Category Archives: Grommets
Tecnifibre T-Fight 305 S
Tecnifibre continues to excite us with some very nice racquets. The T-Fight 305 S is the latest iteration and adds to Tecnifibre’s player-category racquets.
Tecnifibre T-Fight 305S
One of the first things you will notice is the depth of the white color! In general, the finish of this racquet is as good as it gets!
Tecnifibre has included “knot locks” on the tie-off holes, so you will see four (4) black “mounds” around the selected tie-off holes. This feature maintains knot tie-off tension and resistance to pulling back into the grommet. An interesting feature.
This 98 square inch racquet incorporates an “open” string pattern perfect for those wanting increased power from the head size. The string bed stiffness can be varied and controlled for players more focused on control.
As with many Tecnifibre performance racquets, the grip is of the “European” shape (flat) as opposed to the more “round” shape used by many brands.
| Manufacturer | Tecnifibre |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | T-Fight 305 S |
| Reference Tension | 53 |
| String | MonoGut ZX Pro |
| Machine Used | True Tension Pro |
| String Bed Stiffness - RDC/Units | 53 |
| String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour/Pounds | 61 |
| String Bed Stiffness - SBS/Pounds | 40.5 |
| String Bed Stiffness - ERT/Kg/cm | 34 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC/Units | 65 |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour/Lbs | 40.5 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness/Lbs/Inch | 455.8 |
| Weight, Grams | 332 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.71 |
| Balance, mm | 324 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.76 |
| Length, Cm | 68.7 |
| Length, Inch | 27.047 |
| Head Width | 9.65 |
| Head Length | 12.91 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 631.0 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 97.8 |
| Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 20.5 |
| Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 23.3 |
| Beam Height @ Tip | 22.4 |
| Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 15.7 |
| Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 134.0 |
| Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 11.5 |
| Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 13.9 w/Bumper Guard |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio | .708 |
| Main String Grid Inch/mm | 7.41/188.2 |
| Cross String Grid Inch/mm | 10.32/262.2 |
| Density (% of head filled w/ string) | .728 |
| Average Cross String Space | .543 |
| Average Main String Space | .412 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 34 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 190.2 |
| First Moment, Nm | .819 |
| Polar Moment | 341.0 |
| Torsional Stability | 16 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 325 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.71 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 348.5 |
| Power, RDC | 55 |
| Control, RDC | 45 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 70 |
| Power, Calculated | 2086.8 |
| Head Points | 6.14 |
| Head Weight, % | 47.2% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.1 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 6.43 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 24.3 - Flex Four Data |
| K, Lb/In | 169.9 |
| Dynamic Stiffness/Lbs | 369.5 |
| Dynamic Force/Lbs | 141.8 |
| GDR Ratio: static/dynamic | 1.94 |
| Recoil Weight | 160.8 |
| Twist Weight | 231.5 |
| End Weight | 135.5 |
| Tip Weight | 195.7 |
| 9 O'Clock | 96.2 |
| 3 O'Clock | 94.9 |
| Butt End | 140.1 |
| COF, Main | .348 |
| COF, Cross | .352 |
Wilson Defyer Pro 98 v1.0
Wilson Defyer Pro 98 v1
The Wilson Defyer product release is one of the most unusual and talked-about releases in a long time!
The initial prototypes were “Python”; the next iteration was “Redline”; and the newly released, and final, version is the “Defyer”.
The Defyer is available in 98 and 100 square inch head sizes. The string pattern is 16×20 with spacing that allows for a broad range of string bed stiffnesses to suit most play styles.
The head shape and geometry are familiar; however, there is some “sculpting” going on that adds something to the overall appearance.
While appearance is important, the real stuff is in the numbers, and we have those right here…
After you go through the numbers, stick around for some additional highlights that may go unnoticed.
| Manufacturer | Wilson |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Defyer Pro 98 v1 |
| Reference Tension | 56 |
| String | MonoGut ZX Pro |
| Machine Used | True Tension Pro |
| String Bed Stiffness - RDC | 47 |
| String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour | 61 |
| Strig Bed Stiffness - SBS | 51.7 |
| String Bed Stiffness - ERT | 33 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 65 |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 51.5 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 474.4 |
| Weight, Grams | 325 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.46 |
| Balance, mm | 327 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.87 |
| Length, Cm | 68.7 |
| Length, Inch | 27.047 |
| Head Width | 9.80 |
| Head Length | 12.76 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 633.7 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 98.2 |
| Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 22.5 |
| Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 23.8 |
| Beam Height @ Tip | 22.5 |
| Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 18 |
| Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 13.8 |
| Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 11 |
| Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 13.6 (w/Bumper Guard) |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
| Ratio | .614 |
| Main String Grid Inch/mm | 7.56/192.2 |
| Cross String Grid Inch/mm | 10.41/264.4 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .768 |
| Average Cross String Space | .520 |
| Average Main String Space | .453 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 33 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 184.57 |
| First Moment, Nm | .819 |
| Polar Moment | 333.0 |
| Torsional Stability | 16 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 317 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.18 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 347.5 |
| Power, RDC | 54 |
| Control, RDC | 44 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 74 |
| Power, Calculated | 2044.1 |
| Head Points | 5.20 |
| Head Weight, % | 47.6% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.9 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 6.83 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 27.3 |
| K, Lb/In | 150.64 |
| Recoil Weight | 151.88 |
| Twist Weight | 233.42 |
| End Weight | 134.4 |
| Tip Weight | 194.4 |
| 9 O'Clock | 97.4 |
| 3 O'Clock | 94.8 |
| Butt End | 137.4 |
| COF, Main | .382 |
| COF, Cross | .315 |
Something with tennis racquets that is important to us is “serviceability”. The Defyer, like most Wilson racquets, has a nice grommet system that protects the string from “court contact” damage, and is “aerodynamic” in shape.
The grip pallet system is another matter, however, and makes grip size and shape modifications difficult, if not impossible. So, when you are making a purchasing decision, be sure you are choosing the correct grip size. This pallet system is not unique to the Defyer, but the Defyer is in the category of “customizable” racquets. Don’t plan on much grip customization!
Save the Plastic (grommet)
If you have a tennis racquet, it probably has a grommet set!
A grommet set consists of several pieces of molded plastic designed to fit a specific racquet… a particular racquet. But why?
The materials used in modern tennis racquets are very strong and can be very sharp where the holes are drilled into the frame, so the swing can be installed. Without the plastic protection, the string could slice through the fiber or the fiber could slice through the string, and neither one is good!
Here is an example of extreme grommet wear.
Racquet Quest, LLC
