Anyone else thinks she should go back to her Prince racquet? (No, not because of her one loss to Rybakina) The thing is, I always have to go back to her RG run highlights, her game was more enjoyable to watch - it was better. She definitely had more spin, her shots were loopier, higher launch angle (16x18, albeit tighter, in a 100 sq.in. stick), her BH was more "wristy", she could hit a bigger variety of shots off that side. Her FH was more impressive too. She might have gotten a bit more control with TF but she lost power, spin, that "X" factor...
Not only the 2020 RG run shows this but also other tournaments prior to racquet change (i.e. AO 2020 - matches with Kontaveit or Vekic are there on YT, US 2020, Toronto 2019). I'm not sure about technicalities (spin rate, launch angle, speed, etc.) but I can see with my own eyes several things:
- forehand - before it was a thing of beauty and IMO only Barty's and maybe Osaka's forehands were comparably enjoyable to watch. Iga used her body nicely on the shot. Had a great follow through. Most importantly it was a vicious shot. Very often she would just hit it hard in the middle and most players would be in trouble right away. Now the rallies seem more neutral, even if she has the ball on the forehand. She very often seems out of position for the shot. And more often than not the shot looks ugly - it's like she used her hand only with little help from the body, mostly neutral position, follow-through mostly bellow shoulder. It's like Rafa but ugly.
- drop shots - before she used to a lot of dropshots, and they were good
- touch / feel - her volleys were not great but better than now, she ocasionally did trick shots. Where is this player now?
- serve: second serve was less predictable for opponents, better placement on both serves
- overall: prior to change she was a sight to behold. Whenever she had the chance she went on attack and it was something. She had variety with drop shots and acute angles (good against Saba, Ryba, Penko, Noskova, etc.). Now she just stays at the baseline and exchanges blows while actually her forehand is not as deadly. If the opponent can take it, she is in trouble.
On the other hand - playing post change she won 3 slams, perhaps thanks to the racquet she cut down on unforced errors (although every now and then she still makes them in droves - making one's eyes bleed), but maybe this is only testament to how great she is
