When was the last time you changed racquets and why?

[Jay Sean]

Also, from what to what racquet did you go from and to? Any close contenders or tough decisions? Any you thought along the way that would be up your alley based on the specs or reviews that ended up being terrible for you?

Elaborate as much as you want about why you liked this/that racquet. Would love to hear. Might help my journey. Can be a rabbit hole...
Personally, in the last 4-5 years, I've had the Aeropro Drive > Prince Textreme 95 > Pro Staff Autograph.

I was more so a 4.0 player around the time of the APD. Maybe slightly less but that rating covers a lot of decent tennis players. I'm more so a 4.5 now and was towards the end of my time with the Textreme 95. I started to dislike the thick beams on the APD and felt I almost had to hit spinny balls and couldn't simply plow through. I started to consider a flexier racquet, I just wanted something pretty different and a little heavier. So I went with that 95. Loved it for a while but then wanted heavier and went with the 97.

Now, feeling that it's a bit heavy and maybe the 16x19 is a little too bouncy for my taste. Maybe the racquet it slightly too powerful as well.

I'm going through a change of racquets. Currently hit with the Autograph Pro Staff (All Black) but custom painted actually but that's no matter. Some grip mods I do so all in all, my RF97 Autographs are right around 12.9 oz. I fell in love with the plow through. Psychologically, I felt the hefty weight would be a good thing to try and get used to. Figured more weight means I will HAVE TO refine little details about my swing path and take-back, etc. So I stuck by it. I grew as a tennis player with it. The weight exploited some things about my techniques that needed to change.

Funny, now, I feel the weight enables certain lazy tendencies. I can rely on it to plow through balls somewhat. Laziness in this way can mean you slack on your form and posture, etc, because the sheer weight of this racquet will somewhat compensate for that and offer a default level of stability. That being said, I have the idea now that I would prefer 18x20 and something just a little bit lighter.

Ever feel that some racquets or strings, the harder you hit, the more the ball just digs into the racquet/strings and doesn't actually go any harder or faster? Certain racquets have felt this way for me, almost as if a cap was put on how hard I can physically hit the ball or go through it. I imagine the physics of the 18x20 to allow for a looser string-bed that won't trampoline quite as much and I can more easily hit harder, flatter balls if necessary.

Currently enjoying some demos of the new blade 98 18x20, the Yonex Vcore 97HD and the Head Gravity Pro. All racquets to come out very recently.

 

[RafaBabolat]

Used to use a 2010 APD lite, was my very first racquet. Nice beginners racquet to use, but as I grew and progressed in tennis playing I had to move onto a heavier racquet.

I liked the playability if the Aero series, and got the Pure Aero 2016 when it came out . Love this racquet, hits bombs on serves and suits my playstyle. The spin, power, all just help my baseliner gameplay. Stayed with this for years, tried sooooo many strings, but landed on Y Tex Quadro Twist. One of the softest but also playable polys, feels great in a Pure Aero.

I got into the previous Pure Drive playtest (newest iteration), so that was added to the bag. I used it intermittently, but it just was too stiff. Definitely had more control, but it was harsh when off the sweet spot.

The Pure Aero has helped me learn how to guide my shots and perfect my technique, especially since it isn't the most accurate. In addition, I just love serving with this, it's a cannon literally. However, I would like to move onto a racquet with a tighter string pattern or smaller head, because I want more control oriented racquet. Gonna try the new blade, PS, and others, hopefully they satisfy my needs.

 

[t_pac]

Last frame I used for any length of time before switching was the ProKennex Q Tour 325. Love the plow, stability and control and probably play my best tennis with it when I'm on form but on off days I just find them a bit too heavy.

Currently using the Prince TT310 which does everything pretty well and is much easier to use. Just lacks some plow (doesn't lack stability though) so have just added a few grams of lead at 10/2 to bring the SW up a bit. Will see how it performs tomorrow morning!

 

[leojramirez]

RF97 > VCP97310 > UT > VC95
I started using the RF97 by chance really, after Fed won the AO17 I picked one up second hand to have as a collection item on the wall. Went to hit with it before hanging it and liked it from the first hit. A while after I started taking lessons for the first time in 15 years and I moved away from it because my coach told me so as it did not help my forehand form as he saw the hand was not stable enough when setting up for the shot. I listened to him as any sensible person would do and he turned out to be right. Besides I play in clay near the sea and that stick is not for baseline grinding in very humid conditions and also I was a lot worse player than I am now. I messed about with the PS97 but found it terrible, I've always been a Yonex player since the RDIS100 so moved on to VCP. I did not like the VCP at all, same as I did not like the DuelG (TourG was my best stick probably, why did I move on from that I don't know) couldn't control the 16x19 and it gave me a terrible pain on the top of my hand which lasted for 8-10 months.
Come the leaded UT, I liked it because it was more comfortable than the VCP although I was cautious of the 18x20 but it worked out OK until I felt I was struggling with harder hitting players and also I ended up grinding most of the time because I was finding it hard to put away winners. Still it lasted me a whole year and I had some very good results with it.
I find the leaded VC95 gives me the little bit more power I needed, its 16x20 which I absolutely rate and my wrist is really liking the comfort which its noticeable from the UT. Ticks all the boxes really.

 

[thatguyoverthere440]

*WARNING LONG POST*

My racquet adventure in the last 10(?) years was BLX blade 93 (the all black ones), KPS88, Yonex Vcore 95D (odd choice in this mix, I know), Babolat Pure strike 18x20 (red/black), and now Prostaff 97S (2016).

Loved the blade 93...when I demoed it. Nice whip, great blend of power/control, precise feel without discomfort. Then I was victim to Wilson's abysmal QC. The one I got was clubby, and balance was different. I couldn't optimize it for my game.
But, I was starting university, money was tight and I couldn't justify racquet shopping after getting this one, so I eventually made it work for about two years.

I tried a firends KPS88, and traded him for my blade 93. Like you, I loved the heft and natural stability. Felt like the KPS90 with some weight in the head. Had fun with it for 2 years, then the weight (and lack of replacement headguards) steered me to something else.
That said, I occasionally still take the frame out of my bag for a hit.

Yonex Vcore 95D caught my attention when I found out it was (believed) to be Stan's racquet under the paint. Reminded me of my pure drive days when I was a junior. 5g of lead over 3 and 9, leather grip added.
GOBS of power (for a 95in), reasonable spin, leather helped give it some feel. Very different from everything else on this list. (lol)
Played for just under three years, then I found I wanted more control and feel in a lighter package so I could swing more freely.
I liked the free power, but found at the time I would pull back on some shots worrying about over hitting. I still have the frames, and when I play them I can say I have to hold back with every swing now.

Pure Strike 18x20 red: It was between this or the blade 98 18x20. Chose this because price (it was $79 ea. when buying 2+ vs $160 for one).
Pro tip: ordering two frames from one place at the same time increases the chance they were on the same production run, thus less specs variation.
Feel was good but it was missing some pop and stability. 5g at 3 and 9 made this thing come alive. Very underrated racquet imo. You could get plenty of spin despite the 18x20. Bottom line: it was a blade with a more flexier feel that's not meant to be played stock. Had this for 3 years and I enjoyed every bit of it. If I had one complaint, it was that I had to really tee off on swings to achieve put-away level power, but I came from hefty frames before so that wasn't a huge problem. ~3 years

Pro Staff 97S (current) was a bit of a fluke:
I broke the strings on all my Strikes and didn't have my strings of choice on hand to string it up.
Working full time with many of those weeks working out of town eats tennis time so I went to a beginner/intermediate level adult drop-in tennis class with my parents to play a bit (although I completely out-class everyone there, I swear I'm not being cocky ). They had one regular PS97 (2016) demo for sale so I tried it. Really liked the frame. Did everything my Strikes did but with more free (controllable) power and spin. I gained a lot while losing little (maybe it was honeymoon). Was tempted to get it but wanted a second, and I know too well about Wilson's QC from the blade 93.
Managed to find an online store and bought two. But...I didn't notice the "S"
But it was a happy accident. Vs the PS97 I tried, it has less power, similar spin, but WAY more feel and connection. My touch shots have never been better. If there was ever a ProStaff 90 with a bigger (than 95) head and lighter weight, this would be it.
Been using since about end of May.

Whew, that was a lot to type.

 

[Jay Sean]

Last frame I used for any length of time before switching was the ProKennex Q Tour 325. Love the plow, stability and control and probably play my best tennis with it when I'm on form but on off days I just find them a bit too heavy.

Currently using the Prince TT310 which does everything pretty well and is much easier to use. Just lacks some plow (doesn't lack stability though) so have just added a few grams of lead at 10/2 to bring the SW up a bit. Will see how it performs tomorrow morning!

Very nice! Don't see many prokennex ever! Thought about one of those as well but never got around to demoing it.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I change racquets every couple days LOL. In my bag i have Phantoms 93p. 100, Pro 100 18x20 and a POG 107. I also have a SW Blade hanging around. Will play with whatever I feel like that day.

Once you realize it's you and not your racquet that determines how the match goes, it's very liberating.

 

[vanworth]

Head Microgel OS to Head Speed Pro to Babolat Pure Aero to DR98 to Ezone 98+ back to DR98. Not including about 20 one or two week switches inbetween those!

 

[joohan]

I change racquets every couple days LOL. In my bag i have Phantoms 93p. 100, Pro 100 18x20 and a POG 107. I also have a SW Blade hanging around. Will play with whatever I feel like that day.

Once you realize it's you and not your racquet that determines how the match goes, it's very liberating.

I’ve heavily customized my first ever tennis racquet (Wilson K Rush FX - a thick beamed, lightweight frame) in such manner that I’m capable of playing close to my best game with that bat. It’s quite a feat considering my ideal frame has small head, thin beam etc. Cured me of my racquetaholic ordeal.

That being said, I’m glad I had a chance to hit with plenty of great sticks along my relatively short (8 years) tennis “career”.

 

[dsb]

I had been playing with Pure Storm Ltd/ Pure Control 95 for years, perfectly happy with them, then I got my kid a Pure Drive at his bequest, while we were out hitting I was noticing the pace coming off of the Kid's pure drive, so I tried it... Welcome to the dark side, it's just so easy to murder tennis balls with a pure drive, very addictive. I ended up with the Tour version, and was merrily blasting away when I hit with the local college coach for the first time. After about 5 minutes he tells me that I'm way over gunned with the PDT, and offers for me to hit with one of his Prestige 18x20 racquets (the PS Ltd and PC 95 are both 18x20). Though down a bit on power, I can place the ball better, and hit way smaller targets, and life seems more like before but with more juice on tap. I've never really got on with Head's grip shape, and my coach is a Babolat dealer, so I got the 18x20 version of the Pure Strike. It may be down a bit on power compared to the PDT but not much, but it still has that 18x20 Prestige like goodness, and I can keep strings in it for longer than a week... I've been with the PS 18x20 for about a year, and have no plans to change.

 

[rjp1977]

In the space of 3 years to help with my golfers elbow gone from LM Radical OS, iRadical MP, Radical Zebra MP, Mantis 295, Youtek IG Radical MP, Speed XT MP, Technifibre XTC 305, Radical Touch MP, Speed 360 MP and finally onto Extreme 360 MP which has done the trick!

 

[Chadalina]

2004 i swapped to the ncode, 2015 i swapped to the ultra xp 100s. I have very good control and like how easy it is to hit with. I just have to direct the ball (racket supplies power), serve got worse though because its only 12.2oz strung

 

[Legend of Borg]

I change racquets every couple days LOL. In my bag i have Phantoms 93p. 100, Pro 100 18x20 and a POG 107. I also have a SW Blade hanging around. Will play with whatever I feel like that day.

Once you realize it's you and not your racquet that determines how the match goes, it's very liberating.

aren't you in theory supposed to play with one single racket so that you get consistent results?

if the racket changes every day wouldn't that add an element of instability in one's game?

 

[Jay Sean]

I had been playing with Pure Storm Ltd/ Pure Control 95 for years, perfectly happy with them, then I got my kid a Pure Drive at his bequest, while we were out hitting I was noticing the pace coming off of the Kid's pure drive, so I tried it... Welcome to the dark side, it's just so easy to murder tennis balls with a pure drive, very addictive. I ended up with the Tour version, and was merrily blasting away when I hit with the local college coach for the first time. After about 5 minutes he tells me that I'm way over gunned with the PDT, and offers for me to hit with one of his Prestige 18x20 racquets (the PS Ltd and PC 95 are both 18x20). Though down a bit on power, I can place the ball better, and hit way smaller targets, and life seems more like before but with more juice on tap. I've never really got on with Head's grip shape, and my coach is a Babolat dealer, so I got the 18x20 version of the Pure Strike. It may be down a bit on power compared to the PDT but not much, but it still has that 18x20 Prestige like goodness, and I can keep strings in it for longer than a week... I've been with the PS 18x20 for about a year, and have no plans to change.

That's a fun story! Some of those higher power racquets seem to reach their max power kind of early and are very string sensitive. I ended up going the route of a racquet being easier to hit soft balls that can also totally rip a ball if you have the strength and technique. But I know exactly what you mean. Those stiffer ones can feel very point and shoot in a fun way.

 

[vndesu]

Recently I went back to my Pure Control 2003 for a few months and loved it. Even after loving how they played and felt I was still missing that something I wasn't satisfied during my matches. I tried the Pure Strike 16x19 and started to lean to that during most of my matches. I was even considering on demoing or buy the 2nd or 3rd gen. After that, I was digging through my many rackets and saw my trusty old Yonex Vcore 95d. I cut the old strings on one of them (had Babolat PHT which have been in there for a long time.) I strung it up with Tier1 Firewire 17g at 52 and was like meh what can happen. Played out of my mind that night and got everything I wanted from this frame and string set up, I don't think I'll be switching for a while unless something as similar comes out from Yonex.

 

[Roland G]

I was quite happy with my Speed Touch MP's for around 6/7 months and then a few things started bothering me with them. The string pattern is quite open not the most controlled response and made the frame string sensitive. I'm not a huge string breaker but with the Speeds I was breaking strings every other week. Also, the racket has a very muted feel so I started to miss a crisper connection to the ball. Enter the Prince Beast 100's which I use now. Nice, tweener style frames with good all-round performance. Easy frames to use and I'm playing well with them. They have leather grips and Lux Alu.
I was impressed by the reviews for the TT310 so picked up one of those also, but I've just used it sporadically so far. Will get it restrung next week and give it another whirl.
And finally, I spotted a Pro Staff 97 on the bay a few weeks ago and couldn't resist as I loved that frame a few years ago. Great condition and super price. Will take that one for a spin later today. So, that's my current line-up!

 

[Harrybollz]

Am a happy Yonex Vcore tour 89 user that i have 4 frames, and been using it for 5 years. Tried several rackets, they are too light, too stiff, squares were too big. Had a dilemma on which racket to get, my arm was sore from all the modern day player's racket. Eventually just last week, i went with the Pro kennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 325. Is a direct replacement to my vcore 89, i need not change much to my strokes. Am still trying to get a hang on my serve. It has been a great 2nd session yesterday that I purchased 1 more. It is the first time on full poly bed that my arm doesn't feel sore using IQ Hexa 1.18mm @ 58lbs. If you guys looking for more of a retro player's racket, maybe this is the one worth trying. Cheers

 

[Winners or Errors]

I changed racquets three times in the middle of a match two weeks ago. If I'd brought more kinds of racquets, who knows how many more I'd have pulled out of the bag. It was that kind of day. ;-)

 

[guilhermefdc]

July 1st 2019 - moved to a flexier/more comfortable frame (Gravity Pro) from a stiff Speed which made my elbow complain...

 

[Jay Sean]

July 1st 2019 - moved to a flexier/more comfortable frame (Gravity Pro) from a stiff Speed which made my elbow complain...

YOOOOO

I just did the same today. Been demoing it for a while and today it really clicked with me how much nicer it is to the other demos I had.
It's an amazing racquet with a unique feel.

Great choice. What level you play around? It's a very comfortable racquet but I can murder balls with it too but it is noticeably lower powered than most.
Do you feel that way about the power?

 

[Jay Sean]

Am a happy Yonex Vcore tour 89 user that i have 4 frames, and been using it for 5 years. Tried several rackets, they are too light, too stiff, squares were too big. Had a dilemma on which racket to get, my arm was sore from all the modern day player's racket. Eventually just last week, i went with the Pro kennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 325. Is a direct replacement to my vcore 89, i need not change much to my strokes. Am still trying to get a hang on my serve. It has been a great 2nd session yesterday that I purchased 1 more. It is the first time on full poly bed that my arm doesn't feel sore using IQ Hexa 1.18mm @ 58lbs. If you guys looking for more of a retro player's racket, maybe this is the one worth trying. Cheers

I really wanted to try that one for some time! I eventually didn't but still think about that one occasionally.
A hard demo to come by but I'm sure Tennis Warehouse would have one.

Anything about it you'd like to talk about? I've hit with prokennex once recently and it was a plus racquet. I'm still curious about it but the mentions of it feeling mushy or too muted kinda turned me away but I might give it a shot sometime soon.
Really happy with my Gravity Pro right now. Ever hit with that?

 

[Jay Sean]

aren't you in theory supposed to play with one single racket so that you get consistent results?

if the racket changes every day wouldn't that add an element of instability in one's game?

I kind of agree here. Why have several different ones if the racquet doesn't matter and it's all about the player?
I get that it's fun to have a few different ones though. Takes some time to dial in to what makes each racquet special.

 

[peterparker]

Had been using Dunlop AG200 18x20 for past 3 seasons. Liked how solid and stable it was on groundstrokes and volleys although struggled with pace on serves. Sweet spot felt a little small even for a 95. Really liked it when strung with poly/multi hybrid.

Recently picked up a few Blade 93 (2013). More maneuverable than the AG200, only giving up a little stability. Great for ohbh and volleys. Sweet spot feels as big with only slightly shorter stringbed. Feels more direct, less dampened than AG200. Less power, hard to keep up against heavier hitters but still experimenting with different string setups. Better pace on serve, although not a cannon by any means. Currently using full bed of shaped poly, only a little discomfort from off centre hits. Looking forward to trying with hybrid setup.

Waiting on a VCT89. Hear that it generates spin and power more easily despite its diminutive head size.

 

[Harrybollz]

I really wanted to try that one for some time! I eventually didn't but still think about that one occasionally.
A hard demo to come by but I'm sure Tennis Warehouse would have one.

Anything about it you'd like to talk about? I've hit with prokennex once recently and it was a plus racquet. I'm still curious about it but the mentions of it feeling mushy or too muted kinda turned me away but I might give it a shot sometime soon.
Really happy with my Gravity Pro right now. Ever hit with that?

Hello! The Vcore 89 is a real solid racket. It is like a 90s player's racket. Coming from the 95D i can give the 89 a faster with more swing through and the ball still goes in. It is kind of hard to use full bed poly or copoly with the 89 hurts both my arm and shoulder. I hybrid it poly cross and multi main 55/53lbs.

My 4pcs of 89 after 5 years are about to crack. Really reluctant to change. Tried pro 97 and the vcore 95... Nothing comes close to it. Nothing in the market feels like it. Seriously, nothing at all. Like i said in other threads, modern day player's racket really hurts me. Especially the ezone, it really hurts me bad both Dr98 and the 98.

Got the Pro Kennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 325, because compact strings suit my game and the weight of 360g strung with leather grip and over grip. Got it at a really good deal, so i thought why not?
The feel is not muted, because i am using leather grip. Am using full bed copoly 58lbs atw. I am playing the exact same way as i am with the 89. I only had 5 hours with it. Was dialled in right away. I was impressed, that i purchased another a few days later. The QC is better than Yonex Made in Japan. I have 2 rackets on the scale that weigh the same and same balance in my hand. i couldn't tell them apart even when i strike the ball. Whereas, the 89 i have my favourite stick and there's the "ok I'll use it" stick.

The only head rackets i played with was the Ti Radical 95 and Intelligence Prestige 93. Austrian made. It is a really solid racket back then my tension was 62 to 65 lbs depending on the type of balls used and I was using Tecnifibre X-one multi 17g which was sponsoring me. Both provided great feel and i was able to swing through my shots.

I was formerly playing in the challengers circuit about 20 years ago.

Sorry may not be of much help but do try the pro kennex. High tension n leather grip does increase the feel which i am getting. I never tried it with stock grip to comment.