Carlos Alcaraz is using a stock Pure aero vs
- Thread starter staryugi
- Start date
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Hall of Fame
^^ Now the PA98 will start selling out everywhere and more used PAVSs will show up for sale lol
staryugi
Rookie
Its not according to the video, its according to TW forum, the guy took the informations we discussed month ago and put them in his video, i know he’s here under an anonym name, hi jonas!
Last edited:
staryugi
Rookie
Exactly maybe the grommets but the stiffness it’s impossible, a big feel difference between the two racquets!
Lambsscroll
Hall of Fame
Alcaraz, Rune and Fils switched.
Maybe PA98 gave them better feel, that's why they switched
Really loving Fils's game!
staryugi
Rookie
Maybe!
HeavyHitter
Rookie
I was the one that posted Alcaraz's actual racket on the other thread and posted the actual specs. Here is my thought on this subject of how Carlos can play with a "low" swingweight.
I get to practice and play matches with top 50 nationally ranked juniors and also help them with their equipments. Almost all of the juniors in the group now plays with some mods on their frames and all play with different strings and tensions. Most of the equipment changes are recommended by the coaches, parents or determined by sponsorships. Most of the kids ended up with the "modern" spec frames, 290~305g, 32~33cm. Wilson Ultra, Pure aero 98, Head speed mp, Ezone 100. These frames are what I would consider the modern "tweener" frames. Thinner beamed, stiff, open string pattern, fast swinging frames. They're light, easy power, easy to play with, easy to generate head speed. Everything is new for these juniors so their reference of whats better comes from what they feel on court. These kids are home schooled and train up to 6 hrs a day so they know quickly if something is working. Modern tennis is fast on offense and defense, kids are hitting big heavy balls due to the modern frames and poly strings. Most of the juniors started out with similar type of frames and their strokes, technique have developed to maximize what they're using. If I suggest a change to one junior and he ends up playing better or beat another junior than the other kids would ask questions and try it too. Sometimes they'll change to it or it doesn't work out for them. They can feel the changes on court and since they're playing with other high level players, they're quickly able to gauge if the changes are good or not. This is a very condensed version of what happens but it's mostly trial and error and I just help them find what works for them, never forcing anything.
I had one of the bigger boys to try my 350~ swingweight Wilson H22 18x20 frame and to my surprise, actually played good and he actually enjoyed it. But he complained about how small the sweet spot was, how heavy it was, and too hard to play on defense, etc. Everything I also didn't like about it. Basically his 320 swingweight Wilson Ultra can hit just as big but easier with less effort so wasn't interested in changing. Carlos plays with L4 grip, 300g unstrung frame, which is different than what Federer,Djokovic prefers but tennis is a repetitive sport and when you've trained for years trusting your preference, its very difficult to stray away too far from it. Doesn't mean it wrong or won't work, it depends on the person's technique, strength etc.
Carlos probably tried different frames, strings, tensions etc but he probably stuck with what feels good to him and developed his technique and game with it. Even though his game is explosive and fast, if you watch his technique, he's relaxed and effortless. He's a very strong, talented player that is very gifted. Just like how most of us can't play with Federer's actual frame, Carlos's spec won't work for everyone.
If you like the Pure Aero 98, just commit to it and learn the frame, it'll take some time, it's just different than what you're used to.
I get to practice and play matches with top 50 nationally ranked juniors and also help them with their equipments. Almost all of the juniors in the group now plays with some mods on their frames and all play with different strings and tensions. Most of the equipment changes are recommended by the coaches, parents or determined by sponsorships. Most of the kids ended up with the "modern" spec frames, 290~305g, 32~33cm. Wilson Ultra, Pure aero 98, Head speed mp, Ezone 100. These frames are what I would consider the modern "tweener" frames. Thinner beamed, stiff, open string pattern, fast swinging frames. They're light, easy power, easy to play with, easy to generate head speed. Everything is new for these juniors so their reference of whats better comes from what they feel on court. These kids are home schooled and train up to 6 hrs a day so they know quickly if something is working. Modern tennis is fast on offense and defense, kids are hitting big heavy balls due to the modern frames and poly strings. Most of the juniors started out with similar type of frames and their strokes, technique have developed to maximize what they're using. If I suggest a change to one junior and he ends up playing better or beat another junior than the other kids would ask questions and try it too. Sometimes they'll change to it or it doesn't work out for them. They can feel the changes on court and since they're playing with other high level players, they're quickly able to gauge if the changes are good or not. This is a very condensed version of what happens but it's mostly trial and error and I just help them find what works for them, never forcing anything.
I had one of the bigger boys to try my 350~ swingweight Wilson H22 18x20 frame and to my surprise, actually played good and he actually enjoyed it. But he complained about how small the sweet spot was, how heavy it was, and too hard to play on defense, etc. Everything I also didn't like about it. Basically his 320 swingweight Wilson Ultra can hit just as big but easier with less effort so wasn't interested in changing. Carlos plays with L4 grip, 300g unstrung frame, which is different than what Federer,Djokovic prefers but tennis is a repetitive sport and when you've trained for years trusting your preference, its very difficult to stray away too far from it. Doesn't mean it wrong or won't work, it depends on the person's technique, strength etc.
Carlos probably tried different frames, strings, tensions etc but he probably stuck with what feels good to him and developed his technique and game with it. Even though his game is explosive and fast, if you watch his technique, he's relaxed and effortless. He's a very strong, talented player that is very gifted. Just like how most of us can't play with Federer's actual frame, Carlos's spec won't work for everyone.
If you like the Pure Aero 98, just commit to it and learn the frame, it'll take some time, it's just different than what you're used to.
HeavyHitter
Rookie
I've been playing with VS for 10months and now have Pure aero 98's as well. Once the frames are modded to same specs, its very hard to tell the difference. Honestly, I don't think the grommets do anything significant. I break the strings about the same time on both. Pure Aero 98 comes stock slightly heavier so stock to stock, there is a noticeable difference between the two.
staryugi
Rookie
I think you're right, if i wasn't in this forum i wouldn't notice the change of the grommets, and i noticed that alcaraz and rune both started the year by playing with the new paintjob and the old grommets, and they changed the grommets at the same time by january or february ! so maybe it was babolat !
blackfrido
Hall of Fame
don't forget to buy the same grip size Alcaraz uses,
Most of the Rafa's racquet sold are 1/8s People believe no matter what by buying 1/8s grip their game will improve overnight
staryugi
Rookie
Rafa plays with 4 1/4 cuz he puts blister bandages on his hand which with these blisters can bring it to 4 3/8 or 4 1/2 !
blackfrido
Hall of Fame
Si, everybody should apply bandages as well
staryugi
Rookie
we are not talking about the specs to do what the players do, but just cuz his sw and weight are unusual in comparison with other top players, you're a newcomer to this topic so just stop your sarcasm it's not working!
blackfrido
Hall of Fame
I’m at Walgreens buying my bandages Bro, please don’t bother me
staryugi
Rookie
LOL!
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Legend
Nah nonsense his switch to PA98 is why he reached another level this year, VS sucks too much
staryugi
Rookie
he had switched from the vs to pa98 until february, he was playing with the new paintjob and spin grommets before, i still believe vs is better than pa98 by at least 3 points !
staryugi
Rookie
i wanted to ask you something, do you like the lead on 3 and 9 or at 12 in your aero vs ? i read some comments of you saying that you customize it
pico
Hall of Fame
I took it all off. One is stock with 0.5g at 10 and 0.5g at 2. My other PAVS has leather grip and 0.5g at 10 and 0.5g at 2. I have 1.25mm BHS7T in one and 1.30mm in the other. Still deciding which is the better setup. I will be weighing this against the Radical MP as the racquet I want to commit to. The PAVS is ahead so far. The spin just lets me play a little more aggressive and safer.
pico
Hall of Fame
I also felt the lead created an even more dampened feel.
staryugi
Rookie
thanks, did you measure the swingweight stock ?
McEncock
Professional
It is hard to tell the difference for you, maybe not for Rune or Alcaraz. I red on this forum that Murray only played with black cap grommets because other colours cap felt different xD
I bet Carlos and Rune can feel a difference if their racquet of choice's layup is tweaked.
They could accept the difference thought, and switch. Not impossible =)
pico
Hall of Fame
No. I dont have a way to.
pico
Hall of Fame
How is yours customized?
JustNeedsMoreTime
New User
Could it not be to help grip the racquet since he seems to get super sweaty hands? I get really sweaty and the main issue with this is that the grip starts slipping on any hard or off centre shots. I know weightlifters tape their fingers for grip and some players use sawdust so might it be for that purpose rather than blisters?
pico
Hall of Fame
Vs. More stiff.
lidoazndiabloboi
Hall of Fame
Wouldn't a softer racket, that gives you more feel, be better for drop shots?
staryugi
Rookie
No i tried both for hours, vs is the best racquet for dropshots i've ever played with, the pa98 is not even close! my racquet of choice is the blade 18x20 ( its so flexy ) but the pa vs is magic with dropshots and can make me switch at anytime !
staryugi
Rookie
vs 100 percent
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Legend
They made those racquets that different?
staryugi
Rookie
in my opinion yes ! couldnt feel that aero vs dna in the pa 98 !
dgoran
Hall of Fame
I did in hybrid and it’s magic
pico
Hall of Fame
In mains? I assume you used poly in crosses? What tensions? It wasnt overly powerful?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
You control it with spin. I use gut mains in a Pure aero plus, which is a more powerful frame and its still much easier to control than I expected.
Topspin is the answer, that is basically how you control babolats. Also the reason why many rec players, mostly flat hitters, get frustrated while trying to play with those type of rackets. They are made to give easy access to power while spending low energy if the player only focus on spin, as the racket will do the rest.
Alcaraz probably takes advantage of this aspect as it helps to keep the game simple with how easy it is to handle the racket like a toy.
staryugi
Rookie
no bro pa vs is quicker than rf97 v13 in the air and you can go for a drop shot in the last nano seconds of the swing easily, with rf97 v13 you have to plan for it !
pico
Hall of Fame
so does Mannarino LOL
LOL
McEncock
Professional
From my exp
If you like drop shots with a lot of action, it's better that the ball sinks in the stringbzd as much as possible. A stiffer frame helps that phenomenon
However if you like a drive dropshot without huge amount of action on the ball but more precise, yes a softer layup is more suited
bobeeto
Hall of Fame
It’s paint from the balls
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