TenX Pro is a relatively new brand on the tennis market. Based in Sydney, Australia, a father, and son has launched a tennis racquet that is supposed to play exactly like a “pro stock racquet”. They call it the Xcalibre and this is my TenX Pro Xcalibre Racquet Review.
The idea behind TenX Pro is to offer top quality racquets with a so-called pro stock feel for the advanced and improving player. The technology they offer is something called Uniflex (uniform flex) which makes the racquet flex as a whole unit. The idea is to offer better stability, comfort, and feel. They have a constant beam width of 20 mm and a flex rating of 66 RA unstrung. They come in a headlight feel with the idea that you can customize it yourself with lead tape if you want an even higher swing weight or more stability. If you want to find out how this racquet plays, keep reading this TenX Pro Xcalibre racquet review.
Listen to co-founder Andrew Bennett talk about the thinking behind the Xcalibre racquets on the TenX Pro official website.
You can buy and check out TenX Pro racquets here.
Tenx Pro Xcalibre Racquet Review – Specs and tech
First of all, I want to mention the classy cosmetics, which is pretty much all black with the TenX logo on the butt cap, side and above the handle. I think this is a style that a lot of players will like. And the inspiration is likely from blacked-out racquets that the pros are using when they are testing new frames or are in between paint jobs. I think the specs are spot on for an advanced player, but one thing I want to point out is that all Xcalibre racquets are extended racquets at 27.5 inches. This might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it did not feel clunky or difficult to maneuver to me.
Tenx Pro Xcalibre Racquet Review – Specs of 303 and 315
Head size: 98 sq inches
Length: 27.5 inches
Beam width: 20 mm constant beam
String pattern: 16×19 (tight pattern)
Balance point: 31,6 cm
Stiffness. RA 66
TenX Pro were kind enough to send me two racquets for testing, one 303 gram racquet, and one 315 gram racquet. The lower weight gives you more room for customization, while the higher weight makes it easier to play in stock form without applying any extra weight.
Tenx Pro Xcalibre Racquet Review – How do they play?
I tried these racquets with two string setups: HEAD Hawk Touch (click for my review of this string) at 22 kg and Luxilon Alu Power Rough
 (Amazon link) at 23 kg. They both played well with these strings, but I gravitated towards the HEAD Hawk Touch.
The racquets do feel solid from the get-go, but personally, I liked the 303 more with some lead tape added. The extended length makes these racquets play solidly without a massive weight and as I said, the thin beam and makes them relatively easy to maneuver anyway.
When TenX Pro claims their racquets play like pro stock, it can be hard to know exactly what they mean. There are a lot of pro stocks (what is a pro stock? read here) out there and many of them are of course different. I think they mean that the quality of the carbon fiber as well as the attention to detail and the feel, are supposed to be close to for example HEAD pro stocks like the PT57E or TGT 293.2.
And they do play very close to a controlled Prestige mold racquet. The flex is noticeable, but not noodle-like. The control is top notch. You are definitely connected to the tennis ball with these racquets. So if you are on the market for a proper “players frame” and not afraid of the extended length, these racquets are definitely worth checking out.
Tenx Pro Xcalibre Racquet Review – Performance
The TenX Pro racquet plays very close to a more comfortable Wilson Pro Staff 97. The string bed is tight and controlled. The sweet spot is not huge, but precise. The spin is there and the power too (if you bring it). It is a well-balanced frame that demanding players will likely enjoy. Sure, this is a control-oriented frame that doesn’t give you anything for free, but if that is what you’re looking for, this one pretty much checks off all the boxes.
It was not easy to fault this racquet anywhere. Comparing it to other 97-98 sq inch racquets, it is more controlled than a Yonex VCORE 98 for example, but more powerful than an Angell K7 Lime. Like with the K7 Lime, I really loved it on my slice as the thin beam really helps to knife the ball. The sweet spot is not huge for players who hit their forehand with an extreme SW or W grip, so I think there are other more spin-friendly racquets. I think this racquet liked it best when I went on the attack, played a bit of a flatter style and took the game to my opponents. It was stable enough to deflect pace from hard-hitting players and offered plenty of feel on volleys.
Of the two weight classes, I personally preferred the lighter 303 with some extra lead tape. I have noticed that I tend to like lower weights with more room for customization recently and that one did not need a lot of lead tape to play great.
Tenx Pro Xcalibre Racquet Review – Summary
TenX Pro is simply another new brand making quality tennis racquets. These Xcalibre racquets will offer the advanced attacking player some really nice features to elevate their game. I also like that TenX offer a global sponsorship program where players ranked within the 5000 on the ITF can get a nice discount on their racquets. Competing on the tennis tour is tough and expensive and any help the players can get is welcome.
I really liked my TenX Pro Xcalibre racquets. If I was in the market for another players frame, this is something I could definitely switch to. I think they have found an interesting niche with a focus on player frames and I appreciate the clean black, no BS design. This is definitely a solid effort and I am quite surprised to see so many new, smaller brands coming up with good products lately. It is a good sign and hopefully pushes the industry through higher quality standards and more innovation.
TenX Pro Xcalibre Racquet Review – Video
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14 comments
Are you still using the K7 Lime as your go-to tournament stick?
Hi Bruno,
I love the K7 and still have it, but to be honest I can’t really commit to any frame right now. Working on Tennisnerd has to take priority over my own tournament results so I tend to bring different frames to every other match I play and focus on footwork and technique instead of the racquet. It is not ideal, but I have learned to adapt my game to different racquets and it is the only way I can keep working on the site with the kind of tempo I have. What I do have is a list of top 3-5 racquets and I tend to use those for matches:
Right now the list is:
Wilson Clash Tour
Angell K7 Lime
Pacific X Tour Pro 97
Babolat Soft Drive
But it does change from time to time. Regards / Jonas
Jonas, I know that this might no be the proper place to ask, but I reccon that it has greater chance of you seeing it…
About your Babolat Pure Strike review. Did you get to do some playtesting at that time? That review in particular seemed a bit different from the usual, like more as a warning against the hype from sellers review…
If you did, how did it feel compared to head graphene 360 speed pro, for exemple? Or with wilson clash? Is it a more control oriented stick or is it simmilar to the others babolat sticks (power and spin)?
I’m considering switching gear, since my actual stick is 13 year oldish and pretty much a mid to low tier head racket (I cant actually find anything about the model on the internet…. the technology is intellifiber. the series should be intelligence i.xtour, if that even means anything, since i cant find nothing about it in the web).
Your reviews and insights have been really usefull. Really nice work here on the site and with the youtube chanel.
cheers from Brazil
I did that one a while back and my wrist pain concerned me. I am not alone in calling the racquet stiff, but I also know players who use it without any problems whatsoever and it really is a nice racquet. It has a bit more power than the Speed Pro. The Clash is quite hard to compare with because that is a very different racquet with a quite unique feel.
Yeah, I know which racquet you use. Sounds like it is about time for a change. Not sure what your game style is and what you are looking for, but here are the key characteristics of the racquets you mention:
Pure Strike – Crisp, controlled – an attacking players weapon.
Clash – Spin-friendly and comfortable – Great for baseliners.
Graphene 360 Speed Pro – Versatile frame, lower launch angle.
Hope you find something you like. Cheers / Jonas
In time, its really a shame that we dont get easy access here in Brazil to these smaller brands you have reviewed. There are some interesting sticks I’d be really interested in demoing, like the angel k7 red or lime, some diadems and this TenX
It is not that easy in Malta either, but Tennisnerd helps :) I must say I have been really surprised and impressed with brands like Angell, Diadem and TenX. All great products!
Hi,Jonas…
How would you compare it with Angell custom racquets?
I use an Angell TC97 and I am curious about this frame.
Thanks (from Brazil)
Hi,
Tough one! Since the Angell TC 97 is foam-filled it offers a bit different feel. It feels more solid, but a tad slower through the air. Both are comfortable and top quality racquets so it ends up being a matter of feel.
Regards / Jonas
Hi Silas,
They have a similar style actually! They are not foam filled like Angell’s but offer good flex and comfort.
Not sure what you would like most, two great choices.
Regards / Jonas
Great review! I noticed you said this was not the best for spin in the category, so as someone who plays with a lot of spin, is there a racquet you suggest that offers decent control (coming from a Pure Drive Roddick, want more control), but gives maximum spin? I’m a fairly aggressive baseliner who hits hard with heavy spin, so I want a spin-montster that I also feel comfortable going toward the lines with. I’m 27 and fairly strong, so I don’t NEED free power, I can generate my own. I want a controlled, spin monster that I can really let loose with. I prefer extended racquets, but it is not a “must”. Any racquets you feel fit this general description?
Thanks, Tennisnerd!!
Hi Nick,
Thanks! Here are a couple of alternatives:
* Pacific X Fast Pro 310 (extended) you can buy mine :)
* Prince Textreme Tour 310
* Wilson Clash Tour
* Prince Beast 98
* Angell K7 Red
Good luck / Jonas
Jonas,
I’m honestly very intrigued by the Pacific! How much would you charge? I’m a US resident, so I’m sure the shipping would be more. I’m a poor college student, so I likely wouldn’t be able to afford it until I get my refund check from school (late August), but if you still have have it then, I think it’s a racquet that really fits my specs and I like supporting the smaller brands anyway!
Thanks for the recommendations!
-Nick
Hi Jonas,
After reading your review I took the chance and bought a Tenx Xcalibre 303g. I normally gravitate to 310g and 315g frames and still add a little lead to come in round the 340g.
But must say I am extremely impressed with this stick. Quality seems good which I tested against my will on its first night with sweaty hands, it came from my hand into the hard court when serving but all is ok and only a few scratches to show for it luckily.
I have been using a Yonex Vcore Pro 97 310g as my main stick and occaisionally would use my Pro Kennex 7g or Pro Staff Classic 6.1 95 all of which are nice frames.
But I must say I much prefer this Tenx to all of those and now won’t be changing for a long time, the feel and control are very nice as you stated and I took your suggestion and placed some lead (maybe 3g) between 10 and 2 and that has got hit the sweetspot for me.
But just wanted to say thanks as your review was spot on and really did help with my decision. I have been testing racquets for the last 3 years since returning to competitive tennis and finally found my Xcalibre :)
Regards Tristan
Hi Tristan,
Happy to hear you got help from my review and found a great racquet for your game!
Regards / Jonas