TW Staff ( Chris):One-Handed backhands

[Jonack]

Hi Team, I think you added another one- hander to your staff..
There are so many good rackets out there… Can you suggest a few ( not Pro Staff- too heavy) rackets that are really good for the one-handed backhand… I’ve tried a lot of racquets that got great reviews but just didn’t feel right for the one-hander. eg. Pure Aero , Extreme…
Ciao, John

 

[TW Staff]

I use the Speed Pro and it works very well on my backhand. The MP version is very maneuverable so a great option if you want something easier to whip through contact.
The new VCORE 95 is a blast on backhands. It is a racquet where I can hit my backhand with noticeably more pace and weight than usual. Super fun.
The new Pure Aero 98 is great on backhands and everything else. An absolute peach of a racquet.
The TF40 305 in either string pattern. Lots of feel and great for rolling angles.
Prince ATS Tour 95 is another gem on backhands. Both this one and the VCORE 95 are surprisingly maneuverable for their weight.
The Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen is forgiving and worked well on my backhands. I felt comfortable on both slice and topspin shots with it.
The VCORE Pro 100 is another very forgiving option and throws excellent feel into the mix. I almost switched to it.
I like the way smaller headsizes cut through the air on backhands. I also don't hit with a ton of spin on my topspin backhand so I don't need a big spin window and that's maybe why I like 95s and mids. I'd mention others, like the C10 Pro, but if the Pro Staff is too heavy, then I feel those others would not be to your tastes.
Hope that helps.
Cheers, Chris, TW.

 

[Jonack]

I use the Speed Pro and it works very well on my backhand. The MP version is very maneuverable so a great option if you want something easier to whip through contact.
The new VCORE 95 is a blast on backhands. It is a racquet where I can hit my backhand with noticeably more pace and weight than usual. Super fun.
The new Pure Aero 98 is great on backhands and everything else. An absolute peach of a racquet.
The TF40 305 in either string pattern. Lots of feel and great for rolling angles.
Prince ATS Tour 95 is another gem on backhands. Both this one and the VCORE 95 are surprisingly maneuverable for their weight.
The Pure Strike 100 3rd Gen is forgiving and worked well on my backhands. I felt comfortable on both slice and topspin shots with it.
The VCORE Pro 100 is another very forgiving option and throws excellent feel into the mix. I almost switched to it.
I like the way smaller headsizes cut through the air on backhands. I also don't hit with a ton of spin on my topspin backhand so I don't need a big spin window and that's maybe why I like 95s and mids. I'd mention others, like the C10 Pro, but if the Pro Staff is too heavy, then I feel those others would not be to your tastes.
Hope that helps.
Cheers, Chris, TW.

Thank You, Chris… The VCore 95 is interesting : Can a 4.0 level player handle it. Also, how is it with Flat shots and touch shots?

 

[Jonack]

Thank You, Chris… The VCore 95 is interesting : Can a 4.0 level player handle it. Also, how is it with Flat shots and touch shots?

Chris, what about the Blades?

 

[TW Staff]

I think you could handle the VCORE 95. It is only 11.5oz and the swingweight is in the low 320s. The racquet is very forgiving for a 95 and plays more like a traditional 98.
The Blades could be a good option. I know of a couple of players with one-handers who love them. I've never found the groove with them, I liked the Countervail one the most as it felt the most solid at impact as I found one hitter with a swingweight in the 330s.
Cheers,
Chris, TW.

 

[Jonack]

I think you could handle the VCORE 95. It is only 11.5oz and the swingweight is in the low 320s. The racquet is very forgiving for a 95 and plays more like a traditional 98.
The Blades could be a good option. I know of a couple of players with one-handers who love them. I've never found the groove with them, I liked the Countervail one the most as it felt the most solid at impact as I found one hitter with a swingweight in the 330s.
Cheers,
Chris, TW.

Chris: You really like the Pure Aero 98. How would you compare it to the 2023 Head Radical MP? Which one would be better for an all around game: flat, top, slice and touch?

 

[Jonack]

Chris: You really like the Pure Aero 98. How would you compare it to the 2023 Head Radical MP? Which one would be better for an all around game: flat, top, slice and touch?

And how are they with the one-hander?

 

[chrisbc]

I'd also recommend the Dunlop CX200 Tour in 18x20 although the 16x19 plays well, too. Light and maneuverable for the OHBH and slices really knife through the court

 

[Mossey5]

I can't select a racquet based on one stroke and so I've settled on the Radical 360+ MP as it is the best all-rounder for my game - I can shape, slice and drive on both sides with this stick. I recommend it and I believe the new version (2023) is very similar. My OHBH was at its best with the Prestige 360+ MP particularly in defense against big hitters, but the static weight was just too high for 3 sets. I also liked the 2019 TF40 but in the end it was too hard to generate the spin I wanted on serves. Curiously I found the pure aero 300g (2021 model?) was excellent on the one hander but I struggled with timing on the FH. Also tried the phantom 93p (unforgiving/low powered but a pleasure to hit with), the gravity pro (too bulky feeling) and the 360+ Speed Pro (wrist pain) and MP (didn't love it).

 

[MisterP]

I can't select a racquet based on one stroke and so I've settled on the Radical 360+ MP as it is the best all-rounder for my game - I can shape, slice and drive on both sides with this stick. I recommend it and I believe the new version (2023) is very similar. My OHBH was at its best with the Prestige 360+ MP particularly in defense against big hitters, but the static weight was just too high for 3 sets. I also liked the 2019 TF40 but in the end it was too hard to generate the spin I wanted on serves. Curiously I found the pure aero 300g (2021 model?) was excellent on the one hander but I struggled with timing on the FH. Also tried the phantom 93p (unforgiving/low powered but a pleasure to hit with), the gravity pro (too bulky feeling) and the 360+ Speed Pro (wrist pain) and MP (didn't love it).

The 360+ Radical MP is a sweet feeling racquet. Great blend of power, spin, feel and maneuverability. The cosmetic is not great but it’s a hell of a stick otherwise. I tried switching to it and played with it on and off for a year, but I missed the smaller head size of my Prince Textreme Tour 95 so I went back to that.

I played with the Gravity Pro for a while as well. It’s a beefy stick. Feels kind of clubby. I think the Tour might be better.

Anyway if I were recommending new all-around sticks to someone the Radical MP would be at the top of the list.

 

[ngoster]

I'd recommend the CX 200 Tour 16x19 as well. I believe it's one of the most under rated sticks. Great all around performance. The HL thin box beam makes it very quick which is great for the OHBH and volleys. The tighter 16x19 provides lots of versatility on the groundstrokes...flat/spin, it does it all very well.

 

[sureshs]

I'd recommend the CX 200 Tour 16x19 as well. I believe it's one of the most under rated sticks. Great all around performance. The HL thin box beam makes it very quick which is great for the OHBH and volleys. The tighter 16x19 provides lots of versatility on the groundstrokes...flat/spin, it does it all very well.

Isn't 18*20 considered tighter than 16*19? Or are you comparing with the Head?

 

[ngoster]

Isn't 18*20 considered tighter than 16*19? Or are you comparing with the Head?

No doubt. The 18*20 is tighter. What I meant was the 16*19 is on the tighter side within the 16*19 realm.

I have both versions but gravitate more towards the 16*19 as it's more forgiving (to me) and allows me to do more with the ball.

 

[dotmundo]

EZone 98 user here and I think its great for OHBH. I also have the ProStaff V13 and I love my OHBH on that. My only problem with the EZone is that I am having trouble taming that free power but I feel this to do with my technique. I recently tested the EZone 98 Tour and the first thing I noticed was how good my OHBH is on it probably due to the weight. I plan to customize my EZone 98 by adding some weight to the 3 and 9 to see if that could give me the same feeling.