Yonex MP-Tour 1 XF 98

Maestro Nalbandian

Professional
I have chance to pick up a brand new Yonex MP-Tour 1 XF at a bargain price. For people who have experience with this racquet, what do you think of it? Is't harder to use than RDS 003? Is it a player's racquet with extended length or just another tweener?

Head Size:
98 sq. in. / 632 sq. cm.
Length: 27.5 inches / 70 cm
Strung Weight: 11.3oz / 320g
Balance: 5pts Head Light
Swingweight: 329
Stiffness: 65
Beam Width: 20 mm Straight Beam
Composition: High Modulus Graphite / Ultimum Ti
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
String Tension: 55-65 pounds
 

soggyramen

Professional
yeah that's a players racquet alright the MP Tour was the model before the RDX 500 and the RDS 001. never seen the XL version though
 

counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
I had one when they first came out something like 4 to 5 years ago. It was a nice players racquet that did most things well, but I recall my biggest gripe was the lack of stability compared to the heavier standard length version.

It is fairly easy to use, in comparison to the RDS003. It definitely had less power, was more flexible, had a smaller sweetspot and probably a touch more stability.
 

Maestro Nalbandian

Professional
yeah that's a players racquet alright the MP Tour was the model before the RDX 500 and the RDS 001. never seen the XL version though

MP Tour 1 XF is quite different to the standard mid version - MP tour 1 which is a reknowned players racquet. The connection between the two are like difference between RQiS Tour 1 and RQiS Tour 2, maybe. As most might know RQiS Tour 2 is really an intermediate racquet. That's what I'm trying to find out - is the XF a players racquet?
 

counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
It has the same stiffness as 003 why was it more flexible? Maybe was the straight beam design?
I believe that the TW specs are incorrect as there is no way that the RDS003 has a flex of 65. I play with the RDS001 mp and its flex is 68 (which I feel is accurate), the flex of the RDS003 is imo somewhere around 68 to 70 as it plays even stiffer.

From memory TW initially listed the flex of the RDS001 mp at something like 65 and then updated it at a later stage to 68. I also believe as you have stated that the straight beam adds to the more flexible feel.
 

counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
That's what I'm trying to find out - is the XF a players racquet?
While I'm not exactly sure why you need to make this distinction, I would say that if falls more in the player racquet's category than a tweener or intermediate. Take note that there are a lot of tour players using Pure Drives (most likely modified), so who is to say that a tweener is not a player's racquet : )
 

OrangeOne

Legend
While I'm not exactly sure why you need to make this distinction,

^^ Agreed 100% - why the need to categorise?

I can't imagine the .7oz drop from the standard MP-Tour-1 would suddenly turn this racquet on it's head, it should still be a lower-power 'generate your own pace' sort of frame, in fact, the weight drop may even be nice in conjunction with the extended length....
 

Maestro Nalbandian

Professional
While I'm not exactly sure why you need to make this distinction, I would say that if falls more in the player racquet's category than a tweener or intermediate. Take note that there are a lot of tour players using Pure Drives (most likely modified), so who is to say that a tweener is not a player's racquet : )

I'm not exactly wanting to make this distinction just for the sake of it but want to make sure it's a racquet that I can built my game with as my skills improve. Tweeners like RQiS 2 are only good for up to a certain level of play (4.0?) then you need to modify (which I want to avoid) as you've mentioned and most tweeners are too light for me anyway. The specs of this racquet looks good on papar but I can't demo it before I commit and that is why I want to know if it's an advanced racquet from people who have experience with it.
 
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counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
It's a decent racquet on which you can certainly build your game around, it does most things well : flat serve, spin, comfort, touch, all with a little power. If you can get one at a bargain price you really can't go wrong.

IMO it is a somewhat string sensitive racquet, and if I knew then what I have experienced now with different string types, I wouldn't have sold it off a couple of years ago before I tried more than two set ups on it.
 

OrangeOne

Legend
I'm not exactly wanting to make this distinction just for the sake of it but want to make sure it's a racquet that I can built my game with as my skills improve. Tweeners like RQiS 2 are only good for up to a certain level of play (4.0?) then you need to modify

Seriously, don't believe the myths of these boards quite *that* much! Need to modify? Tweeners? Only good for up to 4.0? All myths on these boards.

Hingis played with frames like the RQiS tour her whole career (and she often played with the actual frame, not a paintjob), and she was just a little better than 4.0....
 

Maestro Nalbandian

Professional
Seriously, don't believe the myths of these boards quite *that* much! Need to modify? Tweeners? Only good for up to 4.0? All myths on these boards.

Hingis played with frames like the RQiS tour her whole career (and she often played with the actual frame, not a paintjob), and she was just a little better than 4.0....

Hingis I believe uses the RQS 11 which is really too light for me. She might kill me with that racquet but it doesn't mean I will play my best tennis with her racquet. Rule of thumb is to use the heaviest racquet you can handle for an extended period of play. My comfortable weight is around 11.5-11.8oz but most tweeners are below that range. So myths they might be there are still some truth in them:)
 
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Maestro Nalbandian

Professional
It's a decent racquet on which you can certainly build your game around, it does most things well : flat serve, spin, comfort, touch, all with a little power. If you can get one at a bargain price you really can't go wrong.

IMO it is a somewhat string sensitive racquet, and if I knew then what I have experienced now with different string types, I wouldn't have sold it off a couple of years ago before I tried more than two set ups on it.

Thank you for all the feedbacks counterpuncher. Good to hear that you rate the racquet well. I think I'm going to get it. Care to share a bit more on the string issues you mentioned?
 

Automatix

Legend
Well the truth is that with better stroke technique, preparation, balance managment, a high level player can play against heavy hitters with a really light racquet because even light racquets give good stability when used properly... for example I know a former pro who trained but had issues with his knee which canceled preety much everything for him. He play with some RDX which final weight is about 300g and believe me, what he does with this stick is amazing, he regularly beats a giant who plays juniors and has a huge serve and that serve or any other stroke for that matter doesn't seem to make any impression on this guy...

Yes, the first rule is to play with the heaviest racquet possible but if you have excellent technique you can go play with a lighter racquet and still have enough stability to handle heavy hitters.

I have crappy technique so I have to play with something stable itself ;-)
 

OrangeOne

Legend
Hingis I believe uses the RQS 11 which is really too light for me. She might kill me with that racquet but it doesn't mean I will play my best tennis with her racquet.

You missed my point, which was that racquet weight is not intrinsically linked to ability / level.

Rule of thumb is to use the heaviest racquet you can handle for an extended period of play.

I'd subscribe to the above more if you said "highest swingweight" instead of heaviest, but I agree nonetheless.

My comfortable weight is around 11.5-11.8oz but most tweeners are below that range. So myths they might be there are still some truth in them:)

A single case does not prove or disprove a myth, and again - you missed my point, which is that racquets do not necessarily go 'in order' based on weight for one's tennis 'career', so to speak.
 

counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
Care to share a bit more on the string issues you mentioned?

A good string in this racquet would be a good high end multi like X-One Biophase, IsoSpeed Professional or Yonex 850 Pro. If you are a poly user (which I am) then a softer co-poly like Poly Plasma or Cyber Power will work well as they seem to in all Yonex player frames that I have tried them in.

I made the mistake of using Alu Power in this frame which gave it a tinny feel followed by Lux Monotec Supersense which felt nice but had absolutely no bite or power. Big Ace which I currently use in my RDS001 might work well if you like that crisp feel over the softer or mushier feel, but this is a little too crisp for my liking in a stiffer racquet such as the RDS001.

If you are to go with poly then I would string in the lower 50's - I generally use 52lbs mains and 50lbs crosses which works well with some nice controllable power, good spin and a good sized sweetspot, which is a little smaller with this racquet. With the multis something like 56lbs m's /54lbs x's would work well.
 
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Maestro Nalbandian

Professional
A good string in this racquet would be a good high end multi like X-One Biophase, IsoSpeed Professional or Yonex 850 Pro. If you are a poly user (which I am) then a softer co-poly like Poly Plasma or Cyber Power will work well as they seem to in all Yonex player frames that I have tried them in.

I made the mistake of using Alu Power in this frame which gave it a tinny feel followed by Lux Monotec Supersense which felt nice but had absolutely no bite or power. Big Ace which I currently use in my RDS001 might work well if you like that crisp feel over the softer or mushier feel, but this is a little too crisp for my liking in a stiffer racquet such as the RDS001.

If you are to go with poly then I would string in the lower 50's - I generally use 52lbs mains and 50lbs crosses which works well with some nice controllable power, good spin and a good sized sweetspot, which is a little smaller with this racquet. With the multis something like 56lbs m's /54lbs x's would work well.


Interesting. I'm experimenting with different multis at the moment, how do you rate yonex 850 pro (and super 850) amongst high end multis? It seems there are mixed feelings about yonex multis on this board, some even say they are rubbish. I liked the feel of 880ti personally, its very soft and offers enough power, slightly less than NRG2 16 but lasts twice as long.
 
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counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
IMO Yonex 850 Pro is a great multi, it felt a little stiffer than X-One and NRG 2 (both 18 gauge) that I tried, but it gave me the same amount of spin and string movement was less than any synthetic gut or multi that I have tried or seen.

I have always found with any Yonex frame that I have tried including the latest batch (RDS002 tour, RDS001 mp, RQiS 1) that stringing the crosses lower than the mains gives a better feel and larger sweetspot.
 

Maestro Nalbandian

Professional
I have always found with any Yonex frame that I have tried including the latest batch (RDS002 tour, RDS001 mp, RQiS 1) that stringing the crosses lower than the mains gives a better feel and larger sweetspot.

Interesting, I will give that a try then. Do you go by the 5% lower method or just 2lbs less?

The racquet is a size 2, I have built it up to size 3 with a heat sleeve. Yonex recommend 50-60 pounds for size 2 and 55-65 pounds for size 3 and above :confused:? I usually like to string my racquets with mid tension but now I'm a little confused.
 

counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
5% of a tension in the 50's is between 2-3 lbs so whether you go 2lbs or 3lbs is entirely up to you, I've generally stuck with 2lbs, but will most likely try 3lbs on my next string job.

I believe that Yonex generally has different tension ranges for the different grip sizes as their racquet weight generally changes with grip size. Personally I haven't really paid much attention to it and have generally more adapted the tension to the head size.

Here are some tensions that I have used :

100" V-Con 17 L2 with heat shrink sleeve - 56/54 with poly (needed to go higher than this)
98" RDS002 Tour L3 - 54/52 with poly
98" RD Ti 80 L3 - 55/53 with poly (needed to go lower than this)
98" RDS001 mp L3 - 53/51 with poly
98" RDX500 mp L3 - 55/53 with poly (needed to go lower than this)
98" MP1 Tour L3 - 55/53 with poly (needed to go lower than this)
98" MP1 XF Tour L3 - 55/53 with poly (needed to go lower than this)
95" RQiS 1 Tour L2 - 52/50 with poly
 
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