After a period where few “player” racquets saw the light of day, we’ve suddenly been fortunate to see the Wilson Ultra Tour and the Dunlop Srixon Revo CX 2.0 Tour released. Will other brands follow?
Traditional player racquets are usually heavier, thin-beamed, flexible and low-powered. It’s all about control and comfort. Modern racquets on the other hand are stiffer and lighter to maximize swing speeds, spin and power. After quite a long trend of pretty much only modern tennis racquets being released, it’s really nice to see two high quality racquets such as the Wilson Ultra Tour
(which I review here) and the Dunlop Srixon Revo CX 2.0 Tour
(which I’ve yet to play with, but heard many good things about) released for discerning players.
The specs are quite close on paper. Thin beams, low stiffness ratings (63 for the Wilson, 61 for the Dunlop), 97 and 95 sq inch head size and a plush, comfortable feel. Both have received really positive reviews from play-testers and medium to advanced players around the world. I’m not at all surprised by this, since there will always be a need for this type of racquets. And a lot of people who haven’t tried playing with a more traditional frame are usually blown away by how much control and comfort they can achieve with such as a frame and what it does to their game.
Like I wrote in my post on how to avoid tennis elbow, playing with a traditional players’ racquet is beneficial in so many ways:
- You are “forced” to learn proper technique and become a better tennis player.
- You will likely save your arm from typical tennis injuries.
- You’re increased level of “feel” will hopefully make you more creative as a player (drop shots etc).
Great player’ racquets available now:Â
Wilson Ultra Tour
Dunlop Srixon Revo CX 2.0 Tour
Prince Textreme Tour 95
Angell TC 97 Custom
What I feel is really missing from the list above is a players’ racquet from HEAD, who used to be the grandfather company of great traditional racquets with the legendary HEAD Pro Tour 630/280 (PT57A) and the beautiful HEAD Radical Tour racquets (before the introduction of Graphene). It would have been great for HEAD to release a racquet similar to the more old school Prestige racquets or even the HEAD Pro Tour. Why not a HEAD Prestige Tour or something similar? I KNOW there is a market for such a racquet and I think the talk around the Wilson Ultra Tour, the Dunlop Srixon Revo CX 2.0 Tour
 (as used by Kevin Anderson) and the Angell line of racquets are great evidence of the interest around more traditional frames.
So if any HEAD representatives are reading this humble tennis blog, please take this request into consideration! I really think it would be worth your time and money.
What are you looking for in a tennis racquet? Are your needs covered by the current racquets on the market? Please comment below.
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4 comments
new Tec 315 not the same as the 2013 version?
at least its another platform racquet in a player’s mold, copying the PT57a
Also, found a website leak of the new Prestige iterations coming up. Its down these days :/
It had a small pic of the lineup: mid (!), MP, PRO, S, and Tour
Im really hoping the mid is a true Prestige mid (89.5sq-in) and not a renamed Rev Pro
The Tour is interesting, there hasnt been a “tour” suffix before since the Classic Tour back in the 90s which was a Classic Mid with a suspension handle.
Could Murray be changing endorsements? and thats the one he is given this time around. Idea is since his racquet today is closest to the Prestige Pro, maybe a heavier version of it. Not sure if Head wants to let him go from Radicals to keep them selling like hotcakes. Enthusiasts hoping for a re-released Pro Tour under that too. Would be interesting.
Hi Luis,
No, the new Tecnifibre 315 is not exactly the same as the beloved 2013 version but quite similar.
A Prestige Tour sounds like a dream for most players depending on the specs. If it was Graphene-free like the Ultra Tour is Countervail-free I would be very interested.
Would be interesting to see Murray switch racquet endorsements from Radical to Prestige and would make more sense given his racquet heritage.
Yes, let’s cross our fingers for a re-release of the Pro Tour 630/280! :)
Cheers / Jonas
Tennis warehouse was selling a few Dunlop prostock frames recently (option 2, biomimetic 400 paintjob, extended length 27.5 inches, 65 ra strung, 16×19, 12.1 oz strung, 365 sw). The frame says 100 sq in but it’s closer to 97-98 when I compared it with my son’s biomimetic 500 retail frame.
The plowthru and feedback are addictive and unlike any retail frame I have played with (except the prokennex ki5 pse, Becker 11 se) and while the balance was too close to even for me (no silicone or leather grip) I added some lead strips to the handle (now 12.5 oz) to make it more hl (6-7 pts) it is a serious weapon from anywhere in the court.
Serving is somewhat tough for me since I have never played with an extended length before, so am getting used to it but I can understand why the pro’s play with frames like this even though the stiffness was higher than typical prostock frames (ESP the head series) and felt moderately firm but never harsh.
After one year of learning how to play tennis, i wanted to try some other racquets. Went to allegro (polish ebay let’s say), found Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 classic for 40 z? (less than $20), checked online whay kind of stick this is and bought it. Afyer the forst hit I opened my eyed in amusement and asked muself “OMG what was that”?. That’s how I fell in love with heavy, control- and touch-oriented oldies. Next 8 years was a struggle to be able yo operate this racquet and after all this time and training I can say it was hell worth it. But i had to gain a lot of syrength and technique and my bones had to get thicker.