Brain Dead founder and Creative Director Kyle Ng pops his head up from the tennis gear rabbit hole and reports his findings.
By Kyle NgPhotography by TSS Featured in Volume 1 of OPEN Tennis — BUY
Brain Dead founder and Creative Director Kyle Ng pops his head up from the tennis gear rabbit hole and reports his findings.
By Kyle NgPhotography by TSS Featured in Volume 1 of OPEN Tennis — BUY
The Tennis X-Files
The Tennis X-Files
Brain Dead founder and Creative Director Kyle Ng pops his head up from the tennis gear rabbit hole and reports his findings.
Brain Dead founder and Creative Director Kyle Ng pops his head up from the tennis gear rabbit hole and reports his findings.
By Kyle NgPhotography by TSS Featured in Volume 1 of OPEN Tennis — BUY
As someone who makes products, I love diving into the depths of tennis gear and experiencing the ideas and innovations that make so many products so interesting. Like any hobby or subculture, tennis presents an open world of possibilities with these objects, with yourself, and how they work with everyone’s unique tennis DNA. I love helping people find high-quality products that are in tune with their game style, that help them find their potential. Gear is essential to any player’s journey within the game, and I love how passionate players and communities can bring authentic culture back to tennis brands through their experience on court.
As someone who makes products, I love diving into the depths of tennis gear and experiencing the ideas and innovations that make so many products so interesting. Like any hobby or subculture, tennis presents an open world of possibilities with these objects, with yourself, and how they work with everyone’s unique tennis DNA. I love helping people find high-quality products that are in tune with their game style, that help them find their potential. Gear is essential to any player’s journey within the game, and I love how passionate players and communities can bring authentic culture back to tennis brands through their experience on court.
PRINCE PHANTOM
Prince has been low-key making some of the most unique racquets in the market. Due to their lack of marketing and player endorsements, you probably don’t see much of these sticks on the tour or around the courts. But what I can say is this: If you have played with a Prince Phantom, you probably fell in love. The Prince Phantom is an ultrathin box beam, old-school-style players’ stick that gives you maximum control and feel. The Phantom caters to the niche market of players who are chasing that classic plush feel. For fans of Prestige classics, and for players who still whip around their sticks from the ’90s, I highly recommend the newest version of the Prince Phantom. ($199)
PRINCE PHANTOM
Prince has been low-key making some of the most unique racquets in the market. Due to their lack of marketing and player endorsements, you probably don’t see much of these sticks on the tour or around the courts. But what I can say is this: If you have played with a Prince Phantom, you probably fell in love. The Prince Phantom is an ultrathin box beam, old-school-style players’ stick that gives you maximum control and feel. The Phantom caters to the niche market of players who are chasing that classic plush feel. For fans of Prestige classics, and for players who still whip around their sticks from the ’90s, I highly recommend the newest version of the Prince Phantom. ($199)
Tecnifibre X-ONE Tennis Ball
The X-One is a remarkable ball that is insanely durable. I don’t know what X D-Core is, but it’s doing its job! This is a heavy ball that you don’t need to toss in the dumpster or ball machine after the first few hits. It can go the distance. And an extra ball per can is everything. The X-One is a premium product that justifies its price point. ($199 per case)
Tecnifibre X-ONE Tennis Ball
The X-One is a remarkable ball that is insanely durable. I don’t know what X D-Core is, but it’s doing its job! This is a heavy ball that you don’t need to toss in the dumpster or ball machine after the first few hits. It can go the distance. And an extra ball per can is everything. The X-One is a premium product that justifies its price point. ($199 per case)
Solinco Hyper-G Strings
You have probably played with or seen these bright neon green strings around the club or public courts. Solinco Hyper-G strings are a cult favorite among the top professionals, youth and college players, and even club pros. Since its inception in the ’80s, the Los Angeles-based independent tennis company has been producing some of the most interesting strings around. They finally got into the racquet game in 2022 with their Whiteout and Blackout frames, but the Hyper-G strings are what brought them into the limelight. Combining control and spin, you will love the amazing playability they have to offer. One of Solinco’s latest products is a Hyper-G/Hyper-G “Round” hybrid string setup, which gives players who use the round-shaped string in the crosses extra spin. In the modern age of tennis, poly/poly hybrids seem to be the future, and this one is at the top of my list.
Solinco Hyper-G Strings
You have probably played with or seen these bright neon green strings around the club or public courts. Solinco Hyper-G strings are a cult favorite among the top professionals, youth and college players, and even club pros. Since its inception in the ’80s, the Los Angeles-based independent tennis company has been producing some of the most interesting strings around. They finally got into the racquet game in 2022 with their Whiteout and Blackout frames, but the Hyper-G strings are what brought them into the limelight. Combining control and spin, you will love the amazing playability they have to offer. One of Solinco’s latest products is a Hyper-G/Hyper-G “Round” hybrid string setup, which gives players who use the round-shaped string in the crosses extra spin. In the modern age of tennis, poly/poly hybrids seem to be the future, and this one is at the top of my list.
Head Prestige 95
The Head Prestige line of racquets has a deep and rich history. It’s one of the legacy franchises that have stood the tests of time, like Wilson’s Pro Staff line. The Head Prestige Tour is a remarkable racquet in a generation of larger head sizes. Most racquets are 100 square inches, or if you are playing small, 98 inches. But the Prestige Tour might just persuade you to drop down to 95 inches. At 332g strung weight, the Prestige might seem heavy on paper, but the head size balances it out by making it very maneuverable around the net and ground strokes. The frame is a chunkier box beam, which is a great update for anyone who loves traditional box beam Prestiges. If you don’t know, box beams add more control, and rounded beams give more power. This racquet seems to be a good combination to give you a little more sauce than the powerless Prestige Pro. And when you hit the sweet spot of a 95-inch racquet, you will be addicted. ($269)
Head Prestige 95
The Head Prestige line of racquets has a deep and rich history. It’s one of the legacy franchises that have stood the tests of time, like Wilson’s Pro Staff line. The Head Prestige Tour is a remarkable racquet in a generation of larger head sizes. Most racquets are 100 square inches, or if you are playing small, 98 inches. But the Prestige Tour might just persuade you to drop down to 95 inches. At 332g strung weight, the Prestige might seem heavy on paper, but the head size balances it out by making it very maneuverable around the net and ground strokes. The frame is a chunkier box beam, which is a great update for anyone who loves traditional box beam Prestiges. If you don’t know, box beams add more control, and rounded beams give more power. This racquet seems to be a good combination to give you a little more sauce than the powerless Prestige Pro. And when you hit the sweet spot of a 95-inch racquet, you will be addicted. ($269)
FAIRWAY LEATHER GRIP BY BALMORTH OF ENGLAND
As you go deeper down the tennis-gear rabbit hole, as I have, you will find yourself being obsessed with customization. Once that happens, one of the first things you need to do is get yourself a leather grip. Leather grips will give you the best sense of feel or feedback, as well as improving your control and touch. Leather grips also add about 15 to 20 grams, giving you more weight in the handle and making your racquet head-light so you can really whip the ball. Fairway leather grips are all crafted in England with the highest attention to quality. This is as good as it gets. ($17.99)
FAIRWAY LEATHER GRIP BY BALMORTH OF ENGLAND
As you go deeper down the tennis-gear rabbit hole, as I have, you will find yourself being obsessed with customization. Once that happens, one of the first things you need to do is get yourself a leather grip. Leather grips will give you the best sense of feel or feedback, as well as improving your control and touch. Leather grips also add about 15 to 20 grams, giving you more weight in the handle and making your racquet head-light so you can really whip the ball. Fairway leather grips are all crafted in England with the highest attention to quality. This is as good as it gets. ($17.99)
MIZUNO WAVE EXCEED TOUR 6
Do you want a lightweight shoe that gives you amazing maneuverability? You found it with the Wave Exceed Tour 6. The Wave Exceed has mastered the lightweight low-profile tennis shoe—unlike most tennis shoes, which are over-designed and have too much TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane, the stuff the sole is made out of) on the upper and make the shoe annoyingly stiff. The Exceed’s TPU pattern design is perfection, making it very flexible and beautiful. No wonder the shoe has been on the market for years, basically unchanged. ($140)
MIZUNO WAVE EXCEED TOUR 6
Do you want a lightweight shoe that gives you amazing maneuverability? You found it with the Wave Exceed Tour 6. The Wave Exceed has mastered the lightweight low-profile tennis shoe—unlike most tennis shoes, which are over-designed and have too much TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane, the stuff the sole is made out of) on the upper and make the shoe annoyingly stiff. The Exceed’s TPU pattern design is perfection, making it very flexible and beautiful. No wonder the shoe has been on the market for years, basically unchanged. ($140)
BRAIN DEAD EQUIPMENT TENNIS TOTE
I am usually not one to plug my own product, but when we designed this tennis tote, we made it so it would be worthy of a review. The Brain Dead Equipment Tote is not only for casual players, but also has specs to cater to the advanced player with lots of gear who wants a bag for playing all day. This bag holds three racquets, it has three ball canister pockets that also hold water bottles, and there’s a massive tote bag pocket with cargos inside. The tote is perfect for the bus, the trunk of your car, and even the plane. ($150)
BRAIN DEAD EQUIPMENT TENNIS TOTE
I am usually not one to plug my own product, but when we designed this tennis tote, we made it so it would be worthy of a review. The Brain Dead Equipment Tote is not only for casual players, but also has specs to cater to the advanced player with lots of gear who wants a bag for playing all day. This bag holds three racquets, it has three ball canister pockets that also hold water bottles, and there’s a massive tote bag pocket with cargos inside. The tote is perfect for the bus, the trunk of your car, and even the plane. ($150)
