Ultimate racquet of choice - tournament players and/or coaches

galapagos

galapagos

Hall of Fame
What are you guys using for tournament play?

My top picks (random order)
1. Tecnifibre TFight 305s 18x19
2. Solinco Whiteout v2 16x19
3. Head Speed Pro
4. Head Gravity Tour
5. Yonex Ezone 98
6. Babolat Pure Aero 98 2026

My gatekeepers:
1. Head Speed Pro (power to spin ratio is a bit off)
2. Babolat Pure Aero 98 (would like a bit more classic feel)
3. Head Prestige Pro (would like a bit more responsive feel - maybe 16x19 would be better)
4. Wilson Blade 16x19 and 18x20 (a bit weird weight distribution)
5. Yonex Ezone 98 - I sometimes hit too long but this one maybe is the closest to top 5 right now




V.1 edition :p
final-pick.png

Some oldschool selected reviews:
TECNIFIBRE:
1. TFight ISO 18x19 (click)-7.5/10 - it's everything that I liked about RS but you get more juice and comfort. Previous was kinda between Speed Pro and Prestige MP, that one is between Speed Pro and Blade.

WILSON:
1. Blade V8 18x20 (2015, CV and V7 comparison) (click) - 7.5/10- great frame but I now prefer 16x19 or 18x19 patterns. Still kinda demanding for my wrist
2. Blade V8 16x19 (V7 and V6) (click) - 6.7/10 - V7 was a better version (very switchable), I don't know why they lowered SW so much.

HEAD:
1. Graphene 360+ Speed Pro (click) (Graphene Speed Pro and IG Speed MP (18x20) comparison) - 7.5/10 - 360+ is the best speed pro ever made packed with performance

ANGELL:
1. TC95 18x20 - 7.4/10 - crazy good, crazy demanding. Teaches how to be better but only for advanced players.
2. TC95 16x19 (click) - 7.5/10 - best angell
 
Last edited:
Add some Pro Kennex frames there, too. The KQ+PT315 has a good blend of power, control, and spin. Just got the BA and will be looking for a Q+5 Pro, or the Q+5X Pro. It seems to me that PK has added a bit of more power into their frames. Never really liked them before, but the newer PK frames are fun to hit with.
 
Gee said:
Add the Diadem Elevate FS 98 and Tour to your list as well.
Click to expand...
i know one atp guy in my country who was using Diadem but then switched to Prestige Pro and now rocking the Prestige MP. For him Prestige MP is the ultimate racquet of choice :) He also adds weight to his racquets making it around 360 grams strung.
 
tomkowy said:
Wilson Ultra Tour/Ultra Pro missing? Quite a popular racket and a reference point for many. However, it's probably not forgiving enough compared to a "modern racquet".

Also Babolat Pure Strike is missing. It fits your description well.
Click to expand...
I've got a friend who I trust a lot with his opinion and he hated Ultra Tour. A bit like a toy while Prestige MP 360+ felt to him amazing and he is not even an 18x20 player so this means a lot.

Ultra Pro is unavailable to demo so i don't care about Wilson's strategy with their "super amazing custom hidden line with +/- 10 grams quality control" ...
 
mhkeuns said:
Add some Pro Kennex frames there, too. The KQ+PT315 has a good blend of power, control, and spin. Just got the BA and will be looking for a Q+5 Pro, or the Q+5X Pro. It seems to me that PK has added a bit of more power into their frames. Never really liked them before, but the newer PK frames are fun to hit with.
Click to expand...
looks interesting indeed
 
galapagos said:
I've got a friend who I trust a lot with his opinion and he hated Ultra Tour. A bit like a toy while Prestige MP 360+ felt to him amazing and he is not even an 18x20 player so this means a lot.

Ultra Pro is unavailable to demo so i don't care about Wilson's strategy with their "super amazing custom hidden line with +/- 10 grams quality control" ...
Click to expand...
Yeah, I forgot that it's not easy to demo these now...

I've played Prestige MP 360+ side to side with Ultra Tour. I've bumped Ultra Tour specs to 330 SW. They felt a bit different but played very similar overall. In stock form Ultra Tour feels anemic, so I can imagine what your friend means.

Nevertheless, I'm waiting for your to share your experience! I'm looking for something more powerful and forgiving on defence than the Ultra Tour, so something similar to what you're looking.
 
galapagos said:
After my adventure with ultimate string of choice thread (click here) it is time for something a bit more exciting - racquets !

What are you guys using and why ?????

I seek mostly control and feel with good spin potential and forgiveness (modern frame description?) I hate when the racquet is not stable enough in stock form.
Perfect stick = Easy depth control with counter-attack option at hand! Forgiving but not springy, good plow but not too slow on second serves or defensive shots.

I admit I am already familiar with most of the frames here so I will share my experience :) Mr G.

maybe I am missing something here? Tell me your experience ! :)

TECNIFIBRE:
1. Tecnifibre TFight 305 RS - review to come
2. Tecnifibre TF40 315 or 305 - review to come
3. Tecnifibre TRebound 298 IGA - review to come

WILSON:
1. Wilson Blade V8 18x20 (2015, CV and V7 comparison) - review to come
2. Wilson Blade V8 16x19 (and V7) - review to come

YONEX:
1. Yonex Ezone 98 16x19 2020 ( Dr comparison) - review to come
2. Yonex Vcore 95 16x20 2021 - review to come
3. Yonex Vcore Pro 97 310 2021(Duel G, 2019 comparison)- review to come
4. Yonex Vcore Pro 97 HD 18x20 2021 (2019 comparison)- review to come

HEAD:
1. Head Gravity Pro - review to come
2. Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro (Graphene Speed Pro and IG Speed MP (18x20) comparison) - review to come
3. Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP ( XT , Touch, 360 comparison) - review to come
4. Head Graphene 360+ Radical MP - review to come
5. Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro - review to come
6. Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP (IG prestige MP, Prestige touch mp comparison) - review to come

ANGELL:
1. Angell TC95 18x20 - review to come
2. Angell K7 Lime - review to come
3. Angell TC95 16x19 - review to come
4. Angell TC100 16x19 - review to come
5. Angell K7 Red - review to come

DUNLOP:
1. Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20 (2019 and 2017 comparison) - review to come

Diadem:
1. Elevate (???? any users here?)


wow.
Click to expand...

No Pro Staff 100?
 
galapagos said:
After my adventure with ultimate string of choice thread (click here) it is time for something a bit more exciting - racquets !

What are you guys using and why ?????

I seek mostly control and feel with good spin potential and forgiveness (modern frame description?) I hate when the racquet is not stable enough in stock form.
Perfect stick = Easy depth control with counter-attack option at hand! Forgiving but not springy, good plow but not too slow on second serves or defensive shots.

I admit I am already familiar with most of the frames here so I will share my experience :) Mr G.

maybe I am missing something here? Tell me your experience ! :)

TECNIFIBRE:
1. Tecnifibre TFight 305 RS - review to come
2. Tecnifibre TF40 315 or 305 - review to come
3. Tecnifibre TRebound 298 IGA - review to come

WILSON:
1. Wilson Blade V8 18x20 (2015, CV and V7 comparison) - review to come
2. Wilson Blade V8 16x19 (and V7) - review to come

YONEX:
1. Yonex Ezone 98 16x19 2020 ( Dr comparison) - review to come
2. Yonex Vcore 95 16x20 2021 - review to come
3. Yonex Vcore Pro 97 310 2021(Duel G, 2019 comparison)- review to come
4. Yonex Vcore Pro 97 HD 18x20 2021 (2019 comparison)- review to come

HEAD:
1. Head Gravity Pro - review to come
2. Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro (Graphene Speed Pro and IG Speed MP (18x20) comparison) - review to come
3. Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP ( XT , Touch, 360 comparison) - review to come
4. Head Graphene 360+ Radical MP - review to come
5. Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro - review to come
6. Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP (IG prestige MP, Prestige touch mp comparison) - review to come

ANGELL:
1. Angell TC95 18x20 - review to come
2. Angell K7 Lime - review to come
3. Angell TC95 16x19 - review to come
4. Angell TC100 16x19 - review to come
5. Angell K7 Red - review to come

DUNLOP:
1. Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20 (2019 and 2017 comparison) - review to come

Diadem:
1. Elevate (???? any users here?)


wow.
Click to expand...

Add the Volkl 8 too
 
tomkowy said:
Yeah, I forgot that it's not easy to demo these now...

I've played Prestige MP 360+ side to side with Ultra Tour. I've bumped Ultra Tour specs to 330 SW. They felt a bit different but played very similar overall. In stock form Ultra Tour feels anemic, so I can imagine what your friend means.

Nevertheless, I'm waiting for your to share your experience! I'm looking for something more powerful and forgiving on defence than the Ultra Tour, so something similar to what you're looking.
Click to expand...
My 2 cents, I was also looking for a more powerful and forgiving UT on defence and found it with the Gravity Tour after a long demo of multiple rackets. The Gravity Pro will likely suit most UT users more but I found the Tour to be better on defence whereas the Pro was better on offence.
 
smithie said:
My 2 cents, I was also looking for a more powerful and forgiving UT on defence and found it with the Gravity Tour after a long demo of multiple rackets. The Gravity Pro will likely suit most UT users more but I found the Tour to be better on defence whereas the Pro was better on offence.
Click to expand...
Can you share your experiences? No matter what frame I will bump the SW to ~335 and balance to ~32.6. I tried Gravity Pro and it was a more forgiving than Ultra Tour but power was similar. I did not have a chance to test Gravity Tour with SW bumped up to ~335.

What other frames apart from Gravity Tour did you like? I found that all the frames like VCore Pro, Gravity Pro, Blade 98 etc. are very similar with power and forgiveness, when you get them to the same SW. So I guess you need to have thicker beam (like Gravity Tour) or stiffer frame (like Pure Strike) for more power.
 
tomkowy said:
Can you share your experiences? No matter what frame I will bump the SW to ~335 and balance to ~32.6. I tried Gravity Pro and it was a more forgiving than Ultra Tour but power was similar. I did not have a chance to test Gravity Tour with SW bumped up to ~335.

What other frames apart from Gravity Tour did you like? I found that all the frames like VCore Pro, Gravity Pro, Blade 98 etc. are very similar with power and forgiveness, when you get them to the same SW. So I guess you need to have thicker beam (like Gravity Tour) or stiffer frame (like Pure Strike) for more power.
Click to expand...
If you are bumping up the swing weight +330 then I don't think you'll gain anything extra from the Tour over the Pro, if anything the Tour will likely become less manoeuvrable due to its thicker beam width (something others have noted in the Gravity thread on here). If I was you, I would stick with the Gravity Pro if you enjoy it as it comes in bang on your specs in stock form.
For me personally I preferred the Tour as it is surprisingly stable for its weight without mods (big tick for me as I was always tinkering with mods with my UT's/UP's) but I just found it easier on defence than the Pro - although YMMV.
Other frames I liked:
- Blade 18x20 - almost pulled the trigger on them but my OHBH was better with the Gravity Tour which is what swung it in the end.
- Clash 98 - Nice blend of power and control but was sometimes a little erratic in its response off the string bed.
- Speed Pro - Jack of all trades but nothing really stood out to me.
- Radical MP - Nice power and control but felt a little stiff for my liking.
- Gravity MP - Too light in stock form and felt lacking in power but nice hitting stick.

Regarding power, you can always use a more powerful string or lower your tension. I'm currently using Element @ 48lbs which gives me plenty of put away power.
 
smithie said:
If you are bumping up the swing weight +330 then I don't think you'll gain anything extra from the Tour over the Pro, if anything the Tour will likely become less manoeuvrable due to its thicker beam width (something others have noted in the Gravity thread on here). If I was you, I would stick with the Gravity Pro if you enjoy it as it comes in bang on your specs in stock form.
For me personally I preferred the Tour as it is surprisingly stable for its weight without mods (big tick for me as I was always tinkering with mods with my UT's/UP's) but I just found it easier on defence than the Pro - although YMMV.
Other frames I liked:
- Blade 18x20 - almost pulled the trigger on them but my OHBH was better with the Gravity Tour which is what swung it in the end.
- Clash 98 - Nice blend of power and control but was sometimes a little erratic in its response off the string bed.
- Speed Pro - Jack of all trades but nothing really stood out to me.
- Radical MP - Nice power and control but felt a little stiff for my liking.
- Gravity MP - Too light in stock form and felt lacking in power but nice hitting stick.

Regarding power, you can always use a more powerful string or lower your tension. I'm currently using Element @ 48lbs which gives me plenty of put away power.
Click to expand...
Thank you for wide response! I would love to have more power than Gravity Pro and seems like Tour will not be a good choice. I guess I will have to deal with higher stiffness in the end and re-check a Pure Strike or some Tecnifibres...
 
Dartagnan64 said:
Looking at what our top level players and coaches are using, it’s a lot of Babolats strung with mid to high tension poly.
Click to expand...
behind the scenes I can tell you that also Babolat is the most generous and most affordable brand. At some point most coaches just focus on doing their job rather than searching for the one and only ultimate racquet. It's their job and therefore its more about money for them rather than switching their weapon every release :)


But I might add Babolat to the list because for sure they have some tournament options. In fact maybe they have biggest option for tournament players but it's mostly all about power and spin.
 
galapagos said:
behind the scenes I can tell you that also Babolat is the most generous and most affordable brand. At some point most coaches just focus on doing their job rather than searching for the one and only ultimate racquet. It's their job and therefore its more about money for them rather than switching their weapon every release :)


But I might add Babolat to the list because for sure they have some tournament options. In fact maybe they have biggest option for tournament players but it's mostly all about power and spin.
Click to expand...

I certainly can't comment as to their rationale for using Babs but they are certainly common amongst the coaches at our club. It may be that they are getting deals to use the frames.
 
Dartagnan64 said:
I certainly can't comment as to their rationale for using Babs but they are certainly common amongst the coaches at our club. It may be that they are getting deals to use the frames.
Click to expand...
Deals is one thing but for sure playing with Babolat makes things a bit easier on court. Maybe not as precise but easy power and spin can be refreshing when you play 6-8 hours per day :)

IMO coaches shouldnt play with much spin unles they coach somebody at high lvl, placing the ball is more important. The job is to give the students rhythm and feel. THEN you can start increasing spin and speed.
I remember when i was a smaller kid facing a high ball with loads of top spin from an adult. It was impossible to get something out of that session. He was playing with head extreme i think and unloading on every shot lol.
best coaches i met were using prestige 18x20 and blades. Best in terms of coaching but as players probably too...
 
tomkowy said:
"Today we're testing eight true-players racquets and one Head to show the difference." ;)
Click to expand...
hahahah :) no worries I have some more photos somewhere on my phone from my playtests. But I admit this is my current collection minus some frames :) I have now 3 left in my bag and my bag is now hungry for something else :)
 
beltsman said:
Add the Volkl 8 too
Click to expand...
I could be interested in what Almagro was using but I have no idea now what it was...Great player !

Besides that the brand as tennis racquets doesnt catch my attention that much... kinda ugly. I don't know. Am I the only one here? :P
 
galapagos said:
I could be interested in what Almagro was using but I have no idea now what it was...Great player !

Besides that the brand as tennis racquets doesnt catch my attention that much... kinda ugly. I don't know. Am I the only one here? :P
Click to expand...

I like them! I found the 8 line to play very well.
 
galapagos said:
I seek mostly control and feel with good spin potential and forgiveness (modern frame description?)
Click to expand...
I’ve been playing with a head flexpoint radical tour recently, and I would say it fits your description quite nicely! I just hate how the racquet looks with all of its faux “technology” like ridges and holes in the head


Head Size:100 sq. in. / 645 sq. cm.
Length:27.00 inches / 68.58 cm
Strung Weight:12.00 oz / 340 g
Balance:7pts HL
Swing Weight:325

Beam Width:21.0mm
Tip/Shaft:21.0mm / 21.0mm
Composition:LiquidMetal Titanium & Graphite
Power Level:Low
Stiffness:58

String Pattern:16 Mains/19 Crosses
Main Skip:7T,9T,7H,9H
String Tension:52-62
 
brento1499 said:
I’ve been playing with a head flexpoint radical tour recently, and I would say it fits your description quite nicely! I just hate how the racquet looks with all of its faux “technology” like ridges and holes in the head


Head Size:100 sq. in. / 645 sq. cm.
Length:27.00 inches / 68.58 cm
Strung Weight:12.00 oz / 340 g
Balance:7pts HL
Swing Weight:325

Beam Width:21.0mm
Tip/Shaft:21.0mm / 21.0mm
Composition:LiquidMetal Titanium & Graphite
Power Level:Low
Stiffness:58

String Pattern:16 Mains/19 Crosses
Main Skip:7T,9T,7H,9H
String Tension:52-62
Click to expand...
You mean those ridges don't really help the racket stay more aerodynamically stable during the swing??
 
Roquestil said:
2018 or 2021?
Click to expand...
2021.
Also, the control on length is incredible. Even at the end of the the 2.5h training session (when I don’t have much left) I can place the ball near the base line easily.
It’s like the racket works for me. When I try my tail-weight blade I feel I have to fight a bit against it.
Vcore in stock form with just an overgrip.
 
Margomael said:
2021.
Also, the control on length is incredible. Even at the end of the the 2.5h training session (when I don’t have much left) I can place the ball near the base line easily.
It’s like the racket works for me. When I try my tail-weight blade I feel I have to fight a bit against it.
Vcore in stock form with just an overgrip.
Click to expand...
blade is a bit strange isnt it ? However I must say that v7 is the best blade I have ever tried. I respect the decision to move the balance to 32 from 32.5
 
Rosstour said:
TF40 was my answer to this question.
Click to expand...
can you chime in and compare TF40 305g to 315g ? I am curious about 315g version. I have RS305 and I still added weight to the handle lol. In most cases I prefer heavier but with lower balance point sticks. there were some exceptions like blade v7 or radicals from the past (18x20 versions)
 
I haven't played with the 315, I'm not into racquets that are any heavier than they need to be and the 305 has the higher swingweight.
 
galapagos said:
casual photo to create hype :p
Click to expand...

What strings do you use mostly on your Tc95? I love mine, just wish I could get my static weight down...should have ordered the 310. My 320g TC95 lowest I can get is right around 340-342g static weight.
 
Dansan said:
What strings do you use mostly on your Tc95? I love mine, just wish I could get my static weight down...should have ordered the 310. My 320g TC95 lowest I can get is right around 340-342g static weight.
Click to expand...
What string pattern you have ?
you can check my findings here:

Ultimate string of choice !

highly competitive 5.0 / 5.5 tournament player. My main stick now is Angell TC95 16x19. racquet reviews: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/ultimate-racquet-of-choice-tournament-players-and-or-coaches.705277/ :X3: total number of strings: 68 Group A (round profile): 1...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com

its hard to decrease weight with strings. Only thinner gauge will help you. It will reduce the weight slightly and swing weight too.

you can remove this rubber from the handle that angell is adding. Its 2 grams that angell is adding to reach the final spec so in theory you have 318g racquet :)
 
Rosstour said:
I haven't played with the 315, I'm not into racquets that are any heavier than they need to be and the 305 has the higher swingweight.
Click to expand...
Heavier is very subjective. To me its in that order regarding heavy feel - SW then balance then static weight. Maybe 315g/310 balance will feel faster than 305g/32.5 balance with higher SW :)
 
galapagos said:
Deals is one thing but for sure playing with Babolat makes things a bit easier on court. Maybe not as precise but easy power and spin can be refreshing when you play 6-8 hours per day :)

IMO coaches shouldnt play with much spin unles they coach somebody at high lvl, placing the ball is more important. The job is to give the students rhythm and feel. THEN you can start increasing spin and speed.
I remember when i was a smaller kid facing a high ball with loads of top spin from an adult. It was impossible to get something out of that session. He was playing with head extreme i think and unloading on every shot lol.
best coaches i met were using prestige 18x20 and blades. Best in terms of coaching but as players probably too...
Click to expand...
Lots of truth in this post.
 
Head Speed Pro 18x20 line.

It was my first "serious" switch during junior days. My first tournament stick was Babolat Pure Drive (I loved Roddick) and then switched to Speed because of Djokovic (ahhh silly me I should have gone with radical or prestige line). At this point I knew nothing about TT forum. I was happy. hahahahaha

2014_US_Open_(Tennis)_-_Qualifying_Rounds_-_Illya_Marchenko_(14825896119).jpg

GRAPHENE SPEED PRO. 315g/310mm balance , SW around 330. stiffness around 66 I think? It played really good BUT now I can say- definitely too stiff. My elbow felt it from time to time. Performance was good but quite heavy stick for a junior.

After some years I switched to other frames (I don't remember now in what order) but by this time I already found out TT forum...
Of course - it didn't safe me from trying another "marketing" stick that Zverev was supposed to be using. Speed Innegra:

alexander-zverev-ger-allianz-kundler-german-juniors-supported-by-optimal-M38D7M.jpg


yes, it was pre-graphene model so I managed to go back in time and purchase the last model in the shop. Zverev was a prodigy kid so the line looked very interesting. The racquet was very very thin. Gravity-like. Also 315g/310mm balance but the SW much lower (below 320).

It was also the first time that I felt - ok -this is my final racquet, i am happy, my game is complete. (i demoed the racquet from my friend and was playing amazingly with spin i never could play before)... It was very fast, great spin potential.... BUT WAIT !! What? Yes.
it was my first experience with tennis honeymoon phase....and that's how my first signs of becoming racquetoholic appeared ! I knew I am doomed. Forever trapped here with you my friends :)

review of IG speed - painfully unstable without any hope... vibrations killing my hand.

I got angry with this line and I didn't try next versions (xt,touch and 360 ?) but now it was time to welcome my old friend and review the Head Speed Graphene 360+ Pro ! Why I gave it a shot ?
1) it was the softest Speed generation ever
2) it is getting nice reviews from public (better than graphene speed pro)

What is my verdict ?

Tomorrow :)
 
Wheelz said:
How about twistweight ? Do you have any preference there when looking for your racquet ?
Click to expand...
Yes, of course. Usually around 13.7- 14.5 which is rather big difference. Higher twistweight better for backhand. Lower twistweight better for forehand. Finding perfect balance is not easy and actually impossible. You Just have to adapt.
Even Tipsarevic said something about changing racquets that there are 2 main ways:
1. Find racquet that makes your favourite shot better
2. Find racquet that makes your worst shot better

Maybe there was option nr 3 - something in between but i dont remember.

he went for nr 1
 
I'm playing with a '21 Pure Drive Plus. I added some weight to get the swing weight up to 330ish, and to get the racket up to 330 grams, strung. It's perfect, and I won't change until they no longer make the racket.

I used a Prokennex 7G for a bit, when I started to play again after a 25 year layoff. It was fine, but I simply couldn't deal with the flex. The PD+ is pretty close to my prior racket (an extended Spaulding Assault 110, which was more like 104). Personally, I'm not really one to change equipment (racket or strings) once I find something I'm happy with.

One interest note: I read lots of stuff on the internet about how the 7G is "arm friendly" and the Babolats are not. While I've never been prone to arm trouble, I now have a large DVR plate in my hitting wrist, and it can be pretty sensitive to vibration. I actually find the PD+ to be more comfortable, not less, using the same string.
 
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