It depends. If you use top spin to place and keep the ball in play, you effectively have more control w/ a 16x19. Nadal and Federer both use 16x19. So I wouldn't say 18x20 is for more advanced player but one who doesn't use as much topspin and relies on the stringdensity to keep the ball from going out. The other thing is hard to quantify, but an 18x20 pattern will feel more stiff at the same tension as a 16x19. Some people like that feeling.
Very well said. That’s part of the beauty of this sport. There is no one size fits all solution because of how customizable everything is to each players game. Someone can hear what something is supposed to made to do but still find they like something else even more and that’s okay
18x20 better for volleys, more control over shots but with bad technique and wrong strings which is common for most recreational players is gonna cause elbow problems sooner rather than later.
Good explanation. I noticed that there js more pop on the ball after playing for over 30 years with 19x16. I finally switched to 18x20 to the head speed pro and took more than 6 months to get used to. I felt like I have to learn how to play tennis again. My experience was that the ball was closer to the lines when I miss and it was difficult to get the ball over the net as some people say flat or no power. You really have ro generate you own pace snd use your body weight more than ever. I do feel like my game is better after the transition since miss less than before. You will miss a lot more and feel like you don't know how to play during the transition. I hope this help someone who is making or thinking about making the switch
That's almost the exact same process that I went through while I was making the transition to an 18X20. Ironically enough, it was also to a Speed Pro from what I was using before!
Grip and swing path determine the answer to this question. A more western grip brushing the ball with a vertical swing path is more effective with a less dense string pattern. Why? Because the larger spaces between strings allow more snapback and spin, which is necessary to pull the ball down against the angle of the swing path. An eastern or continental grip with a flatter stroke does better with a denser string pattern, because there are more contact points to reverse the direction of the ball at contact. The stringbed distorts less, which provides a more predictable return of energy in the opposite direction. The ball is traveling in the same direction as the swing path.
The 18x20 racket I bought gave me a nasty tennis elbow injury. So, what I did was... I loosen my grip on the Handle and I also loosen d strings. I used thin polys 17g and it cured my Injury. I usually play with A 16x19 on my first game then switch to the 18x20 On the next game. I noticed that when using 18x20 the pace my ball drastically increase. It's more powerful.
I’m sorry to hear you got tennis elbow but am glad you found the solution. Sometimes with the thinner gauges of string and lower tension some 18x20’s can be more powerful than the 16x19. It also depends on what the 2 racquets being used are
I somewhat disagree with this. I have an extremely western grip and play better with dense pattern; my theory is that I already have lots of top spin with the grip and the dense patterns controls it down so I can swing more wildly and the ball stays in.
The grip you use does play a part in how much spin you put onto the ball. Your extreme western grip will definitely give you the spin you are talking about from a more dense pattern as well as the strings will help. The one thing that I don’t necessarily like about a Western grip is that it can lead to wrist problems overtime if the player isn’t careful with it
Great explanation Brody. Bravo 👏 I use a 89.5 inch Head i.prestige mid in 18x20 and it’s full on control and precision. I’ve tried 16x19 in a few rackets but definitely like you said, not enough control. Thanks. Have a great tennis day 🎾😊
That sounds like an awesome racquet to go out and hit with! Sometimes if you find a 16x19 pattern with a head size closer to your prestige’s then it will have more control but not the same amount as your current one. You have a great tennis day too my man!
Many years ago I started with 16 x 19. The last few years I've played with a 18 x 20 and I prefer the precision and control in the 18 x 20. I prefer a 95 to 98 inch frame. My "go too" is the Head iPrestige mid.
@@brodytaylor2020 So for example in the 98 305g class you get something like the TF-40 on one end and the CX200 or Ezone/Vcore on the other. Why would someone want to get one rather than the other? Thanks
The reasons that some people would want one racquet over another can range greatly. Some prefer more spin, more power, or more control so understanding your style of play is very important. Once you know how you prefer to play tennis, then you can begin looking into different racquets that will offer specific qualities to compliment your game.
Djokovic uses 18x19 and dominates the mens tour, Iga Swiatek uses 16x19 and dominates the WTA . Alcaraz is using 16x20 Daniil Medvedev uses 18x19. Make of it what you will.
It’s not pointless or useless because the video provides a framework for players to build off of when deciding what string pattern will work for their style of play
Thanks for that explanation bro. I'm looking at a Wilson pro staff classic 6.1 'tour' edition (which has the 18 x 20 strings). But i may not have the game to warrant purchasing it
Of course bro! That stick is a beast! Especially with the smaller head-size and 18 X 20 string pattern, extremely great for control but if you want some help from the racquet for power and spin it won’t be the best option.
yep it has the 95 head size, which my two current rackets from the 90's also have but i've only taken up tennis again more or less since the 90's. I'm not sure how control is advantageous, mainly in terms of feel, and hitting the right distances maybe? for volleys, and I guess for all shots? I like the look of the racket but if I can't release its advantages I guess I should aim for a 16x 19 I guess control is like players with good control in soccer, able to manage the ball once it arrives onto the racket/foot @@brodytaylor2020
Control really starts to become advantageous the higher level of tennis you are playing. When you are playing against opponents who use a lot of power, a control racquet helps to absorb some of the pace of the ball and allow you to hit a better shot. You are able to get some good feel from more control oriented racquets but that does also depend on the brand of racquet and material used to make it. The new VCORE 95 from Yonex might be a racquet to look into. It does have a 16 x 20 string pattern rather than an 18 x 20 but with the 95 head-size it should give you an idea of whether or not you like the new racquet technology or if you should look into racquets that feel more like your two current racquets. It never hurts to demo.
@@brodytaylor2020 I've been through a 200M reel of Luxilon Alu power 1.25 in 5 months - Using an RF 97 stick. It doesn't matter what strings I use though, it's always the same result, unless I string the mains with Kevlar.
@@brodytaylor2020 Yes you are right. 1.30 diameter strings last just a little bit longer, maybe a couple of hours. Kevlar strings or a closed string pattern racquet are the only options really. Kevlar is extremely stiff though, like playing with a plank, so I went with an 18 x 20 racquet
can you still play well with a 16x19 racket if you're naturally a flat hitter? Sometimes my strokes aren't perfect, so I want a more forgiving racket but since i'm a flat hitter 18x20 would be ideal but it's less forgiving than a 16x19. Which pattern do you think would be good for a player like me then?
You definitely can still play well with a 16x19 racquet. There are a lot of racquets that you can use with a 16x19 pattern that are more forgiving and play like an 18x20. A few that came to mind were the Pure Strike 100, the Dunlop CX 400 Tour for a bit of a lighter option, and the Yonex Percept 100 would make good demos to see if you like that 16x19 pattern while still having a control oriented frame. I would say to your second question, the 18x20 would compliment your game well from what you have said, but I would still demo some other racquets and string patterns to see what you like personally. The ones I recommended will be a good place to start and then you can go from there!
16 x 20 and 18 x 19 are good compromises if you can find a racquet that fits how you personally want the racquet to play. Some brands have them but they aren't as common with today's racquets
Definitely good choices. Those 2 can be pretty demanding to use though at times for some players because of the string patterns as well as the 98 head sizes
so far as I can tell, there are zero actual tests as to whether 16 19 or 18 20 delivers more spin. It may all be just a myth. yet it's repeated over and over. I'd wager if you strung an 18 20 a bit lower it would probably have the same spin and power as 16 19.
When the racquets are drilled into to make the holes for the strings, the spacing of the holes will effect how much the strings move. When the strings are tighter together, usually an 18x20 the strings are not able to move/snap back as much so it is not as powerful. That’s where the 16x19 pattern comes in to have that from the beginning. If you string a 18x20 low enough you probably could get to the playability of a 16x19 but what’s the point then?
@@brodytaylor2020 It needs to be tested by measuring spin rates, and it's a myth until it is. Sinner and theim get more spiin than most players with 18 20. Mannerino hits flat with 16 19.
Go watch almost any tennis-warehouse racquet review where they compare a 16x19 to a 18x20 string pattern of the same racquet. They not only mention the difference in the playability but also show the different amount of RPM’s the ball gets when they hit with each racquet. As for the pro’s you mentioned. You are using people who are playing the highest level of tennis in the world. Of course they can do more with their racquets than what the racquets are meant to do. Why then do you think that many professionals look for the denser string patterns? It’s because it helps them maintain control not only on their shots which they can provide as much spin and power as they want, as well as to help control the power of their opponents ball coming back at them.
Spin is mostly due to technique, a string pattern won’t give you more spin without the technique. I play with 18x20 and can hit more spin than a lot of players with open string patterns and shaped strings. I prefer 18x20 because I can hit up on the ball and still control the launch angle much better.
@@brodytaylor2020 maneuverability as she has 31.5 balance ,excellent control ,super spin ...even the flat players gain spin in their shots .... the fact she has 99 head give a combination of benefits from 100 and 98 ... in my bag I had Wilson clash pro 16x19 and blade 18x20 .... Wilson has create a blend of those two rackets and the result is fantastic ...for me 16x19 and 18x20 does not exist any more in my bag
That’s awesome! Congratulations on finding the Shift and having it work so well for you! Do you only have the one or do you have multiples since you have seemed to find your one true racquet?
@@brodytaylor2020 all my life I loved and used to play with 18x20 but as I get older it's getting difficult to use it and have the benefits ... I also have shift 18x20 but I prefer 16x20... first time with 16x20 and I love it....
Depends on the type of string used with it. For softer strings a higher tension would make sense, to help gain some control back from a powerful string. For harder strings like polyester’s, a lower tension helps to regain some of the power the string gives up for control
@@brodytaylor2020 you are right on the type string and characteristics. I was saying all other things being equal. So higher tension to obtain similar stringbed power. Which are 3 string you like right now?
Personally, I am a fan of Head Lynx Tour 17G, Tourna Big Hitter Silver 16G or 17G, and Technifibre X-One Biphase 16G to throw a multifilament in there.
It depends. If you use top spin to place and keep the ball in play, you effectively have more control w/ a 16x19. Nadal and Federer both use 16x19. So I wouldn't say 18x20 is for more advanced player but one who doesn't use as much topspin and relies on the stringdensity to keep the ball from going out. The other thing is hard to quantify, but an 18x20 pattern will feel more stiff at the same tension as a 16x19. Some people like that feeling.
Very well said. That’s part of the beauty of this sport. There is no one size fits all solution because of how customizable everything is to each players game. Someone can hear what something is supposed to made to do but still find they like something else even more and that’s okay
18x20 better for volleys, more control over shots but with bad technique and wrong strings which is common for most recreational players is gonna cause elbow problems sooner rather than later.
Good explanation. I noticed that there js more pop on the ball after playing for over 30 years with 19x16. I finally switched to 18x20 to the head speed pro and took more than 6 months to get used to. I felt like I have to learn how to play tennis again. My experience was that the ball was closer to the lines when I miss and it was difficult to get the ball over the net as some people say flat or no power. You really have ro generate you own pace snd use your body weight more than ever. I do feel like my game is better after the transition since miss less than before. You will miss a lot more and feel like you don't know how to play during the transition. I hope this help someone who is making or thinking about making the switch
That's almost the exact same process that I went through while I was making the transition to an 18X20. Ironically enough, it was also to a Speed Pro from what I was using before!
Grip and swing path determine the answer to this question. A more western grip brushing the ball with a vertical swing path is more effective with a less dense string pattern. Why? Because the larger spaces between strings allow more snapback and spin, which is necessary to pull the ball down against the angle of the swing path. An eastern or continental grip with a flatter stroke does better with a denser string pattern, because there are more contact points to reverse the direction of the ball at contact. The stringbed distorts less, which provides a more predictable return of energy in the opposite direction. The ball is traveling in the same direction as the swing path.
That is an amazing breakdown right there!
The 18x20 racket I bought
gave me a nasty tennis elbow
injury. So, what I did was...
I loosen my grip on the
Handle and I also loosen d
strings. I used thin polys
17g and it cured my
Injury. I usually play with
A 16x19 on my first game
then switch to the 18x20
On the next game.
I noticed that when using
18x20 the pace my ball
drastically increase.
It's more powerful.
I’m sorry to hear you got tennis elbow but am glad you found the solution. Sometimes with the thinner gauges of string and lower tension some 18x20’s can be more powerful than the 16x19. It also depends on what the 2 racquets being used are
I somewhat disagree with this. I have an extremely western grip and play better with dense pattern; my theory is that I already have lots of top spin with the grip and the dense patterns controls it down so I can swing more wildly and the ball stays in.
The grip you use does play a part in how much spin you put onto the ball. Your extreme western grip will definitely give you the spin you are talking about from a more dense pattern as well as the strings will help. The one thing that I don’t necessarily like about a Western grip is that it can lead to wrist problems overtime if the player isn’t careful with it
Great explanation Brody. Bravo 👏 I use a 89.5 inch Head i.prestige mid in 18x20 and it’s full on control and precision. I’ve tried 16x19 in a few rackets but definitely like you said, not enough control. Thanks. Have a great tennis day 🎾😊
That sounds like an awesome racquet to go out and hit with! Sometimes if you find a 16x19 pattern with a head size closer to your prestige’s then it will have more control but not the same amount as your current one.
You have a great tennis day too my man!
@@brodytaylor2020 😎
Many years ago I started with 16 x 19. The last few years I've played with a 18 x 20 and I prefer the precision and control in the 18 x 20. I prefer a 95 to 98 inch frame. My "go too" is the Head iPrestige mid.
Nice choice!
I use the Dunlop CX200 tour 18x20 and love it. Like you said it provides control.
Dunlop makes great racquets and the CX 200 tour 18x20 is amazing for that control feel. I’m glad you love it!
@@brodytaylor2020 they are phazing out the current model so for those available you can get it at $100usd.
Great deal for a great racquet!
Interesting video.👌. Just an idea. Maybe a video explaining the pro's and con's of head heavy vs head light rackets.
Nice idea! I have a few videos I’m working on currently but this is one I will definitely look into making
@@brodytaylor2020 So for example in the 98 305g class you get something like the TF-40 on one end and the CX200 or Ezone/Vcore on the other. Why would someone want to get one rather than the other? Thanks
The reasons that some people would want one racquet over another can range greatly. Some prefer more spin, more power, or more control so understanding your style of play is very important. Once you know how you prefer to play tennis, then you can begin looking into different racquets that will offer specific qualities to compliment your game.
doesn't matter, I'm still going to shank the ball
I can relate to that
16x20 best of all by far
Djokovic uses 18x19 and dominates the mens tour, Iga Swiatek uses 16x19 and dominates the WTA . Alcaraz is using 16x20 Daniil Medvedev uses 18x19. Make of it what you will.
That’s the beauty of tennis. You get to find what works for you personally so that you feel the most comfortable and play your best tennis
@@brodytaylor2020Basically rendering your video pointless and useless 😂
It’s not pointless or useless because the video provides a framework for players to build off of when deciding what string pattern will work for their style of play
i for sure need to go to 16x18 or x19 on my 95 sq inch.... and possibly bump to 98 sq in
Which racquet are you using?
@@brodytaylor2020 Dunlop aerogel 95 sq inch old school lol 18x20
Def need more spin , I can generate power no problem
Gotcha. What string are you using in your Aerogel 95?
@@brodytaylor2020 gut mains and Alu power crosses 60/58
Think I need like 55/53 ?
Thanks for that explanation bro. I'm looking at a Wilson pro staff classic 6.1 'tour' edition (which has the 18 x 20 strings). But i may not have the game to warrant purchasing it
Of course bro! That stick is a beast! Especially with the smaller head-size and 18 X 20 string pattern, extremely great for control but if you want some help from the racquet for power and spin it won’t be the best option.
yep it has the 95 head size, which my two current rackets from the 90's also have
but i've only taken up tennis again more or less since the 90's. I'm not sure how control is advantageous, mainly in terms of feel, and hitting the right distances maybe? for volleys, and I guess for all shots? I like the look of the racket but if I can't release its advantages I guess I should aim for a 16x 19
I guess control is like players with good control in soccer, able to manage the ball once it arrives onto the racket/foot @@brodytaylor2020
Control really starts to become advantageous the higher level of tennis you are playing. When you are playing against opponents who use a lot of power, a control racquet helps to absorb some of the pace of the ball and allow you to hit a better shot. You are able to get some good feel from more control oriented racquets but that does also depend on the brand of racquet and material used to make it. The new VCORE 95 from Yonex might be a racquet to look into. It does have a 16 x 20 string pattern rather than an 18 x 20 but with the 95 head-size it should give you an idea of whether or not you like the new racquet technology or if you should look into racquets that feel more like your two current racquets. It never hurts to demo.
95inch 16x19
Good video. Agree 100%
Thank you for the comment and watching!
I break strings in a 16 x 19 frame, on average, every six hours and an 18 x 20 pattern lasts me about 20 hours
Wow. You must be using a lot of spin on all of your shots. What strings are you using in the racquets?
@@brodytaylor2020 I've been through a 200M reel of Luxilon Alu power 1.25 in 5 months - Using an RF 97 stick.
It doesn't matter what strings I use though, it's always the same result, unless I string the mains with Kevlar.
Have you tried going to the 1.30 gauge? It may last you a little bit longer since it will be thicker.
@@brodytaylor2020 Yes you are right. 1.30 diameter strings last just a little bit longer, maybe a couple of hours.
Kevlar strings or a closed string pattern racquet are the only options really.
Kevlar is extremely stiff though, like playing with a plank, so I went with an 18 x 20 racquet
can you still play well with a 16x19 racket if you're naturally a flat hitter? Sometimes my strokes aren't perfect, so I want a more forgiving racket but since i'm a flat hitter 18x20 would be ideal but it's less forgiving than a 16x19. Which pattern do you think would be good for a player like me then?
You definitely can still play well with a 16x19 racquet. There are a lot of racquets that you can use with a 16x19 pattern that are more forgiving and play like an 18x20. A few that came to mind were the Pure Strike 100, the Dunlop CX 400 Tour for a bit of a lighter option, and the Yonex Percept 100 would make good demos to see if you like that 16x19 pattern while still having a control oriented frame.
I would say to your second question, the 18x20 would compliment your game well from what you have said, but I would still demo some other racquets and string patterns to see what you like personally. The ones I recommended will be a good place to start and then you can go from there!
flat hitting - 18/20
spin - 16/19
Yessir!
16 x 20 and 18 x 19 a good compromise
16 x 20 and 18 x 19 are good compromises if you can find a racquet that fits how you personally want the racquet to play. Some brands have them but they aren't as common with today's racquets
i like the pure aero vs and technifibre 305 iso@@brodytaylor2020
Definitely good choices. Those 2 can be pretty demanding to use though at times for some players because of the string patterns as well as the 98 head sizes
so far as I can tell, there are zero actual tests as to whether 16 19 or 18 20 delivers more spin. It may all be just a myth. yet it's repeated over and over. I'd wager if you strung an 18 20 a bit lower it would probably have the same spin and power as 16 19.
When the racquets are drilled into to make the holes for the strings, the spacing of the holes will effect how much the strings move. When the strings are tighter together, usually an 18x20 the strings are not able to move/snap back as much so it is not as powerful. That’s where the 16x19 pattern comes in to have that from the beginning.
If you string a 18x20 low enough you probably could get to the playability of a 16x19 but what’s the point then?
@@brodytaylor2020 It needs to be tested by measuring spin rates, and it's a myth until it is. Sinner and theim get more spiin than most players with 18 20. Mannerino hits flat with 16 19.
Go watch almost any tennis-warehouse racquet review where they compare a 16x19 to a 18x20 string pattern of the same racquet. They not only mention the difference in the playability but also show the different amount of RPM’s the ball gets when they hit with each racquet.
As for the pro’s you mentioned. You are using people who are playing the highest level of tennis in the world. Of course they can do more with their racquets than what the racquets are meant to do. Why then do you think that many professionals look for the denser string patterns? It’s because it helps them maintain control not only on their shots which they can provide as much spin and power as they want, as well as to help control the power of their opponents ball coming back at them.
@@brodytaylor2020 - Better string durability
Spin is mostly due to technique, a string pattern won’t give you more spin without the technique. I play with 18x20 and can hit more spin than a lot of players with open string patterns and shaped strings. I prefer 18x20 because I can hit up on the ball and still control the launch angle much better.
Brody decent explanation but it’s the lower number going across not down !!🤪🤪
Depends how good your technique is.
Technique and personal preference as well. That’s the great thing about tennis. You get to customize everything to your game specifically
if you try Wilson shift 16x20 you will forget the rest ....
Aside from the string pattern, what did you like about the Wilson Shift?
@@brodytaylor2020
maneuverability as she has 31.5 balance ,excellent control ,super spin ...even the flat players gain spin in their shots .... the fact she has 99 head give a combination of benefits from 100 and 98 ... in my bag I had Wilson clash pro 16x19 and blade 18x20 .... Wilson has create a blend of those two rackets and the result is fantastic ...for me 16x19 and 18x20 does not exist any more in my bag
That’s awesome! Congratulations on finding the Shift and having it work so well for you! Do you only have the one or do you have multiples since you have seemed to find your one true racquet?
@@brodytaylor2020 all my life I loved and used to play with 18x20 but as I get older it's getting difficult to use it and have the benefits ... I also have shift 18x20 but I prefer 16x20... first time with 16x20 and I love it....
@@vassilis3211 Love my 16x20 Shift sooo much
16x20 >>>
That seems to be a more common theme in today’s game
16x19…higher tension
Depends on the type of string used with it. For softer strings a higher tension would make sense, to help gain some control back from a powerful string. For harder strings like polyester’s, a lower tension helps to regain some of the power the string gives up for control
@@brodytaylor2020 you are right on the type string and characteristics. I was saying all other things being equal. So higher tension to obtain similar stringbed power. Which are 3 string you like right now?
Personally, I am a fan of Head Lynx Tour 17G, Tourna Big Hitter Silver 16G or 17G, and Technifibre X-One Biphase 16G to throw a multifilament in there.
get an air purifier