Page 46 - Tennis Magazine April 2019
P. 46
Volkl
The latest V1
upholds the frame’s
sterling reputation
Over the past few decades,
Volkl frames have continued
to get stiffer, but that hasn’t
prevented the company from
TECNIFIBRE VOLKL
maintaining its status as one
ATP TFight 305 XTC of the most comfortable and V-Feel V1 MP
arm-friendly brands on the
market. The VCELL material in
• PRICE: $199 • PRICE: $220
the current V-Feel models is an
• HEAD SIZE: 98 SQ. IN. • HEAD SIZE: 102 SQ. IN.
upgrade over the C-3 carbon in
• LENGTH: 27 IN. • LENGTH: 27 IN.
the previous V-Sense line. It’s
• WEIGHT: 11.3 OZ. • WEIGHT: 10.6 OZ.
stiffer and stronger, creating an
• BALANCE: 3 PTS. HL • BALANCE: 2 PTS. HL
improved vibration frequency for
• SWINGWEIGHT: 328 • SWINGWEIGHT: 298
better feel and less shock. A new
• RA RATING: 64 • RA RATING: 68
resin-based EVA in the handle
• BEAM WIDTH: 22.5MM / 22.5MM / 21.5MM • BEAM WIDTH: 25MM / 22MM / 28MM
pallets of the VSENSOR dampen-
• STRING PATTERN: 18×19 • STRING PATTERN: 16×19
ing system is more resilient than
• NTRP: 4.0+ • NTRP: 2.0-4.0
current EVA for faster rebound-
ing and bending capabilities to
How it tested: The updated TFight How it tested: The latest iteration of
305 is a mid-plus with attitude. The suit stiffer frames. And the VTEX the V1—arguably the game’s original
respectable swingweight caused it to silicone polymer used in the butt tweener racquet—proved why it remains
play beefier than expected; it wasn’t cap comes out of the automotive so relevant. The easy handling, expansive
cumbersome to handle, but it took some industry to provide a boost in sweet spot and solid, comfortable
effort. The upshot was impressive pop dampening, as well as to resist response combined to produce one of
and stability when compared to cracking and movement, for a the most user-friendly and respected
competing control-oriented 98s. At times, more comfortable, solid feel. frames we reviewed. Players simply didn’t
it even played like a low-powered want to put it down. As long as swings
tweener, causing the ball to launch off EXPLORING THE CATALOG were at a medium pace—faster cuts
the frame with less predictability. could cause shots to sail—testers found
Adequate spin could be had from the The V-Feel updates to the effortless yet controllable power. There
tighter 18x19 string pattern, but it was V3 and V7 models are due out was also plenty of spin to be had from
more suited to directional control. The this summer…A 15L gauge the 16x19 pattern, even if the lower mass
feel was firm, solid and comfortable, version of Cyclone, Volkl’s didn’t put much weight on the ball. And
although there were a few complaints of most popular polyester string, despite the fact it continually gets stiffer,
brittleness when contact occurred in the is now available…V-Square, a dampening technologies throughout the
upper part of the string bed. Ultimately, new four-sided polyester string frame resulted in its trademark arm-
testers were largely impressed by the developed for heavy spin, hits friendliness, especially when paired with
frame’s overall game, and the new paint stores in April…The venerable a multifilament string. From improving
job is a definite head-turner. C10 Pro racquet will debut a new players to grizzled doubles vets, the V1
cosmetic in December. continues to bring mass appeal.
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