Ultimate racquet of choice - tournament players and/or coaches

landcookie

Semi-Pro
Small offtop. What shoes are good now on the market ? Lf comfort and stability.
I am thinking about nike zoom gp challenge 1, Adidas barricade 13, diadora blueshield torneo 2, kswiss ultrashot 3, Lacoste ag ultra
:)
Barricade most stable.
Don’t like kswiss it feels very high off the ground.
Nike fits narrow so I’ve never used it.
 

landcookie

Semi-Pro
Ok so I just went through a racquet testing phase which I haven’t done in 5 years and wanted to share thoughts for consideration with @galapagos reviews.

I am a very different player with very different strokes. Less of a guiding type and more of a fast twitch and play naturally with lots of top on forehand.

Vcore 98 2023.
I really wanted to like it. Could not miss backhands but could not hit forehands with it.
It feels like there is a lot of mass at the head which makes it very hard to whip - which is ironic given it is a spin racquet. When I do connect however the ball just explodes and I go ‘holy mother what just happened’? However that doesn’t happen enough. It also flexes more in the throat (like the great DR) which some may not like. I think it suits more of a linear swing given how well my bh performs.
Based on your review of the 95 you wanted more plow - I think you should give the ‘23 98 a go because if nothing else, that is what it has! It plays chunkier than its specs.

I prefer the SV line of old.

Head Speed MP
If we judge racquets purely on performance, this one is top notch. Does everything well (not just ok) but it’s boring to play with. Plus it’s a lot like my tc 100 (constant beam powerful 100). The tc100 feels much better but is more powerful (harder to control). If this was my racquet review I’d be giving it higher score than the tc95 - yes I think it’s that good performance wise.

Extreme pro
Needs lots of weight but plays well once it does. Lots of spin and shape and feels nice, but does not have X factor. Feel a bit muted and I prefer something more direct.

Aero 98
I’m switching to this bad boy over my tc100. It has that X factor extreme pro lacks. The feel is direct which I prefer (not Angell direct but enough for me to feel my way through shots). Similar if not slightly lower powered than tc 100 but way more spin potential which gives me the control and makes lives difficult for opponents.
Much more stable than tc100/95 stock. It doesn’t need lead at 3/9. Maybe at 12 to give more plow.
More powerful and spinny than tc 95. I actually control shots better with aero and they are more vicious.
Lefty sliders are stupid with this racquet and so are flat bombs.
Surprisingly comfortable even though this is subjective.
I can see why the power baseliners use some version of this frame. It is incredible. Volleys are pretty good too. It even has the versatility to let me play chip and slice, I actually control these shots better with the aero than the tc.

I don’t know if you’ll like the aero 98, but @galapagos its definitely a racquet you should give a go!
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Ok so I just went through a racquet testing phase which I haven’t done in 5 years and wanted to share thoughts for consideration with @galapagos reviews.

I am a very different player with very different strokes. Less of a guiding type and more of a fast twitch and play naturally with lots of top on forehand.

Vcore 98 2023.
I really wanted to like it. Could not miss backhands but could not hit forehands with it.
It feels like there is a lot of mass at the head which makes it very hard to whip - which is ironic given it is a spin racquet. When I do connect however the ball just explodes and I go ‘holy mother what just happened’? However that doesn’t happen enough. It also flexes more in the throat (like the great DR) which some may not like. I think it suits more of a linear swing given how well my bh performs.
Based on your review of the 95 you wanted more plow - I think you should give the ‘23 98 a go because if nothing else, that is what it has! It plays chunkier than its specs.

I prefer the SV line of old.

Head Speed MP
If we judge racquets purely on performance, this one is top notch. Does everything well (not just ok) but it’s boring to play with. Plus it’s a lot like my tc 100 (constant beam powerful 100). The tc100 feels much better but is more powerful (harder to control). If this was my racquet review I’d be giving it higher score than the tc95 - yes I think it’s that good performance wise.

Extreme pro
Needs lots of weight but plays well once it does. Lots of spin and shape and feels nice, but does not have X factor. Feel a bit muted and I prefer something more direct.

Aero 98
I’m switching to this bad boy over my tc100. It has that X factor extreme pro lacks. The feel is direct which I prefer (not Angell direct but enough for me to feel my way through shots). Similar if not slightly lower powered than tc 100 but way more spin potential which gives me the control and makes lives difficult for opponents.
Much more stable than tc100/95 stock. It doesn’t need lead at 3/9. Maybe at 12 to give more plow.
More powerful and spinny than tc 95. I actually control shots better with aero and they are more vicious.
Lefty sliders are stupid with this racquet and so are flat bombs.
Surprisingly comfortable even though this is subjective.
I can see why the power baseliners use some version of this frame. It is incredible. Volleys are pretty good too. It even has the versatility to let me play chip and slice, I actually control these shots better with the aero than the tc.

I don’t know if you’ll like the aero 98, but @galapagos its definitely a racquet you should give a go!
Pure Aero 98 is the best out of the frames you mentioned I agree :) I have it with me and it’s attacking my top 5 frames.
 

smithie

Professional
Small offtop. What shoes are good now on the market ? Lf comfort and stability.
I am thinking about nike zoom gp challenge 1, Adidas barricade 13, diadora blueshield torneo 2, kswiss ultrashot 3, Lacoste ag ultra
:)
Gel Resolutions top of both those categories imo
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Can’t believe you’ve kept the aero 98 play test a secret.

I’ve never liked Gravity, what makes the tour different?
Just not enough time :) gravity 98 is nothing like the old gravity. Much closer to the vcore but with ezone’s power potential kinda. Mine came at 334 sw and still felt quite fast. More spin than pure aero 98. More connection / classic feel than vcore and pure aero 98.
I think sometimes it is a bit too powerful or launchy (higher launch than pure aero 98 and similar to vcore) but should suit aggressive swings for sure
 

landcookie

Semi-Pro
Just not enough time :) gravity 98 is nothing like the old gravity. Much closer to the vcore but with ezone’s power potential kinda. Mine came at 334 sw and still felt quite fast. More spin than pure aero 98. More connection / classic feel than vcore and pure aero 98.
I think sometimes it is a bit too powerful or launchy (higher launch than pure aero 98 and similar to vcore) but should suit aggressive swings for sure
You got me at “more spin”. I will have to give it a go. Hard to believe that.

How is stability?
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
You got me at “more spin”. I will have to give it a go. Hard to believe that.

How is stability?
I had no issues (at 334 sw hard to find unstable frame haha) but I was shocked that with that specs I still felt the need to add more mass to make the backhand more fluid (enhanced throwing motion). I added a leather grip and it was much better on backhand and forehand. In stock form It took me a bit too much effort to unwind the forehand. My first hit with hawk touch 22/21 was like „wow this is really powerful, nothing like a gravity pro”
At some point I even added 3g to the top lol . Something with weight distribution of the gravity line is not working on my backhand (both the tour and pro)
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Maybe more spin means higher launch angle in his view?? Cant believe gravity98 has more spin potential than the aero98!?!?
16x19 can’t have more spin than 16x20 ? :)
Higher launch definitely is one of the factors. Easier to see the ball going down more aggressively.
 

landcookie

Semi-Pro
I had no issues (at 334 sw hard to find unstable frame haha) but I was shocked that with that specs I still felt the need to add more mass to make the backhand more fluid (enhanced throwing motion). I added a leather grip and it was much better on backhand and forehand. In stock form It took me a bit too much effort to unwind the forehand. My first hit with hawk touch 22/21 was like „wow this is really powerful, nothing like a gravity pro”
At some point I even added 3g to the top lol . Something with weight distribution of the gravity line is not working on my backhand (both the tour and pro)
The feeling you described is the exact reason I don’t like gravity line. It feels anaemic until it becomes too heavy and unwieldy
 

Holic

Semi-Pro
16x19 can’t have more spin than 16x20 ? :)
Higher launch definitely is one of the factors. Easier to see the ball going down more aggressively.
Well its all debatable as ezone 16x19 its so dense that it does have lower spin potential than aero98 16x20.
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Well its all debatable as ezone 16x19 its so dense that it does have lower spin potential than aero98 16x20.
true. but to me gravity tour is closer to vcore line when it comes to string spacing mixed with ezone's power potential (explosives through the court kinda?). gravity tour for sure shoots higher than the ezone.
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
still testing the tfight 305s 18x19. so far tried some mods. +1g at 12 / 1g at 12 and some at the handle / just some mass at the bottom / just some mass at the top of the handle / just leather / 4g at 10&2 / 4g at 3&9 / 4g at 10&2 and 2g at the bottom

at the moment 3&9 was the best. Next session will be with 2g at 10&2 and 2g at the neck. Depending how it might go I will try everything in between. I don't feel the need to add more than 4 grams. I don't feel the need to add any mass to the handle.
 

Grieeegoorr

Semi-Pro
Small offtop. What shoes are good now on the market ? Lf comfort and stability.
I am thinking about nike zoom gp challenge 1, Adidas barricade 13, diadora blueshield torneo 2, kswiss ultrashot 3, Lacoste ag ultra
:)
Diadora Blueshield Toreno 2 are awesome, I could not get another pair locally so I opted for Gel Resolution 9's and am pretty disappointed, I should have just spent the extra money and ordered them direct from Diadora. The Toreno 2's are a wider fit and are alot plusher than the Resolution 9's, the cushioning lasts alot longer than Flyte Foam as well. You can fully trust Zac the foot doctor's rave on the Toreno 2's
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Diadora Blueshield Toreno 2 are awesome, I could not get another pair locally so I opted for Gel Resolution 9's and am pretty disappointed, I should have just spent the extra money and ordered them direct from Diadora. The Toreno 2's are a wider fit and are alot plusher than the Resolution 9's, the cushioning lasts alot longer than Flyte Foam as well. You can fully trust Zac the foot doctor's rave on the Toreno 2's
I think that’s how I discovered them in the first place haha
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Review of the tfight 305s is up. In short I think tecnifibre is after the ezone 98 and pure aero 98 yet still keep the already existing target group of tfight iso, blade, blade pro and speed pro…

So it’s something in between.
 

Holic

Semi-Pro
Review of the tfight 305s is up. In short I think tecnifibre is after the ezone 98 and pure aero 98 yet still keep the already existing target group of tfight iso, blade, blade pro and speed pro…

So it’s something in between.
Hows spin potential with 305s? Launch angle compared to ezone98? Thanks!
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Hows spin potential with 305s? Launch angle compared to ezone98? Thanks!
Spin to ezone, launch higher with ezone. Power to ezone, control and feel to tfight, slices to tfight.

To simplify: Shapovalov recently switched to ezone but with 18x20. Imagine that but in 18x19 and now you are in the tfight 305s territory haha
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Spin to ezone, launch higher with ezone. Power to ezone, control and feel to tfight, slices to tfight.

To simplify: Shapovalov recently switched to ezone but with 18x20. Imagine that but in 18x19 and now you are in the tfight 305s territory haha
Oh I should add that I am referring to previous ezone. I haven’t tried the recent release yet!
 
I feel like I can hit whatever ball/launch angle I need with this racquet, which is amazing but also kind of bad bc I have to think about it and decide whereas my PA98 just forces me to hit every ball with a bit of an arch
 
@galapagos
Hi galapagos,
I like your racket review very much and saw that you have already tested the new Gravity Tour 98.
Could you please compare the new Gravity Tour with the Prestige Tour / 360+ Prestige Pro?

I play with the 360+ Prestige Pro and I am looking for a very similar racket, but with a little more help and forgiveness.
Gravity Tour 98 looks quite promising as it has a bigger head, a spin friendly not too densed 16/19 pattern and is lighter than Prestige Pro (95").
For example: string pattern from rackets that I Iike/dislike:
Radical MP/Pro and Pro Staff V13 are too dense
Angell TC95 16/19 is too open

Prestige Pro 360+ / Auxetic Tour is semi open --> I like very much

Could be Gravity Tour 98 a good middle ground racket or will be the string pattern too open for that's what I like.
I would sacrifice some control from the Prestige to get a little more for free in depth and power.

Thanks in advance.
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
@galapagos
Hi galapagos,
I like your racket review very much and saw that you have already tested the new Gravity Tour 98.
Could you please compare the new Gravity Tour with the Prestige Tour / 360+ Prestige Pro?

I play with the 360+ Prestige Pro and I am looking for a very similar racket, but with a little more help and forgiveness.
Gravity Tour 98 looks quite promising as it has a bigger head, a spin friendly not too densed 16/19 pattern and is lighter than Prestige Pro (95").
For example: string pattern from rackets that I Iike/dislike:
Radical MP/Pro and Pro Staff V13 are too dense
Angell TC95 16/19 is too open

Prestige Pro 360+ / Auxetic Tour is semi open --> I like very much

Could be Gravity Tour 98 a good middle ground racket or will be the string pattern too open for that's what I like.
I would sacrifice some control from the Prestige to get a little more for free in depth and power.

Thanks in advance.
hey, good question!
It is definitely easier to play with than with the Prestige Tour and the feel/touch is better than with the Extreme Pro.
it is definitely more "aggresive" than the Radical MP / Radical Pro with more spin (but my specs were at 334 sw)

it is in the direction of TC95 but still with lower launch for sure (but it's getting quite close i would say)
however if I had to switch from prestige tour (which I also reviewed) to something easier / more forgiving to use but still with similar control/touch/feel I would definitely narrow the choice to Extreme Pro, Elevate Tour, Gravity Tour, TC95.

From the above the best feel is with the Gravity Tour and TC95. TC95 takes 1.30 strings better but with Gravity Tour I can still play with 1.25 strings (however it is similarly hot/responsive)
I liked it with hawk touch 1.25 and it might work with tour bite 1.25 or tour bite soft....razor code and alu power could be great too!

cheers,
Danny
 
hey, good question!
It is definitely easier to play with than with the Prestige Tour and the feel/touch is better than with the Extreme Pro.
it is definitely more "aggresive" than the Radical MP / Radical Pro with more spin (but my specs were at 334 sw)

it is in the direction of TC95 but still with lower launch for sure (but it's getting quite close i would say)
however if I had to switch from prestige tour (which I also reviewed) to something easier / more forgiving to use but still with similar control/touch/feel I would definitely narrow the choice to Extreme Pro, Elevate Tour, Gravity Tour, TC95.

From the above the best feel is with the Gravity Tour and TC95. TC95 takes 1.30 strings better but with Gravity Tour I can still play with 1.25 strings (however it is similarly hot/responsive)
I liked it with hawk touch 1.25 and it might work with tour bite 1.25 or tour bite soft....razor code and alu power could be great too!

cheers,
Danny
Hi Danny,

thank you very much for your reply.
Sounds like, Gravity Tour 98 could be a good option. I will try it.

Last year, I tested Diadem Elevate FS 98. the power was nice, but the stringbed felt way too inconsistent.
I also played a bit with the Auxetic Extreme Tour, but I missed the solidness and plow of the Prestige. I also tried some lead to the ET, but I was not happy with it.
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Extreme Pro review is up:
I think the weight distribution is fixed. No more "empty" feeling. for it's weight the racquet had enough stability and plow through for my needs. Fast enough and fluid enough for both swing styles (let the racquet fly vs make the racquet fly). Feeling on impact is not to my liking. Reminded me of Blade countervail. Stiff and soft at the same time.
it's funny how the momentum for this frame switched totally towards Gravity Tour. Industry is brutal.
compared to gravity tour I would say gravity tour has more power but it comes from the specs where with the extreme pro the power comes from the stiffness/stiffer/more responsive design.
both frames have similar launch angle and spin potential imo. Extreme Pro maaaaybe slightly more.
I prefer Gravity Tour and my top 5 frames remain unchanged :)
 
Top