Comments: I bought two of these when they were on sale as a back-up for my two Volkl X10 325g. So far, it's been a miscalculation on my part. The racquets play surprisingly different, in spite of the very near identical specs (weight, balance, swingweight, twistweight, and stiffness all very close together) and strings. The X10's stringbed is a tiny bit more rounded, and the frame material is of course Organix vs. DNX. The X10 is very solid, really like a Wilson K-Factor Six.One 18x20, which I played before (at the cost of 30g more swing weight). It's a bit more forgiving, the sweet spot seems a bit larger, and it is a bit more powerful. This Melbourne needs to be engaged more center wise, it is more demanding, and the feel of the shot is a bit more dampened, but still crisp enough. The ball stays a tiny bit longer on the strings, and you seem to be able to press the ball a bit more. It results in a sort of super precision which you have to work for, which is not there in the X10. I think I'll string the X10 3-4 kg higher than the Melbourne next time.
From: Anon, 9/12

Comments: I have been using lighter racquets the last few years due to getting a little older, such as the Dunlop Aerogel 300, which I love, but it started giving me arm trouble. I went back to a racquet with more heft, in the Delta Core Melbourne, and I love it. Not as much pop as I would have liked on my serve, but overall great control and stability. I strung it with Dunlop Black Widow 16g at midrange. Next time I believe I would string it a bit tighter with a full poly. I will be buying another for sure!
From: John, 9/12
String type: Dunlop Black Widow 16g

Comments: First of all, I have to say that I'm new to reviewing racquets. However, I rather enjoyed my first play with the Melbourne. I have only played with the Head Ti6 and the Head Speed MP. I loved the weight and the balance of the Melbourne better than either of my previous racquets. I like the denser string bed. It lets me hit away with less chance shots flying on me. My serve is a problem, but I think it is due to the fact that I am still scared of just going for it. Overall, I think this will be the best racquet so far. I can get the spin I want with the strings I have, so I am elated. I might try stringing it tighter next time.
From: Joe, 9/12
String type and tension: Wilson Spin Cycle 16g @ 55 lbs

Comments: This frame is a definite improvement over the Legend. Better HL balance, torsionally solid, yet still flexible enough to provide the comfort I need from a player's frame. Spin generation is superb and the power level with a full string bed of gut is perfection. Excellent control and a really well rounded frame for competitive play. My new frame!
From: Basil, 8/12
String type and tension: Babolat VS Gut @ 62 lbs

Comments: This racquet is heavier and more powerful than the Legend, which it replaces. It is closer in spec to the Becker 11 Mid-Plus than the Legend, very stable off the ground and at net, good punch on volleys nice looking and generally well finished racket. I like the full cap grommet. I have only two criticisms... 1. it requires good technique or big muscles to generate racket head speed on serve, and 2. the frame is stiffer than the Legend. It doesn't have the same flexy feel, also not as arm-friendly. It's an underrated racquet though. I would say it gives more of the feel and plow- through you get when hitting with a mid-sized racket but in a mid-plus package.
From: Andrew, 7/12
String type: Wilson K-Gut Pro mains / Babolat XCel 16 crosses

Comments: Power? Check. Control? Check. Maneuverable? Triple Check. The power with this stick resides in the sweet spot, if you have a tendency to hit high in the hoop, this will feel very low powered but when you dial into the sweet spot, the pace and bite you get on the ball are out of this world with the cupping action this racquet has. This is the single best performing stick I have ever used as an all courter who plays a lot of doubles as well, from returns to serves, especially volley's. This stick is amazingly stable and precise with a feel that I haven't seen in a racquet since the mid 90s Wilson graphites. For someone that provides their own power, and loves to take aggressive cuts at the ball, this is worth a demo.
From: Sphinx780, 11/11
String type and tension: Still testing: Multis at 54/51
NTRP Rating: 4.5

Comments: The tight string pattern provides exceptional control on all shots. I don't know how such a dense string bed can create the topspin that it does. It doesn't have easy power like an AeroPro Drive or Becker Pro, but does have awesome plow through capacity for those with the strength and technique to use it. It feels like it has significant mass in the head, which allows for good penetration on slices, though is still relatively maneuverable and cuts through the air nicely once you get it going. I think this racquet is for the all-court player who puts a premium on control and has clean, efficient strokes.
From: BK, Toronto, Canada. 4/11
String type and tension: Volkl Cyclone 16 @ 53lbs
NTRP Rating: 4.5

Comments: This upgrade is more solid, better balanced, and has more plow through than the Legend. The stick feels smaller than a 98 square inches as you drive the ball, but feels all of its size when applying spin. It still volleys and half- volleys incredibly, and if you hit below center as you apply topspin, the frame's response is still very lively. Its dynamic and static balance is good, with or without the vibration dampener, but the plow through is better with it, and you lose nothing in racquet head speed. Also, the ball cupping has been improved in this upgrade, so if you're looking for the traditional graphite feel, and the best of both worlds--a combined 16 and 18 main string feel--then this is the way to go.
From: TennisMaverick, NYC, USA. 3/11
String type and tension: Volkl Gripper 65M/61.5C
NTRP Rating: 6.5