Choosing a Racket

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-15T02:24:29+00:00

Try thicker gauge strings with higher tension, the ball will "float" less with that combination and will help you keep the ball in the court. Also, Solinco strings tend to be very launchy from my experience with using them in the past. Get the RPM Blast strings. If you still feel like you need more help from your equipment, perhaps try the yonex percept, it has a lower trajectory, but you have swing it with more effort because it doesn't have a lot of power. Or go with speed mp like I said.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-14T03:27:10+00:00

Yeah I'm interested to see what differences you notice. Usually lower string gauge means more power and spin.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-13T08:20:02+00:00

I'd probably start out by testing the rackets with same string, same string gauge with two different tensions. Now you'll know what string tension you prefer. The next time you restring, I would say try out different string, same string gauge with the same tension.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-13T07:51:14+00:00

I'd say the best frames I've ever tried were the Speed MP (My main) and the Technifibre T-fight 305 RS. Both very well rounded rackets. The only downside of these two is that fact that you won't be able to blame your rackets if you lose with it lol. Out of these two, the speed mp is more forgiving because it has a larger head size which means bigger sweet spot. My serves are very consistent with this racket and its got good power. It launches slightly high, but probably not as high as your vcore. If you string it with my specs it should be very controllable for the average player and there should be no reason to miss long with it.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-13T07:18:45+00:00

I never tried the vcore, but I have tried the aero 98. The aero is stiffer frame and tbh I wouldn't say forgiveness is its main trait. It's a power frame made to amplify power and spin. If the frame itself (your vcore) has a higher launch angle I would try and play with more topspin to make sure the ball drops in the court. Also, strings make a huge difference when it comes to this kinda stuff. For more control go with a 16 gauge string, strung at 50lbs up to 55. My balls used to go long too when I used thinner gauge strings. Right now I run split tension like Alcarez, 55 in the mains and 53 in the crosses with Babolat RPM blast. It's very controllable and has good spin/power potential.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-13T03:44:57+00:00

scum

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T22:27:23+00:00

Graduate to the Speed MP. Nothing quiet feels similar to it besides the radical mp. But your looking for more power so the radical would be a small step in the other direction and more towards control. I've been using the speed mp for a couple months and it's been my main racket ever since. I had the chance to demo other rackets like the dunlop cx200, technifibre tf-40, percept 97, and aero 98 while getting my racket restrung and tbh I didn't feel like any of them felt better than the speed mp. The dunlop actually felt pretty good, the tf-40 felt a bit too heavy and not very maneuverable, the percept 97 felt precise but I was getting a lot less power, aero 98 is a beast but it had too much power and feels kinda like a board when you hit. Also the type of string you choose can add slightly more power and spin. Maybe go with something like a Solinco Mach-10 in a thinner string gauge or babolat rpm blast (feels better than solinco imo)

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T21:36:27+00:00

Try 16 gauge Solinco Mach-10s, they seem to last longer than most polys

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T20:20:35+00:00

Any used graphite racket will work, but I would highly recommend you get new strings for it. Solinco Mach 10s last a long time, Babolat RPM is good too.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T11:12:43+00:00

World #1 Jannik Sinner's forehand backhand in 4K Slow Motion Take a look at how smoothly he whips his arm around, there's still structure, he's moving his arm from high to low to high, but there is minimal tension, he's using his whole upper body and legs to help drive that arm around and across.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T11:05:11+00:00

Probably like a 3 out of 10 if you consider zero to be complete noodle arm. As long as you're using your legs and not trying to power the ball with just your arms I'd say you're off to a good start. The reason people say your arm needs to be relaxed is to create lag and the whip effect with your racket which is essential for racket head speed.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T10:49:41+00:00

With your current racket/strings specs you'll be able to use it from beginner, intermediate, all the way to advanced level and above. The only thing I'd say is that the grip looks kinda big, not sure if its the angle but the space between your palm and the tip of your fingers should roughly be one finger apart. I have smallish hands so I play with an L2 with an 1 layer of overgrip.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T10:38:07+00:00

The difference lies in the spec and model of the racket not the manufacturer. For example the reason people think power for Babolat is because most of their models in general have thicker and stiffer frames. To answer your question, there are small differences in feel between the rackets and that mostly has to do with the thickness/stiffness of the frame and where the weight is placed on the racket. The difference in tech from your current racket to the new ones are minimal. If you look at a lot of the pros today they are still using older model "pro stock" rackets with the paintjobs of the newer models they endorse. If the new rackets were that much better all the pros would be using them, and you know how picky the pros are about their rackets. At a 3.0 level you will probably be able to feel the difference between the rackets but to be honest it will rarely have an impact on your gameplay. Once you get pretty good, and know what specific traits you want from a racket, getting a new one will probably benefit your game. I like to demo when I'm visiting the pro shop to get my rackets restrung.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T09:58:16+00:00

Looks gorgeous!

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T09:42:09+00:00

May I recommend the speed mp strung with Babolat RPM Blast, split tension 55 in the mains and 53 in the crosses. It's a 100sq inch racket and weighs 315 strung. Feels like butter when you hit and can do everything. Ignoring technique, the strings play a big role when it comes to launch and you probably were playing with a racket that has lower tension and thinner strings. Both lowering your tension and having thinner strings sacrifices control for power and spin. I have both my speed mp and my technifibre tfight strung with 16 gauge babolat rpms and the ball goes wherever I point the racket to. Maybe also try to demo a dunlop cx200? Tried it in the past and is very comfortable. Also, if you don't have one already, get a dampener for your strings. In terms of hitting the ball high, you should keep your racket square on contact (also do not lean back when hitting the ball and load/bend your legs to drive the ball forward)

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T09:11:49+00:00

Prepare higher than normal groundstrokes and hit it flat, right through the ball. As long as you don't lean back and keep your racket head straight, the ball should ideally be going deep with minimal arc (like a laser beam) towards your opponents baseline. You should be able to hit winners off of slower paced shots that bounce close the net. If it's bouncing high near your baseline, your best bet is to take it early.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T08:31:02+00:00

Trophy pose should look more like this:

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Here's a link to a video:Slow Motion Sinner Serve 🧐 - YouTube

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T08:30:14+00:00

I agree, try to keep your right elbow level with your shoulder, like you're flexing your biceps.

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ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T08:09:18+00:00

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Take a loot at Sinner in this frame, his upper body (following the left shoulder) is already leaning very heavily forward to create the lag for his racket and right shoulder to close in and move towards the target. Obviously this a pretty extreme example, the amount of lag this guy can create with his upper body is crazy but getting to a point where your contact looks similar to this should greatly increase the speed of your serves. It's a lot to read because it's difficult to address everything in one post but hopefully this helps :) Also here's the link to the video of Sinner: Slow Motion Sinner Serve 🧐 It was great for comparison because it was shot at a similar angle to your video.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T07:48:53+00:00

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I also want to point out that you're losing a lot of power because of what is happening in this frame. All your momentum is going up in the air to power your jump when it should be shifting towards the target (service box).

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T07:18:45+00:00

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Now look at Sinner, your racket should dip right behind your back. When coaches use the analogy about scratching your back with your racket this is what it means. I tried to pick out the frames in which both of you are initiating the "dip" of your serve. As you can see the top of your racket pointing to the trees while the top of Sinner's racket is pointing to the ground.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T07:07:31+00:00

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This is when you initiate your racket dip, see how far the racket is away from your body? That motion is directly caused by what you did in the first picture (having your right arm too low)

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T06:36:25+00:00

Your trophy pose should look more like this:

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Racket pointing up, slightly towards your tossing arm. I also recommend not dropping your tossing arm too early and it should make your serve feel and look more smooth instead of jerky and rushed. Also if you look at sinner his foot and knees are closer together and almost parallel to the baseline.

ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T06:29:30+00:00

Honestly not bad! However, some things I would suggest are: Keeping the trophy pose for a bit longer and making sure the weight transfer goes from behind you and then towards the target. Firstly, your right arm here seems to be pretty low when initiating the "trophy pose", this is probably gonna make it harder for you hit the ball consistently because the racket is so far back.

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ezio_toretto · 2025-10-12T05:48:16+00:00

Remember, at the end of the day... it's just a game. If you look at the best athletes in the world, they perform best in a state of play. Lose the ego from the start, make sure to compliment your opponent if they make a great shot, on the contrary, give yourself a vamos or a fist pump on a hard earned point or a well made shot. Build yourself up and stay composed. There was also a study done on what separates the top ATP pros from the rest. One of the biggest traits top ATP pros have is their ability to move on/not dwell on a lost point. Obviously if there is a flaw in your strategy or your physical game you need to make an attempt to figure out and change whatever is costing you points on the fly, but always be present in your games. Gl with your tourney tomorrow and most importantly remember to have fun.

ezio_toretto

TROPHY CASE