Karry
I received the 009 sample racket, and I immediately fell in love with it. The speed experience of the 009 is, to this day, the pinnacle of Pollen’s works in terms of swing speed. It’s light, bouncy, and despite its shortcomings, it has been the best consolation for me since losing the 90S. At that time, despite its instability and lack of solidity, I chose the 009 as my main racket for quite a long period.
However, after trying the 46w, which shares the same lineage but with a different tuning, I was struck by its aggressive performance. I had to consider a longer-term question: How far can the 009 take me?
Specifications: 4UG5, empty weight 84g, balance point 295mm, total weight 84.6g without grip tape, full aerodynamic frame, 8-4 o’clock groove, 76-hole string bed, warranty up to 30 pounds, string tension 24—26 lbs with VBS66N.
In terms of appearance, there are a few differences between the 010 and the 009. One is the color of the cone cap, which is white on the 009 and black on the 010. Another difference is the color of the drip-like design near the T-joint, which is yellow on the 009 and white on the 010. Finally, the frame patterns have some minor color variations. Despite these subtle differences, the 010 still looks great and maintains its youthful appearance. Compared to the more striking 46w and F35a, the 010 exudes a more rebellious aura.
There’s a small detail: both the F35a and 010 are 4U, but the former weighs more by over 1 gram when strung without grip tape. Considering that the 010 is made according to the 84g specification, there might be some deviation in both rackets’ weights.
Last year, I wasn’t aware of the existence of the 010 version of the J20. Based on my limited understanding of Pollen, I tended to believe that different models from the same period usually only differed in appearance and specifications, while their essence remained similar. So when I learned about the 010, I didn’t pay much attention to it and didn’t develop any interest.
However, when I took the 010 to the court for a warm-up, I felt something was different—it has changed. There’s no doubt that the 009 is lighter and faster, but the 010 provides better adaptability. Although the slight increase in weight doesn’t visibly affect fast-paced continuous swings, the 010 performs noticeably better in high clears, giving me more confidence. The merchant informed me that the 009 was made according to an 82g specification, while the 010 is 84g. This 2-gram difference is like adding a bit of salt when making red bean paste—though it slightly reduces the sweetness, it enhances the overall flavor and adds depth.
I didn’t realize this until I tested them side by side on the court. Despite the 009 being more agile in flat drives and blocks, the 010 is more stable and less reckless in fast-paced situations. The 010’s feel and directional control are improved, reducing impulsiveness. In the front court, the 009’s quick response and control are excellent, but in defensive situations in the back court, the 009’s lack of a decisive back court winning ability can be exploited by a skilled opponent. The 010, however, offers greater stability and torsional resistance, allowing me to maintain control over more rallies and open up my opponent’s defense through more accurate and strategic shots.
Overall, the additional carbon in the 010 provides better support for higher string tensions and improves the racket’s stability and torsional resistance. While it may not directly score points, it allows the player to take the initiative in more rallies and exploit its good directional control to break through the opponent’s defense. Considering its overall performance, the 010 is actually more suitable for a broader range of players.
Among the four versions of the J20 series, my ranking is as follows: for agility and swing speed under the same specifications: 009 > 010 > F35 ≥ 46w; for sweetness: 010 ≥ 009 > F35 ≥ 46w; for offensive quality and physical exertion: 46w ≥ F35 >> 010 ≥ 009; for subjective feel and control quality: F35 ≥ 010 ≥ 46w > 009. For singles players, a racket with a higher balance point is better, particularly for back court offensive needs. For those seeking a comfortable experience, front court play, or those with less power or amateur female players, the 009/010 might be more suitable.
