Intro

Daniil Medvedev endorses the Tecnifibre T-Fight 305 on the ATP Tour, and the racquet really took off last year when he had an outstanding US Open run. With this version, Tecnifibre re-engineers the frame to give players a “Perfectly Balanced” option. It features a new “R” shaped beam with five sides at specific angles to reduce twisting and increase power. Dynacore HD technology carries over from previous generations providing increased flexbility without sacrificing any power. Xtreme Touch Construction is utilized just above the grip and in key points around the head to create a sturdier frame with more feel. Additionally the RS 305 frame is filled with foam to improve comfort and vibration absorption.

The 98 square inch head, and dense 18 x 19 string pattern give the RS 305 a more controlled feel than the other T-Fights. At 10.8 ounces unstrung, and with a heavier swingweight, the racquet will not be easily pushed around. Though it has a slightly firmer flex than last the XTC model, Tecnifibre aimed to improve the racquet’s overall feel with the RS version. I tested the previous XTC T-Fight 305 extensively, and was excited to take the new RS T-Fight 305 to the practice courts.

Groundstrokes

Simply put, the 305 is a beast! Don’t let the 10.8 ounce weight fool you, this racquet has a hefty swing weight. While it isn’t the easiest racquet to get moving, the trade off is how much stability and power it can offer. From the baseline, the RS 305 offers a slightly softer feel than it’s predecessor, while still packing the predictable controlled response the T-Fights are known for. I think the improved vibration dampening is due to the foam filling throughout the frame. It doesn’t make the racquet feel mushy or too muted, but the off center hits aren’t as harsh as the previous version. Though the RS 305 is probably best in the hands of fast swinging advanced players, the racquet responds very well to medium swing speeds as well. This is particularly noticeable on service returns, and half-volleys from the baseline where even shorter swings can generate impressive depth and power. When I did swing with aggressive topspin, the 18x19 string pattern helped me keep the ball in the court.

Volleys & Serves

The T-Fight 305’s modern feel made me feel right at home in the service boxes. The frame handles pace well, and adds some extra oomph to compact volleys. I have a harder time with volleys up above my shoulders, and the T-Fight 305 gave me more confidence to play those shots more aggressively, particularly on the backhand side. Serving with the 305 required a little more trust. When I tried to muscle the racquet through the ball, it seemed to fight me and I wasn’t able to get as much pace or kick as I normally like. When I relaxed a little bit and let the racquet’s weight do the work, I achieved much better results. There is some explosive power available on flat first serves, and the racquet is more comfortable than serving with the previous generation.

Feel & Comfort

As I mentioned above, the foam filling in the racquet helps dampen vibration, without making the racquet too soft. It still has what I would call a modern “crisp” feel, but with more comfort and better feel for the ball. The T-Fight has a fairly firm flex of 68, but the unique “R Section” beam design helps dial up the comfort and reduce twisting.

Overall

While the RS T-Fight 305 is solidly in the “control” racquet category, it has more potential power than racquets of similar specs. The 305 punches above it’s weight class, and can be an ideal tool for a fast swinging advanced all-courter. The racquet can also help players with shorter swings get more power and depth. Improvements in feel, power, and stability make it a formidable force on the court. Tecnifibre hits all the right marks with the new RS T-Fight 305.

Note: This playtest was conducted with Tecnifibre Ice Code 18g at 48 pounds and HEAD Hawk Touch 19g at 50 pounds.

About the Reviewer: Sam Jones currently works at Tennis Express on the Content Marketing team. He previously played at Southwestern University, taught tennis for 10+ years and earned his USRSA Master Racquet Technician Certification in 2011. He is an active NTRP 5.0 League and Tournament player.