Overview
Tecnifibre adds another chapter to the TF40 305 (18x20)! Like the previous generation, this racquet combines the laser-like precision of a dense 18x20 string pattern with great ball feedback and enough mass to comfortably redirect higher levels of pace. Although it isn't quite as spin-friendly as the TF40 305 (16x19), our playtesters had no problem shaping the ball's trajectory with spin. Technologies include a stable RS Sharp beam along with Dynacore XTC for extra touch, dwell time and pocketing. This racquet also has Foam Inside for a more solid feel at impact. All in all, this update to TF40 305 keeps a good thing going. Experienced players looking for more of a classic feeling player's racquet should love this one. Did we mention the feel?
Specifications
| Head Size: 98 in² / 632.26 cm² | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 11.4oz / 323g | ||||
| Balance: 13.12in / 33.32cm / 3 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 328 | ||||
| Stiffness: 64 | ||||
| Beam Width: 22mm / 22mm / 22mm | ||||
| Composition: Dynacore XTC/Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low | ||||
| Stroke Style: Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: White | ||||
| Grip Type: Tecnifibre Xtra Feel | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 49-55 pounds |
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Customer Reviews
Great Stick for this Unconventional PlayerI have played tennis on and off for a few decades, but never regularly. My swing technique is 'poor' due to decades of racquetball. I can use heavy slice from both sides, however, I cannot hit topspin well at all. I have average pace at best (when hitting flat) except on serves where I can hit hard. I am a weak baseliner, but am a strong volleyer up front and can move quickly. My game relies on pinpoint control to win and the TF40 18x20 excels for me. I demoed many racquets and felt this and the Whiteout 18x20 played best (and similarly). The TF40's only big negatives are in off center hits and lower power. The latter has almost zero impact on my game outside of serves but is marginal even there. Off center hits are somewhat worse than I'm used to, but it has also forced me to be more focused when tracking the ball. Improved placement by even just a few inches is where the TF40 has shined for me. That's enough to have made me a noticeably better player on high pace volleys and lower percentage winners.
Surprisingly Friendly for a “Pro” FrameI came into this expecting a much more demanding racquet based on the “Pro” label and various reviews — but I was pleasantly surprised. The TF40 305 18x20 turned out to be quite user-friendly.
I strung it with Razor Soft 17 at 52 lbs. The strung weight came in at 324g, very close to spec, and with an overgrip, it goes up to 329g.
Feel & Feedback
One of the biggest highlights for me is the feedback. The racquet clearly tells me when I hit the sweet spot versus when I’m off. When I strike the ball well, the feel is extremely satisfying — solid but not harsh. Off-center hits don’t get masked; instead, they give me helpful cues to adjust my swing.
Comparison to Head Speed Pro 2024
I did a side-by-side test with my main racquet, the Head Speed Pro 2024 (also 18x20). The TF40 feels like it has slightly higher swing weight, though not dramatically so. The Speed Pro is definitely more forgiving on off-sweet-spot shots — it kind of hides the differences between good and not-so-good swings. In contrast, the TF40 gives very distinct feedback, which I actually appreciate. It’s like the racquet is gently coaching me toward the correct swing path.
Double Backhand Notes
On my two-handed backhand, I noticed that the ball can occasionally sail high. That might just be a personal adjustment issue, but it’s something I’ll keep an eye on.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really like this racquet. It offers excellent feel and honest feedback without being overly punishing. It’s definitely worth the money, and I’d highly recommend it to intermediate-to-advanced players looking for control with just enough support.
Best one yetAs a 4.5 player at 74 years I was looking for a racquet that had both power and feel. This one fits the Bill very happy with it
Great choiceMy daughter loves her new racquet, she improved a lot since she got it.
NiceSolid and comfortable racquet. Reliable control and depth when swinging hard but still has some flex for off balance shots--I've been surprised by the depth the racquet can provide. Touch shots off the sweet spot can result in very little ball action but this may be "user error." I deal with tennis elbow and have experienced no issues after a dozen matches. Flat hard serves are very fast and reliable. 3.5 senior male.
Great control-oriented racquetGood control oriented racquet with nice feedback. It’s true that it’s laser like precision. All areas: ground strokes, spin, serves, volleys are great. If you are transitioning from 16x19 might take some to adjust (may be few weeks). If you are transitioning from low swing weight racquets like Ezone, Pure Strike, Pure Aero takes few weeks to adjust. But go for it, it takes a worthwhile for the control this gives back. If you like to you can generate good amount of spin too. The plow through produces good power. Great racquet!!!!
Excellent racquetI moved to this from Wilson Blade v7 18x20. Love the Tecnifibre’s stability and solid feel. Getting very good depth on my shots and generating spin is not difficult but needs a bit of adjustment.
Don't overthink itIf you're looking for a 18x20 control racquet on the heavier side this is a very good option. Don't overthink it - with the release of the new version and the low price for this one, it's a solid bargain for a great racquet.
I've been using the Pure Aero 2023, and got a little bit frustrated with the combination of its launch angle which led to some spraying and the stiffness which led to some wrist discomfort. I decided to get the TF40 18x20 during Black Friday at $99 (a steal) for a change of pace (no pun intended) and to give the denser string bed a try for the first time.
To be honest I wasn't expecting to like it - but the opposite happened. On groundstrokes - forehands that I wouldn't feel confident in with the Pure Aero now land in, I can effectively control where the ball goes with flatter shots, and the backhand is/feels steadier. My main concern was the spin but I don't feel like I'm missing much from the baseline in groundstrokes and slices - but it can get a little bit awkward in approach shots sometimes due to the lower launch angle. The serve takes a little to get used to coming from a lighter and 100in frame and there is a small adjustment period. Lastly, the frame won't generate power for you, you need to supply it. This is both good and bad - at my intermediate level I consider it a necessary evil to force me to play better.
All in all I was very pleasantly surprised. I kept using it here and there and every time it felt better. I made the switch recently and started winning more matches in my league (3.0-3.5).
I've strung it with Head Lynx Tour 17g at 48 pounds which seems like a pretty good choice for this racquet - I noticed other reviewers happen to mention the same surprisingly.
One modification I made was to replace the stock replacement grip with the Wilson Shock Shield Hybrid. It dampened the vibrations of shots that missed the sweet spot as I'm adjusting from the 100 to 98 inches, it added 10 grams to static weight, and made the racquet around 2 points more HL - without changing the grip size (which is something I wanted, see the warning below and my review of the replacement grip itself in its TW page). This (mostly the HL aspect) I'd say made it a bit more playable while still keeping its other qualities in place.
Small warning - as another reviewer mentioned below, for some reason the grip sizes feel a bit smaller. If you're in-between consider going up instead of down, or get a thick replacement grip (e.g. Prince ResiSoft 2.2mm, Diadem Comfort Max 2.3mm, etc).
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Great price for a good racquetArm-friendly. Know vibration. Swing speed good
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Amazing racquetI am impressed with the quality and would highly recommend.
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Surprising amount of power with great controlAll around great racquet. Tried it as an alternative to my Wilson Blade (v6) and it surprised me with the pop and power it provided along with the stability and control coming from the 18x20 string pattern. Good maneuverability too, my wife who's used to playing a lighter racquet is having no trouble swinging this one freely.
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Great all around racquetComing from Babolat Pure Aero, this racquet gave me so much more control and precision. I still get decent power though not a lot of spin. I hit with a good amount of topspin anyways so this racquet actually works well for me. The slices are amazing, I'm able to put a good cut on the ball while also hitting exactly the ball exactly where I want it. The feel is solid when and is one of the most comfortable racquets I've hit with. I'm guessing it's the foam that's helping with the way it feels. The only downside is if you can't generate your own power/spin then this might not be a good racquet. Also when I first switched to this racquet I noticed my arm getting tired sooner compared to hitting with other racquets, this'll go away once you get use to this racquet. other than that its a great control racquet!
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Tecnifibre TF40 305 (18x20) RacquetIt is stable, felt very comfortable and this painting is beautiful.
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TF40 305It’s been a great replacement racquet for moving from Yonex Ezone. Nice mix of power and control, heavy swing really helps my games. I would surely recommend it.
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Great racquet for 18x20 loversA great racquet for 18x20 lovers. Trying to write a short and useful review
Pros:
1. Great balance of power control and spin.
2. Can do a full swing and feel great, the best I have tested. With foam it’s all about feel, feel and feel. Very comfortable normally and ok comfort for off center hits.
3. Good amount of spin and good plow through speed. It will take few hits to dial your shots. Tested with TF Razor soft at 52 pounds.
4. Serves are fantastic. You can do what you want to with ease and power.
5. Volley and overhead are great
6. Backhand slices are like buttery rockets with lot of under spin.
7. Nice color & cosmetic
Some areas it reminds me of old classic racquets like Prince Phantom and so forth. If you like classic feel you won’t get any better, be it Blade or Strike
Cons:
1. The swing weight is lower than advertised. I see somewhere between 317 to 320 in mine.
2. The grip is weird and slightly lesser size but your feel may be different. So check with a local store before buying.
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Great racquetThis racquet has great feel and control. Definitely a players racquet where the player generates their own power with the racquet having solid feel and stability.
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Great racquetI was looking for an 18×20 string pattern for better control. I string it with Volkl Cyclone Tour. Offers good control and spin.
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Smoothest frame I've used in years.Was looking for an upgrade to my Melbournes for years and finally found a frame that provides good power, comfort, and control in an easy to use racquet. On par with a Blade V8 18 x 20 with a bit more power, without loss of control or spin. 5 Stars!
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Tecnifibre TF40 305 (18x20) RacquetThe racquet sounds and feels amazing. I was using a Pure Aero before this, so going to this made it feel very weak but after getting used to it, I feel like it is better because I have to hit it harder to before it is out. Also this is one of the nicest looking racquets on the market. My serves are so much faster the same day switching to this.
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'Tis My RacquetBeen through many many racquets throughout the past 2 years in search of a racquet made for me. Went through the Blades v8s, v9s, Pro Staffs, the RFs, Shift, Speeds, Extremes, Gravitys, EZones, Pure Aeros, Pure Strike, Pure Drive, Whiteout… list goes on. While many have come close, only the Tecnifibre TF40 18x20 is the whole package for me. Groundstrokes, strung with head lynx tour at 48lbs, it gives the perfect blend of crisp and plush (depending how hard or soft you hit the ball). One of the best feeling sticks I’ve ever played with. For an 18x20 you can get a lot of spin. Perfect racquet for flat shots. Not many racquets can I flick my wrist and the ball would go over low and flat but this one I can do it with. Love it on my one-handed backhand. Balls stays real low for an attacking slice. Net game, it’s never been so easy to hit a short angled volley than it is with this racquet. Stable at net too. Can really trust it to put the ball away on volleys and slams. Has excellent touch. Drop shots just die when they hit the other side. Serve, I can place the ball anywhere I want with this racquet, and I can’t say that with most racquets (I’m not the best at serving). Very reliable second serve as well. Flat or slice, works great for whatever type of serve you want to hit. This is my racquet of choice and I couldn’t be happier. I’d get the new one but I’m not a fan of the darkish green grommets and paint job. I’m about a 4.5 on a good day and if you have any thoughts on trying this racquet, don’t hesitate. Just buy it.
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DisappointedExcited to try out the new sticks, ordered two of them and got them strung at 55 pounds for both. Upon receiving them, I noticed that they were strung by two different people at TW, and you can tell. The sound off one racquet sounds like it's in the 50s, the other, much lower tension. Been a customer at TW for years and have experienced good service but am disappointed this time around with the inconsistent string job on the two new sticks
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Great serviceTecnifibre racquet is good and Tennis Warehouse is excellent !
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Excellent controlGreat racquet, beautiful impact. I really improved my precision with this one, highly recommended
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Nice racquetThis racquet is very similar to the current generation of pure strikes. Groundstrokes feel solid and crisp. I chose to string it with the Razor Soft strings and in the 18x20 version of this racquet it balances out everything well, making up for the lack of spin you would get with a 16x19 string bed
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Great control racquetDemoed this racquet before I got this on sale. Great overall feel, comfort, laser-like precision while still giving me adequate spin and power even for a 18x20. Key is to string in the 40 pound range if you do full poly.
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Rock and Roll Baby!I love this racquet! One of the most beautiful modern racquets, in my opinion. This racquet is like if a Pure Drive and Prestige had a baby; this would be it. The pallet shape is like an old Prestige, so it took a little bit of getting used to. After I found my range, it was amazing. If this were a music genre, it would be hard metal, all the way, like Mega Death. The only criticism I have with this racquet is that it hurts my eardrums. It sounds like someone is shooting a gun right next to my ear, and it effects my hearing after a while. Other than that, fantastic racquet.
Superb controlThis racquet is the best control oriented frame out there. Added a leather grip on it and it felt even better. Two handed backhand feels amazing with this one. Would recommend for advanced intermediate or advanced players.
Great control - plays too harsh for my game.Everything about this racquet was perfect for me but it felt harsh on my arm after about 30 minutes of hitting. Strung with a multifilament at around 55 lbs. I wish they made this frame in a stiffness index of 60 or 62.
Players' racquetThis is a very stable and neutral racquet. Won't give you any extra power or spin. You have to create it. A pure players' frame. You hit the ball well and it will reward you. Don't expect artificial spin like some of the other racquets.
Switched and haven't looked back!Was a lifelong Pro Staff guy, but I'm getting older and wanted something a tad more forgiving and easier to swing. I demoed a ton of racquets in this class, and this was the one where I was sold within the first ten balls. The feel is muted, but more plush than dead, and it's incredibly stable for a 305 gram frame.
The 18x20 was much more consistent. Slightly lower launch angle, still good access to spin, but a much more predictable response than the 16x19. With the latter, I'd have random balls launch on me out of nowhere. Still trying to find the right strings, seems like 17g with a conservative shape is the right one for me (Head Lynx Tour currently). Great frame!
One of the standouts in this categoryTF40 18x20 has an outstanding plush feel at impact. The control, power and stability is similar to the Blade 98 V8 but the overall feel is better with the TF40 18x20. The classic racquet enthusiasts will love the beam design.
Overall, it's a beautiful racquet that can compete, or out perform the most popular 98” rackets. I'd recommend the 18x20 pattern over the 16x19 for better stability and more pin-point control.
I'm a heavy topspin baseliner. This racquet helps me to hit heavy, spinny shots easily. The softness of the frame helps me with arm fatigue, IMP.
Previous Feedback
Comments: This TF40 305 has become my favorite racquet now! It provides enough power, very good control (better than Wilson's Pro Staff and Blade 18x20, in my opinion) and great plush feel (it is so important for my play style). I can hit with stable groundstrokes with no doubts. The 18x20 pattern is properly designed so that the ball is not difficult to hit and the volley will not get out of control. Comparing with TFight 305 XTC (another one of my favorites), the TF40 is not easy to generate topspin, but it can be solved by choosing suitable hybrid strings, or shaped poly. This time, I strung Polystar Classic 17 at 53 pounds. I will try other shaped polys later.
From: Jonas, 2/16/22
Comments: Bought this racquet despite lockdown here in Hong Kong. I played on a private court with it and it has everything: control, feel and pop - if strung in low 40's. When the courts re-open, Im going blow my opponents off the court with this stick and new racquet of choice!
From: Eric, Hong Kong, 2/16/22
Comments: Best racquet ever! Perfect for serves, volleys, baseline, and touch! My strings help me a lot : Head Lynx Tour 17ga mains @ 48lbs and Kirschbaum Pro Line II 18ga crosses @ 44lbs. You can't go wrong with this setup!
From: Alex Garcia , Johns Creek, GA , 2/5/22