I’m going through all the reviews I’ve done in 2021 and it’s quite a list. What are the best racquets of the year?
Let’s have a look at the list of racquets I’ve reviewed in 2021 to give us a better idea of what are the best racquets of the year.
Racquets I’ve reviewed in 2021
Angell K7 Lime and Cyan XL
Babolat Pure Drive Tour
Dunlop CX 200 Tour
Dunlop CX 400 Tour
Dunlop CX 200
HEAD Boom MP (prototype)
HEAD Boom Pro
HEAD Gravity Racquets paint job
HEAD Prestige Racquets 2021 (Pro, Tour, MP and MP L)
HEAD Extreme Tour and MP NITE
HEAD Speed MP and Pro
Pacific X-Fast LT
Pacific X-Fast ULT
Prince Phantom 100G LB
Prince CTS Synergy DB 26
Prince Vortex 310
Prince Textreme Tour O3 290 Tattoo
Prince Synergy 98
Prince Ripstick 300 and 280
Prince Twistpower X100
ProKennex Ki Q+5X
ProKennex Ki Q+5 300
ProKennex Ki Q+5 Pro
ProKennex Ki Black Ace Pro 305
Solinco Whiteout 98
Tecnifibre Tfight RS 300
Tecnifibre T-Rebound IGA 298
Tecnifibre TF-X1
Yonex VCORE Pro Racquets (97, 97D, 97H, 100)
Yonex VCORE 98+
Yonex Regna 98
Volkl V-Cell 10 300
Volkl V-Cell 10 320
Wilson Blade 104 V8
Wilson Blade V8 98
Wilson Pro Staff Six One 100
What else?
Have I missed any racquets? Possibly. I did a few so-called revisit reviews as well in 2021 covering the Prince Textreme Tour 100 and Wilson Clash 98 to name two. I also reviewed Wilson custom racquets and a customized pro stock HEAD TGT 345.2 from Ring&Roll. I also reviewed racquets I hadn’t been able to in previous years like the Babolat Pure Strike 98 18×20 as well as the Babolat Pure Aero VS and covering a new brand like Furi Sport and their racquets.
I’ve also done some string reviews of Top Spin strings, Yonex Poly Tour Rev and Dyreex strings to name a few.
I intensively tested the new Adidas Barricades and the Nike Vapor Pro, but in the end the shoe I wear the most is a HEAD Sprint SF.
I’m working on creating a best of video/post of the stuff I’ve tried this year. It will cover products I reviewed and not focus on when they will be available or were made available.
I’m also keen to hear from you what racquets and strings you have liked the most in 2021! Please comment below.
8 comments
when does the best list come out? are you going to do with top 5? 10?
I went back. Back in time to an oldie but goodie. Last spring I went through my semi-annual racquet crisis still believing there was a perfect match for me. I tried several racquets that you demo’d and found a handful of candidates. One that I really liked was the Dunlop 400. Such a great old school feel.
I just couldnt buy them based on how much cash I’d need for two of them.
Enter the old HEAD i.radical OS.
Swiped two of these off ebay for $110.
Strung with Kevlar/Syn at 52 and this racquet performs well in every category.
Only complaint is the HEAD grip shape. Ive modified with precise cut tape but wonered if this grip could be replaced with a Wilson shaped grip.
Hi, Jonas…I recently opted for the Dunlop CX 200 OS…it seems unique in that it’s a 105, but with a slim beam…a ‘players oversize’ if there is such a creature.
I added a bit of tungsten tape at 3 & 9 to up the stability to help against heavy hitters and counterbalanced under an added overgrip to make it a bit more headlight…
Overall, the weight is still under 11.5 ounces so it’s kind of in that sweet spot of neither too light nor too heavy.
I’m still getting used to it but it does seem especially suited for an older (smaller) player who’s getting into more doubles…just makes things a little easier without necessitating a change in playing style or strokes…
So far it seems very quick and precise…particularly since it’s OS…
Actually, it seems…and I hope it proves to be, since that’s what I was seeking…an easier, more powerful Angell K7 Red (which is terrific but sometimes bit challenging)…
In any event, have a terrific Holiday & New Year!!!
And many thanks for all your insights & opinions!
Hi Jonas. You mention in the video that you’re loving the new Blade v8 now – but in your first review you said you didn’t think it was much of an improvement. How come your opinion has changed?
Hey Joe, well, it’s not a huge update still, but everything about the update makes sense. Easier to swing, still plush, good control. Also I have talked to many players and it seems to be a winner with most of them so deserves some praise.
Cheers / J
I’ve bought it this year – but it is one of the best 98″ frame (if not simply the best) – Tecnifibre Tf40 (305g or 315g, it looks like the havier one is simply 305g with extra weight in the handle).
I’m loving the new VCORE PRO 97D, I have it strung with Solinco Confidential 18 gauge @ 49 lbs.
I have to agree with Kyle on the VCORE PRO 97D, simply amazing racket. Together with this one I have in my bag HEAD Radical MP to complement the Yonex. Very pleased with it as well. The strings are tougher to evaluate but generally speaking I am a huge fan of the hybrid combo, multis in the mains and polys in the crosses.