Most Pros are using stock racquets

vsbabolat

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
mtommer said:
Uhhhhh.....yeah, no kidding they don't literally have boxes of each model they make just in case a pro may one day want their favorite racquet instead of something new. Ever hear of hyperbole? At the same time, neither is a racquet here and a racquet there being made. Anyone with cf mfg experience knows why.
Click to expand...
They absolutely still make the racquets new! They do full production runs! Never said they made a few. Babolat has production runs going on today for OG AeroPro Drives, OG 1994 Pure Drives, Aero Storms, Pure Storms, Pure Controls, 2000 woofer Pure Drives, AeroPro Drive with cortex, AeroPro Drive with active Cortex, and Pure Drive with Active cortex. That’s what makes it all pro stock. Because they are doing specific production runs for the Pro’s of racquets that are no longer made and sold at the retail level.
 
Last edited:
Anton

Anton

Legend
zipplock said:
Can you buy a 2018 racquet with a 2021 paint job from the manufacturer/retailer? If you cannot buy it, it is pro stock. That is literally what pro stock means, equipment that is available to professionals that is not available to the public.
Click to expand...

Yea but if you can get stock equivalent (PD 2018) then I think it's fair to say she plays a stock frame.

Anyway, there are plenty great stock rackets around (esp today) that can be played at the highest level. Going to give Hailey a pass on this one.
 
U

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Believe something that is being over looked is players tend to stick with the same frame regardless of what the new iterations are of particular frames. Although these players at the top are payed contractually and other professionals at a minimum get free equipment..they don’t constantly switch frames. Staying consistent with a frame is important.
 
TennisHound

TennisHound

Legend
Pros use a different kind of unobtainable carbon fiber and graphite that is only available to certain factory players. Factory sponsored players also have different paint and heat processes, as well as different braids and threading of the pro stock factory carbon fiber graphite strands. They have different head shapes and sizes - 94” 101, 93, 92, etc. different string spacing. Different painting process. Pro stock factory racquets are made in a completely separate factory within a factory
Common knowledge.

Djokovic’s actually racquet is completely removed from anything even resembling a retail racquet. The fiber weaves, paint layers/processes, heat treatment, and different carbon fiber resin/substance are unobtainable to mere retail customers.

Factory Pro stock Racquets are the equivalent of graphite to a retail wood racquet. They are that different.

it has been said that factory pro stock racquets are at least 4-5 years ahead of retail racquets in development.
 
Last edited:
Return_Ace

Return_Ace

Hall of Fame
TennisHound said:
Pros use a different kind of unobtainable carbon fiber and graphite that is only available to certain factory players. Factory sponsored players also have different paint and heat processes, as well as different braids and threading of the pro stock factory carbon fiber graphite strands. They have different head shapes and sizes - 94” 101, 93, 92, etc. different string spacing. Different painting process. Pro stock factory racquets are made in a completely separate factory within a factory
Common knowledge.

Djokovic’s actually racquet is completely removed from anything even resembling a retail racquet. The fiber weaves, paint layers/processes, heat treatment, and different carbon fiber resin/substance are unobtainable to mere retail customers.

Factory Pro stock Racquets are the equivalent of graphite to a retail wood racquet. They are that different.

it has been said that factory pro stock racquets are at least 4-5 years ahead of retail racquets in development.
Click to expand...

You forgot to mention the pixie dust they add as well 8-B
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Keizer said:
Re pro labs: am I correct in my understanding that they gave us H22/H19 mold, but only in one of many possible layups that pros have access to? Just trying to contextualize information I have come across in older threads about these sticks having a range of RAs.
Click to expand...

yeah i mean it’s impossible for wilson to make all the different layup variants they offer to the public,for such a niche item.

the good news is they really struck a great balance between softness and power so the layups are good. I have also hit with an H22 and it felt the same as my Blade pros so the “magic” is there.

ive tried a bunch of frames over this past year and the wilson ultra tour and blade pro rise to the top for me in terms of feel and playability. I also love the retail v7 blade as well. I think Wilson is making great racquets right now.
 
Keizer

Keizer

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
yeah i mean it’s impossible for wilson to make all the different layup variants they offer to the public,for such a niche item.

the good news is they really struck a great balance between softness and power so the layups are good. I have also hit with an H22 and it felt the same as my Blade pros so the “magic” is there.

ive tried a bunch of frames over this past year and the wilson ultra tour and blade pro rise to the top for me in terms of feel and playability. I also love the retail v7 blade as well. I think Wilson is making great racquets right now.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was just trying to get at the extent of the customization different companies offer sponsored pros. Like Head and Wilson offer custom molds and layups while Babolat reps on here seem to suggest they don’t even do custom drill patterns for their pros. I guess too much choice could be a bad thing, but it seems as if the Pro Rooms of these companies don’t have near identical levels of sophistication.
 
U

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
How is it not? Its a stock frame that they modified. Literally anyone who buys a frame can add lead if they wish.
Click to expand...

Players trying to duplicate what a particular player is using is normally not even close when they buy a stock frame from Wilson and in many cases it’s not even the same stock frame they are purchasing.
Point is players have to use what works for them and not what they see some player using on the Tennis Channel.
Federer’s frame is about as close as one will get buying a stock frame they see a player using.
These pro lab frames are awesome I am sure. Worth buying if you already have the latest versions of the 16x19 and 18x20 Blades. I doubt it. Have hit with the H19 and H22’s used by professional players. Generally too flexible and low powered for recreational players.
 
Last edited:
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
USPTARF97 said:
Players trying duplicate what a particular player is using is normally not even close when they buy a stock frame from Wilson and in many cases it’s not even the same stock frame they are purchasing.
Point is players have to use what works for them and not some player they see on the Tennis Channel.
Click to expand...
Thats great, but has barely anything to do with what i said.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Keizer said:
Yeah, I was just trying to get at the extent of the customization different companies offer sponsored pros. Like Head and Wilson offer custom molds and layups while Babolat reps on here seem to suggest they don’t even do custom drill patterns for their pros. I guess too much choice could be a bad thing, but it seems as if the Pro Rooms of these companies don’t have near identical levels of sophistication.
Click to expand...
Theres a lot of articles on the wilson pro lab out there. Its pretty cool. Honestly, wilson has offered some pretty great signature frames that are close to or at the same weighting and flex (rf97, serena, nishikori) and ppl either conspiracy theory that its not the exact same frame (rf97) or just dont buy them (nishikori sig).
Prince did a similar thing with the isner beast.
 
U

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
Thats great, but has barely anything to do with what i said.
Click to expand...

How so? You are claiming people can just buy the stock frame they see the player using and add lead. In many cases that isn’t even the stock frame that they see. It’s a different stock frame painted to look like the current frame. Thats my only issue. The H19 and H22 are great frames no doubt. Better have someone that knows what they are doing to set them up if you purchase these frames.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
USPTARF97 said:
How so? You are claiming people can just buy the stock frame they see the player using and add lead. In many cases that isn’t even the stock frame that they see. It’s a different stock frame painted to look like the current frame. Thats my only issue. The H19 and H22 are great frames no doubt. Better have someone that knows what they are doing to set them up if you purchase these frames.
Click to expand...

its almost as if this was not addressed multiple times in posts above. Not interested in arguing semantics.
Plenty of us know how to set up our frames though, thanks.
 
J011yroger

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
USPTARF97 said:
Players trying to duplicate what a particular player is using is normally not even close when they buy a stock frame from Wilson and in many cases it’s not even the same stock frame they are purchasing.
Point is players have to use what works for them and not what they see some player using on the Tennis Channel.
Federer’s frame is about as close as one will get buying a stock frame they see a player using.
These pro lab frames are awesome I am sure. Worth buying if you already have the latest versions of the 16x19 and 18x20 Blades. I doubt it. Have hit with the H19 and H22’s used by professional players. Generally too flexible and low powered for recreational players.
Click to expand...

H19 maybe but I was hitting rockets with the H22.

J
 
U

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
J011yroger said:
H19 maybe but I was hitting rockets with the H22.

J
Click to expand...
The new one or an H22 that you have had? Ive hit with an older one that had been customized and weighted and could blast the ball. The naked frame at 305 I would imagine needs some weighting to get the power going.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
USPTARF97 said:
The new one or an H22 that you have had? Ive hit with an older one that had been customized and weighted and could blast the ball. The naked frame at 305 I would imagine needs some weighting to get the power going.
Click to expand...

Not so. They come with high SWs. Mine swing right at 350 strung with a 305 unstrung static weight. You can crush the ball with them. Great sticks and rapidly becoming my go to’s.
 
U

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
Not so. They come with high SWs. Mine swing right at 350 strung with a 305 unstrung static weight. You can crush the ball with them. Great sticks and rapidly becoming my go to’s.
Click to expand...

The only ones I have hit with were modified. Would love to have a Blade Pro 18x20.
 
onehandbh

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
I’ll ask some more of the pros I know.

I would imagine that the top singles players get more endorsements/publicity and attention from the racquet manufacturers than the doubles players.

There is a now retired ex-ATP who was on the top 100. He had all kinds of weird custom racquets in various drill patterns from Wilson. Also a PT57A or pro tour 630 painted like the liquid metal radical.
The liquid metal paintjob was funny to see in person.
 
J

jmnk

Hall of Fame
vsbabolat said:
They absolutely still make the racquets new! They do full production runs! Never said they made a few. Babolat has production runs going on today for OG AeroPro Drives, OG 1994 Pure Drives, Aero Storms, Pure Storms, Pure Controls, 2000 woofer Pure Drives, AeroPro Drive with cortex, AeroPro Drive with active Cortex, and Pure Drive with Active cortex. That’s what makes it all pro stock. Because they are doing specific production runs for the Pro’s of racquets that are no longer made and sold at the retail level.
Click to expand...
trying to understand. So If I have a never used still in plastic Pure Drive purchased back in 1995 time frame at a regular sports equipment store - I do _not_ have a pro stock racket. But if I happen to get the _exact same racket_ today, because a given pro for whom Babolat made that racket in 2020 gave it to me, still in plastic - then I do have a pro stock. Now, if I put them in a closet and randomly take one - how would I know if I picked a pro stock or a non-pro-stock?
 
vsbabolat

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
jmnk said:
trying to understand. So If I have a never used still in plastic Pure Drive purchased back in 1995 time frame at a regular sports equipment store - I do _not_ have a pro stock racket. But if I happen to get the _exact same racket_ today, because a given pro for whom Babolat made that racket in 2020 gave it to me, still in plastic - then I do have a pro stock. Now, if I put them in a closet and randomly take one - how would I know if I picked a pro stock or a non-pro-stock?
Click to expand...
You missed it completely
 
mtommer

mtommer

Hall of Fame
vsbabolat said:
You missed it completely
Click to expand...
No, we get it. Your problem is one of semantics and if you want to go down that route, fine, let's go down it. Technically, by definition, any racquet owned by a pro is "pro-stock". It's in their stock of racquets and they're a pro. Disagree? Well, I guess you just miss it completely.

You know, why is it that anybody even knows or cares about pro stock? The answer to this, the whole reason why companies paint job racquets to begin with, the reason why the RF97 sells so well, is pertinent as to what constitutes the importance and discussion of pro stock to people overall.
 
U

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Have looked at Djokovic’s, Dimitrov’s, Haas frames and several other professional players racquets when in stringing rooms at events. Not only are most of them not the actual paint job but it was difficult to figure out what frame they even were and anything short of taking the frame apart there was no way to figure out what exactly was done to them. Frames for the most part were heavier than any production frame out there.
The new H22 and H19, Wilson 6.1 95 18x20, and the RF97 are about as close as your gonna get to the majority of professionals players racquets. People want the best frames frames they can possibly get which is cool but these frames aren’t always a good fit for 3.5-5.5 players. If you are into buying a lot of frames save your money and buy one of Dimitrovs or Haas racquets for example. You will get an idea.
There are videos online of people taking apart their frames to get an idea of what is done to them. Leaves people scratching their head saying not sure what has been done here.
Watch the tennis channel. WTA event on now. Look at the women’s frames that play with Wilson. Not all but the majority are gloss painted frames. Not stock frames or current off the shelf frames.
 
Last edited:
J011yroger

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
USPTARF97 said:
The new one or an H22 that you have had? Ive hit with an older one that had been customized and weighted and could blast the ball. The naked frame at 305 I would imagine needs some weighting to get the power going.
Click to expand...

I don't know who it was made for but it was the black and green blade PJ glossy and it felt great and I murdered the ball with it.

The H19 felt great and hit a nice ball but it needed a little more sting for my tastes.

J
 
B

beez71

Rookie
I just thought I would add my two cents here. I'm not looking for a debate but just thought this might be useful information for anyone really wondering what "most" pros do. As a former #1 player at a D1 school I have played many professional players. Most of them do use retail sticks. They came up playing just like we do and that's what was available when they were coming up and what they are used to. Many, not all, do add lead/silicone to suit their preferences. In my day most of the professional players had endorsements. They would receive a certain number of retail frames per year for free. That's it, no magic. They were as good as they were because they played ALL the time and were talented athletes. Even in my day people were dying to know what magical equipment even I was using....Wilson Pro Staff 85 and later the Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 Classic. I basically just bought what my idols used and got used to that. I have no doubt that when you start making the big bucks and equipment manufacturers want to name a stick after you then you have a lot more options and can have something built specifically for you. Most pros aren't the guys you see on TV. Take it for what it's worth.
 
J

jmnk

Hall of Fame
vsbabolat said:
They absolutely still make the racquets new! They do full production runs! Never said they made a few. Babolat has production runs going on today for OG AeroPro Drives, OG 1994 Pure Drives, Aero Storms, Pure Storms, Pure Controls, 2000 woofer Pure Drives, AeroPro Drive with cortex, AeroPro Drive with active Cortex, and Pure Drive with Active cortex. That’s what makes it all pro stock. Because they are doing specific production runs for the Pro’s of racquets that are no longer made and sold at the retail level.
Click to expand...
jmnk said:
trying to understand. So If I have a never used still in plastic Pure Drive purchased back in 1995 time frame at a regular sports equipment store - I do _not_ have a pro stock racket. But if I happen to get the _exact same racket_ today, because a given pro for whom Babolat made that racket in 2020 gave it to me, still in plastic - then I do have a pro stock. Now, if I put them in a closet and randomly take one - how would I know if I picked a pro stock or a non-pro-stock?
Click to expand...
vsbabolat said:
You missed it completely
Click to expand...
@vsbabolat - thx for the note. yeah, I thought that I had to be missing something. Would you mind to elaborate where is the fault in my line of thinking?
 
B

blablavla

G.O.A.T.
jmnk said:
@vsbabolat - thx for the note. yeah, I thought that I had to be missing something. Would you mind to elaborate where is the fault in my line of thinking?
Click to expand...

I'm not involved with any tennis racket brand or manufacturing, so take it for what you think it is worth

1. apparently over time the graphite / resin matrix develops cracks, so the racket that you purchased (theoretically) in 1995, by now should have developed cracks and therefore softened, which means that it will be "flexier", or given all else being equal, it will generate less pace / spin when hitting the ball

2. lucky you if you purchased some rackets in 1995 and kept them "pristine". The thing is, I for example can't go to a store, be it brick & mortar or online like TTW and order that frame.
So, when a pro player gets that racket, freshly produced in 2020 or 2021 it is unavailable to the public, but it is available to the pro player.
Isn't this a "pro stock" frame?

3. leaving the hyperbole aside.
While today you might still find the Pure Drive in 2018 paint job, in 1 or 2 years down the line you'll probably not be able to find them anymore.
At the same time, a pro player will still have access to the PD 2018. Is it a "pro stock" now?

4. Now let's take the #3 and develop it a notch further.
A pro player plays with a PD 2018 painted like PD 2020/ 2021.
Say I have seen how this pro player plays, fell in love with the style and want to purchase that frame.
Where can I go today, and purchase that PD 2018 in a PD 2020/ 2021 paintjob?
this is where for me that PD 2018 painted like PD 2020/ 2021 is not available, but it is available for a pro player.
"Pro Stock"?

5. Let's take the #4 and develop it a bit.
Say this pro player plays another 10 years with the same PD 2018 painted like PD 2020/ 2021.
If today I could still buy a new PD 2018, in the PD 2018 paintjob, where can I buy a "pristine" PD 2018 10 years down the line?
and where can I buy the PD 2018 10 years down the line in the paintjob that will be used by this player 10 years down the line?
 
Last edited:
M

michael valek

Hall of Fame
Have played with some head pro frame and some pacific pro stock. Both were a bit meh. However now have some h22 and I am blown away every time I use them. I’m sure they are made of vibranium. I haven’t tried a Wilson pro lab blade but why would I? I never tried a retail frame which felt that good apart from a Becker world champ frame which is the only thing which feels as well made, but with less power. Just enjoy tennis I say if you aren’t in lockdown. I am :cry:
 
J

jmnk

Hall of Fame
blablavla said:
I'm not involved with any tennis racket brand or manufacturing, so take it for what you think it is worth

1. apparently over time the graphite / resin matrix develops cracks, so the racket that you purchased (theoretically) in 1995, by now should have developed cracks and therefore softened, which means that it will be "flexier", or given all else being equal, it will generate less pace / spin when hitting the ball

2. lucky you if you purchased some rackets in 1995 and kept them "pristine". The thing is, I for example can't go to a store, be it brick & mortar or online like TTW and order that frame.
So, when a pro player gets that racket, freshly produced in 2020 or 2021 it is unavailable to the public, but it is available to the pro player.
Isn't this a "pro stock" frame?

3. leaving the hyperbole aside.
While today you might still find the Pure Drive in 2018 paint job, in 1 or 2 years down the line you'll probably not be able to find them anymore.
At the same time, a pro player will still have access to the PD 2018. Is it a "pro stock" now?

4. Now let's take the #3 and develop it a notch further.
A pro player plays with a PD 2018 painted like PD 2020/ 2021.
Say I have seen how this pro player plays, fell in love with the style and want to purchase that frame.
Where can I go today, and purchase that PD 2018 in a PD 2020/ 2021 paintjob?
this is where for me that PD 2018 painted like PD 2020/ 2021 is not available, but it is available for a pro player.
"Pro Stock"?

5. Let's take the #4 and develop it a bit.
Say this pro player plays another 10 years with the same PD 2018 painted like PD 2020/ 2021.
If today I could still buy a new PD 2018, in the PD 2018 paintjob, where can I buy a "pristine" PD 2018 10 years down the line?
and where can I buy the PD 2018 10 years down the line in the paintjob that will be used by this player 10 years down the line?
Click to expand...
thx. Are you asking _me_ those questions? or @vsbabolat ? I have no problems with someone considering, for example, a PD 2018 in PD 2020 paint job a 'pro stock'. I just want to know if @vsbabolat thinks that way too.
 
am1899

am1899

Legend
J011yroger said:
I don't know who it was made for but it was the black and green blade PJ glossy and it felt great and I murdered the ball with it.

The H19 felt great and hit a nice ball but it needed a little more sting for my tastes.

J
Click to expand...

Have any thoughts of switching to the H22?
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
michael valek said:
Have played with some head pro frame and some pacific pro stock. Both were a bit meh. However now have some h22 and I am blown away every time I use them. I’m sure they are made of vibranium. I haven’t tried a Wilson pro lab blade but why would I? I never tried a retail frame which felt that good apart from a Becker world champ frame which is the only thing which feels as well made, but with less power. Just enjoy tennis I say if you aren’t in lockdown. I am :cry:
Click to expand...

h22s are indeed amazing. The pro labs feels and plays the same so if you need more its a safe bet. Additionally, being able to get them in either string pattern is quite nice. The feel is rather fantastic, plus there is real power. Tough frame to beat.
 
B

blablavla

G.O.A.T.
jmnk said:
thx. Are you asking _me_ those questions? or @vsbabolat ? I have no problems with someone considering, for example, a PD 2018 in PD 2020 paint job a 'pro stock'. I just want to know if @vsbabolat thinks that way too.
Click to expand...

yes I am asking you, because @vsbabolat made it very clear that prostock is any racket that is not available to the general public but is available to the pro players
and you came up with your silly example of but what if I can still buy a PD 2018 or what if I bought a racket 15 years ago
 
W

WNB93

Semi-Pro
I see there's a lot of thought in this forum that the players are using some magic wand tennis rackets.
The fact is that most tennis players are given retail frames to test when switching brands or something like that.
They are also of course given the new models to test just in case they'd prefer that.

There are companies like Wilson and Head with their H22's and *insert weird Head pro stock code here*'s that were never available to the consumer.
But then there are also companies like Yonex and Babolat that give the players a frame to play with and it is a retail version of a current or previous model.
I see there's a lot of WTA players playing with the Yonex SV 100 in the latest Vcore paint job. There's also a lot of Babolat players playing with older versions of the pure drives and aeros. Of course made to their specs. But you can achieve the same result with lead.
And there's players that are not in the top 100 that get whatever frame the manufacturer is selling. I was surprised but a pro told me that the he gets whatever version of the Head Extreme line (6-8 ones with about the same weight and balance) is out because he cannot afford to buy 6-12 rackets per year along with string. So he's happy just to get anything for free. You'd be surprised with how little tennis players are actually left at the end of the season.

They do not have some technology in the frames that we'll never get our hands on. I've played with them, strung them, checked them as much as I could, asked around...it's just a racket in the end.
 
dr325i

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
mtommer said:
No, we get it. Your problem is one of semantics and if you want to go down that route, fine, let's go down it. Technically, by definition, any racquet owned by a pro is "pro-stock". It's in their stock of racquets and they're a pro. Disagree? Well, I guess you just miss it completely.

You know, why is it that anybody even knows or cares about pro stock? The answer to this, the whole reason why companies paint job racquets to begin with, the reason why the RF97 sells so well, is pertinent as to what constitutes the importance and discussion of pro stock to people overall.
Click to expand...
What the heck are you talking about? You are now trying to prove some point that does not exist and you know that.
If the racket was produced in 2008 and discontinued in retail sales but still produced under a different PJ (that may slightly alter its original weight, etc.) and only offered to pro players, it is a Pro Stock, end of story.
You may have a SIMILAR thing that Kenin is using or a similar thing that Simon is using or that Rafa is using, however, you cannot get the same thing they are using today nor you could get it back then when it was sold as the retail racket.
Why does yellow Bab sell so well? Why is the Speed the best seller for Head? It is obvious why RF97 sells well...
 
dr325i

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
WNB93 said:
I see there's a lot of thought in this forum that the players are using some magic wand tennis rackets.
The fact is that most tennis players are given retail frames to test when switching brands or something like that.
They are also of course given the new models to test just in case they'd prefer that.

There are companies like Wilson and Head with their H22's and *insert weird Head pro stock code here*'s that were never available to the consumer.
But then there are also companies like Yonex and Babolat that give the players a frame to play with and it is a retail version of a current or previous model.
I see there's a lot of WTA players playing with the Yonex SV 100 in the latest Vcore paint job. There's also a lot of Babolat players playing with older versions of the pure drives and aeros. Of course made to their specs. But you can achieve the same result with lead.
And there's players that are not in the top 100 that get whatever frame the manufacturer is selling. I was surprised but a pro told me that the he gets whatever version of the Head Extreme line (6-8 ones with about the same weight and balance) is out because he cannot afford to buy 6-12 rackets per year along with string. So he's happy just to get anything for free. You'd be surprised with how little tennis players are actually left at the end of the season.

They do not have some technology in the frames that we'll never get our hands on. I've played with them, strung them, checked them as much as I could, asked around...it's just a racket in the end.
Click to expand...
Don't think you got that right all the way...
First of all, plenty of sponsored players outside of top 100 do get all kinds of Pro stocks (in Head terms the TGT and PT frames), difference is the amount of frames and a check that comes along with that (just like everything else in life).

Second, again, to use the Head example, Head has created the TGT version, pro stock version of the Retail frame, not because they put some magic dust in it (exactly the same layup as retail, same factories) but to allow for wide range customization and to allow players to test and adjust as needed. FYI, I've had a few of Stan's 95d uncustomized frames and Yonex does the same thing -- these were not fully foam filled and were about 20g lighter than the retail 95d.

The "PT" and H19/H22/H25/P25/...frames are also offered to a broader range then top XX players.
 
dr325i

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
TennisHound said:
Pros use a different kind of unobtainable carbon fiber and graphite that is only available to certain factory players. Factory sponsored players also have different paint and heat processes, as well as different braids and threading of the pro stock factory carbon fiber graphite strands. They have different head shapes and sizes - 94” 101, 93, 92, etc. different string spacing. Different painting process. Pro stock factory racquets are made in a completely separate factory within a factory
Common knowledge.
Click to expand...
Not completely true. Most Pro stock rackets are built out of the same layup and in same factories as the retail frames. There is nothing special about them except they start lighter and allow for broader range of customization.
However, there is a group of "Special" Pro stocks that use different layups that are not exported to China for manufacturing. Some of those have special molds (TK348, TK313, some of Dimitrov previous molds, etc.) and string patterns (Djokovic uses a special (for now) 18x19 pattern, while Verdasco for example is using the same mold in a "standard" 16x19 pattern used on other 95 sq. in Head frames).

TennisHound said:
Djokovic’s actually racquet is completely removed from anything even resembling a retail racquet. The fiber weaves, paint layers/processes, heat treatment, and different carbon fiber resin/substance are unobtainable to mere retail customers.
Click to expand...
It is different but not really what you say. It uses the existing twin-tube technology and it has it's own layup that is similar to once retail PT10 layup. The paint quality is no different than the retail (and is done as the same factory as the retail sticks), just with the option of matte (Murray) or Glossy (Djokovic...)

TennisHound said:
Factory Pro stock Racquets are the equivalent of graphite to a retail wood racquet. They are that different.

it has been said that factory pro stock racquets are at least 4-5 years ahead of retail racquets in development.
Click to expand...
This is completely wrong for the most of pro stock versions. See above (underlined)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Tenny
Do they use stock racquets or customized or paintjob racquet
Replies
4
Views
911
Phil
Phil
TW Staff
How the Pros Playtest & Demo New Tennis Racquets or Shoes?! Top 35 WTA Doubles Player, Hayley Carter, Talks Gear Changes for 2021!
Replies
2
Views
582
TW Staff
TW Staff
B
What makes pro stock racquets better?
Replies
22
Views
3K
time410s
time410s
T
  • Poll
The poll: How close are "stock" pro racquets to the retail version?
Replies
8
Views
833
stoo
stoo
L
All Pros using lead tape?
Replies
4
Views
1K
Simplicius
Simplicius
Top