Throwing myself at your mercy. Some suggestions for a new stick please?

[galain]

Ok. First, I'm old. I'm so old I was a TT member when they had the old community. I'm aging like milk into middle age.

I still love to hit but I don't play nearly as much as I used to. I'm lucky to get on court once a month/once every six weeks. Just too much else going on for me.

My level is still reasonable once I've played my way in. I've been hitting with a former top Polish junior and holding my own (ish!). Let's say I'm not embarrassing myself too much.

I have been very very old school with my frames and have always preferred soft sticks. In my bag right now I'm hitting between a Rossignol F200 Limitation, a Völkl Catapult 10 and a Prince Rebel 95 (the first 'new' version with the squiggly green and yellow cosmetic).

Recently, a friend had some sticks to playtest. I was very surprised at how much fun I had with racquets I'd never have looked at before - lighter/stiffer frames like the Pro Staff 100, and the Ezone 100.

So, I'm open to suggestions. I could quite happily keep playing with relics from my collection and I'd still have fun. But father time is a present companion these days and I know, as much as I'd love to pull out my PT630, I'd only do it justice for the first 10-15 minutes of hitting. I'm just not playing enough these days to stay grooved with it.

I'm an all court player. Serve has left me in recent years just due to not hitting the stroke much. It'd come back. Like to come to net when I can. Like to bash from the baseline when I can. Like to hit short sneaky angles when I can.

I'm open to trying things that are crisper than what I'm used to. As I said, I had far too much fun with the Pro Staff 100 and the Ezone 100. I have had some bad tennis elbow a few years back - more due to weight training I think than tennis.

What would you tell me to put on my demo list if I was standing in front of you?

 

[vsbabolat]

Put the Head Boom MP on your demo list. It’s very arm friendly.

 

[galain]

Put the Head Boom MP on your demo list. It’s very arm friendly.

Thank you my friend. Will consider it.

 

[Automatix]

Ok. First, I'm [strike]old[/strike] experienced. I'm so [strike]old[/strike] experienced I was a TT member when they had the old community. [...]

Fixed that for you.

There are/will be some new interesting frames which might fit your needs.
While I haven't tried it out the RF01 is light, whippy and foam filled. Worth a try.
There is going to be a Gravity 98 16x19 next year, also worth demoing.

I think you'd probably benefit from a 300-ish gram frame with a decent headlight balance, a not too beefy swingweight and all the cushioning techs a manufacturer has to offer, foam being one of them.
Would stay away from Babolats, those are silent elbow killers.

How's the search for shoes going my widefoot brother?

 

[Kemitak]

Phantom 100X. Do it. Do it now.

 

[3loudboys]

The Tecnifibre TF40’s seem a good bridge between old to new skool … modern players frame that gets good feedback. My 22 year old son asked for the 16x19 305gram version, foam filled for comfort and 22mm constant beam. He played at a performance level and had his head turned by them. There’s also the 315g version if the arms are still good to swing that weight. I’ve hit the first iteration and it’s smooth as butter … reminded me of the old Rads, imagine that with some weight would do a good impersonation of the Rad Tours.

Currently hitting Prince TT Tours and they again have a modern players frame feel, low RA but play firm. The 100P is an open 18x20 in a 100sq inch hoop, nicely spaced for a bit of help getting work on the ball but still enough of them to help with a bit of control. Easy to add weight. All round great frame for an all courter … this coming from an old geezer who plays 3-4 times a week. Never feel weary with it.

Just a couple of suggestions which I hope some is useful but good luck! The testing is always fun

 

[Trip]

Considering the frames you're used to, I would agree with @Kemitak and @3loudboys — I would look at midplus-to-oversize "pleener" frames, that give you more forgiveness, easy-depth and spin, with less exhaustion, perfect for someone playing infrequently, but who still wants to be able to play with at least some level of all-court variety and precision attacking play. Examples, alphabetical by brand/silo:

- Babolat Pure Strike 100 16x19, with leather grip
- Dunlop CX 400 Tour and/or CX 200 Oversize
- Head Gravity Tour (forget the Pro, too cumbersome)
- Head Prestige MP-L w/ some hoop head
- Head Radical (try the Pro, MP and Team)
- Prince ATS Tour 100P
- Prince Phantom 100X 305 or 18x20
- Tecnifibre TF40 16x19, 305 and/or 315
- Wilson Blade 100 v9
- Wilson Pro Staff X
- Yonex Percept 100 w/ a bit of hoop + handle weight

Also don't ignore strings, as they will dictate the majority of the playability all on their own. Since you're used to heavier, smaller-headed, thin-beam players frames, I would think that a hybrid of non-poly mains, slick poly crosses would be a great setup for you, or full-bed, a soft poly strung medium-lower, or something like full-bed Triax or HDMX stung at medium tension.

Hope that helps! Any questions, feel free.

 

[SirCraigoryy]

Ok. First, I'm old. I'm so old I was a TT member when they had the old community. I'm aging like milk into middle age.

I still love to hit but I don't play nearly as much as I used to. I'm lucky to get on court once a month/once every six weeks. Just too much else going on for me.

My level is still reasonable once I've played my way in. I've been hitting with a former top Polish junior and holding my own (ish!). Let's say I'm not embarrassing myself too much.

I have been very very old school with my frames and have always preferred soft sticks. In my bag right now I'm hitting between a Rossignol F200 Limitation, a Völkl Catapult 10 and a Prince Rebel 95 (the first 'new' version with the squiggly green and yellow cosmetic).

Recently, a friend had some sticks to playtest. I was very surprised at how much fun I had with racquets I'd never have looked at before - lighter/stiffer frames like the Pro Staff 100, and the Ezone 100.

So, I'm open to suggestions. I could quite happily keep playing with relics from my collection and I'd still have fun. But father time is a present companion these days and I know, as much as I'd love to pull out my PT630, I'd only do it justice for the first 10-15 minutes of hitting. I'm just not playing enough these days to stay grooved with it.

I'm an all court player. Serve has left me in recent years just due to not hitting the stroke much. It'd come back. Like to come to net when I can. Like to bash from the baseline when I can. Like to hit short sneaky angles when I can.

I'm open to trying things that are crisper than what I'm used to. As I said, I had far too much fun with the Pro Staff 100 and the Ezone 100. I have had some bad tennis elbow a few years back - more due to weight training I think than tennis.

What would you tell me to put on my demo list if I was standing in front of you?

I'm not sure what head sizes you normally gravitate towards or are considering but you mentioned the Pro Staff and EZONE 100 so my recommendations for that size would be as follows (in no particular order)…

Babolat Pure Strike 100 - this frame is on the softer side at 61 stiffness so potentially not the crisp feel you are looking for but it's more of a modern/traditional hybrid frame design in that it has a boxy beam. The 16x20 string pattern is my personal favorite as it allows for a great slice and amble topspin while maintaining excellent control. At 7 points headlight it should be plenty maneuverable at net for angled and standard volleys.

Wilson Blade 100 - this frame is more of the same as the Pure Strike 100. It has a 60 stiffness rating so you are going to get that soft plush feel over the crispness you are asking for but the Blade is one of the most tried and true modern/traditional frames that's a jack of all trades and master of none that fits an all court game well. It should be plenty forgiving, with plenty of spin potential. At 11.2 ounces and 4 points headlight it should be light and maneuverable enough around net for you as well.

Wilson Pro Staff X - you had mentioned that you tried this prior and liked it, so why not give it another go and see if you like it a second time? This is going to feel stiffer than the other frames mentioned above at 66 stiffness but it will have that classic Pro Staff feel and the 7 points headlight balance allows for great touch and feel around net in a more forgiving headsize. I would say that at 11.9 ounces with an overgrip could be a little heavy over time but considering your racket history of frames you've used in the past I would think you could handle it. In addition that mass, forgiving head size, and 16x19 string pattern will make it solid and consistent from the baseline as well. (If you wanted something with a little less static weight and slightly more swing weight, and a similar feel I would look at the Wilson Six.One 100).

Yonex EZONE 100 - you had also mentioned that you tried this one before liked it so same as with the Pro Staff 100, why not try it again? The EZONE 98 and 100 have many MANY admirers on these forums and in general. Personally I think the 2022 EZONE 98 is one of the best frame produced and the last 4-5 years and remains one of the best and most user friendly rackets I've ever hit with. It has plenty of power and spin on tap and in my opinion is better suited towards a more traditional game of driving through the ball creating a more linear ball. I have no doubt the 100 feels similar to those who prefer 100s over 98s but it does have that crisp 67 stiffness rating you are looking for and at 11.2 ounces and 4 points head light it will be plenty maneuverable around net. The EZONE is known to be one of the most versatile players frames currently available and it's popular for a good reason.

Good luck!

 

[Jono123]

So much choice....
1.. Blade 98
2. Pro Staff 97
3. Gravity Pro. Its not as heavy as people say.

All are on the heavier side which will help with any arm problems whilst providing good mass.

 

[galain]

Thanks so much everyone for your suggestions so far. I'm putting my playtest list together.
@Automatix - thanks bro! Still wearing in/stretching out the SFX3's and still wearing my blown out KSwiss at the moment

 

[NickJ]

Gravity 98 allegedly coming next year so has been mentioned to me by HEAD Tennis UK Facebook page . . .
I'm holding off until that comes out. Was very close to pulling the trigger on an Ezone 100 Aqua Night but the Grav98 sounds just like what you (and me) are looking for. Good luck

 

[galain]

Gravity 98 allegedly coming next year so has been mentioned to me by HEAD Tennis UK Facebook page . . .
I'm holding off until that comes out. Was very close to pulling the trigger on an Ezone 100 Aqua Night but the Grav98 sounds just like what you (and me) are looking for. Good luck

Thanks Nick

 

[maksp]

Don't wait for gravity 98 unless you want a wet noodle with no feel..if you want medium stiff with no feel 98 then get ezone or vcore. If stiffer 98 is needed look at the radical.radical pro is only 98 racket in heads lineup that has pop n feel

 

[maksp]

Andy Murray tested every racket n chise ezone 100...blade v9 100 or 100L for more pop... these 2 are only 100 that has control n power ... lot of 100 I tested had either power or control but not both

 

[fuzz nation]

I'm 58 and I also enjoy more of an old-school frame, but a hoop size that's up around 98" is more civilized for me than the mids of yesteryear.

A year or so ago I tried a pair of the Dunlop CX 200 Tour with the 18x20 string pattern - their head size is 95". I used them both stock and also with some lead added to both the hoops and handles for a little extra stability through the ball. These were much better than expected for me - strung with 17 ga. syn. gut (no poly for me, thank you). Dunlop seems to have gotten much of their mojo back.

If I had to sample anything among the new offerings around today, I'd look at the non-Tour version of the Dunlop CX 200 (98" head) or perhaps the Dunlop CX 400 (I think this one has a 100" head). In either case I'd be ready to do a little tuning with some lead tape, but that's just me.

I also currently have a pair of the Prince Phantom 97P. These are fun - very composed and controlled, but give me just a little more zing than what I get with my CX 200's. If the 100" head size is working for you, Prince has a couple versions of the Phantom 100 and TW also has their reissue of the Diablo midplus, which was popular in its day.

 

[esm]

PA2023. Tighter mains works. Effortless power and stability. Easy mods at around 3&9 if you fancy a higher TW for the extra stability/plow.
Am almost half a century old and works for me in competitive league matches.

 

[AmericanTwist]

OP - sample frames of varying stiffness 60-66ra but also note the head sizes. A bigger head size will be like adding 1ra point stiffness (power) roughly anyways. Then once you zero in on a flex and head size then compare among different brands.

Fuzz nation - try round or shaped poly/syn gut hybrid for you cx 200 tour 18x20. This is a great control frame. With full syn gut you need to string it higher in the tension range.

 

[galain]

Don't wait for gravity 98 unless you want a wet noodle with no feel..if you want medium stiff with no feel 98 then get ezone or vcore. If stiffer 98 is needed look at the radical.radical pro is only 98 racket in heads lineup that has pop n feel

I always preferred the wet noodle sticks, honestly. I'd be happy to keep testing them as well but my brief experiences with the ProStaff and Ezone were really fun and just made things feel a lot easier now that I'm no longer playing consistently and have lost a step or two.

 

[galain]

I'm 58 and I also enjoy more of an old-school frame, but a hoop size that's up around 98" is more civilized for me than the mids of yesteryear.

A year or so ago I tried a pair of the Dunlop CX 200 Tour with the 18x20 string pattern - their head size is 95". I used them both stock and also with some lead added to both the hoops and handles for a little extra stability through the ball. These were much better than expected for me - strung with 17 ga. syn. gut (no poly for me, thank you). Dunlop seems to have gotten much of their mojo back.

If I had to sample anything among the new offerings around today, I'd look at the non-Tour version of the Dunlop CX 200 (98" head) or perhaps the Dunlop CX 400 (I think this one has a 100" head). In either case I'd be ready to do a little tuning with some lead tape, but that's just me.

I also currently have a pair of the Prince Phantom 97P. These are fun - very composed and controlled, but give me just a little more zing than what I get with my CX 200's. If the 100" head size is working for you, Prince has a couple versions of the Phantom 100 and TW also has their reissue of the Diablo midplus, which was popular in its day.

Thanks @fuzz nation! The Diablo was a nice stick back in the day - I wouldn't mind trying it again if i could get my hands on it. Lots of chatter about the new Prince Phantom 100 as well. The only Dunlops I have are my 200G (still in love) and @Automatix's former MW90 (very very sweet but only when I'm having a really good day these days!). I'll give those other frames a think, for sure.

 

[galain]

PA2023. Tighter mains works. Effortless power and stability. Easy mods at around 3&9 if you fancy a higher TW for the extra stability/plow.
Am almost half a century old and works for me in competitive league matches.

I'm not familiar with the code? What is the retail name of this stick? Thank you.

 

[Trip]

I'm not familiar with the code? What is the retail name of this stick? Thank you.

2023 Babolat Pure Aero. It could potentially work. Although, considering what you're used to, I would expect you to gravitate to boxier beams, or at least hybrid box-beams, such as those detailed in my list. I would also not discount head sizes over 100", either. You might be surprised to see how controlled certain OS frames can be (CX 200 OS, etc.).

Overall, for where you're at and for such infrequent play, you want to be playing with the lightest-spec, largest sweet spot, most forgiving, stiffest flex, most open pattern stick you can get away with, before losing too much control or precision.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Extreme Tour/Pro. Very easy hitting with good depth and spin, comfort, and a sense of control missing from some other 98s.

 

[galain]

2023 Babolat Pure Aero. It could potentially work. Although, considering what you're used to, I would expect you to gravitate to boxier beams, or at least hybrid box-beams, such as those detailed in my list. I would also not discount head sizes over 100", either. You might be surprised to see how controlled certain OS frames can be (CX 200 OS, etc.).

Overall, for where you're at and for such infrequent play, you want to be playing with the lightest-spec, largest sweet spot, most forgiving, stiffest flex, most open pattern stick you can get away with, before losing too much control or precision.

Thanks. I tried one of the early Pure Aeros - definitely a frame built for more extreme/modern grips than what I use!

 

[galain]

Extreme Tour/Pro. Very easy hitting with good depth and spin, comfort, and a sense of control missing from some other 98s.

Never considered it - will do a bit of reading around about this. Thank you.

 

[esm]

Thanks. I tried one of the early Pure Aeros - definitely a frame built for more extreme/modern grips than what I use!

Those earlier PAs can be erratic for us “older” generation guys.
The 2023 PA with tighter mains is more predictable, and I enjoy and have more successful match times with them. Trying my best to stick with them for the near future, but temptations of new racquets are always there. Gotta resist the itch. lol.

 

[Dakota60]

If you miss your old Dunlop Muscleweave 90's that you gave up to your brother, let me know! I managed to track down a pair some time ago and now looking to part with as part of a downsizing exercise. Also have the 95's and one more custom gloss coat Hotmelt 100G, 90" if you're keen too!

 

[galain]

If you miss your old Dunlop Muscleweave 90's that you gave up to your brother, let me know! I managed to track down a pair some time ago and now looking to part with as part of a downsizing exercise. Also have the 95's and one more custom gloss coat Hotmelt 100G, 90" if you're keen too!

Thanks bro. How willing are you to deal with an angry German wife who doesn't understand tennis racquet collections? I can't promise she won't try and annex another country if she sees me smuggling too many new sticks into the house.