The Yonex Percept 97H is the heaviest racquet in Yonex’ new control line Percept. Here is our Yonex Percept 97H Review.

Yonex Percept 97H Review

The Yonex Percept 97H is one of the heaviest racquets on the market. It falls right after the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph with its 330-gram unstrung weight versus the 340 grams of the Pro Staff. I compare these two racquets here. The Percept 97H has the same mold as the VCORE Pro 97H, but the layup is slightly different as it includes a new technology called Servo Filter, which is supposed to filter out vibrations. You can read more about this in my general Yonex Percept post.

In terms of specifications, they have reduced the average swing weight of the 97H model. This is a good idea. The VCORE Pro 97H I tested had a strung swing weight of 347. This is pro-level specs, while the Percept 97H I received came around 334 SW when measured on my HEAD 3-in-1 machine. The 330-ish strung swing weight is relatively “beefy” but more manageable than the previous one.

Below, you can see the average specifications, courtesy of Tennis Warehouse.

Specifications

How does it play?

The Yonex Percept 97H can create a heavy ball and offers great stability. It does this at the cost of maneuverability and the ability to hit with high racquet head speeds. It’s quite an extreme racquet in terms of weight, but it will appeal to strong players who like hefty racquets and perhaps players who have always played with heavy racquets and are looking for a modern option.

The target group is small, but if you fit it, this racquet works well. It’s comfortable and offers decent spin potential and a good level of control. You might want to choke up a bit on the handle at the net to make it easier to move around.

A very specific racquet, but a great one for the player who looks for a hefty control racquet.

The Speed line is HEAD’s most popular racquet line. Why? Let’s get into it. Here is our HEAD Speed MP Review.

HEAD Speed MP Review

Popular pro players endorse racquets for a brand, and they sell more. Sometimes, the player uses the racquet they endorse, at least some form of it. We have Novak Djokovic as the main ambassador for HEAD Speed, but it is not exactly what he uses. You can find out more about Djokovic’s racquet here. But for the Speed, we also have ambassadors like Jannik Sinner and Emil Ruusuuvuori, and they both use a version of the Speed. A customized version of the Speed Graphene Touch series that came out some years ago.

But there are, of course, plenty of pros and high-level players that use some form of the Speed. It has that blend of power, spin, control, and comfort that many players enjoy on all levels.

This HEAD Speed MP Review deals with the latest version, the HEAD Speed MP Auxetic. MP stands for midplus, which is the “mainstream” most popular version.

Purchase the HEAD Speed MP

You can check out the HEAD Speed MP Auxetic, both the white version and the new HEAD Speed MP Black, from our friends at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only. We get a small commission if you purchase using our links, but our main desire is for you to find the right racquet for your game. That is why we offer a racquet consultation service, an e-book about racquets, and a racquet course to help you understand what racquet can work for your game.

Design and Construction

The pictures in this review are from the recent HEAD Speed MP black edition. This is the same racquet as the original, mostly white edition, but it is grey and black for the US Open 2023. The predominantly black frame gives the racket an understated yet visually appealing look. Is it worth paying more for? I leave that up to you.

Technology and Innovation

The technology tends to be the least interesting part of a racquet. We are all about how it plays in the hand. And much of the language around racquet technology sounds more like marketing to me.

However, the Auxetic racquets have impressed me with a softer feel yet more stable response over the Graphene 360+ racquets. Auxetic is a dynamic structure for the carbon fibers that expand upon impact and contract during recovery. This technology aims to enhance the energy return to the ball, theoretically increasing power and shot depth. While this is an intriguing concept, the real-world impact of this technology requires careful evaluation.

Specification

This is the average specification of the HEAD Speed MP. As with quality control, it will differ from racquet to racquet.

Performance

The Speed MP has a 16×19 pattern and is slightly lighter in weight than its big brother, the Speed Pro. The Speed Pro is my personal choice because it has a bit more plow-through and control for a more aggressive flat ball striker like me, but the Speed MP is highly enjoyable, especially from the baseline.

We tested it with HEAD Lynx 1.25 at 53 lbs and HEAD Lynx Tour 1.25 at 51 lbs and the Lynx Tour was the more predictable string setup. Despite Lynx Tour being a rather stiff string, it felt good on impact and not harsh on the arm.

The racquet is perfect for anyone who likes to spend most of their time on the baseline trading blows. If you want to be a more all-court player and hit those silky down-the-line passing shots, you might want a bit more control like in a Radical MP.

You get some good power on serve, enough top spin and power to put your opponents on their back foot and the racquet handles pretty much all shots well. I think you need to be more of a top spin player to get the most out of the Speed MP, but if you don’t want all the power that a Power racquet provides or all the spin potential that a Spin Racquet gives you, the balance of the Speed line might be the way to go.

Playing Level

The Speed is a bit tougher to swing than some power-focused racquets because the swing weight tends to be higher, but tends to offer better comfort because it is not quite as stiff as more powerful racquets. The Speed MP is still highly versatile and can be played from NTRP 4.0 and upwards. For more info about NTRP and UTR levels, read this post called tennis ratings explained.

Conclusion

The HEAD Speed MP is a versatile and well-rounded racquet for the baseliner who likes to be aggressive and take charge of the point using spin and precision. This is a very popular racquet among WTA players, for example, thanks to the balanced response. I also see it often among advanced junior players.

It is simply an excellent racquet for many. It is in the middle of the HEAD racquet line-up and perhaps the best one they have. Players who crave a bit more control should consider the Speed Pro.

Have you tried the Speed MP and what do you think about it?

The Wilson Shift are out and not much has changed since the excellent prototype release. Here is our Wilson Shift 99 Review.

Wilson Shift 99 Review

The Wilson Shift 99 is the Shift racquet with the more widespread appeal. If you haven’t heard about the Wilson Shift, it’s Wilson’s new spin-focused line. According to Wilson, the Shift has been designed to be torsionally stiff (for added stability and power when driving the ball) and laterally flexible (for increased dwell time on vertical mechanics – think spin). The 16×20 pattern might make you think that the Shift 99 is more controlled than many 16×19 racquets on the market, but it still create quite a lot of rotations on the ball and a relatively high launch angle.

I have tested the Wilson Shift racquets with many different players. Everyone from ex-ATP pros to senior tour players to ITF junior women players, and the feedback has been similar: they all like it. Does it mean the Shift is an automatic switch? No, because it works better for players who naturally apply more topspin to their strokes. But many players will enjoy the Wilson Shift. I think the lighter 99 will be the more natural choice for most, while the Shift 99 Pro will work better for advanced players who like a bit more swing weight and heft and bit more control from the denser string pattern.

Wilson Shift 99 Specs

Is the retail different from the prototype?

You might have watched or read our Shift review of the prototype version, so a natural question is whether the Shift 99 differs from the prototype. After playing with both side by side with the same string setup, I can safely say they are the same. Wilson claims to have changed the average balance slightly on the 99, but with quality control being a classic issue for tennis racquets, it all depends on what racquet you get. I have two regular 99 and one prototype, and they all spec up pretty closely, and on a blind test, I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart.

How does it play?

If you are an advanced player who hits with plenty of spin and likes a heavier racquet, the Wilson Shift 99 MP is a must-demo. You might not quite the spin potential of a Pure Aero 98, but it’s close and you get a nice solid feel. T

I wouldn’t be too worried about the high RA stiffness rating. RA doesn’t tell the whole story about how firm a racquet plays or if it’s bad for the arm or not, since racquets flex in different ways and locations. The players who have tested the Shift with me have not noticed any issues in terms of comfort.

Players mainly focused on control might find the Shift a bit too unreliable regarding launch angle as this racquet is most suited towards players who generate heavy spin on their groundstrokes. But it does deliver in terms of stability, power on shots like serves and volleys. On these shots, it’s a pretty balanced frame.

Summary

The Wilson Shift 99 is an excellent racquet. If you fit the demographic above, you should check it out. I would be happy if you considered using our affiliate links to our friends at Wilson Tennis.

Compared to the Shift 99 Pro, I like the lighter Shift 99 better since I can swing it faster and control it better. But the Shift Pro 99 offers better plow-through and stability.

But overall, the Shift racquets remain great as prototypes and retail editions.

The Wilson Shift are out and not much has changed since the excellent prototype release. Here is our Wilson Shift 99 Pro Review.

Wilson Shift 99 Pro Review

The Wilson Shift 99 Pro is the heavier, more control-oriented option of the Wilson Shift racquets. If you haven’t heard about the Wilson Shift, it’s Wilson’s new spin-focused line. According to Wilson, the Shift has been designed to be torsionally stiff (for added stability and power when driving the ball) and laterally flexible (for increased dwell time on vertical mechanics – think spin). So even if the Shift 99 Pro has an 18×20 string pattern, it creates a relatively high launch angle and works best for more spin-oriented players.

I have tested the Wilson Shift racquets with many different players. Everyone from ex-ATP pros to senior tour players to ITF junior women players and the feedback has been similar: they all like it. Does it mean the Shift is an automatic switch? No, because it works better for players who naturally apply a bit more top spin to their strokes. But many players will enjoy the Wilson Shift. I think the lighter 99 MP will be the more natural choice for most, while the Shift 99 Pro will work better for advanced players who like a bit more swing weight and heft and bit more control from the denser string pattern.

Wilson Shift Pro Specs

Head Size: 99 in² / 639 cm²
Length: 27 in / 68.58 cm
Strung Weight: 11.7 oz / 332 g
Balance: 12.75 in / 32.39 cm / 6 pts HL
Swingweight: 332
Stiffness: 68
Beam Width: 23.5mm / 23.5mm / 23.5mm
Composition: Graphite
Colors: White
Grip Type: Wilson Pro Performance
String Pattern: 18 Mains / 20 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T,10T,8H,10H
String Tension: 21-26 kg/48-58 lb

Is the retail different from the prototype?

You might have watched or read our Shift review of the prototype version, so a natural question is whether the Shift 99 Pro differs from the prototype. After playing with both side by side with the same string setup, I can safely say they are the same.

How does it play?

If you are an advanced player who hits with plenty of spin and likes a heavier racquet, the Wilson Shift 99 Pro is a must-demo. You might not quite the spin potential of a Pure Aero 98, but it’s close and you get a nice solid feel. The racquet also feels pretty fast for a 315g unstrung spec. I think you need to be quite an advanced player (at least 4.5 NTRP) to get the most out of the racquet, but if you can play at a high level and enjoy a higher swing weight, I think the Shift 99 Pro can be a great option for you.

I wouldn’t be too worried about the high RA stiffness rating. RA doesn’t tell the whole story about how firm a racquet plays or if it’s bad for the arm or not, since racquets flex in different ways and locations. The players who have tested the Shift with me have not noticed any issues in terms of comfort.

Players mainly focused on control might find the Shift a bit too unreliable regarding launch angle as this racquet is most suited towards players who generate heavy spin on their groundstrokes. But it does deliver in terms of stability, power on shots like serves and volleys. On these shots, it’s a pretty balanced frame.

Summary

The Wilson Shift Pro 99 is an excellent racquet. If you fit the demographic above, you should check it out. I would be happy if you considered using our affiliate links to our friends at Wilson Tennis, Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only.

The racquet is a bit too heavy and spin-focused for my game. I like the lighter Shift 99 MP better since I can swing it faster and control it better. But the Shift Pro 99 offers better plow-through and stability.

But overall, the Shift racquets remain great as prototypes and retail editions.

Yes, Donnay racquets are still around and should not be forgotten. Here is our  Donnay Formula 100 Octacore Review.

Donnay Formula 100 Octacore Review

Donnay’s trademark in recent years for tennis racquets has been various layers of foam to make them arm-friendly. This foam is called Xenecore and will help dampen the impact and also create a solid response.

The racquet I reviewed is also “unibody,” meaning it’s all in one piece. No pallet or foamed grip. That is also supposed to increase the solid feel.

I would say one benefit of Donnay racquets is their arm-friendliness, and the new Octacore Formula 100 does not disappoint.

It plays with excellent comfort, and I had no issues with my hitting arm even after using a full bed of poly. I tried it with Donnay X Poly 1.25 at 51 lbs and Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25 at 53 lbs.

Both strings worked fell in the racquet. I like hitting both the Formula 100 and the Pro One 97 when the tension has dropped a bit, so perhaps starting out around 50 lbs for both could be more sensible.

Average specifications

Head size: 100sq”
Unstrung Weight: 300g
Unstrung Balance: 320mm
Unstrung S.W: 280
String Pattern: 16×19
Stiffness rating: Unknown
Grip: Cushion
Rec. String Tension: 45lbs (+/- 10)
Beam Width: 20/27/24mm
Length: 27inches

How does it play?

The Formula 100 is kind of a comfortable Pure Drive. It has more flex than the Babolat powerhouse, but still provides excellent force.

Spin potential is good as well, and the racquet feels like it has a relatively large sweet spot.

I might like a slightly denser string pattern for these power racquets, like an Ezone 100, but the Donnay is not a wild racquet by any means. It plays somewhere in between a spin and a power racquet.

The lower stiffness can be felt at times on off-center hits when a stiffer racquet might be a tad more stable.

Summary

Overall, I was very impressed with Donnay Formula, and I have used it beyond what was needed for the play test, which is relatively rare and a positive sign.

I liked the Formula better than the more demanding Pro One 97, but both racquets are excellent.

I much prefer the Octacore line to the Hexacore. I am unsure if it’s the Unibody tech or something they’ve changed in the line-up, but I get better power and a more solid feel with these new Donnay racquets.

I don’t get quite the power of Pure Drives or Ezones, but the comfort is much more important for me and I think most players will be happy with that aspect of the racquet.

Donnay keeps being a solid option for players looking for arm-friendly racquets.  I am not sure where you can get these except for the official website—big thanks to Racket1.no, who arranged the demo racquets for me.

I think they ship within Europe at least if you are interested, and the Donnay racquets retail at a slightly lower price than the main brands.

Yes, Donnay racquets are still around and should not be forgotten. Here is our Donnay Octacore Pro One 97 Review.

Donnay Octacore Pro One 97 Review

Donnay’s trademark in recent years for tennis racquets has been various layers of foam to make them arm-friendly. This Xenecore foam will help dampen the impact and create a solid response.

The racquet I reviewed is also “unibody”, meaning it’s all in one piece. No pallet or foamed grip. That is supposed to increase the solid feel.

One benefit of Donnay racquets is their arm-friendliness, and the new Octacore Pro One 97 does not disappoint.

It plays with excellent comfort, and I had no issues with my hitting arm even after using a full bed of poly. I tried it with Donnay X Poly 1.25 at 51 lbs and Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25 at 53 lbs.

Both strings worked fell in the racquet, but I think I went a bit high and will re-string this racquet at 49 or 50 lbs with medium firm poly. 

Specifications

These average specifications come from the Donnay official website. I will measure my specs for the upcoming video review on our YouTube channel.

Head size: 97sq”
Unstrung Weight: 305g
Unstrung Balance: 315mm
Strung Weight: 317.5g
Strung Balance: 5 Points HL
Strung Swing Wt: 314
String Pattern: 16×19
Stiffness: unknown
Grip: Cushion
Rec. String Tension: 45lbs (+/- 10)
Beam Width: 21/21/21mm
Length: 27 inches (standard)
Technology: Octacore X?neCore™

How does it play?

I have tested the Pro One 97 in various iterations and generations. The official website talks about it being similar to a PT57A. It doesn’t have that feel and flex, but that is the inspiration.  An old-school control racquet somewhere in between a Prestige and a Pro Staff. 

With a lower string tension (dropping to something like 45 lbs), it plays with a generous amount of power for its specifications. There is also room for customization since the average swing weight is low.

The 16×19 pattern opens up for a decent amount of spin, though.

The lower stiffness can sometimes be felt on off-center hits when a stiffer racquet might be a tad more stable.

Summary

It took me a while to groove with the Pro One 97. Previous generations have been difficult to use, but I think the stiffness is slightly higher here, enlarging the sweet spot and giving you more power.

I much prefer the Octacore line to the Hexacore. I am unsure if it’s the Unibody tech or something they’ve changed in the line-up, but I get better power and a more solid feel with these new Donnay racquets.

It’s still a very control-oriented racquet, however. You need to provide the power. 

But the thin beam and small head size allow you to create lots of racquet head speed easily. When I had time to attack the ball, the racquet delivered in spades. I could swing it fast and generate lots of pace. But on defense, the Pro One is much more punishing than the Formula 100, for example.

On serve, the racquet comes through the air with generous pace and you hit heavy flat serves as well as spinny kicks serves, but it’s all in your hands. The racquet doesn’t provide any power for free.

All-in-all, when you’re on your game, the Donnay Pro One 97 Octacore delivers. 

Donnay keeps being a solid option for players looking for arm-friendly racquets.  I am not sure where you can get these except for the official website—big thanks to Racket1.no, who arranged the demo racquets for me.

I think they ship within Europe, at least if you are interested, and the Donnay racquets retail at a slightly lower price than the main brands.

I had the fortune to test Epok tennis racquets a week back or so. They are trying to bring wooden racquets onto the modern tennis scene…

Epok Tennis Racquets

Like many things in tennis, Epok is a work of passion. Founders Teo and Mikael are tennis enthusiasts and racquet collectors. Some years back they met to trade racquets and the conversation around creating their own tennis racquet brand started. After years of work and many prototypes created, they have made a racquet that has modern racquet specifications but is completely made of wood. When I joined Henrik Wallensten in Båstad for the Nordea Open, we met up with Teo and Mikael as well as two other tennis nerds in Andreas Bergen (previously with Luxilon) and racquet collector Daniel Wendel.

We got two hit with two EPOK racquets for two hours. One was strung with Alu Power Roland Garros 1.28 at 44 lbs / 20 kg and the other one was strung with HEAD Velocity at 1.25 at the same tension. Three of us preferred the poly setup, while Andreas, somewhat surprisingly, preferred the multifilament. I think the best setup for these racquets would be a hybrid with a natural gut.

You can watch the Epok tennis video review here. (Going live on July 29th, at 9 pm CET)

Specifications

• Weight (frame only without grip/butt cap) 310 grams. (+-5g)
• Weight (with Fairway leather grip and leather butt cap) 335 grams. (+-5g)
• Unstrung target balance (with leather grip/butt cap) 320mm.
• Beam width 20mm.
• Head size 98 square inches.
• Fairway leather grip in tanned brown.
• Leather Buttcap from Tärnsjö in olive green or natural with embossed DL crest.
• Grip size: L2 – L3
• Recommended tension:
  Polyester string: 40 +/- 4 lbs
  Multifilament or natural gut: 50+/-4 lbs.
• Laser cut inlay Epok logotype of walnut/maple/ash on the side of the frame

Only FSC-certified Maple, Ash & walnut woods are used in Epok rackets.

Price: €1199

The price is high, but the product is handmade using expensive materials. If they can get some capital through sales of Epok racquets, maybe they can streamline the production and bring the price down. Still, there were people during our few days in Båstad that ended up buying Epok racquets.

How does it play?

The racquets play with the excellent feel that most quality wooden racquets have. But with a larger head size, more spin potential, and forgiveness. It’s of course not quite as stable in the upper part of the hoop as a Pro Staff 97, for example, since wood is such a flexible material. But, the feel of wood is hard to beat.

After two hours with the Epok racquets, it’s my feeling that Mikael and Teo are succeeding with what they set out to do in terms of making a more playable wooden racquet. It’s still not as easy to use as modern racquets, but the feel is unmatched and you can play serious matches with an EPOK racquet. I would love to own one of these to practice with and use for fun, but the price is a little much at the moment.

But if you do purchase an Epok racquet, let me know what you think about it in the comments below.

I don’t like saying “The Best” because it is all subjective. But these are some of the best advanced player racquets on the market today.

The Best Advanced Player Racquets

Yesterday I published a video where Jesús Echevarri and I try a number of advanced player racquets. These include racquets from HEAD, Babolat and Wilson. In a previous session, we also tested Yonex VCORE and Ezone, so I will mention those as well in this post.

There are so many good racquets out there and I can’t mention them all here so I will focus on somewhat recent releases. The racquets we tested in the video are (click for my review):

Wilson Shift Pro
HEAD Gravity Pro Auxetic
Babolat Pure Aero 98
HEAD Extreme Tour Auxetic
Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin

In this written review, I will also mention the Yonex Ezone Tour 98 and the Yonex VCORE 98. There are other racquets to note as well and I will comment on the Solinco Whiteout 305 18×20 and Tecnifibre Tfight ISO 305. Jesús also tried the new HEAD Radical Pro Auxetic but wasn’t a huge fan.

Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin

The Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin was a bit of a bonus racquet in the play-test. I usually bring it because people love hitting with Rafa’s racquet specs, and even if it’s not a perfect match with what Rafael Nadal currently uses, it’s pretty damn close.

It’s a fun racquet to hit and beautiful to put on the wall. It can generate a heavy ball and with the right mechanics, you can allow the racquet to do most of the work. But if you’re late on the ball, it’s a very punishing racquet. Jesús agreed with all this, he thought it was a fun and pretty pleasant hit, but not something that can match the usability of the other frames mentioned here. If you want to feel how a “tank of a racquet” plays, consider getting this one.

You can check out the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa racquets from my friends at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only.

Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin specifications

Wilson Shift Pro

We played with the Wilson Shift prototype, the heavier, 315g, 18×20 version. The difference between this one and the current Wilson Shift Pro is not vast. Despite it being a relatively heavy racquet by today’s standards, next to the Rafa Origin, Jesús felt it to “play like a toy”. He was half-joking, but when you change in between racquets, drastic weight differences can require some extra time to get over.

When he got dialed in, he liked the Shift Pro a lot, especially on the forehand. It’s a whippy racquet, easy to move, but if you don’t swing fast, it can sail the ball. It’s a racquet made for players who utilize a strong top spin stroke and not for flat hitters or more traditional tennis players.

It’s not as solid as some of the racquets in the play-test. The Gravity Pro is for example much more steady and stable on the backhand, but not quite as maneuverable on the forehand. If you’re a spin player that wants a racquet with a nice feel, good spin potential and decent control, the Shift Pro should be considered.

Wilson Shift Pro specifications

These are the listed specifications from Tennis Warehouse Europe. You can also check out and purchase the Shift Pro at the official Wilson website. 

HEAD Gravity Pro Auxetic

The Gravity Pro is a popular racquet on the ATP Tour. You have players like Zverev, Rublev and Safiullin using it, just to name a few.

Most advanced players just need a few shots with the Gravity Pro to realize that this is a classy racquet. It offers the control and feel of older control racquets but with added plow-through and forgiveness thanks to the teardrop head shape and 100 sq inch head size.

Jesús was like Nikki, smitten straight away. But he couldn’t get quite the speed and maneuverability on his forehand compared to some other racquets in the play test. The Gravity Pro is a solid, control-oriented racquet, but it’s not the most spin-friendly with its 18×20 string pattern and thin beam. And some players will struggle to maneuver the “beefy” 330+ swing weight.

Check out the Gravity line of racquets from our friends at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, and Tennis Only.

Gravity Pro specifications

Babolat Pure Aero 98

The Babolat Pure Aero 98 is the continuation of the Pure Aero VS, which has become a bestseller among advanced tennis players. I am sure the Aero 98 is doing pretty well with players like Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune using it.

This was also Jesús’ favorite racquet in the play-test and most likely the one he would choose for match play if he got back to competitive tennis again. It’s very whippy, quite powerful and offers loads of spin potential. Flat hitters might find the ball going long, but players who utilize top spin to push their opponents back will probably like this one. The Aero 98 is a bit more muted compared to the Aero VS.

Have you tried the Babolat Pure Aero 98? You can check out the specs and more at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, and Tennis Only (Australia).

Babolat Pure Aero 98 specifications

HEAD Extreme Tour Auxetic

This racquet is a strong competitor to the Pure Aero 98 and does most things similarly. They are in the controlled spin racquet category. However, while the Extreme handles flatter shots better and offers a bit more control, it doesn’t give the same power and spin potential as the Aero 98. It’s a bit more “civilized”.

Jesús liked this racquet, too but preferred the action he could get on the ball with the Aero 98. I personally prefer the Extreme for my one-handed backhand, but I also understand what he means in terms of power.

Like with most things racquets, it’s a matter of taste and game style in the end.

You can check out the HEAD Extreme Tour Auxetic at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, and Tennis Only.

HEAD Extreme Tour Auxetic specifications

Yonex Ezone 98 Tour

You probably see the Ezone 98 “everywhere.” I do. It’s one of those modern classics in the racquet market. It offers an excellent power level for a 98 and plays with a slightly larger sweet spot thanks to the isometric head shape, which is distinct for Yonex racquets.

The Tour model is a slightly heavier 98. It’s also good, especially if you don’t want to customize your racquet, but when I tested it with my friend Nikki, he preferred to adjust the weight himself as the extra weight in the Tour model seems to be added to the throat.

Jesús, who has a whippier forehand than Nikki, preferred more spin-oriented racquets like the Yonex VCORE 98. The Ezone Tour is a nice racquet if you want a really solid power racquet in a more controlled head size.

You can check out the Yonex Ezone 98 Tour from our friends at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Only , or Tennis Warehouse Europe.

Yonex Ezone Tour 98 specifications

Head size: 98 sq inches
Length: 27 in or 68.5 cm
Weight: 315g or 11.1 oz (standard is 305g)
Balance: 32 cm or 7 pts HL
Swing weight: 300 (around 330 w strings)
Stiffness: 65 (around 62 w strings)
Beam: 23/24/19 mm
String pattern: 16×19

Yonex VCORE 98 (and 95)

If the Ezone is focused more on direct power and works better for flatter hitting, the VCORE 98 has more flex and is more centered around a high launch angle and spin potential. The new 2023 VCORE line from Yonex offered more of everything and a softer feel than the predecessor. More comfort, power and spin. Not sure that is always a good thing as the VCOREs are a bit more difficult to control this time. But they are nice and soft, and if control is an issue, you can always go for the VCORE 95.

Several of my advanced playing friends (ex-pros)  liked the VCORE 95 a lot, but found the larger 98 a bit too powerful and lively. I agree with that sentiment.

The Yonex VCORE 98 plays more like a 100 sq inch racquet, which is a good thing for many players and has received quite a high and consistent review score on Tennis Warehouse. You can also check it out on Tennis Only if you’re based down under.

Yonex VCORE 98 Specifications

Solinco Whiteout 98

For players looking for a more controlled response, but not all the way to Prestige-land, consider the Solinco Whiteout 98. It plays with a solid response, excellent control and a decent power level for the spec range.

Most high-level players who tested it with me liked it, but it’s not as spinny as most other racquets in this play-test and more comparable to the Gravity Pro.

You can find the 18×20 version at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only. There is also a 16×19 version for players looking for more spin and maneuverability (fewer strings lower the swing weight).

Solinco Whiteout 98 18×20 specifications

Head Size: 98 in / 632.26 cm
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11.4oz / 323g
Balance: 13in / 33.02cm / 4 pts HL
Swingweight: 324
Stiffness: 66
Beam Width: 21.7mm / 21.7mm / 21.7mm
Composition: 40T Carbon/Graphite
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors: White
Grip Type: Solinco Synthetic
String Pattern: 18 Mains / 20 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T,10T,8H,10H
(Two Pieces, No Shared Holes)

Tecnifibre Tfight ISO 305

This has been a huge hit among advanced players. The high swing weight, solid feel and nice power feels “pro stock” in a way. Not everyone is in love with the feel. Nikki was not a fan, I found it excellent but a tad heavy, but some of my other tennis friends really love the solidity and plow-through that this racquet. I find the TF40 to still be my favorite Tecnifibre racquet, but I do understand the appeal of the ISO 305. It’s a very competent racquet for advanced players who look for control and can handle the swing weight.

Buy the Tecnifibre Tfight ISO 305 from Tennis Warehouse or Tennis Warehouse Europe or Tennis Only.

Tecnifibre Tfight ISO 305 Specifications

HEAD Radical MP Auxetic

I worried about adding too many racquets to this list, but I felt like I wanted to include my own racquet of choice at the moment (this tends to change, but this has been my main frame since it came out). The Radical MP Auxetic is a control frame, but offers a bit more power and spin potential than Prestiges and Pro Staffs.

I found the Auxetic version to play more solid and comfortable than the predecessor. It’s one of those racquets that give you exactly what you put into it, which I like.

This is overall a very versatile frame, but doesn’t give you anything extra and players who want to maximize spin or power have many better options above. I just wanted to mention this one as it is a pretty recent release.

You can check out the new HEAD Radicals at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, and Tennis Only.

HEAD Radical MP Auxetic specifications

Summary

These are all excellent modern racquets for advanced players. You hit with loads of spin? Maybe a Shift or an Aero? You want great control and plow-through? Maybe a Gravity Pro or a Tfight ISO 305? You put priority on control but want something slightly easier to swing? Maybe a Radical MP or Whiteout 305? You want easy power and forgiveness in a control frame? The Ezone 98 is your friend. But if you prioritize spin, I do go for the VCORE series.

If you want to feel like Rafael Nadal for a while and you love heavy bats, you need to demo the Rafa Origin!

I hope this helps you. Please use the links to the racquets if you want to purchase anything. We get a small commission if you do, which helps Tennisnerd stay afloat.

My personal favorites right now are

1. HEAD Radical MP Auxetic – just so dependable
2. HEAD Extreme Tour Auxetic – A bit more power than the one above, easy to switch in between.
3. Babolat Pure Aero 98 – I have a lot of fun with this frame, although it doesn’t suit me that well.
4. Wilson Shift Pro – Excellent frame, but like with the Aero I tend to hit long with it.
5. Yonex VCORE 95 – Very good, the most powerful 95 I have played. A bit muted perhaps.
6. Solinco Whiteout 98 18×20 – Feels pretty much at home, but also a little too dampened compared to the Radical.
7. Yonex Ezone 98 Tour – Great frame, but I prefer the regular Ezone not to have a lot of weight in the throat.
8. Tecnifibre Tfight ISO 305 – I really like this, but sometimes I struggle with its weight
9. HEAD Gravity Pro Auxetic – Same here. It’s a solid frame, but to me, it feels a bit too heavy to swing effectively.
10. Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin – I hit some best tennis in my life with this racquet, but it doesn’t last long. Fun one!

Thanks for reading this far and for supporting Tennisnerd – a work of pure tennis passion.

One of the most impressive, relatively unknown brands I have tried, is Heysil. I enjoyed V1 and here is my Heysil racquets review V2.

Heysil Racquets Review V2

What is new in the Heysil racquets? The layup. This batch is slightly stiffer than the predecessor (check out my first Heysil review here) and this enables some more power and a slightly more stable feel. The sweet spot feels enlargened on this generation. I loved the Heysil Tour 98 V1 due to its plushness, but it wasn’t easy to generate pace with it. It had that old-school feel to it. This one offers a bit more pop and although it’s still demanding, it is a little easier to play than V1.

Players who fondly remember the kBlade 98 will most likely enjoy this one a lot. There is no fancy dampening or other tech, but a no-frills, dependable control racquet.

The Heysil 100 is a bit more interesting. It has the string pattern of the first generation Pure Drive (or Soft Drive), with a relatively open 16×19, but not the same high stiffness and a thinner 22 mm beam. This creates the feeling of a Gravity MP on steroids. You get good control, but plenty of room for spin. I think the slightly firmer V2 performed better than the V1, where I sometimes lost the ball. In this case, I used the Heysil Tour 100 more than the 98, while for the V1, it was the other way around.

To be fair, these changes in stiffness are not huge and won’t be noticeable but most, but I did find some slight differences between V1 and V2.

Specifications

Heysil Tour 98 – check it out on their official website.

Heysil Tour 100

Summary

These are still excellent racquets, no matter if you already have V1 or you’re interested in V2. My racquet preferences might have changed slightly or there was more of a noticeable change in the 100 because this time around, that was my favorite.  It’s relatively easy to use, creates a pretty heavy ball, and has a nice sensation/sound on impact. If there is something I would change for me to make it a daily driver, it would be a slightly denser string pattern, for example, 16×20. Like with the Soft Drive/Pure Drive racquets that share the same pattern, the ball can fly at times.

Otherwise, this racquet is beautifully old-school, not dampened or harsh. It competes well with versatile 100 sq inch racquets like the Wilson Blade 100 V8, Dunlop CX 400 Tour, or Wilson Shift 300. See my thoughts about these racquets on this post about intermediate player racquets.

The Heysil Tour 98 demands more from the player. This is also a racquet that I might like a tad more in a dense 16×19. It is a tad more powerful than my beloved Prestige 2019, but like that one, you need to create all the spin yourself. Otherwise, the launch angle is rather low. Fans of Blade 98 18×20 and Tecnifibre TF40 who don’t enjoy tons of dampening should check out the Tour 98.

Are these the best racquets for intermediate players? Possibly. These racquets are excellent for a wide group of players.

The Best Racquets for Intermediate Players?

I get a lot of questions about the best racquets for intermediate players. This is a WIDE group, and racquets are very personal, so giving general statements is tough. However, I think the below racquets work really well for players in between the intermediate to advanced level. Since these are generalizations, I generally recommend you to demo a few racquets in a suitable category to find one that feels right to you. Try not to overthink it and don’t fall for the premise that there is one PERFECT racquet for you. There is no perfect racquet. All of them come with compromises. Instead, take comfort in that there are many racquets that can work well for your game.

If you want help to choose a racquet beyond these recommendations or the content on my YouTube channel, I recommend going for the Tennisnerd e-book, video course or consultation service. These sources will help you identify your playing style and give you racquet and string recommendations based on your game.

You will have different categories based on player style and level when you read the book or check out the course. These recommendations are versatile racquets that can work for different styles and preferences.

Racquet recommendations

HEAD Gravity MP Auxetic

The new Gravity has a great blend of some power, good control and comfort (RA 59). It is a versatile racquet. I know many advanced players that love it despite it being more suited towards the intermediate level. For more heft, you can go for the Gravity Tour instead.

You can buy it at Tennis Warehouse,  Tennis Warehouse Europe or Tennis Only.
Check out my review.

If you don’t like the Gravity series, but enjoy HEAD racquets, the 2021 Prestige MP might suit you better for control and the Boom MP is excellent if you want more power.

Prince ATS Tour 100P

This has an 18×20 string pattern but is relatively spin-friendly and has a low stiffness rating, which is excellent for comfort.

Check out my Prince ATS Tour 100P review.
Buy the Prince ATS Tour 100P at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe or Tennis Only.

Wilson Shift 300

This is another balanced racquet that remains easy to swing and use. This is a bit more on the spinny side, so players with flat strokes might not like this one as much.

Check out my Wilson Shift 300 review
Buy the Wilson Shift 300 on Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe or Tennis Only.

Dunlop CX 400 Tour

This is an often overlooked excellent racquet with a nice blend of power, spin, but also a great connection toe the ball.

Check out my Dunlop CX 400 Tour review.
Buy the Dunlop CX 400 Tour from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe or Tennis Only.

Yonex VCORE Pro 100

If you want more control but stay with a forgiving racquet, the VCORE Pro 100 is a good option. This racquet is a tad more dampened than the rest of the recommended racquets.

Check out my Yonex VCORE Pro 100 review.
Buy the Yonex VCORE Pro 100 at Tennis Warehouse or Tennis Warehouse Europe.

Wilson Blade V8 100

The Wilson Blade 100 is a more forgiving Blade with more power, spin potential, and forgiveness than the classic Blade 98.

Check out my Wilson Blade V8 100 review.

You can purchase the Wilson Blade V8 100 from Tennis Warehouse Europe or Tennis Only.

Volkl V1 Evo

This racquet has a tad higher swing weight on average than the others but offers a nice plush, comfortable feel. Good spin and power too.

Check out my Volkl V1 Evo review.

Purchase the Volkl V1 Evo at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe or Tennis Only.

Summary

The racquets above are all excellent choices for ambitious intermediate players that don’t want to go all the way to a power racquet or a spin racquet.  With the above choices, you get a good blend of power, spin, comfort and forgiveness. It’s always best to demo if possible.

I would rate the power level of these racquets as follows, with the most power being mentioned first. Wilson Shift, Dunlop CX 400 Tour, Wilson Blade 100, Yonex VCORE Pro 100, Prince ATS Tour 100P, HEAD Gravity MP.

I hope this helps. Please comment below if you have tested any of these racquets. I encourage you to share your thoughts with other tennis nerds to help them in the process towards a good racquet choice.