Intro
In this review I discuss the new Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 305 as the successor to the XTC version of the same name. This T-Fight RS 305 is similar in specifications to the Prince Synergy 98 I recently reviewed. With its 18x18 string pattern, very similar to the 18x19 string pattern of the T-Fight RS. The biggest difference is the stiffness of the frame. The Prince Synergy 98 is a lot less stiff than the T-Fight RS 305. Since I have been having elbow issues lately, I am somewhat concerned about the stiffness. But on the other hand, the Tecnifibre is filled with foam in some crucial places, which should provide a comfortable playing feeling.
The Tecnifibre T-Fight 305 RS has a color scheme in black, white and blue and red details on the sides. It is a simple but beautiful design. The matte finish in particular feels good in the hand, especially when I hold the racket neck with my other hand when playing a single-handed backhand.
The T-Fight RS 305 from Tecnifibre is now available in our webshop, including free stringing of your choice!Specifications Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 305
Brand: Tecnifibre Model: T-Fight RS 305 Leaf size: 98 sq/inch Weight: 305 gr Balance: 32.5 cm Stringing pattern: 18×19 Length: 27 inches RA: 67 Swing weight: 333 Frame thickness: 23/23/22.5 mm Stringing: Diadem Flash 17 at 23/22 kg
Baseline
I have to say that I have rarely played with a Tecnifibre. I have no specific expectations. The first balls feel very direct with a “full bed” of Diadem Flash strings. I also immediately feel the snappy swing weight and a slight reaction to my elbow. I clearly need to warm up a bit. After fifteen minutes I start to warm up and notice that I can move the Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 305 very easily. Even easier than my Prince Synergy 98. The difference in stiffness can mainly be felt in the directness. With the T-Fight you get a very predictable result on both the backhand and the forehand. I can attack very easily with my forehand. And more than just power. Even if I need a higher ball, I find it just as easy as spin and slice. The slices were especially delicious with this Tecnifibre. A striking difference with the Prince Synergy 98 was that I could get my one-handed backhand much easier with the Tecnifibre. The Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 305 is a very versatile racket from the baseline and feels lighter and faster than the Prince Synergy 98.
Stiffness
At first I thought it would be a much stiffer racket, but that wasn't so bad. The T-Fight RS 305 is a relatively soft racket with a direct feel. That's a nice combination to play with. The foam fillings probably help absorb vibrations. My Prince Synergy 98 is still much softer, but the difference is much less than I expected based on the RA value (60 compared to 67).
Spider
Furthermore, I thought in advance that I would get little spin potential with an 18x19 string pattern, but the spin potential is quite good. I had the same experience with the Prince Synergy 98. Even with a high swing weight it is an easy racket to handle and it is a fast racket. That surprised me a bit! The only adjustment I had to make in my stroke was on the backhand side by opening my grip a little more to prevent the balls from falling too deep.
Just
I have mainly played doubles with the Tecnifibre T-Fight 305 RS, and despite the weight and swing weight as I said, it is a very fast racket that responds very well. This racket is both stable due to the high swing weight and quick and easy to handle at the net. This combination of swing weight and speed resulted in very solid volleys. Similar to the Prince Synergy 98, I could also easily put away hard incoming balls.
My volley is not my best shot, but I was able to get to the net very easily with the Tecnifibre. With this racket I felt safe and secure at the net and had more confidence to step in and finish the points and create a situation to surprise the opponent.
Service and returns
When returning service, the Tecnifibre excels due to the combination of stability and speed. Moreover, I did not have to make a full swing, because with a short rotation of the handle in a forward direction I already got sufficient direction and speed. But if I had more time to make a full stroke during a second serve, really heavy balls came off the racket. The serve was another thing that surprised me with this racket. I was able to hit my serve very solidly with sufficient power and precision. I also managed some of my forays into more spin and more slice with this racket.
So my double fault rate was very low and I felt a lot of confidence to go for a solid and stronger second serve than is normally the case.
Conclusion Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 305
In short, I found all basic strokes with the Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 305 very pleasant, it is a super balanced racket and very comparable to the Prince Synergy 98, which I praised. The T-Fight RS 305 is certainly in my top 3 rackets from this year.
The racket has a soft touch despite the high RA value, in my opinion it is much nicer to play than the other frames in the 98 inch spectrum. Apart from the Prince Synergy 98 and the new Wilson Blade 98, there are few frames that can compete with this Tecnifibre in terms of touch and feel. The T-fight is a racket that combines special features: stability with a high swing weight, which allows you to hit a heavy ball with a full swing, but is also lenient if you cannot hit a full swing. Then you still get enough length in your strokes.
Be that as it may, this racket was an absolute surprise to me. I highly recommend anyone looking for stability and plenty of power to try out the Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 305!
The T-Fight RS 305 from Tecnifibre is now available in our webshop, including free stringing of your choice!