By -- Sam Jones, May 14, 2020
Attention intermediate to advanced players: If you like to provide your own power on court, you will need an ultra-precise and stable racquet to help you maintain consistency and control. That means you might want a little extra weight on your frame, and utilize a denser (think 18×20 or at least 16 x 19) string pattern for more directional control. Here are three tip-top control racquets on the market right now.
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Wilson Blade 98 v7 18×20
The Blade has become a surgical scalpel for an endless list of top level professionals and collegiate All-Americans. The flat 20.6 millimeter beam, 98 square inch head, and 18×20 string pattern help create one of the most consistent control racquets around, with plenty of plow through.
Wilson made the Blade more stable and comfortable with the advent of FeelFlex technology. The 18×20 string pattern offers increased control over the 16×19 version, but is a little less spin friendly. Another nice feature of the Blade is the relatively low 305 gram unstrung weight, which allows for players to customize their frames with weighted tape.
Yonex VCORE Pro 97HD
Yonex took a demanding frame, the VCORE Pro 97 and threw an 18×20 string pattern on it. This frame is for players with finely tuned mechanics who can generate near world-class racquet head speed. The 320g unstrung weight offers tons of stability against bigger hitters, but the old school balance of 7pts head light keeps it practical to whip around the court. Yonex added VDM (Vibration Dampening Mesh) inside the handle of the HD to filter out vibrations without losing a feel for the ball. Flatter ball strikers will love the consistency of the sweet spot and serve and volley players will appreciate the predictable flex on finesse shots. If you are a frequent string breaker that hits a lot of topspin, you will love the dense pattern because it will increase the string life.
Tecnifibre TF40 305
The TF40 is a softer feeling model than the popular T-Fight models. The ball seems to stay on the string bed longer due to the XTC material embedded throughout the frame, and the string pattern is further enhanced by a special grommet system that reduces shock at contact. The 18×20 string pattern and slim 21.7 millimeter beam offer sublime control in an extremely comfortable frame. The TF40 is surprisingly powerful for a control oriented model, and at only 305 grams unstrung it is an easy racquet to further customize for elite tournament play
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