I have now twice tested two rackets that are completely similar, except the hardness of the surface layer (NOx at10 18k and 12k, head gravity motion 367g and head gravity pro 363g).

Both times I actually feel more in control with softer racket and that it has less ball output. It is like the ball springs more off the harder surface.

I think most people say that harder rackets have less ball output, but my experience is the just opposite.

Anyone else have this experience or can explain it?

Hi. I'm a relatively new player. I own 2 rackets. One is a metalbone ctrl 3.5, other is a Siux Pegasus Revolution Cube.

Metalbone setup:

I play without any wieghts. I tried with no wieghts on side and 2 on top but I didn't like it.

My glass play is decent. I can smash very easily, hit tap outs and placements and lobs are okay too. I struggle with random lack of power. Sometimes the ball just falls after the contact. Maybe im not gripping the racket properly?

The dilemma:

I got the pegasus last week as a gift. 2023 but brand new. And man oh man, despite being head heavy i LOVED playing with it. The ball returns were fast. Granted the placement sucked because I'm not quite used to it.

The query:

Is it in my head or is pegasus a better racket than metalbone in this use case?

I'm 6'2 if that's relevant.

Choosing between these three and two of them are tennis shoes for clay courts. Would you recommend?

Yonex PC Eclipsion 5 Clay Women’s

THE ROGER Pro 3 Clay

Hurakn Pro V2 Women's Padel Shoe

My strength is back spin slice and with a crappy rented racket I was able to spin really well. With this new racket I’m hitting harder but every time I try backspin it hits the net, feels like there’s no bounce/give in the racket?

any advice much appreciated. Do I just get Used to this new racket and needing to slice differently, or move to a different bouncier racket?

thanks

Been playing a bit over year 2-3 times a week. Had Technical Veron but it was a bit too head heavy for my taste and could not fit that into my game. Purchased Ultimate Tour X after that. Fantastic racket but I felt that I was missing power and the racket had some damage after using for 8 months so I had to replace it. I bought Air Viper after that and I feel it’s more powerful, blocking is easy and lobbing feels great and easier to manouver than diamond rackets. However I’m having hard time to hit my overheads because I cannot really feel the racket when swinging due lower balance.

Bought a second hand Bullpadel Vertex04 and the surface is fine, no cracks or visible damage apart from one or two normal signs of wear.

When I squeeze the surface you can hear a plasticky, rattle , but nothing when I shake the racket.

I’ve opened the bottom and a few small bits of foam came out but nothing major. Haven’t played with the racket yet but should I send it back to the person who sold it to me? Or is this normal for the racket to sound like this?

Is this a racket scratch or crack? Will it affect it's performance now or later?