Which modern racquets do you think will be future classics down the road?

[shapovalovnextgoat]

These are some racquets I think would be worthy of consideration :

1. Wilson Pro Staff 90
2. Wilson Six One 95
3. Wilson RF97A
4. Prince Phantom Pro 93P
5. Babolat Aero Pro Drive Original
6. Babolat Pure Drive Original

What do y'all think?

 

[max]

I'd drop some babolats and add the venerable C-10 and Pro kennex 5G.

 

[Antónis]

Wilson KPS 88. And yes, I bought one with that idea in my mind

 

[Arzivu]

The whole phantom line!

 

[McLovin]

I think you need to define 'modern' first. For example:

2. Wilson Six One 95

I don't think this belongs on the list, unless of course you're considering 'modern' as circa 1991. I mean...they released a 25th Anniversary Edition a few years ago. Its already a classic.

While I'm not a fan, some iteration of the Head Speed Pro will probably be considered a classic in 10-20 years.

On the Babolats, I'd say the PD Roddick 2012 is a popular one (at least among the people I know...I don't like any iteration of the PD).

Definitely some iteration of the Blade. That is a very popular frame.

The Yonex DR98 is probably one of the more sought-after modern frames on the 'Bay, so I'd throw that in.

Other than that...meh...

 

[PrinceMoron]

I probably keep TWH in business. I dispose of most frames pretty quickly, for example Clash Tours.

Keepers (not particularly modern or in any order)
PS 85
PS Classic 6.1
Prestige Tour 600
RF97A
PB MId10
93P not sure about the 14x18 yet but the 18 x 20 yes

Quite liked the DR98+ but break too easily and hard to replace
Hopefully new version of Blade 98 18x20 will be back to form.

 

[retrowagen]

When models are revised annually, none of them will really ripen into “classic” status, I’d suggest. None of them stick around long enough, before the manufacturer markets something purportedly much better to replace it.

 

[Ronaldo]

How bout classics still in production?

 

[Dagobert]

These are some racquets I think would be worthy of consideration :

1. Wilson Pro Staff 90
2. Wilson Six One 95
3. Wilson RF97A
4. Prince Phantom Pro 93P
5. Babolat Aero Pro Drive Original
6. Babolat Pure Drive Original

What do y'all think?

I think that only three rackets have chance to really be rememered in the future:
1. Wilson Pro Staff 85
2. Fischer Vacuum pro 90
3. Kneissl White Star later Adidas GTX Lendl
Each one from the different reason.

 

[StringGuruMRT]

When models are revised annually, none of them will really ripen into “classic” status, I’d suggest. None of them stick around long enough, before the manufacturer markets something purportedly much better to replace it.

I agree with this completely! And I might be showing recency bias since I just got a great deal on one, but I would add the Wilson Pro Staff Tour 95 and 90. I tghink it was only around for a year before it made way for the nCodes... It filled a nice niche between the dark days of rollers, and Triad "players" racquets and the resurgence of Wilson domination!

 

[SOY78]

Wilson Ultra Tour
ProKennex Redondo
Head Prestige line before the graphene stuff...

 

[vsbabolat]

Wilson Ultra Tour
ProKennex Redondo
Head Prestige line before the graphene stuff...

I wonder how many more years HEAD will be pushing this BS Graphene on the consumer

 

[SOY78]

Whenever they decide to rename that tech to something else

 

[Karma Tennis]

Imo, two racquets will be talked about forever ...

2013 Babolat AeroPro Drive.
2017 Wilson Pro Staff RF97A (Black).

Why? Because of their universal popularity.

Similar to the Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph back in the day.

 

[droliver]

No new racquet of the last 15-20 years is ever really going to be a classic because the models are updated so frequently. They don’t have the staying power to become iconic. The Babolat PD and APD are the icons of the era (2000 and on), but the continuity is mostly in the paint scheme rather the the racquets, which have been significantly altered 7-8 times since the very first models in the 1990’s.

 

[onehandbh]

Yonex 95D.
Wilson K90

 

[Rosstour]

I'd drop some babolats and add the venerable C-10 and Pro kennex 5G.

Wow, second post. So I'm not imagining things!

I use the 7G, but it's the same sausage, different lengths.

No new racquet of the last 15-20 years is ever really going to be a classic because the models are updated so frequently. They don’t have the staying power to become iconic.

Gonna sound like a biased fanboy here, but the PK Kinetic 5/7G have been made since what, 2001? And still selling strongly. That's an 18-year span of steady player demand. Wouldn't that qualify as iconic/classic status? It was introduced 2 years before Fed even won a Slam.

 

[mhkeuns]

How are Pro Kennex lines divided? So hard to decide on demoing when I can’t tell what each line represents. Can any Pro Kennex experts describe their current line up? I have experiences hitting with Pro Kennex in the 80’s. The ones I used were Silver Ace and Black Ace. Which would be the modern equivalent to those classic frames from PK?

 

[max]

There are racquets every 4.0 and up should know about and have used. . . the Pro Kennex 5G and the Volkl C-10. I owned the 7G and it's a nice frame, but seemed a bit higher swingweight.

 

[WestboroChe]

How are Pro Kennex lines divided? So hard to decide on demoing when I can’t tell what each line represents. Can any Pro Kennex experts describe their current line up? I have experiences hitting with Pro Kennex in the 80’s. The ones I used were Silver Ace and Black Ace. Which would be the modern equivalent to those classic frames from PK?

I play with a Black Ace occasionally. Obviously the frames have evolved a lot over time. I would suggest the Q+ Tour line. They come in a variety of weights and I was impressed with my demo.

 

[mhkeuns]

I play with a Black Ace occasionally. Obviously the frames have evolved a lot over time. I would suggest the Q+ Tour line. They come in a variety of weights and I was impressed with my demo.

Is that Pro Kennex’s flagship model/line? Or, one of the most recently updated?

 

[maximus]

I would include the Pure Aero 2019 in the discussion. It is an amazing racquet!

 

[Crocodile]

Lacoste LT 13
Lleyton Hewitt's (Adelaide Crows) Blue and Red Yonex
Roger Federer's red laver cup RF
Marcus Bagdhatis Cyprus paint job of his Pacific/Fischer Frame
Andy Murray's Orange paint job of the PT57a

 

[WestboroChe]

Is that Pro Kennex’s flagship model/line? Or, one of the most recently updated?

Yes I think it is.

 

[mhkeuns]

I would include the Pure Aero 2019 in the discussion. It is an amazing racquet!

I thought the 2013 Aero was the best until I tried the 2019 version. The 2019 Pure Aero is one of the best rackets I’ve hit with period, not just the Aero line. I’m so impressed and pleased with the frame, and I don’t usually lean towards the tweeners. I think the Clash hype kind of lessened the impact of the 2019 Pure Aero release, but as far as the playability is concerned, the Pure Aero 2019 tops it in just about every category.

 

[WestboroChe]

I thought the 2013 Aero was the best until I tried the 2019 version. The 2019 Pure Aero is one of the best rackets I’ve hit with period, not just the Aero line. I’m so impressed and pleased with the frame, and I don’t usually lean towards the tweeners. I think the Clash hype kind of lessened the impact of the 2019 Pure Aero release, but as far as the playability is concerned, the Pure Aero 2019 tops it in just about every category.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that you feel that way and they also softened it up a bit. Those older Babs models were harsh.

 

[droliver]

Gonna sound like a biased fanboy here, but the PK Kinetic 5/7G have been made since what, 2001? And still selling strongly. That's an 18-year span of steady player demand. Wouldn't that qualify as iconic/classic status? It was introduced 2 years before Fed even won a Slam.

To be a classic or iconic raquet, I think most would say it has to have some association with the professional tour. Kennex as a brand is essentially invisible in this regard since the mid 1980's.

 

[Rosstour]

To be a classic or iconic raquet, I think most would say it has to have some association with the professional tour. Kennex as a brand is essentially invisible in this regard since the mid 1980's.

Ok, but you didn't mention anything about the pro tour in the post I was responding to, seems the goalposts moved a bit.

 

[maximus]

I thought the 2013 Aero was the best until I tried the 2019 version. The 2019 Pure Aero is one of the best rackets I’ve hit with period, not just the Aero line. I’m so impressed and pleased with the frame, and I don’t usually lean towards the tweeners. I think the Clash hype kind of lessened the impact of the 2019 Pure Aero release, but as far as the playability is concerned, the Pure Aero 2019 tops it in just about every category.

On point! I tried the APDs before but just couldn't learn to like it. With Pure Aero 2019, it was literally love at first hit. I was surprised as well. I used to play with control-oriented racquets (Dunlop Aerogel 2004D, Dunlop Aerogel4D 100, Dunlop Biomimetic 100, Dunlop Srixon CX Revo Tour 18x20) and also used briefly Babolat PD 2015 and the Head Graphene Touch Speed MP, but I can confidently say that Pure Aero 2019 is way better than all that I have used. It is arm friendly and very fun to use. Love the power, the control, touch, SPIN! It's just amazing!