Carlos Alcaraz is using a stock Pure aero vs
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lidoazndiabloboi
Hall of Fame
I think Alcaraz uses a synthetic grip, not leather
If Raz and Rune are using the new Ra65 PA98 then it seems to be suiting Raz more than Rune
Raz has extra time on the ball but Rune has gone to pushing and mainly defending points
If this is the case Rune should go back to the higher RA model he was bombing serves with in his Paris win
Raz has extra time on the ball but Rune has gone to pushing and mainly defending points
If this is the case Rune should go back to the higher RA model he was bombing serves with in his Paris win
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buttercluck
New User
The debate is over...static weight is 306g or basically stock form. Straight from the horses mouth
FrankyRelax
Semi-Pro
Hmm. Don't believe it. Someone here played with that racquet and they said it was terrible. This has to be deep fake
McEncock
Professional
Remember, this is a Babolat video and all the players are PAID for saying what they say.
They are not even holding their real racquet lol. Fognini's PD have always been glossy...
That said, you can have very low static weight and very high swingweight. 306g static doesnt tell us anything, thought I personally think Raz is not using a very high swingweight.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
The debate is over: Yes, low swing weight does cause cramping.
HeavyHitter
Rookie
The next gen players are changing the way we view our equipment by doing things differently. Does it mean it's better or worse? It depends on how you look at it. We're obsessed with what the top "older" players are using because they're amazing at what they do. Most of these amazing old gen players have used their frames since their teens and have made changes to improve their game. The pros are playing and training almost every day at the highest level and are world-class athletes. Their demands are much different than most rec players. They're also stubborn as its very hard to change anything drastic as pro tennis schedule doesn't have long breaks to test and adjust to new equipments. Look at Murray, how he was open to change few years ago and eventually ended up with his old trusty heavy, demanding frame from decades ago. Muscle memory, feel, and preference are hard to erase in a sport where these are some key elements to the consistency where the margins are so small. I remember Fed changing to the new frame and struggling for almost a year before he started to have good results.
Pure Aero VS/98 is like a race car, its stiff, swings fast, open string pattern, etc are designed to give you max performance at the cost of "subjective" feel and comfort. Flexible, muted frames might feel nice for weekend warriors and might provide some extra comfort but its all relative. The pros are built different, their needs are not the same as rec players.
Test frames, find one that you like, stick to it for at least 3-4 months. Test different strings and tensions and find what works for you. Goto a local Junior level tournaments (high level like 6), and ask the juniors what they're using. Most juniors aren't obsessed with specs, they play with what works for them(winning). They're more relatable to rec players. Another problem I see often at rec level are the balls. If you're using balls like Penn Championship or Wilson Championship which are sold at most walk-in stores, the pro specs will def not play good at all with these types of balls. These balls are tight woven, light and plays very fast. You don't need high swingweight or even polystrings for these balls.
Pros play with fresh new balls almost all of the time. Ive watched Federer practice and they opened 4 new cans for 1hr practice. It's very different. Use pro specs as a reference or something you can work up to by getting fitter and getting better. Don't obsess over it.
Pure Aero VS/98 is like a race car, its stiff, swings fast, open string pattern, etc are designed to give you max performance at the cost of "subjective" feel and comfort. Flexible, muted frames might feel nice for weekend warriors and might provide some extra comfort but its all relative. The pros are built different, their needs are not the same as rec players.
Test frames, find one that you like, stick to it for at least 3-4 months. Test different strings and tensions and find what works for you. Goto a local Junior level tournaments (high level like 6), and ask the juniors what they're using. Most juniors aren't obsessed with specs, they play with what works for them(winning). They're more relatable to rec players. Another problem I see often at rec level are the balls. If you're using balls like Penn Championship or Wilson Championship which are sold at most walk-in stores, the pro specs will def not play good at all with these types of balls. These balls are tight woven, light and plays very fast. You don't need high swingweight or even polystrings for these balls.
Pros play with fresh new balls almost all of the time. Ive watched Federer practice and they opened 4 new cans for 1hr practice. It's very different. Use pro specs as a reference or something you can work up to by getting fitter and getting better. Don't obsess over it.
mtommer
Hall of Fame
Is it them doing it or is it more the case that they are simply following where the industry has taken them? When they first started out as juniors, they had no notoriety, no sponsors, and parents bought their equipment from the same places you or I go to, ie retail off the shelf racuets. As they progressed, unless a coach or training facility had a reason to push x or y model/brand, I'd imagine they would just keep using what has been working for them. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that what next gen players are doing, with today's equipment, is proving that the long held tennis orothodoxy regarding "needed" equipment specifications isn't so accurate.
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Hall of Fame
As a competitive athlete I wouldn't be using whats been working for me I'd be constantly looking for whats the best what's a better setup
Then with this method you would seek Head for a Nole setup. In one of the Tennisnerd vids a practice partners crushed
OHBH and pretty much all the balls with the same prostock Novak uses. I didnt see his overheads but I would assume a setup
like Griekspoor's TF is a more suitable modern racquet than Novak's for players who like to generate their own pace.
Watch his recent win and witness the magic wand ability he has albeit serve, mind and specially "counter-punching" is no where near Novak
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Babolat racquets cause cramping.
power_backhand
Rookie
I am super skeptical. The male ego alone pushes us to want to have heavier racquets. This same mystery surrounded nadal. Everyone thought he had a light racquet. Now with the release of the pure aero Rafa origin, we know he has an insane 370 swing weight. The only reason that happened is because he’s about to retire and no longer relevant in racquet sales. Trust me, Alcaraz is probably some where in that insane 370 ballpark. You don’t put all of those hard yards in at the gym and become one of the most athletic players in history just to play with a racquet that’s lighter than everyone else. The only way I’ll believe he has stock specs (like a 330 SW) is if a reliable source gets his racquet and puts it on an RDC machine, with video evidence revealing a 330 SW and an autographed racquet with date and tournament they got it. Until then I’m pretty sure he’s up there with nadal, moya, and djokovic with a swing weight us mortals wouldn’t be able to play a set with. Remember this is s guy who is in his prime (or maybe approaching his prime? Scary!), over powering everyone on tour including djokovic and medvedev. He must have among the highest swingweight on tour. It’s all about racquet sales guys and that racquet is way over priced. The best way to relate is to say alcaraz bringing a stock aero vs to play djokovic at the French open semi final would be like bringing a target racquet to a 4.5 league match.
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Aestheticsaboveallelse
Hall of Fame
Alcaraz swings extremely fast though and would need a lighter racquet I don't think its possible to swing a very heavy that fast. Nadal and Djokovic are less swing speed and more plow thus heavier
power_backhand
Rookie
It possible, but I’m super skeptical because the same thing happened with nadal. We are just now learning he played with a 370 swing weight after so many years (or decades?!) of thinking he used a light racquet. It shows how hard it is to learn a top players true swing weight. A big effort is made to keep it secret. Lies are spread. You need definite, first hand evidence such as tennis nerd or some like this getting one and posting video evidence with an RDC. He does not give out his racquets to fans like some players.
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Hall of Fame
I don't see Nadal swinging extremely fast like Alcaraz, Nadal high swingweight makes sense. Alcaraz would need something much lighter and maneuverable
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Nadal’s approximate racquet specs have been ’known’ for quite some time.
power_backhand
Rookie
For most of his career, he was generally thought to use the lightest racquet among the elite players. You can’t deny that fact. Even I was duped by thiis for a long time. Sure, many people started to find out that he had a high swing weight before the release of the babolat nafal origin. I’m not sure how many of these new it was 370 strung?! But it’s safe to say that it didn’t become general knowledge until after his actual racquet was released. Now we know he had a much, much higher swing weight than almost all of his peers. The same in most likely true for alcaraz. All I’m saying is show me his match played racquet from the French open, Halle, or Wimbledon given to a fan right after the match with video evidence on an RDC or I won’t take it seriously.
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Hall of Fame
But how is the same likely true for alcaraz when he swings so much faster and Nadal is much stronger than him? You're making no sense, just because one player surprises with high swingweight doesn't mean this other will too
power_backhand
Rookie
I’m not saying it’s impossible he’s using a stock pure aero vs. I’m just saying you should be skeptical. I’m not sure why you keep saying he swings faster than nadal?! Is that a stat that you’ve seen somewhere? Anyway, in general any top pro who doesn’t have lead visible is hiding their spec. Think about the top ten players. All of them add weight, yet only one - djokovic - has visible lead. Why would only 9 of 10 top ten players add weight to their racquet and one - the best - not? Why would the number one player be the exception? Why would the best player be the only one in the top ten using stock? It doesn’t add up. It deserves skepticism. Like I said I would need very convincing evidence, especially after the history surrounding nadal. It seems like a very similar situation to me. It’s the same racquet company. It’s the same story of an incredible athlete over powering, out spinning, and beating everyone with the lightest racquet.
power_backhand
Rookie
Babalot should just release the alcaraz pure aero vs origin now instead of waiting 15 years
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Hall of Fame
Aestheticsaboveallelse
Hall of Fame
I don't think that stat can exist cause they dont put sensors on players racquets. But your eye is good enough to see speed of swing unless its nearly the same speed. Alcaraz swings faster than anyone ever I think
BillKid
Hall of Fame
Indeed. The true Alcaraz stick is a pro stock made by Illuminatis in the Area 51. They only use graphite derived from PT57A that have been stored for decades in a secret military facility in Austria.
BillKid
Hall of Fame
Young players not rarely use racquets that are much lighter than those of older pros. Remember that Swiatek won her first FO with a racquet that was roughly a Prince Tour 100 290g stock.
HeavyHitter
Rookie
I got hold of his actual frame that he was practicing with at a tournament and measured his specs and posted it on this thread, what is there to speculate? Carlos generates his power through his technique and racquet head speed. His spec works for him and his game, he's got a great team with decades of experience, I'm sure if they felt that he needed 400sw frame, they would've done it already. Will his spec work for everyone, ofcourse not. Also Nadal didn't start playing with 370sw specs, he's been increasing his SW over the years to finish points earlier due to his injuries and age.
power_backhand
Rookie
I didn’t say he couldn’t be using stock. I said I would have to see a verified match played racquet on an RDC like we’ve seen from tennis spin recently. Until then I’m skeptical. You have a practice racquet. I’d need to see a match used racquet given to a fan directly from alcaraz . Your post definitely adds weight to the argument. But it’s not enough to make me 100% convinced. There is a concerted effort to confuse others about pro racquet specs which is evidenced from the nadal saga I mentioned. To be honest, I think pros are more concerned with hiding their specs from other pros than us. It’s not wise to buy a pure aero vs and be 100% convinced you are using his exact spec. Sure, there is a chance, but it’s better to use a racquet based on your spec and what you play best with so you won’t end up disappointed.
lidoazndiabloboi
Hall of Fame
Rafa had added weight to his racket multiple times throughout his career. His racket is definitely lightest amongst the elite players, Fed, Djok, Murray, Stan. But his SW is comparable or even higher. Just for your reference in 2015, Rafa's strung SW was 356-359. So you can see an increase through the years.
power_backhand
Rookie
I think you’ll see the same from alcaraz. He may increase swingweight ( or may already have!) if he’s not winning slams. These guys are masters at hiding their specs by placing lead out of view on the racquet. There is a reason they do this - endorsements and probably so their opponent doesn’t know their spec.
Higher sw is literally the first thing you notice or discover when you play someone, already with the first warm up balls. A player with a sw 340+ will give you balls at the base line that push you back without even swinging, he'll block with ease, with short backswings, and swing slower but the ball still crushes you. It's so obvious when you play at a higher level. A player with a stock 305g frame at 325sw most definitely won't, you see it and you feel it. You can wonder about other specs, total weight, balance, strings and tension, but swingweight is completely obvious within the first 3 minutes
If for example someone was wondering if Rune played a high sw frame, with him being a relative unknown last year, it took them exactly 2 minutes to conclude "Oh yes he does". It's obvious from his first and especially second serve, wher he just leans into the ball but still crushes it, his mega counterpunch on the backhand with almost no swing, he's occasionaly slow on the forehand so he just blocks/loops it etc
Some people say "we" but I think they usually mean "I"
If for example someone was wondering if Rune played a high sw frame, with him being a relative unknown last year, it took them exactly 2 minutes to conclude "Oh yes he does". It's obvious from his first and especially second serve, wher he just leans into the ball but still crushes it, his mega counterpunch on the backhand with almost no swing, he's occasionaly slow on the forehand so he just blocks/loops it etc
Some people say "we" but I think they usually mean "I"
McGradey
Hall of Fame
Besides the specs already being posted, the way Alcaraz hits the ball, I could definitely believe it that he plays with a relatively light spec. His winners and forced errors typically happen when he has time to setup and generate that Street Fighter-esque racquet head speed. Another potential tell is that in baseline exchanges, he sometimes gets pushed around by the big hitters — not saying that is down to using a low swingweight, but it can be a contributing factor. Contrast to someone like Djokovic or Zverev or Berdych with their 360+ swingweights, even on slower swings their ball really penetrates through the court, the ball looks like it is reflected off a heavy bat with total ease, and they do not get pushed around by anyone. It was the same with Pete Sampras with that bommy-knocker Pro Staff he used to wield. That thing was heavy af and it showed in his shots.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Nogold has visible lead largely because of where he likes to place it; most pros are able to hide lead under the bumper guard.
Federer had a 355SW for most of his career and Alcaraz's forehand is very much like Federer's FH. Djoko has 370SW and he also has high RHS. I am not saying your local 3.0 to 5.0 players should emulate pros SW but saying pros cannot swing very fast with a SW high SW isn't true. Even in 3rd set of RG Final Djoko was hitting rockets off his FH and his SW is 370. My view is a young 12 junior can handle 320SW and a very small adult can easily handle 320SW because 320SW is basically a feather. Go below 320SW and it isn't sufficient to handle even intermediate tennis. Yes, there are probably talented rec or even college players with a SW 315 but it cannot be good for their health or performance as the impact of incoming ball will eat up a low SW unless you strike it perfectly clean and even pros don't strike all balls dead center.
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bernardotaborda
New User
This video compares 2020 VS & 2019 VS.
Which one is his model?
johnmccabe
Hall of Fame
You guys are nuts
FrankyRelax
Semi-Pro
I thought my joke didn't need an explainer
johnmccabe
Hall of Fame
Oh, my apologies if you were being sarcastic
FrankyRelax
Semi-Pro
All good. Understandable with the crazy kids on the internets these days
jmacdaununder2
Legend
I know riight!? Why would anyone here possibly take me seriously?
There were spreadsheets here on TT years ago that had Nadal's SW at 366 and that was before Uncle Tony said they added a "little bit more weight". It has been know for may years with a high degree of certainty that Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Sampras, Moya, Agassi and many others all used SW north of 350.
ZeroandOne
Rookie
I was with you until you said less than 320 SW isn't sufficient for intermediate tennis.
Well, Nadal started adding weight to his frame head after moya came on board. His game changed a lot after 2015-16. While it is true that many pros today like sinner or kyrgios use 325 SW frames (or in that ballpark), as you said the proof is in the pudding. I guess we can only find out once someone dissects one of his (Carlos) frames. Now Roger supposedly used a off the shelf heavier retail batch, but the trapdoor was different and his grip / handle was customized. Plus he definitely added 3 grams of lead to his 1st gen autograph but not sure about the last version he used. Plus he may have varied it depending on playing conditions. Novak uses a 18x19 pattern and 360 SW, 12.7 oz (not sure of the weight) and clearly something has changed for the new generation, but by how much? And I'm dying to know the twist weight of their supposedly lighter frames.
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I thought one of Federer's second gen autograph's had a measured SW of 340 and static weight of 12.9 oz ( it was from a heavier retail batch ) customized to his grip ofc.
TennisDawg
Hall of Fame
I’m sure it’s because of the bargain price on TTW.
Exactly. First thank you for your post. I was surprised to see his (and reported specs of Rune, sinner, Kyrgios among others) but it's exactly like you said. If it works for him now, so be it. If he decides to change later at some point in the future for any number of reasons that's his call. I am curious about his twistweight though. No matter what else, frame stability matters. I am curious to see if night conditions at the Australian open coupled with slower tennis balls (unlike 2022) will have an impact on his setup or if he can compensate with string tension to get more spin/power. Novak uses a 360-365 SW frame and his shots always seem to penetrate the court really well especially in AO night conditions. Carlos seems to prefer faster higher bouncing conditions though he adapted to grass really well and got plenty of spin and jump even with the slowest and heaviest type 3 tennis balls used at Wimbledon plus he can flatten out the ball with ease when he needs to but faster conditions seem to help him more. I could be wrong but that's my impression
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French Tennis Federation recommends SW320 or more, and 4HL or more. I can't remember there recommendation for static weight but I think it was around high 10 or 11 oz. They didn't differentiate intermediate vs advance. I believe 320SW is better for even beginners. 320SW is very light and easy to swing and it absorbs shock well enough.
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