The recent resurgence of Novak Djokovic, winning Wimbledon and Cincinnati, is surely due to hard work and multiple factors. Maybe one of these factors is the use of the new Head Graphene 360 Speed Pro racquet.

Maintaining the basic features of the Head Speed Pro series, such as the 100 sq in head size and light weight, Head has brought some interesting changes to improve performance of the racquet.

First, the constant beam width has been augmented to 23 mm, increasing racquet stability. Also, the balance point has been brought to 32 cm (6 points head light), to offer good maneuverability with a swingweight of 318.

Perhaps the most important change has been the redesigning of the cross string pattern for wider spacing in the center of the stringbed, thus increasing power and spin.

That gives the racquet a crisper feel and better spins and angles. Since control and precision were already guaranteed by the dense 18×20 string pattern and the flexibility of the racquet, the new additions make this racquet a serious proposition for players seeking control, power and spin in their games.

Racquet Specifications

Playtest

Playing with the Head Graphene Speed Pro is primarily a question of control. With its dense pattern, you are immediately assured that your shots will land inside the court, so it gives you plenty of confidence.

The low swingweight, moderate weight and head light balance make the racquet very maneuverable, so that it is easy to accelerate the ball or create spins and angles.

With good preparation, you can easily take the ball on the rise and take an offensive role, a must in the modern game of tennis.

Returns are easy to control and place thanks to the ample head size and the string pattern, and so are volleys, both shots benefitting from racquet maneuverability.

Serves are solid and can be fast if you can generate good racquet head speed. Second serves are easy due to the control and better capacity to generate spin of this model.

It has also good comfort and feel, increasing your ability to execute touch shots and protecting your arm against injuries, which were a problem with previous issues of this model.

A very competent racquet for intermediate and advanced players seeking control and playability.

Performance

Power:	(8.0 / 10)
Control:	(9.0 / 10)
Maneuverability:	(9.0 / 10)
Comfort/Feel:	(8.0 / 10)
Groundstrokes:	(9.0 / 10)
Serves:	(8.0 / 10)
Returns:	(8.0 / 10)
Volleys:	(9.0 / 10)

Available in two different colors, the Yonex EZONE DR 98 is Yonex’s answer to Babolat’s Pure Drive. The specs of these two racquets are very similar and suited for intermediate to advanced club players or tournament players.

However, the Yonex EZONE DR 98 is a bit more flexible than the Pure Drive, and thus it has better comfort and feel, increasing playability and protection against injuries. Therefore, it is closer to the Babolat Pure Strike.

Despite its higher flexibility, the racquet is indeed very powerful, but control is never an issue due to the isometric design of Yonex racquets, which increases stability.

Spin production is also easy due to the open string pattern and the Yonex square design.

On the ATP Tour, the racquet is notorious for being the racquet of choice of Nick Kyrgios, a brilliant player known for the seemingly effortless power and speed of his game. On a good day, Kyrgios is capable of beating anybody, and he has victories against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

This modern stick is ideal por aggressive baseline players or all courters who want to play the offensive game without sacrificing control or feel.

Racquet Specifications

Playtest

The first thing that surprises when playing with this racquet is the excellent access to power and spin, making it easy to put pressure on your opponents or hitting winners with ease.

Serves are fast and easy to place, as well as overheads. When you impact the ball on the upper hoop, the feel can be a bit stiff, but that is something normal in modern racquets. Otherwise, the racquet feels comfortable.

Maneuverability is surprisingly good for a 4 point head light racquet with a head size of 98 square inches, due to the moderate beam used, which guarantees stability without making the racquet unwieldy.

Therefore, it is quite easy to be aggressive on the returns to put more pressure on your opponent with little effort.

Volleys are easy, firm and comfortable, so it is easy to put away the many attacking opportunities offered by this racquet.

The Yonex EZONE DR 98 is a powerful racquet that will help modern baseliners or proactive players who want to take their performance one step further effortlessly.

Performance

Power:	(9.0 / 10)
Control:	(8.0 / 10)
Maneuverability:	(8.0 / 10)
Comfort/Feel:	(8.0 / 10)
Groundstrokes:	(9.0 / 10)
Serves:	(9.0 / 10)
Returns:	(8.0 / 10)
Volleys:	(8.0 / 10)

Federer’s racquet was already excellent, but it just got better. Keeping almost the same specs as the original Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, this new version has experienced a cosmetic change to all black (Federer always likes to use black in his racquets, as well as red and white which are the colours of the Swiss national flag).

The racquet has a matte finish that reminds us of the original prototype that Federer introduced back in 2014. It is still hefty but a tad more maneuverable than before. It is a control-oriented racquet designed for advanced players and built with control in mind.

It is not an extremely powerful racquet compared to other models on the market, and it requires early preparation and anticipation for good results, as it is one of the heaviest sticks around.

Federer strings his racquets with a string tension between 24 and 27 Kg depending on the surface and conditions, but bear in mind that power is not an issue for him, as he has very fluid strokes, and also that he uses natural gut on the mains.

The Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph is a must for experienced players who play the classic game and seek precision, control and comfort to take their games to a new level, just as the Swiss Maestro did.

Racquet Specifications

Playtest

Once you find the right string tension, the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph is very easy to play and executes perfectly the shots that you have in mind.

The heft and stiffness of the racquet offer precision, spin and sufficient power to your groundstrokes to follow the speed of the modern game of tennis.

You can also dictate play with accurate winners provided you have the right technique to play with a racquet this heavy. Anyway, the head light balance makes it easy to swing if you’ve got good preparation.

Returns is one of the aspects where this racquet really excels, as the stability and precision of the racquet give you confidence to be aggressive on the returns, to take time off your opponents as Roger does so well.

Serves are solid and accurate if you have a good serving motion. The racquet is also a joy to play slices and volleys, of course.

Comfort and feel are superb for a stiff racquet using kevlar, one would be tempted to say that this is a flexible racquet

In sum, a comfortable control-oriented racquet that will reward experienced classic players with good technique.

Performance

Power:	(8.0 / 10)
Control:	(9.0 / 10)
Maneuverability:	(7.0 / 10)
Comfort/Feel:	(9.0 / 10)
Groundstrokes:	(9.0 / 10)
Serves:	(9.0 / 10)
Returns:	(9.0 / 10)
Volleys:	(9.0 / 10)