Continue: CX200 CX 18x versus Pro Staff 97

Last friday in indoor setting playing doubles, I played with Dunlop CX200 18x20 and Wilson Pro Staff 97. I opt to use the CX200 as 1st choice. I tend to stay away from the PS97 to avoid agravating my wrist again. Played the first set with CX200, trailing 1-5 but then closing with 6-7 loss (opponent rate was same as ours). After the 4th game at 1-3, I noticed the ball was flat and ask for a newer balls. During warm up toward the second set, I used the PS97 because the warm up balls were flat. On the second set, again trailing at 1-3 and closing with 5-7 (opponent with higher rating). In the last set, noticed the ball was flying powerless especially on backhand and high volley when using CX200, I used the PS97 again. I figured that it was the last match of the night and the opponents have higher rating than us. Using the PS97 the ball had more zing on serve, forehand, slice, and volley though I have to be careful not to overhit it.  The result was a win (partner played better than 1st match), 7-6 with me at serving. 

On sunday, I played two set, both with CX200. In the first game of the first, after changing to fresher balls, noticed the CX200 played better. After a shaky start, we closed the first set with 6-3 trailing from 1-3 (we were rate higher). In the second set, we had a tight game ending at 6-5.

So, it all depends on the condition of the ball and court, might used CX200 or PS97. PS97 is better at low and fast volleying but heftier on overhead. And while playing with PS97, I missed this racquet cosmetics, the red, the silver lettering.

Singles game and low powered racquet

So yesterday, I played a singles match with my routine tennis partner using a low powered racquet, Dunlop CX 200 18x20. I was hesitant at first due to its low powered nature since I did not have good doubles game last weekend with the same racquet. The difference to the racquet was that I trimmed the lead a bit on that racquet to make it feels like my 16x19 version. The 18x version had newly strung 17g syn-gut at 53lbs. Compare to the 16x that has multi string and probably need replacement, the 18x is most likely to be lower powered but better at control. What I noticed with the 18x version was that the ball is so low powered that most likely the ball will fall inside the service area and will not bounce high. Looking at the video review from TW, TE, and even TN, you can see that the balls fell not far from the service line. So, I had to embrace this, I guess I was so accustomed to play more powerful racquet like Pro Staff 97 and Six One Team. The result of the match was better that what I was expected: 6-1, 7-5. In the first set, I lead 5-0 before the opponent won a game. The second set was tight, even trailing 5-3 before finishing 7-5. I had a lot of defensive backhand slice and I tried to hit more angled cross court because the ball will drop quicker. Now, just wanted to change to 16x version with fresher string. Below are links of CS 200 18x review and picture of another low powered racquet that I would love to try (Ultra Tour):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6fyMRjSVKw&t=189s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXazYNfhWus&t=188s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-FBCpcq9oo&t=216s

Tennis video posted

 Here is the link of me playing tennis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPQwo7mZQv4&t=11s

Players racquet

CX200 is considered a player's racquet. It has the same spec as Wilson Ultra Tour and the famous Head PT57A or the recent Pro Tour 2.0. They have 95 sq-inch head size and 18x20 string pattern. Though the Head ones are heavy, the CX Tour and Ultra Tour were made for customization. Mine had been leaded up. I tried the CX 16version with no lead and it just so low powered, the ball very short. Both current CX Tour 16v and 18v is now around 335grams. It is just more user friendly than the PS97 which is more powerful and heavier by about 10grams now but it is just the stiffness that is bothering now.

  

CX200 18version review

Due to the bargain and the rarity of the racquet, I decided to bought another CX 200 Tour but in 18x20 string pattern. It came with a Yonex poly strung at 47lbs. Since I want to try it over the weekend, I changed the string and restrung it with SynGut 17g at 53lbs. Tested it over the weekend and the results were good. Played 4 doubles game over period of 2 days, winning only one game. Compare to the 16version which I have not restrung it, still has the multi it came. The 18version with freshly string played well, spin was good, serve was good, volley was low powered (same as 16version). They, the 18v and 16v basically played slightly the same, as tennisnerd mentioned. I originally, was seeking Wilson Ultra Tour that a friend offered about a year ago but I had no arm problem at that time, so I skipped the offer. As summary, the 18v with new string felt good, spin, slice, overhead, vibration. Compare to PS97, CX200 is more comfortable given the overhead of lobs since I mostly played with slicers dicers and lobbers. The only problem with CX 200 is the low powered volley, other than that, no complain here.

Racquet list

Here is list of racquets I have with review given same categories:

	Power	Control	Stiffness	Plow Through	Remark
Pro Staff 97 (2014)	Med	High	Firm	High	Power, control, and firm
CX 200 Tour 18x20	Low	High	Soft	Med-High	Control and plush, leaded
CX 200 Tour 16x19	Low	High	Soft	Med-High	Control and plush, leaded
Six One Team	Med	Med	Firm	Med	Small sweetspot, leaded
Radical Youtek OS	High	Med	Soft	Med	Soft oversize
Textreme Warrior 107	High	Med	Firm	Low	Midplus+
Textreme Tour 100L	Low	Med	Firm	Low	Light racquet, leaded
Hot Melt 200G*	Low	High	Soft	High	Classic
Aerogel 300*	Med	Med	Firm	Med	All around, leaded

* added Feb 2021

Picture below is not my collection:

Dunlop CX 200 vs Pro Staff 97

Just got myself a used Dunlop CX 20016x19 and got a chance to play singles and doubles games with it. In comparison with my regular frame, the PS97 (2014), I have concluded that the CX 200 in comparison with PS97 are as follow:

Power: definitely low compare to PS97

Spin: the spin are there given my old-school forehand

Comfort: definitely plush, played 3 single games in a row and no issue

Forehand: low powered, should aim higher 

Backhand: low powered, should aim higher

Slice: low powered, should aim higher

Serve: low powered, need propel forward

Volley: plush, can touch volley

Both by chance use same multi string. On doubles game where you need to attack, it is best to used low powered racquet so your strokes do not sail through. There was this closely doubles match that i started with the CX then PS because a nephew need a lighter racquet then change back to CX to close the game with a win. Never before I switch from PS for the better game. The CX 200 is definitely a nice controlled plush racquet. At first I thought this would replace PS97, but no, each serves different purposes.

Note: changed leather grip and lead to the CX

Wrist Pain and Forehand Take Back

Been watching and trying online videos for forehand takeback. Wonder if my take back with tap the dog style (Fed style) contribute to my wrist pain due to racquet lag. Might try neutral take back for less racquet rotation.

Grip shape and size

I have wilson (PS97), head (RadOS), and prince (TTL, TW107) racquets at hand. They do have different grip shape: head is more rectangle, prince closer to square, and wilson in between. Pros must have customized the shape, there is no way using standard Head with western grip since it is so rectangle. See picture below, taken from TW forum.

Added: dunlop grip is very slightly smaller than wilson (CX 200)

Wrist pain, strokes, and TW107

In the last post, I mentioned wrist pain even when using PS97 with multi strings. I tried different strokes but it is just not the same, you need that slight wrist movement when using PS97 that is where the power and spin comes from (Fed style). So, I gave TW107 another test. I have concluded that TW107 have no plow through, so just return it, esp on low ball. But on higher ball, the racquet is just so easy to return with power. Slices were sharp though, could use it as weapon. The serves are easier though no power. HOWEVER, this racquet though an oversize DO play small, so you need it to strike the ball in the middle. Overall, I enjoy using this racquet, but cant push it too much due to power. It is a baseline racquet and high volley, careful on low volley. In addition, after reading TW forum, tried to use it WITHOUT dampener, and the feel was better.

String selections (Syngut vs Multi)

So, i have two PS97 with one strung with syngut (16g) and the other with multi (17g). Previously, I had both strung with multi, but changed one to Syngut (Prince 16) due to lack of control. After not playing for about 2 months due to pandemic and fasting month, I played again. Bringing the PS97, I started with the multi for warm up and then change to syngut. Played better with syngut because of better control from wider string and tension still holding up. Two days after, I played again this time with the syngut but then due to bad strokes, my wrist tensed. Then, i used the multi which I felt softer on the arm. I never had wrist problem using PS97 before but then this happened. The message was, multi definitely softer than syngut and PS97 can be stiff too. I thought of lay low the PS97 and try easier racquet for a while.

Wilson Six One Team

My take on TN review, in brackets:

Judging from the responses of our playtesters, the 2012 update to the Wilson BLX Six.One Team is going to turn some heads [not sure when compare to 90s Wilson Ultra that I used previous this one]. The new Amplifeel technology uses an innovative handle system to reduce harsh vibrations, and the switch to an open string pattern has expanded the sweetspot [certainly different that other racquet handle]. Together these changes add up to more comfort -- a fact not lost on our team [not sure]. In addition to comfort, Wilson has kept this racquet very maneuverable, which explains why our testers were able to position the racquet so quickly and explode through contact [agree, maneuverable]. With its 95 square inch head and lighter weight, the new BLX Six.One Team errs on the side control [good control racquet]. While our testers occasionally had issues with the power level and stability, none of them walked away disappointed. Ultimately, Wilson has created a very comfortable all court racquet for the intermediate to advanced player who places a premium on maneuverability, comfort and precision [set the standard].

Prince Warrior 107

Coming from Pro Staff 97, I looked for nice and easy OS racquet as I enjoyed Rad OS on fast court. So, I had my eyes on Prince Warrior 107. I finally got this racquet, a special edition with blue rather than red (rather the red version, but this is rarely exist in Indonesia). After playing with it for several games, I thought this racquet is too powerful. I just have to be careful when swinging it, especially on backhand (cannot swing long with this one). Here is the review summary from TN and my remarks in brackets:
Like the other racquets in the new Prince Textreme line, this Textreme Warrior 107 took our playtest team by surprise [not sure yet]. A 107 square inch headsize often qualifies as what we like to call a "game improvement frame" that is ideal for players with shorter, slower strokes who want help generating power [i could not swing big with this one]. However, the Warrior 107 reminded our testers of classic oversize frames like the Head Radical OS and Prince Original Graphite 107 [played with Rad Youtek OS and not the same], which appealed to a wider range of players, including more advanced ones [maybe]. This Warrior 107 had plenty of power and forgiveness [true], so our testers could swing big [not me] without fear of missing the sweetspot, but it also provided good control and exceptional feel from almost everywhere on the court. While it didn't quite provide the level of control [agree] of a more traditional player's racquet, this oversize offering truly impressed our team and is worth a demo for almost any level of player.

Racquets lineup

3 racquets on current line up would be: 1) Wilson PS97, 2) Head Radical OS, and 3) Prince Textreme Warrior 107. Each of them played differently; however, now I have come to the following summary:
1. PS97: rally from baseline; plow through; serve; small headsize; tad heavy; very good for single
2. RadOS: defense; headsize for volley; power; overhead; need to swing hard; oval grip; good for single/double
3. W107: defense; return; so far played for 3 double matches (1-2) and 1 single match (0-1).

Note:
1. playing with RadOS rediscover how to strike forehand with power and control
2. different racquet DO affect your stroke especially on serve

Start of 2020

So, at the start of 2020:
- teeth are align, yay, after 2 years (all teeth connected to the wire in Dec 2019)
- playing tennis with Head Radical OS Youtek (great for doubles but on the lighter side), change with leather grip and might tip the balance... (will write review in near future)
- just recently (a week) improving tennis forehand (see control and power video, check on Fed left hand and shoulder); pic from nerdtennis.com

Light tennis racquet

So I have played with light racquet before. The first time was using Six One Lite (SOL), a 249g unstrung racquet with the same cosmetic as Six One Team (SOT). The SOL was very light though and have even balance thus it was low powered and possibly hurt my hand due to vibration from the stiff construction. It is retired now, I change the grip to leather and eager to try it again for recreation only. I bought a second light weight racquet, Prince Textreme Tour 100L (TTL), a 279g unstrung headlight 4pts racquet. I customed with a leather grip and 2 strips of weight on 9 and 3 o'clock head. Two weeks ago, I brought it to practice and lo and behold, I beat the guy I rarely beat, twice on same day. So, what happened? This TTL was very maneuverable, no need for proper prep just like PS97 but still hefty enough for rec play. The thing is, the PS97 is awesome for straight hard balls but not easy on slow balls, no power from it. TTL is good for blocking back, not hitting it back, and good for hitting those slow balls and add some spin. In conclusion, use racquet for the type of game you play. Heavy racquet can be unforgiving especially for weird and awkward overhead.

Head Light Racquet

So I have been trying to follow RF forehand since I am most comfortable using eastern grip since forever same as him. I currently use Pro Staff 97 with no modification. When I first started using PS97, it felt pretty heavy compare to Six One Team or Lite that I use, but now I am quite comfortable with it. It is so easy to serve with, it has bigger sweet spot than my SOT and softer on the arm. Yet, I rarely restring unless it broke, and it may started to get harsh and sends vibration to the arm. I also have been wanting to change the grip of the PS97 but risking getting it even heavier.

I noticed that with existing grip and added a thick and thin overgrip, the grip feels round with slight bevel corner. Reading from the forum, some the advantages of using leather grip are better feel of the grip, added weight, thinning the handle, and long last.

And so, I replaced one of PS97 and then I use only one overgrip. I though the leather grip is thicker than the original faux leather grip installed. I played with it once and I got lighter head than before and guess what, less vibration on arm. The late wrist movement to generate spin were better. No wonder RF97 has 3 point more head light than PS97. So in conclusion, for a heavy racquet adding more weight on the handle for more head light could be better but depends on your tipe of swing. On the minus side, I could not serve flat as before but the kick improve on the plus side. I also changed the other one with leather grip as well. The feel of the bevel certainly helps especially 

on serve and volleys.

Serving ritual - bouncing

I rarely bounce the ball before serving, until very recently. Maybe before, I dont really good at bouncing the ball, I would rather hit the ball with the racquet to the court several times before tossing it. But few weeks ago, I played on a granite court, which was strange to me because the surface was not flat, so I bounced the balls couple of times to get the feel of the court. I think the idea was good that it forces you to check the bounciness of the court. But, then I get the second benefit from bouncing the ball, which will be explain next. I modeled my serve on Federer serve because 1st, I dont move me back foot when serving and 2nd, it is in between flat and kick serve. The next puzzle, I learn was that you need relax shoulders before tossing the ball and bouncing the ball helps that. You kind of need to bounce the ball, relax your shoulders by hunching them a bit and then open up when tossing the ball. It definitely helps to hit the ball by the sweet spot.

Poly string

So I made a gamble last week by bringing only one racquet, the six one team (SOT) with poly string. The string was wilson spin cycle that has cutting cross of a triangle strung at 55. The racquet perform well the week before after I played two matches indoor with PS97 which are heavier (maybe the weight just fit and it was a hot night). With SOT I can strike faster thus not as much late as before. So what happened was that after just a few hits, my arm could not bear the shock, I was hitting using the wrist movement. After the first game, I hit with the racquet and found that the sweetspot was now below the head mid point, so afterward I am for it but it was such a small sweetspot. So, I read about poly and with a full poly, I should have strung it at 10% lower maybe at 50 or lower. Plus, I read that about what happened when string goes dead. I never thought about dead string before, but when it goes dead, it hurts your arm. And so, I replaced it with a syn gut and see how the SOT will perform again. #tennis #racquet #sweetspot #poly

Quad helix is out

The quad helix was taken off on 11/24. Better eating now, no more veggies getting stuck. By the way, the dentist (drg Maya) compare it with before and the change was drastic, not underbite as before, and that to me is a big thing.