Virginia, so how many do you have now, since the inception of this thread, and do you still use it daily?
I love the Max 200G, it is so plush!
..."The Max 200G with 17ga babolat natural gut strings in it at 55lbs, is in most respects quite crisp too, felt pretty good, because of the amount of feel translated through the racquet frame into one’s hand.
The first thought which springs into one’s head upon striking a ball with a Max 200G is: “Comfortable!” Completely plush. No buzz, no ping, no shock, just seamless comfort. It feels like a shock absorber which never seems to hit bottom regardless of the size of the bump. And string dampeners? No need. The material, and the construction of the frame absolutely neutralize all agitations, and without losing any feel for the ball in the process. Incredible, nothing else comes close.
The next notable impression is of the stability of the frame. Some of this is due to the 14oz weight of it, some to the 84 inch head size, some to the rather wide and thick beam construction, and some to the force absorbing qualities of the injection-molded materials used in the mix. All together they combine to make the type of stability capable of turning maniacal top-spin ground strokes into Sundayschool volleys at the net.
And speaking of ground strokes, the Max’s ability to dampen the effects of an opponents heavy top-spin shot pays dividends to its user in two important ways. One, because the frame stabilizes heavy shots so well, it requires less exertion from the player in order to send those shots hurling back at ‘em, with equal if not more ball heaviness, thereby saving precious energy for other aspects of the game such as, mental strategy, running, and bragging (or excuse making) after the match. Two, the sort of stability one finds in a Max 200G coupled with its enhanced feel tends to raise a player’s confidence, ( one is not so concerned with what the opponent will do) which in turn helps produce more assertive type play. Indeed, it’s stability virtually demands forward thinking, and aggressive playing tactics. Noticeably more than it’s heir apparent.
By anyone’s measure the Max 200G is a shot maker’s delight. It absolutely oozes control, and as such, puts a premium on placement rather than gratuitous raw power. But, don’t be mislead, deceivingly fast balls can be attained with this thing. Balls that appear to be initially slow coming off the strings carry ultimately deeper and heavier once they clear the net, and invariably almost always skid through upon contact with the court. This raises a predicament for opponents who watch as seemingly lackadaisical shots suddenly reach them with greater impetus than first expected.
Anyone who has ever played against someone with a Max 200G will understand what I’m saying here. Balls that clear the net with little more than an inch to spare don’t usually carry to within inches of the baseline, only to then skid right under one’s racquet. At least not with normal racquets anyway, unless the player really gets a good crank on the ball, at which time, you can be reasonably sure of the outcome. Not so with a Max. Idle looking swings are not to be taken lightly, because of this extra carrying effect produced by the racquet. Serves are much the same. Not only can one easily perplex an opponent with the mercurial placement of the serve, but also with the constantly fluctuating speeds, spins, and skids. The ball really does come off the strings differently with a 200G...."
~ by Hunter Pieper