There has been a hectic period of play-testing going on here at the Tennisnerd HQ and it is high time for the Tecnifibre Tfight XTC 305 Racquet Review. This racquet has received praise from other reviewers and after testing it thoroughly over a couple of weeks, I can understand why.
Tecnifibre has seen some success on the ATP pro tour recently. In the hands of Daniil Medvedev, Tallon Griekspoor and Jeremy Chardy, they have some interesting ambassadors for the brand. Looking at their website I was indeed surprised to find this information: “Jeremy Chardy (top 46) plays with the T-Fight 305, without modification or customization from the factory specs.” Can it be right?
Say what? Does Chardy play with an uncustomized Tfight XTC 305? I find that hard to believe since most pro’s, especially ones that hit as big as Chardy does, play with higher swing weights, but I find it hard to see why Tecnifibre would insist he does and risk a lawsuit. Here it is written again on the ATP world tour website.
Tecnifibre Tfight XTC 305 Racquet Review – Specs and tech
I borrowed the pics from the Tecnifibre website which will tell you about the added technologies and the specs of the racquet. Notable when it comes to specs is the swing weight. A 305-gram racquet rarely has a swing weight in the 330s, but this one does and that is what makes it so interesting. I have heard some complain that you lose some maneuverability, but for players who like a heavier swing weight, this one will play right in your wheelhouse.
The low static weight also gives you the option to add a leather grip and some lead tape to reach your desired weight, but keep in mind that you can’t lower the swing weight. I like this spec and found it really stable and that it offered some nice plow-through for its weight. I also think the 18×19 string pattern was a good idea because it offers good control yet more spin than an 18×20 string pattern racquet would. Two string patterns I want to see more of is the 18×19 that Djokovic uses nowadays and the 16×20 that Yonex is more famous for. It gives a nice blend of controlled launch angle while retaining better spin than the 18×20.
When it comes to technologies it is always difficult to say what works or not, but Tecnifibre is more practical than other manufacturers and since I string my own racquets I really like the EZ Lock eyelets and the bumper armor cap seems like a good idea for durability.
Tecnifibre Tfight XTC 305 Racquet Review – Performance
The Tecnifibre Tfight XTC 305
was a really well-balanced and versatile racquet. It played like a hybrid between the Wilson Blade 98 18×20
and the Babolat Pure Strike 98 16×19. It felt a bit more comfortable than the Pure Strike and also offer more control. It really works well as a relatively easy-to-use players racquet. I enjoyed it on serves and groundstrokes and it was really easy to pick up and use. I did not really find any obvious weaknesses and felt like I was in control of the ball and could generate both some good slice and topspin.
I did try it in stock form and with some lead tape in the hoop (2-3 grams at 12 o’clock to increase the power a bit) and I liked it with both specs. It is one of those racquets I could play tournaments with and I did actually take it into two matches with good success. This is probably the best 98 sq inch racquet I’ve tested since the 2017 Pure Strike and this one suits me a bit better with the increased control and slightly lower stiffness.
I have a really hard time to fault this racquet and I will keep playing around with it for a while more and see if it is something I can eventually switch to. It doesn’t offer quite the confidence to hit flat winners like the Angell K7 Lime that I am currently play-testing, but it is a bit easier to use. If you like to play with a modern, control-oriented racquet with a nice and beefy swing weight – try the Tecnifibre Tfight 305 XTC
 (Amazon link). I also must give thumbs up to the cosmetics, very classy.
Tecnifibre Tfight XTC 305 Racquet Review – Video coming soon
What do you think of the Tecnifibre Tfight XTC 305? Could this be a stick for you? Let me know in the comments below.
38 comments
Interesting! I like that there are no gimmicks on this racquet.
Have you tried the previous version too?
Is it really 98? Isnt it a 100 in real measurement?
Hi,
Sadly, I did not try the previous edition! It is really a 98. Actually 97.7 or something :) but more rounded in the head shape than a Blade 98 for example. Cheers / J
Waiting on that K7 Lime review ;-)
After reading the TennisNerd review, I checked out the Tennis-warehouse review, which was strangely conflicted: positive in the video but mixed in the written scores. I’ve been curious about the 18×19 racquets but never hit with one.
Definitely give this one a play-test!
It’s also a bit nuts to think Chardy uses such a light stick in stock form.
How does the balance feel? When I pick up a new Blade, I feel so much weight in the head and putting a leather grip on might balance it on a scale, but when playing do you still feel that head tip weight?
What’s the relationship with Head and Technifibre? The 315 LTD has Head pro stock codes on the pallet? Did they do this 18×19 from a DJoker mold?
I just got a K7 Lime, my first 18×20. Did this on a lark because I want me some Twaron and thin beam. I tried the K7 Red and that was way too open and unstable, looking forward to that review.
Yeah, you do feel the tip weight a bit, but I kind of like that. Good question about the relationship. Not sure! The LTD was a nice racquet, but a bit weird that they allow other companies to copy molds freely. Of course, the copying of molds have been going on for a long time, we would have no Pure Aero without the ProKennex Destiny for example. I must say I really like the K7 Lime so far! It is what I wanted the K7 Red to be. Plush, controlled, but still with some power. It is switchable for me for sure. But I also like the Tec! :)
Hi can you compare this vs the elevate 98?
Hi Alejandro, the Elevate is a bit more of a touch/feel racquet that reminds me of a HEAD Radical IG MP. The Tecnifibre is crisper, offers a more modern and spin-friendly response. I like both the Elevate and this one. If you like a crisper feel from the stringbed, go with the Tec, if you like a plusher response, go with the Diadem.
Your review is spot on!
I ve been playing with this racquet since it came out.
Bought it on a hunch, before the reviews came out, based on the specs. The low weight with high swingweight, the pattern and the stiffness, intrigued me.
It really is a very versatile racquet. It plays lighter than a similarly weighted blade 18×20. I also found it more powerfull and more controlled than a 16×19 pure strike. Great serving racquet too!
I really like the pattern, it is evenly spread and gives enough spin.
I think it s the only light racquet I can play stock with, but it also takes weight well. I like it with some weight only in the handle, but recently tried it with 6gr@ 3&9, bringing the sw up to 340, with 6gr in the handle for counterbalance. I liked it more this way, than with 3gr @12.
Try that and tell me if you can hit a flat winner!!
This opens up the sweetspot too.
Keep up the good work Jonas
Best regards
Thanks! Sounds like a good spec with some extra lead at 3 and 9. Will try it for sure. Cheers / J
I’m super impressed with the Lime, very solid, very comfortable and a very unique feel. Kind of spaceship feeling vs the graphite feel I’m used to, not as much feedback. Lost a bit of touch on carving slice BH and pickups, have not figured out inside out spin on FH and OHBH yet, but volleys are great and pancaking the FH. Have not really served with it yet. This is because the hoop is more stable than my Yonex, but the can’t do as much trickery, yet.
I have it with leather grip some lead under bumper at @351g, 32cm, 336 SW.
Ordered some 1.05mm Hyper G because I really have to take a full swing to get good spin, really have to commit. My other frame is 16×20 and I can 3/4 some shots and is much better with half volleys. Will go lower on tension and put in 17 NG mains.
But have really impressed. First 18×20 i’ve owned. The UT and PPMP I recently tried have nothing on this.
Yeah, I am impressed here too! Review coming tomorrow :) We seem to land at around the same specs. I have tested various setups so far, but more on that in the review.
Hi Jonas,
Off topic: do you know what racquet does Elina Svitolina real use, what is under the Burn 100 CV paintjob? Can you please post the specs of her racquet?
Thank you!
Hi,
Yes, will try to do more WTA players as well. Regards / Jonas
Loving all the great reviews!!! I am currently playing Angell TC95 18×20 but looking to change to a bit more forgiving racquet.. I noticed you almost changed to Head speed pro. I am currently thinking of that one or the Tecnifibre 305. What would you recommend? Looking for a bit more forgiveness with a similar feel and arm friendly enough (don’t mind a bit of tweaking..). Tried the TC100 but it’s too open for me..
Would really appreciate your advice!
Keep up the great work!!!!
Hi Barr,
Thanks! If you have any arm issues, the Speed Pro feels quite stiff so I would stay away from that one. I think the Tec could work well for you. It has a heavier feel, but decent comfort and a large sweet spot. You could also check out the Angell K7 Lime or Red! A bit bigger sweet spot than the TC 95 and plenty of feel and comfort.
Good luck / Jonas
How does the Tecnifibre 305 compare to the Pure Strike 18 x 20?
Ok thanks! What about feel and power levels between the Tecnifibre and lime? My preferred specs are around 315-320 gr swingweight strung 330 and balance around 31,5/32.. So probably need to modify a bit.
Also the new prince phantom pro 100 18×20 (320 grams) looks tempting!!
Anyway I need to stay away from too open patterns because of the higher launch angle.. so I would like to stay with 18×20 or 18×19
Thanks again!
TennisNerd,
I just bought the K7 Red and may likely also buy the Technifibre…somewhat similar post to notes that Barr has made above. I’m curious about difference in feel, that is, which is more buttery, easy on the arm. I’m also not sure which will fit best with my game, yet. I started with the 16×19 in the K7 because I’m coming off of a similar setup. The 18×19 is going to be a significant style change, but this will be the piece that will be most experimental. I have balanced out the Red at 338g with everything on it, VS mains and ALU Rough crosses, all at 44 lbs. I’m also curious about Lime in this mix of three possible frames. Just beginning the search for a new stick, mainly because of arm issues, and feeling like I’m running too light, getting pushed around by heavier balls, and need more plow-through generally. The search begins…
Hi Randy,
The search is the fun part! Sounds like you have a pretty good setup. If you like the feel of the K7 Red but prefer a lower launch angle, try the K7 Lime. I like both, but tend to prefer 18×20. The Tecnifibre will give you more pop on your groundstrokes for sure so that is worth a try as well.
Good luck! Cheers / Jonas
Hi Randy,
The K7 (both Lime and Red) is more buttery and easy on the arm for sure! Sounds like you have a good spec and string setup! Cheers / Jonas
Hi. What have more control and maneuverability? Wilson Blad or Tfight XTC 305?
Hi Luciano,
The Blade 18×20 has a lower swing weight so will be easier to swing. It is hard to say which racquet has the best control though. I prefer the XTC 305 because I think it offers better feedback and plays really stable.
Cheers / Jonas
Hi Jonas,
Thanks for the informative review. I have startet to appreciate beefier swing wheight raquets lately and mostly play with a Head XT Radical Pro these days leaving the Speed MP’s, MXG 3 etc in the bag despite that they are leaded up in the hoop.
Am attracted by the 305’s spec: true 98 inch head size, 18 x 19 string pattern, medium soft frame, 330+ swing wheight, good control and plough through combined with decent spin and power. Static wheight is also about right for me leaving a bit of room to tinker arround. My playing style might be charaterized as an agressive baseliner. I play with quite a lot of topspin on both wings but nevertheless gravitate to more allround solid playing and control oriented frames.
I would presume that the 305 plays similar to my Radical XT Pro but perhaps a bit softer feeling and with slightly less power and spin given the tighter string pattern. The upside might be a larger sweetspot and better control.
I guess the power could be beefed up with some lead at 12, thinner gauge strings and lower tension if I feel it lackning.
Any thoughts?
Hej Joakim,
Sounds like you have it figured out already. I personally prefer the feel of the XTC and I think it is one of the best 98 sq inch racquets on the market.
And you can always get more power by changing strings and tension. I also added 2 grams of lead at 12 and that was enough.
Go for it! Cheers / J
Thanks for a great review. Have been thinking about switching to this racket after trying a demo from a local shop.
Since you mention Chardy in your review, I was watching a tournament a few weeks ago (can’t remember which one) and it appeared that Chardy had some lead tape at 3 and 9. Maybe he started stock but has been experimenting as we all do.
Cheers!
Brandon,
Not that it matters to me but it does seem that Chardy has added a bit of lead tape at 3 and 9. see pic at https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/player.html?ccode=JCHARDY
Have order the racket now but yet to play with it.
Joakim,
It does look like lead tape at 3 and 9 in the pic. I like the racket at spec but love to tinker with my sticks. Don’t typically use a racket with a static weight below 325 but this one is solid as is. Can certainly understand why Chardy would like at spec but might be looking for a slightly higher swing weight.
Which one do you like, Wilson Ultra Tour97?
Hi Jonas & co,
I recently switched to the Tecnifibre T-Fight XTC 305, while fitting leather grips I noticed the numbers / codes on the pallets didn’t match on all three rackets. Two rackets had TF15-3-D and the other had TF15-3-E. All the pallets / handles appear to be the same size. Does anyone know if there is a difference ? If there is no difference why doesn’t Technifibre put the same code on all of there pallets ?
Thanks
Stuart.
Hi Stuart,
That sounds really strange. I would reach out to Tecnifibre to ask them about that.
Regards / Jonas
Is that grip size 3 or? Do you prefer 2 or 3? How does it effect playing in your opinion?
Hi,
Yes, I almost always go for 3. Except for Babolat which are a bit thick for me. I think it is all about comfort, but a grip that is too large can have a negative impact on spin and a grip that is too small can impact control.
I write about grips in my “How to choose a tennis racquet” series on Patreon. Please consider supporting and you will get access to unique content every week. https://www.patreon.com/tennisnerd
Regards / Jonas
Thank you for the review. I recently bought two of these rackets and to my regret I experience more and more arm / elbow pain. I string relatively low (22-23 kgs) with a poly string.
Did you during your playtest experience anything similar with this racket?
Hi Joseph,
I did not actually, try stringing even lower or go for a hybrid setup with a softer string in the mains such as a multifilament or nat/syn gut and a poly in the crosses. If the pain doesn’t go down, you should either look at another racquet or possibly consult a coach and see if there is anything in your technique that is causing the pain. Classic causes of tennis elbow and arm issues is that you are too tense and gripping the racquet too tight when you are hitting.
Good luck / Jonas
Anyone experiencing arm problems playing with this racket? I did, after two weeks of hitting. Had to sell them. The guy I sold them to experienced the same thing.
Sorry Jonas, I see you already replied. Merci!