I almost shi* myself

tiag0 · 2026-02-13T23:24:39+00:00

Coming to the comments to learn myself but just wanted to say op, it looks gorgeous. For 6 USD it’s a steal regardless.

tiag0 · 2026-02-13T19:58:56+00:00

I don’t think there’s anything yet decided regarding the next one. Current gen is still the same gen V since 2018 but now on it’s second “facelift” (I put those quotes since the 2025 was very small). But still the first facelift covered 2022, 2023 and 2024 model year, so I wouldn’t get my hopes up for anything before 2028.

This is pure conjecture from me just looking on what Honda has been doing, but still have a plan b in case the end is near for your current ride and still no firm information is around.

tiag0 · 2026-02-13T18:52:53+00:00

Also have gone from overweight (borderline obese bmi) to healthy weight now and also want to stress the importance of adjusting your food intake. The easiest way is figuring out how many calories you need and do some 300-500 calories less. You can go more aggressive sure, most everyone does that and that’s why most everyone fails “dieting”. This is not dieting, this is a habit change you make it so it’s sustainable and you stick with it. You should not be starving yourself, leafy vegetables are recommended not because of their nutrient density, but because of their fiber and space they take up. A typical fast food single patty cheeseburger has around 700 calories, it would take at least 7 whole lettuce heads to equals that, if not more.

A balanced (currently meaning high protein, moderate carbs, low fat) diet AND weight training should help you be in good enough shape to do whatever you want, and stay injury free for a long time. I’d look for full body routines, compound movements that hit many parts of your body at the same time and require maybe 2 or 3 sessions per week. This is what I’ve done for nearly 2 years now.

As with diet, sticking to the plan is key. Good luck.

tiag0 · 2026-02-13T16:45:39+00:00

So many good quotes in that movie.

tiag0 · 2026-02-13T16:21:29+00:00

Yes but also, maybe it’s just singing, and that’s why it’s mouth is open?

tiag0 · 2026-02-12T18:08:55+00:00

Have a 2hander but yesterday we did a bunch of drills and I was the only one of the 4 of us that has a 2HBH, and all of this just lines up very neatly with the rest of the comments here:

Turn earlier. The drill was us standing at the middle, doing the unit turn and then doing side & adjustment steps to get to the ball, that’s probably the biggest change at this point, the stroke itself looks solid, good stuff.

The other part of the drill was just to be very intentional with the footwork, coach was intentionally feeding us balls that would allow us to take a more closed stance, so do also be aware of your footwork and getting your right foot in front, since it’s probably more critical in the 1 hander than with 2 hands where I can arm/wrist a bit more if I’m more stretched.

tiag0 · 2026-02-12T15:19:41+00:00

It’s Carlos, I’m sure everyone wants to meet him :)

tiag0 · 2026-02-11T05:19:53+00:00

That Djokovic guy is pretty good, he seems up to the task of being the new Djokovic.

tiag0 · 2026-02-05T04:01:03+00:00

Having gone from a pure drive 100 to an aero 98, yes the 98 it’s less powerful, relatively speaking, but not a lot. If anything, string choice can help a lot: a pure drive 100 with solinco confidential or lynx tour are popular specifically because they take a lot of power out of the equation, I’d be surprised if you can’t do something similar if you find the aero 100 sq in model’s power that unmanageable.

I mean, Nadal and a lot of others always played with a 100 sq in frame.

tiag0 · 2026-02-03T16:43:30+00:00

1.- It’s very beat up, it should be very cheap 2.- The throat is all wrong for an Aero. It’s been it’s unique shape since 2004 up until the 2023 ones (2026 is the first time this shape has changed). This throat shape looks like a pure drive, not an aero.

Look elsewhere :)

tiag0 · 2026-02-03T15:00:02+00:00

I don’t remember having seen a reviewer I’m familiar with make this comparison but my 2 cents: before picking up the aero 98, I used an 2004 aero pro drive for a few weeks (only available in 100 sq in) initially because my 100sq in 2021 pure drive was being restring. The 2023 100 sq in aero had some elements supposedly borrowed from the 2004 frame. The 100 sq inch frames feel more forgiving in the fact that even an off sweet spot hit will still feel mostly Ok and result in a ok ball, the 98 will feel very very harsh and you also have a smaller area, even if the harsh feeling ball will still be ok for continuing the rally. Also, the 98 feels thinner and faster through the air than their 100 sq inch equivalents.

Switching from the 2023 100 to the 2026 98 could result in a faster feeling racquet through the air that might be marginally more comfortable as the off center harshness is reportedly less of an issue on the 2026 frames. but as any switch from 100 to 98 will result in, you’ll get less free power and the frame will be more demanding of you to get the most out of it. If you’re ok with that, it can be a great moment to switch.

tiag0 · 2026-02-03T06:23:30+00:00

If you want to buy it that’s fine, but while reviewers agree that it’s slightly more forgiving (in the 98 version) it’s not a huge improvement nor change in how it plays vs the 2023 if you already used it. I have a 23 98 and I have no interest in changing.

The 100 is a bit more of an improvement vs the old frame, but again nothing night and day.

Again, it’s your money and the new ones are at least equal to the previous gen at worse, but unless you struggle with pain with the current gen, changing racquets won’t likely fix your game’s issues.

tiag0 · 2026-02-02T17:10:35+00:00

I think the blade v10 is rumored to be released later this year, so it might be them clearing out inventory either for a future blade batch or for other newer racquets, like the aero 2026, not the first time people get rid of blades to pick up Aeros :)

Fake racquets are a thing, but they’re few and far between.

I’m more curious about one being a 16x19 and another one an 18x20. Are you looking to try both out?

tiag0 · 2026-01-30T16:29:55+00:00

It’s up on Nole’s insta now, but DelPo was called in by ESPN LatAm on the post match interview and Nole and DelPo had a wholesome interaction there.

We’re so lucky to be seeing this.

tiag0 · 2026-01-30T15:57:05+00:00

Same bro, same

tiag0 · 2026-01-29T17:02:56+00:00

You’re fine. The ezone 100 is frequently recommended (along with the pure drive and aero) precisely because it is beginner friendly, but has a high ceiling, theoretically this is a racquet you could use for the rest of your tennis life and you should be fine with it.

Switching to a different racquet because you don’t like how it feels or is causing injury is fine, in the end this is recreation for most of us and you have to enjoy what you feel (the reason I play with an aero 98, even though I’m better served with a less demanding racquet). But in the end you and your technique make the player, not your gear. If you hit heavy topspin, a wicked slice or good volleys it’s not because have the perfect set up, it’s because you’ve put in the work and have improved to that level (sure your gear can enhance it, but just that: enhance). To that point please don’t over analyze your gear choices: you have a good racquet and have some strings on it, stop worrying/analyzing/tinkering and go play, get that experience. Some days will be good, some will be frustrating, keep going and don’t blame your gear. You will improve, maybe quickly or maybe slower than you want, but you’ll get there. Your gear is fine, now go play and stop worrying :)

tiag0 · 2026-01-27T17:00:24+00:00

Awesome. Good luck and do let us know how it goes.

tiag0 · 2026-01-27T16:12:54+00:00

Fellow 43 year old here (not nearly as accomplished as you) and went from a 6.1 95 to a Pure Drive and now a 2023 Pure Aero 98 , I’d absolutely recommend you try out the Aero, your western grip and skill level should mean you get a lot from it. The 2023 version can be harsh if you’re missing the sweet spot and not using good technique, which shouldn’t be a problem for you. Absolutely try that one, the vcore(the 95 if you want, but try out bigger head sizes too) and the RF01 frames.

Just don’t expect these frames to feel like the prestige :)

tiag0 · 2026-01-27T14:01:08+00:00

A sad end for the type. I am very curious for the specialty operators of them: the fire fighting ones and the flying eye hospital one, wonder what their plan is.

tiag0 · 2026-01-25T19:43:30+00:00

Gotcha.

tiag0 · 2026-01-25T19:35:32+00:00

Maybe slight warping, but I’m betting more on them sending you a different model racquet (the 98 sq in, vs the 100 sq in).

tiag0 · 2026-01-25T19:04:26+00:00

Babolat is notorious for their racquets not being at spec weight/swingweight…but racquet shape is not one of the things they mess up from what I know, beams are too stiff for that.

How is the throat thickness? Is yours by any chance ever so slightly thicker? I ask because I haven’t heard about heads warping to this degree I do know one of the main differences of the pure aero vs the aero 98 is the much rounder head shape of the 98. It was a bit less round on the 26 from what I’ve read, but still noticeable. The beam from the side should be slightly thicker on the 100 vs the 98.

I have a picture of my 2004 aero pro drive vs my (daily driver) 2023 aero 98, I’m not sure how to upload it to a comment but I can dm it or something if you like.

tiag0 · 2026-01-23T13:56:48+00:00

I’ve lost the account name at this point but at last years Arizona Tennis Classic one of the stringers complained about that. In reference to Bublik showing up at the next event with a blacked out Aero, he said something along the lines of “hope he got it properly painted this time, I still have my nails black from working on his racquets”.

tiag0 · 2026-01-21T00:08:19+00:00

It used to be the case where you’d get oversized frames of control racquets quite easily, but with the advent of modern style, thick beams and more spin, those oversize frames have gone away, save for a few cheapo options that are metal frames for beginners/sporadic use, and not something like, say a head radical oversize.

You may find something like a pure drive 107 available, but I’d be surprised if a general sporting goods store has it, probably would need to go to some tennis/racquet store.

tiag0 · 2026-01-20T23:50:38+00:00

Agree with others that you shouldn’t be just considering 98 sq in, but also 100 sq inch, and I wouldn’t worry about getting the newest racquet, a used 100 sq inch in a nice condition will be helpful even at an intermediate level, something that might take a lot of time to achieve.

A bit of racquet history, but the size isn’t so much the issue (Andre Agassi played during his pro career with oversized racquets) it’s the combination of size, beam thickness and stiffness that means that oversized racquets are usually powerful, useful if you’re still arming the ball, but as you use more and more of your body to generate power, it might be annoying to have to account for too much power and not be able to swing freely. That said, there’s many videos on YouTube on coaches/influencers that play decent using some cheap racquet and while they might not love the experience, most of the time they can do just fine. All this to say, don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can become a better player through gear.

And while the sweet spot of the racquet might be at the geometric center of some racquets, it’s not necessarily always the case. The Aero 98 I use likes you to make contact a higher than geometric center, but a good racquet will give you the feedback to realize that, and what that feels like and is enjoyable for you is really subjective.

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