@galapagos great thread, and some very interesting comment from you regarding 18x20 and 16x19
I play both patterns (and both RA63 and RA70) in my TC95's
With the
TC95 18x20 I play very thin strings 1.20, 1.18, 1.15, 1.10 and down to 1.05, I really like the liveliness of a thin string and often it is also softer for the arm. Thin strings works really well with a dense string pattern for me. Also with the 18x20 I am able to play with multi or sync gut strings without much string movement (unlike TC95 16x19). I also like to string poly at low tension.
With the
TC95 16x19 I play mostly 1.25 string guage but also 1.30 sometimes, and string 2 kg higher than with the 18x20 brother. I also really like the feel of the 16x19. I kind of abandoned the TC95 16x19 but pulled them out yesterday and played great. Now I just strung 2 up one with Lux Element the other with Cyber Flash. CF is my goto round string, and I would like to see how Element compares side by side.
I can go back and forth between 16x19 and 18x20 pattern, somehow I think the TC95 18x20 is a real gem with thin strings. I quickly adjust launch angle and spin, and I think I can generate as much spin with the 18x20 as with the 16x19. The control with the TC95 18x20 is amazing, but also really good with the 16x19
When I saw that in the Nitto ATP finals, 7 out of 8 players was using dense string patterns (18x20 and 18x19), I kind of went all in on the TC95 18x20 and have played that one exclusive ever since. I see more and more pro players with 18x20 string patterns, perhaps it is just me looking more carefully now.
Anyway both TC95 are amazing racquets, a real gem that I think anyone should try out to see for themself.
I play mostly round strings, so I am very interested in your findings in that department, I will also encourage you to try out good old Topspin Cyber Flash.
Cheers, H