Looking for Nadal's racket set up

[jmsx521]

I know there are many threads on this... but it got confusing when I was reading in terms of grams of lead tape, SW, etc. I am looking for this to be explained more simple to me. Where do I apply the strips of lead tape (3, 9 o'clock, AM or PM, standard or military time, Pacific or Central zone, around the handle, etc.), and how long do I cut the strips (1-2"... 5-6 feet)? I assume it will not be an exact copy of Nadal's customized frame... but at least I want to try as similar customization as possible.

I have the thin roll of lead tape:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACUNIQUE-LEADSMALL.html

Thanks.

 

[jlan]

Customize it to your needs, not someone else's.

 

[TennisProdigy]

Well I wouldn't know for sure but...
Babolat aeroprodrive (paintjob as aeropro drive cortex)
grip size 2 with babolat syntec overgrip white
babolat gauge 15 poly
6? grams of lead tape at 12

 

[chiru]

Customize it to your needs, not someone else's.

true, but it can't hurt to experiment with a pro's setup and then adjust accordingly. who knows, maybe that setup suits him.

 

[jmsx521]

Well I wouldn't know for sure but...
Babolat aeroprodrive (paintjob as aeropro drive cortex)
grip size 2 with babolat syntec overgrip white
babolat gauge 15 poly
6? grams of lead tape at 12

That makes the head super heavy.... Are you sure about the 6g at 12 o'clock?

 

[SpinningForehand]

It is 15g of lead at 12, 5g in the butt. Babolat duralast strings. 4 1/4 grip.
Regular Aeropro drive, not cortex. I have tried this set up, and I would definetly not try it unless you are in extremely good shape and strong, because my shots were terrible with it. It will probably be a waste of time. But that is his set up anyways.

 

[Micky]

I read he uses Babolat Duralast 15L @ 55.

 

[dgoran]

http://www.hdtennis.com/grs/pro_racquet_specs.html

Depending on your starting weight and ballance as it is well known that they may vary from Racket to Racket due to the babolat poor quality control but: I quote Greg Raven who actually held his racket...:
"...one could add roughly 9.5 grams under the bumperguard near the tip, and about 2.5 grams one inch up from the end of the butt cap to get a racquet with measurements very similar to those of Nadal's racquet."

 

[Jackie T. Stephens]

You usually put the led tape on the side of the racket but in the insides.

 

[jmsx521]

It is 15g of lead at 12, 5g in the butt...

So, if I am using the 1/4" lead tape http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACUNIQUE-LEADSMALL.html which is 0.25g per inch, I would need 4X15g=60 one inch stirps somehow placed at 12 o'clock on the inside of the frame (since I can't put under the bumper-guard)!?

 

[nalk7]

So, if I am using the 1/4" lead tape http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACUNIQUE-LEADSMALL.html which is 0.25g per inch, I would need 4X15g=60 one inch stirps somehow placed at 12 o'clock on the inside of the frame (since I can't put under the bumper-guard)!?

actually you can, i hide my lead tape inside my bumperguard. just remove it, place it on the frame, place the bumper again, string your racquet and boom ur done. you wont even notice its there.

 

[TennisProdigy]

If he does 15 g in the head and 5 g in the butt which sounds accurate I definitely would not use this. This racquet would become head heavy, high swingweight and have terrible mobility. IF you could generate good racquet head speed, then that racquet would award you with monster spin and plenty of pace. I would not last 10 games playing with his set up.

 

[rabidcow]

I would guess that almost no players on this board could use this racket effectively. 15g at 12 is a lot of dead weight, the SW will shoot up massively, I do not recommend attempting this setup.

 

[PED]

I agree with Greg Raven who actually measured Rafa' stick at IW last year. I tried the nadal setup of 9.5g at the top of the hoop and 2.5 in the handle and it hits quite nice. I had some wrist issues and went back to my normal setup. I was using it in the old non cortex apd.

I use an APDC now that I USED to use 8g in the handle and 3g at the top of the hoop, but I've mod'ed that to more of the nadal setup and am using 4g in the handle and 6g at the top of the hoop. I find this setup works better for me but am considering retrying the nadal setup in the apdc since the cortex does tend to help a bit on the harshness.

Give it a shot, the action on the ball is really nice. I would recommend buying the Babolat lead tape as it takes only half the amount to get the desired weight as the gamma tape. Cost wise its the same because the weight is more. It's much easier for example using 9.5 inches of the bab tape in one layer rather than having to add layer upon layer of the gamma tape.

 

[jmsx521]

http://www.hdtennis.com/grs/pro_racquet_specs.html

It looks like Nadal's racket is shorter than normal stock. 26-7/8

 

[kabob]

That 1/8" difference is just normal compression from stringing. It's still 27" long.

 

[tcword]

how do you put lead tape in the butt?

 

[PED]

I wrap it directly on the handle beneath the grip. It does not make the grip any bigger.

 

[paperduetoday]

Its a regular AeroProDrive w/ Cortex. Except they all match in weight and swingweight. I'll post pictures when I can.