Doel TV series

 Just watching this tv show clips again online and reminds me of 90s era in Jakarta, so cool. Character Sarah a true fit representing that era.

Weekend update Feb 4th week: WUT, T100-1, RadOS, AG300

Played on Friday and Monday.

Brought WUT and T100-1 on Friday, played 3 sets: 7-4 (Fh vs Ar-Dj) with WUT, 7-3 (Fh vs Ar-Dd) with WUT, and 6-7 (Dd vs Fh-Dj). The ball just felt so soft using WUT, liking how WUT performs on serve compare to T100.

Not playing on Sunday because of rain, then played on Monday with MulaiTennis intermediate at Cawang, played four sets. Warm up with AG300 but the string is too powerful sometimes. I put the rank because have not memorize all of their name. All games played with RadOS. The games were 4-2 (p3.0 vs 3.5-3.5), 1-4 (p3.0 vs 4.0-3.5), 4-2 (p3.5 vs 4.0-3.0), and 4-3 (tiebreak 7-5) (p3.5 vs 4.0-4.0). The last set was interesting because they lead 3-1 but become the opponent become tense as we played more safely and read the ball well. The string at RadOS still original since 2018 and still perform well not stiffening up, tecfibre syngut 17g, severals short putaways went long, overhead to spectator table haha, the slices were good forehand and backhand. 

I noticed the RadOS is better at net than AG300 and turns out at stock RadOS has higher twistweight (kg/cm2) around 14 will AG300 starts at 10. T100 and W107 has the highest at around 15. PS97 at 14, CXs, WUT/UP at 13.

Pic1: AA with Rad OS in IG YT colorway and his heavy spec for sure

Pic2: partners and opponents at MT

Gear Tips for 10 Common Player Types (tennis.com)

 A good article, so going to paste here: 

https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/gear-tips-for-10-common-player-types

Gear Tips for 10 Common Player Types

So many racquets and strings, so many choices. And so many player types. To help you cut through some of the gear clutter, we presented Nate Ferguson, founder of Priority One Tennis in Tampa and stringer and racquet customizer to the top pros like Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, with 10 common player identities and asked him for some gear tips for each type.

1. The Club Contenders

This 3.5-4.0 doubles team is always in contention for the club championship. They play two-up at net and cut off most passing shots and can retrieve lobs, but they never get past the semis, mainly because they sky or mishit their volleys instead of angling winners at net.

Ferguson: “I recommend they use mid-size standard-length (27-inch) and narrow-beam racquets which will make it easiest to control the angles on volleys. They could also beef up the frames with lead tape at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions on the sides of the hoop and on top of the handle for extra stability to help them on those off-center hits at net. Larger grip sizes will give them a better feel of where the face of the racquet is on contact. To maximize that feel, they should string with gut—the big three brands are Babolat, Wilson and Prince—strung in the middle of the recommended range for an even balance of power and control.”

** Novice players should avoid the temptation of swinging the same stick as their favorite pro.

2. The Rookie

Biggest challenge right now is just to keep the ball in play in order to discover the joy of rallying. Hasn’t decided yet on whether to focus on singles or doubles, but aspires to play competitively at the public park or club level. Figures the racquet to buy is the one they saw their favorite pro use on TV. 

Ferguson: “Trying to use a tour player’s racquet for a rookie is like getting behind the wheel of a Formula 1 Ferrari the day after you get your learner’s permit. A game-improvement racquet is the right call for most rookies, characterized by a big sweet spot (which means at least a 100-square inch head), an open string pattern that will help get the ball deep into the court, and a light weight for easy handling. String can be a good soft synthetic multifilament like Prince Premier Softflex or Technifibre NRG2 in the mid-tension range, then eventually adjusted it up for control or down for power depending on how the Rookie’s game develops.”

3. The Wild Thang

This aggressive 3.5 all-court singles player hits like Godzilla with out-of-control boomers that hit the back fence on the fly. The Thang has no arm or elbow issues. The goal is to play with the 4.0s, who right now aren’t returning calls.

Ferguson: “The Thang needs an even-balanced mid-plus standard-length stick with some significant weight and a dense string pattern (18 main strings) that will help curb those chronic out-ball problems. Since the Thang has a healthy hitting arm, he or she might also try a polyester string to deaden the stringbed. Luxilon Big Banger Original and Babolat Hurricane are the toughest and most durable.”

4. The Run ‘n’ Gunner

This 4.5 veteran has lived to rush and crush, but his serve-and-volley style is going the way of wood racquets, so he needs to raise his or her level from the baseline to keep up with the baseline boomers. The Gunner has heard that most of the top pros play with polyester strings for better control and to generate more spin, but is wary that using them could lead to arm and elbow problems which he or she has so far avoided.

Ferguson: “The Gunner doesn’t have to go all the way with polyester. He or she should consider a hybrid mix of the newer softer versions of polyester like Luxilon M2 Pro and Prince Poly EXP in the mainstrings for control and bite, and gut in the crosses to cushion the blow. Both should be strung at low tension for comfort. A lot of tour players, including my top three clients—Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic—use this hybrid combination because it gives them the best of both worlds.”

5. The Agassi Idolizer  

A 5.0-5.5. player, he shaped his game and gear after his childhood idol, Andre Agassi, right down to the oversized Head Radical racquet strung with Kevlar mainstrings. He’s looking to win the state title this year.

Ferguson: “Oversized racquets are great for beginners and some mid-level players, but they went out with Andre and Michael Chang for tournament level players. Smaller-faced racquets like the mid-plus version of the Radical Andy Murray uses are better for control and they’re more maneuverable and faster through the air on serves. Andre used Kevlar mainstrings to tone down the power of his oversized frame (with gut or nylon in the crosses), but it’s as dead as steel wire and he eventually went to polyester that was almost as durable and a lot more playable. The Idolizer should follow suit.”

6. The Wounded Warrior

First, it was a rotator cuff. Then tennis elbow. Now the Warrior also feels soreness in the wrist. Not looking to improve, just wants to keep from being sidelined. Needs the most comfortable string and tension combination available. Doesn’t care how much it costs, how often it breaks.

Ferguson: “When arm concerns are all-encompassing, you’ve got to think gut at a loose tension for ultimate arm protection or at least a comfort synthetic like a Tecnifibre NRG2 or Technifibre X-1 Biphase. The Warrior should also think about a larger handle to prevent the racquet from twisting which adds stress to the arm. He or she should also consider a soft cushioned replacement grip—Gamma Hi Tech, Prince Duratac, Babolat Syntec, Wilson Cushion Aire Perforated are three—combined with a tacky overgrip to keep from squeezing the racquet tightly at contact. An oversized head is going to reduce shock. Also look at racquets that have an open string pattern (16 mainstrings) that will soften up the stringbed.”

7. The Pro Tour Wannabe 

Aspiration: To get to “The Show,” and she’s willing to practice until she drops. Plays in the zone from the backcourt with bullet passing shots off either side, and is working on rushing to net. Her idols are the Williams sisters and she uses the same Wilson K Factor KBlade Team racquet and strings at their 66-pound tension with gut. But mom and dad are already spending their fortune on lessons and have told her the expensive and highly breakable gut has to go. So she’s looking for a more cost-effective string that will blend durability while maintaining some playability.

Ferguson: “A good synthetic multifilament string with good feel is the best way to go. She should try Prince Lightning or Technifibre X-1 Biphase. If she’s a hard hitter like Venus and Serena, she should string tight at the top of the range for control; if not, in the middle of the range for a blend of control and power.”

8. The Baseline Retriever

A classically trained and grooved 4.0-4.5 player with all the right moves who can trade ground strokes all day and counts unforced errors on one hand. But the Retriever has trouble ending the point with an outright winner and needs strings to supply some added power to defend the club title. Also plans on playing more doubles for social reasons, but that means going to net, which to this baseliner is the twilight zone.

Ferguson: “Gut strung at a lower tension will give the Retriever a cupping feel at net and more power from the baseline. Some lead tape—about three grams placed at the top of the grip and three more grams at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions on the hoop—will provide more authority on ground strokes and give the Retriever more confidence that the racquet face will stay still when he or she ventures to net.”

9.  The Fun & Fitness Combo

This 3.0 doubles team will tell you tennis is mostly a great way to stay in shape, and a lot more fun than “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” with Richard Simmons. They enter the club tournament every year just to support the program, but don’t go home and kick the dog when they lose in the first round. Their racquets are pre-strung Wal-Mart specials.

Ferguson: “They may not care about winning, but they’ll get a lot more fun and exercise out of tennis if they can prolong their rallies. They should start by looking at premium game-improvement high-tech racquets with light weights, head-heavy balances, thick beams and oversized heads that will provide more depth and help keep them in the point longer. They don’t need to use expensive gut, but a good playable synthetic string like Babolat Excell or Prince Synthetic Gut should do nicely, strung in the middle of the tension range for a blend of power and control.”

10. The Spin Doctor

This 3.5-4.0 gives “junk” a good name. In singles, the Doc slices and dices the ball from the baseline to draw opponents to the net and then floats lobs over their heads. The Doc just turned 60 and doesn’t get around quite like before, but wants to maintain the reputation of being the Saturday morning group’s biggest nightmare with topspins, backspins and even sidespins.

Ferguson: “The Doc can accentuate spins with a thin-gauge multifilament like Gamma Pro 18 gauge at low tension. An oversized racquet with a little extra-length is also going to put more slice on the ball for this style player and minimize mishits. The Doc might also downsize the grip to get more wrist into the shots and create even more spin.”

Who am I? Spin doctor when playing against higher level, fun and fitness mentality, sometimes baseline retriever, but most of the time I am a club contender.  

Weekend update 3rd week Feb 2023: T100, F3T, WUT

Played on Friday (3 sets) night and Sunday (3 sets) morning.

Friday: all with T100-1 and warm up with F3T: 6-7 (Fh vs Ad-Dd), 6-7 (Fh vs Ad-Ar), and 7-2 (Ar vs Ad-Dd). Usual partner having off forehand day. The F3T is good for warm up but too demanding on doubles because small sweet spot.

Racquet performance: T100-1: loose string, netting an easy volley, overshoot rally, double fault, average performance.

Sunday: 6-4 (Bn vs Hm-Rh) with WUT, 6-3 (Bn vs Hm-Mk) with T100-1, and then 4-6 (Mk vs Kk-Rh) start with T100-1 and then WUT. Rallying against Kk can only block with T100 but better with WUT though need to make sure to keep heights up.

Racquet performance: T100-1: overall good on outdoor play, good spin, good rally, not stable against heavy hitter, a double fault. WUT: below par performance, overshoot lobs, netting on rallies, good serve, too boardy at times, may need to lower tension.

Pic 1: Dd, Ad, Fh, Ar, me

Pic 2: Rh, Kk, me, Mk, Hm  

Racquet list

 Here is the racquet list:

Curious to try:

- Ultra Pro/Tour 16x19 or Artengo TR960 tour 16x19

18x20 comparison scores

 After testing put CX18 and WUP yesterday, lets compare the score for them and I throw in Bio F3.0T as well. They all have the similar string and tension, gamma 17g syngut at 50 lbs.

On paper, WUT/WUP is higher than CX18, I wonder if I need to weight WUP more.

 

Weekend update Feb 2nd week 2023: ATS98, CX18, WUP, T100-1, AG300

 No tennis on Sat and Sunday, rainy days.

Played on Monday afternoon, busted A98 string (pic below) when warming up. Then played with CX18, felt good, won 6-2 singles after leading 5-0. After the set, hitting session with Ultra Pro. 

Comparing CX18 and WUP: CX18 felt more powerful and easier spin, but WUP felt very soft and buttery, need to spin a lot else ball sailing. Definitely a good singles racket.

Compare to the video posted 2 years ago, I guess we improved.

Played with Tennis Kuy indoor in clay court for singles and doubles. Singles results were 3 sets all 3-0 using AG300, opponents were 2.5 to 3.0 players. Then doubles with opponents and partners rating 2.5-3.5 with T100-1 and scores were 3-4, 4-0, 3-0, all no ad. To play in clay is to wait and see the ball coming off the court.   

Posted the session in YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrvYuGDA31w&t=325s 

 

Dunlop 300 series: MFil, Aerogel, 4D, Biomimetic

Dunlop 300 series: MFil, Aerogel, 4D, Biomimetic all have same mold but slightly different. Lets take a look. 

MFil and Aerogel same with sligh difference in swing weight, stiffness, and balance.

AG 4D and Bio have thinner beam compare to previous models, thus different swing weight and stiffness.

All data from racquetfinder:

	MFil	Aerogel	Aerogel 4D	Bio 300
head size (sq in)	98	98	98	98
weight (strung)	309	309	309	309
string pattern	16x19	16x19	16x19	16x19
length (in)	27	27	27	27
swing weight	317	316	320	308
stiffness	61	65	60	66
beam width	21.5	21.5	21.0	21.0
balance (strung)	3 HL	4 HL	3 HL	2 HL
power level	low-med	low-med	low-med	low-med
customization	leather grip lead handle	leather grip lead head	n/a	n/a

Weekend update 1st week Feb 2023: T100-2, AG300, ATS98

 Played 2 times this weekend: Friday night and Sunday morning. 

Friday night played 3 doubles set: 6-7 (Fh vs Ad-Hr) a tight set trailing 3-5 with T100-2, 7-5 (Fh vs Ad-Dd) never easy against a tough opponent, 6-7 (Hr vs Ad-Dd) trailing 1-4 but catch up, started with T100-2 and changed to AG300 for easy power. Hit out with AG300 and had good power but low control probably due to the string but overall easy groundstroke.

Sunday morning played 3 doubles sets all with T100-2, brought ATS98 but prefer T100 for better defense. Started with 6-2 (Hm vs Ad-Dn) we were stronger, then 6-4 (Hr vs Rm-Hm) a good set tied at 4-4 before focusing on how to break them, and last 6-5 (Kk vs Hm-De) tough opponent leading 5-4 but partner loosing focus.

Pic below: me, Hr, Du, Mo, Rh, Ad, Rm, Dn, Kk, Hm.

Weekend update Jan 2023 4th week: T100-2, AG4D, A98

Played tennis on Friday and Sunday.

T100-2 was strung with syngut 16g at 53lbs on Wednesday. It was pretty tight when tested that day.

On Friday, played three sets with same partner and opponents: Dj vs Ad-Dd: 6-7, 0-7, 5-7. All finished with T100-2 after trying AG4D starting second set. The string on T100-2 were solid with less movement and still snapping back.

Played on Sunday started late at 9am due to rainy morning. 1st set 5-6 (Rh vs Hr-Iw) and 2nd set 6-3 (Nm vs Ad-Dn), all with T100-2. The string had a lot of movement especially on warming up. Overall the racquet felt solid with good power and spin so need to control it. 

Pic: Nm, Ad, Ys, Kk, Iw, Hr, Rh, Hm, Mr, Dn, me.

Racquet nerd

 Just strung Prince Textreme Tour 100 310 with 16g syngut 53lbs at metro tennis felt tight compare but cant wait to try it on the court: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=474iPoitlSs 

Saw Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour, the cosmetic was shiny as chrome, thought it gray. Thinking of buying it before but now just not my bag.

Weekend update 3rd week Jan 2023: MW100, AG4D, WUP, ATS

Happy Chinese New Year for those who celebrated, may it be a prosperous year of rabbit.

Played 3 times this weekend.

Friday: played 2 doubles set. 1st set 7-6 (Dj vs Ad-Dd) and then 2nd set 6-7 (Kw vs Ad-Dd). Started with MW100 with old balls then AG4D with new balls. With AG4D no need semi-western, the spin and depth already nice with it.

Sunday: played 4 doubles set. 1st set 6-3 (Iw vs Rt-Mk) with WUP, 2nd set 6-3 (De vs Rt-Mk) with WUP, 3rd set 4-6 (De vs Kk-Iw) with A98, and 4th set 6-4 (Du vs Iw-Mk) with WUP from leading 5-1.

Monday (CNY): played 2 doubles sets in persada-halim with Pak Hari against coach and hit partner (Tatang-Asep) with WUP on windy days 3-6, 6-3.

Overall, WUP comes up nice with semi-western and wristy serve (easy power). Semi-western tested and works well with A98, UP, F3T, CX16

 

Weekend update 2nd week Jan 2023: ATS98, CX16, T100-1

Played 3 times this weekend: Saturday morning, Sunday morning and afternoon. 

3 sets on Saturday morning with ATS98 (started with T100-1 on second set but switched): 6-1 (Bn-p vs Iw-Ad), 6-4 (Dn-p vs Ny-Ms), and 6-3 (Kk-p vs Mr-Hr).

2 sets on Sunday morning, lost but good games, all with ATS98: 0-6 (Hr-p vs Iw-Nj) and 4-6 (Nj-p vs Kk-Ny). Opponent change partner Nj a hard hitter baseliner/counter puncher.

Sunday afternoon at KBI with CX16: 6-7 (Er-p vs Dd-Dn/Rf), 6-5 (tie breaker vs  Dd), and 3-1(Er-p vs Dd/Rf). End the session after fall due to low light on sunset.

ATS: overall good performance.

CX16: a player stick, need to swing it. Felt so soft. Low forehand like Tommy Haas.

Tried Bab Pure Drive on Saturday afternoon at KBI, easy power but tough on backhand.

Pic below from Saturday and Sunday morning.

Sat: Hr, Iw, Ad, Mr, Ms, Bn, Nn, Dn, me

Sun: Hr, Kk, Ad, Ms, Ny, Mk, Iw, mw, Hm, Nj, Bn, Dd, Dn

Pic 3: Kk with semi-western grip can crush a forehand

Weekend update 1st week Jan 2023: A98, T100, F3T, UP, AG300

 Played two times for 4 doubles games. On Friday lost first set 4-7 (p:Ar vs Hn-Dj) with T100-2 after trying AG300 but no control but then not too good with T100-2 with loose string. Second set win 7-2 (p:Dj vs Ad-Hr) with F3T. The semi-western works well with 18x20 string with good spin and control. 

On Sunday play twice as well, 6-3 (p:Ad vs Hm-Iw) win with A98 from trailing 1-3; the opponents got good volleying game. Then second set 6-2 (p:Nyo vs Kk-Rh) partner played well with opponent playing too fast, started with UP but then change to A98 at 2-2.

The semi-western grip certainly works well with 18x20 string or smaller frame. Not sure about T100 now that they have loose string. Eager to try other 18x20. In addition, minimal wrist pain compare to eastern.

Weekend update last week 2022: A98, WUP, T100 - semi-western

 Played twice on Friday and Saturday in last week of 2022.

Played singles against intermediate player (good forehand and backhand) with score 6-3 (3-3). Before the set was hitting with WUP and A98. Swing nicer with WUP but easier with A98 (too easy). Tried swingin with semi-western and A98 worked very well: good swing, spin, power, and depth. Might want to ease lead on WUP to generate more spin.

No play on Friday night, so played Saturday morning. Played 3 sets: 6-3 (Kk(p) vs Ht-Iw)), 4-9 (Iw(pp) vs Hr-Ht)), and 6-5 (Ht(p) vs Iw-Kk)). 1st with set with A98, 2nd with T100 after trailing 1-3, and 3rd with A98. Opponent Kk cant seem to hit good with shots from A98.

Thinking back, I noticed hitting with ATS 98 reminded me of hitting with MFil 300 with that head heavy. On grip forehand, for me it is easier to check where the index finger ended up. Agassi-eastern bevel 6-7, Fed-eastern: bevel 6-7, T.Haas-semiwestern bevel 7, Djok-western bevel 8, Sock-western bevel 8-1. 

Happy New Year 2023.

Pic: me, Kk, Ac, ?, Ad, Ht, Iw, Hr.

ATS98 update: new string

 Just strung ATS 98 with Gamma syngut 17 (blue/purple) at 53lbs. I think it looks great, the weight is now 340, reasonable, and the swingweight is better than before with the 16g hybrid which weight 345(?).

The racquet has leather overgrip (8-10g), overgrip (6g), and lead+silicone(7g). Post of a video post string job in metro tennis store and boy, do I hit the ball like Chris Evert topspin.

In the store tried hitting with Bab Pure Aero 300g-crisp and easy, Head prototype-heavy, Vcore 98-crisp and spinny. Previously tried RF97-very heavy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27qcRwceUS4

Kit Clash

 So many kit clash now. Poland should have worn all whites or red and France to adjust accordingly to avoid kit clash (including shorts and socks). Either all dark or all light.

Racquet balance

 So, I had time to balance and weight my racquet, here is the result: 

The racquets that I feel heavy are PS97 and A98 however they are not much different from T100, it might be the box beam that made them heavy or the slightly smaller head size. All of the racquets below have leather grip and overgrip on. I just cant quite figure the A98 weight where I had manage to add 20 grams (leather grip-9g, overgrip-6g, lead-2.5g, silicon-3g).

Racquet	Weight   (grams)	Balance  (cm)	Remark	Spec (Weight-Balance)
Ultra Tour	335	32.1		305-31.5
Ultra Pro	334	31.7		305-31.5
A98	345	32.0	Unstrung 326	305-31.0
T100-2	342	31.5		310-31.0
PS97	344	31.2		315-31.0
CX200-18	338	31.9		315-31.0
Rad MP	321	33.3
T100-1	344			310-31.0
CX200-16	327			310-31.0
F3T	339

Weekend update 3rd week Dec: T100, UP, A98

 Played twice this weekend on Friday and Sunday for doubles games.

On Friday played 3 sets. First two sets with T100-2 with scores 6-7 (Dj(p) vs Hr-Dd) and 7-5 (Kw(p) vs Ad-Dd) then last one with UP 4-5 (Kw(p) vs Ad-Dd). Using T100 was so easy and opt for UP even though it can give a work out. Need to swing with UP cant just block the ball.

On Sunday, Xmas day, played 3 sets also with T100-1 and A98. 1st set with A98 loss 4-6 (Mk(p) vs Kk-Iw), 2nd set with T100-1 with 6-4 (Mk(p) vs Kk-Ny), and then 3rd set with A98 loss 5-6 (Du(p) vs Mk-Ny).  On the last set more because many errors from us.

Using the A98 when condition was wet was great but then when the gets dryer it gets uncontrollable with A98. Afterward I cut the string on A98 and the hybrid string had no tension left.

WC2022

 Well done Argentina, the coach was wearing jersey from his U20 win: