Dimitrov testing new frame in Toronto

[moon shot]

Looks like he plays with an overgrip. Not sure if the 360g includes overgrip? (the pics from the stringer don't show overgrip, but the pics of him playing do show overgrip).

All 4 of my RF97A's weigh more than 355g strung without an overgrip (which would be equivalent to his 360g minus his 5 g at 3&9). Maybe he does some custom handle work to make it more head-heavy?

Or, maybe he hand-selects some very light frames from a production run?

According to TWE averages the all black RF97 unstrung is:

340g 30.5cm

With the 97S it seemed it was trying to replicate his custom 93 specs in a larger head size. It appears he is now branching out to different specs as well as string pattern and head size.

 

[IowaGuy]

According to TWE averages the all black RF97 unstrung is:

340g 30.5cm

Agreed, so add on 5g of lead, a set of ~16g strings, and an overgrip and you're well over 360g (the reported weight from the stringer).

 

[Backhand Smash]

It sure seems to be the RF97 and why he needs additional lead on that one is a mystery to me. He tends to like 3-4 pt HL racquets so maybe that's why but a 360 SW (if that number is correct) seems a bit too much for a one-handed backhand, especially with his body build. We'll see how it works out I guess...

 

[Imago]

It sure seems to be the RF97 and why he needs additional lead on that one is a mystery to me. He tends to like 3-4 pt HL racquets so maybe that's why but a 360 SW (if that number is correct) seems a bit too much for a one-handed backhand, especially with his body build. We'll see how it works out I guess...

He always played with a less HL rackets. Remember, the first 97S was almost HH...

 

[Alan_Hill]

Img

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[ThirdEye]

Looks like he plays with an overgrip. Not sure if the 360g includes overgrip? (the pics from the stringer don't show overgrip, but the pics of him playing do show overgrip).

All 4 of my RF97A's weigh more than 355g strung without an overgrip (which would be equivalent to his 360g minus his 5 g at 3&9). Maybe he does some custom handle work to make it more head-heavy?

Or, maybe he hand-selects some very light frames from a production run?

Guess he might be using some custom handle. Notice the leather grip is not the usual Wilson black one, which might mean they applied a custom handle to the hairpin and then a leather grip.

 

[weaselberry]

Does Wilson just add more weight to the RF97A? Are there any other differences between the PS97 and RF97A?

It's interesting to me that Dimi has lead at 3 & 9. The RF97A has so much twistweight, that it seems like additional lead and 3 & 9 would be overkill (especially if he's used to a lower twistweight racket). This makes me think it is the PS97, thoughts?

Did Dimi add lead at 3 & 9 to his 93" racket? I can't find any online images of his 97s paintjobs that show any lead...

Guys, just because we can see lead at 3 & 9, doesn’t mean there isn’t any under the bumper guard or in the handle area...

 

[Backhand Smash]

He always played with a less HL rackets. Remember, the first 97S was almost HH...

This is precisely what I said. The RF97 is 9 pt HL. Grigor's old racquet is 3-4 pts HL.

 

[Kalethan]

(Too long, do not read)...

People like to clown Dimitrov for ‘only’ being insanely good and becoming the severaleth best in the world at what he does. His racquet roulette has hampered his career drastically, robbing him of consistency and making him more prone to shoulder trouble. Sure, the hitch in his service motion plays a part, and his brain plays a huge part, but the racquet roulette plays directly into the inability to trust oneself under pressure. The fact is he got on board with an experimental string pattern that worked for him in a small, thin frame but didn’t when expanded to a larger. He spent 2 years trying to find a balance and layup that could reliably put balls in play and finally went back to the 93in^2. He did great but again wore out his shoulder and maybe his legs trying to keep pace with bigger and stiffer frames. Rewatching his match with Tiafoe from last week, I can see the slight increase in easy pace right away. He doesn’t have to torque his body as much to produce what is now the standard (insanely high mph) rally pace of the tour. Once he adjusts to the new frame this should increase his consistency nontrivially. His backhand slice knifes more, floats less. He’s making errors still, including dreaded double faults, but his second serves also appear to have 5-10ish mph more on them. I have long been advocating he switch to a 16x20 97in^2 Yonex, but I have no money to put behind the legal contract stuff. Watching him start to come over returns with his backhand is inspiring and I honestly think he can reach maybe Top 5 with this frame. I think he could use this stick for the rest of his career. I say that as a person who has watched almost all of almost every match he has played in the last 4 years, watching how his game morphs with each variation in his stick. Sure, I’m nuts, but I think that after about 6 months of spotty results as he adjusts, and hopefully a long offseason to rest his body, next year he will be incrementally closer to the player all the pundits have been dreaming of for a decade. At the highest levels of the sport, incremental changes for the good are just about all you can make.

TL;DNR

EZ Ace Machine

 

[tennisBIEST]

 

[Rabbit]

From what I've been told, Wilson was overjoyed when Federer finally cut the cord with the 90. And sales of the 97 have justified their expectations. If you look at the Wilson lineup, they've basically gone the way of everybody else and eschewed anything below 97 square inches (yes there is a 95 out there). I think we're finally to the point that the 98 - 100 square inch frame is the defacto standard of tennis. Wilson may have been actively "encouraging" Dimitrov through his endorsement $'s to make the switch from a 93. I believe this is multiple forays away from the 93.

He is one of my favorite players to watch, kudos to him!

 

[FedLIKEnot]

Needs to find something in then next year and stick with it. I really think he will have a Stan like career. He is right now a threat at every tournament and has made some deep runs. Something will have to click and the first step in that is sorting out this racquet stuff. Clearly he sees a need he as spent almost three years off and on to this process. I know he sees himself as a Pro Staff guy but the Blade and even possibly the rumored Ultra 95 could check the boxes he is looking for. Shoot the Blade 98s may work for him right now if tuned to his specs.

 

[Imago]

I know he sees himself as a Pro Staff guy but the Blade and even possibly the rumored Ultra 95 could check the boxes he is looking for. Shoot the Blade 98s may work for him right now if tuned to his specs.

Because, primarily, he is a PT57A guy.

 

[SpinToWin]

Because, primarily, he is a PT57A guy.

AFAIK he was a PT10 or whatever the code for the Prestige Classic is

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Needs to find something in then next year and stick with it. I really think he will have a Stan like career. He is right now a threat at every tournament and has made some deep runs. Something will have to click and the first step in that is sorting out this racquet stuff. Clearly he sees a need he as spent almost three years off and on to this process. I know he sees himself as a Pro Staff guy but the Blade and even possibly the rumored Ultra 95 could check the boxes he is looking for. Shoot the Blade 98s may work for him right now if tuned to his specs.

Threat? Threat for what? Messing up an entire draw because he loses earlier despite being a top seed?

Should we count how many times he lost in the 1st or 2nd round this year?

 

[moon shot]

Threat? Threat for what? Messing up an entire draw because he loses earlier despite being a top seed?

Should we count how many times he lost in the 1st or 2nd round this year?

But he lost to opponent with a brand new knee from surgery who recently lost to a hip surgery patient. Surely that counts for something.

 

[IowaGuy]

But he lost to opponent with a brand new knee from surgery who recently lost to a hip surgery patient. Surely that counts for something.

Well, at least he didn't lose to a NextGen

 

[IowaGuy]

I didn't see him hit many of these types of big BH with his old racket, hopefully he sticks with the 97" to get a little more juice on his shots...

 

[FedLIKEnot]

@Say Chi Sin Lo if you think talent wise he can’t go toe to toe with 95% of the tour or better than we aren’t both based in reality. Maybe my experience in different sports, or playing college basketball (albeit div 2) ... but talent can override a lot especially if he gets hot. Now the better question is he capable of that consistently? To that at this time given his form this year I would say no. But this guy made the year end last year and saw his ranking jump. So it’s within him.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

@Say Chi Sin Lo if you think talent wise he can’t go toe to toe with 95% of the tour or better than we aren’t both based in reality. Maybe my experience in different sports, or playing college basketball (albeit div 2) ... but talent can override a lot especially if he gets hot. Now the better question is he capable of that consistently? To that at this time given his form this year I would say no. But this guy made the year end last year and saw his ranking jump. So it’s within him.

Talent yes, it's undeniable. But I judge based on results.

Otherwise, I'd put Benoit Paire up with there with Grigor Dimitrov. Are you willing to put Benoit Paire in the conversation because of the talent argument?

 

[FedLIKEnot]

Talent yes, it's undeniable. But I judge based on results.

Otherwise, I'd put Benoit Paire up with there with Grigor Dimitrov. Are you willing to put Benoit Paire in the conversation because of the talent argument?

I would say no, I personally don’t think he is as talented tho to be sure he hasn’t tapped into all of his skills. But also Grigor has had some pretty impressive results that Paire hasn’t.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I would say no, I personally don’t think he is as talented tho to be sure he hasn’t tapped into all of his skills. But also Grigor has had some pretty impressive results that Paire hasn’t.

Doesn't make him a threat.

Who do you think make players sweat more when they see the draw. Someone like Verdasco, Krygios, or Dimitrov?

 

[FedLIKEnot]

Doesn't make him a threat.

Who do you think make players sweat more when they see the draw. Someone like Verdasco, Krygios, or Dimitrov?

He won the finals of the year end championships last year .... that doesn’t make him a threat? This has gotten sidetracked but I didn’t say he was he BIGGEST threat. You must have it made up in your head that he is washed. If that’s the case why even post in this thread?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

He won the finals of the year end championships last year .... that doesn’t make him a threat? This has gotten sidetracked but I didn’t say he was he BIGGEST threat. You must have it made up in your head that he is washed. If that’s the case why even post in this thread?

Umm... weren't you the one who originally said he's a threat in tournaments in a discussion about his racquet? I was just commenting on your post. Hey, this is a topic about his supposedly racquet change, why'd you even post in this thread?

And please, year end championships, who played last year? Jack Sock made it to that year end championship for crying out loud, so please. Earlier in the year when he was ranked in the top 4, he'd own a quarter because he was either seeded 3rd or 4th. I was thinking: "well there he goes again, taking up someone else's quarter and ruining the draw down the stretch. Not like he'll make it through the round of 16."

All this talk about him being a threat when he's only won one masters tournament. Retirement-ready David Ferrer is more of a "threat" than Dimitrov is based on results and tournament wins.

But hey, we're talking about his racquet change, not about his credibility through a tournament. Why'd you even post in this thread?

 

[West Coast Ace]

I wonder how fired the guy is who greenlighted his endorsement deal?

 

[IowaGuy]

Dimi looking more comfortable with this racket.

1st serve against M. Zverev looks like it has more pop. He even hit a couple of nice touch volleys and drop shots.

Djok will be a better test tomorrow...

 

[racquetreligion]

Dim really cracks the FH well today but mentally still a stable as a chinese apartment

 

[DJTaurus]

 

[West Coast Ace]

Nice pics.

Homemade PWS.

 

[IowaGuy]

Are there any string/mold/etc differences between the PS97 and RF97A? i.e. is there any way to tell which of those molds he is using here?

It's hard for me to imagine that he would want to increase the twistweight of the RF97A? (the RF97A already likely being higher twistweight than his 93"). If RF97A, why not just add lead at 12:00 ?

If PS97, then makes more sense to add at 3 & 9 (and maybe some at 12:00 also, under the bumper). Thoughts?

 

[Mickael122]

Are there any string/mold/etc differences between the PS97 and RF97A? i.e. is there any way to tell which of those molds he is using here?

It's hard for me to imagine that he would want to increase the twistweight of the RF97A? (the RF97A already likely being higher twistweight than his 93"). If RF97A, why not just add lead at 12:00 ?

If PS97, then makes more sense to add at 3 & 9 (and maybe some at 12:00 also, under the bumper). Thoughts?

RF is stifferer

 

[IowaGuy]

RF is stifferer

Agreed (I own the frame), but is there anything you can tell from just looking at a paintjob frame, as to whether it's the RF97A or the PS97? PS97s, yes, but how about the RF97A versus the PS97?

Just curious as to whether Dimi is using the RF97A or the PS97. Stringer photos seem to suggest RF97A, but it's hard for me to believe he would want even more twistweight on that beast !?!

 

[West Coast Ace]

Agreed (I own the frame), but is there anything you can tell from just looking at a paintjob frame, as to whether it's the RF97A or the PS97? PS97s, yes, but how about the RF97A versus the PS97?

Just curious as to whether Dimi is using the RF97A or the PS97. Stringer photos seem to suggest RF97A, but it's hard for me to believe he would want even more twistweight on that beast !?!

Delete

 

[vsbabolat]

Because, primarily, he is a PT57A guy.

He was using the MG Prestige Mid in that photo
In this photo he was using the PT57A in Flexpoint Radical MP paint job

 

[vsbabolat]

AFAIK he was a PT10 or whatever the code for the Prestige Classic is

He was using the TGK237.1 MG Prestige Mid when he won Junior Wimbledon.

 

[IowaGuy]

Was watching some of the highlights from his match today with Djokovic.

Lots of slicing by Dimi on the BH wing, more than normal for him. Even on balls where he has plenty of time to set up to hit a topspin.

Doesn't seem to have much confidence in his topspin BH with this racket?

Also totally whiffed an on-the-rise FH, and missed a couple of relatively easy overheads. Timing issues with the new racket?

 

[ThirdEye]

Was watching some of the highlights from his match today with Djokovic.

Lots of slicing by Dimi on the BH wing, more than normal for him. Even on balls where he has plenty of time to set up to hit a topspin.

Doesn't seem to have much confidence in his topspin BH with this racket?

Also totally whiffed an on-the-rise FH, and missed a couple of relatively easy overheads. Timing issues with the new racket?

A new frame will always need some adjustment time, look at how long it took before Federer became 100% confident with the bigger racquet.
That said using the slice on the BH side against Djokovic might have been a precise choice, as there are just a few players able to rival a topspin BH battle with Novak. Keeping the ball low and long on that wing gave Dimitrov a lot of points.

 

[TennisHound]

Agreed (I own the frame), but is there anything you can tell from just looking at a paintjob frame, as to whether it's the RF97A or the PS97? PS97s, yes, but how about the RF97A versus the PS97?

There's not any visual difference between the RF and PS, except for labelling (that's pretty common knowledge), grommets are interchangeable. As far as weight and feel, that's another story.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Was watching some of the highlights from his match today with Djokovic.

Lots of slicing by Dimi on the BH wing, more than normal for him. Even on balls where he has plenty of time to set up to hit a topspin.

Doesn't seem to have much confidence in his topspin BH with this racket?

Also totally whiffed an on-the-rise FH, and missed a couple of relatively easy overheads. Timing issues with the new racket?

We’ll see if that was a 1 time tactic vs. Djokovic (don’t give him pace) or not. The overheads were just Grigor being Grigor.

And if he sticks with this frame.

 

[IowaGuy]

We’ll see if that was a 1 time tactic vs. Djokovic (don’t give him pace) or not. The overheads were just Grigor being Grigor.

And if he sticks with this frame.

Will be interesting to see if he uses the same frame at the USO...

I hope he just bites the bullet and gets used to the new frame, even if his short-term results suffer a bit in the meantime.

At 27, he could still have a late-career resurgence once the Big 5 are out of the picture...

 

[IowaGuy]

Will be interesting to see if he uses the same frame at the USO...

Any bets on how much longer he sticks with this new frame after such a lackluster performance? (which may or may not have been due to the racket...)

 

[Imago]

Any bets on how much longer he sticks with this new frame after such a lackluster performance? (which may or may not have been due to the racket...)

5 minutes?

 

[OldschoolKIaus]

"93 is too small. I need at least 97 like almost everybody else to compete."

*lost against a player who uses 95*

"Damit! What now?"

 

[FedLIKEnot]

I still contend the Blade line if tuned to his specs would likely check more of the boxes for him. Maybe that rumored Ultra 95 as well. But whatever the case he needs to make a choice this off season and stick to it going forward. He has lost years to his career hunting for a new racquet.

 

[deaner2211]

Note to Grigor: it’s not the bow, it’s the Indian.

If it is not the bow then why did Fed switch to a 97 from a 90?

 

[mellowyellow]

No point in a 93 with a thick as a cinder block frame and that gawd awful pos/pws. He made some really cringey tactical play, he at least looks like he hits through the court better now. Before, he use to hit many top spin balls so short I thought I was watching Fernando Meligini...

 

[West Coast Ace]

If it is not the bow then why did Fed switch to a 97 from a 90?

Old guy holding the bow....

Bad strategy - trying to match Stan’s power in BH to BH rallies.... must be racquet. 7 DFs.... must be racquet.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Old guy holding the bow....

Bad strategy - trying to match Stan’s power in BH to BH rallies.... must be racquet. 7 DFs.... must be racquet.

Stan was returning from the lines' person position, doesn't come into the net, must be the racquet.

Of those 7 DFs, one of those was a 130mph down the T that missed, must be the racquet.

Skidding out of a shot unnecessarily and losing court position, must be the racquet.

Falling to his left on every single serve, must be the racquet.

 

[NuBas]

Around 1:40 seconds Grigor holding a different racquet

 

[David Le]

Around 1:40 seconds Grigor holding a different racquet

It’s a paint job from the black/gold one he uses.