Diadem Axis Review

This Diadem Axis review deals with the spin racquets, Diadem Axis 98 and Diadem Axis 100, from up-and-coming American brand, Diadem.

The Axis is Diadem’s third racquet silo after their first control-oriented racquet called Elevate and their second, power-focused racquet called Nova. Both those lines are now on their third generation, while this is (obviously) the first generation of the Diadem Axis.

When you first see the Axis racquets in pictures, you cannot but help to see the similarities between the Babolat Pure Aero racquets and these ones. The molds are very similar. But when you play with them, you do notice a distinct difference in feel.

Elina Svitolina, a former top ten player on the WTA Tour, likes the feel from the Axis 98 so much that she has made the switch from her Wilson racquet. This is a signficant move for Diadem. And remember that you get 15% off Diadem products using the code TENNISNERD15. You can find more discounts like this on our DEALS page.

Technology

The Diadem Axis racquets features an Air Foil Frame Design to maximize swing speed and spin generation. They also come with Precision + Strike Zone, which shifts the tightest part of the string bed higher in the frame to align with the modern player’s strike zone.

Like other Diadem racquets, the Axis frames feature Kraibon, a revolutionary elastomer widely used in motorsports and aerospace engineering, which is supposed to dampen vibrations for superior comfort. In my opinion, this one you really feel working in the racquets, but it is a matter of taste whether you like the feel or not.

This is their third generation of the Flex Stabilization System (FS) upgraded to FS3, which combines three carbon fiber ribs with HMT Carbon and high-density foam in targeted areas of the frame.

The Diadem Axis 100 Review

Specifications

Head Size: 100 sq in

Weight: 10.6oz / 300 g

Length: 27 Inches

Balance: 4 pts HL / 330 mm

Stiffness: 64

String Pattern: 16 x 19

Beam: 23 mm – 26 mm – 23 mm

Playability and performance

The Diadem Axis 100 is the model that will be interesting for most people. It will offer easier depth and playability than the Axis 98, at the cost of being less controlled. This racquet competes with racquets like the Babolat Pure Aero 100, the HEAD Extreme MP and the Yonex VCORE 100 and does so well. It is more dampened than the Aero 100 and plays closer to the VCORE. The sweet spot is relatively generous and the launch angle is high, but not unmanageable. In performance and ball flight it plays more like the Aero than the Yonex or HEAD.

As expected, this racquet was easy to pick up and play. Strung with Isospeed Black Fire at 51/49 lbs, I got the control I wanted from the frame without making it harsh or too dead. For my game, which is generally best when I can hit freely without adjusting my swing, it was a little too powerful, the same experience I had with the Aero 100. But for most people, this will be the one.

The comfort of the Axis frames is top-notch, although choosing the right string and tension is, as always, important. It also played more stable than its sub 320 strung swing weight.

The muted feel is either something you like or dislike. If comfort is your priority, I am sure you will appreciate it. However, even as a player who likes feedback from my racquets, I did not feel that it was too muted to play my game or trust my drop shots. It was a difficult racquet to find flaws with. If you are a player who enjoys a spin-oriented racquet and benefits from the higher launch and spin potential that this type of frame provides, then there is lots to like here.

All the competing racquets are good, it is more a matter of what feel you enjoy. I would say that the Axis is not worse than any of the mainstream brands and that the dampening should appeal to a large audience.

Thumbs up from me, although I personally prefer the Axis 98 for better control.

The Diadem Axis 98 Review

This racquet competes with the Babolat Pure Aero 98, the HEAD Extreme Pro and the Yonex VCORE 98.

Specifications

Head Size: 98 sq in

Weight: 10.8oz / 305g

Length: 27 Inches

Balance: 8 pts HL / 315 mm

Stiffness: 68

String Pattern: 16 x 20

Beam: 21.5 mm – 23.5 mm – 22 mm

Playability and performance

The Diadem Axis 98 is what drew Elina Svitolina to the brand and will be the racquet for most advanced players with faster swing speeds.

The smaller head size, compared to the Axis 100, should provide more confidence when you attack the ball. This is a racquet that requires you to swing faster, otherwise the ball has a tendency to fly and go longer than intended. The sweet spot is smaller than the 100, but is still relatively generous for a 98.

Compared to the bestselling Aero 98, the feel is more dampened and comfortable, which should appeal to players who loved that racquet but struggled with comfort. The specs allow room for customization, but still makes the racquet highly playable in stock form.

Having played the Aero 98 for quite a while, I felt right at home using the Axis 98. The transition was almost seamless. And the presence of foam made it feel stable and solid. I actually think this was easier to pick up and play than the Aero 98, but as I mentioned about the 100, it will be a question whether you like the muted sensation or not. I did not mind it and the first time I hit this racquet, I could play a set against a good player with success.

At the net, it felt solid enough to handle heavier shots and from the baseline it could hit with some potent spin and also carve out a nasty slice. Maybe it wasn’t quite as explosive as the Aero 98, meaning a little lower launch, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

The only area where I struggled with the Axis 98 was on serve for some reason. I got more help with the Aero 98, while this one did not produce quite the same pop. This is likely a personal issue and something I could dial in with the right string and some customization, but I wanted to mention it.

Overall, an excellent racquet and a solid competitor to the Aero 98, which is one of the most successful racquets in terms of sales currently on the market.

Summary

The Diadem Axis racquets surprised me by being even better than I expected. I had a feeling that they would be muted, being familiar with the tech involved in the Elevate and Nova, but I wasn’t sure how that would affect the playability of a spin frame.

But after playing with these for a couple of weeks, I must say that these are Diadem’s finest frames yet. They are the best-looking and performing racquets they have released thus far.

The muted feel will not be for everyone, but I don’t see it as an issue for most players. As many racquet brands have correctly identified, comfort is more of an issue for rec players than a dampened feel. The racquet purists might still want a more raw and connected sensation, however, so it needs to be pointed out.

I really liked these and could switch between the Axis 98 and Aero 98 without performance issues. In the end, I am more comfortable with racquets with lower launch angles and a stronger focus on control, but if you are a player looking for some spin and launch in a comfortable racquet, the Diadem Axis racquets should be checked out.

Another excellent release in 2025, which makes the choice of a new racquet for tennis players extra challenging.

If you are interested in the Diadem Axis or other Diadem products, you get 15% off using the code TENNISNERD15. You can find more discounts like this on our DEALS page.