Excellent and very complete review! I want to buy this racquet. I was a user of the k factor six one 95 18 20, and nowplay with the head graphene speed pro, but I feel that something is missing. Before those racquets I grew up with tha ncode six one tour and for some reason I got used to the weight, my best results were with heavy racquets and I guess it is a obsession. Regards and congratulation. I hope more videos like this.
like when i got my rebel 95 (pretty heavy) i realized some flaws in my game. I love the racquet but i definitely have to play the "right way." be prepared, use proper technique. drive thru the ball full swing...TENNIS basically.
Damn, could have been one of the best RF97 reviews but the sound murdered it (which I'm sure you know) Hopefully next time you can use a separate noise cancelling mic.
Hi Gus, thank you!! I clearly know that the audio is not great but that is all a GoPro has to offer unfortunately, being very close to La Guardia airport doesnt give you much of a choice. To even make it better I also got the framing wrong, I though I set the focal lenght to wide before recording but in fact it was on narrow....o well I'll do better next time. :)
vittovespa The GoPro can be sorted with better framing like you said. The audio can be made much better with a mic clipped onto your shirt and plugged into your phone, then use your voice recording app and drop the Go Pro video and audio from your phone into some editing software (some are free and good enough for youtube) sync them, delete the audio from the GoPro and start editing and you'll be sorted for very cheep!
Thank you so much Gus, all good tips! The concerning thing is that I should've known better, my gf is a videographer so I know all about it, we also have other cameras, mics and software, it's just that I didn't really go out with the intention to do a video review on the racquet but then once I finished hitting with a friend I realized that I had the court available, the new racquet and a bag of ball so I started talking in front of the camera and could never stop! :)
Ciao Vittorio bellissima recensione, una domanda per te che l'hai provata: ritieni che si senta la differenza di peso tra la rf97 e una six one 95 presupponendo che tu conosca la manovrabilità di quest'ultimo. Grazie Mille ;-)
Ciao Luciano, no fa piacere che ti piaccia la recensione, potevo comunque fare di meglio. Allora, la Six one 95 l'ho provata per pochi minuti, ho provato la 16x18 che a dire il vero non mi ha entusiasmato in quanto a controllo, sicuramente mi troverei più sicuro con la 18x20 per il mio stile di gioco. In quando a manovrabilità sono due racchette dallo SW (swing weight) molto simile perciò teoricamente dovrebbero avere stesso grado di manovrabilità. Considera che la RF97 pesa di più perciò a parità di SW la racchetta è comunque meno manovrabile. Non è' una racchetta facile da sfruttare completamente e tende a stancarti precocemente se non sei abituato a quella massa. Se i vantaggi che ti da come stabilità a rete e da fondo campo si vanno a far friggere nei momenti di difesa per limitata agilità secondo me non è da prendere in considerazione. Il consiglio migliore che ti posso dare è di prenderla in prova e di usarla per almeno due ore, prova a farci di tutto e poi valuta tu. Nel servizio ho notato he non riuscivo a farla viaggiare velocemente come le mie Volkl che sono delle saette a confronto. Ovviamente se uno veramente ci si mette d'impegno può adattarsi alla zavorra e può trovare un giusto equilibrio e giocarci abbastanza bene, ma secondo me andrebbe presa in considerazione solo se si è ad un un certo livello e solo se si possiede un gioco classico con moderato spin, certamente non adatta a chi ha grip estremi e che colpisce la palla con traiettorie estreme, in tal caso racchette più maneggevoli sono da preferire. A che livello giochi? Rovescio ad una mano o a due? Spero d'esserti stato di aiuto.
its heavy but not that much of a disadvantage for doubles at all. you dont swing big for quick volleys anyways. with simply putting the racquet up its weight does the work. i do prefer 50 or lower tensions tho, and i kinda see why Fed does that also. this racquet doesnt require big swings. it has power and spin with suitable strings and lower tensions. just make sure u do some work out before grabbing this. pull ups helps me with grip and shoulder.
Hi Stig, I do not suggest you go low tension with this frame, the heavier the frame the more powerful it can be, generally speaking, then of course other factors kick in such as stiffness and swing weight. Low tension will create too much of a trampoline effect making you loose control, that's how I see it.
Higher tension was how I used to play with 15 years ago with synthetic gut. I did try 60lbs with some kind of wilson poly. i hated it esp when I had to swing it harder and fuller to get some top spin. And it hurted my shoulder. Then I tried lower tension like 50/48 with Alupower rough or Rpm blast, and I didn't have to swing harder anymore. Don't get me wrong.... I didn't try to play like a grandpa, but I rather loosened by arm much more and let the racquet do more works than my arm. Plus, the swing weight was no different than the six.one 90 tour. More time the ball stays on the string bed, it actually bite more esp with lower tension, I believe. Great return, volley feel, back slicer, powerful serve were enough for me to choose this frame. Thanks for your opinion though.
With monofilament construction strings (poly) the tension can dramatically be reduced while still maintaining good control. There is a sweet spot range of tensions for every frame in my opinion, with a frame that's nearly 370gr finished, that's on the stiff side, pretty powerful and with a 16x19 strong pattern, I would not string it in the forties, but it could definitely be strung very low fifties. It also depends on how powerful the strings you use are, with a very dead poly you can go lower, with a livelier one I would not suggest, you won't be able to swing out and control will be compromised. This is a modern frame and besides the high weight (but HL balance) it's meant to be swung fast. RPM blast is a powerful poly, the bad thing about it is that it's very bad in tension maintenance. Alupower rough is a softer and less crisp poly with decent power. Thank you for your opinion!
+Stig Bimm Hi there, just wanted to acknowledge yours and Vittorio's opinions (for what my own is worth); I have been playing this racquet since this summer; although I came from the PS90 (just as heavy), it still took me a few months to get accustomed with it and sustain competitive matches - it really stands apart from the pack. You gotta be careful indeed with stings; I did find my balance with a hybrid setup of Kirschbaum products (Max Power + Touch II). Double is not an issue, but handling this weight may become a problem in a 3rd setter as your arm will get tired. I would not recommend it for young and skinny players, but as I have quite a frame I just love it in all its power and feeling ranges.
+Howard Pollack champions choice for sure will sweeten this racquet. i use rpm blast for the main and it spins great! will try thinner one like 18g later for even better spin.
consiglio: prova ad accentuare di più la pronazione in modo tale da colpire la palla più piatta... perché sembra che accumuli molta energia ma ne perdi altrettanta all'impatto! del resto bel video, gran inglese e buon tennis ! :)
Same reason I bought one. This could be Roger's last racket so I just had to have it.
Are you at a tennis court or on the tarmac at the airport?
Grazie Vittorio, ottima recensione!
IAMKLOOT67 Ci mancherebbe, potevo farla molto meglio, purtroppo l'ho improvvisata e gli aerei non mi davano pace!
Excellent and very complete review! I want to buy this racquet. I was a user of the k factor six one 95 18 20, and nowplay with the head graphene speed pro, but I feel that something is missing. Before those racquets I grew up with tha ncode six one tour and for some reason I got used to the weight, my best results were with heavy racquets and I guess it is a obsession. Regards and congratulation. I hope more videos like this.
like when i got my rebel 95 (pretty heavy) i realized some flaws in my game. I love the racquet but i definitely have to play the "right way." be prepared, use proper technique. drive thru the ball full swing...TENNIS basically.
one year later from my first post and I may get this racquet and even add more weight to it?
Great serves
Thank's!
I love your video!! I think you should warn people about the airplane noise..here and there! New location next time!!! Good Job!!
Thank you for the comment, the location was great the noise was not unfortunately, I'll do better next time
Wow.. should have that landing strip run this review over.
I believe that you are at the USTA center in Flushing Queens, right?
That's correct!
Damn, could have been one of the best RF97 reviews but the sound murdered it (which I'm sure you know)
Hopefully next time you can use a separate noise cancelling mic.
Hi Gus, thank you!!
I clearly know that the audio is not great but that is all a GoPro has to offer unfortunately, being very close to La Guardia airport doesnt give you much of a choice.
To even make it better I also got the framing wrong, I though I set the focal lenght to wide before recording but in fact it was on narrow....o well I'll do better next time. :)
vittovespa The GoPro can be sorted with better framing like you said. The audio can be made much better with a mic clipped onto your shirt and plugged into your phone, then use your voice recording app and drop the Go Pro video and audio from your phone into some editing software (some are free and good enough for youtube) sync them, delete the audio from the GoPro and start editing and you'll be sorted for very cheep!
Thank you so much Gus, all good tips!
The concerning thing is that I should've known better, my gf is a videographer so I know all about it, we also have other cameras, mics and software, it's just that I didn't really go out with the intention to do a video review on the racquet but then once I finished hitting with a friend I realized that I had the court available, the new racquet and a bag of ball so I started talking in front of the camera and could never stop! :)
Che tipo di string usi su RF97 e che tensione?
Incordatura ibrida Tecnifibre NRG2 16 e Luxilon Alu Power Rough 125 - rispettivamente a 57 1/2 e 54 Pound di tensione
Ciao Vittorio bellissima recensione, una domanda per te che l'hai provata: ritieni che si senta la differenza di peso tra la rf97 e una six one 95 presupponendo che tu conosca la manovrabilità di quest'ultimo. Grazie Mille ;-)
Ciao Luciano, no fa piacere che ti piaccia la recensione, potevo comunque fare di meglio.
Allora, la Six one 95 l'ho provata per pochi minuti, ho provato la 16x18 che a dire il vero non mi ha entusiasmato in quanto a controllo, sicuramente mi troverei più sicuro con la 18x20 per il mio stile di gioco. In quando a manovrabilità sono due racchette dallo SW (swing weight) molto simile perciò teoricamente dovrebbero avere stesso grado di manovrabilità.
Considera che la RF97 pesa di più perciò a parità di SW la racchetta è comunque meno manovrabile. Non è' una racchetta facile da sfruttare completamente e tende a stancarti precocemente se non sei abituato a quella massa. Se i vantaggi che ti da come stabilità a rete e da fondo campo si vanno a far friggere nei momenti di difesa per limitata agilità secondo me non è da prendere in considerazione. Il consiglio migliore che ti posso dare è di prenderla in prova e di usarla per almeno due ore, prova a farci di tutto e poi valuta tu. Nel servizio ho notato he non riuscivo a farla viaggiare velocemente come le mie Volkl che sono delle saette a confronto.
Ovviamente se uno veramente ci si mette d'impegno può adattarsi alla zavorra e può trovare un giusto equilibrio e giocarci abbastanza bene, ma secondo me andrebbe presa in considerazione solo se si è ad un un certo livello e solo se si possiede un gioco classico con moderato spin, certamente non adatta a chi ha grip estremi e che colpisce la palla con traiettorie estreme, in tal caso racchette più maneggevoli sono da preferire.
A che livello giochi? Rovescio ad una mano o a due?
Spero d'esserti stato di aiuto.
how did you get to play at court 11 after the tournament?
Richard Guints the court was available for anyone to play after paying for it!
Richard Guints You can can play at the any tennis court except the stadiums. $120 per hr and after 10pm it's $65
+Gustavo Carrion
Is this really true? $ 120 for ONE hour?
Hi. Yes, it's $120 US dollars for 1 hr.
You can pay $65 an hour from 10pm-midnight.
its heavy but not that much of a disadvantage for doubles at all. you dont swing big for quick volleys anyways. with simply putting the racquet up its weight does the work. i do prefer 50 or lower tensions tho, and i kinda see why Fed does that also. this racquet doesnt require big swings. it has power and spin with suitable strings and lower tensions. just make sure u do some work out before grabbing this. pull ups helps me with grip and shoulder.
Hi Stig, I do not suggest you go low tension with this frame, the heavier the frame the more powerful it can be, generally speaking, then of course other factors kick in such as stiffness and swing weight. Low tension will create too much of a trampoline effect making you loose control, that's how I see it.
Higher tension was how I used to play with 15 years ago with synthetic gut. I did try 60lbs with some kind of wilson poly. i hated it esp when I had to swing it harder and fuller to get some top spin. And it hurted my shoulder. Then I tried lower tension like 50/48 with Alupower rough or Rpm blast, and I didn't have to swing harder anymore. Don't get me wrong.... I didn't try to play like a grandpa, but I rather loosened by arm much more and let the racquet do more works than my arm. Plus, the swing weight was no different than the six.one 90 tour. More time the ball stays on the string bed, it actually bite more esp with lower tension, I believe. Great return, volley feel, back slicer, powerful serve were enough for me to choose this frame. Thanks for your opinion though.
With monofilament construction strings (poly) the tension can dramatically be reduced while still maintaining good control. There is a sweet spot range of tensions for every frame in my opinion, with a frame that's nearly 370gr finished, that's on the stiff side, pretty powerful and with a 16x19 strong pattern, I would not string it in the forties, but it could definitely be strung very low fifties.
It also depends on how powerful the strings you use are, with a very dead poly you can go lower, with a livelier one I would not suggest, you won't be able to swing out and control will be compromised.
This is a modern frame and besides the high weight (but HL balance) it's meant to be swung fast.
RPM blast is a powerful poly, the bad thing about it is that it's very bad in tension maintenance.
Alupower rough is a softer and less crisp poly with decent power.
Thank you for your opinion!
+vittovespa thanks.
+Stig Bimm Hi there, just wanted to acknowledge yours and Vittorio's opinions (for what my own is worth); I have been playing this racquet since this summer; although I came from the PS90 (just as heavy), it still took me a few months to get accustomed with it and sustain competitive matches - it really stands apart from the pack. You gotta be careful indeed with stings; I did find my balance with a hybrid setup of Kirschbaum products (Max Power + Touch II). Double is not an issue, but handling this weight may become a problem in a 3rd setter as your arm will get tired. I would not recommend it for young and skinny players, but as I have quite a frame I just love it in all its power and feeling ranges.
Is this racket the same specs as the newest stealth black one that came out?
Vance Hockaday should have similar specs, but the latest version has a different feel, more dampened
The sound from the plane is disturbing
Just curious ... what type of strings did you use and what tension did you try it at ?
Howard Pollack Hi Howard, I have already answered this question, please read my prior answers
sorry guys couldn't find where you ans the question however i have the same racquet and am using Champion's choice and loving it ... cheers H.
+Howard Pollack champions choice for sure will sweeten this racquet. i use rpm blast for the main and it spins great! will try thinner one like 18g later for even better spin.
Great! I'm going to do the same. thx.
Ciao Vito, ma che misura del grip hai su questa racchetta da tennis?
Ciao, misura L3 ossia 4 3/8
consiglio: prova ad accentuare di più la pronazione in modo tale da colpire la palla più piatta... perché sembra che accumuli molta energia ma ne perdi altrettanta all'impatto! del resto bel video, gran inglese e buon tennis ! :)
4:20
Il fanciullino era del Pascoli... ;-)
:o....sicuro che Macchiavelli non glielo avesse commissionato?! ;-)
Are you italian?
Si
Yes I am!
Grande