad dog1]

100% sure it was Ice Code, not Razor Code White. Strung up the 17g that came with the racquet, 54x52lbs. It started out really great, but after two practice sessions it felt way too springy, tramponliney, and didn't give any spin. Launch angle basically moonballing on every shot.

Odd. Ice code isn’t a springy, trampoliney string based on my experience.

 

[Devil_dog]

Odd. Ice code isn’t a springy, trampoliney string based on my experience.

Have to agree, I wouldn't say Ice Code was "springy", even after some break-in. Though I will admit it played better in the TF305 in the later stages. I'm wondering if Ice Code is one of those polys that benefit from pre-stretch?

 

[DJTaurus]

Don’t get the RS backpack. Instead take the black one which has similar design. More pockets on the inside

 

[Artreddy]

So do these lines ups have Tour Prepared or limited edition on them and use Silicone in the handle ( not the DC Dynacore)

 

[topspn]

So am i the only one who thinks TF head sizes run a tad smaller then others? I have the demo of the 295 and i have carefully compared to my Nova and 2013 APD and it is smaller and seems more like 98. I also remember the TF40 ran a tad smaller then a blade 98

 

[jackcrawford]

So am i the only one who thinks TF head sizes run a tad smaller then others? I have the demo of the 295 and i have carefully compared to my Nova and 2013 APD and it is smaller and seems more like 98. I also remember the TF40 ran a tad smaller then a blade 98

The 295 looks like a 98 when put next to my EXO3 Tour 100 18 x 20.

 

[snoflewis]

So am i the only one who thinks TF head sizes run a tad smaller then others? I have the demo of the 295 and i have carefully compared to my Nova and 2013 APD and it is smaller and seems more like 98. I also remember the TF40 ran a tad smaller then a blade 98

Dont know about smaller, but it seems narrower

 

[topspn]

Dont know about smaller, but it seems narrower

Yep, head length seems ok but width a bit narrower so overall smaller.

 

[jangotango]

I'm hitting with the RS300 along side the RS295 at the moment. It may be QC issues, but the 300 is NOTICEABLY more sluggish, stiff, and unwieldy.

Maybe it (RS300) needs some weight in the handle? A leather grip?

 

[gutfeeling]

I'm hitting with the RS300 along side the RS295 at the moment. It may be QC issues, but the 300 is NOTICEABLY more sluggish, stiff, and unwieldy.

Maybe it (RS300) needs some weight in the handle? A leather grip?

I’m not so sure. The 300 is actually much less stiff than the 295 but sometimes players perceive the opposite. Do they have the same string and tension?

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

So am i the only one who thinks TF head sizes run a tad smaller then others? I have the demo of the 295 and i have carefully compared to my Nova and 2013 APD and it is smaller and seems more like 98. I also remember the TF40 ran a tad smaller then a blade 98

Yes. The 295 also PLAYS SMALLER and more precise [emoji56]


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[topspn]

Yes true, it does play like a bit smaller head size would with more precision. I added even more weight to the head so besides 2 grams on each side 2 and 10, I added head tape all around from 6th cross from the bottom. It now has a mean serve and really nice kicking ground strokes that really move through the court. Did I say feel is really clean connected! This is a good platform stick

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Yes true, it does play like a bit smaller head size would with more precision. I added even more weight to the head so besides 2 grams on each side 2 and 10, I added head tape all around from 6th cross from the bottom. It now has a mean serve and really nice kicking ground strokes that really move through the court. Did I say feel is really clean connected! This is a good platform stick

I always forget about head tape! I’ve got mine at 330g/32.3/326 SW and it’s MUCH better than stock despite the funky TF synthetic with which it arrived. I need TW restring with favorite poly!!


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[topspn]

I always forget about head tape! I’ve got mine at 330g/32.3/326 SW and it’s MUCH better than stock despite the funky TF synthetic with which it arrived. I need TW restring with favorite poly!!


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Yeah it added another 4.5g to the head but pretty spread out. And with initial lead 4g split 2&10, the frame feels very stable and solid. Still very nicely maneuverable so frame takes weight well. I am getting my own two sticks to customize and also add leather grip

 

[Devil_dog]

About to have one more hit with the TFight RS305 today before I turn in my review. Not much has changed in my thoughts but I want to give the racquet ample hitting time to affirm my thoughts. I will say it's always fun to bring the Tec out of the bag and swing away with it.

 

[jackcrawford]

I'm hitting with the RS300 along side the RS295 at the moment. It may be QC issues, but the 300 is NOTICEABLY more sluggish, stiff, and unwieldy.

Maybe it (RS300) needs some weight in the handle? A leather grip?

Is it the static weight or the balance that's off? It shouldn't feel stiffer than the 295 since the 300 has foam, but what should be isn't always so.

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

I found the 300 the most comfortable of the trio, and by far!!


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[jangotango]

@gutfeeling @jackcrawford

Issue solved on the RS300 - I'm converted! Added a leather grip and let the stringbed settle in. Like a more solid version of the 295, a touch more precise and less power.

It was strung with Toalson HD Aster Poly, quite a stiff string off the stringer but after some warm weather and time in the bag, a very nice offering.

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[Daddy's]

It seems to be right for me as well. It does boost the weight up to 11.7 oz with a TW leather grip, OG and Damper. This makes it 6 pt HL but with all the extra weight in your hand it doesn't seem to slow down my tip speed. The 16g Lynx Tour still playing well very solid and controlled. I'll probably try some 17 next time just to try for something better before I settle on what's best for me.

 

[Brando]

I just happened to have a TFight 300 RS demo from T/W on-loan till the 17th [Order #13624852], and it came so new the shrink wrap's still on the grip and strings feature the spray-painted logo. You guys said the application period was closed (and I'd need to string said stick myself), but since I have the stick and the strings are brand new, may I join the playtest? I've given T/W feedback on racquets before, am an avid 3.5 player, am a professional writer, am ready to meet the deadline requirements, and am not about keeping the stick. As a Project One7 owner (bot from T/W of course), I just think it'd fun to review a new model from a brand so renown among tennis pros. Do let me know...

 

[mad dog1]

@snoflewis was kind enough to let me borrow the TF 305 RS to do a more in-depth demo/review.

Ok. The new TF 305 RS...Yeah, the specs say it’s a 67RA. Doesn’t feel that way to me. Feels softer and more comfortable than that. Yeah, the specs say the SW is 333. Swings lighter than that. Yeah, specs say it’s 11.4 oz strung. Plays stable. In other words, this is a very good racquet!

I spent a good 2 hours hitting groundstrokes and volleys with it and the crosses in the center of the string bed are pretty well ground down from all the topspin after 120 mins. During the 2 hours, I did mix in some baseline points.

This is a great offering from Tecnifibre as a possible alternative for those of you who like the Blade 18/20s but find it too sluggish to generate rhs due to the high SW or for those of you who like the POne7 but find it too hard on the arm.

The RS swings easier than my 2015 Blade 18/20 which was measured to have a 291 unstrung SW. While it swings faster, it isn’t quite a stable nor does it hit as heavy of a bulldozing ball as the Blade. The Blade just pushes people back and induces ball spray from the heavy, penetrating balls it produces. But not many sticks I have tried have this quality which is why the 2015 Blade 18/20 always has a place in my collection. I must thank @snoflewis for my 2x 2015 Blades. Credit where due!

The RS is very stable - more stable than my modded UT but not quite as stable as the Blade which is probably the closest a racquet can get to brick wall stability at a 305g static weight spec. I had no issues or complaints about the RS on volleys. Solid.

Where the Blade and RS differ is in frame response. The RS has some flex and resonance in the hoop that gives it a “livelier” less dampened feel than the Blade or the modded UT. It’s also livelier than the TF40 305 which had a very solid and muted feel. The RS’ livelier feel is not a bad thing; it’s just different. Didn’t bother me one bit.

Power - the RS has less power than the Blade and the POne7 but more than the modded UT. Seems pretty close in power to my Graphene XT Prestige Pros.

Control - the RS has excellent control. I could control depth and direction very well. Additionally, I could easily modulate the ball trajectory. This was something I had a lot of trouble with the TF40 305. The RS felt like an extension of my arm in this regard. Excellent control. As good as the Blade. Better than the POne7. Not as good as the UT but I haven’t found anything that is quite as good.

Topspin - was able to generate plenty of topspin with the 18/19 pattern, but spin generation is generally never an issue for me as I have no trouble generating a ball that kicks up with my other 18/20 frames.

Slice - the RS slices are nasty, nasty, nasty!!! So easy and so much fun to knife the bh slice with this stick. The blade and UT are excellent already but the RS takes the ease of hitting consistent nasty slices to a new level.

Volleys - the RS did very well on volleys. It easily absorbs pace, pockets it, and easily returns the ball at the spot you are aiming for. The Blade volleys excellent but is just slower to move around. The UT volleys well, but it could use a little more stability on volleys.

Serves - shoulder has been acting up a bit lately so I didn’t try any serves today.

I gotta say I’m impressed by the new TFight 305 RS. I like it much more than the TF40 305 for me because the launch angle and trajectory are so much easier to control. I could easily find myself using this stick and enjoying it.

Also love the reinforced tie off eyelets! No more smushed grommets! The thicker head guard at 10 and 2 on the bumper is also a nice touch. Very thoughtful attention to detail.

 

[megamind]

@snoflewis was kind enough to let me borrow the TF 305 RS to do a more in-depth demo/review.

Ok. The new TF 305 RS...Yeah, the specs say it’s a 67RA. Doesn’t feel that way to me. Feels softer and more comfortable than that. Yeah, the specs say the SW is 333. Swings lighter than that. Yeah, specs say it’s 11.4 oz strung. Plays stable. In other words, this is a very good racquet!

I spent a good 2 hours hitting groundstrokes and volleys with it and the crosses in the center of the string bed are pretty well ground down from all the topspin after 120 mins. During the 2 hours, I did mix in some baseline points.

This is a great offering from Tecnifibre as a possible alternative for those of you who like the Blade 18/20s but find it too sluggish to generate rhs due to the high SW or for those of you who like the POne7 but find it too hard on the arm.

The RS swings easier than my 2015 Blade 18/20 which was measured to have a 291 unstrung SW. While it swings faster, it isn’t quite a stable nor does it hit as heavy of a bulldozing ball as the Blade. The Blade just pushes people back and induces ball spray from the heavy, penetrating balls it produces. But not many sticks I have tried have this quality which is why the 2015 Blade 18/20 always has a place in my collection. I must thank @snoflewis for my 2x 2015 Blades. Credit where due!

The RS is very stable - more stable than my modded UT but not quite as stable as the Blade which is probably the closest a racquet can get to brick wall stability at a 305g static weight spec. I had no issues or complaints about the RS on volleys. Solid.

Where the Blade and RS differ is in frame response. The RS has some flex and resonance in the hoop that gives it a “livelier” less dampened feel than the Blade or the modded UT. It’s also livelier than the TF40 305 which had a very solid and muted feel. The RS’ livelier feel is not a bad thing; it’s just different. Didn’t bother me one bit.

Power - the RS has less power than the Blade and the POne7 but more than the modded UT. Seems pretty close in power to my Graphene XT Prestige Pros.

Control - the RS has excellent control. I could control depth and direction very well. Additionally, I could easily modulate the ball trajectory. This was something I had a lot of trouble with the TF40 305. The RS felt like an extension of my arm in this regard. Excellent control. As good as the Blade. Better than the POne7. Not as good as the UT but I haven’t found anything that is quite as good.

Topspin - was able to generate plenty of topspin with the 18/19 pattern, but spin generation is generally never an issue for me as I have no trouble generating a ball that kicks up with my other 18/20 frames.

Slice - the RS slices are nasty, nasty, nasty!!! So easy and so much fun to knife the bh slice with this stick. The blade and UT are excellent already but the RS takes the ease of hitting consistent nasty slices to a new level.

Volleys - the RS did very well on volleys. It easily absorbs pace, pockets it, and easily returns the ball at the spot you are aiming for. The Blade volleys excellent but is just slower to move around. The UT volleys well, but it could use a little more stability on volleys.

Serves - shoulder has been acting up a bit lately so I didn’t try any serves today.

I gotta say I’m impressed by the new TFight 305 RS. I like it much more than the TF40 305 for me because the launch angle and trajectory are so much easier to control. I could easily find myself using this stick and enjoying it.

great review, tecnifibre seems to keep getting better!

 

[mad dog1]

great review, tecnifibre seems to keep getting better!

Thank you.

the 305 RS is easily the best TF frame I’ve used to date. The LTDs had great feel but were so low powered unless you added so much lead that you were swinging a stick close to 12.5oz. At that weight there are much mo’ betta options.

 

[mad dog1]

Went out this morning and hit groundstrokes for 30 mins then some serves with the 305 RS. My impressions are unchanged.

Serves - I was able to hit slice and kick serves fine. Control was fine as well.

Just a very good offering by TF that deserves consideration from someone looking for a solid control stick with some power.

 

[Devil_dog]

Here's my playtest submission for the Tecnifibre TFight 305:

Racquet Received: Tecnifibre TFight 305

String and tension used for test: The first one was Ice Code 17g strung at 53 lbs. Then, I opted for Volkl Cyclone Tour 17g at 52 lbs.

Tennis experience/background: 4.0 USTA rated, 5.6 UTR rated. I play mostly singles but also compete in doubles.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I play mostly from the baseline and enjoy counter-punching. My net game is always a work in progress.

Current racquet/string setups: Babolat Pure Drive plus (2018) with Volkl Cyclone Tour 17g at 53 lbs.

How many hours did you play with the racquet? About 15 hours.

Comments on racquet performance:

Groundstrokes:

First thing I noticed is the lower launch angle and slightly shallower depth of shots compared to my Babolat PD plus. But after adjusting to the stick, depth wasn’t as much as issue. The difference in weight of the racquet also required some getting used to. It’s definitely heavier than my Pure Drive Plus and the balance gives it a head heavy feel. The dampening of the frame was also an adjustment. After a few balls, the racquet felt plush with decent plow-thru. The solid feel was very nice on my two-handed backhand and slice shots. I had to make some adjustments to my forehand to get better depth and spin but I think the weight and balance just made it a challenge for me to initially get into a groove.

Stringing the TF305 with Volkl Cyclone Tour did restore some of the depth and spin I’m accustomed to experiencing. What I also noticed is that the TF305 is a remarkable counter-punching racquet. During one session, I was dealing heavy shots and the TF305 responded with a strong response while maintaining very good control. Sometimes, I struggled with the 305 because it felt sluggish with its additional heft and 3-point headlight balance. But what really felt nice was the ability to swing away on my groundstrokes and know that the ball would overwhelmingly stay inside the lines. For my level of play, I would say the stick is low-powered and a fantastic control racquet. I know stronger players might say otherwise but compared to the Pure Drive Plus, the TF305 doesn’t swing as fast through the hitting zone for me. I felt like I had to time the ball a little earlier but upon contact, the racquet did a lot of the work with a reassuring and solid shot.

Overall, I really enjoyed swinging out on shots and knowing that the balls wouldn’t fly due to the TF305’s precise control characteristics.

Serves:

Similar to my groundstrokes review, I enjoyed taking big cuts at the ball for serves. The speed of the serves were decent due to the mass. Flat serves were fun to hit. And surprisingly my spin serves worked well, too. Hitting spots in the service box was fairly accurate. Hitting serves was one of my favorite things to do with the TF305.

Volleys:

The TF305 shines in this area. It’s a wonderful stick for volleys. Excellent control, plush feel overall. Very stable, too. Really inspires confidence up there at the net. Handles hard hit shots with relative ease. The nice feel of the TF305 made it a joy on half-volleys, too. Serve and volley players should take a hard look at this racquet, imho.

Serve returns:

Again, similar to groundstrokes: stable, plush feel. Good control when struck well. Not as much power as the Babolat PD. But again, I really enjoyed taking cuts at returns with my two-handed backhand. Always felt solid and delivered good pace off my backhand returns. If I had to block a return back, the lack of twist and good stability made for confident returns.

General reaction/comments on overall performance:

The Tecnifibre TF305 was a mixed bag for me. On one hand, I really enjoyed the plush feel and the ability to swing out. But on the other hand, I felt the weight and balance of the racquet made me wonder if I could last more than an hour or so on court with it. The racquet is stable and a great counter-punching stick. And up at the net, I really enjoyed hitting volleys with it. I feel like in the hands of a stronger, advanced player - this stick would be sublime.

Hot take: I wish the TF305 wasn’t so dampened. It’s probably because I’m accustomed to the Babolat characteristics. I’d like a little more “feel” from the racquet at contact. I believe a crisper poly helps with that. I also wish it were more headlight so the racquet could get around quicker on shots.

The 18x19 string pattern in intriguing. You definitely get the control and only slightly less power than denser string beds. I would prefer more spin and when I strung it up with the VCT, I seemingly regained some spin and pace on groundstrokes.

Finally, I echo the sentiments of all the other playtesters and would like to thank Tennis Warehouse and Tecnifibre for the incredible opportunity to test this racquet and offer up my impressions. I truly hope that whoever considers putting this racquet in their arsenal will find my observations helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed this playtest and I’m glad to field any questions about my review.

And to finally sum up my review, I’d like to rate the Tecnifibre TFight 305 with ratings similar to Tennis Warehouse reviews:

Overall: 85

Groundstrokes: 85

Volleys: 88

Serves: 87

Returns: 84

Power: 82

Control: 87

Maneuverability: 80

Stability: 89

Comfort: 87

Touch/Feel: 87

Topspin: 78

Slice: 87

Upsides: Stable, Feel, Good plow-thru

Downsides: low launch angle, heavy-feeling, balance

Bottom line: Stronger players who want a control-oriented racquet but take big cuts will really enjoy this racquet.

Ability: Intermediate to advanced players

 

[mad dog1]

TF 305 RS

“Bottom line: Stronger players who want a control-oriented racquet but take big cuts will really enjoy this racquet. “

I agree with @Devil_dog that the 305 RS is more suitable for intermediate to advanced players.

 

[snoflewis]

Racquet Received: T-Fight 305 RS
String and tension used for test: Ice Code 1.25mm at 45 lbs on electric constant pull
Tennis experience/background: I played HS tennis and then recreationally for the next 13 years, which leads us to now. I consider myself a 4.0 and primarily play singles with strong 4.0s and 4.5s.
Describe your playing style: Aggressive baseliner that likes to swing out on both wings and on serve. Net game is a constant work in progress.
Current racquet/string setups: Started the playtest using Yonex VCore 98 with Ice Code 1.25 at 48/46 lbs. Switched to the Head Gravity Pro with Ice Code 1.25mm at 46 lbs at the end of playtest.
How many hours did you play with the racquet? 18 hours

-Groundstrokes:
I’ll be covering strictly the performance of the racket during the breakdown by strokes and dive more into the more subjective aspects such as feel in the overall comments. I wasn’t sure what to expect with the 18x19 pattern as I found Tecnifibre’s 16x19 patterns too open and 18x20 a bit too dense in the T-Fight 315 LTD sticks that I had. Turns out, the 18x19 string pattern really is a great compromise, especially on groundstrokes. The TF305 provides plenty of directional and depth control without sacrificing spin or power. It’s interesting because it provides spin like a 16x19, directional control like an 18x20, but the launch angle is in between the two string patterns. One thing I appreciate is that the racket provides power and spin in a way that’s not gimmicky. It doesn’t have a super high launch angle that forces you to bring the ball down or a grommet system that trampolines the ball, and it has a predictable response off both the forehand and backhand wing. Slices were great and felt much closer to an 18x20 frame in that aspect. The feel is very crisp and clean without feeling harsh or jarring.

-Serves:
I like to think that I have a strong serve for my overall skill level on the court, but it just never felt like my serve was as strong with this stick. Compared to similar rackets such as the 2015 Blade, VCore 98, or even lighter rackets like the Gravity MP, the response was just dead no matter how I adjusted. I think it’s hard to blame the specs here because a higher SW and stiffer racket usually yields good results, but it didn’t have the pop I expected. Other than the significant lack of pop on serve, the spin and control were on par with what I experienced on groundstrokes. The racket provides plenty of spin even in the denser pattern and rewards good mechanics.

-Volleys:
I will be the first to say that volleys aren’t a strong suit in my game. For me, the TF305 was solid on volleys. It was stiff and stable enough to return energy on the ball while maintaining the same level of control that it had on all the other strokes. Other than the Wilson Blades which I consider to be the best 305g sticks available on the market, I don’t recall hitting with many other rackets in this weight range that had the same combination of stability and control.

-Serve returns:
The TF305 is also solid on returns. Whether it was an aggressive return or a chip, the response was predictable off the stringbed. Despite the specs, it never felt like it swung that heavy in general, and that was especially helpful on returns. I did run into some wobbling while returning bigger serves, but that is a common issue with most rackets in this weight range other than the Blade.

General reaction/comments on overall performance:
Overall, the racket is a solid performer. It does a lot of things well, and the 18x19 is quite awesome. Moving on to the downsides, I had two major issues with this stick. The main issue is the hollow feel. The first couple hitting sessions were more of a surprise because my expectations were low coming into the playtest due to the higher stiffness rating and just not being familiar with the TF305 line. During the first couple hits, the TF305 felt solid, had good control, and enough power. It seemed like a better Pure Strike 98 (Project One7) and slotted right between the 16x19 and 18x20 patterns. It initially had a more solid feel, better comfort, and better control than the Pure Strike without giving up much power. So what went wrong? The more I hit with this racket, the hollower it got. From the 8th hour or so, the racket started feeling less solid and more hollow than the first several hits in a way that I had never experienced with any racket I had tried before. Usually rackets seem to get better over time or weaknesses gradually become more glaring, but this was almost a complete flip and continued to stay that way for the remainder of the playtest. The strings were not a factor because Ice Code 17g is my regular string of choice.

The second issue was the comfort. During the first several sessions, the racket was stiff, crisp, and clean in feel, but it wasn’t harsh. The stiffness started creeping in on after about 15 hours with the racket, and it wasn’t becoming any more comfortable. I typically don’t use rackets this stiff, so the elbow tenderness did not come as a surprise, but the stiffness was definitely felt during this playtest.

Despite my personal preferences, I would recommend a playtest of the TF 305 RS with rackets like the Blade, Pure Strike, VCore, Ezone, or any other 305g racket. Thanks to TW and Tecnifibre for the playtest!

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

I’ve been demo’ing the TF 295, 300, and 305 in rotation for weeks. While I find things to love about them all it is the 300 that’s really shone (modded to 330/32.3/327 with Cyclone 16 at 60#)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[fl4tsc]

First and foremost, thanks again to TW and TF for the opportunity to test out a new frame. Even better that it’s a spectacular racket in an awesome prototype paintjob.
TL;DR: I’m a 5.0 w/ medium spin. Usually play 18x20 H22. This is a great stick. Power, Spin, Feel, Control, Comfort, in that order. Launch angle was higher than anticipated. Fits somewhere between the V7 Blade and V3 Pure Strike, but better than both in many ways. Not-too-crisp feel and thankfully not too muted. Stable all around the court. Not great for flat serves. Could use more ‘ball sinking into the stringbed’ feel.

Racquet Received: TFight 305 RS
String and tension used for test: Volkl Cyclone 18g in orange (46/44lbs)
Tennis experience/background: Played my whole life (father taught) and just started teaching some myself. Late 20s, so still able to grind out wins, but prefer to take a more aggressive approach. I’m a strong NTRP 4.5 to average 5.0 depending on the day.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Try to play an all-court style when I can, but usually end up finishing points from the baseline against stronger competition. Rarely serve-and-volley, but I’m not afraid to come in, or play the occasional drop-shot a la Benoit Paire. Play with a medium-high amount of spin on my forehand, and medium-low spin on my 2hbh.
Current racquet/string setups: Currently play with a Wilson H22 18x20 pro stock with Volkl Cyclone 18g
How many hours did you play with the racquet? I got approximately 8 hours of good play out of the racket before the strings broke.


Comments on racquet performance: Note: about halfway through my test I added a leather grip and about 2g @ 10/2 and 2g to the handle to match my usual spec. Most notes are about the stock setup unless otherwise noted.

-Groundstrokes: Groundstrokes are where the 305 RS shines the brightest. The first thing I noticed was a higher than expected launch angle and way more spin than I was expecting from the 18x19. Felt closer to a 16x19 stick than an 18x20 to me which was strange, but I got used to it quick and appreciated the extra jump on the red clay I’ve been playing on lately.
Given the specs I found the power to be exceptional. It’s not a Pure Drive and didn’t have quite the flat laser-beam ability of the H22, but still had plenty of grunt. My hitting partner felt that I wasn’t getting as much straight-line power with the RS as I was with my H22s, but could definitely notice the added spin. An 18x20 version of this frame would be very intriguing to get that launch angle down… I may try a different string setup to bring that launch down later.
I tend to believe control is on the user, as long as the stringbed is consistent, which the RS provides. After adapting to the frame, I never hit a shot and thought the ball went somewhere I wasn’t expecting. It’s probably too powerful to be considered ‘pinpoint-accurate’, but touch shots actually came easier with the RS than my H22s which was surprising.
Finally, feel and comfort, where the RS really overachieves given its specs. I don’t have a sensitive arm/wrist, but I never had any issues with the RS like I did with the V3 Strike. The higher stiffness is slightly noticeable on off-center shots, especially towards the tip of the frame, but I doubt it’d be an issue for those without regular arm/wrist issues. I’d describe the feel as riding a thin line between flexible and stiff, but without too much dampening like the V7 Blade, more crisp than the Gravity line, and less muted than the Strike. I’d also note switching to a leather grip didn’t noticeably diminish the comfort or feel like it did with the XTC (much more metallic/tingy feeling/sounding than stock). I disagree with the previous review that describes the feel as hollow, the RS is nowhere near as hollow feeling as a Pure Aero. The only knock I have is that the feel isn’t quite as ‘honest’ as my H22s; like you know some fancy physics is working in the background and there’s not enough of the ball sinking into the stringbed feeling.

-Serves: Serves were good, but not great with the RS. I would agree with the previous review that stated big power was a little hard to come by. I think this goes back to how I felt on groundstrokes, where the response seems to favor spinny power, over flat lasers. Getting good kick on 2nd serves was very easy. Placement on the 1st serve was a little harder than usual because I never got in a good groove.

-Volleys: A little extra frame stiffness never hurts with volleys. The RS was very stable at net. I had some struggles finding the sweet-spot in stock form, but that improved after bringing it up to my usual specs. The lively stringbed made getting some nice back-spin easy and made touch volleys easier as well. I sometimes find with the H22 that I have to manipulate my wrist too much to get the backspin I want and the RS solved that.

-Serve returns: The extra stiffness was also helpful when returning big serves. Never felt like the RS was getting pushed around by the serve and the higher launch angle came in handy when blocking back returns with my backhand.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: I feel like every analysis I have for this frame goes something like “Given insert spec here the racket performs way better than expected.” TF has definitely found something special with the R-shaped beam that’s giving great performance and feel, while not being too harsh or sluggish.
I’m surprised the TW review even brought up the swingweight as I found the RS to swing extremely easily, way faster than the V7 Blade or V3 Strike. Even with my added leather and lead it still felt easier to swing than a similarly spec’d Blade or my H22s.
I appreciate that TF didn’t add a bunch of dampening “technology” to the frame. A version of this frame with an 18x20 string pattern and a slightly plusher stringbed would be an all- time great.

 

[mad dog1]

Played for another ~60 to 90 mins with the TF 305 RS this morning bringing my total logged time with this racquet up to 4-4.5 hours. My previous impressions are still holding consistent. I do have to highlight again that slices are really exceptional with this stick. Will be returning the stick to its rightful owner this Saturday. Many thanks to @snoflewis for loaning me his racquet for an extended playtest/demo. Hope this racquet does well for Tecnifibre. Very solid offering that strong intermediates and advanced players should consider IMHO.

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

I really like the RS 300 but am not convinced the Volkl Cyclone 16 guage I am using is the ideal string. It feels a bit "springy" to me,

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

I’d really like string recommendations for the 300 that might play less powerfully or “springy” than Cyclone 16. Thanks!! BHBH

 

[haqq777]

I’d really like string recommendations for the 300 that might play less powerfully or “springy” than Cyclone 16. Thanks!! BHBH

I haven't tried it in the new Tecnifibre racquets however I do remember that first time I used Tier One Black Knight in my TC100 the very first thing I noticed was that stringbed was not as lively as with Cyclone 16, my go-to at that time. Perhaps that might be something you should look into? BK feels much better (none of that somewhat plasticky feedback) and doesn't come at the expense of spin or power. Ball doesn't jump off the bed as much, in my opinion. Better tension maintenance as well.

 

[topspn]

I’d really like string recommendations for the 300 that might play less powerfully or “springy” than Cyclone 16. Thanks!! BHBH

Confidential is a terrific string and will not feel springy. Very good control and predictability with good tension maintenance. And agree with haqq on BK

 

[fed1]

Here is the wrap up of my playtest of the Tecnifibre Tfight 300 RS.

Racquet received: TFight 300 RS

String and tension used for playtest: I started out with a hybrid of Ice Code and Xone at 46/48 and didn't really gel with this setup. I ended up with a hybrid of Wilson Natural Gut 16 and Black Code 17 at 49/47 and this ended up being amazing.

Tennis experience/background: Tennis director/instructor. 4.5 level player. Still competing in USTA League and other local leagues.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve and volley): All court player player, comfortable from all areas on the court. Probably more adept finishing points at the net as I am definitely a counter puncher from the baseline.

Current racquet/string setups: Tecnifibre TF40 305 strung with Triax 17 at 49/47 and Solinco Prototype White 98 strung with Solinco BarbWire 16L at 47.

How many hours did you use the racquet: around 22-24 hours

Comments of the racquet's performance:

Groundstrokes: Coming from the TF 40 I was hoping for a bit more free power and spin and that is exactly what I got. I never felt out of control but I certainly noticed a bit more length and hop on my rally balls. The ball felt plush coming off the stringbed and the the 300 was super maneuverable.
I was worried that stability may be an issue but it was not, the racquet was very stable for a 300g/317sw and comfort was also a standout feature on groundstrokes.

Serves: The 300 was versatile on serves. I noticed more jump and movement on my kick and slice serves and I was pleasantly surprised when I went to flatten my first serve out. I never felt a loss of control or consistency when I was trying to go after the first serve a bit more.

Volley: This was the surprising area of this review. At the net the 300 was amazing!! For me this is where the stability and maneuverability of this frame really showed, I had no problem against harder hitters at the net. The ball came off the racquet crisp during quick volley exchanges or when hitting reflex volleys. The racquet also has great feel when hitting touch or angle shots.

Serve returns: Very similar to my groundstroke comments. When returning bigger first serves, I had the confidence that the racquet was not going to pushed around and it wasn't. The extra spin potential made it very comfortable to attack second serves. When forced to block returns I felt like I was still getting decent length.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: Overall I came away very impressed. The 300 gave me what I feel that I may be lacking, more spin and a bit more power without a big sacrifice in control and precision. If it possible to fit a racquet between the Pure Strike and Pure Drive this might be it, not quite a players frame and not quite a tweener, this would be it. Please don't judge this racquet by the published RA, it plays very comfortable, definitely worth giving this a good demo session.

A big thank you to TW and Tecnifibre for this great opportunity.