Hey Beckett! Love your videos. I tried 10+ racquets this year and landed on both the Gravity Pro and Percept 97 (which were a huge shock to me that you didn’t like them) and this is coming from a HUGE Federer fan who has been waiting to love the Pro Staff. The PS97 was great but the other two gave were honestly a whole tier above it. I guess the lesson is to always try racquets even though it’s a hassle. There’s only so much one can do in describing feel over a video using words. Always look forward to your uploads and I really like your perspectives of the game!
Subjectivity is the name of the game when it comes to tennis racquets. The technology has really stabilized over the past 20 years and basically nothing is "better" than anything else. Racquets are all so good these days!
I put 2 grams of lead at 2&10 on my percept 97 which opens the sweet spot a little and adds much needed plow through. Enjoy. FYI, It is probably the best volleying racquet I have ever used.
he may not like the Gravity Pro and Percept 97 becuase they are a spin based and control racquet, and power has to be generated forcefully in those racquets, as well as control, they both offer great control but you need to add power to the mix of spin to control the ball, one of which this guy is not in strong suite for
It's funny that you classify Shift as Shi*t especially that your friend from MPTennis almost switched to that one :) And he looks like pretty decent player :P
The quality of the player has nothing to do with the quality of the racquet. A good player can win with anything. It takes someone truly bad to know when to blame their racquet.
You convinced me with whiteout 18x20(regular), definite upgrade from babolat boost drive. It forced me to focus on my technique, and i have been rewarded with better attacking and consistent shots. Thanks to you i didnt have to do a million demos. I am still trying to figure out stringing thou. I did try poly, but found it too stiff. Went with velocity mlt, and it feels ideal (for now). I tried the cyclone, didn’t like the stiffness, waited a few week for the tension to drop and it feels great. Do you recommend poly at a low tension if so what would it be? (Considering i liked my mlt strung at 52lbs)
These days (in the colder BC weather) I'm string at 46lbs and might drop it even more to 43lbs on my next job. As things heat up towards Summer I'll likely increase to 48lbs or so.
I've recently put the Fed setup in mine, so gut in the mains and ALU power rough in the crosses. It feels and sounds amazing. Depends on your climate though.
Which one do you like more Grapplesnake m8 tour vs Restring zero? Which one would play better on my frame? RF97 v13. I’m just looking for an overall best string, nothing too niche.
Tour M8 all the way. Spin and durability go to Zero, but I think the feel and control you get with M8 are more than worth it. My buddy uses Zero in his RF97 but I can tell he'd benefit from a little more control in that open of a pattern.
Prince tour ats 98, is definitely my racket of choice in 2023. It’s just easy to do everything with it. Since I couldn’t find a review video, why don’t you just try it. I like the video, nice presentation and great effort. Thanks
Bab Pure Aero was my racquet of 2023, I was blown away by the power and spin I was able to get, my neutral shots felt so much beefier than normal I REALLY understand why 98% of the tour uses it now 😂
The best control racquet this year for me is the Technifibre TF-40 305 18x20, an absolute delightful frame when paired witn a nice multi like X-One Biphase. Best overall racquet was the Technifibre T-Fight 295 because it's a 100 and can be customized with more weight if you want add some. The Head Gravity Pro was the second best overall racquet, pair it with a hybrid setup with natural gut in the mains and it's outstanding. Best power racquet was the Technifibre TF-X1 285. Crazy power frame that can easily be customized and the foam filled frame gives it a great sound and feel. Yes I'm biased, I love TF frames this year, I think they have really been cooking lately.
What do you think would be the best string for a head radical mp? I’m an intermediate and I am very fit. I am used to multifilaments and want to try poly.
You've got some bizzare opinions on equipment, Beckett, but I always love watching these videos because the dryly delivered humor is so goddamn good. Loved watching this today, regardless of how much I disagree with some of the rankings haha
Finally tried the ProStaff and I thought it was so uncontrolled. I was pretty surprised. Maybe a bad frame? My brother is returning it in fact since his old N-code is still better for him.
does the XTD have a huge difference compared to the regular for an average height player like 5'9 to handle ? Or is it simply just a little bit heavier but more stable to handle?
The extra length isn't super noticeable honestly. My dad is your height and he prefers XL racquets. John Isner uses XL, but so does Diego Schwartzman, so I actually don't think height matters that much when it comes to racquet length.
Best over all strings in two categories; Head Lynx Touch in Poly, and Technifiber Triax in multifilament. Just my opinion. And I think the Gravity Pro with Auxetic plays the same as my first edition Gravity Pro 360+. All Gravity Pro iterations excel in control with moderate power using Lynx touch. It also has great arm comfort and similar control and moderate power for those of us who are arm sensitive, strung with Triax. The Gravity Pro's in all iterations have great swing weight and plow through which gives stability with either string. Just my opinion.
haha - your opinion is different to many others - but I like that you stick to your guns! I always enjoy your content. I am currently on the Vcore100. My string setup is hybrid - Grapple snake - Alpha and Game changer (spin) on mains. It's sweet! Power and spin and so comfy on the arm.
Hey, I’m just wondering what you would recommend between the FX 500 and Vcore 100, I want a racquet That can give a lot of power and spin, be able to hit a fast ball with some force behind it but still be able to hit balls with a lot of topspin, yet be controllable. So which one of does racquets has better mix of power, spin, and control. If you know a better racket, then tell me I need a new racket desperately. 😢 hope you a good day.
Oh no here comes the urge to try out the whiteout XTD. Sadly the 18x20 is out of stock but will definitely try it out once it comes back. Hope the butt cap has more rounded corners like head so it doesnt scrape my skin off every game
"I would rather not play any tennis at all than play with the Wilson Shift".... yeeeee-ouch.... was going to demo it just to see what it was all about, but not after that bombshell of a comment!
VCore 95 was the worst ... for the first time in years I skipped the upgrade. Is just awful (the entire line is a no no). Percept is not bad, and new Gravity Pro is kind of awesomeù
I didnt like the 2021 vcore line, - the 2023 line might be the line with biggest changes made to any line. Its a huge difference. I hated my backhands on 2021 line - with 2023 100 I am hitting best backhands ever and no change in technique. The 100 took some time to dial in but once I did, I have hit some of the best shots in my life where it just feels so good. Techinique and then going for your strokes is the key. It doesn’t reward average swings. You have to commit, then it rips. So its a more demanding racket in that way. Never thought I would be playing ever again with a vcore.
@@jean-pierreuys1554 i prefer the 2019 version of VCore, but 2021 was not bad. Head Gravity Pro is the best racquet on the market since few years, not for everyone but is insanely fantastic
After revealing your pick for worst racquet of the year it got me wondering who else had named their pick for worst racquet? No one had. I'd like to see a list of the top 5 worst racquets of 2022/2023. I think it would be funny.😂
second this! I'm currently using the SX 300 Tour and I'm just waiting for another vote of confidence before pulling the trigger on the PS VS. Damn, can't wait! 🤭
I just went back to 16/19 after 25 years of 18/20 and now you praise the glory of an 18/20 Whiteout?? The "worst racquet" choice IS a bold Claim, I almost felt the urge to demo IT. Nice video overall, despite there being a whole month left for this year to cover. I could even agree with the selection If only I had tested these racquets. But your String of the year I can definetly confirm, lol.
People, ya gotta demo the racquets for yourself!!! There are sooo many good racquets these days. Yes, I look at all the reviews. There are good insights within those vids, but how a racquet feels is so personal.
I think the most controlled string of all time is a 3 way tie between Luxilon 4G, Babolat RPM Power and Grapplesnake Paradox Pro. Lux 4G feels like a normal string, but the other two are weird performers that deliver control more like gut would. Here's the link to the membership, thanks for watching/supporting! ru-vid.com/show-UCR_J5swRE-l-8t0p9WrNIfwjoin
The PS V14 is an excellent control racquet no doubt. The Yonex Percept 97D is comparable and anyone who plays with either one of these can easily transition. Same with the Head Gravity Pro.
I recently got into tennis and was shopping for rackets and watched a lot of your videos. I end up picking up a used Head Speed MP500 2022 and been enjoying it. Keep up the great work and wishing you more success :)
You really think the 23 gravity pro is not better than the 20 version? I disagree… it’s more solid yet more buttery than older version. And does not feel like 330 swing weight either. Moves quicker too. Every time I try anything else and then go back to it, it’s a no brainer that it feels as good as it performs.
I grew up playing with stiff Babolats. I prefer more vibration and boardiness. I like buttery feels too, but in 100's it can feel more vague than I like. I don't think its objectively better... just subjectively. To me, stability, power, spin, control are all pretty much in line, any variance could easily be chalked up to QC. But the feel part is subjective.
@@TennCom perhaps feel is subjective. But be that as it may, it felt noticeably better than older version to me. Love at first hit. Sublime was not a word I used to describe the older version (and I have 2 of them).
Nice. Control: PSv14 yes! 🎉 Overall: gonna try the Solinco and de Vcore 95. What would you recommend for a whippy racket that enables making crazy angels (not only with spin). While maintaining good overall play.
Any problems in the past with Wilson? I have spent two years testing all the strings, shoes and rackets on the market. Price-quality, the best there is right now in shoes is K-Swiss, in strings is Völkl and the best rackets of 2023 are the Head Gravity Auxetic and the Wilson Shift 99. No one pays me and I have paid for all these tennis materials because I wanted to test the market 🎾 🧐
I haven't had any problems in the past with Wilson. I like how innovative they are with the Shift, Clash and Trinitis, but also sometimes the Blade and Prostaff refreshes can be a bit boring. KSWISS is elite for shoes agreed.
@@TennCom For me it is perfect that Völkl and K-Swiss do not spend money on advertising, so they are better and cheaper brands. As for Wilson, for me the Shift is the best racket of the brand and of 2023. Greetings from Barcelona (Spain). By the way, I hate the Clash haha
Have you tried any of the Prestige line for control entries? The Tour '21 is amazing for control, and I'd argue is the best 95 sq in head on the market.
I haven't tried the last few versions as I heard there was much change from the 360+ and I loved that 95. Just liked my VCORE 95 at the time a little better.
PA98 for sure. The low launch of the 18x20 can be a bit tricky for a rec player. PA98 does a ton of work for you so long as you are committed to swing.
Great video man! Of course except your hot take on the shift, which I think is a pretty good stick. Thoughts on the radical pro? Surprised you didn’t mention it since it was the winner of what you customized and sent to your mp tennis buddy.
Winner because he liked it, not because I did. I had the racquet for months and it just sat because I didn't feel like it was interesting enough to warrant a full review.
I think it is a great video for me, I am excited about the dunlop fx500 v23, but it is not available in Turkey unfortunately😢 there is an old version of fx500 in Turkey. Do you have any suggestions?
I haven't tried the previous version. Going through the technical info, there do seem to be pretty substantial updates. My 2nd choice for a power 100 would be the EZONE 100.
there are different ways to say "this sucks," when i make the dedicated reviews, im focused on providing serious consumer advice, mainly, being useful. Saying X racquet sucks isnt useful as consumer advice. Watch the end of the Shift review again and see if you can read in between the lines
i just havent tried the 16x19 and felt like the 18x20 gave me enough spin. in retrospec, i do not like stringing the 18x20 and wish i gave the 16x19 more a shot due to laziness but not enough to warrant an investigation
TW reviewers said the 18x20 was better than the wo16x19 and they were surprised at the amount of spin the 18x20 generates - more than the average 18x20.
BTW saying the Percept 97 sucks cracks me up...agreed that the whole line is way over-hyped, same goes for the Prestige line. The only racquet that intrigues me is the Percept 97H, only because some of you crazies have gotten me thinking about recoil weight, and that one at spec should be right where I should want it to be (165)
Yeah - since I'm 5'10 and have long arms, I should be around 165, and sure enough many of the sticks I've loved are in that range. I actually modified my Extreme Tours to get to 165rw, and they're playing pretty hot for me@@TennCom
Just not fully convinced if recoil weight is really all that important or not - I get that in the ballpark makes sense, but getting it dialed in within +/- 1 of your ideal rw seems pretty intense.
@@jorgetirado3201 i have some extended thoughts about this and my 163 RW whiteouts and my tennis elbow. will discuss soon once i organize my feelings/thoughts coherently
I may have missed it, have you tried the Yonex Vcore 98 Tour? I think you would like it over the Vcore 95 and several other racquets if not. It's my 2023 racquet of the year.
@@TennCom The VCORE 98 Tour specs make it, more stable than the VCORE 100, 98 and 95, more precise, and a much better, although still a bit muted feel. It's point and shoot capabilities are superb from the baseline, volleys are effortless, and also precise, and serves are phenomenal for me with this frame. I get heavier spin than I do with my VCORE 95 2023, VCORE 98 2023, and VCORE 100 2023 (which was a disappointment). The ball hits heavier, and most of all, I'm winning more with this frame without changing my mechanics (probably due to the increased power, spin, and precision/depth I get with my shots). I can't convince you, and I doubt many people will gravitate to this frame, but I thought the EZONE 98 Tour was the end-all-be-all frame, and here we are with a better frame. Thanks for all of your hard work and videos to keep us informed! I use Poly Tour Pro 17 mains/Wilson Sensation 16 crosses, both at 53lbs.
@@Coach_A22 do you think one could add weight to the standard VC98 to achieve the same effect or does the layup feel different to you? One of my concerns is that adding weight to the VC98 never worked for me at all. I got close, but eventually the additional force from the heavier racquet meant i was ripping through strings in only a few hours
@@TennComI have tested every VCORE and EZONE since coming back to tennis in 2016. I tinkered with adding weight and always found that stock form was just the better feel. I have never had a Yonex frame frighteningly out of spec. I think the layups are a bit different and it would be hard to get the same feel. On the other hand, I tried to weight up my EZONE 98 to make it feel like the EZONE 98 Tour and that never felt right or worked for me. Also, not mentioned in my previous post, our swing mechanics are very different. I like a heavier frame and 7+ pt balance which works with my long loopy strokes. You may like a lighter, 3-4 HL, frame to whip through your more modern swing.
Thanks for the video. Always enjoyable watching your content. What’s this restring zero? I’ve never heard of restring zero. Is restring zero new? I think I’ll try restring zero.
@@raychayyc I string it higher than most poly's to retain control but still maybe 1-2lbs lower than a multi. Some people find Zero stiff through so beware on that front.
It is. It's really hard to tell the pro's and con's given that I have my standard length version modified and the XTD is stock. The reason I can't really consider the XTD is that I don't want to be constantly adjusting my game to standard length racquets to make reviews, then adjusting to the XTD when I play matches.
@@TennCom Makes sense, I play with the regular at the moment but always wonder how an extended frame would change the feeling when you're actually playing
@azure159 The xd might slow down your swing, give you more "plow", and hinder your ability to maneuver the racquet. That's what happened to me when using an extended frame.
thanks Max! I probably won't. The specs don't seem different enough from the standard version to peak my curiosity and things don't quite lineup with what I'm looking for in a frame right now. I'm pretty excited about the new Pure Strikes. Those will probably be next on my list.
@@TennCom makes sense 👍🏼 last question for ya… have you noticed (either yourself or with others) any elbow issues coming from that Pure Aero 98? Not sure if that’s a me problem or a racket problem. tension is low, 49 lbs with head lynx tour string so it shouldn’t be string related Thanks for all you do, and cheers to an awesome 2024
@@MaxWeishan thanks for watching and commenting! Usually stiffness doesnt hit my elbow, it hits my wrist. Silver 7 Tour at 52lbs was too much for me in that stick so i went to Wasabi at 48lbs and was totally fine. Maybe its because Lynx Tour is very responsive (as opposed to muted) so its translating more vibration
For me, the key to a good spin racquet is maneuverability. To me, the SX's swing way too slow for a 320 swingweight (though the demo's I got from my local shop could have been off) which kills spin. If you check Tennis Warehouse's twistweight, the SX comes in a 15, which is too high for a spin racquet IMO. I understand why they've done this, because the Pure Aero's have high twistweights too, but I've also struggled to see the value of the Pure Aero 100's as spin sticks for the last 7 years. Good all-around? Yes. Good for spin? Not for me.
@@PorkBelly99 to me, the PA100's greatest strength is comfort to stability ratio for its weight. At 300g, the racquet can stand up to very heavy balls without feeling overly stiff.
@@chris20001 but in general i think some balls are definitely worth the price. Head/Penn Tour balls last a lot longer than anything else I've tried. I don't think the Dunlop ATPs or US Opens are worth it due to durability, though they do feel nice when fresh. Usually I just buy Propenn Marathons
its not objectively bad, but there is a variable flex which im not a fan of. When you swing vertically (like a looping topspin ball) it's quite soft, but if you swing horizontally (flat drive) it's quite stiff. I don't like this, I want my racquets to feel the same on every shot.
Disagree 180! Didn't expect much but the Percept and Shift are actually my two favorite rackets of the year. And I hate the Vcore line. Tennis is weird.
