No1e's Racquet

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RadicalMPfan

Rookie
I'm glad everyone cares about me so much, I am utterly flattered. All these feathers I've ruffled simply because I voiced my opinion. One day I'll rack up 1000 posts so I will have "credibility" on an internet forum, LOL. Thank you everyone for correcting me that Novak has a custom layup because his racquet has a lower stiffness rating than any head racquet on the market. My last subjective remark is that Novak's custom layup does not play that differently than a radical MP simply because it has a stiffness rating in the low 50's. Keep in mind that racquets may lose a little stiffness over time from stringing. Has anyone done a test to see how much stiffness a racquet loses over time? Some of you have such conviction that if someone took apart his racquet you would still argue the point. Does anyone have an "intelligent" reply about racquet stiffness loss over time?

I can't wait for all the negative comments that this reply will receive. Bring on the insults, it will make my morning that you people care so much about winning an internet forum argument.
 
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RadicalMPfan

Rookie
Also, a point none of you have brought up, is if he uses a different pallet it would change the stiffness. Simply because a stiffness rating was taken from Greg Raven a few years ago does not warrant deeming his racquet being a custom layup. Good job internet warriors, we have narrowed it down to 4 possibilities.
1. Custom layup
2.Different pallet that lowered the stiffness.
3.Loss of stiffness from stringing and age.
4.I need another verification of this stiffness rating from Greg Raven that was from years ago. I know he is respected on this forum so don't take this as an insult.
 
R

RadicalMPfan

Rookie
According to Greg Nadal's racquet is shorter than the retail which may be the result of stringing machines. He also found that it has a lower flex than the retail version even though many of you argue he doesn't use a custom layup.
 
D

Dave M

Hall of Fame
RadicalMPfan said:
. Custom layup
2.Different pallet that lowered the stiffness.
3.Loss of stiffness from stringing and age.
4.I need another verification of this stiffness rating from Greg Raven that was from years ago. I know he is respected on this forum so don't take this as an insult.
Click to expand...
Some thoughts R M P,
1) At some point virtually all these players would of started with bog standard racquets as kids, it seems that when they get contracts someof them never manage to get used to anything new (so their old frames are made for them with new paint) and others are offered similar but none the less different choices for customisation. Djok's racquet from the specs people who know have posted doesn't match anything like the racquet it is supposed to be. (Anyone aware of the 1st head frame he had?)
2) How would a different pallet change a stiffness reading? (that's a question i'm hoping someone can answer, i don't know)
3) The racquets aren't normally that old when they are retired and while they'll probably have more string jobs on them than most regular peoples in 4 or 5 years in 3 or 4 months, that's not normally enough time for anyone but the ultra sensitive to tell the difference.(not sure it would equate to many points on an rdc machine)
4)Always wise to have more than one source!
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
RadicalMPfan said:
According to Greg Nadal's racquet is shorter than the retail which may be the result of stringing machines. He also found that it has a lower flex than the retail version even though many of you argue he doesn't use a custom layup.
Click to expand...

He uses the original aero pro drive painted to look like the new one. Look at the specs on that release, it has less flex. There are a lot of pictures proving this (they show the painted on cortex).

Not every racquet company does custom layups for all their players. A lot of Babolat players use the retail sticks.
 
R

RadicalMPfan

Rookie
I agree Dave, I doubt any racquet would lose 6 stiffness points from a relatively new frame. I don't know what a different pallet would do, but I'd imagine it would change the flex a little. I don't think I could ever get used to the hollow feel of a babolat even though I like how I hit with them. I'm no expert, but Greg rated Nadal's racquet 65 RA, which is lower than the retail original APD(non cortex).

Too bad we don't have another data point to confirm 51 RA rating.
 
R

RadicalMPfan

Rookie
The reason why this rating is so important, because the "Custom Layup" thesis is based upon one person's data point from a few years ago.(correct me if i'm wrong). I do now tend to believe it is a custom layup, but i doubt he has crazy layers of epoxy and other materials that are different than most quality retail frames. Their is still a small possibility That it is a customized Radical MP until we get an updated stiffness rating.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
No one has said otherwise. We have tried to explain to you that a layup is not the same as a composition but for some reason you still do not seem to get that a layup is simply how the materials are distributed in the frame.
 
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RadicalMPfan

Rookie
So why do people proclaim he uses and custom layup when it is based off one person's data point from years ago? Point is no one knows what pro is using what lay up. People go back and forth on which model Federer's layup is duplicating. But it is accepted that if he uses something other than the current model racquet, that it is the lay up of another model which in my book would be a N.code 90, not a custom lay up. Their is the same chance that Novak is using the same layup as a previous frame that we will never know about. I am done posting about this subject because I have found what I am looking for. I am sorry for having a different, open minded perspective than some of you. I have finally found the perfect racquet that suits my game, Radical MP microgel, leaded and siliconed to 350 grams. There is nothing left to discuss until someone runs a test on his current frame

Thank you fabfed for all the great pictures and specs.
 
R

RadicalMPfan

Rookie
Power Dummy don't push your limits with me again. It obviously changed as people like you informed me more on the questions I had. As you gain more knowledge, your perspective changes. To quote your friends who think those strippers were into them, you are obviously smarter with a different perspective than them.

My perspective is that he is using the mold of my current racquet, and that no one can prove or disprove the notion of it being a custom layup not found on any retail frame out there. I tend to believe he is using a replicate of an older model racquet like many other pros use. But I can't prove that until there is more evidence out, specifically the ever elusive stiffness rating. It still irritates me that people say he uses a racquet that can't be found because no one has the proof to back it up. Either of us good be right, but who knows.

Have a great day power player hope you got an ego boost from your attacking posts.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
It seems like you are the guy with the attacking posts. Power dummy? I mean, c'mon man..lol.

Anyway I told you you are so close that it doesnt matter that much if you lead the stick up the same. I have owned pro molds as have others here and we all say the same thing. Its not a big deal..just match the specs with lead and see how you like it.

It appears your perspective did not change because you still think the same thing about the mold. But it is not really a big deal regardless because I doubt you or I would play our best with noles exact stick setup anyway.
 
D

Dave M

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
regardless because I doubt you or I would play our best with noles exact stick setup anyway.
Click to expand...

Funny you should say that, last summer i was playing with an ex pro's yonex frame, one of those custom made to their specs out of the mold jobs, for a set i was fantastic, anything more than 30 mins my arm needed a trip to the ER, there is just so much difference between their abillities and ours that unless there is a pro out there who puts in the same hours of gym and court time as the rest of us (hmm not a lot) then all these "how can i make my racquet like........." threads are frankly pointless and people need to realise that those specs are achieved by testing, a lot of testing untill they settle on something.

I am having thought more about it fairly certain a pallet couldn't change the flex as i don't think that is where it is measured on the machine. As said above it may be that when a batch of frames was made Nadals person selected the ones for him that are closest to the flex he wanted and they went from there.
 
Meaghan

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Dave M said:
Funny you should say that, last summer i was playing with an ex pro's yonex frame, one of those custom made to their specs out of the mold jobs, for a set i was fantastic, anything more than 30 mins my arm needed a trip to the ER, there is just so much difference between their abillities and ours that unless there is a pro out there who puts in the same hours of gym and court time as the rest of us (hmm not a lot) then all these "how can i make my racquet like........." threads are frankly pointless and people need to realise that those specs are achieved by testing, a lot of testing untill they settle on something.
Click to expand...

Pim Pim's specs are quite something tho Dave, I could get one quality set out of the rdx500mid but the even balance was just too much at 380g or so. Joachim Johansson was an athlete tho.
 
R

RadicalMPfan

Rookie
Dave first of all my thread wasn't "how to make my stick like..." It was more like I customized my radicalMP and fell in love with it. I found this post by fab thread and I had coincidently came close to duplicating his specs. I do not wish to add anymore weight to reach his exact weight because it already feels like a club. I also find that racquets that weigh heavier keep my arm out of the ER. Every time I hit with something lite my arm kills me.
 
T

TennisCJC

Legend
Nadal adds weight to his older APro which may make it test stiffer. Could account for difference in stock racket and Nadal's racket flex ratings.
 
C

CDestroyer

Professional
RadicalMPfan said:
Dave first of all my thread wasn't "how to make my stick like..." It was more like I customized my radicalMP and fell in love with it. I found this post by fab thread and I had coincidently came close to duplicating his specs. I do not wish to add anymore weight to reach his exact weight because it already feels like a club. I also find that racquets that weigh heavier keep my arm out of the ER. Every time I hit with something lite my arm kills me.
Click to expand...

Thats because you:

have slow racquet head speed
poor technique
strings too tight
strings too stiff
racquet too stiff

I know a former ITF tournament player that plays with a 10.5 ounce racquet with a 287 swingweight. Easily has the best kick serve I have ever seen and the most explosive jump off the court on his forehand.
 
R

RadicalMPfan

Rookie
I don't even know why I am responding to you Cdestroyor, most likely for entertainment value. I'm glad you assume all of that based on the fact I find that lighter racquets are harder on my arm. But yes, you did get one of those assumptions correct. I tried a pure drive that was very stiff strung at mid range with NRG mains/ sonic pro crosses. The others I am not addressing because it is a waste of time.
 
D

DannyJK

New User
Djoko Strings

Ive read in other forum posts he uses Gauge 17 ( 1.25 ) for both Gut Mains and Lux Crosses.

Mains at 27.5
X's at 26.5

does this sound correct to you people?

The main question though is;

How does Djoko get his Crosses strung, because his starting knot is at 10h from the pictures provided by Fabfed ( By the way Thank You Fabfed for your efforts )

Thanks for your time.
 
F

Firstking

Rookie
A quick inquiry about this topic, I've read multiple threads and several posts saying his racquet is of the Radical MP mold which began in 1999 and used in the Ti, i, MG, and LM radical MP's from a few years back.

I understand these are really educated speculations, but I was just wondering if someone familiar with this topic could clarify something, since the beam width of his racquet in the pictures provided by Fabfed, is wider (looks to be 22mm) than the retail Speed, which has a listed beam width of 21/20/21mm. Now, I checked the listed specs of the Ti, i, MG, and LM radicals and they all have a listed beam width of 21mm themselves. So is it just likely that his actual mold is the Radical MP mold from 1999-2007 with the possibility of just a wider beam width?

I also recall some people saying (in previous threads) that the bridge area on his racquet is actually different from the MG Radical MP mold. If the MG Radical MP mold is the same as the Ti, i, and LM Radical MP molds, why is it that some people claim the MG Radical MP has a different bridge design compared to the other racquets (I can't say for myself, I only own the LM Radical MP). Also, why would Novak's racquet have a different bridge if it's 100% spot on the same exact Radical MP mold used in the racquets I mentioned previously?

I understand I'm being very picky, but I just wanted to know if anyone could clarify. Thanks in advance for any efforts.
 
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D

DannyJK

New User
I twittered Novak, saying he was just like Fed and Nad with the racquet marketing lies.....money over integrity. I doubt he will give a S tho.

what I have found thus far is there is a distinct correlation between racquet wieght/balance and string tension/strings.... to get the best from your weapon.

I recon somewhere between 340/370 grams racquet wieght with a head light balance is the way forward, because if one has correct fundamentals the racquet will do most of the work.

cant remember the clever person who made the MR2 values but I think they are definately onto something.

Im going to try hard to make excalibur and when I do I will spread this information. but then again the racquet does have to be customised to compliment a players style.

I wish all pro's played with the exact same racquet....then we would truely see who is the BEST.
 
dr325i

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
Who are all these new kids creating all these theories about Novak's racket???

It is much simpler than that, boys...
 
F

Firstking

Rookie
:neutral:

I had a serious question on the matter, albeit a very picky one, hoping to get some insight from posters I know are very educated on this topic, based on my past readings of their posts, but instead I get inaccurately berated as a child. I apologize for provoking anyone to respond with slick remarks, but thanks anyway.
 
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dr325i

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
movdqa said:
Is that your new home or just a visit?
Click to expand...

hahah...just a business trip...for now.
HKG, Shenzhen and Beijing this time.
HKG, Shenzhen and Shanghai first half of September,
and like that (adding more cities + Japan + Korea and Taiwan) every month.
Maybe I should move...or jusr rack up 1M miles :)
 
dr325i

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
Firstking said:
:neutral:

I had a serious question on the matter, albeit a very picky one, hoping to get some insight from posters I know are very educated on this topic, based on my past readings of their posts, but instead I get inaccurately berated as a child. I apologize for provoking anyone to respond with slick remarks, but thanks anyway.
Click to expand...

Just kidding man :)
VSBABOLAT can answer all of your head-a-licious questions.
 
drakulie

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
Firstking said:
:neutral:

I had a serious question on the matter, albeit a very picky one, hoping to get some insight from posters I know are very educated on this topic, based on my past readings of their posts, but instead I get inaccurately berated as a child. I apologize for provoking anyone to respond with slick remarks, but thanks anyway.
Click to expand...

Most likely the mold of an head liquid metal instinct without the ridges.
 
F

Firstking

Rookie
dr325i said:
Just kidding man :)
VSBABOLAT can answer all of your head-a-licious questions.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I didn't mean to rebuke you guys earlier, and I know I'm being very picky, it's just that I wanted clarification and I know this is the best place to get it.
 
movdqa

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
> Maybe I should move...or jusr rack up 1M miles

Asia might be a better place to move stuff given the economic problems in Europe. I guess it's nice to travel but all that travel time is time you could be out on the courts.
 
dr325i

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
movdqa said:
> Maybe I should move...or jusr rack up 1M miles

Asia might be a better place to move stuff given the economic problems in Europe. I guess it's nice to travel but all that travel time is time you could be out on the courts.
Click to expand...

Oh, I am not in Europe any more.
We moved back to the USA (Dallas, headquarters), however, my focus is Asia, business wise. Logically, it would be beter to be close to my focus area, however, all things happen back in Dallas, so...will be going to Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China once per month :) Love it here though, and would not mind living here for a while. Not sure if wife and kids are up for another move a few months after we relocated back to the USA :)
 
movdqa

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Yeah, you sent me a PM on your move a while ago. I assumed that you were single - didn't know that you had a family.
 
Lefty78

Lefty78

Professional
dr325i said:
Oh, I am not in Europe any more.
We moved back to the USA (Dallas, headquarters), however, my focus is Asia, business wise. Logically, it would be beter to be close to my focus area, however, all things happen back in Dallas, so...will be going to Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China once per month :) Love it here though, and would not mind living here for a while. Not sure if wife and kids are up for another move a few months after we relocated back to the USA :)
Click to expand...

Rumor I heard was that dr could never quite get adjusted to the red clay... he had to relocate his family to TX in order to play outdoor HC tennis again.
 
dr325i

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
Lefty78 said:
Rumor I heard was that dr could never quite get adjusted to the red clay... he had to relocate his family to TX in order to play outdoor HC tennis again.
Click to expand...

you know me well.
Tennis_Balla (balerina) tried to get me to like the red junk, but it did not work. Nothing beats HC at 112F in Dallas :)
 
movdqa

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
West Nile has been around in my area for at least ten years. I figure that everyone in my family has already had it.
 
tennis_balla

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
dr325i said:
you know me well.
Tennis_Balla (balerina) tried to get me to like the red junk, but it did not work. Nothing beats HC at 112F in Dallas :)
Click to expand...

Who you calling a ballerina, punk! :twisted:
oh and I never tried to get you on red clay, I understood why you didn't like it.

The worst is red clay indoors, under a bubble. Total and complete utter sh*t. The best place was national training centre at Stvanice but even that turns into a potato field soon enough. Hamer was the worst.
Indoor season coming up, back on the carpet and hard courts. Hope you're doing good in Dallas!
 
dr325i

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
tennis_balla said:
Who you calling a ballerina, punk! :twisted:
oh and I never tried to get you on red clay, I understood why you didn't like it.

The worst is red clay indoors, under a bubble. Total and complete utter sh*t. The best place was national training centre at Stvanice but even that turns into a potato field soon enough. Hamer was the worst.
Indoor season coming up, back on the carpet and hard courts. Hope you're doing good in Dallas!
Click to expand...

Hey man,

I have been in Asia more than in Dallas. However, when home, tennis is good. It is not as hot as it used to be a few weeks ago. My record is playing for 2.5 hours at 111F.

The worst indoor clay was Cibulka. Nevertheless, they all suck indoor. And outdoor, too ;)
 
tennis_balla

tennis_balla

Hall of Fame
dr325i said:
Hey man,

I have been in Asia more than in Dallas. However, when home, tennis is good. It is not as hot as it used to be a few weeks ago. My record is playing for 2.5 hours at 111F.

The worst indoor clay was Cibulka. Nevertheless, they all suck indoor. And outdoor, too ;)
Click to expand...

Was 38C here yesterday, today was pretty hot as well. Haven't played at Cibulka yet though I'll take your word for it, but this cute chic I know plays there sometimes and wants to hit so might go check it out.

Lucky regarding Asia, I'd love to visit Tokyo!
 
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