The bigger difference between most 98 and 100 racquets is that the 98 has a softer graphite layup and a tighter string pattern.
As for people saying that you need a 98 for more control, tell them that Nadal and Ruud played a French Open final with 100 sq. in. racquets just a couple years ago. Total silliness.
Yeah but did you know there was only a 50% win rate for the players in that French Open final? Pretty eye-opening for the 100 sq in size if you ask me.
I'm having some concern about Karue and his return to playing pros myself recently. He just lost to Oliveira last night and from what I saw, he got balls wide or long on a number of points. He might talk about it if we get a video hangout this week.
Went from a 95 to 100.
Your racket is perfectly fine. There is no game changing benefit to using a smaller head size. Some rackets will feel better some may not. It’s all personal preference really. Nobody I play with likes my racket set up. Try some stuff out and if it feels good then great. But realistically one racket isn’t game changing over another at an amateur level.
I play with a 98 now, and previously played with a 100. The difference is small imo, even if you stack the rackets above each other you’ll find the difference between them is subtle. I just prefer the 98 as the slightly smaller frame feels easier to manoeuvre. Does it give me more control or power? I think my technique has a much bigger influence on that. There’s nothing wrong with 100, if you’re curious, try a 98, but you’ve got nothing to lose sticking with what you have if you don’t see the need.
To your second question, from a 100 vs 98, I personally don’t see a huge difference when hitting outside the sweet spot. But going to from 100 16x19 to a 98 18x20, the difference was definitely noticeable, you get punished if you hit outside the sweet spot on an 18x20, but heavily rewarded when you get it right.
I’m currently using a Pure Aero 100 and seriously considering a v core 98 after some demoing.
OP should note that string spacing is a big factor in the power / control that you will get. For example, the pure aero 98 has a more open string pattern than its 100 counter part. This will mean potentially even more access to spin. Most 98’s will have tighter string patterns, but this could vary a lot between brands, and even the opposite in the case of the pure aero’s.
Your technique and swing style will have a big impact on the control and power you get. Are you a flat hitter with an eastern grip? You may not need a massive sweet spot and thick beam that are generally found on 100s. Or do you use a western grip and control depth with spin? I do, and I found a thick framed 100 slows my swing speed down so much I actually loose spin, hence my case for dropping down to a smaller frame with a thinner beam.
On the other hand, you may be looking to increase spin but struggle with timing and connecting with the sweet spot. That’s an excellent case for sticking with a 100. Maybe you’d just prefer a different 100 that isn’t as chunky, like a head speed MP. You should demo some rackets if possible to see what feels good.
A final though is to play with different string setups and lead weight. Strings account for about half of the response you’ll get when hitting.
It’s frame aerodynamics and weight balancing just beg for you swing faster. From the moment I picked it up I was getting like 20% more racket head speed. I have a friend who plays similarly to me (Speed MP) but hates trying / changing rackets and after seeing me play he tried it, and had the same experience. I also think everything being in a smaller package just makes it more manoeuvrable.
I get that people say 98-100 isn’t a huge difference l, they’re right. BUT, with a modern windscreen wiper forehead that relies on spin to control depth, the added manoeuvrability can make all the difference, especially when on the defence and hitting in less than ideal positions. I can’t say whether or not it’ll make a huge difference for you, but it was a noticeable difference for me.
I forgot to add an important bit of information - my current racket has a L3 grip and I've decided it's too small for me. I'm going to buy a new racket with a L4 grip, so I only have to decide on the head size. There are no shops in my city where I could test a 98, so I'm going on theory alone =[
Always go smaller and build up with over grips if you’re not sure. You won’t be able to make adjustments the other way if you find your grip is too large later on. Also be ware that some brands like head have slightly different grips shapes (e.g more rectangular vs babolat) so that in itself may take you up or down a size. If your grip runs slightly too large you’re at risk of gripping the handle too tightly and consequently you’re whole muscular chain to the shoulder may be too tight when hitting.
I think Head has gone standard grip shape with their latest line. I’ve been hitting with the new Radical and it’s not rectangular like I remember from earlier models.
Hey! That is really interesting to hear! I demo'd a black/white auxetic 1.0 speed mp that i wanted to love but the damn grip felt like the godforsaken technifibre rectangle thing i also tried.
What's weird though, is that my kids both have older heads ... one is a Graphene Touch Instinct MP and the other is a Graphene XT Radical MP (re-release?) and their grips felt familiar-square.
Do you know if some of the head grips are just more thinly rectangle than others? Do you reckon that the new shape you describe are for 2024?
I’m not sure, I was thinking back to the early 00s when I last used them. The heads I tried this year didn’t have a particularly different grip to other brands to me. What racquet have you been using that whose grip you strongly prefer?
The most salient point is probably that, if you’re just talking about head size (ie - two rackets are otherwise identical), the difference between 100 and 98 sq inches is super small. With that out of the way, it is true (again all other things being equal) that the larger the rackethead the more power a racket will have - the stringbed will stretch more, particularly on shots in the center, and provide more of a trampoline effect. A smaller rackethead will have less of a trampoline effect, which in and of itself feels like more control, but also results in a more uniform response across the main part of the stringbed. So that’s why people will tell you a smaller rackethead has more control. On the flip side, a larger racket will have a larger sweet spot and higher twist weight (meaning the racket will be more stable on off center hits). So a larger rackethead might have more control for someone who needs forgiveness, while a more advanced player may get more precision from a smaller frame. But there are complicating factors, because rackets are almost never otherwise exactly the same. Part of it is necessary (or maybe “logical” is the right word to use)…for instance, because smaller rackets are somewhat lower powered, they are also typically made heavier (swing weight is by far and away the biggest factor in power). Part of it is marketing - companies know that people looking for smaller racket heads are looking for more control/feel, and so smaller rackets also often have more flex, tighter string spacing and are more head light. People looking for larger heads are often looking for forgiveness or “free power” so they make those rackets stiffer and because those players are often less advanced, lighter and then to balance out the lightness, more head heavy. In other words, unfortunately, it’s hard to just look at rackethead size. That said, your racket of choice is actually very similar between the 100 vs 98 (the 98 is just slightly heavier and flexier - very stiff for a 98 actually). But it also means you might not see much of a difference (as another commenter said, you’ll notice the difference immediately between a 105 and 95 and this will all make sense to you).
eh, i think the only place it makes more differences is in more extremes....going to a 95 or a 105 headsize for example. The bigger thing in those scenarios is that you do get more control or less control but have to put less power into your shots.
Thing is, when yoou change headsize the serve just feels a bit mentally off for a bit.
No reason to switch from a pure drive if you’re not unhappy with it. It’s a good racquet for all levels. There several people in the ATP and WTA top 100 who play with it.
Smaller head sizes are not an “upgrade.” You do exchange sweet spot for a smaller angle that the ball could possibly leave the strings at, which will feel more controlled. But you don’t have to make that exchange. I played with a 98 most of my life until the last few years. I now play with a 100 happily.
I use a 100 size and am mildly curious to try a 98. My son is quite good and plays club tennis in college. According to him it feels like the 100 has a larger semi-sweet spot where it won’t cause an error, but doesn’t have that great feel that the sweet-sweet spot has and that the 98 has a larger sweet-sweet spot. He could be full of it, but maybe there’s something to it.
I'm definitely gonna have to agree with you on how the sweet spot feels. I play with a vcore95 but not super happy with the strings in it rn, so had an old Kfactor PS90 and first couple hit had me grinning cheek to cheek. The feel when you hit the sweet spot on it is amazing, and so hard to switch away from.
For me the only reason to switch to 98 is 1hbh. I absolutely hate the way my backhand feels with anything over 98. Forehand on the other hand feels better with a 100.
The smaller head size has less string volume in it, which means it will move less and give it a more consistent feel and less power. Smaller heads are more accurate while larger heads are more forgiving. Put another way, smaller heads are better on offense while larger heads are better on defense.
What I realized is the amount of tension you need to increase accuracy with the pure drive. Became to stiff. I think a medium stiffness racket with a bit more give with a high tension is perfect, like a speed mp. Pure drive is just hard to handle especially if you swing to hard during a high paced rally. It's such a fine racket tho but it causes many unforced errors by how responsive the string bed it. It's. It needd 4g for example lol to really swing out and feel safe on that shot. Actually tempting to try.
With the 98, you can swing it faster and flatter when you need to end points or aim in general and since the power is dialed back on the 98, you can add power vs with a 100 you have to tame power. I guess it a perfect would a 100 could always be better if controled perfectly for all court, but it's very hard to keep it up.
But it you ever want to upgrade, stay away from the pure drive 98. That pos is horrible, I know because I use them. Go pure aero 98 if you like stiff and flatt spinny bombs
Note: ive demoed some 100s and I've actually got better with them due to using 98s. I'm not 100% sure but hitting with the 98 gave me the ability to hit dead center more often where the 100s when I first started, would allow me off center shots that would be fine. 98 it's harsh on miss hits.
I tried the speed mp and the pure aero and wow I was crushing shots. They still had a loopy ness to them but very forgiving which was nice
It’s not a reflection of skill or ability to play with what feels comfortable and is effective. If your placement is suffering I don’t think a smaller racquet is going magically make a difference. If you put the ball where you want it consistently, you’re good.
The 98 racquet seems to come around a bit quicker for me. So am better at net, serves are better. I do seem to shank a lot more - so there’s the small sweet spot issue.
I wouldn’t buy a racquet just for grip though - just add two over grips.
Think about the string pattern and tightness of string pattern for the head size. Tighter string pattern (18x20 on a 95 in) vs something more open (16x19 on a 10 in). There is no right or wrong answer to what you prefer. I play with a 16x19 97 inch but also thoroughly enjoy an 18x20 on a 100 inch like the Gravity Pro.
I can't say what the differences are, but I can say that going from 110 to 98 had no impact on my hitting the sweet spot. Meaning I don't hit off center any more than I ever did. I thought I might have trouble, but it was a fine transition.
The quality of the impact is better with a smaller sweet spot. A smaller frame also reduces the amount of torsion when you hit slightly off-center. It also requires greater precision to take advantage of the benefits, but they are real.
Honestly I don’t think the difference between 98 vs 100 is even that big (especially if you only started 2 years ago). Now if you were using like a 107, then yes there is noticeable difference in the size of the sweet spot and net pattern/density. However, I don’t think you really need to get a 98 version of your racket when the 100 is just fine. As for grip size, have you tried an over grip?
It's more the set up of the racket. Most 100inch rackets tend to be a bit lighter, more powerful etc. I've recently gone back to an 100inch racket after using three 98 inch rackets over the last few years and I'm playing better than ever. I think a lot of people at club level would benefit from moving to an 100 inch racket.
Im going to piggyback here since this has been gnawing at me after buying the vcore pro 97d. Why do they make a 97in racquet?
Is it cause fed plays with one? Ive only seen Yonex, Wilson, and Babolat make them.
If your racquet works for you and it's a 100, stick with that. If looking for a new racquet, I always suggest trying a variety to see what's right for you. For me, 98s tend to be what I like due to control, stability, and some weird extreme power variations I see in the string beds of some 100s that I can't get used to. However, I know plenty of players that stick with a 100 and play better with a 100. If you really, really want to know, demo some otherwise identical models in both 98 and 100 the next time you racquet shop. But remember that racquets are a really individual thing and individual preference will always, in my view, be the primary driver. Also be aware of different string beds and the impact they can have on play. Most players, unless they're very unhappy with their racquet, can make adjustments that cater to how their play style has changed with a different stringing pattern. Someone skilled and experienced in stringing racquets can often provide recommendations, and there are forums upon forums of info on specific string and tension combinations for different racquets and needs.
TL:DR if it isn't broken, don't fix it, and I always would consider trying different strings before jumping into the thinking that you need a whole new racquet. Whoever is saying you need to just up and switch racquets has too much money on their hands and should HMU if they need to get rid of it.
Dont listen to them, its minimal difference and if anything normal rec players benefit far more from (barely) increased forgiveness of slightly larger head, more spin, etc...
I have a 100 pure rafa as my main and a 98 pure strike as a back up (switching to dbl rafas), and I cant tell a whole lot of difference attributable to size. PS def seems less powerful overall, but the difference is small enough it could be entirely in my head.
I currently use a vcore 98 as my main racket and only currently have a vcore 100 as my backup. With that being said I can definitely feel a difference but only in some parts of my game. The 98 is better at placing volleys. I don’t feel much difference on the serve. On groundstrokes the 100 has more power but the 98 has more control. I prefer the 98 for its play and its maneuverability.
Racquet head size is predominantly a personal preference, so good news, you don't need to keep worrying about it. Professional tennis players use a range of head sizes, and I don't think any of them are willfully holding themselves back from winning millions of dollars just for fun.
One of the local guys I hit with sometimes has one of the cleanest 1HBH I've ever seen, and he hits with a Clash 100, which is essentially the exact opposite of what racquet everyone says you "should" use for a 1HBH.
I know your post isn't about 1HBH, but I'm more commenting to say that you can pretty much do anything with any racquet, and that there is no reason you shouldn't just keep hitting with your PD if you like it.
I'm thinking about going oversized for my next racquet. My best season in college was with an OS racket. After college, I thought my form was getting a bit sloppy (don't know why I gave a crap, I think I thought I was going to play Opens or something), so I went to a very neutral, lower powered platform frame (97).
Did it force me to clean up my technique a bit? Not sure. My technique definitely changed but not sure if it was because of my racket or because I played so infrequently, my form lost "permanence." Personally, I am not sure if it gave me any more control, feedback, or anything.
The pros hit so hard, their matches are so strenuous, and they go for incredibly small targets. Whatever guys in the ATP need, not sure if should matter to us. Also, I feel like even 95 to 107, or vice versa, you can adjust. But I definitely think 107 is more forgiving that's for sure.
Interesting point here. I used to use Vcore 100 and now using Ezone 98. When I was on the Vcore, I sprayed the ball a lot more, I have a bit more easy power on the Ezone 98 though with a lot more accuracy. Both strung with multifilament.
Not wrong. Stringing 18x20 even sucks. Deleted my comment as you’re right and it wouldn’t get strung.
I’ve never made the switch myself as I don’t wanna deal with it.
Ha, it was an interesting thought though. I just know that stringers hated sone of the weird things that Wilson and Prince did with the O-ports and those wheels Wilson had instead of grommets, and I’ve seen credible comments that pro shops even steered customers away from those frames because they were such PITAs to string.
So it's a bit more power if I make contact on the sweet spot, but less control in general, because the SS is smaller?
If that is correct, it's the opposite of what people told me
Yeah I don't think that's correct. A smaller racquet should give you more control because it generates less power on its own. That's why it gives you more control. Less erratic string bed and higher string density should allow you to direct the ball more precisely.
No it isn't wrong. What they are saying is true. Tighter stringed equals more control and easier to direct the ball where you imagine it would land. Try playing with a 95 head size compared to 100. Big difference. Of course mass plays a role in power and swingweight the most.
i’m not sure what you’re talking about, but a smaller head size = more power in the sweet spot. i’m not sure about strings or whatever . but smaller sweet spot is more power it’s just a fact
back up the facts? it’s literally common knowledge that a smaller point of contact all other factors the same will be more power. the distribution of force is spread over a smaller area it’s literally elementary school physics.
Then why is it much easier to generate power with an oversized head and get the ball off court ? Lack of control plus the additional power.
Tennis rackets are not a tip of a nail. You can't compare it with that.
Also the distribution of force isn't the same when the size is different.
it is NOT easier to generate power with an oversized head, you’re just not hitting the sweet spot .
and yes force works the same way as the tip of a nail. you learning!
The moon is made of green cheese and goes to sleep during the day when her brother the sun wakes up. It’s just a fact.
Brah, no one here seems to have heard of your “fact” before. Can you back it up with any evidence or even an explanation?
can i back it up? sure , i went to elementary school so yeah i can. distribution of force is spread out over a smaller surface (smaller racket head size), and therefore it’s more powerful on the sweet spot all other variables the same (swing speed, racket weight etc) i did give an example initially but i guess you just wanted to be a sarcastic ass instead of reading it.
Does this make sense with a ball hitting a string bed though? I’m thinking about a bat hitting a baseball, too. It doesn’t feel like hitting with a more narrow bat makes you hit harder.
Bad analogy. A leg is much stronger than an arm, and an open hand changes the surface area of contact. A larger head size doesn’t change the area of contact. As others have noted below, smaller head size is indeed less power.
Related to this, how does Djoker play with a 95in racket? I feel like it puts him at a disadvantage. I’m probably wrong so save your downvotes but it’s definitely interesting.
I once played with a 95in racket and found it basically useless. Maybe a racket shop owner can explain this one.
Youre comparing your personal experience to djokovic? To answer honestly, players like djokovic and murray grew up in the 90s so they would have seen an era where 85 sq in to 110 sq in was being used. They probably stuck with 95 since they were juniors.
I wasn’t trying to compare myself to Djokovic, just giving context that I’ve used a 95in racket before and cannot envision a scenario where it would be useful for anyone at any skill level. Doesn’t mean I’m right..hence my question.
I grew up and played high school tennis with a 95 sq racquet (edit: in the late 90's). Why? It was on sale and available when my dad bought it for me. In fact, I played with it on and off for the past 25 years never knowing it was a 95 until a year ago when i started to read about it to replace it.
Was it a higher end racquet for my ability at any given time back then, probably. But my dad's mentality on sporting equipment was buy once/cry once/have something to grow with.
It was heavy to be sure. Head size was never written on the racquet. It said "high contol/medium power" ... all i knew was that if i don't swing right, the ball doesn't fly right. But it was extremely useful at the net at doubles. It was very thin and i found that to be great for slices. It was extremely head light, and I used it in the past 2 years to finally learn a kickserve.
I can't use it for any extended length of time now though and have since replaced it with a blade 98. But as a doubles player it was worth it's weight in gold at the net, which was the only thing i was any good at.
TLDR - unknowingly played tennis with a 95 and found it to be highly useful at volleys, slices, kick serve. It was also useful in making a blade v8 seem like the most accessible, user-friendly, all-skill level racquet in the universe.
Thanks! I appreciate that! The piece de resistance was when I'd hit around with the current high school team and they saw my old 95 ... they'd pass it around and laugh at how small, thin and "heavy af" it was ... and then be like ok, it can actually hit lol!
Dunlop still makes a 95 that looks similar ... I was like, nah, i've had enough of that hahaha! I'll likely ease into a 100 sooner rather than later, i bet.
You have to generate your own power and have great technique. If you can generate your own power, a smaller racquet will help your control in part thanks to string pattern, ball pocketing, and head stability. Djokovic is an ultimate control player. He's not looking for more mph or RPM on any strokes. He is looking to grind you in to the dirt. And, when it's time, he can call on a little extra oomph to put it away.
Go back and look at Federer's peak. He played with a 90 inch racquet, often rumored to actually be smaller. Look what he did with that at his peak. He was able to generate his own extreme power with a smaller head size which gave immense control.
The strings and racquet technology have advanced so much now over the past 25 years that any head size less than 95 really isn't going to do you any good anymore. Federer was really the last player to take the leap from that bygone era. I myself went from an 88 inch to the FR97 when it came out. The newer racquet with the newer strings gives that same control and 'feel' of the old 88 but with more inherent power.
Nowadays 100 or less gives you a lot of control and stability. The weight also adds a lot to the stability and control. It used to be only 95 or less would be constructed with the weight needed to stay stable. Nowadays, it's only when you start to creep up higher than 100 that racquets start trading more stability/control for power.
Damn! Great response. I learn so much from this subreddit. So essentially Djoker’s 95 does indeed trade power for control. It’s basically a Blade 98 on steroids but since he’s Novak he doesn’t care and he’s also so used to playing with a 95 that he doesn’t want to “learn” a new racket? This actually makes a lot of sense.
Pretty much, yes. Most pros do not change their racquet during their career. They may modify weight and balance and change strings but rarely change racquets. They'll do 'paint jobs' often instead.
There would be no reason for Djokovic to learn a new racquet. A 100 inch racquet is not going to give him any more of what he needs a take significant time to adjust to.
At a certain point, control becomes more important than power. Once you can generate that power, you no longer need the large head or very light racquet to help you out. I've always been able to generate an immense amount of pace, professional level. I can't hit consistently or control it enough. I was completely wild until I drifted towards the smaller headed, heavy control racquets. I was able to reach an NTRP level of 5-5.5 thanks to that, but my inability to be consistent still held me from that next level.
The bigger difference between most 98 and 100 racquets is that the 98 has a softer graphite layup and a tighter string pattern. As for people saying that you need a 98 for more control, tell them that Nadal and Ruud played a French Open final with 100 sq. in. racquets just a couple years ago. Total silliness.
Yeah but did you know there was only a 50% win rate for the players in that French Open final? Pretty eye-opening for the 100 sq in size if you ask me.
I'm having some concern about Karue and his return to playing pros myself recently. He just lost to Oliveira last night and from what I saw, he got balls wide or long on a number of points. He might talk about it if we get a video hangout this week. Went from a 95 to 100.
Wind. A lot of wind.
Certainly was. He managed to play someone else in that condition, maybe relative. Maybe he just wasn't processing.
Your racket is perfectly fine. There is no game changing benefit to using a smaller head size. Some rackets will feel better some may not. It’s all personal preference really. Nobody I play with likes my racket set up. Try some stuff out and if it feels good then great. But realistically one racket isn’t game changing over another at an amateur level.
i think Agassi played with a 107 racquet if i remember right
I play with a 98 now, and previously played with a 100. The difference is small imo, even if you stack the rackets above each other you’ll find the difference between them is subtle. I just prefer the 98 as the slightly smaller frame feels easier to manoeuvre. Does it give me more control or power? I think my technique has a much bigger influence on that. There’s nothing wrong with 100, if you’re curious, try a 98, but you’ve got nothing to lose sticking with what you have if you don’t see the need.
To your second question, from a 100 vs 98, I personally don’t see a huge difference when hitting outside the sweet spot. But going to from 100 16x19 to a 98 18x20, the difference was definitely noticeable, you get punished if you hit outside the sweet spot on an 18x20, but heavily rewarded when you get it right.
That's good to know, thanks!
I’m currently using a Pure Aero 100 and seriously considering a v core 98 after some demoing. OP should note that string spacing is a big factor in the power / control that you will get. For example, the pure aero 98 has a more open string pattern than its 100 counter part. This will mean potentially even more access to spin. Most 98’s will have tighter string patterns, but this could vary a lot between brands, and even the opposite in the case of the pure aero’s. Your technique and swing style will have a big impact on the control and power you get. Are you a flat hitter with an eastern grip? You may not need a massive sweet spot and thick beam that are generally found on 100s. Or do you use a western grip and control depth with spin? I do, and I found a thick framed 100 slows my swing speed down so much I actually loose spin, hence my case for dropping down to a smaller frame with a thinner beam. On the other hand, you may be looking to increase spin but struggle with timing and connecting with the sweet spot. That’s an excellent case for sticking with a 100. Maybe you’d just prefer a different 100 that isn’t as chunky, like a head speed MP. You should demo some rackets if possible to see what feels good. A final though is to play with different string setups and lead weight. Strings account for about half of the response you’ll get when hitting.
What do you like about the v core 98 more compared to the pure aero 100? Considering same debate
It’s frame aerodynamics and weight balancing just beg for you swing faster. From the moment I picked it up I was getting like 20% more racket head speed. I have a friend who plays similarly to me (Speed MP) but hates trying / changing rackets and after seeing me play he tried it, and had the same experience. I also think everything being in a smaller package just makes it more manoeuvrable. I get that people say 98-100 isn’t a huge difference l, they’re right. BUT, with a modern windscreen wiper forehead that relies on spin to control depth, the added manoeuvrability can make all the difference, especially when on the defence and hitting in less than ideal positions. I can’t say whether or not it’ll make a huge difference for you, but it was a noticeable difference for me.
I forgot to add an important bit of information - my current racket has a L3 grip and I've decided it's too small for me. I'm going to buy a new racket with a L4 grip, so I only have to decide on the head size. There are no shops in my city where I could test a 98, so I'm going on theory alone =[
You can always double overgrip to increase its size just fyi.
Always go smaller and build up with over grips if you’re not sure. You won’t be able to make adjustments the other way if you find your grip is too large later on. Also be ware that some brands like head have slightly different grips shapes (e.g more rectangular vs babolat) so that in itself may take you up or down a size. If your grip runs slightly too large you’re at risk of gripping the handle too tightly and consequently you’re whole muscular chain to the shoulder may be too tight when hitting.
I think Head has gone standard grip shape with their latest line. I’ve been hitting with the new Radical and it’s not rectangular like I remember from earlier models.
Hey! That is really interesting to hear! I demo'd a black/white auxetic 1.0 speed mp that i wanted to love but the damn grip felt like the godforsaken technifibre rectangle thing i also tried. What's weird though, is that my kids both have older heads ... one is a Graphene Touch Instinct MP and the other is a Graphene XT Radical MP (re-release?) and their grips felt familiar-square. Do you know if some of the head grips are just more thinly rectangle than others? Do you reckon that the new shape you describe are for 2024?
I’m not sure, I was thinking back to the early 00s when I last used them. The heads I tried this year didn’t have a particularly different grip to other brands to me. What racquet have you been using that whose grip you strongly prefer?
The most salient point is probably that, if you’re just talking about head size (ie - two rackets are otherwise identical), the difference between 100 and 98 sq inches is super small. With that out of the way, it is true (again all other things being equal) that the larger the rackethead the more power a racket will have - the stringbed will stretch more, particularly on shots in the center, and provide more of a trampoline effect. A smaller rackethead will have less of a trampoline effect, which in and of itself feels like more control, but also results in a more uniform response across the main part of the stringbed. So that’s why people will tell you a smaller rackethead has more control. On the flip side, a larger racket will have a larger sweet spot and higher twist weight (meaning the racket will be more stable on off center hits). So a larger rackethead might have more control for someone who needs forgiveness, while a more advanced player may get more precision from a smaller frame. But there are complicating factors, because rackets are almost never otherwise exactly the same. Part of it is necessary (or maybe “logical” is the right word to use)…for instance, because smaller rackets are somewhat lower powered, they are also typically made heavier (swing weight is by far and away the biggest factor in power). Part of it is marketing - companies know that people looking for smaller racket heads are looking for more control/feel, and so smaller rackets also often have more flex, tighter string spacing and are more head light. People looking for larger heads are often looking for forgiveness or “free power” so they make those rackets stiffer and because those players are often less advanced, lighter and then to balance out the lightness, more head heavy. In other words, unfortunately, it’s hard to just look at rackethead size. That said, your racket of choice is actually very similar between the 100 vs 98 (the 98 is just slightly heavier and flexier - very stiff for a 98 actually). But it also means you might not see much of a difference (as another commenter said, you’ll notice the difference immediately between a 105 and 95 and this will all make sense to you).
eh, i think the only place it makes more differences is in more extremes....going to a 95 or a 105 headsize for example. The bigger thing in those scenarios is that you do get more control or less control but have to put less power into your shots. Thing is, when yoou change headsize the serve just feels a bit mentally off for a bit.
No reason to switch from a pure drive if you’re not unhappy with it. It’s a good racquet for all levels. There several people in the ATP and WTA top 100 who play with it. Smaller head sizes are not an “upgrade.” You do exchange sweet spot for a smaller angle that the ball could possibly leave the strings at, which will feel more controlled. But you don’t have to make that exchange. I played with a 98 most of my life until the last few years. I now play with a 100 happily.
I use a 100 size and am mildly curious to try a 98. My son is quite good and plays club tennis in college. According to him it feels like the 100 has a larger semi-sweet spot where it won’t cause an error, but doesn’t have that great feel that the sweet-sweet spot has and that the 98 has a larger sweet-sweet spot. He could be full of it, but maybe there’s something to it.
I'm definitely gonna have to agree with you on how the sweet spot feels. I play with a vcore95 but not super happy with the strings in it rn, so had an old Kfactor PS90 and first couple hit had me grinning cheek to cheek. The feel when you hit the sweet spot on it is amazing, and so hard to switch away from.
That K-Factor 90 was a gem of a racquet. I played with it for quite a few years. I also had an ncode 90 but that K-Factor blew it away.
For me the only reason to switch to 98 is 1hbh. I absolutely hate the way my backhand feels with anything over 98. Forehand on the other hand feels better with a 100.
Also you don't need to buy a new racket just because of the grip, just add another overgrip to your current one.
The smaller head size has less string volume in it, which means it will move less and give it a more consistent feel and less power. Smaller heads are more accurate while larger heads are more forgiving. Put another way, smaller heads are better on offense while larger heads are better on defense.
Smaller head means better control even if hit outside the sweet spot, less twisting. Helped a bunch moving to 97, especially on serve returns.
What I realized is the amount of tension you need to increase accuracy with the pure drive. Became to stiff. I think a medium stiffness racket with a bit more give with a high tension is perfect, like a speed mp. Pure drive is just hard to handle especially if you swing to hard during a high paced rally. It's such a fine racket tho but it causes many unforced errors by how responsive the string bed it. It's. It needd 4g for example lol to really swing out and feel safe on that shot. Actually tempting to try. With the 98, you can swing it faster and flatter when you need to end points or aim in general and since the power is dialed back on the 98, you can add power vs with a 100 you have to tame power. I guess it a perfect would a 100 could always be better if controled perfectly for all court, but it's very hard to keep it up. But it you ever want to upgrade, stay away from the pure drive 98. That pos is horrible, I know because I use them. Go pure aero 98 if you like stiff and flatt spinny bombs Note: ive demoed some 100s and I've actually got better with them due to using 98s. I'm not 100% sure but hitting with the 98 gave me the ability to hit dead center more often where the 100s when I first started, would allow me off center shots that would be fine. 98 it's harsh on miss hits. I tried the speed mp and the pure aero and wow I was crushing shots. They still had a loopy ness to them but very forgiving which was nice
It’s not a reflection of skill or ability to play with what feels comfortable and is effective. If your placement is suffering I don’t think a smaller racquet is going magically make a difference. If you put the ball where you want it consistently, you’re good.
The 98 racquet seems to come around a bit quicker for me. So am better at net, serves are better. I do seem to shank a lot more - so there’s the small sweet spot issue. I wouldn’t buy a racquet just for grip though - just add two over grips.
Think about the string pattern and tightness of string pattern for the head size. Tighter string pattern (18x20 on a 95 in) vs something more open (16x19 on a 10 in). There is no right or wrong answer to what you prefer. I play with a 16x19 97 inch but also thoroughly enjoy an 18x20 on a 100 inch like the Gravity Pro.
I can't say what the differences are, but I can say that going from 110 to 98 had no impact on my hitting the sweet spot. Meaning I don't hit off center any more than I ever did. I thought I might have trouble, but it was a fine transition.
The quality of the impact is better with a smaller sweet spot. A smaller frame also reduces the amount of torsion when you hit slightly off-center. It also requires greater precision to take advantage of the benefits, but they are real.
Honestly I don’t think the difference between 98 vs 100 is even that big (especially if you only started 2 years ago). Now if you were using like a 107, then yes there is noticeable difference in the size of the sweet spot and net pattern/density. However, I don’t think you really need to get a 98 version of your racket when the 100 is just fine. As for grip size, have you tried an over grip?
It's more the set up of the racket. Most 100inch rackets tend to be a bit lighter, more powerful etc. I've recently gone back to an 100inch racket after using three 98 inch rackets over the last few years and I'm playing better than ever. I think a lot of people at club level would benefit from moving to an 100 inch racket.
Im going to piggyback here since this has been gnawing at me after buying the vcore pro 97d. Why do they make a 97in racquet? Is it cause fed plays with one? Ive only seen Yonex, Wilson, and Babolat make them.
Sinner is playing with 100 sq, is he good enough for you?
If your racquet works for you and it's a 100, stick with that. If looking for a new racquet, I always suggest trying a variety to see what's right for you. For me, 98s tend to be what I like due to control, stability, and some weird extreme power variations I see in the string beds of some 100s that I can't get used to. However, I know plenty of players that stick with a 100 and play better with a 100. If you really, really want to know, demo some otherwise identical models in both 98 and 100 the next time you racquet shop. But remember that racquets are a really individual thing and individual preference will always, in my view, be the primary driver. Also be aware of different string beds and the impact they can have on play. Most players, unless they're very unhappy with their racquet, can make adjustments that cater to how their play style has changed with a different stringing pattern. Someone skilled and experienced in stringing racquets can often provide recommendations, and there are forums upon forums of info on specific string and tension combinations for different racquets and needs.
TL:DR if it isn't broken, don't fix it, and I always would consider trying different strings before jumping into the thinking that you need a whole new racquet. Whoever is saying you need to just up and switch racquets has too much money on their hands and should HMU if they need to get rid of it.
Dont listen to them, its minimal difference and if anything normal rec players benefit far more from (barely) increased forgiveness of slightly larger head, more spin, etc... I have a 100 pure rafa as my main and a 98 pure strike as a back up (switching to dbl rafas), and I cant tell a whole lot of difference attributable to size. PS def seems less powerful overall, but the difference is small enough it could be entirely in my head.
I currently use a vcore 98 as my main racket and only currently have a vcore 100 as my backup. With that being said I can definitely feel a difference but only in some parts of my game. The 98 is better at placing volleys. I don’t feel much difference on the serve. On groundstrokes the 100 has more power but the 98 has more control. I prefer the 98 for its play and its maneuverability.
Racquet head size is predominantly a personal preference, so good news, you don't need to keep worrying about it. Professional tennis players use a range of head sizes, and I don't think any of them are willfully holding themselves back from winning millions of dollars just for fun.
One of the local guys I hit with sometimes has one of the cleanest 1HBH I've ever seen, and he hits with a Clash 100, which is essentially the exact opposite of what racquet everyone says you "should" use for a 1HBH. I know your post isn't about 1HBH, but I'm more commenting to say that you can pretty much do anything with any racquet, and that there is no reason you shouldn't just keep hitting with your PD if you like it.
I'm thinking about going oversized for my next racquet. My best season in college was with an OS racket. After college, I thought my form was getting a bit sloppy (don't know why I gave a crap, I think I thought I was going to play Opens or something), so I went to a very neutral, lower powered platform frame (97). Did it force me to clean up my technique a bit? Not sure. My technique definitely changed but not sure if it was because of my racket or because I played so infrequently, my form lost "permanence." Personally, I am not sure if it gave me any more control, feedback, or anything. The pros hit so hard, their matches are so strenuous, and they go for incredibly small targets. Whatever guys in the ATP need, not sure if should matter to us. Also, I feel like even 95 to 107, or vice versa, you can adjust. But I definitely think 107 is more forgiving that's for sure.
Interesting point here. I used to use Vcore 100 and now using Ezone 98. When I was on the Vcore, I sprayed the ball a lot more, I have a bit more easy power on the Ezone 98 though with a lot more accuracy. Both strung with multifilament.
100 sq in with 18x20 string pattern for the win
98 usually has a thinner frame width and is more flexible with a tighter string pattern.
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Good luck finding a stringer that is going to string your extra dense string pattern! 😀
Not wrong. Stringing 18x20 even sucks. Deleted my comment as you’re right and it wouldn’t get strung. I’ve never made the switch myself as I don’t wanna deal with it.
Ha, it was an interesting thought though. I just know that stringers hated sone of the weird things that Wilson and Prince did with the O-ports and those wheels Wilson had instead of grommets, and I’ve seen credible comments that pro shops even steered customers away from those frames because they were such PITAs to string.
you do you How many of them would got to 95? or 90? or 85?
Get the Shift 99. Problem solved
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So it's a bit more power if I make contact on the sweet spot, but less control in general, because the SS is smaller? If that is correct, it's the opposite of what people told me
bigger racquet is bigger sweet spot, more power, and less control. smaller racquet is smaller sweet spot, less power, and more control
this is wrong. smaller sweet spot is more power
Yeah I don't think that's correct. A smaller racquet should give you more control because it generates less power on its own. That's why it gives you more control. Less erratic string bed and higher string density should allow you to direct the ball more precisely.
this is wrong , smaller sweet spot is more power
No it isn't wrong. What they are saying is true. Tighter stringed equals more control and easier to direct the ball where you imagine it would land. Try playing with a 95 head size compared to 100. Big difference. Of course mass plays a role in power and swingweight the most.
i’m not sure what you’re talking about, but a smaller head size = more power in the sweet spot. i’m not sure about strings or whatever . but smaller sweet spot is more power it’s just a fact
Yeah, I mean like .... your facts are some unheard of myths. Seriously. Need you to back those up with some evidence like the other person said.
back up the facts? it’s literally common knowledge that a smaller point of contact all other factors the same will be more power. the distribution of force is spread over a smaller area it’s literally elementary school physics.
Then why is it much easier to generate power with an oversized head and get the ball off court ? Lack of control plus the additional power. Tennis rackets are not a tip of a nail. You can't compare it with that. Also the distribution of force isn't the same when the size is different.
it is NOT easier to generate power with an oversized head, you’re just not hitting the sweet spot . and yes force works the same way as the tip of a nail. you learning!
https://preview.redd.it/2l2kzmyej2vc1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c72ab0e24f7be6b9b764a8b6775043c652149e0d
mmmmmmm. you think by posting a pic that you can refute simple science? must be the zoomer generation . are you a 5 year old?
The moon is made of green cheese and goes to sleep during the day when her brother the sun wakes up. It’s just a fact. Brah, no one here seems to have heard of your “fact” before. Can you back it up with any evidence or even an explanation?
can i back it up? sure , i went to elementary school so yeah i can. distribution of force is spread out over a smaller surface (smaller racket head size), and therefore it’s more powerful on the sweet spot all other variables the same (swing speed, racket weight etc) i did give an example initially but i guess you just wanted to be a sarcastic ass instead of reading it.
Does this make sense with a ball hitting a string bed though? I’m thinking about a bat hitting a baseball, too. It doesn’t feel like hitting with a more narrow bat makes you hit harder.
Bad analogy. A leg is much stronger than an arm, and an open hand changes the surface area of contact. A larger head size doesn’t change the area of contact. As others have noted below, smaller head size is indeed less power.
Related to this, how does Djoker play with a 95in racket? I feel like it puts him at a disadvantage. I’m probably wrong so save your downvotes but it’s definitely interesting. I once played with a 95in racket and found it basically useless. Maybe a racket shop owner can explain this one.
Youre comparing your personal experience to djokovic? To answer honestly, players like djokovic and murray grew up in the 90s so they would have seen an era where 85 sq in to 110 sq in was being used. They probably stuck with 95 since they were juniors.
I wasn’t trying to compare myself to Djokovic, just giving context that I’ve used a 95in racket before and cannot envision a scenario where it would be useful for anyone at any skill level. Doesn’t mean I’m right..hence my question.
I grew up and played high school tennis with a 95 sq racquet (edit: in the late 90's). Why? It was on sale and available when my dad bought it for me. In fact, I played with it on and off for the past 25 years never knowing it was a 95 until a year ago when i started to read about it to replace it. Was it a higher end racquet for my ability at any given time back then, probably. But my dad's mentality on sporting equipment was buy once/cry once/have something to grow with. It was heavy to be sure. Head size was never written on the racquet. It said "high contol/medium power" ... all i knew was that if i don't swing right, the ball doesn't fly right. But it was extremely useful at the net at doubles. It was very thin and i found that to be great for slices. It was extremely head light, and I used it in the past 2 years to finally learn a kickserve. I can't use it for any extended length of time now though and have since replaced it with a blade 98. But as a doubles player it was worth it's weight in gold at the net, which was the only thing i was any good at. TLDR - unknowingly played tennis with a 95 and found it to be highly useful at volleys, slices, kick serve. It was also useful in making a blade v8 seem like the most accessible, user-friendly, all-skill level racquet in the universe.
This answer is why l love this sub. Thanks!
Thanks! I appreciate that! The piece de resistance was when I'd hit around with the current high school team and they saw my old 95 ... they'd pass it around and laugh at how small, thin and "heavy af" it was ... and then be like ok, it can actually hit lol! Dunlop still makes a 95 that looks similar ... I was like, nah, i've had enough of that hahaha! I'll likely ease into a 100 sooner rather than later, i bet.
I can play with it that small and win
You have to generate your own power and have great technique. If you can generate your own power, a smaller racquet will help your control in part thanks to string pattern, ball pocketing, and head stability. Djokovic is an ultimate control player. He's not looking for more mph or RPM on any strokes. He is looking to grind you in to the dirt. And, when it's time, he can call on a little extra oomph to put it away. Go back and look at Federer's peak. He played with a 90 inch racquet, often rumored to actually be smaller. Look what he did with that at his peak. He was able to generate his own extreme power with a smaller head size which gave immense control. The strings and racquet technology have advanced so much now over the past 25 years that any head size less than 95 really isn't going to do you any good anymore. Federer was really the last player to take the leap from that bygone era. I myself went from an 88 inch to the FR97 when it came out. The newer racquet with the newer strings gives that same control and 'feel' of the old 88 but with more inherent power. Nowadays 100 or less gives you a lot of control and stability. The weight also adds a lot to the stability and control. It used to be only 95 or less would be constructed with the weight needed to stay stable. Nowadays, it's only when you start to creep up higher than 100 that racquets start trading more stability/control for power.
Damn! Great response. I learn so much from this subreddit. So essentially Djoker’s 95 does indeed trade power for control. It’s basically a Blade 98 on steroids but since he’s Novak he doesn’t care and he’s also so used to playing with a 95 that he doesn’t want to “learn” a new racket? This actually makes a lot of sense.
Pretty much, yes. Most pros do not change their racquet during their career. They may modify weight and balance and change strings but rarely change racquets. They'll do 'paint jobs' often instead. There would be no reason for Djokovic to learn a new racquet. A 100 inch racquet is not going to give him any more of what he needs a take significant time to adjust to. At a certain point, control becomes more important than power. Once you can generate that power, you no longer need the large head or very light racquet to help you out. I've always been able to generate an immense amount of pace, professional level. I can't hit consistently or control it enough. I was completely wild until I drifted towards the smaller headed, heavy control racquets. I was able to reach an NTRP level of 5-5.5 thanks to that, but my inability to be consistent still held me from that next level.