Just noticed from watching online video of Fed practicing volley, Fed preparation for backhand volley is high and the swing is long. The result must be full of spin. From the picture: the ball was dipping but Fed takeback was still from high position.
Racquet customization will impact with racquet polar, making it polarized or depolarized. In my short experience, a polarized racquet may benefit lead at 3 and 9 making it slight depolarized for more stability, for example on Aerogel 300 with 3grams total at 3&9. A depolarized racquet with wide body and low power such as CX 200 Tour may benefit with lead at 12 for polarized effect. The 6.1 BLX team added at 10 and 2 because has that elongated but flatten top corner.
In addition, adding lead at 12 can feel like it stiffen the racquet by making it more powerful and plow through. The addition of lead at the top made it the upper hoop to bend less and might send the shock to the handle.
I am going to continue the post, I wrote about my racquet line up. The last time was on Prince Tour 100L.
In 2018, I bought another Pro Staff 97 v10 as a backup for the first PS97. This racquet is now been sold at 2/3 of its purchase price. As mentioned in the previous blog, I had wrist pain from using this racquet and moved on to other arm-friendlier racquet.
In 2019, I bought a brand new old stock Head Youtek Radical OS at a bargain (half off from $189). I put a leather grip on it but kind of made it too big with overgrip and hurt my thumb. As of now, I put back a synthetic grip and played better. The grip was Head traditional rectangular grip so a leather grip made it one size up. With a tight string pattern (18x19), the strokes are flat, swing easy, good power. Currently with technifibre syngut 16g.
In early 2020, I was then browsing online and found a used Prince Textreme Warrior 107. New Prince racquet is rare in Indonesia, so at about half off a new one ($80), I bought it. The racquet is great at slicing but still not be able to maintain the power, may need spin a friendly string. It does not need dampener because already muted from the big headsize and thick frame.
After several weeks not playing due to the pandemic, I found that the Pro Staff 97 gives me wrist pain. I actually felt it for a long time, I sometimes wear wristband day after playing with it which I thought was normal. But then, I read tennisnerd where he mentioned about the stiffness of PS97, it had me thinking to try others, especially player's racquet.
I remember a friend was selling Wilson Ultra Tour, I regretted not buying it because having fun with PS97. He mentioned that the UT was very low powered. But, then he told me that he is trying to sell Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20. Then, I read about it and was interested but at the same time I found online, someone selling the 16x19 version. So, I bought the 16x19 version at secondhand price around $80, the racquet is like new and clean. The 18x20 comes with some knicks and scratch but overall good. These racquet plays similar but very lighthead that it needs lead, most of the shots landed short and a bit unstable on stock. My current setup for both are around 3-4 grams of lead at 12 o'clock.
After that Dunlop, starting reading and found a seller selling brand new old Dunlop racquets. First, I bought the Hot Melt 200G, for around $15, which is heavy and low powered. It is so soft that it needs leather grip. The price was bargain, so I bought another one (might sell the unstrung one).
Then, I bought another Dunlop, Aerogel 300, for around $50, just for trying but turns out, it is my go to racquet now. With current setup 3 grams on 3-9, synth grip, rubber dampener, and spin friendly string, the power and balance are just right, not too light or heavy. I have another one for spare. The tinny feel is there and with leather grip, it send shocks to my pinky.
Bought a Prince Blade 107, for $25, might be an asian version of Precision Lite 107, in purple. Lend this to a friend for use.
I just myself another Dunlop, Biomimetic F3.0 Tour which have not strung and will see how it goes.
[to be continue]
For the last two tennis sessions, I brought my Wilson PS97 v10 (synth grip + 2 over grip) and Head IG YT Radical OS (synth grip + 1 over grip). In the first session, we were using weeks old balls, so the control from the ball was hard, using the PS97 works better. But in the second session, we were using new balls. Dont know whether my swing speed was off or the string has softened up, I just cant find any power or control from PS97 on the new balls. So, I switched to Rad OS which has bigger head size but tighter string in the center. Voila, the power and control was better, and I can swing more confidently. Summary: Rad OS with synthetic grip and overgrip feels good. Reminds me of Dunlop Aerogel 300 of its power and easy swing.
Below is picture of Bryan brothers, see how they position themselves at ready position; closer to service line then to the net. They are tall but this is to avoid lobs. At this position, be ready for low volleys.
Sold a PS97, so only have one PS97, which is the 1st one I bought. This one is lighter than the latter one, it swings easier. Strung with a prince syngut 16, it has now started to frayed and will using it until it breaks. Used to put leather grip, had great feel but it may sends vibration to the wrist, making it sore. The current setup from last session was: synthetic grip, 2 thin overgrips, and rubber band dampener. The spin was there but was using worn balls, control was good but nothing special. The 2 overgrips seems a bit big but more stable. Overall: muted, might need spin friendly strings.
Been using the YT IG Radical OS, the current setup is using synthetic grip, overgrip, and rubber band dampener. The feel is still the same, feels soft and a bit flimsy. The power is certainly there, need to spin on it, without the spin the ball will bounce really high. Overall, a fun racquet for singles game.
Six One Team (SOT) was my first racquet that I bought after using Ultra 95 from early 90s. Have not customized it until 2019. It is a light but balanced racquet, so I thought it may not need customization. But, there was something missing from this racquet, it is missing stability and plow through, plus a small sweetspot. Tried leather grip but grip was too big. Add lead on 3 and 9 but loss of power. Then, moved the lead to 12 (11 to 1) around 3grams (6 inches * 2). Tried it yesterday, plow and stability was better.
Below is the swingweight of the frames in collection, the swingweight is taken from TW website:
| Racquet | Weight unstrung (grams) | Weight strung (grams) | Swingweight strung (grams) | Current modification |
| Pro Staff 97 | 315 | 324 | 329 | Overgrip, rb dampener |
| CX 200 Tour 18x20 | 315 | 330 | 318 | Leather grip, overgrip, lead 3g |
| CX 200 Tour 16x19 | 310 | 325 | 317 | Leather grip, overgrip, lead 3g |
| Aerogel 300 | 290 | 305 | 316 | Overgrip, lead 3g, rb dampener |
| Hot Melt 200G | 320 | 336 | 316 | Leather grip, overgrip |
| YT Radical OS | 295 | 315 | 315 | Overgrip, rb dampener |
| Six One Team | 289 | 303 | 318 | Lead 3g, dampener |
| Warrior 107 | 300 | 318 | 317 | Leather grip, overgrip |
| Tour 100L | 270 | 285 | 285 | Lead 3g, overgrip |
Had two tennis sessions in the past 2 weeks: all doubles games and indoor. The 1st week using PS97 and then AG300. Less playing with CX due to sore pinky from leather grips (culprit maybe) on AG300. There was a slight change when I was playing AG300. The week before when playing with PS97, teammates mentioned that my strokes could have more power and it made me think, this PS97 should have more power than my regular CX. I was feeling slugish when using the PS, several of my overheads hit the net.
So, watched videos of Patrick Mouratoglu, and one of his advice is to add power from your leg by going forward. I tried that advice combined with AG300 current setup (rubber band). The result were better from my perspective, more power and more control even from AG300. The current AG300 set up is lead at 3 and 9, syn grip, overgrip, rubber band dampener.
My past two sessions were doubles, using new balls, and using CX 200 Tour: the 16x19 on indoor court and 18x20 on outdoor court. Total of 3 wins and 2 loss, thats is not bad. Tried also the AG300 but felt too bouncy, less control. Using the CX 200T esp. the balls rarely goes far, mostly dips on the service line. Also not using AG300 because gave my sore pinky. Will also try the Head RadOS 107 after changing the grip to synthetic.
Had a practice set with CX 200 Tour 16x19. The AG300 (with leather grip) hurts my pinky and tried other racquet. I won 7-5. Pretty frustrated at 5-5 because my opponent was starting to realise my low powered racquet. But then I just embraced this low powered racquet and slices bounced low. Ball flies higher compare to 18x20 but with not much spin and bounce. If you look at TNerd using it you can see that his opponent struggle with the low bounce. I changed the grip with leather and add 4.5grams at 3 and 9. The new version on red are more appealing but the this old version is more stealthy.
Recently got a mint condition Prince Precision Blade 107. Strung weight at 312grams w/o overgrip. No information in WWW for this one. Slight head heavy. Tested playing with it, and pretty decent despite heavy swing. Not as lively as Warrior 107.
This three powerful racquet gave me sore/pain in the arm areas, they are:
So, I had a practice match yesterday and was comparing AG300 with BLX SOT. The spec of the SOT are 306 grams with 3 grams lead on 3 and 9, and Babolat syn gut 16g. In comparison with AG300 the SOT are:
Udah jatooh diomelin pulak ama bapak ampe nangis2 ... wakakakaka
Jadi gini ceritanya, kita dulu selalu berlebaran di Purwokerto dan Bapak beli mercy pontoon 180E hijau kepunyaan pakde ( bapak dari ibu ), yang jadi mobil ke 2 untuk keseharian. Mobil satunya Mazda kotak B600 warna abu2 milik ibu yang diberikan oleh pakde juga setelah ibu bapak menikah (STNK kuning gading)
Sewaktu berlebaran di purwokerto, kebiasaan kita adalah sholat hari raya di mesjid agung purwokerto, tempat kita dulu baik delman bareng2..
Nah sepulangnya dari sholat di mesjid agung... kita mungkin bapak nyupir dengan siapa disebelahnya lupa.
Saya, om rahardjo dan Bei duduk dibelakang...
Mercy 180e dipintu belakang kanan kiri itu ada sandaran tangan nya..
Untuk penumpang
Dan didepan tiap sandaran itu ada tuas pembuka pintu yang kalau ditarik ke atas, melepas kuncian pintu.
Seperti biasa bei kan mungkin kelas 1 atau 2 SD ya ... suka duduk diatas sandaran tangan dan bersender dipintu...
Kami bercanda canda ketawa seperti biasa ... happy lah pokoknya...
Perjalanan pulang ke kebon dalem bapak nyupir melewati rotary tugu yang dekat Gatot Subroto yang kayak monas mini
.. datang dari arah selatan
Jadi di tugu mobil kita belok kanan memutari rotary tugu kearah timur...
Kebiasaan bei .. tangannya suka mainan tuas pintu... ya kita ketawa ketawa lah dalam mobil...
Bei posisi di pintu belakang kiri... ketawa ketawa konyol lah... sambil utak atik...
Masuk ke rotari .. agak ngebut juga sih Bapak...
Tau2 pas belok di rotary... pintu kebuka lebar... tuh bocah kelempar keluar trus jatoh guling guling kayak di film2...
Copot semua jantung yang di mobil ... kecuali gw
Untung situasi sepi dan gak ada mobil dibelakang...
Bapak itu otomatis maaaaaaraaaaaah...
Karena bapak dasarnya begitu... gak sedih gak kaget tapi muaraaaah
Bapak diem aja abis kita nolongin bei... tetapi sesampai di kebon dalem... kita besua dipanggil ngadep dan dimarahin abis2an... dah bubar tuh mood buat lebaran.
Bedua (kena marah)
Lecet2... karena jalan aspalnya berkerikil jaman dulu
Dengkulnya lecet2
Posisi jatohnya kayak guling2...
Saya kira itu terakhir kali kami duduk bersandar di pegangan tangan, walaupun duduk agak mblesek di kursi belakang jadi gak bisa lihat pemandangan secara keseluruhan
Duduk dipagangan tangan agar bisa liat kedepan, hahaha....
Kalau noi punya kebiasaan jelek kalau naik mobil toyota DX biru milik bapak....
Mobil itu jok depan belakang ditutupi cover warna biru tua
Noi suka tidur dibelakang tengah dengan posisi duduk bersender menghadap.. kesamping
Kalau udah tidur kepalanya suka nempel kesenderan kepala sampai pipinya bergesek2 ke jok mobil..
Dasar anak gupis.... ngilernya kayak sungai...
Itu jok mobil bagian tengah penuh dengan garis garis putih
Garis dari ilernya Noi yang naik turun
Selama kejadian bertahun tahun dan gak bisa hilang..
Bapak dulu waktu muda lucu... nabrak mobil orang dari belakang... kok korbannya dimaki dan diajak gelut... tuh kelakuan.
Bapak mah konyol....
Waktu SD sering diajak makan siang bareng bapak sewaktu di Bandung..
Kita sudah pindah ke lembang waktu itu.. kelas 3 SD..
Kita cuman punya satu supir .. pak man..
Jadi pagi turun ke bandund dari lembang.. pak man nunggu di kantor konsultan bapak di sukaluyu, jalan batik jonas blok 2 no.2
Siang jemput anak2 di sekolah masing, mobil langsung ke lembang dan gak lama balik ke bandung
Jadi kalo gak ikut pulang siangnya... ya mau gak mau stuck di bandung.. antara ngikutin bapak kemana dia pergi atau tinggal di kantor bapak sampai sore atau malam tergantung kapan bapak selesai.
Kita sering ngikut makan di restoran Mirasari di jalan purnawarman dekat dago.
Restoran yang prosesnya milih menu di lemari kaca dekat kasir.
Nah... itu restoran kadang ramai kadang sepi.. pelayannya laki2 semua yang kerjanya ngambilin orderan kita setelah kita memilih...
Dasar itu bapak emang kadang gak sabar ya... beberapa kali ribut ama pelayan nanyain pesanannya... sampe suatu hari ribut itu sampe bediri kayak mo berantem
Tapi herannya masih suka balik kesitu..
In stock form, the racquet is too light, need weight both static and swing. Added leather grip, overgrip, 4 grams lead on 9 and 3, and 6 grams of dampener. Flat server. Better stability now and plow. I wonder if new CX 200 at 305 grams feels the same.
1st week Feb: after playing 3 sets in a day with CX 200 Tour, I guess I got pretty tired. On the day after, I used the Aerogel 300, the racquet felt pretty heavy so I took out the 6grams dampener. The racquet feels fine without dampener, and how 6 grams can make a different.
After playing most of doubles games now using AG300 or CX200T, I tried PS97 for singles game, just one a ten points tie breaker which came out as winner (12-10). The spec of the racquet was around 332grams and worn 16g syn gut. Had two double faults, need to relearn serving with this racquet in singles game. I wonder if I can survive a set or two with this racquet. One of the reason, I bought this racquet aside from RF won another slam was that the review score was high (top image), but turns out not all score (bottom image); very low on control score (76) despite the not so high score on power (82). No wonder, many shots went over. Need to produce topspin or use spin friendly string.
1st week: So, i had a chance to grab an old stockDunlop Aerogel 300. Last week, I added leads before stringing and felt heavy, so I took out the leads when playing doubles. The racquet at 290 grams unstrung at stock felt light. I put leather grip, add overgrip, and strung at weight at 318 grams now. The power of the racquet is at medium, I had several long and several shorts. The spin is good, can flick the racquet and ball will spin. The weight is a bit light but at the right balance. No added lead, afraid after adding lead will add power. Will seek out more flying hours before deciding that it can replace other main racquets. Serves and overheads are OK. The power and plow through are still lower than PS97.
2nd week: 2nd week of playing with this racquet, played for 4 days (2 days singles and 2 days doubles) with totals of 9 sets. Added 2-3 grams of weight at 3 and 9. I would say that the racquet is nothing special except for comfort, speed and sweetspot but that is the highlight. Forehands and backhands are good. Overheads are good. Volleys are good but not as stable as PS97 or CX200. Maneuverability is very good though due to weight and headsize. No wrist pain.
3rd week: a hitting session and game day. Add 4 grams to the racquet, now weight 324grams. In the hitting session compare with CX200T18, AG300 is like trampoline, easy power, no feel and dwell time. The next day, played 3 doubles game. Unstable when receiving heavy ball but better than before adding leads. When hitting offcenter, I can feel the shocks but unlike using PS97, no wrist pain afterward.
4th and 5th week: easy power, won singles game or lost close sets. Need to flatten the serves. Compare to CX 200 Tour, no need to swing and better maneuverability.
