Racquet Playtest Comparison:

About the play tester

About the racquets

Name: Bcaz on the Talk Tennis Message Boards Playing Level: 4.0 serve, 4.0 forehand, 3.5 everything else, 3.5 overall Regular racquet, string & tension:Estusa Power Beam Braided, (2), currently strung with: (1) Unique natural gut 17g, and (2) Babolat Tonic + Ball Feel 16g, 59 lbs. 4 5/8 grip, Wilson Pro overgrip, Unique Sampras "O" dampener, a little lead at 12 o'clock, 12.8 oz. overall. Tell us about your game: All-court player, like to serve & volley, long, medium-fast strokes, topspin FH, two-hand BH, semi-western FH, continental BH, volleys and first serve, eastern BH second serve. Lots of topspin, not much slice. 50 years old, 5'11", 175, playing for 6 years, mostly singles, a little more doubles lately. Good mid-court game, need more consistency and power on the backhand to advance. Initial Impressions: I was excited to receive these racquets. Even though I am strong and fit, given my age, I know I have to look forward to the day when I will play with a lighter racquet. At the same time, I'm still improving, and I play the game because I love hitting the ball and the feel of the ball on the strings. I played baseball, and the sensations of hitting, fielding, and pitching, for their own merits, were unsurpassed. So it is with tennis.

God bless TW, they sent me three fine frames to play with: the Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine Midplus, the Yonex RDX 500 Midplus, and the Pro Kennex Heritage Type R. They had common characteristics: standard-length, thin-beamed, flexible, head-light player's frames, less than 12 oz. stock, head sizes 98-100 square inches. Then again, they were very different.

Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP: beautifully made frame, weighed in at 12.0 oz even with a Wilson Pro overgrip and a Volkl big-bug dampener. The V-E design seems borrowed from the Estusa Power Beam line, but exaggerated. The four middle mains, especially the middle two, are quite long in this relatively long, slim (for a MP) head.

Yonex RDX 500 MP: also a peach, quite dazzling, notwithstanding the unusually broad forehead most Yonexes have. Long grommets in the throat, suggesting an opposite approach from the V-E. Well made, also 12.0 oz. even with a Wilson Pro overgrip and a Volkl big-bug dampener.

Pro Kennex Heritage Type R: subdued look, almost homely (this coming from a guy who plays the Estusa PBB!), but great pick-up feel. 100-inch head, appears smaller and symmetrical. Weighed 11.9 oz. with Wilson Pro and a Volkl big-bug.

Power

Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP: The Volkl was the most powerful of the three by a good margin. This racquet had plenty of pop from the baseline, on serves and on volleys, considerably more than the C-10 Pro, maybe a little more than the Tour 10 MP. It also had that unmistakable Volkl dull thud - not in a bad way, as Volkl lovers will attest - and more so than other Volkls I've tried. It was easy to whip the head through the hitting zone and follow through. I could hit out with this racquet and keep the ball deep, and it wasn't too hard to find the spin needed to keep it in. The swing was easy and when in motion it felt a lot like the C-10 Pro - similar balance, maybe a little less heft. I could generate pretty big serves with this racquet, but not as consistently as I expected, something that would come up in other categories. Volleys were deep, and my hitting partner (I didn't agree) thought I volleyed best with this racquet among the three.

Yonex RDX 500 MP: This racquet had a good, solid feel to it. I thought it would have more power than it showed me, but it wasn't a wimpy stick by any means. I have long, full strokes, and I believe you need them with this racquet. It was not as powerful as the Volkl, but none of these frames were extremely powerful. The string bed on this racquet is quite consistent and offers a sizable sweet spot, so I didn't get penalized with too many short balls on shots that were less than perfect. It has a little less power than the Yonex MP-1 98 and about the same as the Ti-80, in my view. I really liked serving with this racquet. Good power with not too much effort, nice snap and follow-through. Good balance.

Pro Kennex Heritage Type R: One of the most striking characteristics of this racquet is its extreme flexibility. It's the flexiest racquet I've ever used by a good margin. The demos all had stickers with some specs written on them; I won't share them because the racquet you use or buy may be a little different. I will say it is the most flexible recent-vintage-racquet on the market. What a treat! . . . except if you are looking for some power. This frame was the least powerful among the three, and the lightest. My backhand is not as powerful as I would like, and too many of them were falling near the service line with this racquet. Although the website specs suggest the Type R is less head-light than the other two, it didn't play that way. It felt quite light in play and required a full, fast swing to keep the ball deep. On serves, however, the racquet spanked the ball very well, and it volleyed well, too, but I still could feel less stick than the other two frames.

Control

Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP: This was the racquet's chief deficiency. I didn't want to be swayed by other comments I've read about it and haven't looked at them for several weeks, but this racquet has an unpredictable component. The whole racquet face will give you a lively response - no dead spots, and the top of the frame is relatively solid. The good pop I mentioned earlier occasionally becomes an explosion. This frame will spray the ball around on you now and then. The C-10 98 and the Tour 10 MP do not do this, nor do the RDX MP or the Type R.

Yonex RDX 500 MP: The Yonnie had pretty decent control. In general, the ball went where I wanted it to go, no surprises, but no feeling of supreme precision, either. I play with a slightly smaller head and I'm used to a good degree of precision from my racquet, at least for my playing level. I really liked the way the Yonex volleyed, very solid and with good direction and control.

Pro Kennex Heritage Type R: The Type R impressed me with its control in all phases of the game. I did not expect it. Groundstrokes went where I wanted them to go, shorter than preferred, corrected with a quicker stroke. Plenty of spin (more later), excellent directional control, even more so on serves. I loved how I could move the ball around the box and vary spins and speed very easily. I really like volleying with the Type R, too, but I could tell the lack of oomph came into play now and then... In general, though, I felt like I could catch the ball with the racquet and throw it wherever I wanted to.

Maneuverability

Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP: The Volkl was easy to play with. I thought it would be a lot more nimble than the C-10 Pro, but it really wasn't. Among the three sticks tested, it was a toss-up with the Yonex RDX. Not surprising, given their weight and balance are pretty close on paper. Good, not great.

Yonex RDX 500 MP: This racquet feels very good in action, but as I said, not that different from the V-E MP. They are heavier than I expected them to be, even though they are much lighter than my game frames. I would give the nod to the Yonex over the Volkl here, but my opponent liked my volleys with the Volkl . . . what can I say? I felt the Yonnie was best on service returns, especially slice, perhaps because of a combination of a consistent string bed, enough heft, and good maneuverability.

Pro Kennex Heritage Type R: This racquet is a sleeper. It felt very nimble and fast on all shots; serves, volleys, off the ground . . . very, very few mis-hits with this frame. I felt like it was great at the net. It was easy to get this stick in position for any stroke and this was one of its best assets. It was quick at the net on reflex volleys.

Stability

Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP: Nice and stable, form for its flex, but a little disconcerting in how the ball will spray on you. The racquet isn't being pushed around, but this big sweet spot will play a few tricks. That's not fair, though . . . Maybe if you stick with this thing and settle on a good string set-up it will give you some straight talk in return.

Yonex RDX 500 MP: This is a nice, stable frame for its weight. It will return big serves and crisp passing shots very capably. I believe it is more stable than the Yonnie Ti-80.

Pro Kennex Heritage Type R: This racquet feels great, but it feels light. It puts up a bit less of a fight against big, heavy serves than the other two. It does not twist or rattle; it just flexes and returns a ball a little shorter than a heavier, stiffer racquet would, that's all

Comfort

Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP: All three racquets are very comfortable. This stick had the Volkl thud and flex - need I say more? A very arm- friendly stick, but those who prefer harsh racquets will not like this one.

Yonex RDX 500 MP: This stick is also quite comfortable, similar to the MP-1 series, but with better feel, and control, too. It is much more comfortable than the T1-80, which feels tinny and hollow to me (plays well, though), but it was a close third among these three very comfortable frames.

Pro Kennex Heritage Type R: The Type R was a dream to hit with, and it does not have the kinetic PK technology. It was soft, forgiving, and easy on the arm and shoulder, and I'm sure it would be over the long haul. I think the TW description page might say something about foam injection, apparently a throwback . . . anyway, you could tuck this baby under you head, count sheep, and sleep like a baby. And then get up and whale at balls for four hours with no pain.

Spin

Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP: All these racquets can spin the ball well, and the Volkl is no exception. Groundstrokes and serves can be heavy and hoppy. Slice was easy to come by, too, but not as consistent as I would like; slice is not my best stroke, though.

Yonex RDX 500 MP: The Yonex was consistent, as always, on spinning the ball. Between power and spin, it served better than the other two. I enjoyed backhand slice with this racquet, which had good bite, and slice returns worked well, too. Forehand topspin was solid and predictable.

Pro Kennex Heritage Type R: I loved hitting groundstroke with the Type R. What a revelation! Filthy topspin on my forehand, with variety: deep, high-bouncing strokes, short angles, short-stroke mid-court kill shots. And second serves, kicking first serves, slice approach shots . . . this racquet is one of the "spinniest" I've hit with, with lot of control - a hidden gem.

Parting Shots:

Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP: Nice racquet, kind of a cross between the C-10 Pro 98 and the Tour 10 98; more power than both, but with less control and consistency. Feels a little more like the C-10 than the Tour 10. A good choice for players seeking power and comfort in a player's frame that does several things well. Most Volkls like lower tensions, but I'm not sure what I would put in this frame. I'm not into polys, but some players might like poly in this racquet to tame the power and even up the response. I wouldn't use natural gut in this frame, and I like gut a lot. Maybe a gut hybrid with a stiffer string like PSG Duraflex in the crosses.

Yonex RDX 500 MP: Jack of all trades . . . this racquet does most things well without excelling in any one category. A solid, all-court frame. A little less nimble or powerful than I hoped, but still an excellent choice for most players who enjoy hitting the ball and playing all the shots. This racquet could use relatively low tension and a crisp yet playable multi like LaserFibre Pro Stock. Or maybe a gut-like Bow 16L, hybrided with Gosen crosses, or all-gut at about 58-60 lbs.

Pro Kennex Heritage Type R: Very few people know about this racquet or will try it, which is too bad, because it is marvelous in several ways. Flex? You got it. Comfort? Yep. Control? Aye-Aye. Spin? Yowza! Touch? I say yes! You feel me?! A hidden gem that doesn't lack much except power and a flashy paint job. I'd goose the power on this racquet with natural gut at about 56-58 pounds. Please, no poly or anything stiff or high tension in this sweet frame!

Comfort Heritage Type R 82 Tour 10 V-Engine MP 80 Yonex RDX 500 MP 77	Control Heritage Type R 81 Yonex RDX 500 MP 78 Tour 10 V-Engine MP 66	Groundstrokes Heritage Type R 84 Yonex RDX 500 MP 80 Tour 10 V-Engine MP 76	Maneuverability Heritage Type R 79 Yonex RDX 500 MP 75 Tour 10 V-Engine MP 74
Power Tour 10 V-Engine MP 80 Yonex RDX 500 MP 73 Heritage Type R 67	ServesandOverheads Yonex RDX 500 MP 82 Tour 10 V-Engine MP 80 Heritage Type R 80	ServeReturns Yonex RDX 500 MP 80 Tour 10 V-Engine MP 75 Heritage Type R 74	Slice Heritage Type R 82 Yonex RDX 500 MP 78 Tour 10 V-Engine MP 76
Stability Yonex RDX 500 MP 78 Tour 10 V-Engine MP 74 Heritage Type R 70	Topspin Heritage Type R 88 Yonex RDX 500 MP 80 Tour 10 V-Engine MP 78	Touch/Feel Heritage Type R 84 Yonex RDX 500 MP 80 Tour 10 V-Engine MP 70	Volleys Tour 10 V-Engine MP 80 Yonex RDX 500 MP 80 Heritage Type R 76
Overall Heritage Type R 79 Yonex RDX 500 MP 78 Tour 10 V-Engine MP 76

Playtest date: November, 2004.

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