What to demo next to PAT?

flipflap

flipflap

Rookie
Hi everyone,

Started playing again 10 years ago with a Babolat Pure Control Team (liked the feel), then switched to an APD after 2 years or so and played with that APD (leaded up to 342 gram on 3 and 9 including string and overgrip) untill last year when I Switched to a PS97 (315 gr). Went back to my APD a lot of times and sold the PS97 becuase I just loved my APD too much. I swithced in first place because although I like my APD, I missed some depth and feel in my shots and volleying wasn't that good either.

So now I still have my leaded APD and want to try out the Pure Aero Tour. But I also like to consider and demo another racket. Thinking of Yonex.

Would you have any advice to demo besides the PAT? Yonex DR100, DR 98, or the new Duel 100 inch?

Double handed backhand, strong serve, strong western forehand with lots of spin (resulting sometimes in too little depth).

Thanks!
 
I'm indeed thinking of the DR100. Never played with a Pure Drive and now that the PA(T) is also considered a great racket to serve with, I'm not thinking of the Pured Drive anymore, but maybe I should...
 
flipflap said:
Hi everyone,

Started playing again 10 years ago with a Babolat Pure Control Team (liked the feel), then switched to an APD after 2 years or so and played with that APD (leaded up to 342 gram on 3 and 9 including string and overgrip) untill last year when I Switched to a PS97 (315 gr). Went back to my APD a lot of times and sold the PS97 becuase I just loved my APD too much. I swithced in first place because although I like my APD, I missed some depth and feel in my shots and volleying wasn't that good either.

So now I still have my leaded APD and want to try out the Pure Aero Tour. But I also like to consider and demo another racket. Thinking of Yonex.

Would you have any advice to demo besides the PAT? Yonex DR100, DR 98, or the new Duel 100 inch?

Double handed backhand, strong serve, strong western forehand with lots of spin (resulting sometimes in too little depth).

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Since you leaded the APD, gave the PS97 a try, and have considered the PAT for a demo. I would think you'll like the DR98 because it offers more control from the rest, leads up nicely, spin between the APD and PS97, live feel from the APD, and power between the APD and PS97. If I were to choose between the PAT and DR98, I would choose the PAT because it does everything the DR98 does but just much easier.
 
Thanks guys. Since I didn't feel that confident with my PS97 as I do with my APD and reading your comments, the PAT really seems to be the racket to pick. Along with a demo of the DR100, just to see how it feels.

Think I'll wait first for the TW review on the Duel 100, maybe that one is nice to, although prbably less power...
 
The PAT is a power oriented Racquet. If enhanced volley precision is your goal, you're not likely going to find it here.
The DR100 is very similar to your APD. If you're looking for more plow and control like the PS97, it's probably not here either.

IMO try the Extreme Pro XT. It's like the PAT but with a little less power and a fair amount greater control.
 
JBH said:
The PAT is a power oriented Racquet. If enhanced volley precision is your goal, you're not likely going to find it here.
The DR100 is very similar to your APD. If you're looking for more plow and control like the PS97, it's probably not here either.

IMO try the Extreme Pro XT. It's like the PAT but with a little less power and a fair amount greater control.
Click to expand...

The PAT is actually pretty damn good for volleys. I like it on volleys more than groundstrokes actually.
 
Hmm now I'm doubting if I would even demo another racket. Wanted to demo the DR 98 but I also read that the launch angle is low and more for flat hitters, and because I want to have enough depth because of my heavy topspin forehand, maybe that's not a good option...

Pure Drive, I read all kind of stuff about less feeling and hollow, so really everything points in the direction of the PAT...
 
flipflap said:
Hmm now I'm doubting if I would even demo another racket. Wanted to demo the DR 98 but I also read that the launch angle is low and more for flat hitters, and because I want to have enough depth because of my heavy topspin forehand, maybe that's not a good option...

Pure Drive, I read all kind of stuff about less feeling and hollow, so really everything points in the direction of the PAT...
Click to expand...
I've heard both sides in regards to the PDT and the PAT, which suggests to me that they're like two sides of a coin. I would suggest that you give it a try along with the PAT, it may be more suitable to your game after all. Besides, demoing three racquets side by side is no different than two in terms of ordering or so...

Anyways, for a fuller list of racquets (since others seem to be doing that too now): From Head the Extreme, from Wilson the Ultra 100, from Prince the Textreme Warrior 100. Those are the racquets from the more prominent companies that I would suggest.
 
I am absolutely in love with DR98 ... what a stick ... can't recommend it enough ... I just need to find that perfect string / tension
 
First post since, coming out of a long meditation in a cave lol!

Chuonfood said:
The RF97 is one of the best racquets I've hit with.
Click to expand...
Yes, provided you can handle the weight for long periods of time and most can't. So I'll say it's great for hitting with but for extended match play for mere mortals, it's too much of a log.

I've been using 355g-365g sticks around for the longest time but recently, there has been a bunch of really good, lighter sticks that I've tested and I'm more than happy to switch to. Anyway to answer the op, I've tried out the dr98, dr100 and they are the top sticks I'll gladly switch to. Others maybe worth looking at are the ultra 97, 100... maybe lol!
 
a lot of racquets mentioned here. I had the same back-and -forth with te PS-97 and the 2013 APD. I ended up going with the PS-97 because it was a more stable racquet and I was playing a lot of serve and volley doubles at the time. I feel the APD is a very challenging racquet to volley with. Even my leaded up version (similar to yours) is not as stable as the PS-97. BUT-I was missing much of the top spin I had on my ground strokes with the PS-97 and points took longer. I was more consistent but not as dangerous. Here's what I found.

Pure Aero- More stable, more powerful and more spin than the APD. Significantly more power which can cause me to over hit a bit. Much better at volleys than the APD. Not as accurate.
PAT, more of everything over the Pure Aero but a little harder to wield on overheads and harder to get out of trouble with the "flick of a wrist" - not sure if that is good or bad.
Pure Drive- a really fun racquet to play with but a bit light. I had trouble feeling the tip of the racquet on volleys so I would mis-hit a bit more. The Pure Drive series is much better at switching directions than the Pure Aero. I find I can flatten a ball out better and go for smaller targets with the Pure Drives.
Pure Drive tour-It's a cannon, if you can wield it. I'm not sure why but this stick feels completely different than it's lighter brother. Still not a great volley stick for me. Serves are huge with it.
Yonex-DR-100-Very stable for it's weight but a much softer, less aggressive stick than the babolats. I just found that it felt too muted for me.
RF-97. An amazing racquet if you can control it and wield it for more than a set.

A thought, The PS-97 and APD are very different sticks. You might be caught in the same conundrum I am in. What kind of a player am I? My flat serve, half volley and volley are much better with the PS-97 and similar racquets with a more-old school style (PS-95, PS-90, etc..) My ground strokes and slice/kick serves are much better with the more modern racquets (PA, APD, PD etc..)

I've looked really hard for a stick that does all of these things well and I'm not sure it exists. There will have to be a compromise somewhere..FWIW.
 
If you like the Pure Aero, Pure Drive type of racket, then i would recommend to try the Head Graphene and/or XT Radical Pro. The Radical Pro has a lot of similarities,
 
Tried the Pure Strike as well as the Radical Graphene Pro 2 years ago. Indeed the radical was quite like my APD on groundstrokes and the pure strike was more solid but...well I don't know really. My teacher really killed me with the Pure Strike his strokes were much heavier but he tried it out longer and missed a bit feel.

I think I will demo the Pure Aero Tour and DR 98 (when I have time to pick these up and play with it :-), somewhere this or coming weeks.
 
flipflap said:
Tried the Pure Strike as well as the Radical Graphene Pro 2 years ago. Indeed the radical was quite like my APD on groundstrokes and the pure strike was more solid but...well I don't know really. My teacher really killed me with the Pure Strike his strokes were much heavier but he tried it out longer and missed a bit feel.

I think I will demo the Pure Aero Tour and DR 98 (when I have time to pick these up and play with it :), somewhere this or coming weeks.
Click to expand...

If you are missing feel with the Pure Strike, the PAT isn't going to work at all. Just to warn you.
 
Picked up a pat and dr98 today to demo this week, will let you know.

But I've weighted the rackets and the PAT was around 340 g while I would expect around 332?? There's no dampener no overgrip and no (visible lead). It's strung with rpm blast 1.30....

Any idea?

Dr was in line with expectations, 334 with overgrip.
 
Just played a practice match.

PAT: the babolat feel, could hit with a lot of power, but because I already hit with a lot of topspin, balls sometimes didn't come deep but that I can change with stop swinging like nadal and step into the ball more, but the problem is the PAT always gives me this feeling that I automatically do that swiping upwards instead of forewards. So all in all in line with my current APD. It didn't feel that nice, caused a little bit pain in the shoulder.

DR 98: felt nice and soft, significantly less power than the PAT, but it did gave me a lot of confidence while playing, just moving the ball around, not having to worry about pain while serving. Much more an extension of my arm, while the PAT feels more like a bat.

Going to play some more this week, but I know have quite a good feeling with the Yonex. It just brings me joy ;-).

Maybe the DR is the racquet I expected when I bought the PS97, but the PS97 turned out to be a more stable, but equally stif, smaller headsize apd, while I wanted that soft feeling back when I had a Pure Storm...only with some additional power for depth...
 
Okay so I ordered the DR 98 and received it today strung with solinco hyper g 1.20 at 23kg. Will play with it tomorrow.

Lately playing quite well with the apd 12, so it Will be interesting to see if This racket just feels good or if it's also a winning racket...
 
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