Dominic Thiem's new strings at Indian Wells

SavvyStringer

Professional
It is interesting that he would be playing a prototype string. I wonder if he got it from a current head player. I've heard of players paying for different brand string from that of their sponsor but not having one prototyped by a different company.
 

dr. godmode

Hall of Fame
It is interesting that he would be playing a prototype string. I wonder if he got it from a current head player. I've heard of players paying for different brand string from that of their sponsor but not having one prototyped by a different company.
Lol I am imagining some black market prostock activities between players. There is probably a designated locker at each tournament that players drop off goods for trade into.
 
D

Deleted member 746200

Guest
Looks like he is using shorter strips of lead that usual too.

That’s because he’s using a new frame which is upcoming new strike. Different frame has different specs so it make sense he’s adjusting his personal specs in order to compromise the new frame. Also he didn’t change his specs just the new frame comes with different specs than his original strike...who knows lol


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2nd Serve Ace

Hall of Fame
It does seem odd that Babolat wouldn't have a round poly.

Never liked a shaped poly as a cross.
 
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Call me cynical but I'm not convinced Thiem is/will actually change racquets. More likely it will be some sort of custom layup of his old frame with new grommets and without the x-siders etc. - à la a player using an LM Radical mold without the obvious ridges; just enough to fool the general public. Will be interesting to see Thiem's old and 'new' frame profiles etc. side by side.
 
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Liam Grennon

Professional
It seems very odd to switch strings so abruptly, especially before a big tournament. Also isn't it a bit strange that it's a Head string? I know he can use whatever he wants and he's not afraid to just switch equipment but still. To switch to a new Head string that hasn't even come out yet?
 

haqq777

Legend
Huh? How does anyone know that's a bed of Head string?
There was a picture here somewhere that showed Thiems racquet with Head Hawk strings reel and another protype string by HEAD posted by Tennis Nerd or someone on their Instagram. Will try to dig it up.
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
There was a picture here somewhere that showed Thiems racquet with Head Hawk strings reel and another protype string by HEAD posted by Tennis Nerd or someone on their Instagram. Will try to dig it up.

good luck,, it was removed for a reason,, TW was provably instructed to remove the demo pictures by head,, until they can realease the actual product
what i find more interesting, is that people think he "thiem", would switch to a demo hybrid pack at his level, during the season, but then again,
anything is possible
 

terg

New User
Anyone else saw that the Head Hawk and Head Hawk Touch are made in Austria? I wonder if Head is producing their own string or if they let Isospeed create this polyester for them. At least it's something different then the made in Taiwan strings. Played with it today in 1.25 and liked it a lot.
 

fritzhimself

Professional
Anyone else saw that the Head Hawk and Head Hawk Touch are made in Austria? I wonder if Head is producing their own string or if they let Isospeed create this polyester for them. At least it's something different then the made in Taiwan strings. Played with it today in 1.25 and liked it a lot.

Yes, it's no secret that Isospeed produces its own strings for Head. If you see "Made in Austria" on a string reel/set, Isospeed has certainly made them - there is no other company in Austria that makes the strings. I've been to the Isospeed factory before. The department for quality assurance and test department for strings is really sensational. They test the strings on different machines (mostly self-constructed machines, since nobody designs such machines) for durability, tension stability, elongation at break and other factors. They also make hysteresis measurements and research for the desired properties.

 

rafa_prestige89

Professional
a312425506c58bf4fc3d95eb198997c9.jpg


New string on the mains?


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stephenclown

Professional
a312425506c58bf4fc3d95eb198997c9.jpg


New string on the mains?


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Looks weird, haven't used many strings that colour. Any ideas of what it could be?

Looks more like an origin/BBO/natural colour than other strings babolat offer. Lighting makes it difficult to see if it's more gold though... seems pretty translucent.

If the cross is from HEAD maybe it's two new prototypes?
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Looks weird, haven't used many strings that colour. Any ideas of what it could be?

Looks more like an origin/BBO/natural colour than other strings babolat offer. Lighting makes it difficult to see if it's more gold though... seems pretty translucent.

If the cross is from HEAD maybe it's two new prototypes?
We need to find out What this or What these strings are,,,,,,, cause Thiem is playing insane well, never played better. This is the string that slayed RAFA.
 

rafa_prestige89

Professional
Looks weird, haven't used many strings that colour. Any ideas of what it could be?

Looks more like an origin/BBO/natural colour than other strings babolat offer. Lighting makes it difficult to see if it's more gold though... seems pretty translucent.

If the cross is from HEAD maybe it's two new prototypes?
The cross is hawk touch white for sure, the mains looks amber, like Big Banger Original or another Head prototype.
 

kkm

Hall of Fame
Thiem has had some impressive wins, including against Nadal, but taking Nadal down at the French is different from taking him down at a Masters or any other clay-court tournament. Saying that Thiem’s strings today were the reason for his win makes as much sense as saying that whatever strings he was using last time he beat Nadal on clay were the reason for his win then.
 

stephenclown

Professional
Looks like he is back with natural gut mains.

I don't think so, the gut he used was black and natural doesn't have that amber hue to it. It would either be something like BBO or a prototype, probably a prototype

It's gotta be the strings!

;)


Fedace is known for this so don't worry too much. It would be interesting to see if the change of strings did help that much, moving away from gut with such an extreme swing may have been used to tame some of the inconsistencies in his game. He seems to be tinkering with a few different setups lately so he might settle on something soon.
 

racquetreligion

Hall of Fame
I dont see Thiems improvement anywhere except his frontal lobe closing up making him more patient than before.
Still there are many factors not considered and this does not mean he will dominate like the top 3 have done but
perhaps be another Wawrinka we hope at minimum or better than him as the top 3 decline.
A balance between Patience, Motivation and Hunger is the issue. He has lost to players like Lajovic or SchwazGnome.
He has it all but mental fortitude is the domain of the top 3
 
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