1117 new this week, from players and from around the web.
Loves the Ultra 99 Pro V5 but its short grip makes their two-handed backhand hand hit the frame.
“I transferred from a Pure Drive Babolat 2016 to the Wilson Ultra and while I do love the racket, the length of the Ultra’s grip is shorter than the pure drive.”
Returning 4.0 player still likes the Ultra 108 but prefers the Shift 99 once their footwork improved.
“I *absolutely* was compensating for lazy footwork. I've fixed that, and I do still like the Ultra 108, but I like my Shift 99 more”
A week in, this player is loving their Ultra 100 V5.
“Picked up my 100 last week and have been loving it so far.”
After a two-hour demo, this player loved the Pro Staff X V14's serve pop and control but came home with shoulder and elbow pain.
“Played with it for 2 hours today. Man, oh man. I have never had so much pop on my serve or felt so much in control of the strokes. BUT... I come home to shoulder pain and some elbow pain.”
After five months on the RF 01 Pro, this player switched back to the Pro Staff V14, finding the RF closer to the Blade's muted feel.
“I played with the RF01 (Pro) for about 5 months. Recently switched back to the Pro Staff (v14).”
This 3.5 player tried the 300 g RF 01 and found it light, easy to swing, with great net touch, topspin and easy power.
“I tried the 300g model. It was light, easy to swing, great touch at the net, imparted quite a bit of topspin on groundies and easy power”
This player loves their Shift 99 16x20, leaded up and strung at 57 lbs: very good serve power, a controllable launch angle and great spin.
“I have a shift 99 16x20 and I love it.”
In a brief demo, this player was surprised how much higher a casual second serve kicked with the Shift 99 Pro.
“I only got to demo the Shift 99 Pro for a brief period of time and I experienced this too.”
This player loves the Shift 99L: easy kick, slice and high-percentage serves from its head speed and spin, and a good base for customizing.
“I love the 99L, it’s close to same specs as the others other than weight.”
Three months after switching from a Percept 97, this one-hander finds the Ultra 100 V4 slow, sluggish and hollow with no feedback, and their consistency collapsed after an initial honeymoon.
“The racket seems slow and sluggish and I'm always late on the 1HBH, forehand is spraying all over”
Demoing the Ultra Pro 16x19, this player found it way too demanding, needing a lot of added weight for plow-through, and the 60 RA didn't feel good.
“The Pro is admittedly way too demanding of a racquet for me but my main takeaway was that even at the stock 306g unstrung I felt like I'd need a LOT of weight”
After demos, this advanced beginner liked the Ultra 100UL V4: comfortable, with their forehand finding the sweet spot often and fun serving.
“Demo'd a few raquets and liked the Wilson ultra 100UL v4 and clash 100 v2.”
This beginner-level player loves their Ultra 100L V5 and is experimenting with strings.
“I play the 100L, and love it.”
This player uses the Clash 100 V3 for golfer's elbow, with Head Velocity MLT at low tension for about a year, though it's hard on strings.
“I use a clash 100 v3 because of golfers elbow as well”
After two years, this four-year player finds the Clash 100L V2 fine but too light and lacking stability, and switched to the Percept 100.
“Two years ago I bought myself the Wilson Clash V2 100L, and it’s been fine. Something is off I just can’t tell what it is.”
Switching from a Clash 100L V2, this player finds the Yonex Percept 100 amazing: much more control and stability with easy power.
“I switched to a Yonex Percept 100 and it feels amazing!”
Returning after 25+ years, this player really likes the Blade 100L V9: light enough at the net with enough weight for a decent swing, and no buyer's remorse.
“I got a Blade v9 100 L (Not UL) - coming from a 25+ year break.”
This 15-year one-hander with a big backhand found the Pro Staff 97 V14 a really bad racket compared with earlier Pro Staffs and the RF line.
“For me Pro Staff 97 V14 was a really bad racket compared to its predecessors and the RF line.”
After three months, this player finds the Blade 98 16x19 V9 enjoyable and comfortable, good on serves and forehands but not for their one-handed backhand.
“Blade V9 305g 98 16x19: I’ve been playing with it for 3 months; it’s an enjoyable and comfortable racket, but I didn’t quite like it for one-handed backhand.”
This 18x20 fan finds the Ultra Pro 18x20 V4 plays like their old Six.One 95 Team with even better feel and control and no arm pain.
“Ultra Pro plays close to that racket with no arm pain at all! Has even better feel and control”
This 3.5–4.0 player switched to a used Head Speed MP 2022 because it felt amazing.
“found a nice used 2022 Head Speed MP this year and then switched to that because it felt amazing for me.”
This player went back from the Pro Staff 97 V14 to the V13 for its more dampened feel and lower launch angle.
“I personally ended up going back to the V13 for the more dampened feel across the string bed.”
This player finds the Yonex Percept 97 a bit less powerful than the Pro Staff 97 V13 but more forgiving on mishits.
“IMHO Percept has a bit less power but is also more forgiving on mishits.”
A 3.0–3.5 player enjoyed two years with the Pro Staff 97L V13 as their first racket until it cracked at the throat.
“I cracked my Wilson Pro Staff 97L v13 in the throat, which seems like a weird place after 2 years of use”
A year in, this 3.5 player still loves the feel of the Pro Staff 97L V14 but wonders whether it's making tennis harder than it needs to be.
“I finally ended up getting the Pro Staff v14 97L, because after I tried it first the first time, it felt amazing.”
This player recently got the Yonex Percept 100D and calls it the best racket they've had.
“Well, i got the Percept 100D recently and i love it, best racket i have had in my life.”
Having used both, this player finds the RF97 Autograph V13's sharper-edged grip and butt cap harder to hold than the V12's, hurting their hand after a two-hour hit.
“But the v13 is just harder to hold, compared to the v12’s softer grip. Also the butt cap on the v13 has sharper edges, so after a 2 hour hit, the grip starts to hamper my hand.”
This owner really likes the Pro Staff Six.One 100 V14's balance; less stable and control-oriented than a 98, but a great fit for 3.0–3.5 players.
“I have the v14 and I really like it. Love the balance, obv not as stable and control oriented as the 98 but it's a great fit for 3.0-3.5.”
A 3.0–3.5 recreational player with past tennis elbow demoed the Clash 100 Pro V3 and really liked it.
“I demoed the Clash 100 Pro V3 and really liked it”
A Blade Pro 98 16x19 V9 player finds it very different from the regular Blade: higher swingweight, stiffer, more feedback, and it helps them hit a heavy ball, though it doesn't swing as easily.
“I play with them, it’s a wildly different racquet than the blade. Swingweight is significantly higher, it’s stiffer and there’s more feedback”
A lifelong 18x20 Blade player loves the feel of the Blade Pro 18x20 V9 but leaves many balls short compared with the regular Blade.
“I love how it feels but noticed that I’m having a hard time pushing my balls, deep”
This player hated the Blade 98 18x20 V9, finding it very difficult to get depth and penetration.
“I hated the 18x20 version of the v9, i found it very difficult to get depth and penetration”
Moving up from a cheap Head racket, this beginner is thrilled with the Wilson Burn 100 V5's larger head and 300g weight.
“I recently bought the Wilson Burn 100 V5 and I'm thrilled.”
An intermediate player loves the Wilson Burn 105S V6 their coach suggested and preferred it to other demos.
“Turns out I love it, and preferred it over other racquets i demoed before buying.”
A beginner-to-intermediate baseliner found the Clash 100 Pro V2 super comfortable at first, but after a year it felt too heavy and muted, lacking feedback and punch.
“I started with the Wilson Clash 100 Pro V2 (Wilson Multifilament Sensation 1,35 **@ 22.5 KG / \~50 lbs)**, which felt super comfortable”
After 3 years with the Clash 100 V1, this player finds the Clash 100 V2 slightly muted but more consistent and predictable, with a bigger sweet spot.
“Clash v2 has a bit muted feel but the response is much more consistent and predictable.”
After a couple of months at 50 lb, even playing four times a week, this player is pain-free with the Clash 100L V3 and finds it super comfortable and forgiving.
“Have played with the V3 Clash 100L at 50lb tension for a couple months and pain free.”
A new player who demoed the Blade 100UL V9 loves it but finds it too expensive.
“I demo'd the Wilson Blade v9 100UL and I love it”
A Blade 100L V10 owner says, unlike the heavier Blades, it plays as a power racket.
“Unlike the heavier ones, Blade 100L v10 is a power racket. I know because I have one”
A player finds the Blade 98 16x19 V10 much more stable at impact than the V9, a fantastic control stick with good pop and spin.
“The V10 Blade 16x19 is a lot more stable at impact than the. V9”
Testing side by side, a player found the new EZONE 98 too muted, lacking the confidence to go after balls.
“I felt the new Ezone 98 was way too muted and didn’t like the feel at all.”
A T-Fight 305S owner finds it solid but considerably stiffer than the Blade.
“I have the 305s and it's pretty solid. It does feel considerably stiffer than the blade”
This player tried the Blade 98 18x20 V10 and really loved how it played, but not the colour.
“Tried the new blade v10 18x20 and really loved the way it played.”
A Blade 98S player found their V9 much harder to swing than their two V8s, almost hard on the shoulders, despite identical specs.
“i felt like the V9 was so much harder to swing. Playing with it was almost hard on my shoulders”
After hitting the V10 Blade Pro range, this player found the Pro 98 18x20 great when timed well but not fun otherwise.
“The 18x20 worked great if you time your shots well but if not it was not a fun racquet.”
Of the V10 Blade Pro 98s, this player liked the 16x19 most for its pocketing, serving and decent feel.
“The 98-16x19 I liked the most because it had great pocketing, serving and decent feel.”
After hitting the V10 Blade Pro range, this player liked the Blade Pro 100 V10 the most.
“I like the 100 pro the most. That thing was sweet.”
A Blade 100 V9 owner tried the Blade 100 V10 and found it barely different.
“I have tried the regular 100 but meh wasn’t that different from v9 100 which I have.”
A player who bought the Volkl Vostra V10 320g says it's great, despite Volkl's confusing lineup.
“Indeed… I bought the v10 320 and it’s great though”
After a 2-hour demo, a former Pure Aero user found the Blade 100 V9 comfortable and softer on impact than the Speed MP, with more power than the EZONE 98.
“Blade felt softer on impact - very similar control and power wise”
Aggressive baseliner coming from a Speed Pro finds the Ultra V5 Pro lacks mass and plow-through stock.
“Switched from the Head Speed Legend Pro to the Ultra V5 pro (I know drastic change) I feel as the Ultra is missing weight it feels somewhat bad like it needs more plow through”
Demoing both, this one-hander finds the Ultra 100 V5 good for two-handers with lots of free power and better damping than earlier versions, but not a huge sweet spot.
“imo the Wilson Ultra 100 V5 is a good option for a 2hander! lots of free power”
This newer full-western player thinks the Pro Staff X's weight is stressing their arm as they whip for topspin.
“I think the weight of the Pro Staff X is causing stress on my arm.”
Comparing it with their Ezone 98 after a day, this player finds the RF 01 Pro more versatile at net and a bit more comfortable.
“RF01 pro feels a little more comfortable (probably the frame technology absorbs more vibrations).”
This 4.0 player loves the RF 01, chosen over the Pro because it matched their Pure Aero's weight.
“I love it! I went from Pure Aero 2018 to RF 01. I tried both RF 01 and Pro.”
This player is amazed by the Shift 99's spin and power for a 99, finds it super comfortable on the arm, but needed lead at 3 and 9.
“I play with the wilson shift 99 and it amazes me the amount of spin and power that it has being a 99.”
A month in, this player loves the Shift 99 Pro: easy power and spin with great control from the 18x20 pattern.
“I just got a Shift Pro about a month ago and I love it. Such easy power and spin, and great control with the 18x20 pattern”
This Shift 99L user's only major problem is that off-centre volleys aren't great.
“I use the shift 99l and I have only one major problem with it, volleys are not great when off centre.”
This 3.5 player really liked the Ultra 100 V4 but its stiffness gave them elbow discomfort.
“I tried the Ultra 100 V4 and really liked it; however, its stiffness caused discomfort in my elbow.”
A couple of months into several Ultra Pro 16x19 frames, this player is struggling with consistency while still dialing in weight and balance.
“Couple months in and struggling with consistency.”
Borrowing a friend's Ultra 100L V5 for two sets, this Pure Aero 98 player found their serves and groundstrokes felt great.
“on a whim picked up my friends V5L and played two sets with it and my serves and groundstrokes felt great.”
This player finds the Clash 100 V3 forgiving, stable and arm-protecting, and just bought a second one.
“It is forgiving, stable and protects your arm. I just bought a second one.”
After a month, this beginner finds the Clash 100L V2 so light they must swing harder for power, with almost no control.
“I’ve been using this for about a month now based on YouTube reviews and I must say I’m not impressed.”
This player finds their new Blade 100L V9 sluggish and slow to move compared with the V8, despite identical specs.
“my new Blade 100L V9 doesn't suit me like the V8. It feels sluggish and slow to move despite identical specs.”
After trying the Blade V9 and Ezone 98, this one-hander returned to the Pro Staff 97 V14 (Noir) and says it's definitely their racket.
“Pro Staff V14 Noir 315g 97: I used to play with V11.5, and I regretted selling it, so I returned to Pro Staff. My racket is definitely Pro Staff.”
A 3.0–3.5 flat hitter playing the Blade 98 16x19 V9 with Hyper-G at 45 lbs loves its stiffness and 305g weight.
“I love the stiffness of the blade and the 305g.”
This all-court one-hander loves the control and feel of the Pro Staff 97 V13 and found the V14 less consistent.
“I currently use the ProStaff v13. Since it is discontinued and I could only find 2 spares on vinted”
Coming from the Pro Staff 97 V14, this player found the Yonex Percept 97 a revelation: same power with free spin.
“But the first time I swung a Percept 97 it was a revelation. Same power, free spin.”
This player loves their Pro Staff 97L V13s, which are popular in their community.
“I LOVE my Pro Staff 97L v13s... and several players in my community play with the same one”
After demoing it in an emergency, this player loves the Pro Staff 97L V14 and bought four in a sale.
“I love my rootbeer v14 97L.”
Having hit both, this lifelong Pro Staff player preferred the RF97 Autograph V13 over the V11 for its swing feel and matte finish.
“Ive hit with the v11 and v13 and I liked the v13 more”
Having playtested both at once, this player finds the Clash 100 Pro V3 far more complete than the standard 100 V3, which felt unstable on volleys.
“Buy the Clash 100 Pro V3. It's absolutely fantastic.”