any idea what racket Hoon Thien How is using? from the match vs LYD/JJS, i think is at900p anyone can confirm that???
^^^^ They dont look like Yonex Towel Grip AC402EX , it seem to be softer and fluffier. yes the original grip been replaced by Duct tape and plastic wrap but I do not understand the purpose of the plastic wrap if you going to wrap around it using towel grip. And I would have thought he would be using BG65 not 80 , could that be depend on the condition of the courts and opposition ? at 32lbs -33lbs tension with BG80 smashing at 230km/h + !!! I am going to miss him when he retires next year
Hardly anyone including the pro players like the overly thick AC402EX I doubt that the black tape is duct tape. That would be too heavy considering how industrial-tough duct tape is. Electrical insulation tape is much more practical. Gade has been using BG80 almost all the way throughout his 10 plus years career, so has the other Danish players. Technically speaking, the higher the tension you use the faster your smashes will be because of the increase in string repulsion.
I thought most pro (especially in singles) uses BG65 but yeah I got your point about the duct tape , it would only be good for adding weight onto racket and changing the balance. But 33lbs with BG80 , that would feel more like 35lbs and still he can make those string repel !! so what Towel grip are they ??
At higher tensions the string bed doesn't flex back. It is the flexing of the racquet that provides the power plus the quick repulsion of the strings. The towel grip should be a local brand that is manufactured in rolls like the Victor ones. They are easier to obtain which is also how the INA camp does it.
It seems to be a professional thing to do following from what I have seen: 1. Remove original grip. 2. Add electrical tape to the handle to protect the wood. 3. Add some layers of excess grip to the bottom of the handle to "build it up" 4. Add your prefered grip, whether towel or overgrip. Both LCW and PG are doing this, as well as TH. Not sure about LD.
Men, the photographer is so cool.. how can he manage to 'stalk' players weapon.. wish we get more photographer like this!!
Just goes to show that the AT900P is also an excellent defensive racket in the right hands - Hoon Thien How's excellent defense effectively beat LYD/JJS single-handedly hehe. I won't be surprised if Hoon Thien How starts using the VT80 next.
Remembering your post elsewhere: AT900P is/was used by many doubles players as well including plenty of ladies
Yes, I didn't realise that. I was having a chat a few days ago with one of the advanced level players in my club and he didn't believe me when I said the VT80 is being used by the pros as a doubles racket too. He said the AT900P would never be used as a doubles racket, but I told him there were a few AT900P doubles players back in the day (in fact, there still are, including Hoon Thien How). I didn't realise there were many using it though. By the way, I'm still trying to work out whether the pro doubles players use a 3U or 4U. Any ideas?
I assume the males will likely use the 3U. Ants mentioned in the past Koo and Tan were using the 2U NS9900 and iirc 2U Ti-10's but should doublecheck on that last one ... (I don'think the doubles game has changed as much as the singles after the introduction of the rally point scoring)
More to me like the infamous gripping style (since i dont know LOL) Any other hint?? there are so many players using AT900T back then, its hard to guess man......
