Del Potro, about his racquets and possible change (spanish)

[tennis playa]

It's amazing that a top pro of Del Potro's caliber would only have 4 racquets, especially considering how hard he hits the ball and how many matches he plays and how much he needs to practice. It's even more amazing that he hasn't cracked all 4 of those racquets already, especially with all the restringings with poly necessary. And to think some 4.0 rec players think they need to have 6 matched racquets in order just to play league tennis is kind of funny.

Yeah the 6 racket in a bag brigade...I know them well, every country club or tennis facility on the planet you'll find at least one guy who has a pro sized bag with all kinds of sh*t contained therein, decent players they may be but they don't play anywhere near often enough or good enough that they need 6 rackets, it comes down to three things: ego, disposable income and a sense of delusion

 

[Overdrive]

^ Um... you need a lot of frames if your favorite frame becomes discontinued...

 

[Fedinkum]

Great to see Delpo is driving on the other side of throw away society lane.

And yes, Delpo and Prestige are made for each other. Prestige is like an Austrian Pinscher locked up in the lost dog pound, waiting for its next double handed big hitter owner to take him home.

 

[tennis playa]

^ Um... you need a lot of frames if your favorite frame becomes discontinued...

Also true.

 

[West Coast Ace]

No I have not seen 5.0's using a an 85 because that's just ridiculous. Maybe in 90's there were 5.0's winning with that racket - You might be confusing your decades.

The problem with "experienced novices" like yourself is you are too equipment oriented. Sure teaching pros do not know what particular racket a player uses and that's mainly because they don't care and it really doesn't matter. Knowing that Andy Murray plays with some pro stock mold does not make you knowledgeable in the grand scheme of things - I guess you could call yourself an equipment identifying expert...

And you still have not achieved any progress in understanding the sport during your 40 year research, only 9 of which has been on these boards where you claim to have gotten most of your tennis education.

The problem with specialized boards like these is someone like yourself could pose as a informed member - Able to throw out buzz words that are somewhat related - and many novices around here will believe you because you seem to be using the correct vocabulary.

Give it up old timer... Full poly is the future.

Post of the Month. Great job. That was a total destruction.

Moving on then.....what is Delpo going to use or what pj do you think he should use? I think a Prestige MP.

Lets... I'm a Head guy and respect the heck out of JMDP, but their stable is pretty full these days - Djokovic, Murray, Sharapova are probably pretty tough on the old checkbook. And does anyone think JMDP will really move product? For that reason I think the Yonex idea someone else brought up a few pages ago has serious merit.

 

[kingcheetah]

Yeah the 6 racket in a bag brigade...I know them well, every country club or tennis facility on the planet you'll find at least one guy who has a pro sized bag with all kinds of sh*t contained therein, decent players they may be but they don't play anywhere near often enough or good enough that they need 6 rackets, it comes down to three things: ego, disposable income and a sense of delusion

I know of at least one junior player at my club that has a future being that guy... He travels 3-4 hours to play L5 and L4 events he is virtually guaranteed to win so that he has an artificially high ranking in the USTA, then brags about the ranking to people but never plays any higher caliber events... all talk no walk...

As far as Del Potro's racquet... I think he should keep trying to find a flexible 18x20 95" that he likes... maybe Wilson can toy around with six one 95 molds until he gets something he can tolerate (then they hire a security team for that mold and make a billion, paint them as needed.)

 

[tennisBIEST]

Yeah the 6 racket in a bag brigade...I know them well, every country club or tennis facility on the planet you'll find at least one guy who has a pro sized bag with all kinds of sh*t contained therein, decent players they may be but they don't play anywhere near often enough or good enough that they need 6 rackets, it comes down to three things: ego, disposable income and a sense of delusion

Its pronounced ad•dic•tion!

 

[jelle v]

So.. any news about Del Potro making the switch or not? Maybe some practice photos?

 

[THESEXPISTOL]

So.. any news about Del Potro making the switch or not? Maybe some practice photos?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_BqW0Gw0bU

 

[forthegame]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_BqW0Gw0bU

That's funny. Not seen it as I stopped watching family guy regularly.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Idea for 2014, with the givens that Federer will switch to a 98 again,...

LOL! Because Fed can't create power anymore and a few more sq in's are going to fix shanks. It just gets funner and funner around here...

 

[jelle v]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_BqW0Gw0bU

LOL

10 LOLs

 

[hersito]

LOL! Because Fed can't create power anymore and a few more sq in's are going to fix shanks. It just gets funner and funner around here...

Oh no he can... his latest results backs your comment... He ended the year no 1 and who many slams did he won?

 

[West Coast Ace]

Oh no he can... his latest results backs your comment... He ended the year no 1 and who many slams did he won?

It wasn't the racquet.

I didn't say he wouldn't switch. But to have some keyboard warrior call it a 'given' is ludicrous.

 

[MauricioDias]

He should have made just like sampras with his st vincent ps85. It is curious that his attitude is a little paradoxal because he like his racuets but when they offer him same racquet with new painting he declines, i think he wants the change

 

[Blitzball]

He should have made just like sampras with his st vincent ps85. It is curious that his attitude is a little paradoxal because he like his racuets but when they offer him same racquet with new painting he declines, i think he wants the change

He's superstitious. The frames he's using are the same ones he had in his bag when he won the US Open in 2009. That's why he doesn't want a new paintjob. And he doesn't want to use another racquet mold because he's afraid of injuring his wrist again.

 

[jwbarrientos]

He's superstitious. The frames he's using are the same ones he had in his bag when he won the US Open in 2009. That's why he doesn't want a new paintjob. And he doesn't want to use another racquet mold because he's afraid of injuring his wrist again.

:shock: I heard many times this reasoning, but why don´t DELPO buy the mold and make his own racquets ... :-?

 

[Chace]

A lot of it may also be that he is just so use to the feel of the "broken down" graphite.

 

[Tennisguy777]

:shock: I heard many times this reasoning, but why don´t DELPO buy the mold and make his own racquets ... :-?

That reasoning doesn't work as he hasn't won another Major since and for that matter he should be an even better player than he was in 2009 by now.

 

[Doubles]

:shock: I heard many times this reasoning, but why don´t DELPO buy the mold and make his own racquets ... :-?

Because buying the mold still won't replicate the feel of his current, broken in rackets.

 

[Bdarb]

Because buying the mold still won't replicate the feel of his current, broken in rackets.

This, they've made him racquets from the same mold exactly as he wanted and it still wasn't good enough or what he wanted anyway. Very James Blaqu-esque.

 

[Egoista]

so wait delpo playing with prestige mids or midplus
i thought the mids were disc

 

[carlosoki]

I want to see Delpo playing with my racquets.

 

[Bdarb]

so wait delpo playing with prestige mids or midplus
i thought the mids were disc

The midplus which is a "98" is actually a 95 like his ps classic now. If he was switching that might make more sense than the mid which is actually a 89-90 not a 93. Though the new line is supposed to be true 93..

 

[Egoista]

meaning he will be playing with a 95 now for all practical purposes instead of his wilson 90 right

 

[McLovin]

meaning he will be playing with a 95 now for all practical purposes instead of his wilson 90 right

Ummm, no?

Del Potro plays w/ a Wilson Pro Staff Classic PJ'd to the (K) Factor (K) Six.One, which is a 95 sq in (the same mold as the current Six.One 95 frames), except that it is an 18x20 pattern.

 

[Bdarb]

meaning he will be playing with a 95 now for all practical purposes instead of his wilson 90 right

He doesn't play with a Wilson 90. That'd be Fed. He plays (presumably, though its debatable) with a Wilson Hyper Carbon 6.1 95 or a PS Classic 6.1 95. No 90 though unless I'm missing something..

If it is either of those racquets, the difference between the two is negligible. Same mold and drill pattern but the layup would be different. Certainly no 90's though..

 

[carlosoki]

I have seen pics form Delpo´s facebook training yesterday.

Wilson K Six One 95 18x20 as ever.

 

[jwbarrientos]

At this point, I see DELPO retiring from tennis whenever he has no more racquets.

 

[THESEXPISTOL]

I have seen pics form Delpo´s facebook training yesterday.

Wilson K Six One 95 18x20 as ever.

yup! This is from yesterday...

 

[racertempo]

Why do you find that interesting? Everyone pretty much does this. I always hit my forehands with one side and my backhands with the other side. I keep my racquet oriented with one particular side always up, so does Fed, so do a lot of players, both pro and amateur.

Really? Everyone....really? You are DelPo are the only ones I have heard of that do this. How do you tell, based on the feel of the grip? What happens if you hit the wrong side, does it mess you up for the next one.....I don't mean that sarcastically, but it bug you if you get caught on the wrong side?

 

[McLovin]

Why do you find that interesting? Everyone pretty much does this. I always hit my forehands with one side and my backhands with the other side. I keep my racquet oriented with one particular side always up, so does Fed, so do a lot of players, both pro and amateur.

I must have missed this post. Quite hilarious. Have you ever watched Fed return serve? Ever watch him 'spin' the racquet while waiting? Here, watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU_MFbUAIik​

Please tell me how he spins the racquet the perfect amount every time to keep the racquet oriented the same when he's not even looking at the frame! Furthermore, if he's worried about the orientation of the frame, then he's not focused on the return.

And as far as 'everyone', this is the first claim I've ever heard, and even then, the quote was translated using the Google translator, and even then it said 'apparently', meaning there is no proof that Delpo intentionally does this.

 

[Doubles]

I must have missed this post. Quite hilarious. Have you ever watched Fed return serve? Ever watch him 'spin' the racquet while waiting? Here, watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU_MFbUAIik​

Please tell me how he spins the racquet the perfect amount every time to keep the racquet oriented the same when he's not even looking at the frame! Furthermore, if he's worried about the orientation of the frame, then he's not focused on the return.

And as far as 'everyone', this is the first claim I've ever heard, and even then, the quote was translated using the Google translator, and even then it said 'apparently', meaning there is no proof that Delpo intentionally does this.

I get what you're saying, but, depending on how the grip and overgrip are wrapped, you can tell a difference even without looking at the racket. For example, I start the base grip, and over grip on the same bevel of all three of my rackets. I don't need to look at it, to know that I'm hitting with the right side, I can just feel it. Even when I'm spinning he racket while waiting to return, I know what side is in my hand.

 

[TheVuMan]

I must have missed this post. Quite hilarious. Have you ever watched Fed return serve? Ever watch him 'spin' the racquet while waiting? Here, watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU_MFbUAIik​

Please tell me how he spins the racquet the perfect amount every time to keep the racquet oriented the same when he's not even looking at the frame! Furthermore, if he's worried about the orientation of the frame, then he's not focused on the return.

And as far as 'everyone', this is the first claim I've ever heard, and even then, the quote was translated using the Google translator, and even then it said 'apparently', meaning there is no proof that Delpo intentionally does this.

Actually if you look at Fed's racquet for each return, the white side is always faced down on his swing (since the paint is asymmetric, I'm using the side with more white as a reference). Or at least or the 5 - 8 serves I watched. I'm not saying that Federer does in fact always hit on the same side of his racquet, but it is plausible from your video.

 

[McLovin]

I get what you're saying, but, depending on how the grip and overgrip are wrapped, you can tell a difference even without looking at the racket. For example, I start the base grip, and over grip on the same bevel of all three of my rackets. I don't need to look at it, to know that I'm hitting with the right side, I can just feel it. Even when I'm spinning he racket while waiting to return, I know what side is in my hand.

Actually if you look at Fed's racquet for each return, the white side is always faced down on his swing (since the paint is asymmetric, I'm using the side with more white as a reference). Or at least or the 5 - 8 serves I watched. I'm not saying that Federer does in fact always hit on the same side of his racquet, but it is plausible from your video.

OK, after further review, I must admit I am wrong. I looked at a bunch of images of Federer hitting, and you two seem to be correct in that he always hits w/ the white side down.

Please accept my humble apologies.

 

[struggle]

yes, this is well known, that some folks do this holding the racket the same everytime, etc.

I have no clue what i do, but i'm not aware that i do so.
I got other things to worry about.

 

[Bdarb]

I spin the racquet in between every shot usually multiple times, I don't have to look at it to know if its upside down because the grip is oriented a certain way. When it's upside down it feels wrong.

Its more with leather grips than anything.

 

[struggle]

right on. i use leather too. (with OG)

maybe I'll have a look next time i play, taking some TE time off.

 

[jelle v]

Really? Everyone....really? You are DelPo are the only ones I have heard of that do this. How do you tell, based on the feel of the grip? What happens if you hit the wrong side, does it mess you up for the next one.....I don't mean that sarcastically, but it bug you if you get caught on the wrong side?

I always hit with the same side.. It has to do with my index finger resting between bevels and the feel of the shape of the buttcap in the palm of my hand..

And yes.. if I happen to hold the racket the wrong way, it bothers me during my stroke. It doesn't have the same feel..

 

[Jeebs]

I always hit with the same side.. It has to do with my index finger resting between bevels and the feel of the shape of the buttcap in the palm of my hand..

And yes.. if I happen to hold the racket the wrong way, it bothers me during my stroke. It doesn't have the same feel..

Me too...think it's the way the grip is on. Whenever I put the OG in my hand only feels right in one position.

 

[rdis10093]

season is over, he would have been playing with a new frame by now.

fail OP

 

[ac3111]

I must have missed this post. Quite hilarious. Have you ever watched Fed return serve? Ever watch him 'spin' the racquet while waiting? Here, watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU_MFbUAIik​

Please tell me how he spins the racquet the perfect amount every time to keep the racquet oriented the same when he's not even looking at the frame! Furthermore, if he's worried about the orientation of the frame, then he's not focused on the return.

Federer racquet has a custom made grip-handle...he always hits with the same side up because that's the way the handle is.

 

[Gerco]

What do we have here?? new shoes also??

 

[Jeebs]

Mid/hi tops...nice.

 

[hersito]

What do we have here?? new shoes also??

Thats where I play tennis agian, i took and uploaded a picture of nalbandian trining for the exo against nadal, if I see him training saturday I'll ask him about the raquet and ill try to get better pictures, by the looks is a blade, no pws, might be a 93 or 98. I'll see what I can find out.

 

[thisiscrazy]

Actually if you look at Fed's racquet for each return, the white side is always faced down on his swing (since the paint is asymmetric, I'm using the side with more white as a reference). Or at least or the 5 - 8 serves I watched. I'm not saying that Federer does in fact always hit on the same side of his racquet, but it is plausible from your video.

Once I heard someone mention this before about Fed, I watched Djokovic to see if he does the same thing and it looks like he does. The side of the racquet that has more white always seems to be on the side pointing down (closest to the court).

 

[andrespela]

Last week, I asked Franco Davin about racquet change and he told me that Delpo was testing new ones. His actual racquet is custom made, not a stock one, and weights 370 grams with 58-61 lbs.

 

[SwankPeRFection]

I must have missed this post. Quite hilarious. Have you ever watched Fed return serve? Ever watch him 'spin' the racquet while waiting? Here, watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU_MFbUAIik​

Please tell me how he spins the racquet the perfect amount every time to keep the racquet oriented the same when he's not even looking at the frame! Furthermore, if he's worried about the orientation of the frame, then he's not focused on the return.

And as far as 'everyone', this is the first claim I've ever heard, and even then, the quote was translated using the Google translator, and even then it said 'apparently', meaning there is no proof that Delpo intentionally does this.

Are you kidding me? Are you telling me that you honestly cannot spin your racquet and stop it the same way each time by feel? I've done this for quite some time. It's second nature and it's always oriented the same way. If you can't do this, don't blame people that can. I can even hit back and forth and do one spin after hitting while I wait on the return. Fed does this too. It just takes a bit of practice and then becomes real easy.

I used to not be able to bounce the ball off the edge of my frame to the ground without it going off the sides and bouncing off at odd angles. This was like 2 years ago, now it's easy and can do it all the time. Once you do something repetitive for a long time, it's very simple to replicate without even thinking about it.

 

[SwankPeRFection]

I get what you're saying, but, depending on how the grip and overgrip are wrapped, you can tell a difference even without looking at the racket. For example, I start the base grip, and over grip on the same bevel of all three of my rackets. I don't need to look at it, to know that I'm hitting with the right side, I can just feel it. Even when I'm spinning he racket while waiting to return, I know what side is in my hand.

See this guy gets it. Thanks man, have no idea what McLovin has issues with. Maybe he's not skilled enough to do these things or maybe he doesn't wrap his grips the same way each time, etc.

The way I wrap my main grip and over grip, there is a slightly flatter side to the racquet at the #3 bevel than the #7 bevel and this is the side that sits in my palm on my EFG. It feels correct. If I spin and stop with #7 bevel on my palm, it feels different and I know I'm 180 degrees off. Again, this happen very fast in the brain. I don't have to think about it or look at my racquet to know. It's not magic when Fed or other players do it and it's not magic when us regular folks do it either. Go out and try and keep doing it until it's second nature. That's how skill based processes work. You "develop" the skill over time.

 

[DNShade]

Yeah. It amazes me when people are "wowed" by Fed doing that. Actually most players do it - just was more noticeable with the PJ Fed was using.

Most decent level players do this automatically without even thinking about it -- and yes we hit the forehand with the same face of the stick every time and backhand with the other every time. Just not anything you ever think about - just something you pick up over time.

And it doesn't really have that much to do with the grip (although you can feel that blindfolded which side is "up") but more about just being able to spin it and stop it the "right way up" each time.

Just comes from having the stick in your hand a lot - becomes second nature.