Denis Shapovalov to Yonex

[Karma Tennis]

It is a 95, it was sold as a 98 for marketing reasons.

This erroneous rumor about Head measuring the Head size using only the inside of the frame just won't die; if you do the math - as others have done on these boards - it jus' don' add up!

I'm not talking about either of those well documented things.

String pattern AND spacing between the strings themselves (and spacing between the outside strings and to the hoop) has to be taken into account.

The actual measurable HOOP size is only part of the story. (Novak's racquets play a lot closer to a PS97 than to a Six.One 95)

Then again, I imagine many people think the old Bab 2010 and 2013 APDs actually play like typical 100 sq inch racquets and that the PA 100 models are exactly the same as the old APDs because their hoop sizes are the same.

 

[moon shot]

I'm not talking about either of those well documented things.

String pattern AND spacing between the strings themselves (and spacing between the outside strings and to the hoop) has to be taken into account.

The actual measurable HOOP size is only part of the story. (Novak's racquets play a lot closer to a PS97 than to a Six.One 95)

Then again, I imagine many people think the old Bab 2010 and 2013 APDs actually play like typical 100 sq inch racquets and that the PA 100 models are exactly the same as the old APDs because their hoop sizes are the same.

You've played with Novak's personal frame? I can't speak for his new one but the previous is slightly (edit) more dense than a 6.1 95 18x20 in the middle. I hit with it along with a 6.1 95 and Ultra Tour some time ago with @dr325i

 

[Karma Tennis]

I can't speak for his new one but the previous is more dense

I believe his current racquets have more open spacing between strings than his older ones. IIRC, he mentioned it in an interview he did for Serbian TV a while back.

Imho, Novak hits with a lot more spin now than he used to. And I think one of the reasons for that is the newer racquet.

I haven't played with his personal racquets. But close courtside observation during his AO Practice Sessions over the years suggests his latest racquets are different to ones he was using six or seven years ago. Of course, I could be imagining these things ... but I don't think so.

 

[moon shot]

I believe his current racquets have more open spacing between strings than his older ones. IIRC, he mentioned it in an interview he did for Serbian TV a while back.

Imho, Novak hits with a lot more spin now than he used to. And I think one of the reasons for that is the newer racquet.

I haven't played with his personal racquets. But close courtside observation during his AO Practice Sessions over the years suggests his latest racquets are different to ones he was using six or seven years ago. Of course, I could be imagining these things ... but I don't think so.

Fair enough, I think the mains are the same as they previously were, and the stringbed change was the crosses in the lower hoop ... but I could be misremembering.

 

[dr325i]

You've played with Novak's personal frame? I can't speak for his new one but the previous is slightly (edit) more dense than a 6.1 95 18x20 in the middle. I hit with it along with a 6.1 95 and Ultra Tour some time ago with @dr325i

Let me know when you're ready and I'll bring novak's PT113B 18x20, PT113B 18x19 and PT346 18x19.
As a bonus, I'll bring Murray's 57A and Verdasco's PT346 16x19 and we can measure it all

 

[KingGrayskull]

Let me know when you're ready and I'll bring novak's PT113B 18x20, PT113B 18x19 and PT346 18x19.
As a bonus, I'll bring Murray's 57A and Verdasco's PT346 16x19 and we can measure it all

OMW!

 

[moon shot]

Let me know when you're ready and I'll bring novak's PT113B 18x20, PT113B 18x19 and PT346 18x19.
As a bonus, I'll bring Murray's 57A and Verdasco's PT346 16x19 and we can measure it all

for sure, once house rules allow

 

[McEncock]

Is it me, or is that the first time that pt113b in 18x19 was mentioned? I thought that when the Joke transited to 18x20 to 18x19 he changed to pt346
@dr325i

 

[dr325i]

Is it me, or is that the first time that pt113b in 18x19 was mentioned? I thought that when the Joke transited to 18x20 to 18x19 he changed to pt346
@dr325i

The PT346.1 mold was introduced half way through Speed 360. Novak switched to 18x19 half way through Speed Touch cycle

so, there is Novak’s:
PT113B Speed Touch 18x20
PT113B Speed Touch 18x19
PT113B Speed 360 18x19
PT346.1 Speed 360 18x19
PT346.1 SpeedX 18x19
PT346.1 Speed 360+ 18x19 (Novak not using)

there are still 16x19 and 18x20 versions of the above used by other players (SpeedX only came in 18x19 in TK346 mold; other SpeedX are in Speed molds)

hope this helps!

 

[McEncock]

It does, thank you

 

[Karma Tennis]

hope this helps!

That's interesting info ... But I would really love to see a layout of the actual string dimensions and string spacing.

At the Elite level, not all 18x19s are the same. And I believe even minor differences in string spacing can make a difference to a player's performance over the course of a Season.

 

[dr325i]

That's interesting info ... But I would really love to see a layout of the actual string dimensions and string spacing.

At the Elite level, not all 18x19s are the same. And I believe even minor differences in string spacing can make a difference to a player's performance over the course of a Season.

I can take pictures if you want I have all three: 113B in 18x20, 18x19 and 346 in 18x19

 

[Karma Tennis]

I can take pictures if you want I have all three: 113B in 18x20, 18x19 and 346 in 18x19

Thanks for the offer. I'm not too fussed about that.

What would be really interesting but would require a lot of effort which I would expect from myself but certainly not from others. ...

Calculate the total area within the inside boundary of the unstrung hoop.
String the racquets with exactly the same string at the same Ref tension.
Calculate the total area within the inside boundary of the strung hoops.
Tabulate every measurable distance within the hoop to a tolerance level of at least 0.5mm. (Distances between every string. Area of every quadrilateral inside the hoop).

I would not be surprised if Novak's current racquets have string quads of larger areas than his earlier ones.

 

[moon shot]

Shapovalov requested 56lbs on a restring in Rome.

 

[Rickenbacker4003]

what do people prefer?

The vcore 95 or sv 95?

I just got the VCore 95 and the SV 95 and once weather allows it I will hit with both and I'll get back to post my experience.

 

[lim]

shapo w/ new sv95 pj?

 

[Down_the_line]

shapo w/ new sv95 pj?

Yes, that would be the new VCORE (pj).

 

[Recoveringhobo]

I just got the VCore 95 and the SV 95 and once weather allows it I will hit with both and I'll get back to post my experience.

I prefer the SV95 for that little extra pop. VC95 feels plusher though.

 

[nikosrf]

I prefer the SV95 for that little extra pop. VC95 feels plusher though.

That is a good thing, yes?
Is it vc95 feel more flexible?

 

[Karma Tennis]

Photos can be really really deceptive at times.

The racquet Shapo. is holding looks like a 98 Yonex hoop rather than a 95. I used the say the same thing about his current racquet with the SV95 pj. I have been assurred that he is certainly using a 95 ... but gees some of the photos make his racquet look huge. And Shapo is a reasonably big guy too.

Would really love to see Shapo using a racquet with an all black pj. Would make him look really imposing on the court.

 

[rommi1998]

So I have been doing research for the past year on what racquet shapo is actually using. I would like to share what I have got so far. With the new mold/frame from yonex for the vcore 95, it looks like shapo received them at the nitto atp 2020 practice and he tried different versions of it below are the attached photos of it.
Next here are the specs from his last years racquets that I found on these forums by a stringer.

SHAPOVALOV, DENIS

YONEX VCORE 95

3 grip size

686MM

335G unstrung

30.4CM with overgrip

YONEX PU

YONEX SUPERGRAP

As you can see in the attached video with the 2021 model he play tested it at the nitto 2020 practice he is using three different racquets his 2018 vcore pj sv95, the new 2021 vcore 95 and as well as his new sv95 with the 2021 vcore pj. Tonight at the atp cup 2021 he is using the old sv95 mold. There is also a video attached below from his official Instagram posted last week to win his racket and in that you can see the head shape which shows that he is still using the sv95 mold with the new vcore pj as of 2021.

His instagram video:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Skip to 57:57 to see him balancing his sv95 with the new paintjob:

Unfortunately I'm new to the forum not sure how to upload pics from my phone’s camera roll :/

The grip under the overgrip is a yonex PU. I believe it is this one, the link for it is as follows:
https://www.amazon.com/Yonex-Tour-Grip-Tennis-Replacement/dp/B00LODNS9M


Lastly, here is a pic from 2020 us open that shows the aerofins on the top which proves that he is still using the sv95.

 

[moon shot]

So I have been doing research for the past year on what racquet shapo is actually using. I would like to share what I have got so far. With the new mold/frame from yonex for the vcore 95, it looks like shapo received them at the nitto atp 2020 practice and he tried different versions of it below are the attached photos of it.
Next here are the specs from his last years racquets that I found on these forums by a stringer.

SHAPOVALOV, DENIS

YONEX VCORE 95

3 grip size

686MM

335G unstrung

30.4CM with overgrip

YONEX PU

YONEX SUPERGRAP

As you can see in the attached video with the 2021 model he play tested it at the nitto 2020 practice he is using three different racquets his 2018 vcore pj sv95, the new 2021 vcore 95 and as well as his new sv95 with the 2021 vcore pj. Tonight at the atp cup 2021 he is using the old sv95 mold. There is also a video attached below from his official Instagram posted last week to win his racket and in that you can see the head shape which shows that he is still using the sv95 mold with the new vcore pj as of 2021.

His instagram video:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Skip to 57:57 to see him balancing his sv95 with the new paintjob:

Unfortunately I'm new to the forum not sure how to upload pics from my phone’s camera roll :/

The grip under the overgrip is a yonex PU. I believe it is this one, the link for it is as follows:
https://www.amazon.com/Yonex-Tour-Grip-Tennis-Replacement/dp/B00LODNS9M


Lastly, here is a pic from 2020 us open that shows the aerofins on the top which proves that he is still using the sv95.

Welcome to the forum. A fair number of us use imgur to upload which will give you code to post.

 

[cortado]

So I have been doing research for the past year on what racquet shapo is actually using. I would like to share what I have got so far. With the new mold/frame from yonex for the vcore 95, it looks like shapo received them at the nitto atp 2020 practice and he tried different versions of it below are the attached photos of it.
Next here are the specs from his last years racquets that I found on these forums by a stringer.

SHAPOVALOV, DENIS

YONEX VCORE 95

3 grip size

686MM

335G unstrung

30.4CM with overgrip

YONEX PU

YONEX SUPERGRAP

As you can see in the attached video with the 2021 model he play tested it at the nitto 2020 practice he is using three different racquets his 2018 vcore pj sv95, the new 2021 vcore 95 and as well as his new sv95 with the 2021 vcore pj. Tonight at the atp cup 2021 he is using the old sv95 mold. There is also a video attached below from his official Instagram posted last week to win his racket and in that you can see the head shape which shows that he is still using the sv95 mold with the new vcore pj as of 2021.

His instagram video:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Skip to 57:57 to see him balancing his sv95 with the new paintjob:

Unfortunately I'm new to the forum not sure how to upload pics from my phone’s camera roll :/

The grip under the overgrip is a yonex PU. I believe it is this one, the link for it is as follows:
https://www.amazon.com/Yonex-Tour-Grip-Tennis-Replacement/dp/B00LODNS9M


Lastly, here is a pic from 2020 us open that shows the aerofins on the top which proves that he is still using the sv95.

That is very headlight and not very heavy for a pro racquet. I'd want strung balance of 32-32.5cm at 335g and I'm not receiving pro shots.

 

[iceman_dl6]

That is very headlight and not very heavy for a pro racquet. I'd want strung balance of 32-32.5cm at 335g and I'm not receiving pro shots.

If I understood it correctly, I thought I read that those specs are unstrung, which means its approx 353g and 31.6 cm strung. It makes a lot of sense since he came from a Wilson 6.1 95 18x20 which is around the same weight and balance strung with overgrip!

 

[TomTennis495]

Someone above said it's a SV 95 .... it's not its the Yonex Vcore 95.

 

[TomTennis495]

Welcome to the forum. A fair number of us use imgur to upload which will give you code to post.

great post. thanks for this! not a big fan of his but I do love the racket. It's extremely plush when you hit and you feel like you are just throwing darts around the court. That said, it felt REALLY hard to hit a decent flat serve.....

 

[moon shot]

Someone above said it's a SV 95 .... it's not its the Yonex Vcore 95.

If you look at the upper inner hoop on post #575 you will find it has ridges as a SV95 does, not a gutter with recessed grommets as the VCORE 95 does.

 

[McGradey]

https://imgur.com/a/fUYPPqY

 

[TomTennis495]

I’m lost now. So no one really knows?

 

[rommi1998]

https://imgur.com/a/fUYPPqY

Okay so as far as i know that could be one of his earlier set ups before yonex made glossy ones for him shapo uses gloss paint thats matte....that could be a fake or not im not sure because I believe shapos rackets now say shapovalov not just shapo! but 323.4 sounds not that bad. can you try find out the balance??

 

[Karma Tennis]

Watched him playing Djokovic yesterday.

He continues to be too reckless at critical times during matches, especially against Top 10 opponents. Too many unforced errors.

I know that isn't necessarily the racquet ... but gees I would love to see him try a larger hoop (eg. Yonex 98) that could be a bit more forgiving, especially when he is slightly out of position hitting returns. His serve often gets very wayward at times as well. Again, perhaps a bigger hoop would give him greater margins to play with.

 

[cyanide43]

Watched him playing Djokovic yesterday.

He continues to be too reckless at critical times during matches, especially against Top 10 opponents. Too many unforced errors.

I know that isn't necessarily the racquet ... but gees I would love to see him try a larger hoop (eg. Yonex 98) that could be a bit more forgiving, especially when he is slightly out of position hitting returns. His serve often gets very wayward at times as well. Again, perhaps a bigger hoop would give him greater margins to play with.

What he really needs is a higher effective mass (more weight in the hoop) to allow him to play less risky against high level opponents who are also using heavy frames (heavier in EM than Shapo) and hitting the ball deep and heavy, forcing him to take silly risks because he feels behind in the rally. He could do this by maintaining the same specs he has now, and going to a larger hoop, or by increasing the weight in his current hoop. Headsize in isolation has nothing to do with it.

 

[McGradey]

Okay so as far as i know that could be one of his earlier set ups before yonex made glossy ones for him shapo uses gloss paint thats matte....that could be a fake or not im not sure because I believe shapos rackets now say shapovalov not just shapo! but 323.4 sounds not that bad. can you try find out the balance??

I've no idea tbh, just saw it on Tennisnerd's insta

 

[rommi1998]

Watched him playing Djokovic yesterday.

He continues to be too reckless at critical times during matches, especially against Top 10 opponents. Too many unforced errors.

I know that isn't necessarily the racquet ... but gees I would love to see him try a larger hoop (eg. Yonex 98) that could be a bit more forgiving, especially when he is slightly out of position hitting returns. His serve often gets very wayward at times as well. Again, perhaps a bigger hoop would give him greater margins to play with.

I think he just gets extra nervous everytime he plays with djokovic! he is playing pretty well today against alexander zverev as we speak

 

[rommi1998]

Here is the link to the official shapovalov specs for 2019 all the other ones are fake....
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/pro-specs-sheet.644280/page-2#post-14109800
prostringer is a tournament racquet stringer from what I know.

 

[recreationalplayer]

Also much better QC

Much, much, much better. Yonex is as close to a handmade racquet as is possible. W/the new EZONE and V CORE racquets they will continue to grow in popularity w/pro men and women as well as the rest of us. Growth will be slow as the big three have big bank accounts but Yonex is almost a specialty, handcrafted brand, they will never try to be everything to everybody like Wilson or Head.

 

[Karma Tennis]

I think he just gets extra nervous everytime he plays with djokovic! he is playing pretty well today against alexander zverev as we speak

Yeah, he got pretty close to Zverev today. I reckon he needs another tough year on the tour and he will be Cherry Ripe. He knows he can win Big Matches, he just needs a few more under his belt at the high level events, 500s and Majors, and he will kick on from there.

Yonex is as close to a handmade racquet as is possible.

The secret to buying any racquets and making sure of the QC is to check the specs of the sticks you buy before you buy them. I know that is not always easy to do if they are purchased online, but just make sure there is a good Returns policy.

I've never had a problem buying closely matched racquets when I buy several of them because I check them first. You will find that all major brands will be close if you buy several from the same batch.

The only issue I have had with racquets has been with Yonex ones breaking at the point where the hoop curves in at the top. Imho, the isometric head is nowhere near as robust as the more traditional shape. But then I am a fan of Babolat racquets and they tend to be pretty well constructed in comparison to most others.

 

[recreationalplayer]

Yeah, he got pretty close to Zverev today. I reckon he needs another tough year on the tour and he will be Cherry Ripe. He knows he can win Big Matches, he just needs a few more under his belt at the high level events, 500s and Majors, and he will kick on from there.



The secret to buying any racquets and making sure of the QC is to check the specs of the sticks you buy before you buy them. I know that is not always easy to do if they are purchased online, but just make sure there is a good Returns policy.

I've never had a problem buying closely matched racquets when I buy several of them because I check them first. You will find that all major brands will be close if you buy several from the same batch.

The only issue I have had with racquets has been with Yonex ones breaking at the point where the hoop curves in at the top. Imho, the isometric head is nowhere near as robust as the more traditional shape. But then I am a fan of Babolat racquets and they tend to be pretty well constructed in comparison to most others.

if we think of the traditional shape at the top as similar to a Roman Arch, I bet you are right.

 

[terminator97]

I looked at a close up image of Shappies 2021 stick, the grommet/hole layout doesn't match the retail 2021 or 2018 VC 95..

It is obviously a custom PJ to match the 2021 colours.

The holes look like they might match the 2016 VC 95,,, or maybe another racket??

 

[rommi1998]

I looked at a close up image of Shappies 2021 stick, the grommet/hole layout doesn't match the retail 2021 or 2018 VC 95..

It is obviously a custom PJ to match the 2021 colours.

The holes look like they might match the 2016 VC 95,,, or maybe another racket??

Yes he is using the sv95 mold from 2016

 

[terminator97]

Yes he is using the sv95 mold from 2016

I don't know much about the 95's,, what is the advantage of the 2016 95 frame.. vs 2018 or 2021

 

[iceman_dl6]

I don't know much about the 95's,, what is the advantage of the 2016 95 frame.. vs 2018 or 2021

The SV95 (2016) a lot more power than the other iterations. I had to string it up with Luxilon Savage Black @ 60 lbs to tame its power!

 

[rommi1998]

The SV95 (2016) a lot more power than the other iterations. I had to string it up with Luxilon Savage Black @ 60 lbs to tame its power!

I use lead at 2 and 10 about 9 grams in the head and the rest around 6 grams in the handle plus 5 grams from the overgrip its 11 pts headlight strung with 1.30 polutour strike plays amazing with control and enough power.

 

[rommi1998]

you do need a lot of physical strength to handle the racquet tho

 

[EasternRocks]

Does anyone know if he has lead under his bumper guard? He's the one player who by the looks of his stroke mechanics, could be using a lower twistweight frame and swingweight.

 

[Novichok]

Does anyone know if he has lead under his bumper guard? He's the one player who by the looks of his stroke mechanics, could be using a lower twistweight frame and swingweight.

Unless his racquet is custom, I'm sure his racquet has lots of added weight under the bumper guard and in the handle to achieve his specs.

 

[Karma Tennis]

Unless his racquet is custom, I'm sure his racquet has lots of added weight under the bumper guard and in the handle to achieve his specs.

https://tennisnerd.net/gear/racquets/pro-player-racquets/what-racquet-is-denis-shapovalov-using/24005

 

[Wheelz]

Shapo playing extended ??

 

[rommi1998]

Shapo playing extended ??

lol no he just uses shorter tourna grips. yonex rackets have longer handles anyways compared to other brands.

 

[dgoran]

Shapo playing extended ??

Never ever listen to Darren Cahill when it comes to player gear. They just need something to ramble on and they will make up all sort of $hlt