Tecnifibre TF40 2024 Review

This Tecnifibre TF40 2024 review covers the 16/19 305 gram version. The racquets mainly differ in weight, balance and swing weight.

Introduction

This is the third generation of the Tecnifibre TF40, released to celebrate 40 years of Tecnifibre (started as Major). The first generation wowed players looking for control but with a bit more pop than Prestiges and Pro Staffs. It immediately became a competitor to the HEAD Radical and the Wilson Blade, which capture large chunks of the racquet market.

The TF40 is foam-filled, has a somewhat beefy swing weight around 330 strung and comes available in 18/20 for maximum precision and 16/19 for more access to depth and a higher launch angle. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if they just went for a hybrid string pattern of 16/20 or 18/19 to capture the best of both worlds, but in Tecnifibre’s case they already have the firmer Tfight 305 with this pattern (which is also used by Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic).

What’s new?

There seems to be little change in technologies from the 2022 Tecnifibre TF40. You can read about the different models in our Tecnifibre TF40 2024 post. If we check Tennis Warehouse Europe’s spec page, we find this:

Technologies include a stable RS Sharp beam along with Dynacore XTC to enhance touch, dwell time, and pocketing. This racket also has Foam Insidefor a more solid feel at impact.

If I compare the specifications of the models, it is clear that they have increased the stiffness (RA) a bit in the 2024 version and increased the swing weight of the open pattern models.

Specifications

With a swing weight of 301, you are most likely getting a tad above 330 strung (depending on the string you use), which is a solid racquet with a good power level, but it will be demanding to swing for some players.

Playability and performance

The Tecnifibre TF40 2024 is a control racquet, but thanks to the medium stiffness and higher swing weight, it still packs a punch. This was the most standout feature when comparing it to the previous generation. I had more on the ball, especially on serve and when trying to finish points or force my opponents back. This made the racquet more dangerous and interesting to use for a player trying to transition from control to more powerful racquets.

I think it balanced this aspect of a modern control racquet with some power even better than the Wilson Blade 98. In today’s game, I feel like you appreciate a bit more help from the racquet on all levels and the TF40 2024 balanced these aspects of control and power really well.

Despite the 330 swing weight, I felt like the racquet swung rather fast and easily and I could whip up enough topspin to control the ball.

There were actually not many aspects of this racquet that I don’t like. I usually keep a list of match-ready-racquets, meaning racquets I could take into an official tournament without much deliberation and this is one of them.

I managed to win the tournament match and I have yet to lose a practice set with this racquet.

However, the grip shape is still not entirely convincing for me. The very rectangular nature (think old TK76 HEAD grips) is not quite comfortable on all shots, and I feel myself losing the sense of grip at times. The grip can be customized using different types of tape or lead tape strips and you can always bring it to a professional customizer, so there are always ways to get it to your liking.

Pros and cons

The Tecnifibre TF40 is not easy to describe in terms of pros and cons. For my game, it has worked really well in pretty much all aspects. If you have played with this frame, let me know what you feel about it in the comments below.

Pros +

Stability
Power
Still controlled
Comfort

Cons –

Extreme grip shape
No trap door for adding weight to the handle
Some players might dislike the high swing weight

Competitors

Wilson Blade 98 is the obvious competitor. I prefer the specs and more solid feel of the TF40.
HEAD Radical MP is similar to the Blade 98 more controlled than the TF40, so those options are better if that is your main prioritiy.
Dunlop CX 200 lacks some of the mass of the TF40.
Solinco Whiteout is somewhat similar, but a tad more muted, perhaps.
Babolat Pure Strike 98 2024 is firmer and even more powerful, but not as good in terms of comfort.

None of these racquets are bad in any way, but the new Tecnifibre TF40 might be my new personal fave in this segment.

Summary

The new Tecnifibre TF40 2024 is an excellent frame. It has more power/depth than the predecessor and that is a good thing. But it remains a relatively control-oriented and comfortable racquet.

There is not a lot to dislike with this frame and it has become one of my favorite play-tests in 2024. However, the grip shape remains quite extreme and you cannot add weight inside the handle unless you drill a hole in the endcap, because there is no trap door.

Tecnifibre keeps improving their products and the TF40 is, although not drastically different, a clear step in the right direction. More power/stability from the previous 16/19 is what the racquet doctor ordered and I could easily take this racquet into my next tournament.

Tennisnerd Approved!

Checkout the new Tecnifibre TF40 from our friends at Tennis Warehouse (USA), Tennis Warehouse Europe (get 10% off using TNERD10) and Tennis Only (AU).