Not All 18 X 20 Racquets are Equal?

[hoodjem]

I have a Wilson nPS 95 18 X 20 racquet. While I do like the extra control, for me it is rather difficult to generate much topspin--particularly off the backhand side (1HBH mine).

I've read and heard that this is also somewhat true of the KBlade Tour 18 X 20. But I also gather that with the Babolat Pure Storm Ltd. is easier to generate topspin because of a more open (in the sweetspot) 18 X 20 stringbed.

Is this your experience? Have you found the different stringbed configurations of different manufacturers variable in control or power or spin generation?

I was wondering also about the Head Microgel Prestige Mid or Dunlop AG200 or others?

 

[In)SpiRe]

I'm very curious to this as well, as I'm having trouble getting alot of topspin off my KBT, me using a 1HBH as well. The AG200 has a small sweetspot, and in my experience, doesn't get much topspin at all.

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

I must say the NPS 95 is the most spin friendly 18x20 I have ever hit with. Found it to have more spin than most 16x19's I have played with.

 

[hoodjem]

Ljub,

Really? I'm surprised. Do you have a nPS 95? Is it strung with full Blue Gear?

 

[feyya]

I know for a fact that some rackets, while have the same string patterns, have different amount of space in between each main. This is more or less caused by the headsize. IE: An oversize 18-20 will generate more spin than a mid with the same string pattern, IF they have the same beam width.

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

Ljub,

Really? I'm surprised. Do you have a nPS 95? Is it strung with full Blue Gear?

Hi Hoodjem, Yes I have 2 of these, havent tried blue gear in them though. I have TCS in one and poly polar in the other, I also have the 333gm 16 x 18 version and I find the spin pretty similar between the 2, the 16x18 is a more loppy spin but the stringbed is very inconsistent on that frame with the different string spacing throughout the bed.

I string them about 62-64lbs and they are very spinny.

 

[furyoku_tennis]

i think that headsize and the amount of space have a contribution in how easily it can generate spin, but technique is also a major factor in spin generation, no?

 

[Anton]

I have a Wilson nPS 95 18 X 20 racquet. While I do like the extra control, for me it is rather difficult to generate much topspin--particularly off the backhand side (1HBH mine)..

In the theory of strings the most significant factor is the (dynamic) stringbed stiffness, which can be modified in many ways for same result.

Stringbed properties do not effect the resulting ball rotation rates and power, but they most affect the rebound angle of the ball after it hits the strings. If the ball rebounds at higher angle it will cause the shot to be more arched (loopy) and it will land further as well.

Based on this, my advice to you is to try lower tension. String movement becomes a PIA at mid and low tensions so I'd recommend you try a slick co-poly string - Pro Line II 17g is perfect for that. String at 55lbs and you'll get more "spin" then you've bargained for.

 

[hoodjem]

Hi Hoodjem, Yes I have 2 of these, I also have the 333gm 16 x 18 version and I find the spin pretty similar between the 2, the 16x18 is a more loppy spin but the stringbed is very inconsistent on that frame with the different string spacing throughout the bed.

A 16 X 18 nPS 95? Truly?

I was not aware that such a racquet existed!

I have tried lots of small gauge (1.17-1.20 mm) poly hybrid strings and this helps but only a little. Tensions above 61 lbs get very boardy.

 

[feyya]

i think that headsize and the amount of space have a contribution in how easily it can generate spin, but technique is also a major factor in spin generation, no?

WTF. way to copy my post.

 

[orangettecoleman]

this is silly. kuerten and muster got tons of topspin with a really tight 18x20 pattern and a small headsize. it's all about having correct technique.

 

[Murray_Maniac]

The Head Xtra long creates a ton of spin.

 

[In D Zone]

I play with both dense and open pattern and so far I am able to generate pretty good spin both on my forehand and 1hbh.

I think it has to do more on the technique - you need to hit with a longer stroke or a quicker racquet speed when playing a denser string pattern to generate a good top spin.

 

[ohhgourami]

i tried the nps 95 before and it gets just as much spin as my k95. it kinda makes me think that i should have bought the 18x20 instead of the 16x18 but i dont really mind.

 

[Harry24]

I absolutely hated the kblade tour but I tried out the 98 today and loved it. They both have 18x20 string pattern but i was able to get so much more topspin off the 98.