16x19 or 18x20

[Alekok1221]

Hi I'm 5.0 player that likes to hit very powerful spiny shots with my forehand but powerful and flat shots with my backhand right now Is using a volkl V8 pro 18x20. The racquet has good power and topspin but the launch angle is really high, that makes me bit a little bit insecure when I want to hit some floaty slices that I want to punish or some on the run open stance shots. Because I was thinking that this is making me not play at my best level I started trying other racquets all 16x19 different brands and models like vcore 100, ultra 100, pure aero and vs., What I found is that the launch angle problem wasn't there but what I found that when I was hitting with less power than my volkl and the balls are less heavy, they tend to hit the ground and kinda stay there rather than move up or forward. Do you think is because the 16x19 grips the ball less because has less string or more because of the spacing of the string bed?, I wanted to try the speed pro and tour 100p to see if it is more a problem in the 100inch 18x20 category or is it just me that I can't play with 18x20

 

[socallefty]

Try changing string jobs to reduce the launch angle if you like your racquet otherwise.

Thicker gauge, higher tension, stiffer string, stiffer cross in a hybrid etc. will all lower the launch angle.

 

[johnmccabe]

Hi I'm 5.0 player that likes to hit very powerful spiny shots with my forehand but powerful and flat shots with my backhand right now Is using a volkl V8 pro 18x20. The racquet has good power and topspin but the launch angle is really high, that makes me bit a little bit insecure when I want to hit some floaty slices that I want to punish or some on the run open stance shots. Because I was thinking that this is making me not play at my best level I started trying other racquets all 16x19 different brands and models like vcore 100, ultra 100, pure aero and vs., What I found is that the launch angle problem wasn't there but what I found that when I was hitting with less power than my volkl and the balls are less heavy, they tend to hit the ground and kinda stay there rather than move up or forward. Do you think is because the 16x19 grips the ball less because has less string or more because of the spacing of the string bed?, I wanted to try the speed pro and tour 100p to see if it is more a problem in the 100inch 18x20 category or is it just me that I can't play with 18x20

Launch angle decreases with higher density in the string pattern. I demoed v8 pro, tour 100p, speed pro 18*20 at the same time. I don't remember volkl has higher launch angle than the other two. Tour 100p is known for being an open 18*20 pattern. speed pro or blade 18*20 may work better for you. most 16*19 16*20 frames have higher launch angle compared to 18*20.

About string, round strings should lower launch angle. Poly with sharp edges biting into the ball increases launch angle. Are you comparing 18*20 vs 16*19 racquets in same string?

 

[nintendoplayer]

In my experience, after demoing a lot of racquets the past year, it's not only related to string pattern. Yes, in general a 16x19 has a higher launch angle, but two racquets with the same pattern can provide completely different launch angle and playability. And the strings make a huge difference as well. As Tennisnerd stated in one of his videos "strings make nearly 70% of the racquet performance" and I think he's quite right on this one. You have to find a frame that feels good to you and then you can hugely influence the stringbed performance with different strings, gauges and tension.
The racquets you mentioned are good examples for that. The Tour 100P has a 18x20 pattern but performs quite untypically for that kind of string pattern in my opinion. It feels more like a "hybrid of 16x19 and 18x20" to me than what you would expect of a typical 18x20. Another interesting example is the Völkl C10 Pro. Has a 16x19 pattern but a quite controlled launch angle.

 

[Alekok1221]

Launch angle decreases with higher density in the string pattern. I demoed v8 pro, tour 100p, speed pro 18*20 at the same time. I don't remember volkl has higher launch angle than the other two. Tour 100p is known for being an open 18*20 pattern. speed pro or blade 18*20 may work better for you. most 16*19 16*20 frames have higher launch angle compared to 18*20.

About string, round strings should lower launch angle. Poly with sharp edges biting into the ball increases launch angle. Are you comparing 18*20 vs 16*19 racquets in same string?

Hi yes, I tried for example the vcore 100 and ultra 100 with volkl cyclone 16g at 53# and with kirschbaum super smash same tension

 

[myke232]

I think your launch angle would be higher with 16x19, no?

 

[Alekok1221]

I think your launch angle would be higher with 16x19, no?

That's what I thought first but after trying those racquet it was different. I was using same tension and string with those racquets so the i wasn't changing a lot of variables.

 

[Lambsscroll]

Hi I'm 5.0 player that likes to hit very powerful spiny shots with my forehand but powerful and flat shots with my backhand right now Is using a volkl V8 pro 18x20. The racquet has good power and topspin but the launch angle is really high, that makes me bit a little bit insecure when I want to hit some floaty slices that I want to punish or some on the run open stance shots. Because I was thinking that this is making me not play at my best level I started trying other racquets all 16x19 different brands and models like vcore 100, ultra 100, pure aero and vs., What I found is that the launch angle problem wasn't there but what I found that when I was hitting with less power than my volkl and the balls are less heavy, they tend to hit the ground and kinda stay there rather than move up or forward. Do you think is because the 16x19 grips the ball less because has less string or more because of the spacing of the string bed?, I wanted to try the speed pro and tour 100p to see if it is more a problem in the 100inch 18x20 category or is it just me that I can't play with 18x20

16/20 Fils, Rune and Alcaraz

 

[tele]

seems like that particular racquet has a high launch angle

Review - Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

though there are exceptions, 18x20 will generally give you a lower angle, especially relative to a 16×19 in same racquet.

did swingweight feel really low on the wilson and yonex you demoed?

 

[forzamr_b]

Hi yes, I tried for example the vcore 100 and ultra 100 with volkl cyclone 16g at 53# and with kirschbaum super smash same tension

I assume by same tension you mean the reference tension? If so, that could be a reason. I may be wrong, but I believe you will need different reference tensions to get the same stringbed stiffness or dynamic tension when comparing across different headsize, head shape, and string pattern. In identical rackets with different string patterns, you typically have to string the 18x20 at a lower reference tension to arrive at the same stiffness/dynamic tension as a 16x19. Likewise, going larger in headsize will require higher reference tension than a smaller head size for same stiffness.

 

[Alekok1221]

seems like that particular racquet has a high launch angle

Review - Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

though there are exceptions, 18x20 will generally give you a lower angle, especially relative to a 16×19 in same racquet.

did swingweight feel really low on the wilson and yonex you demoed?

I'm not a swingweight feel guy, the difference was more with the weight as my volkls came a little bit overweight but the factory swingweight for that racquet should be around 310-315 unstrung, so I should be in the same range as the Yonex and Wilson one.

 

[tele]

In identical rackets with different string patterns, you typically have to string the 18x20 at a higher reference tension to arrive at the same stiffness/dynamic tension as a 16x19.

not a stringer, so may be mistaken, but i was under the impression the opposite was true, contributing to the "boardier" feel of 18x20.

 

[forzamr_b]

not a stringer, so may be mistaken, but i was under the impression the opposite was true, contributing to the "boardier" feel of 18x20.

My mistake! Need to string lower for 18x20, higher for larger head sizes.

 

[artdeco]

Don't forget different specs of the racquets.
I have Prestige Mid 16x19 and VCore HD 18x20. On slices the HD naturally has ridiculously low launch angle, but on forehands the Mid seems to be able to go lower. I think this is probably more to do with the manoeuvrability of each racquet. I think it's easier to get over the ball with the Mid on the forehand and keep it down.

 

[Chuonfood]

18x19

 

[Rosstour]

Personally I've found I gel best with sub-100in heads, really headlight balance, 16x19 pattern and lots of flex.

Blade V8 and Clash V1 are pretty much the best racquets I've ever hit with.

 

[pico]

Following.

 

[pico]

I agree with most of these comments. Some 18 x 20s can feel more open. I used to play a Gravity Pro and still enjoy it. It has amazing spin for an 18 x 20. I do find I am liking 16 x 20s more. I play a Pure Aero VS for the most part now.

 

[justinhaughtmd]

Personally I've found I gel best with sub-100in heads, really headlight balance, 16x19 pattern and lots of flex.

Blade V8 and Clash V1 are pretty much the best racquets I've ever hit with.

blade v8 is tops…

 

[Rosstour]

blade v8 is tops…

100%

If I didn't have arm issues, I'd be playing with them. But I 'need' the Clash