Tsitsipas Blacked out racket!

TennisNiche said:
This is the first time I have heard that a 100 square inch racket is not desirable for a single hander.

I very rarely tinker or change my racket. Used a Radical MP for 12 years - LiquidMetal, Flexpoint, Microgel and YouTek, in that order.

Switched to an EZone 100 six months ago and find it more stable and maneuverable on both wings. Annoyed I didn’t switch earlier.
Click to expand...
I think it all boils down to preference. My dad also uses a 100 square inch clash for his 1hbh but his stroke is a bit slower due to his age. He tried my modded 98 ezone tours and didn't find them forgiving enough. Most 98's are specced to be more headlight than 100's which makes them feel better when you rip a 1hbh.

I've tried my friends' 100 square inch racquets and I definitely feel the extra racquet lag when I rip a shot on groundstrokes and first serves. Some people prefer this like Gasquet but it doesn't feel natural to me. If you're someone who grew up playing with a certain spec, something that deviates from it definitely feels off and that's how I feel with 100 square inch racquets (or at least the ones I've tried). I've yet to try a very headlight 100 square inch racquet.
 
TennisNiche said:
This is the first time I have heard that a 100 square inch racket is not desirable for a single hander.

I very rarely tinker or change my racket. Used a Radical MP for 12 years - LiquidMetal, Flexpoint, Microgel and YouTek, in that order.

Switched to an EZone 100 six months ago and find it more stable and maneuverable on both wings. Annoyed I didn’t switch earlier.
Click to expand...

Funny cause the Pro Tour knew and have proven this for the last 3-5 decades

All highlight reels of not just crushed but halve volleys, compact & flicked OHBHs belong to 95-98 users.

Back on less obvious established matters, I wonder if Badosa will make a switch as well?
Svitlovina has gone from boring Troll to Dominating exciting Tennis with Diadem

Diadem could offer them shares or % of Sales and make massive inroads into the market,
as this power couple of Tennis would sell them like hot-cakes. I have no stake in Diadem but have
found testing their products the Elevate 98 is more suited to Stef and Paula than the Axis 98.
The Axis suits the Aero users while the Elevate the Blade/Radical MP and Vcore users.
1000150216-1.png
 
As i said back then one year ago stef was mentioning during his practices in a stupid way that he believed that aero 98 plays a huge roll on Carlos performance.

My latest inside info from Greece: Around one month ago he finally tested pure aero 98 in Greece. Specifically the racquet was given from a friend of mine who is in charge in that club….. stef was so impressed that he has forget to even return the frame back to my friend…..while he was testing it he was saying how amazing of a racquet it is and his former coach was telling him "son get serious"….. it’s not the racquet….. just f practice and do the work. Now Stef has proven them wrong. He has tested pure aero 98 with Luxilon 4G and alu power rough. Since then we don’t know what string he is using now but it also could be 4G Black. Also we don’t know if he bought those racquets by himself and Wilson painted them black or he is already in talks with babolat….. his contract is still ongoing and probably he is also using aero 98 IN STOCK FORM!!!!
 
I think think attributing Tsitsipas’ performance to the racquet is a bit disrespectful when he has obviously played at this level many times in the not-so-distant past and facing much tougher competition. I’ll definitely wait to see how well he’ll do at the sunshine double before making assumptions.
 
it would be so much simpler if ITF/ATP just banned all racquets and make using Aero 98 mandatory for everyone :unsure:

it is the best racquet and everyone playing tennis should use that ... wonder what Djokovic or Federer would do if they had Aero 98 ...
 
Blade_X said:
As i said back then one year ago stef was mentioning during his practices in a stupid way that he believed that aero 98 plays a huge roll on Carlos performance.

My latest inside info from Greece: Around one month ago he finally tested pure aero 98 in Greece. Specifically the racquet was given from a friend of mine who is in charge in that club….. stef was so impressed that he has forget to even return the frame back to my friend…..while he was testing it he was saying how amazing of a racquet it is and his former coach was telling him "son get serious"….. it’s not the racquet….. just f practice and do the work. Now Stef has proven them wrong. He has tested pure aero 98 with Luxilon 4G and alu power rough. Since then we don’t know what string he is using now but it also could be 4G Black. Also we don’t know if he bought those racquets by himself and Wilson painted them black or he is already in talks with babolat….. his contract is still ongoing and probably he is also using aero 98 IN STOCK FORM!!!!
Click to expand...
He still has your friends pure aero! that's crazy.
 
TennisManiac said:
I suggest you try the Extreme Pro. It's a little different than the Extreme Tour.

It's so strange that you think the Blade V9 can destroy the ball in stock form. I tried the Blade V9 and Blade Pro V9 with and without lead and thought that they both were very low powered frames that have a power plateau that you just can't get past. You're quite literally the only person that I've ever heard say that the Blade V9 was a powerful racket. Everyone else in the entire world thinks that it's a low powered control frame. I'm curious as to your stroke mechanics.
Click to expand...

Extreme Pro IMO is probably the most underrated racquet today. It's the only 98 right now that can give the PA98 a run for spin, power, and control. Heck I don't think the Blade 100 V9 has more power than Extreme Pro (used both extensively last summer) let alone the Blade 98 16x19 V9.
 
Rosstour said:
People act like small differences are meaningless

2% milk tastes totally different than whole milk....which is 3.5%

My OEM 19" wheels gave me constant blowouts, bent/cracked rims.

My 18" wheels haven't blown out or cracked once.

But go ahead, tell me that there's really no difference between 18 and 19, I mean how could you even feel that? It's just an inch, idiot!

Small numerical differences can be (and frequently are) huge in terms of perception, and it isn't just a placebo effect for morons who think they can feel the difference

I went from a 100 to 98s and my game just took off. It's not because the racquet has more control. It's because I have more control, because the racquet is more my size. 100 was too unwieldy but I'm a smaller guy (a manlet, some might say). In the right-sized hands, a 100 is a better match
Click to expand...
There is a reason why I am using a model of cheap aluminum Jr 25 inch racquet that has a 96--96.7 square inch head, the model is shown in my avatar picture, Jr Pro Kennex Ace Pro with Power contour on the head, both aluminum versions, the Red & Blue made in Taiwan with a 4.25 inch/number 2 grip having 4 of these and a Yellow & Black using a matte enamel paint job with stickers made in China model with 4 inch/number 0 grip have 3 of these as they are only a backup switching to a smaller grip when arm is tired, making 7 total.

If I could have the best of both I would have the 4.25 grip/number 2 size on the made in China model because the model the paint is more durable, then the wrap as neither model has a bumper guard and I like a 4.25 inch/number 2 grip.

Now to get the balance/protect the head in the Red& Blue model due to Chinese Yellow & Black having a smaller grip/less material in the handle I on the Red & Blue Taiwan sprayed onto a paper towel some black rubber spray pant then carefully applied the paint on the head using the Power and Contour on the head to help as guides as to how long to make it so they are the same. I also did my own grip work over the original grip that few if anybody is going to like. Now if the Yellow & Black matte enamel gets messed up enough like how easy the wrap gets ripped, I am using a black paint as minimal as possible and a layer of matte clear coat paint to repair the model or possibly use the black rubberized spray paint. I did some tests on one of the Chinese models that had never been used on basement concrete with one major scrape, and it was good with only very micro marking on the model.
 
nfantunes said:
I tried Babolat PA VS 5 years ago and never look back!! until today it's my racquet and I don´t even think to try any other racquet.
Click to expand...
Nice! i still use mine. Its addictive! Have you customised yours? String setup? I tried customising but I like it stock right now. It has a swingweight of 314 but is still stable. I use RPM Team 1.30 at 50lbs.
 
flyhome said:
Got some infos from an italian forum and stringer Who strung It in Feb when Tsitsipas tested the racquet in France, RPM Blast 130 24kg
Click to expand...
That's wild. Thick string at 52LBS.. I guess it is "softer" than 4G, but then the frame is stiffer.. I wonder if the arm issues could flare up again and end the honeymoon period.
 
Dimitrov must be keeping a casual eye on what GOATsipas is doing.

Tsitsipas is going to give us a partial answer on what Dimi might have achieved if he hadn’t spent the last 20 years with his head up his arse experimenting with variations on old Wilson legacy models.
 
Tsitsipas going full god mode and adding power and protecting his glass elbow with a lower tension is the final piece of the puzzle now.
 
Subway Tennis said:
Dimitrov must be keeping a casual eye on what GOATsipas is doing.

Tsitsipas is going to give us a partial answer on what Dimi might have achieved if he hadn’t spent the last 20 years with his head up his arse experimenting with variations on old Wilson legacy models.
Click to expand...
he will give people something to speculate about more than any sort of answer
 
As Ezone user i can admit that Pure Drive 98 probably is the best racket of this category if It commes to groundstrokes At least in stock form

Ezone 98 need some customization and may be better for serving while Aero 98 is a beast from the baseline in stock.
 
Passingshot78 said:
As Ezone user i can admit that Pure Drive 98 probably is the best racket of this category if It commes to groundstrokes At least in stock form

Ezone 98 need some customization and may be better for serving while Aero 98 is a beast from the baseline in stock.
Click to expand...
Tested for the 2nd time PA98 yesterday, indeed in stock form it is quite playable, very stable on forehand but i would say that on backhand side it is anemic at best. It definitely needs some 3&9 lead tape to perform well in backhands and returns in a high level imo.. Still better tho in terms of twistweight from other 98 stock rackets excluding RF01 Pro which is currently the no1 in terms of stock twistweight.
 
Orezap said:
Tested for the 2nd time PA98 yesterday, indeed in stock form it is quite playable, very stable on forehand but i would say that on backhand side it is anemic at best. It definitely needs some 3&9 lead tape to perform well in backhands and returns in a high level imo.. Still better tho in terms of twistweight from other 98 stock rackets excluding RF01 Pro which is currently the no1 in terms of stock twistweight.
Click to expand...
I wouldnt recommend puting any lead at 3&9

Rather maybe 2 grams on 12 and 2 in the handle to counterbalance.

The 15.4 twistweight imo is more than enough
 
Last edited:
Orezap said:
Tested for the 2nd time PA98 yesterday, indeed in stock form it is quite playable, very stable on forehand but i would say that on backhand side it is anemic at best. It definitely needs some 3&9 lead tape to perform well in backhands and returns in a high level imo.. Still better tho in terms of twistweight from other 98 stock rackets excluding RF01 Pro which is currently the no1 in terms of stock twistweight.
Click to expand...
I really don’t think it needs lead at 3/9 tbh….
 
morten said:
No way.. and he is not really a fed fanboy, maybe in his teens but not now, he has stated many times he is tiŕed of the babyfed talk. Fed up. Also RF01 is a terrible racket, and Dimi likes thinner frames than that..
Click to expand...
He may have said he was tired of the babyfed talk but on the other hand he copied every little thing Roger did, from technique to equipment, during all his career.
 
Coolhwip said:
I think it all boils down to preference. My dad also uses a 100 square inch clash for his 1hbh but his stroke is a bit slower due to his age. He tried my modded 98 ezone tours and didn't find them forgiving enough. Most 98's are specced to be more headlight than 100's which makes them feel better when you rip a 1hbh.

I've tried my friends' 100 square inch racquets and I definitely feel the extra racquet lag when I rip a shot on groundstrokes and first serves. Some people prefer this like Gasquet but it doesn't feel natural to me. If you're someone who grew up playing with a certain spec, something that deviates from it definitely feels off and that's how I feel with 100 square inch racquets (or at least the ones I've tried). I've yet to try a very headlight 100 square inch racquet.
Click to expand...
Right, there is a reason I am still using since age 12 a 25 inch long Jr Ace Pro with Power Contour on the head mainly the Red & Blue Taiwan model with size 2 or 4.25 inch grip but have the Yellow & Black Chinese for when tired due to smaller size 0 or 4 inch grip as I am 5 foot 2 inch/157.5 cm tall and 110--115 pounds now, so I still need a very light racquet when I play.

I have seen in my area a little person using a kids pink with a bit of yellow round 100 square inch head model in max size the round heads are made so my guess is around 21--23 inch lengthened to a 25-26 inch sized grip and 1 inch platform wedge heel synthetic leather sneakers about 4 inches to help the adult her size of 4 foot 5 inch look almost 5 foot. Yes, she has multiple racquets modified from what I saw, she had 4--6 or so in a mainly Pink, with blue and yellow on it Babolat bag, I would guess her racquets to be modified Babolat kids models, not even Jr becuse Jr sizing starts at 24 inches.
 
Last edited:
Gerco said:
He may have said he was tired of the babyfed talk but on the other hand he copied every little thing Roger did, from technique to equipment, during all his career.
Click to expand...
He copied Fed growing up so that is why his strokes are kind of similar, but he never used any of Feds rackets. And the RF01 is just a marketing jipoo from Wilson, Fed himself would never use it on tour, and no one else does, and certainly not Dimitrov suddenly.
 
konstantinos kalfountzos said:
Dimitrov is for sure witnessing the Tsitsipas resurrection from the dead, thinking exactly what Stefanos is thinking these past few weeks: how many more Grand Slam (semi-)Finals they could have gotten in without these low-powered old-school - washed frames.. Keep in mind, Grigor has a much more devastating backhand slice than Stefanos.
Click to expand...
So sad to see Hurcaz vs Gaston 34 shot rallye their balls inside service line for 70%, with one deep ball
before eventually a dtl winner Gaston. We are witnessing another cancerous level of homogenized tennis by ATP.

https://www.atptour.com/en/video/hot-shot-gaston-ends-34-ball-rally-in-style-in-indian-wells
 
Gerco said:
Next step is they´ll shrink the courts size and lower the net. God they are killing tennis.
Click to expand...
They won't have to. They have made sure the balls are slow enough now to prolong the rallies. I mean, a couple years ago Manarino's and Sock's low tension was a niche, now Zverev played 15.9kg/16.9 at Australian Open, even though his racket is now 2mm thicker and the air-conditions in Australia are made for the fast game.
Slow balls and slow courts is the name of the game now.

Even Wimbledon grass has gottern dead-slow. Halle must be the only fast surface remaining (Kyrgios-Hurkacz finals season).
 
It's good they slowed the game down.. tennis would not be fun to watch or play if it only consisted of serves and aces..
Not to mention revenue loss with drop in spectators..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

25-TENNIS
New Prince coming?
Replies
33
Views
4K
FEDERER89
F
jelle v
Canas blacked out racket?
Replies
31
Views
6K
rabidcow
R
darklore009
Juan Monaco Blacked out racket?
2
Replies
61
Views
20K
Dan Z
Dan Z
Keizer
Holger Rune blacked out racket?
2
Replies
88
Views
15K
Break To Win
Break To Win
Z
Bublix racket?
Replies
8
Views
1K
heavyD
heavyD
Back
Top