Which are the best racquets of each brand?

[Pitti]

Hi. I have very limited experience with racquets. In fact, I've owned just three: a wilson six one team 95, a Babolat Drive Z lite and a Wilson ultra tour. Maybe because I learned to play with the first one, I'm kind of an all around player that hits flatter shots. Maybe one day I'll try the full six one 95. I'm slowly leaning towards heavier racquets. I didn't like the babolat at all, but it's such light frame that I shouldn't even count it as a serious racquet.

I'd like to ask you which are the best racquets of each tennis brand and why do you like them. I know that "best" is a very broad term that depends on each one's playing style and other circumstances, so if you could also include your playing style it would be even more informative.

Thank you!

Edit: Following Brianliuok suggestion, I posted my preferred specs at post #4.

 

[Brianliuok]

I am trying to find the ones you think are the best, so what racquet(s) you have used do you think it’s the best? If none, can you tell me what more or less do you want based on that? That’s the only way to find it for you since if we just tell you our preferences, it will not help at all.

 

[snoflewis]

Currently sold or ever made?

 

[Pitti]

I am trying to find the ones you think are the best, so what racquet(s) you have used do you think it’s the best? If none, can you tell me what more or less do you want based on that? That’s the only way to find it for you since if we just tell you our preferences, it will not help at all.

You're right. As I said, my experience trying racquets is limited, just my own ones and some hits with my friends' Babolats. But I think my preferred specs are something between 95-98 (maybe even 100) in. (the six one is 95, the UT is 97. Some of the babolats were 100 in. and they were not awful in that sense but I preferred the feeling of my other racquets), around 330 gr. of strung weight (my UT weighs now 332 gr. with lead and OG), slim beam (like the UT, or slightly thicker). I also tend to prefer more flexible frames (the PA/PD babolats I tried were quite stiff, and one of them gave me wrist/elbow pain in very little time). I have no idea of the SW I use. My UT is slightly leaded up at 2 and 10, and on the upper part of the grip. I'm also quite used to the 18x20 pattern, since I learned to play using it.

I don't know what my "American" level is. I played from 11 to 18 y.o. around 4-6 hours a week. I gave it up for a long time and took it up again a couple of years ago (I'm now around 30). I can play a variety of styles, and try to adapt to my rival. But my ideal playing style is an attacking one, making points short by stepping into the court with my forehand and reaching the net. My backhand is one handed, my forehand is more of an eastern flatter one than a western one, although the grip varies a bit depending on the height of the ball. I sometimes like to serve and volley to try to put pressure in my rival, although my serve is not as strong as I'd like it to be. I use more variation and placement than power. I'm used to hard, faster courts.

I can't think of more relevant data...

Currently sold or ever made?

I was thinking of currently sold ones, but now I'm curious about both!

 

[teitat]

Based on comments I've seen/heard, here is a list of racquets I often see people consider to be "perfect" and/or wish racquet brands to rerelease or go back to the style of:

1. Head PT57A (recently got an updated version Pro Tour 2.0, review seem mixed)
2. Yonex Ezone DR98 (apparently the Ezone 2020 is very similar)
3. Volkl C10 Pro
4. Prince Textreme Tour 310 and Phantom 93p
5. Wilson K Six One 95

Once again this is simply what I feel like are fan favorites from observing discussions.

 

[Crocodile]

Everyone will have their personal opinions but if I had to pick my favourite racquets that you can buy new now I would choose these:
Babolat: Pure Strike 16/19 version 3
Wilson: RF Auto graph
Head; Pro Tour 2.0
Yonex: V Core Pro 330
Prince: POG 107
Volkl; PB 10 Mid
Tecnifibre; TF40 315
Pro Kennex Q Plus Tour 325
Angell K7 lime
Pacific X Tour 97
Diadem: Elevate Tour
Dunlop: CX 200

 

[lucieisland]

pro kennex black ace 2020?

 

[Pitti]

Thank you!

 

[jdeloach]

Babolat: 2013 AeroPro Drive or Pure Aero VS (2020)
Wilson: PS 85
Head; Pro Tour 2.0 or PT630/280
Yonex: RDX500 or VCore Pro 97HD
Prince: POG Longbody
Volkl; C10 Pro
Tecnifibre; TFight 315 LTD (18m)
Pro Kennex: Redondo or Black Ace
Dunlop: Hotmelt 200g XL

 

[Brianliuok]

Thank you!

Hi, I am here again, based on your reply, I think of some that you might like. They are all currently sold ones because they are easier to get and TW have grommets for them.

(Not a ranking)

1. Tecnifibre TF40 305 (close to your UT, lower powered than #2-5)
2. Pure Strike 18x20 3rd Gen (it’s comfortable for 66ra, more powerful than UT)
3. Speed Pro (this is a great all around racquet)
4. Prince Textreme Tour 100P (similar to speed pro)
5. Tecnifibre TFight 305 XTC (in between TF40 and pure strike)
6.Gravity Tour (very comfy and nice feel but lower powered, personally think it’s better than TF40, very forgiving Sweetspot)

If you have any questions, please quote or @ me again.

Hope this helps!

 

[Brianliuok]

Also, if possible, the 2015 blade 18x20 is probably right in your alley, but it’s hard to find brand new ones.

 

[Boubi]

Amongst current racquets:

Babolat: Pure aero tour (maybe VS when tested)
Wilson: RF97
Head: extreme
Yonex sv98
Prince: 93P
Volkl; c10 pro
Tecnifibre: tf40 305
Dunlop: sx300 tour

 

[taydbear7]

In my bag

Wilson Tour
Prince Phantom 93P
Head Graphene Extreme Pro
Tecnifibre Tfight 315 LTD

 

[fuzz nation]

You're right. As I said, my experience trying racquets is limited, just my own ones and some hits with my friends' Babolats. But I think my preferred specs are something between 95-98 (maybe even 100) in. (the six one is 95, the UT is 97. Some of the babolats were 100 in. and they were not awful in that sense but I preferred the feeling of my other racquets), around 330 gr. of strung weight (my UT weighs now 332 gr. with lead and OG), slim beam (like the UT, or slightly thicker). I also tend to prefer more flexible frames (the PA/PD babolats I tried were quite stiff, and one of them gave me wrist/elbow pain in very little time). I have no idea of the SW I use. My UT is slightly leaded up at 2 and 10, and on the upper part of the grip. I'm also quite used to the 18x20 pattern, since I learned to play using it.

I don't know what my "American" level is. I played from 11 to 18 y.o. around 4-6 hours a week. I gave it up for a long time and took it up again a couple of years ago (I'm now around 30). I can play a variety of styles, and try to adapt to my rival. But my ideal playing style is an attacking one, making points short by stepping into the court with my forehand and reaching the net. My backhand is one handed, my forehand is more of an eastern flatter one than a western one, although the grip varies a bit depending on the height of the ball. I sometimes like to serve and volley to try to put pressure in my rival, although my serve is not as strong as I'd like it to be. I use more variation and placement than power. I'm used to hard, faster courts.

I can't think of more relevant data...



I was thinking of currently sold ones, but now I'm curious about both!

I hit a one-handed backhand and I think that some frames work for me better than others for that shot. I generally like a heavier frame, but my volleys and my backhand seem to work MUCH better for me when I have that extra heft and stability to command the ball. The lightest racquets I can comfortably knock around with are 11.8-12.0 oz., but I have some players that are 12.5-12.7 oz.

Based on what you're describing, I'd say try to get a look and maybe a demo with the Prince Phantom 97. I've been enjoying softer Volkls for a while including their C10 Pro, but if I had to go try something else today, that Phantom would probably be the first one I'd consider for a test drive.

Some of our pals also suggested the smaller Phantom 93 - while I'd expect that racquet to be a fun, comfortable player with a bit of retro flavor, it might seem to be a little under-powered in contrast with the 97. But that could also just translate into extra control for you when you swing away.

There are some 100" flexy options from Prince and other brands, but I'm like you in that 98" is pretty much my upper limit. The C10 is a 98", but it sort of reminds me of a 95".

I've seen a wide range of feel and performance through the years from both open string patterns (16x18 or 16x19) as well as tighter layouts (18x20). Because of that broad personality spectrum, I don't rule out any racquet for myself based on its string pattern without trying it first.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Wilson: Blade 98
Yonex: VCORE pro 97
Babolat: Pure Aero
Prince: Phantom 93P
Head: Ti S6

 

[Pitti]

@Brianliuok Thank you very much. I will keep in mind your list for getting a second racquet that I can carry to matches along with my Ultra Tour. I have checked all of the racquets you mentioned and they all seem to fit my style and taste (and I also find most of them aesthetically pleasing). Just a little question: why do you specifically mention the 2015 version of the Wilson Blade, instead of the most recent ones?

@fuzz nation I wanted to hit a 1hbh since my first class as a child. I insisted on it going against the advice of my coach, and it became my weakest shot, and the shot with which I made the most mistakes... until I started using heavier racquets. They help a lot! I also see that there are some racquets that are awful for that particular shot (I hate the Pure Aero on the backhand side... and pretty much everywhere else, but that's another story). Thank you for your advice.

 

[roger presley]

Blade
Vcore 95
Speed Pro
Pure Aero Tour
TF40

 

[Brianliuok]

@Brianliuok Thank you very much. I will keep in mind your list for getting a second racquet that I can carry to matches along with my Ultra Tour. I have checked all of the racquets you mentioned and they all seem to fit my style and taste (and I also find most of them aesthetically pleasing). Just a little question: why do you specifically mention the 2015 version of the Wilson Blade, instead of the most recent ones?

@fuzz nation I wanted to hit a 1hbh since my first class as a child. I insisted on it going against the advice of my coach, and it became my weakest shot, and the shot with which I made the most mistakes... until I started using heavier racquets. They help a lot! I also see that there are some racquets that are awful for that particular shot (I hate the Pure Aero on the backhand side... and pretty much everywhere else, but that's another story). Thank you for your advice.

The reason I mentioned that one is because it has a unique feel that all the other versions of blade don’t have. I found the current version to be too soft and flexible, the last version to be too muted and too much technology stuff, and all the versions before will not fit you because they seem to be pretty stiff and hard to find. The 2015 blade is like a transition between the two sides; it has very nice power but also a soft feel, which is very hard to find and it is also the reason why pros like to use racquets with nice pop but also a soft layup. But all the other racquets I mentioned are all very very good so there is really not a huge need to chase up the 2015 blades because they are harder to find with a good price.

 

[BlueB]

Prince: O3 White 100 or maybe PCG 100
Wilson: Blade 104, any pre SV version
Babolat: Pure Storm GT 98 (not Ltd)
Head: Radical Ti Team 102

All of the above are easy to play with, have excellent arm comfort and leave ample space for customization (the least space on PCG).

I didn't play enough with other brands to single out one model over others.

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk

 

[Pitti]

The reason I mentioned that one is because it has a unique feel that all the other versions of blade don’t have. I found the current version to be too soft and flexible, the last version to be too muted and too much technology stuff, and all the versions before will not fit you because they seem to be pretty stiff and hard to find. The 2015 blade is like a transition between the two sides; it has very nice power but also a soft feel, which is very hard to find and it is also the reason why pros like to use racquets with nice pop but also a soft layup. But all the other racquets I mentioned are all very very good so there is really not a huge need to chase up the 2015 blades because they are harder to find with a good price.

I'll keep that in mind! Thanks!