Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Tecnifibre TFight 305 ISO

[TW Staff]

Attention Talk Tennis Members:

Keeping the playtests rolling, we have the brand new Tecnifibre TFight 305 ISO that just launched for pre-sale. This playtest is open to USA Talk Tennis members only.

VERY IMPORTANT: Playtesters will be required to get their test racquet strung. Each racquet will be shipped with a set of Tecnifibre Razor Code 18 and X-One Biphase 16 strings. Please note that we have two grip sizes available - grip size 2 and 3.

UPDATE - Application Period closed. We will email selected participants by July 22th.
UPDATE 2 - Emails have been sent to selected playtesters.

We have a very limited quantity of racquets to playtest. We select playtesters based on a number of factors, including message board participation and performance on past playtests.

Your review is due by August 19th, 2022 at 5 pm PST.

Posting a full review by the deadline is necessary to remain in good standing for future playtests. Reviews lacking sufficient effort will resort in disqualification from the playtest program.

Include the following in your review:

String and tension used for test:
Tennis experience/background:
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Current racquet/string setups:
How many hours did you play with the racquet?

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke (each section should be 3-5 sentences minimum):
-Groundstrokes:
-Serves:
-Volleys:
-Serve returns:

Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)
Power/Control-
Top Spin/Slice-
Comfort-
Feel-
Maneuverability-
Stability-

General reaction/comments on overall performance:


Thanks,
TW Staff

We will delete “request sent” emails, but encourage a lively “pre-game” discussion on the racquets.

 

[CosmosMpower]

Just watched the review on the TW youtube channel looks like an interesting frame with a 305 static and beefy SW!

 

[Parabellum]

Just watched the review on the TW youtube channel looks like an interesting frame with a 305 static and beefy SW!

Agree, wasn't a fan of the RS 305 possibly due to the more muted feel of the foam filling but I'm definitely interested in seeing how the ISO FLEX / Lower RA feels like. Love the static weight and swing weight, I'd likely switch to a leather grip to increase HL balance for us one handers but sweet racquet from specs to cosmetics.

 

[A_Instead]

Yes...he we go again.. fun times...

 

[Chairman3]

Wish they had made it more headlight. It has swingweight stability, not sure why they're sticking with a near even balance when strung.
Interested to hear about the Isoflex though.
The high RA of the RS305 was surprising.

Digging the white bumperguard, wish they had that on the TF40

 

[Torps]

LFG.. was instantly interested after watching the YouTube video

 

[vndesu]

Hoping to compare this to my tf40 first gen.

 

[Bloviator]

These new Tecnifibre's have had really great feel.
Look forward to reading the reports.

 

[SteveI]

Wish they had made it more headlight. It has swingweight stability, not sure why they're sticking with a near even balance when strung.
Interested to hear about the Isoflex though.
The high RA of the RS305 was surprising.

Digging the white bumperguard, wish they had that on the TF40

Does this model come with a trap door you can pop off? If so easy to add some weight using lead or blue tac or both. The high swing-weight and 3-4 points HL balance .. and 18 x 19 pattern is going to give this frame some Wilson Blade plow-through, stability and control. The specs look pretty "Blade" like to me. Should be a very solid frame in a quick package.

 

[Chairman3]

Does this model come with a trap door you can pop off? If so easy to add some weight using lead or blue tac or both. The high swing-weight and 3-4 points HL balance .. and 18 x 19 pattern is going to give this frame some Wilson Blade plow-through, stability and control. The specs look pretty "Blade" like to me. Should be a very solid frame in a quick package.

Tecnifibres in recent times do not have a trap door.
I believe this one continues that trend, based on pics.
I always put on a leather grip, but that still isn't quite enough HL-ness for me.

 

[SteveI]

The x-1 bi-phase is 16G is going to be a nice match for this frame if you are more of a flat ball hitter and razor 18G will really help with spin production for players with modern strokes.

 

[SteveI]

Tecnifibres in recent times do not have a trap door.
I believe this one continues that trend, based on pics.
I always put on a leather grip, but that still isn't quite enough HL-ness for me.

What other frames does this model closely compare to? Bab Pure Strike?

 

[Chairman3]

What other frames does this model closely compare to? Bab Pure Strike?

I'd say the Blade and Speed Pro
Maybe the Radical Pro, but it has a firmer feel
Prince ATS Tour 98
Couple Yonex Vcores are probably similar-ish

Babolat really doesn't have a frame comparable to the Tfight.

 

[loosegroove]

I won't even apply for this playtest because if chosen, I'd just complain about the swingweight and evenly balanced sluggishness.

 

[fed1]

The thought of the 18/19 string pattern is very appealing. I loved my old Liquidmetal Radical OS with that pattern.

 

[ChrisJR3264]

I’m very much hoping to play test this stick. I own both the Tfight 305 XTC and RS versions. Very interested in comparing the isoflex to the two.

 

[SteveI]

The thought of the 18/19 string pattern is very appealing. I loved my old Liquidmetal Radical OS with that pattern.

The 18 x 19 is an interesting pattern. Head used it quite a bit in the older days. Head Satellite, Head Pure Completion, Ti Rad O/S .. etc

 

[Fed Kennedy]

On paper it looks phenomenal

 

[FlaredButt]

Big fan of 18x19 pattern and the 305 RS. i’m a little concerned about the increase in SW, interested to see how the feeling compares with the previous model.

 

[fed1]

The 18 x 19 is an interesting pattern. Head used it quite a bit in the older days. Head Satellite, Head Pure Completion, Ti Rad O/S .. etc

I had the Pure Competition as well, great stick.

 

[fed1]

I liked the 300 RS but I felt the string pattern was a little to launchy and open. I needed a full bed of Poly to reign it in but now I’m trying to move to a multi setup.

 

[shadow01]

Tecnifibre is THE play test I was hoping would be next. Very excited about this one - Tecnifibre is coming out with interesting specs - and would love to see how this one plays.

 

[A_Instead]

The 335 swing weight is Blade Pro category...
Unfortunately I am to weak for those swing weight levels..

 

[Chairman3]

The 335 swing weight is Blade Pro category...
Unfortunately I am to weak for those swing weight levels..

Just pretend you're not....like the rest of us

 

[Trip]

Very interested to see how Tecnifibre progresses the TFight line here. Stock swing weight is a bit high, as is the head-heavy balance. Nice string pattern, though. I think I'm going to sit this one out in favor of others who are more naturally aligned with this frame. Very interested to see people's feedback who have played multiple generations of this stick. Best of luck to the testers!

 

[ChrisJR3264]

When do we find out if we’re selected? Haha

 

[jangotango]

I still have my RS295 from the last playtest! It'd be amazing to be apart of this one as well.

 

[unibus09]

Hoping to get on this!
Design and specs look great!!

 

[SteveI]

When do we find out if we’re selected? Haha

Once TW posts that the play-test is closed you will get an email telling (day for two later) you are in and you need to confirm you are still interested in testing. Good luck to all that applied..

 

[stapletonj]

AS a dedicated vcore player, I would LOVE to compare this racket to my usual setup.

 

[Chezbeeno]

Never hit with a tecnifibre, but this seems like a nice alternative to the Blades that I hit with several years ago, and coming from Head racquets right now, a denser patterned 98 (that isn't a prestige) seems sweet. Would love to get in on the playtest, but looking forward to seeing feedback regardless!

 

[Chairman3]

Never hit with a tecnifibre, but this seems like a nice alternative to the Blades that I hit with several years ago, and coming from Head racquets right now, a denser patterned 98 (that isn't a prestige) seems sweet. Would love to get in on the playtest, but looking forward to seeing feedback regardless!

I think the TF40 is closer to the blade, particularly now that it is offered in 16x19 and 18x20.
I think this is somewhat more like a Speed Pro, power, spin, and control. Good baseliner racquets

 

[Chezbeeno]

I think the TF40 is closer to the blade, particularly now that it is offered in 16x19 and 18x20.
I think this is somewhat more like a Speed Pro, power, spin, and control. Good baseliner racquets

I love the Blade, so that sounds great to me. I've had a Speed Pro before and had mixed feelings about it. I wish Head made at least one of their 98's in a 16x19 and and 18x20 - it seems weird that they don't. Anyways, the TF40 has some great specs, although the beefy swing weight is a bit concerning, as someone who hits really quick topspin groundstrokes.

 

[TennisHound]

You have to wonder how they got that much SW out of a standard length racquet that light, while keeping 3-4pts HL?

 

[Chairman3]

You have to wonder how they got that much SW out of a standard length racquet that light, while keeping 3-4pts HL?

It's partially foam filled, so they probably put it all in the upper hoop area.
The RS was, so I'm assuming that carries forward to this one.

 

[taydbear7]

Following. Only other 18x19 string pattern I hit with is the Candy Cane Head Radical.

 

[StringStrungStrang]

Another interesting 98" offering. Nice to see some differentiation with this relatively unique 18 x 19 stringbed. This might be just right for those that think a 16 x19 is too open or a 18x20 not open enough. I'm a fan of the 18x19 spacing on my Blade 104 and have always felt this is the sweetspot. Like the softer RA (64) and it is easy on the eyes - red, white and blue!

 

[!<-_->!]

Interesting that they're going to include a 18g string. Usually see 17g.

 

[TennisHound]

Another interesting 98" offering. Nice to see some differentiation with this relatively unique 18 x 19 stringbed. This might be just right for those that think a 16 x19 is too open or a 18x20 not open enough. I'm a fan of the 18x19 spacing on my Blade 104 and have always felt this is the sweetspot. Like the softer RA (64) and it is easy on the eyes - red, white and blue!

Its basically still an 18x20, absent 1 cross string. The comparison would be with the TF40 18x20, as it swings heavy as well

 

[ne1410is]

The look of this racket is really off the charts cool. I’m surprised I am so into it. But it’s really nice looking. I’m also wondering what an 18x19 plays like. I’ve recently been interested in HD / 18x20 but have mostly been 16x19 up to this point so it sounds like maybe best of both worlds? Wondering what the written TW review will be like, seemed really positive vibes in the video review.

 

[ChrisJR3264]

Its basically still an 18x20, absent 1 cross string. The comparison would be with the TF40 18x20, as it swings heavy as well

You definitely get more access to spin than an 18x20. Similar to a 16x19 but not as much. And control of an 18x20.

 

[FlaredButt]

i

Tecnifibres in recent times do not have a trap door.
I believe this one continues that trend, based on pics.
I always put on a leather grip, but that still isn't quite enough HL-ness for me.

i also put leather grips on my RS 305s.. do they allow play testers to modify the stick in that way?

 

[Chairman3]

i

i also put leather grips on my RS 305s.. do they allow play testers to modify the stick in that way?

My understanding is they prefer you play it stock, but if you choose to modify I believe they want both impressions.
So comments with and without mods would be required.

 

[FlaredButt]

My understanding is they prefer you play it stock, but if you choose to modify I believe they want both impressions.
So comments with and without mods would be required.

ok sure that makes good sense

 

[TennisHound]

i

i also put leather grips on my RS 305s.. do they allow play testers to modify the stick in that way?

You have to do the playtest stock. But, most testers write an addendum with mods.

 

[StringStrungStrang]

The 18 x 19 is an interesting pattern. Head used it quite a bit in the older days. Head Satellite, Head Pure Completion, Ti Rad O/S .. etc

I still have a couple of Agassi's Head 18 x19 i.Radical OS and Radical Trisys 260 OS sticks and they re still awesome! Hope this TFight 305 ISO some of that magic too!

 

[TennisHound]

The SW is high, but the weight of the racquet would equate to adding lead from 10-2 on an ISO 300 or and IGA 298 (the length of the headguard)

 

[ChrisJR3264]

The SW is high, but the weight of the racquet would equate to adding lead from 10-2 on an ISO 300 or and IGA 298 (the length of the headguard)

I’ve added copper tape at 3 and 9 to my tfight xtcs and RS 305s. 7 grommets worth. Amazing feel and stability.

 

[abhi_trip]

Its basically still an 18x20, absent 1 cross string. The comparison would be with the TF40 18x20, as it swings heavy as well

The mains seem tight but the crosses seem to be generously spaced.

 

[DLAWIII]

The swing weight and balance point make me think there won't be too many people adding lead tape to this frame. This is a serious players racquet out of the box. I'm a TF40 305 16x19 player who is absolutely in love with the foam-filled feel of that racquet. If Tecnifibre can keep some of that great feel but add a little more power without completely sacrificing that amazing feel and maneuverability of the TF40, I think they'll have a winner with this new TFight. The previous TFight (without ISO) was a nice a frame but didn't quite have that perfect feel of the TF40 line.