KBI Tenis Tournament Jun 2022

 So, in June 25, I participated in tennis tournament. It was a one-day tournament. The tournament is Davis cup ala playoff group. There were 4 groups and I captained one of them. Mostly were beginners or early intermediates. My team (B) consists of (1)me, (2)Abi, (3)Ferdian, (4)Laras, (5)Reno, and (6)Rafa. The team member was picked based on strongest to weakest. Played both games with T100-2.

My target was to get some win for the teams, so here was my strategy:

- original pairing was 1-2, 3-4, 5-6. However, player 2 and 3 knew each other so I pair them up and then me with player 4. 

- strongest pair to play first to get win early.

The first group game with me and Laras played against team D player Eric (2) and Bey (3). The pairings were pretty closed and started 2-2. I served first to get some games early on. I knew the opponents would strike my partner and I had to close the nets. The set ended with 6-4. The second pair won and we are through to final.

The final was against group C. We played the same pairs. Me and Laras played against Ari (5) and Evan (6), they were pretty well matched up. The opponent had a long game in the first match. Halfway down the sets they started to pick on my partner in which I had to close down the nets. We had two deciding points served up by opponents after two deuces. We started 5-1 before opponent tactics to pick on my partner. We won the sets 6-3. The second pair also won and we won the tournament.

In the end, the opponent teams set up the captain to play last but we had different strategi and worked.

Foot Fault - FF

 Every week I played against people who has advantage because he took steps during service motion. I believed he had advantage by doing that extra movements but not the others. 

Today I saw a post on IG of a player moving when serving clearly jumping sideways and told that person who reposted (a tennis league admin) and had an argument over it. I said that the ITF rule stated that the person need to be at rest and then can only have slight movement. He disagree with me. Before I raised about the movement he said he knew tennis and foot fault is only when crossing the line. I guess many people does not realize about this rule.

This foot fault argument toward players can be pretty heated, stars got angry being called FF. 

So searched about it and the most does not explain about the "at rest" and "walking" however the USTA clearly stated as below in 2017 interpretations:

https://www.usta.com/content/dam/usta/pdfs/20170502_USTAOfficiatingScenariosand%20Interpretations_2017.pdf

Weekend update MW100 and T100-2 - June 3rd week

 Played 3 doubles sets on Friday and 2 doubles sets on Sunday. The scores on Friday was 7-3, 3-7, and 8-7 (tie break 3-7). The 1st set was against long time no see opponent, I was using the MW 100. The serve and volley were easy with good power but the spin and control not as good as the T100.

On Sunday, the scores were 7-6 (tie break 7-0) and 8-3 (from leading 6-1). The second set closing were tough but we got lucky in the end scoring from lobs.

The defense was better using T100 as I can produce topspin lob from the back.

Weekend update CX18 and TT100-2

 Played 5 sets of doubles tennis over 2 days: Friday 7-5, 3-7, 3-7 and Sunday 3-6, 5-7. Got only 1 win due to partner selection. The single win was when using CX 200 Tour 18x20, the racquet felt heavy but the ball seems heavier.

Bought new tennis backpack from Decathlon (picture below). Compare to the Tecnifibre, it is smaller since it has no shoe pocket.

Started in 2013

 I started to play tennis again in 2013 starting from watching a match on TV, guess who? Genie Bouchard, in 2013 and then I bought a book in Bandung. After that, watching Fed in YT and the rest is history. Fed, used Pro Staff 90 and then RF97.

Prior to 2013 with my office, I attend one practice but no practice partner and plus I played futsal on the same day of the week. I also entered the oil and gas tennis tournament, played 2 pro sets matched and almost got bagel-ed. And when the tennis practice day was changed, I joined. 

Genie on the other hand has used various racquets depending on the endorsement. Here are probably the list of the racquets she used:

Year	Brand	Type	String
2011	Wilson	Blade Pink XL(?)	18x20
2012	Wilson	Steam 100 paint PWS	16x20
2013-2015	Babolat	Pure Aero Drive	16x19
2016-2017	Babolat	Pure Aero	16x19
2018	Babolat	Pure Drive	16x19
2018-2022	Yonex	Vcore	16x19
Year	Brand	Type	String

Jun 1-5, 2022 doubles

 Played two doubles sets on 1st Jun, a national holiday, brought both T100. First set loss 3-6 to a stronger way younger opponent then another loss 4-6 doubling with not so strong partner but we managed to get 4 games. When playing with not so strong partner, I tend to make him comfortable with just playing to gain confidence and to be more consistent. First set playing with T100-2 and then T100-1, found no significant difference between the two.

Three doubles sets on Friday night, 5-7, 5-7, 8-6 with T100-1 against stronger or similar opponents. All close games with 5-5 ties and 6-6 on the last set before closing it down. Partner said that he couldn't hit decent forehand thus the more than the usual unforced error. Brought also the F3T just for warming up. Felt very tired the day after.

Two sets on Sunday, another hard fought with a stronger way younger opponent, 4-6 and 7-5. Played with T100-2 with newer and thicker string. Partnered first set with my 70 year old uncle and then with younger one. Both were tied sets. 

2nd TT 100-310

 So I have two TT100-310 now. Have not modified the 2nd one except stringing it. Had a singles game on Friday and tried hit it with against a Pure Aero opponents and just not heavy enough so back to using the 1st racquet. The 2 sets match ended 6(2)-7 and 6-4. The balls we used were 2 sessions old and they might affect our games. Started with rallying strategy but not working and then had to shorten the rally. At home, I then customized the 2nd racquet, add Artengo leather grip and with overgrip weights at 342 grams compare with 340 grams of the 1st racquet, heavier due to thicker string or bigger size 3 grip. Also, was using new shoes Artengo orange in 44, feels better then the blue size 43.

Played doubles on Sunday, a comfortable win 8-2 and lost 4-6 against a good and way younger opponent. The newly customized TT100-2 (2nd one) with 16g string felt same as the 1st racquet now. Felt soft and controlled and yet powerful spin friendly.

Btw, the 2nd racquet had a buzzing sound coming from inside handle, can ignore it when at match. The heavier now with leather grip may lessen it a bit. Read from TT forum and some racquets do can develop the buzzing maybe due to loosen graphite and handle separator. Thought it was a crack but couldnt find any physical mark.

The new TT100 have new white cosmetics but I am liking this old one especially with the textreme fibers pattern on the throat.

Tennis update May 2nd week 2022 and PIM 3

 Played on Friday and Sunday mostly with Textreme Tour 310 and comparing it with F3.0 Tour. The T310 string is due to change but I will play until it breaks. For hitting out not ideal but for game play, very spin friendly and powerful. Tried to play with F3.0T but balls sail long because 1) not spin enough 2) with regular grip add power and could not produce spin. Total sets 4 win, 2 loss. Losses due to stronger opponent or weak partner.

 Went also to PIM 3, stayed in a hotel in PIM 2. PIM 3 was crowded, wait long for food. The hotel overall was very good. We lost our shoe bag with sandals in it but was found and returned, thats a plus. Compare with hotel at Gandaria mall, about the same except for the pool at Gandaria that we have not tried.

Lebaran and tennis weekend update, May 1st week 2022

 Last week was lebaran week and played 3 times. Singles with score 4-6, 4-1; doubles (2 days) 6-5, 1-6, 4-6, 3-3. Aside from PS97 on 6-5 win, the rest was using TT310. The interesting take were strategies when playing singles: 1) standing cross court, 2) leaning on 2nd serve. The second strategy was implemented in doubles but beware of the net player. Take away: might need to restring the current TT310. Compare with PS97, the PS97 did produced erratic high balls compare to TT310 which are very spin friendly with some balls ended up in net or short.

We also had lebaran trip to Bogor area for glamping at Pondok Rasamala. We had lunch at Langit Teduh resort and the to the glamping area. The road to glamping via Jalan Gunung Bunder were bad, inside the forest area. We had great time camping. First time for the kids to sleep in a tent though not complete darkness. Then stayed a night in Bogor to explore Kebun Raya. Kebun Raya entrance was organized and there were a lot of people there during lunch time. Overall the Park was in good condition with some areas not maintained well. Went to the zoology museum as well.

Weekend update 3rd weekend April 2022 - TT310

 Have not played tennis for 2 weeks amid fasting month. Played on Sunday starting around 4pm, 3 sets doubles, using TT310, the control and spin was good and better stability. Slide the strings from the notches plus added 2g of lead on 3 and 9. The sets were 3-6, 6-0, 6-3. The first set was playing against a solid hard hitting junior. In addition, tried returning method from Moratoglu video and was better from leaning to produce the topspin. 

Below is picture of string notches.

Weekend update 1st week April 2022: T100-310

Played once on Friday, indoor for 2 sets tight loss and win: 6-7 and 7-6(6). Both using T100-310. Trailing on both sets: 3-6 and 4-6. Second set played against senior heavy hitter. T100-310 felt a bit unstable against heavy balls, cannot return it hard. Is it due from the string or head light? Anyway, I add 2 gram of lead at 3 and 9 and see how it performs (below pic of tennisnerd adding lead). I try to play this string until it breaks.

About the holo sticker on the prince racquet, turns out the new ones got smaller sticker compare with the one on my other prince racquets, like the one below.

PS97 and T100-310

I thought that they play similar; PS97 and Tour 100-310. Lets compare their specs side by side by TW below, similar swing weight and balance (and slightly different head shape):

I thought the PS97 has low-med power especially on serve. They both have similar plow through.

* added Pro Staff 100 and Speed MP 2022 that I have not tried

	PS97	T100-310	PS100*	Speed MP*
head size (sq in)	97	100	100	100
weight (gr-unstrung)	315	310	305	300
string pattern	16x19	16x18	16x19	16x19
length (in)	27	27	27	27
swing weight	321	322	323	323
stiffness	66	65	64	62
beam width	21.5	22/23/20	22.5	23/23/23
balance (strung)	7 HL 32cm	7 HL 31.9cm	5 HL 32.5cm	4 HL 33cm
power level	low-med	low-med	low-med	low-med
customization	leather grip	leather grip	n/a	n/a

Weekend update of last March 2022 and Ramadan

 Played once on Friday, just 4 players came out. We played three games where I won all with 2 different player. Played 1st and 3rd set with T100 and 2nd with AG3. They feel the same for me just grip wise the T100 felt smaller. On serve, I had a bit different take, stretching the left arm seems help to generate spin after watching Nial played with us, his served reminded me of Sampras.

So Ramadan is here, always reminded me time when I was working at a geothermal powerplant site. Waking up on cold nights with cold food waiting. Camp was empty because most people opted to break fasting at their home. I usually walk down crossing tea plantation from the power plant to the camp around 4 pm and took a rest waiting for break fast. I also usually spent Sunday night in Lembang avoid long drowsy drive from Jakarta. The past two Ramadhans where quiet fast due to pandemic where mostly spent working from home.

 

Weekend update Mar 25-27 2022: AG3, MW100, T310

 Played on Friday with an old friend, Nial, a jazz pianist, joining though we never played before but saw his post entered a tournament. He played so well that I thought about taping him next time. I brought  AG3 and MW100. Won first set with AG3 and then MW100 due to new balls. Won also the second set partnering with Nial. Loss the tight third set 6-7 partnering with Nial. The MW100 was too soft when playing against hard hitting ball. I noticed Nial brought like 5 old racquets including a Hammer or Profile. 

On Sunday, played 2 sets. Winning the first with strong partner, Rizki, a teenager, against not too bad opponents with the T310. Brought along the F3T but needed those spins for more secure play. Retired the 2nd set due to ankle sprain at 4-5 against the teenager and his partner.

Bought a second used T310 and cut the string, was a Weiss Cannon yellow (no marking) and the string has no tension left barely passing a string gap. Noticed the holo sticker was smaller then the other prince racquet. It might be a japanese version or newer version. The unstrung weight was measured at 310 grams with original grip. 

Weekend update 3rd week Mar 2022: CX16, AG3, T100

 Played 3 times this week: singles, and twice doubles. Used the CX16 for singles but the result were not as good, maybe from using old balls. On Friday played doubles using AG3 with old balls on indoor and outdoor courts. The new AG3 setup with leather grip definitely helps the balance, less power and better control: won 3 times even when playing with better opponent in the last set. 

On Sunday outdoor playing doubles was using T100 with new balls. The control, power, and spin were there. Won a hard fought set and a good old set partnering with my very senior uncle where he blasted drives and lobs. 

Decathlon had restocked leather grips but the price increased by more than 10% from before IDR 130k to now IDR 150k; still lower than other leather grips at more than IDR 200k. I bought two.

Below: pic of T Fritz who just beaten Nadal at Indian Wells 2022 using Head IG Radical MP with specs as below

Weekend update Mar 2022 - MW100, AG3, and TT100 - Decathlon leather grip

 On friday played 3 sets doubles using MW100. The MW100 flex were noticeable. Serves were great but the volley a bit off on tap ins. A little wrist pain may be from off center hits.

On Sunday played 3 sets doubles also, 1st set using AG3 customized with leather grip now. The old tfibre string felt slippery, cant produce spin easily. 2nd and 3rd set using TT100 and the control were better. Thinking of changing the AG3 string to syngut 17g at 50lbs but afraid triggering the pinky pain. A slight wrist pain from using TT100 maybe because it needs a good spin to control its power.

By the way, I used to buy leather grip from Decathlon but not they ran out of them, the price is IDR 130k. However, people had been buying them and reselling online for over that price. I hate reseller that jacked up the price.

Bandung trip end Feb 2022

Went to Bandung for the end of Feb 2022 long weekend. Drove the Juke due to Bandung odd-even plate for incoming cars. Usually we drove with Terios because it has bigger space for stuff. We stayed in Bandung for 2 night in a nice hotel. Leaved at 1pm and arrived around 4pm and decided to rest in the room and had dinner later on. On the second day, the pool was out of service because of badly maintenance to restore the water pH. We decided to explore the city: went to Braga street and Asia-Africa Conference museum, and then to Saung Udjo for musical experience, and last to a restaurant overlooking Bandung. The last day, we swam in the morning, checkout then had lunch in rijstafel restaurant and then to a tourist favorite food store, then head home.

TT100-310 and PS97

Recently bought a secondhand Textreme Tour 100-310 and strung it up with gamma syn-gut 17g at 50lbs last Friday (Feb 2022). Hit with it and could not put it down, played  two sets 7-6 and 8-9. The racquet is very spin friendly and low-med power, I can swing it out but needed to spin it else will flew. It felt like a softer PS97. The string movement was crazy, either next time string it with 16g or tighter tension. The racquet weight was 316 unstrung and no overgrip.  

On Sunday, played singles with a higher ranking player, most of the time lose to this player. Bought my PS97 and nothing else. The mini set result was 0-3, 0-3, 1-3, and 3-2 (a mini set point at 2-1). After 3 lost, won the last mini set. The PS97 strung with old soft 16g tfibre at 50lbs. The string moved but not as much as in TT100.

Weight them players racquet up and here are their weight: PS97 345g, TT100 338g, CX16 334g, CX18 332g. All have leather grips and overgrip. The PS97 starts at 315g without leather grip and 16g string. The CXs have Tourna leather grip, probably thinner than others though added 3g lead, and different 17g string (CX16 gamma syngut and CX18 babolat syngut).

RadMP, CX16, MW100, CX18 - Feb 2022

 Played twice this week (week 1). On Friday was using RadMP for the first 2 sets, tight loss on the second one. Then last one using MW100 won comfortably amid tired opponent. Tried the RadMP with leather grip and felt the control better but quite heavy on the static side. On Sunday, played 3 sets. First was a win with CX200-16. Lost later sets with MW100. The MW100 produce easy serves and overhead, but the control was way off compare to CX200-16. 

Also played on Monday after for singles game, brought CX18 and RadMP. The CX18 had 1+ year old string and did not responded well. Switched to RadMP after game score 1-1. First set loss 6-8. Then had 10 point tie break, winning 11-9 after trailing 6-9. RadMP performed well on singles, good control and power. A bit tired on regular sets amid serving.

On Week-2, Friday, played 4 sets. First set win by quiet a margin (7-1) using RadMP and MW100, second set win (7-4) using RadMP, 3rd set loss using MW100 (4-7) after trailing 6-0, and 4th set loss (4-7) using MW100. MW100 felt softer than RadMP probably because of the string pattern. Bought Textreme Tour 100 310 and will prep it for next time.  

Summary:

- MG Rad MP is truly a players racquet, no need for lead just leather grip to compensate the power from its balance.

Bandung & Lembang trip

 We decided to take a trip to Bandung, we departed from Jakarta on Saturday. We had lunch in Bandung and then went to Lembang. We took a new route to Lembang via punclut from Cieumbuluit, first time driving there. I had driven using other small route via Dago Pakar. I figure the road couldnt be as steep but I was wrong. After punclut road, there was a stretch of long steep climb. The car temperature rose but then stabilized after the climb. I then bough demin water to fill the reservoir tank and turns out it was empty. I fill it up and went back to the road on Sunday to a nearby small park and zoo. I check it again and the tank was empty again. We then decided to head home and I bought coolant refill. On Monday, while kids attended online class and spouse worked from home. I drove the car for services and checked the radiator. The radiator had leaks and due for repair while performing periodic maintenance. I then spent the morning at coffee shop and then at a lunch place. The radiator was fixed but them the radiator cover leaked. The car had to spent another day at the workshop. The car is fine now and thanks to parents for sending a car over with driver.

 

Muscle Weave 200G 100

 So, I found this one in online e-com. I never know this one existed, Dunlop Muscle Weave 200G 100. It is an extended one 27.5 inch long, 18x20, 100 sq inch head. I had a long chat with the seller making sure the condition of it. The seller has two of them but one of them strung weirdly 18x21 and from my experiences buying old racquet, the grommet is one of the concerns. Gladly, I bought it because the second one also was sold when I wrote this. I got the racquet and as usually, I trashed the grip, it only has over-grip without the grip, the handle was sticky from old residue from using towel grip. The butt cap was old, the plastic was soft and I had to glue some that ripped with superglue. I cut the string and noticed the top grommet feels like it was burned probably to smooth it out but it made the plastic soft and the string stuck at two holes. It was pretty hard to take the string out but managed to pull them. The string might be too thick for that racquet. It also had paint job on the Dunlop letterings and paint chips. From TW specs noticed the high swing-weight so I put a leather grip to lessen it. Strung it with 17g old stock Gamma syn gut. Played on Friday without over-grip. MW100 felt soft and powerful. Won 2 sets. No complain probably due to new string. The power and control was good. Easy overhead and serves due to extended? 

The racquet weight without string and grip at 288 grams. Weight with leather grip at 315 grams. Strung probably around 330-335 grams.

Makes me wanna try other extended like CX 200+. 

Leather grip

 I tend to put leather on a racquet to balance it making it head lighter and low its powered, and also usually for older softer racquet. Below are the leather grip I had put:

• Gamma: thick but felt light, wide and hard to put on
• TW:  got the narrow and thin one, easy to put on [best value]
• Tourna: good leather, easy to put on [best]
• Artengo: not as pricey, leather not as soft [cheapest]

Weekend review (AG3, F3T, CX16, RadMP)

 Friday: came late to court, loss 3 sets. Started with AG3 with no warming up but had difficult control then changed to F3T. On second set, played better with AG3 but couldn't focus all night. Not a good day but still good to exercise. Plus, the new Artengo shoes caused injury to left bottom toe from thin insole.

Sunday: tested the RadMP try to see how it compares to others. Also changed the insole with SOF insole bought way back from the US for soccer shoes which workes well. The RM power was good but pretty hard to control and the pretty high swing weight. Bit struggle on the backhand side but the forehand was good. Changed back to CX16 and played way better. Tested on both court. Won one and list other 3 sets.

Weekend update: AG3-4D and CX200-16x19

Played 2 times this weekend (14-16 Jan 2022): Friday and Sunday. 

Friday: brought trusty AG300 which do well on indoor court and to try 4DAG300Tour. The verdict was that the 4D was very low power though with added 3 grams at 12. The ball was either landed short or on the base line. Compare to regular AG300, the control was better on the 4D especially for the forehand. A friend came along and he had heavy spin using light Pure Aero. 

Sunday: brought RadOS, PS97, and CX200-16. Last time I mistakenly bought the CX200-18 with 2 years old string and the stiff string did not do well especially on volleys. Tried several strokes with PS97 but felt heavier compare to the CX. Tried the RadOS for several games but had 2 forehand strokes to the net. The CX played well even though the string moved but the control and power were enough.

Pic from Diki fotography

 

Tennis updated (CX200T and PS97)

 Cut the prince syngut duraflex on my CX 200 Tour 16x19 and strung it with gamma syngut 17g at 50lbs. Test it on Friday and could not lay it down, won a set, it feels great not as stiff as the prince one. I produce an ace too.

On Sunday, brought the CX 200 Tour 18x20 by mistake, though strung with babolat syngut at 52lbs 2 years ago, it has harden and not flexible. Felt very different compare to the freshly strung 16x19 version. However, got a win with it while playing with a younger heavier hitter opponent. Overall, the CX 200 Tour is definitely a great racquet. Then finished it off with PS97 when playing a lesser opponent. The string had stiffen and felt very boardie, no power.

In terms of dead string: it may be ok for hitting as long as you hit dead center, other than that ball goes flat. The string I had on the 18x20 was almost 2 years old.

Racquet Power (updated Dec 2022)

 Below is the list of racquet with its power that I am using:

* racquet currently/recently used

Racquet	Head-size	Power	Customization
Wilson Pro Staff 97	97	Low-Med	leather grip, overgrip
Wilson Six One Team	95	Low-Med	none
Dunlop Aerogel 300	98	Med	lead, overgrip
Dunlop MFil 300	98	Med	leather grip, lead handle
Dunlop Hot Melt 200G	95	Low	leather grip
Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20*	95	Low	leather grip, lead
Dunlop CX 200 Tour 16x19*	95	Low	leather grip, lead
Dunlop Bio F3.0 Tour	97	Low-Med	lead, overgrip
Dunlop Aerogel 300 4D Tour	97	Low	lead, overgrip
Head YT Rad OS	107	Med	overgrip
Head MG Rad MP	95	Low-Med	overgrip
Prince Textreme Tour 100L	100	Med	lead, overgrip
Prince Warrior 107 LE	107	Med-High	leather grip, overgrip
Prince Textreme Tour 100 310*	100	Med	leather grip, overgrip, lead
Prince Textreme Tour ATS 98*	98	Low-Med	leather grip, overgrip, lead
Wilson Ultra Tour*	97	Low	leather grip, overgrip, lead
Wilson Ultra Pro*	97	Low	leather grip, overgrip, lead

Pangalengan gig (not finished)

 From early 2015 until mid 2018 I was working in a geothermal powerplant west of Bandung. Drive up from Jakarta every Monday morning around 5 am and took about 4 hours. The drive there was always epic. Woke up around 430am. Prepare hot drink and bread for the road. Filled up gas on the highway around 6am. 

Arrived in Bandung around 7am around the time people start bustling. Listening to Bandung or national radio's there when driving up the mountain. Got straight to the office around 9am. There was sort of a unstated regulation for us who commutes far that we can arrive late since we stayed there at the camp until Friday comes.

The drive there was good, sort of scenic with no steep climbing, just a lot of turns on side of cliff. The power station is inside tea plantation area, the last 30 minutes drive was inside the plantation. Compare to other geothermal power station, this area is open, visible to see other areas.

    

PS 97 weekend review

 Played mostly with PS97 this weekend. Only very slightly wrist pain. Singles on Friday and doubles on Sunday. The power and control was acceptable. On Friday, the opponent was using RF97 and I had no trouble rallying. On Sunday, I had no complaint. My other racquet that I brought was AG300 but felt too powerful because the court were had rough surface making the ball bounced higher. The PS97 was good all-round, I serve and volley. The string perform better, mishits doesn't sending shocks. Thinking of comparing this to F3.0T and CX 200 Tour now that it is not as powerful as before. In addition, I also tried the Six One Team and this time the balance was perfect I thought without overgrip. The slice was great though volleying still lack mass and pop. 

Yellow Juke

 Kudos for this yellow Juke.

Rafa vs Maria

Maria Sharapova can handles those Rafa heavy spin balls.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24gCEHVz_0s

Pat Cash 2010

Pat Cash used stock Aerogel 3hundred in 2010 leaded and leather grip, see pic below. In other pictures, he uses 300 series with 16x19 string. He seemed to favor this version.

PS97 with tecnifibre string

Just restrung my red PS97 with tecnifibre string, same string as in MFil 2hundred annd Aerogel 300 at 50lbs. The sweetspot for PS97 is smaller than both Dunlop but the control and plow through is better. Played a single mini set and won by a tie break 4-3 (6). No dampener needed.  

Crazy F1 season

 This comic cover depicts this season F1. Well done Max. The result of the race was totally a surprise. 

AG3 and F3T

 Played twice last weekend. On friday night using AG300, nice and smooth; added a dampener to lessen the racquet vibration sound when bouncing the ball to the ground. Won both sets by a game. On sunday morning played once with AG300 and twice with F3T against hard hitting player. The F3T was without overgrip and feels great with better control and power. The F3T with its tight string pattern was design for high level playing fast balls.

AG3 and RadOS

 On Friday (Nov-ish), played doubles teaming up and against higher rated players (half to one rating above, one of them was coach Joey from Debros club) using AG300 with added 1.5grams lead at throat. Loss and won a set each; not bad. Adding the lead at the throat increase the static weight without affecting the balance. The same racquet was tested with new balls against player using RF97 and did not disappoint other than slight pinging noise which could be reduced with dampener.

On Sunday, target a nice LM Rad OS, I played with YT IG RadOS with no overgrip. This racquet plays better with no overgrip. The power and feels felt good. A dampener then added to reduce the ping noise. The string moved a lot when hitting but not much when at play. Won both sets. Almost bought a LM version but with 330 swing weight it might be too hefty for me.

Added: brought these two on Dec 12 for play. Lost 1st set using RadOS; were volley bad. Then in between sets, other player ask me for a hitting session. In the hitting session, I rather use the RadOS then AG3 because then I could hit hard with better control. On the second set, I use the AG3 and played at net better and barely won 6-5.

J Aquarium

During this pandemic for 1.5 years, we went to Bandung once, zoo once, beach once, no hotels, and last weekend to aquarium, a small one compare to others but a nice one. Kids had a good time, watched animal feeding and a show. The place was packed but we had good spots. 

Radical MPs and OSs over the years

 Rad MP specs over the year from TW sites, all 18x20 unless starting graphene with 16x19 (below table). Looking at the specs, no wonder the original MG could be the best.

Type of Radical MP	Headsize sqinch	Strung weight (grams)	Beam width (mm)	Swing weight (grams)	Stiffness
Titanium (2001)	98 (95)	305	21	n/a	65
Intelligence (2003)	98 (95)	306	21	297	64
Liquid Metal (2004)	98 (95)	318	21	325	64
Flexpoint (2005)	98 (95)	315	21	330	63
Microgel (2007)	98 (95)	312	21	315	57
Youtek (2009)	98 (95)	312	21.5	324	59
Youtek IG (2012)	98 (95)	320	22	320	62
Graphene (2014)	98	317	20.5/23/21	316	64
Graphene XT (2016)	98	312	20.5/23/21	320	65
Graphene Touch (2018)	98	320	20/23/21	323	65
Graphene 360 (2020)	98	312	20/23/21	324	68
MP (2021)	98	318	20/23/21	326	65

Type of Radical MP	Headsize sqinch	Strung weight (grams)	Beam width (mm)	Swing weight (grams)	Stiffness
Bumblebee Ltd	107	340	21	334	64
Titanium (2001)	107	306	21	323	60
Intelligence (2003)	107	302	21	312	62
Liquid Metal (2004)	107	318	21	330	58
Flexpoint (2005)	107	320	21	334	58
Microgel (2007)	107	315	21	318	56
Youtek (2009)	107	315	21.5	320	56
Youtek IG (2012)	107	315	21.5	315	58
Agassi Ltd	107	343	21	338	63