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
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.
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.
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.
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'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
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.
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.
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.
"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!
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.
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.
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.😂
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 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.
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! 🤭
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.
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.
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 :)
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.
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! th-cam.com/channels/R_J5swRE-l-8t0p9WrNIfw.htmljoin
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).
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.
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.
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
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.
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 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
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 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.
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.
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
@@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
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.
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.
No bs. Just pure personal opinions about racquets and strings. Congratulations
some may call this 100% BS hahaha
Thanks for all of the great content this year!
thanks so much for your support Daniel!
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!
Percept was way better, in my own opinion, the staff was not even on the list
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
The best racket 2023 for me is the Tr960 control tour , the Gael Monfils racket, is a real prostock racket -only 110€
Just direct personal opinion about racquets without sugar coating the bad ones. Just what we want to see in a video. THANK YOU.
This guy is clueless. Just recommends the latest shop racquets.....oh wait, he works in tennis shop!
you are my least favourite commenter at this point
2:50 You could have a “cool” wall like top gear and have it as a “bit” in each vid. Like rate it “uncool” to “sub-zero”
the cool wall was my favourrite segment from top gear it was gut wrenching to see it go away hahaha
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.
If you have a control racket (for example Pro staff 97) what type of a string should you use?
Thanks
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.
You may enjoy triax.
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.
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
Thanks man. It's on my list of potential future reviews for sure.
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 😂
You forgot the comma - 9,8% use it. hahaha. It's on my demo list. Tried the 100, but the 98 seems the way to go.
98 or 100?
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.
TF has been doing a great job I wish they were a little more present in my country
@@TennCom I agree, I live in Canada too :)
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.
Head Hawk Power is one of the best strings I've tried
What tension?
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'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
whats my worst take?
@@TennComthat the shift is the worst 2023 😭
@@EdgarVarelaSandoval thats my best take xD
@@TennCom Labeling the V14 pro staff "uncool" because of Federer bros and not because of its hideous bronze paint job haha
@@LunarEclipsism1 the bronze paint is baller and adds cool points imo
Well, you lost me completely with your Shift analysis. Seriously, poor take.
It’s his opinion, and what he sees as a good racket, everyone’s preference is different
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.
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.
Give us more details what the best 21:21 WO305XTD 28? or 22:21 WO305XTD 27.5?
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.
Thank you for the detailed explantions you give & the play testing you do! They are invaluable!
"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!
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.
bad strings maybe
Same. Pro Staff felt like too much uncontrolled power for me.
@@footfunk510 glad we weren't the only ones. it's a wild departure from the former pro staffs imo
Finally someone calls out the GP. It's muted and vague
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.
G-Snake is the key to the destruction of your opponents
@@TennComI tried grapplesnake sniper and I didn’t like it am I banned from the tenncomm channel? 😓
I have my Vcore 100 setup with full bed HyperG, and it feels awesome
@@TennComwhat strings do you recommend for a Vcore 100 for an controlled spin oriented player
@@alng16 If you like hyper G but wanted more control & longevity, try hyper G main with Confidential crosses. Same gauge
Regna
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.😂
It's actually pretty hard to make a legitimately bad racquet these days, which is why the clash is so impressive
Yonex VCORE 95 with Head Lynx Tour is the best setup.
Great vid! 🙏🏽
Saying the Shift is the worst racket of the year and then showing a pro saying it’s actually a good racket is an interesting move
Radical MP last 2 versions are so similar. Just more muted on the latest version…
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
t'wasn't an issue for me but I wrap my grips pretty low
@@TennCom alright should be fine then as long its not TF box grip shape. If it feels better than Gravity Pro then another change is on the cards
@@Yo_keebs yeah its more like a Wilson-y shape to me
I'm absolutely sure that advanced club players have no chance to win a full clear game vs pro with wooden frame
How controversial you want this video to be?
-yes
If Gravity Pro is not here, we riot.
ill get my pepper spray
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.
The things about the Wilson Shift is that it's not that bad. Racquets these days are all quite decent.
2023 vcore 95 YYDS
😂nice to see someone sharing my prejudice that using a Pro Staff is super uncool. But man does this racquet line play nice
Just the key is improving your game , swing faster etc . Just watch how Dimitrov plays with wooden sticks
What about the pure strike vs 97 ? What happend to the honeymoon ?
follow up vid on the way once i get a dialed in spec
@@TennCom im using 332sw 340gr 31.8cm balance strung with overgrip and loving it ❤️
I like it with lots of lead at 10/2 and top of handle. Static is 348
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! 🤭
Didnt really like the restring zero its behind tour sniper and wasabi for me
As a whole package I agree 100%
My racquet of the year is the girl reading this;)
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.
This is not true. Our word is law and literally the only thing you should take into account.
PA98 vs. WO18x20; which one is easier to use for the average rec. player?
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.
#1 racket of the year Head Prestige MP/Pro
Not even an honorable mention for GrappleSnake Gamechanger for best spin strings?
not new for 2023
Interesting reviews. I think the Wilson Pro Staff is the coolest racket. For me it has been the racket of choice for 30+ years.
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 :)
Thanks! Good luck with your new Speed!
Your chicken wing forehand looks a lot like Sinners...so don't ever doubt it again.
thank you this comment went straight to my ego
Praises the radical mp which is basically the same as last years frame but dogs the gravity which got the same treatment lol
i think the updates to the new Rad have it feeling more stable, more solid, less hard. All good. Things that Gravity didn't need.
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.
All 3, WO, PS97 v14 and VC95 are racquets that helps me find those angles, probably better than any other new racquets available today.
Speed pro black is my racket of choice!!
Hey Beckett, what is the most controlled string av all time and how do I become a member
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! th-cam.com/channels/R_J5swRE-l-8t0p9WrNIfw.htmljoin
I’ve been playing with my tour 310 while trying new but keep going back to them even though I play just fine with them. Addiction is real.
Hi there, I'm not a robot and I support this video!
Have you tried the 1.30 tour sniper, just wondering if you had any thoughts?
I haven't. Didnt bother since I don't have durability issues with 1.25mm in my usual setups
A lot of people shifted their pants after seeing your worst racket of the year....
hahaha
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).
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.
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 need a Restring Zero mention count for this video, must be over a dozen times
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
As an absolute Dunlop Lover, THANK YOU!!
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.
@@TennCom pure drive? Is ezone 100 better than it?
I'll stick with my 1981 Maxply
Hello, I thought you fell in love with the pure Strike vs…
i do like it and will make a follow up once i get the specs dialed in. Racquet came out in 2022 so not new for this year
Beckett you gotta try Toroline Enso Pro! New 2023 toroline string
100%
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 use the regular head hawk and the speed mp black. I love it so much
Why did you not like the 16x19 whiteout nearly as much as the 18x20? I feel like you have a spin oriented game
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.
Totally agree, have the FX 500 & SX300 Tour
Did Alcaraz switch to the new Aero 98?
yeah you can tell by the shape of the grommets and 6 and 12 o'clock. New stick has normal grommets and the old one has spin grommets
The best string control of all times is Head Hawk 1.25 white in low tension (48-42 lbs)
Hawk Touch has better control and confort
@@nakmuay5034 It's more comfortable, but it loses tension faster and is more mute.
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)
have you tried messing around with recoil? did Brando's table apply to you?
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
You didn’t say the shift sucked when you reviewed it when it first came out lmao
Sus…
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
Ah. Indeed, ye are correct. I apologize. Gewdbye
21:29 The power of the extra inch
Great assessment! I bought 2 V Core 100's about a month after they came out and have never
looked back. I'm playing the best tennis of my life at 68!
and its only looking from there!
❤
Just came home from playing with the Shift for the first time (absolutely loved it) to see this video 😂.
follow you heart my man
nice vid brother,good hitting too-real consistent,,keep em coming
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.
I haven't not and wasn't planning too. Open to being convinced lol. What do you like about it in comparison to the 95 and standard 98?
@@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.
Hey Beckett, any ideas when restring is shipping worldwide? Would love to get my hands on some in Australia.
I think if you email them, they will make something work for you. I've seen shipments to some pretty wide ranging places on their insta stories
@@TennCom Legend, thanks Beckett.
Thoughts on the Whiteout XTD+(28in)
quite hilarious and fun to use. Video will be out later this week!
I don't know if the ProStaff is uncool or the bronze/gold color is just not popular. You might be right though.
I think they are also missing good sponsored players. Dan Evans and Dimi might be a little too old to sell racquets.
@@TennCombest player using prostaff is that Tunisian lady
@@mteca5093 shes also cool af but the WTA doesnt have the same marketing power as the ATP when it comes to retail sales.
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.
its the best new string you can buy with money and you can trust me because im fully unbiased
@@TennCom Do you have to string it at a lower tension compared to multifilaments? Thanks.
@@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.
I still use my pickleball paddle for tennis
banned
@@TennCom is it better if i use my squash racket
what about badminton
or my frying pan
Is the regular whiteout 18x20 still your racket of choice? What are the pros cons of the XTD vs the regular length
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.
I wish Yonex made an Ezone 98D. That would be an incredible racquet.
the 16x19 is already so dense in the centre idk what the point would be
@@TennCom I love racquets with a dense string pattern and very low launch angle.
@TennCom it's more dense then gravity pro...I measured with digital calipers the middle 4 strings
subbed after the M3 reference! Nice video!
im a bit of a BMW fan
Bloody legend!
What about strike vs?
its not new for 2023 and also i will make another video on it for you
21:39 Look who's back!!
the only reason to watch the channel
Agree that Dunlop is a sleeper especially at its price point. What’s wrong with the SX line though? I actually quite enjoy it.
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.
What would you say are the PA100 strengths? I came from an old speed 315g (gravity mould) and can’t decide whether I love or hate it.
@@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.
@@TennCom thanks for the feedback. I think I might be missing the accuracy of an 18x20. That Youtek IG speed was just laser precise…
love the video, love the channel. have you tried/are you going to try or release a review of the VCore 98 Tour?
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
Beckett! How about some ball reviews!
Artengo?
@@TennComI'm actually interested in your thoughts about budget balls vs more premium options
@@chris20001 ive gotta wait till summer for that. I'm playing outside but its constantly wet in vancouver which makes all balls play terrible
@@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
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.
I like Percept, but I agree with Beckett Shift sucks. It gave me tennis elbow.
Is the shift really that bad?
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.
@@TennCom but it is good for spin with power right
@@ilannewyork yeah mega spin and depth
@TennCom "mega spin and depth." Sounds horrible, who tf would want that?