Federer and bigger rackets

J

Jack Romeo

Professional
For those of you who follow Jon Wertheim's mailbag on CNNSI, he again mentioned the possibility of Federer possibly prolonging his stay at the top by switching to a bigger racket. Sampras has gone on record saying he might have been more competitive in his later years, especially on clay if he had used a bigger racket.

Do you think Federer will be too stubborn to experiment with a different headsize?

To me, this issue is similar to the one many players had to deal with in the late 70's-early 80''s when graphite rackets became popular. Some traditionalists insisted on staying with wood. Borg didn't want to switch even during his first failed comeback attempt. Evert also resisted, but eventually relented and it might have been a factor in her gaining back the number one ranking in the middle of 1985, after a few years of being dominated by Navratilova.

Graf is another player who comes to mind. After achieving gigantic success with her old Dunlop, she was passed in the rankings by Seles in the early 90's and started losing more matches to old rivals like Sabatini and Sanchez-Vicario. In 1994, she switched to Wilson. I think this new racket was slightly bigger and lighter than her Dunlop. She started dominating the big events again.

Connors also adapted his equipment later in his career. Although he was too old to be any kind of consistent force in the game, it still enabled a few bright moments for him, most notably his 1991 US Open semifinal run.

Like what Wertheim said, if Roger did switch to a bigger racket, he might be able to buy a few more years where he is more competitive, especially against his fellow top players. Besides, he can always switch back to his old racket if things don't work out as planned.
 
cocolate

cocolate

Banned
Jack Romeo said:
For those of you who follow Jon Wertheim's mailbag on CNNSI, he again mentioned the possibility of Federer possibly prolonging his stay at the top by switching to a bigger racket. Sampras has gone on record saying he might have been more competitive in his later years, especially on clay if he had used a bigger racket.

Do you think Federer will be too stubborn to experiment with a different headsize?

To me, this issue is similar to the one many players had to deal with in the late 70's-early 80''s when graphite rackets became popular. Some traditionalists insisted on staying with wood. Borg didn't want to switch even during his first failed comeback attempt. Evert also resisted, but eventually relented and it might have been a factor in her gaining back the number one ranking in the middle of 1985, after a few years of being dominated by Navratilova.

Graf is another player who comes to mind. After achieving gigantic success with her old Dunlop, she was passed in the rankings by Seles in the early 90's and started losing more matches to old rivals like Sabatini and Sanchez-Vicario. In 1994, she switched to Wilson. I think this new racket was slightly bigger and lighter than her Dunlop. She started dominating the big events again.

Connors also adapted his equipment later in his career. Although he was too old to be any kind of consistent force in the game, it still enabled a few bright moments for him, most notably his 1991 US Open semifinal run.

Like what Wertheim said, if Roger did switch to a bigger racket, he might be able to buy a few more years where he is more competitive, especially against his fellow top players. Besides, he can always switch back to his old racket if things don't work out as planned.
Click to expand...



As Federer huimself said...big player fall in the trap of their own style of game...probably he won't change the head size and probably he won't change his game style...too bad...
 
mellowyellow

mellowyellow

Legend
namelessone said:
Federer doesn't NEED a bigger racket. He won 16 grand slams with this size geniuses.
Click to expand...

Clearly he isn't the Federer that won those tourneys anymore either. He better change something or its just about time to hand it in and step aside. This board will always have someone on here that is under this belief that they could play with any racquet because they are so good and its not the racquet. Get over yourself and realize that in any sport equipment often makes the difference of a players game and their confidence throughout. With all the mishits and UE recently, a few more inches and added power would give him the confidence in his ground game and not have to play to such a high level of concentration on each shot. The racquet may not make him "hit" better but consistency would be helped and the boost in confidence would allow him to play more freely............
 
0d1n

0d1n

Hall of Fame
Jack Romeo said:
For those of you who follow Jon Wertheim's mailbag on CNNSI, he again mentioned the possibility of Federer possibly prolonging his stay at the top by switching to a bigger racket. Sampras has gone on record saying he might have been more competitive in his later years, especially on clay if he had used a bigger racket.

Do you think Federer will be too stubborn to experiment with a different headsize?

To me, this issue is similar to the one many players had to deal with in the late 70's-early 80''s when graphite rackets became popular. Some traditionalists insisted on staying with wood. Borg didn't want to switch even during his first failed comeback attempt. Evert also resisted, but eventually relented and it might have been a factor in her gaining back the number one ranking in the middle of 1985, after a few years of being dominated by Navratilova.

Graf is another player who comes to mind. After achieving gigantic success with her old Dunlop, she was passed in the rankings by Seles in the early 90's and started losing more matches to old rivals like Sabatini and Sanchez-Vicario. In 1994, she switched to Wilson. I think this new racket was slightly bigger and lighter than her Dunlop. She started dominating the big events again.

Connors also adapted his equipment later in his career. Although he was too old to be any kind of consistent force in the game, it still enabled a few bright moments for him, most notably his 1991 US Open semifinal run.

Like what Wertheim said, if Roger did switch to a bigger racket, he might be able to buy a few more years where he is more competitive, especially against his fellow top players. Besides, he can always switch back to his old racket if things don't work out as planned.
Click to expand...

Wow...just...WOW.

mellowyellow said:
Clearly he isn't the Federer that won those tourneys anymore either. He better change something or its just about time to hand it in and step aside. This board will always have someone on here that is under this belief that they could play with any racquet because they are so good and its not the racquet. Get over yourself and realize that in any sport equipment often makes the difference of a players game and their confidence throughout. With all the mishits and UE recently, a few more inches and added power would give him the confidence in his ground game and not have to play to such a high level of concentration on each shot. The racquet may not make him "hit" better but consistency would be helped and the boost in confidence would allow him to play more freely............
Click to expand...

Yeah...he better change his age and get rid of his family...which in turn will help with his footwork and with his "drive and motivation".
When he'll be 23 again his racquet will be great for him. :rolleyes:
 
Cup8489

Cup8489

G.O.A.T.
I must have missed soemthing... Didnt Federer win WTf like 5 months ago using that ancient stick of his, beating the world number 1 at the time? Did I miss somethign? and didn't he only lose to the eventual AO champion who was playing out of his mind but still had to work his butt off for the straight sets win?

Am I missing something?
 
kishnabe

kishnabe

Talk Tennis Guru
sureshs said:
This is a great idea
Click to expand...

LOL..I bet this was your doing.

I think Federer should stick to his 90 inch racquet....it gives him control which is key among his game that others aren't as good as him. Going to a bigger racquet will make overhit.....and there will be less heft in the stroke like you would have with a smaller headsize.....and the control wouldn't be as great.


He would be a melzer if he switched to a bigger racquet.
 
Cup8489

Cup8489

G.O.A.T.
I'll send him my KPS88 and he will win FO, Wimbledon, USO this year.

and then the 88 will be even more legendary.
 
ivan_the_terrible

ivan_the_terrible

Hall of Fame
Didn't Fed make enough of a racket with his gambling involvement? Maybe he should stoke the fires with some drug involvement to make bigger racket

Then his fans will regret even bringing up this topic.

Happy Easter!
 
ninman

ninman

Hall of Fame
This is what Federer needs to start using.

4429888632_ba7bec707f.jpg
 
ryushen21

ryushen21

Legend
Yikes. I thought these threads were over....

Pros rarely actually ever switch frames. Sure the PJ will be different but they find what they like and stick to it. Regardless of whether he is playing well or playing like crap, trying to put a different frame into an already established game and style is not going to change much of anything.

If Fed wanted to switch, he would have switched by now. Obviously he doesn't.
 
tenis1

tenis1

Banned
Jack Romeo said:
For those of you who follow Jon Wertheim's mailbag on CNNSI, he again mentioned the possibility of Federer possibly prolonging his stay at the top by switching to a bigger racket. Sampras has gone on record saying he might have been more competitive in his later years, especially on clay if he had used a bigger racket.

Do you think Federer will be too stubborn to experiment with a different headsize?

To me, this issue is similar to the one many players had to deal with in the late 70's-early 80''s when graphite rackets became popular. Some traditionalists insisted on staying with wood. Borg didn't want to switch even during his first failed comeback attempt. Evert also resisted, but eventually relented and it might have been a factor in her gaining back the number one ranking in the middle of 1985, after a few years of being dominated by Navratilova.

Graf is another player who comes to mind. After achieving gigantic success with her old Dunlop, she was passed in the rankings by Seles in the early 90's and started losing more matches to old rivals like Sabatini and Sanchez-Vicario. In 1994, she switched to Wilson. I think this new racket was slightly bigger and lighter than her Dunlop. She started dominating the big events again.

Connors also adapted his equipment later in his career. Although he was too old to be any kind of consistent force in the game, it still enabled a few bright moments for him, most notably his 1991 US Open semifinal run.

Like what Wertheim said, if Roger did switch to a bigger racket, he might be able to buy a few more years where he is more competitive, especially against his fellow top players. Besides, he can always switch back to his old racket if things don't work out as planned.
Click to expand...

LOL Another poster who knows better than Federer what he needs.
Also bolded part mentioned that Graf was losing to Seles and than "started dominating the big events again" in 1994 and is completely ignorant of the fact that Seles was not playing in 1994 because of stabbing. Absence of Seles due to stabbing had a way bigger effect on Graf "dominating the big events again" than supposed racquet switch. OP failed.
 
Last edited:
jackson vile

jackson vile

G.O.A.T.
Cup8489 said:
I must have missed soemthing... Didnt Federer win WTf like 5 months ago using that ancient stick of his, beating the world number 1 at the time? Did I miss somethign? and didn't he only lose to the eventual AO champion who was playing out of his mind but still had to work his butt off for the straight sets win?

Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Wait, I thought he was too old and etc. If he is too old then certainly suggesting a larger head size of racket is not out of the question?
 
K

kkm

Hall of Fame
It isn't the racquet, not the head size anyway. Courier used the same stick as Sampras to win a couple FOs.
Style of play, people.
 
ryushen21

ryushen21

Legend
I just received word from an insider friend that Fed is indeed switching. He will use a Gamma Big Bubba 29 PJd as a Wilson Cierzo BLX.
 
Cup8489

Cup8489

G.O.A.T.
tenis1 said:
LOL Another poster who knows better than Federer what he needs.
Also bolded part mentioned that Graf was losing to Seles and than "started dominating the big events again" in 1994 and is completely ignorant of the fact that Seles was not playing in 1994 because of stabbing. Absence of Seles due to stabbing had a way bigger effect on Graf "dominating the big events again" than supposed racquet switch. OP failed.
Click to expand...

One should point out the fact that ultimately Seles did not have a massive impact on Graf's domination of the tour... the Head 2 Head suggests such, that Graf was Seles' equal even on clay.. . you make it sound like Graf was helpless against Seles when that's simply not the case.

Most likely, it was a combination of Seles not playing and Graf no longer feeling any pressure from her as a result that allowed Graf to play better quality tennis.




jackson vile, i personally think that while fed is getting older/slower and whatnot that a new frame simply wouldn't make much difference.. other than affecting his comfort level with the current one. I dont think it would help much... his game is based so much on control that he'd make more mistakes, IMHO, with a bigger, higher powered racquet. One user suggested he add more spin to control that power, but that's now how he won 16 majors. He won sixteen majors with smaller frames, flatter spin shots, and attacking.. not adapting by using a bigger frame and more spin. I dont think it would help him.
 
wilkinru

wilkinru

Professional
Hood_Man said:
I'd assume he's tried a larger frame in private somewhere, and didn't like it.
Click to expand...

You know, it would be nice if he said: "in Dec of 2008 he tried and did not like multiple 95 inch rackets made for him by Wilson."

Instead we get a constant denial. We'd love to know if he has tried.

You know why? Cuz we're rooting for you Rog. I didn't like you when you were god of the court, but now your the underdog :)
 
mellowyellow

mellowyellow

Legend
Lets get it straight here. Fed has already admitted that maybe the "new" racquet switch probably helped when he started to dominate the game years ago. I do not see Rafa going to a smaller stick because it makes him all gooey inside when he connects with the ball, he uses what gets the job done the best. Certainly if Rafa had to use the 90 that Fed uses he would not be anywhere near as successful as he has been. Andre said as much that without on oversize he could not play his style of tennis reliably. No doubt 0d1n that age is creeping in, and having a family can be a distraction. I will also throw in motivation for other reasons too, boredom ...... how many times can you beat so many players without losing a set/match and not be bored. Many of his recent loses this year and end of last year are first time losses to those types of opponents. Clearly a lack of competitive play, and then when you think this great rivalry (Rafa) will be a motivator the general consensus that Rafa is/was into PED's would certainly hold you back especially if you are a clean athlete competing for the same tourneys. Hard to be motivated to be better than someone you believe to be using, and has a physical advantage that you realize you will never overcome.
 
jigar

jigar

Professional
He doesn't need advice from Jon Wertheim.
All Jon has to do it write and that is his job.

Roger is the best at what he does and think Jon is not even close to what he does.

Those need to switch racket who can't win anything not even a match.
 
mtommer

mtommer

Hall of Fame
mellowyellow said:
With all the mishits and UE recently, a few more inches and added power would give him the confidence in his ground game and not have to play to such a high level of concentration on each shot.
Click to expand...

Why is it that you hit on an arguably big issue with Fed right now but completely fail to see it as a root cause? In pro tennis, it doesn't matter what sized racquet you use when it comes to having to concentrate at a high level for each and every shot. When you don't concentrate and focus as much as you can, you fail. It's that simple and something Federer is dealing with right now. If Nadal takes even one point off slightly he knows he could lose and I think any pro would tell you that about their own game.
 
D

Deleted member 3771

Guest
Fed cant control a bigger racket, he needs all the control he can get to keep his wayward shots in the court, so he won't be using a bigger racket anytime soon.
 
I

IvanisevicServe

Banned
Racket size means very little to a pro. They actually hit the "sweet spot" consistently.

I doubt Federer's shanks are the result of him just being a LITTLE off. He completely mistimes stuff.
 
J

Jack Romeo

Professional
first of all: i wanted to start this thread because i follow wertheim's column on cnnsi and he brought up this topic once again. additionally, i was reminded of the fact that sampras sort of regretted not experimenting with a larger racket in his later years. i just thought that maybe that would make someone like roger at least think about experimenting, especially since he is getting older and not getting the same results as in years past. of course we all know that he will contend until the day he retires, even with a small racket so i don't know, it just made me wonder.

secondly, not to turn this into another graf-seles thread, all i wanted to point out was that graf wasn't afraid to change equipment in the later part of her career; something that other great champions have done (king, connors, evert). if sampras can wonder aloud whether things would have been different with a bigger racket, then couldn't it be at least a consideration for federer to try it out?

as we all know and as many of you have pointed out, federer has won 16 slams with the small racket. to me, that means that his legacy is sealed. he can stay in the top 3 until the day he retires or he can go on a slow and steady fade from the top of the game and retire 5 years from now ranked in the 50's - either way he'd still be remembered as the GOAT. no one can take away what he has achieved. he basically has nothing to lose anyway. experimenting with a bigger frame is just an experiment - if it doesn't work, he can always go back to what he used previously. but what if it works? what if it does improve things?

(an aside, i believe graf would have regained the top ranking with or without the stabbing of seles because she wasn't far behind in the ranking points, and there were a few weeks in 1991 when she actually did regain the top ranking from seles. they probably would have gone back and forth anyway.)
 
D

DjokerIsTheBest

Banned
Jack Romeo said:
first of all: i wanted to start this thread because i follow wertheim's column on cnnsi and he brought up this topic once again. additionally, i was reminded of the fact that sampras sort of regretted not experimenting with a larger racket in his later years. i just thought that maybe that would make someone like roger at least think about experimenting, especially since he is getting older and not getting the same results as in years past. of course we all know that he will contend until the day he retires, even with a small racket so i don't know, it just made me wonder.

secondly, not to turn this into another graf-seles thread, all i wanted to point out was that graf wasn't afraid to change equipment in the later part of her career; something that other great champions have done (king, connors, evert). if sampras can wonder aloud whether things would have been different with a bigger racket, then couldn't it be at least a consideration for federer to try it out?

as we all know and as many of you have pointed out, federer has won 16 slams with the small racket. to me, that means that his legacy is sealed. he can stay in the top 3 until the day he retires or he can go on a slow and steady fade from the top of the game and retire 5 years from now ranked in the 50's - either way he'd still be remembered as the GOAT. no one can take away what he has achieved. he basically has nothing to lose anyway. experimenting with a bigger frame is just an experiment - if it doesn't work, he can always go back to what he used previously. but what if it works? what if it does improve things?

(an aside, i believe graf would have regained the top ranking with or without the stabbing of seles because she wasn't far behind in the ranking points, and there were a few weeks in 1991 when she actually did regain the top ranking from seles. they probably would have gone back and forth anyway.)
Click to expand...

Seles >>>> Steffi Parche :)
 
BreakPoint

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Jack Romeo said:
Sampras has gone on record saying he might have been more competitive in his later years, especially on clay if he had used a bigger racket.
Click to expand...
Really? Sampras actually said this? When? Where? I've never seen anyone mention this before anywhere on this board. Just kidding.......:)

The fact of the matter is, if Sampras had used a larger racquet during his career, he'd probably now be lamenting that had he used a smaller racquet he might have won one Wimbledon title. Like the old saying goes - "The Grass is Always Greener......." (no Wimbledon pun intended :wink: )

Jack Romeo said:
Evert also resisted, but eventually relented and it might have been a factor in her gaining back the number one ranking in the middle of 1985, after a few years of being dominated by Navratilova.
Click to expand...
Evert switched because Wilson stopped making wood racquets. She had no choice.

Jack Romeo said:
Graf is another player who comes to mind. After achieving gigantic success with her old Dunlop, she was passed in the rankings by Seles in the early 90's and started losing more matches to old rivals like Sabatini and Sanchez-Vicario. In 1994, she switched to Wilson. I think this new racket was slightly bigger and lighter than her Dunlop. She started dominating the big events again.
Click to expand...
Graf switched to Wilson because Dunlop had stopped making her beloved Max 200G in 1993. She had no choice but to switch.

Jack Romeo said:
Connors also adapted his equipment later in his career. Although he was too old to be any kind of consistent force in the game, it still enabled a few bright moments for him, most notably his 1991 US Open semifinal run.
Click to expand...
Connors switched because he finally ran out of his trusted T-2000's. Wilson had stopped making them almost a decade earlier. He had no choice but to switch. Connors even appealed to his fans to send him any T-2000's that they were no longer using.

Jack Romeo said:
Like what Wertheim said, if Roger did switch to a bigger racket, he might be able to buy a few more years where he is more competitive, especially against his fellow top players. Besides, he can always switch back to his old racket if things don't work out as planned.
Click to expand...
It's not the racquet. It's the player. Federer is just not as good as he used to be. It happens to all tennis players. Heck, I'm not as good as I used to be, either. :(
 
N

Netzroller

Semi-Pro
BreakPoint said:
Connors switched because he finally ran out of his trusted T-2000's. Wilson had stopped making them almost a decade earlier. He had no choice but to switch. Connors even appealed to his fans to send him any T-2000's that they were no longer using.
Click to expand...
Seriously!? LOOOL:)

I just tried to imagine Federer posting on his facebook page: "Guys, I ran out of rackets:( Whoever sends me a frame gets a free tennis lesson"
 
mellowyellow

mellowyellow

Legend
mtommer said:
Why is it that you hit on an arguably big issue with Fed right now but completely fail to see it as a root cause? In pro tennis, it doesn't matter what sized racquet you use when it comes to having to concentrate at a high level for each and every shot. When you don't concentrate and focus as much as you can, you fail. It's that simple and something Federer is dealing with right now. If Nadal takes even one point off slightly he knows he could lose and I think any pro would tell you that about their own game.
Click to expand...

What you are failing to see in these very different situations is that if Nadal relaxes a little he still gets the ball over the net and in the court and the opponent has to come up with something to win the point , If Roger is a little lax he loses the point outright. He has no margin with the power and topspin because its too small of a head and a little too flimsy. When confidence is low, pressing because the racquet gives you nothing is not the recipe for success, it equals net tape, and outside the lines. Sometimes in life you need to be realistic, some things may not be what you like best but are what will be in your best interest, and will not necessarily hurt for trying anyway.
 
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