Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
so his SW is only 333 strung ? isn't that one of the lowest in the tour ? most of the pros fall in 340-355 range... LOL
Carlos Alcaraz is using a stock Pure aero vs
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Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
why did he switch to rpm team ?Carlos Alcaraz | Tennis Warehouse
www.tennis-warehouse.com
Apparently, he is using RPM team currently.
Could be the reason why some consider him a bit reckless and inconsistent. With lower sw you have less control against full speed incoming balls. His setup pretty much forces him to go for 100% every time, or else his ball wont be enough. It is very good for hitting approach winners where you have to be quick with the arm, and for topspin angles. Compare this to Novak, who can chill on the baseline forever and keep up the quality ball with 80%. But he couldnt produce good enough approach shots to defeat Carlos, as his inert setup limits him a bit in that department.
ChrisJR3264
Hall of Fame
That was posted by babolat before Wimbledon. Like tecnifibre they had an instragram story showing their players and string they use. Tennis nerd caught it the same day I saw it. Guessing it’s softer on the arm? IdkCarlos Alcaraz | Tennis Warehouse
Apparently, he is using RPM team currently.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
So you are saying any amateur using rackets with SW of 333 can play just like Alcarez ?
longtimelurker
Professional
Yes exactly like "rez" but sw must be exactly 333So you are saying any amateur using rackets with SW of 333 can play just like Alcarez ?
It's been well known for a long time that all of the 98-100 sq inch rackets don't need as much weight as the 90-95's the pros used in the past. 333 SW is probably around the average spec for an ATP player with a standard length frame. The average on tour is around 348 but that includes extended frames.So you are saying any amateur using rackets with SW of 333 can play just like Alcarez ?
Amateur rackets don't come with 333 SW without modification.
Thanks! How do you end up at 333sw when its 293 unstrung? Thought strings usually add around 30pts
Alcaraz doesn't use a dampener?
There's clearly lead on his frames based on the information we have. Probably 2-4g at noon. 333 SW without any modifications is unlikely.
Could you please share the photo where lead is apparent?
I didn't say I had a photo, read my post again.
You're clearly exaggerating. There a number of retail racquets available to the general public WITHOUT post-factory mods. Ezone 98 Tour, Gravity Pro, Speed Pro, Prestige Tour (I think), and one of the TFight models that I can't recall at the moment all come to mind as "amateur" racquets with 330+ SWs without modification.
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There are some stock rackets that come with 330+ SW, however I would say 99% of them don't. Over 10 years of buying frames only one came with 330+ SW and that was an extended frame.
Tennis Warehouse may say a frame has a 330+ SW but that's just an average of the ones they got. I always find my SW numbers 5-7 points lower than theirs.
Ezone 98 Tour, Gravity Pro, Speed Pro, Prestige Tour (I think), and one of the TFight models that I can't recall at the moment all come to mind as "amateur" racquets with 330+ SWs without modification.
You're correct in that most racquets don't come in 330+ because that's not a good target spec for less skilled players. Some really skilled players don't even like that spec. There are also instances of extended length racquets that have been sub-330 as well. Rare but it does happen.
330 SW based on Tennis Warehouse, in reality you could get something much different so I would not rely on their averages. I always end up 5-7 SW points lower sometimes more than that. For example the SV95 is supposed to have a 324 SW according to TW but 3 of mine came with 307-310. I also have gotten 3 Ezone 98's with 303 SW.
lidoazndiabloboi
Hall of Fame
I don't think you calculations are correct.
If we take the unstrung specs:
305.0g 31.7cm SW 293
Strung with 16g RPM, you will get approx
324g 32.8cm SW327
If you throw on an OG, you will get approx
328g 32.5cm SW327
My approximations come from my documented records of rackets unstrung and after stringing.
That spec is definitely within range for a advanced rec player and/or high level junior. Male or female.
McEncock
Professional
I've been getting 39 SW points differencial from unstrung with rpm blast 130 in a 16x19 racquet
It's absolutely not crazy to think a 16x20 racquet would increase the sw to 40 points with rpm blast 130
PS : I own a RDC machine, and rpm blast 130 is my main string
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Poly Tour Pro 1.20 adds 25 SW points to an Ezone 98. While RPM blast is probably heavier by 3 or 4 grams I've never heard of strings adding 40 SW points.
lidoazndiabloboi
Hall of Fame
I have 4 measurements of RPM16, 2 times at 34, 2 times at 33. Rpm17 I range from 28-32
it's a weird string - technically stiffer but softer feel because its injected with air bubbles or similar (IF he actually switched to it, bc Babolat said Thiem switched to it at one point and he never really did) - but hypothetically it would be more comfortable than Blast
McEncock
Professional
How did you measure it?
Strings, surprisingly, can have a dramatic impact on SW. I, too, own an RDC so I've been much more in tune with racquets specs based on the strings I use.
McEncock
Professional
I think the stiffness of a string is a fair indication for comfort, but it's not the whole picture.
Alu power is less stiff than 4G, however alu is less comfortable than 4G
RPM team is in my experience way more soft than Blast, even if the stifnees numbers are close
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lidoazndiabloboi
Hall of Fame
I measured it with my Prince Tuning Center.
For further reference, I had taken these specs on a Pure Aero VS, strung back in May 2022. This was a friends racket, that was modded to "Alcaraz Spec"
Unstrung: 306.4g / 31.6cm / SW293
Strung RPM16: 325.2g / 32.7cm / SW327
Strung w/Wilson OG: 330.4 / 32.4cm / SW328
And Pure Aero 98 strung Aug '23
Unstrung: 299.6g / 31.45cm / SW283
Strung RPM16: 318.0g / 32.55cm / SW316
DariaGT
Hall of Fame
I see many younger players with less focus than the previous gens but swinging harder
using less weight specs all round. Some of these players are skinny and some are
well built but the game has evolved to combat slower conditions needing stamina
patience which usually comes with age, hence there were so many 30+ yo doing well.
Now the youth are social media junkies, gamers and basically just want to get
the points over and done with than hack all day like the older gens did.
This is a good thing when seeing players like Raz and Sinner but specially Raz
as he is has even more variety and creativity than we have ever seen before.
If he swung Feds, Cilic, Murray, Meds or Stans stick he could never do what he does.
He has evolved another step above the usual 348gms and 340/350sw of players like
Nadal, Nishikori and closer to what Michael Russel used as does Fritz if not mistaken.
I noticed over the years, majority of Amateurs play better all round with lower SW
While the ones using heavier SWs making extremely dumb errors as points drag on.
I also know of a very strong 19yo teen who crushes the ball consistently daily
swinging only 315g static/320sw fully strung RA66 cx200 98.
Tension is low 42lbs and he has no issues handling opponents heavy balls.
This youngster started playing touch tennis from a young age and has all the shots
he also plays handball, rugby and moving to tennis he felt better with lighter specs.
Id like to use his specs but need more SW+ weight from my 6.1 but in time I will
have to move on to lighter specs as it is getting harder yearly to be as consistent.
I noticed when balls are heavy from recent rain, he had less pace on his shots
so drops to 38lbs with 2gms of lead @ 10, 2 and 12 o'clock.
using less weight specs all round. Some of these players are skinny and some are
well built but the game has evolved to combat slower conditions needing stamina
patience which usually comes with age, hence there were so many 30+ yo doing well.
Now the youth are social media junkies, gamers and basically just want to get
the points over and done with than hack all day like the older gens did.
This is a good thing when seeing players like Raz and Sinner but specially Raz
as he is has even more variety and creativity than we have ever seen before.
If he swung Feds, Cilic, Murray, Meds or Stans stick he could never do what he does.
He has evolved another step above the usual 348gms and 340/350sw of players like
Nadal, Nishikori and closer to what Michael Russel used as does Fritz if not mistaken.
I noticed over the years, majority of Amateurs play better all round with lower SW
While the ones using heavier SWs making extremely dumb errors as points drag on.
I also know of a very strong 19yo teen who crushes the ball consistently daily
swinging only 315g static/320sw fully strung RA66 cx200 98.
Tension is low 42lbs and he has no issues handling opponents heavy balls.
This youngster started playing touch tennis from a young age and has all the shots
he also plays handball, rugby and moving to tennis he felt better with lighter specs.
Id like to use his specs but need more SW+ weight from my 6.1 but in time I will
have to move on to lighter specs as it is getting harder yearly to be as consistent.
I noticed when balls are heavy from recent rain, he had less pace on his shots
so drops to 38lbs with 2gms of lead @ 10, 2 and 12 o'clock.
GodlessEndeavor
Professional
I have a theory that as the pro game gets more and more optimized at the highest levels, only the most explosive athletes get to the top. Sprinting requires explosiveness, and getting your body in position to perform a shot also requires it.
Having more explosive strength means you can move the racket faster, but your endurance isn't as high (I believe muscle explosiveness and endurance are a trade-off due to muscle fiber type).
If you can move the racket fast but don't last as long, your best bet is to have a light racket and finish points quickly.
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innoVAShaun
G.O.A.T.
lidoazndiabloboi
Hall of Fame
A buddy of mine just recently got the 12 pack Pure Aero bag, and noticed this recently. Looks like Babolat PJ's the bags as well. CA has Babolat printed on both sides of the bag, with a smaller "Pure Aero" logo in the middle of the bag. The retain has Babolat on one side, Pure Aero on the opposite.
VAPORHEAD
Rookie
https://thetennisauction.com/bids/bidplace?itemid=92 Alcaraz’s stick, hopefully some specs are posted
Lets do a crowdfund and post the specs here..
DariaGT
Hall of Fame
Almost the opposite is happening in Basket where Larry Bird like Balkans are outfoxing opponents with good positioning and accuracy.
The ability to anticipate and see what the opponent is about to do or hit is overlooked as well. Fed was psychic-like in this dept.
Carlitos has all of the Big3 abilities but still far from the Big3 mentalities.
Especially Nadal for many the greatest tennis mind (except for self-claimed Mats Wil"Zoo'ander)
innoVAShaun
G.O.A.T.
Hawks9451
Professional
alcaraz confirmed advanced male or female
ZeroandOne
Rookie
RPM team seems very neglegted. Very hard to find information on how it plays. I have access to a couple of pro shops and a self stringer but nobody is carrying it. And only one shop is carrying the RPM Power variant. I like that one a lot.
innoVAShaun
G.O.A.T.
This picture is from a Spanish article where is says he is testing different weights in his racquets, so moving out of stock specs
AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
Or he’s testing strings. Saw him at 3 tournaments this year and he was messing around with string tension before the match.
There was a swingweight machine on the court, in another thread
pico
Hall of Fame
Interesting. If you look at the racquet in Ferrero's left hand, it has lead tape at 12. He is tinkering with weight!
As mentioned, he is testing different weights set up, also is said in the article that Babolat wants him to switch the colour of his strings to yellow
Carlos Alcaraz hace pruebas con el peso de su raqueta para convertirla en un martillo | Relevo
Babolat le ha dado algunos prototipos de raquetas con varios gramos de más para que pruebe durante la pretemporada. La marca francesa también quiere que cambie el color del cordaje.
www.relevo.com
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