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A bit expensive yes, no need for a larger bag for the majority of players

@@Tennisrally_ I do like a larger bag though. Annoying to have too many bags when travelling

Mayami Tour Hex at the moment in my blade v8 18x20 at 23/22kg

V8 18x20

Quite similar, very similar specs. Hard to spot and real differences. I would like to say the Tour 95 has a wider spread of mains in the string pattern and therefore a little higher launch and maybe a bit more spin potential. Not the most forgiving two racquets (compared to a Vcore 95). I did find it harder to control (Prince) at times, no big difference.

@@Tennisrally_ Thanks much for the reply & all the racket reviews posts otherwise 👍as always interesting to hear your thoughts & opinions☮

It’s a stiffer layup that provides with more “pop”/power out of the string bed. I string my Blades lower to access power while in a Strike maybe I would up 1kg in tension for comparison. The 16x19 is a completely different racquet but the 18x20 is as close as it gets a Blade in Babolat line up. Thicker frame, stiffer frame, string pattern is tighter in the middle and gets wider towards the edges which equals more forgiveness and more control when hitting the middle. Maybe a bit more “modern” and the Blade would be old school, constant thin beam and a standard 18x20 pattern

At the moment I am using Tour Hex from a smaller brand called Mayami. I tend to go for shaped polyester strings that are mid stiff, not to high but not soft

Of course I like my Blades more, therefore I am using them ;). I like the overall feel and visuals more of the Blades and also the specifications. Blade 18x20 would be more comparable with Prestige Pro

I don’t remember what I said in the video but I would assume I thought it was easier to use because of the 16x19 pattern and med headlight feel. Grip size should be equal

Why did you buy a pair if you thought they were too light and weren't sure if adding weight would help? Lightweight players racquets are a thing. If Alcaraz can be Alcaraz with a stock PA 98, it all comes down to preference.

@@roc_co I was given a pair because my old Babolat Pure Strike Tour 3rd Gen were defective, and I thought these would be the closest thing from the current lineup. Perhaps you're right about players' preferences changing, but personally I enjoyed the weight/swingweight of the previous generation. It felt they were way more meaty when you went after the ball. There is nothing really on the market like that anymore, save for the RF98 or whatever it's called, but I don't want to pay $300 for Federer's dumb signature (or to support the Wilson/ANTA brand).

@@NikoMalekMusic Yeah I was gonna say, I think the RF-01 Pro might be what you’re looking for. Maybe some version of the Prestige or Percept, too. Percept 97H maybe? I’m a Blade V9 18x20 user and have been side eyeing these new strikes for a while now. Either the 97 or the 100 16x20. The lighter swing weight is starting to appeal to me after demoing the 300g RF-01 and feeling like I could really go after the ball with a nice whippy shot.

Tour, there is simply no mass in the Pro 16x19. Can’t tell you which one is better when customized more though

Thanks! Just playing tournaments in Sweden. No special background, started playing when I was 10 years old 10 years ago. I play division 3 at the moment in our regional league.

Hello! First question: why can’t you play with the blade v7? Or do you just want a new frame?

@@Tennisrally_ I just want a new frame. My old blade v7 it is almost broken. Blade v8 and 9 i dont like. I try to choose between tf 40 16x19 and tf 40 18x20. Hard to choose , becacuse i like flat style of play but in the same time 18x20 its to demanding. Sometimes my backhands with 18x20 it too short

Check this out: T-fight 305 RS

23kg

@@Tennisrally_ in all of rackets?

@felipepoisson9734 yes

There was a thought in my mind but it never came down to that

@@Tennisrally_ still with vc95? Whats better about it

Playing with the Blade v8 18x20 since December last year. Enjoying that type of frame for my game currently

@@Tennisrally_ nice i see people leaving yonex a lot lately lol

I haven't actually tried the Blade v9 yet :D, only v8,v7,v6. I would say it's more powerful, less feel. The Pure Strike is more of a tweener frame and the Blade is a controlled type of frame so therefore quite different. More plowthrough on the Strike which for me makes it easier to put away balls with more power, not as maneuverable. For me the Blade 16x19 needs customization to become playable, not the same need on the Pure Strike 16x19

I would say it is very similar, the stiffness is slightly lower so maybe a bit more plush feeling. It’s still a Babolat, so not the most “feel” in comparison with other models and brands

Not much of a difference. If you don’t feel a need to buy a new racquet you should definitely stick with what you’ve got

@@Tennisrally_ Thanks. And very good videos 👍

Unfortunately I have never tried the Regna so I couldn’t tell you

Great to hear! The issue with the feel is a general problem with new Head racquets and their Auxetic 2.0. I won't say there's much difference from previous version but compared to the first version it definitely is. I like the Blade because you get what you give kind off. If I don't do the work the result won't be good, there is no shortcut around it. I of course like the added power and spin from an Extreme but at the moment not what I am looking for in a racquet my self. Fine on backhand, again, more swingweight to really make the frame push through the ball more and penetrate. Same on slices, a bit flimsy at times. Fast through the air but needs some mass behind it to really make some damage. Located near Gothenburg yes! Video recored at GLTK outdoor courts as well as Kungälvs Tennisklubb. I play tournaments here regurarly :)

@@Tennisrally_ Thanks for responding. I am yet to properly hit with any Auxetic 2.0 so its interesting to hear this. Not far long until I will demo the Head Auxetic 2.0's. With the first version you must be talking about the 360+ Extreme Tour ? Did you come to like them more? Definetely agreed that the Extreme needs to be weighted. What mass did you modify the Extreme Pro to ? Blade is different to the Extreme Tour. Do you have Blade v8 or v9? I just seen your using 18x20 Blade Which Blade have you liked the most? I noticed Blade lovers/users seem to stand by different models more than others I have found Blade is feel-control in 18x20 and feel-less control-spin in 16x19. So if you wanted get out what you put in than why not use Prestige's? I recall you did a good video on them a while ago. Or new Dunlop CX200 2024 which is like a Prestige but with re-weighting becomes even more playable and already is good serving racquet. Interesting on hearing about how Extreme Pro is similar. Hopefully it is not worse on Slices because for myself I found 2022 Auxetic Extreme Tour to be great on slices and of course one handed backhand. Kungälvs is a bit further north. Which league is your KTK in? For your main club-GLTK - Are you playing in Elitserien? Which Division do you play in? I believe GLTK plays Upsalla in December? And do you ever play in Dansk Leagues? Tysk Bundesliga? Would be interesting to see what level Tournaments are in Sverige one day but firstly need to find hitters when I go to Sverige again in the future

Yes, Graphene 360+. I never actually modified the Pro this time, just played it in stock form. Iv'e used the v8 18x20 since maybe December of last year. Never had to opportunity to try the v9. I actually quite like the v7 18x20, a bit more swingweight. When first hitting the blades I really liked the 16x19 untill I realised it really didn't have any effect on the ball, I made every shot almost but it never did any real damage to my opponent. I'm defenitely open for other racquets and I really like the Prestige, also played with CX200 Tour in the past (95 sq.in). It all comes down to specs, what the stock weight, balance and swingweight is. Prestige has to high static weight so I can't modify and get more swingweight without making the frame to heavy. We have no mens team in Kungälv, only Men 35 and over which plays in division 1. Me my self play for Påvelund TBK (not GLTK, just practiced there :D) We have a team playing Elitserien and they have performed really well last two years. I play in the second team in division 3. Never played any competetive tennis outside of Sweden, would be fun to try.

@@Tennisrally_ I think if you modify the Pro it will play better but I have to demo it to its full extent to know obviously. I found when I fully weighted the previous Auxetic Tour that it only improved. The v8 is quite popular and I know a few players and a coach using it. V9 is apparently from a number of sources, improved. Again I have to demo this(so many racquets on this journey). Know one semi pro player that loves the v9 16x19 so it must be doing something right. That is the thing with Wilson they do a minority of things good and a few lines great but then do some things poorly and some things(like bringing out 'RF' line instead of just making a 3rd Blade line) that are puzzling even if it makes 'marketing sen$e'... 'I actually quite like the v7 18x20, a bit more swingweight' I once had this racquet and in some of my earlier videos played tournament matches with it. Was ok but found it a bit clunky and while good on slices and serves, it was not very good on serves and it did not impress myself on groundstrokes. Then I picked up the Head Speed and Head Extremes and there was a difference. ' When first hitting the blades I really liked the 16x19 until I realised it really didn't have any effect on the ball, I made every shot almost but it never did any real damage to my opponent' It should though as 16x19 does provide more spin and power from the less dense pattern. Seems like you prefer flatter hitting and more precision? 'also played with CX200 Tour in the past (95 sq.in)' What about 98 sq inch one? I reviewed the 98 in the past. I think the CX200 98 is something you would like. ' Prestige has to high static weight so I can't modify and get more swingweight without making the frame to heavy' Do you think this is really that heavy though? Stan Wawrinka plays with 360+g and Carlos Moya had 400g at one point! Good to hear your club is doing well. Sounds like these Leagues have some serious depth. How do you think your club will go with first match in December Elitserien? Out of interest for the future contact what is your email? Would be interesting to do hits in Sverige and to hear more of your racquet journey as you are also one hander.

Customized Extreme will definitely be better! Just didn't have the time for it this time. We all have different technique and preferences so we will think differently about racquets, I for example really like the v7 on serves :) Many of these racquets are great, they just lack some in specs. Therefore you need to put more energy and money in to customizing them. I tried the CX200 (98 version), not a fan at all, didn't like the feeling and shape to it and not how it played (customized). Heavier racquets work for sure but the trend is to go lower in weight around 310-315g and a SW around 330-340. Feel like a heavier racquet played to slow at times and doesn't benefit my game that much. SW is more important for me. That is why I don't like the Blade 16x19 for example, no mass, SW. You can hit me up on Instagram in DM's and I can give you a way to contact me! Or you can contact me at reviews.tennisrally@gmail.com

I have to say I will not have the same knowledge when it comes to lighter versions of racquets, the tend to be stiffer and other specifications can differ from what I'm used to. In my opinion it doesn't make much of a difference at such young age since you will have to buy another racquets in short time again. They are all pretty alike so do what I would do, go for LOOKS! :)

@@Tennisrally_ Hi, thank you very much for your reply and I think we will continue with the Head Boom MP L, but we will try to test some racquets with the same string if possible. Regarding the racket string do you think it would be better to stay in multifilament for now or switch to monofilament already? What string would you choose for a 12-year-old girl? Thank you very much for your reply

Unless you have problems with the strings breaking to often you should always go multifilament. Next step is a hybrid with poly/multi and the you can go for a soft polyester string and so on. Slowly build up when the current setup does not work or does not have the same right amount of durability

I would go for a softer poly (a shaped one personally) if you are looking for control and spin while remaining some comfort. I really like Solinco Hyper-G, Mayami Tour Hex, something stiffer would be something like a Head Lynx Tour. All of these I like in 1.25mm gauge. Poly hybrids aren't nessecary if you're not looking for something special and extra.

The Blade is pure control racquet and the Extreme Pro is more a modern and versatile frame. I enjoy both of them and everyone will have their own opinion. Extreme will have more pop out of the string bed, better spin potential and a stiffer frame which I would string 1 or 2 kilograms tighter. I like the Blade 18/20 since it's very solid with a higher swingweight, something the Extreme is lacking.

@@Tennisrally_ Thx my Man!

In my opinion you can do it all, very versatile. 16/19 string pattern allows it to have good spin potential. But the denser mid part of the pattern allows me to play very flat as well. Not launchy like the Pure Strike 16/19 at all, a bit stiffer in feel.

@@Tennisrally_ Ouch, can't imagine playing with stiffer polys in this frame. I would swap the leather for synthetic to reduce the weight and make it more comfortable... ,)

Big difference, this racquet is much stiffer overall. If you have good technique with good flow it won’t be a problem but otherwise I would recommend the Blade all day

Personally I would stick between 22-24kg, I feel like higher tension will make it to stiff and lower tension will make it hard to control. But I always recommend to try your usual tension first and then if it doesn’t work out you can try something else

Thank you very much.

Have read that a higher tension works better due to the high launch angle. Although, this review is the first one that cites lots of power with a low launch angle, others have found that while it has more power than the Pro Staff, it is not that powerful of a racquet.

I don’t agree with you :)

@padflash It is not a powerful racquet but it as some power to it, not a control oriented racquet. A bit in the middle

Haven’t tried it yet. I spoke only with people that tested it and they found it low power, very solid and fast. I am referring to 300 version only. Strung at 20kg unlocks the sweet spot and power without loosing their signature control.

This stick is powerful for a player's stick, or at least when compared to my Blade 98 v7 anyway. It allows me to take it easy with my swing, it feels like i'm playing pingpong, super effortless.