Federer’s actual Frame specs!

[CiscoPC600]

Yeah, you can only get them from P1, or off Rackets customised by P1.



IMO, yes, the Wilson one's don't stretch as much, they don't give as good-a-bevel as the P1 ones, I got 4 from Ron, they went straight onto my Strike's and haven't come off.

I've been using Tourna leather and been satisfied. Is there a general consensus on which is best?

 

[dr. godmode]

I've been using Tourna leather and been satisfied. Is there a general consensus on which is best?

A lot of people like Fairway but they are such a pain to put on, I can't see it being worth it. I have been very happy with my Tourna leather so far as well

 

[PBODY99]

About to frames going soft. @teachingprotx

Fed as stated in interviews that he gets frames several times / year, since they get softer from stringing. How much, who knows.

 

[PBODY99]

@CiscoPC600
I have 20 year old Fairways & other leather grips on frames I own.
They all work especially in this age of over grips.
Just try some a roll of double sided tape & a box of the small carpet tacks ~ 1/8 in to secure the start, if needed.

 

[CiscoPC600]

@CiscoPC600
I have 20 year old Fairways & other leather grips on frames I own.
They all work especially in this age of over grips.
Just try some a roll of double sided tape & a box of the small carpet tacks ~ 1/8 in to secure the start, if needed.

Are both necessary? I was considering just trying a bit of the tape on the buttcap to start it.

 

[ron schaap]

I dont find the exact specs of Feds that interesting, because once figured out he has moved to another frame with different specs.
The only interesting to notice that during his career he went from a stiff 88inch headed frame to an 97inch supple frame.
A lot of self aclaimed experts who insist that pro's play with nearly the same kind of racquet during their whole career are proven outright wrong. Fed seems to even switch to a lighter frame during doubles i read in this thread.
Then there are countless pro's who experiment with different string set ups. So they definetely dont play the same kind of racquet during their career. Its not constant. One of the only few who does such as Berdych, actually should switch to more modern frame because his ranking is sinking..

 

[stingstang]

I dont find the exact specs of Feds that interesting, because once figured out he has moved to another frame with different specs.
The only interesting to notice that during his career he went from a stiff 88inch headed frame to an 97inch supple frame.
A lot of self aclaimed experts who insist that pro's play with nearly the same kind of racquet during their whole career are proven outright wrong. Fed seems to even switch to a lighter frame during doubles i read in this thread.
Then there are countless pro's who experiment with different string set ups. So they definetely dont play the same kind of racquet during their career. Its not constant. One of the only few who does such as Berdych, actually should switch to more modern frame because his ranking is sinking..

Bizarre post. Of course they occasionally experiment with equipment but they don't tend to make major changes very often for obvious reasons. Sometimes they do but it's rare.

Federer played with the PS90 from 2002 to 2014 - by which time he was 33ish. That's most player's entire career.

Berdych switched from a Dunlop to a similar Radical a long time ago. What makes you think a "modern frame" (I'm guessing you're thinking something like a pure drive) would improve the game of someone similar in size to a general sherman tree?

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I would not call the RF97 "supple" or less stiff than the PS 85/90's.

 

[PBODY99]

@CiscoPC600

Are both necessary? I was considering just trying a bit of the tape on the butt cap to start it.

Not for me. tape is enough. I was taught the tack start in 1970 so I pass it on.

 

[CiscoPC600]

Do you just use double sided tape to start the grip or do you wrap the tape all the way up the handle?

I wonder what's so special about the P1 leather. Maybe just lighter and better quality control.

 

[One Handed Dynasty]

I dont find the exact specs of Feds that interesting, because once figured out he has moved to another frame with different specs.
The only interesting to notice that during his career he went from a stiff 88inch headed frame to an 97inch supple frame.
A lot of self aclaimed experts who insist that pro's play with nearly the same kind of racquet during their whole career are proven outright wrong. Fed seems to even switch to a lighter frame during doubles i read in this thread.
Then there are countless pro's who experiment with different string set ups. So they definetely dont play the same kind of racquet during their career. Its not constant. One of the only few who does such as Berdych, actually should switch to more modern frame because his ranking is sinking..

That’s what happens when you bridge multiple eras and age. He switched from the PS 88 with a full bed of gut to the PS 90 with gut mains and ALU crosses when poly came to be and revolutionized the game. Then after he got old and started declining physically he switched to a larger and stiffer frame. Most guys don’t play as long as Fed so they won’t require the switch he did. Also, poly strings were the last technology to necessitate a change.


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[jsm1373]

Do you just use double sided tape to start the grip or do you wrap the tape all the way up the handle?

I wonder what's so special about the P1 leather. Maybe just lighter and better quality control.

No doubt the highest quality leather but I'd suspect the real advantage to their own leather is a consistent weight and thickness... They're striving for the exact same grip size and overall racquet weight every time.

 

[hurworld]

OEHMS leather grip has been praised highly here too (I have no experience of using it). It is supposedly of similar quality to the Head Finest Calfskin used in pro stock room when customising racquets for pro players.

 

[dr325i]

I dont find the exact specs of Feds that interesting, because once figured out he has moved to another frame with different specs.
The only interesting to notice that during his career he went from a stiff 88inch headed frame to an 97inch supple frame.
A lot of self aclaimed experts who insist that pro's play with nearly the same kind of racquet during their whole career are proven outright wrong. Fed seems to even switch to a lighter frame during doubles i read in this thread.
Then there are countless pro's who experiment with different string set ups. So they definetely dont play the same kind of racquet during their career. Its not constant. One of the only few who does such as Berdych, actually should switch to more modern frame because his ranking is sinking..

How many accounts does FEDACE have these days???

 

[1990's Graphite]

How many accounts does FEDACE have these days???

I think the last count was 4, 3 of them are %100 him, other one is 50/50

 

[One Handed Dynasty]

OEHMS leather grip has been praised highly here too (I have no experience of using it). It is supposedly of similar quality to the Head Finest Calfskin used in pro stock room when customising racquets for pro players.

My German is horrible but they said in a Q& A a while ago that they either get their grips from the same supplier as heads finest or they used to supply them. I’d be open to trying one if my fairways could hurry up and show some wear. Seriously, the ones on my dad’s racquets from 40 years ago are still almost perfect..


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[Rhino]

Nice. It's about time someone made a thread about Federers racquet.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

I think the last count was 4, 3 of them are %100 him, other one is 50/50

Nostradamus, Rafaboy, Ron Schapp; who else is under suspicion? I could name another half dozen lol

 

[PBODY99]

@CiscoPC600
One wrap around the butt cap, a 5 inch length on the 2 face sides on the grip, bevels 3/7

 

[MRfStop]

What happened to OP? This is the same OP that was claiming Wawrinka doesn't use a 95D but instead a Duel G 97 330.

 

[ron schaap]

That’s what happens when you bridge multiple eras and age. He switched from the PS 88 with a full bed of gut to the PS 90 with gut mains and ALU crosses when poly came to be and revolutionized the game. Then after he got old and started declining physically he switched to a larger and stiffer frame. Most guys don’t play as long as Fed so they won’t require the switch he did. Also, poly strings were the last technology to necessitate a change.


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Come on!
Poly is at least used for, 20 years by pros. What do you think Moya used??
The fact that Fed switched so late in his career to bigger frames just proves my statement that pros can switch and should switch. Didnt Connors and Sampras admitted this for themselves.
Only some tennis purists or conservatives think pros should continue play with outdated gear.
Which is strange thinking because in every other sport ranging from golf to motorsports, sports players use the newest and best outfit.
i suspect Navratilova who won many matches because a lot of female players could not return her soft but spinny lefty serve suddenly hit passing shots she had no answer to. Apparently her opinion is still very popular in the States.

 

[One Handed Dynasty]

Come on!
Poly is at least used for, 20 years by pros. What do you think Moya used??
The fact that Fed switched so late in his career to bigger frames just proves my statement that pros can switch and should switch. Didnt Connors and Sampras admitted this for themselves.
Only some tennis purists or conservatives think pros should continue play with outdated gear.
Which is strange thinking because in every other sport ranging from golf to motorsports, sports players use the newest and best outfit.
i suspect Navratilova who won many matches because a lot of female players could not return her soft but spinny lefty serve suddenly hit passing shots she had no answer to. Apparently her opinion is still very popular in the States.

...Fed has been a Pro for 20 years lol. Big Banger original launched in 1991 and Alu Rough launched in 1994. It wasn’t until Kuerten won RG in 1997 that polys really started sweeping the tour. Fed turned pro in 1998 and started using poly in 2002. It took Fed around 5 years to get comfortable with a larger racquet, I don’t think taking a similar amount of time to try out different string setups and tensions and get comfortable with one. He also did it before he had won a slam. For players every equipment change is a risk that they won’t be able to reach their previous level of play, which means they won’t be able to make as much money. That’s part of the reason why most pros stick with their old racquet. They’ve been successful with their current equipment and depend on knowing it’s exact response in every situation. They want the exact same feel that lets them play their game.

Fed was able to take 5 years adjusting to a new racquet because he already had 17 grand slams. He had the luxury of time, which 99.9% of pros on the tour don’t have. Also, the new “technologies” are just gimmicks and in most cases are just excuses to use lower quality materials. (K)arophite Black sounds a lot less cool when you see it’s defined as subpar, poorly refined, Chinese graphite.




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[Povl Carstensen]

...Fed has been a Pro for 20 years lol. Big Banger original launched in 1991 and Alu Rough launched in 1994. It wasn’t until Kuerten won RG in 1997 that polys really started sweeping the tour. Fed turned pro in 1998 and started using poly in 2002. It took Fed around 5 years to get comfortable with a larger racquet, I don’t think taking a similar amount of time to try out different string setups and tensions and get comfortable with one. He also did it before he had won a slam. For players every equipment change is a risk that they won’t be able to reach their previous level of play, which means they won’t be able to make as much money. That’s part of the reason why most pros stick with their old racquet. They’ve been successful with their current equipment and depend on knowing it’s exact response in every situation. They want the exact same feel that lets them play their game.

Fed was able to take 5 years adjusting to a new racquet because he already had 17 grand slams. He had the luxury of time, which 99.9% of pros on the tour don’t have. Also, the new “technologies” are just gimmicks and in most cases are just excuses to use lower quality materials. (K)arophite Black sounds a lot less cool when you see it’s defined as subpar, poorly refined, Chinese graphite.




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Largely agree, exept I would reckon the K90 used a reasonable, useable, "par" graphite.

 

[hurworld]

Fed turned pro in 1998 and started using poly in 2002.

Was Fed using full natural gut before that?

 

[ron schaap]

...Fed has been a Pro for 20 years lol. Big Banger original launched in 1991 and Alu Rough launched in 1994. It wasn’t until Kuerten won RG in 1997 that polys really started sweeping the tour. Fed turned pro in 1998 and started using poly in 2002. It took Fed around 5 years to get comfortable with a larger racquet, I don’t think taking a similar amount of time to try out different string setups and tensions and get comfortable with one. He also did it before he had won a slam. For players every equipment change is a risk that they won’t be able to reach their previous level of play, which means they won’t be able to make as much money. That’s part of the reason why most pros stick with their old racquet. They’ve been successful with their current equipment and depend on knowing it’s exact response in every situation. They want the exact same feel that lets them play their game.

Fed was able to take 5 years adjusting to a new racquet because he already had 17 grand slams. He had the luxury of time, which 99.9% of pros on the tour don’t have. Also, the new “technologies” are just gimmicks and in most cases are just excuses to use lower quality materials. (K)arophite Black sounds a lot less cool when you see it’s defined as subpar, poorly refined, Chinese graphite.




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You could argue too, that Fed and his fellow pros should use the right equipment before turning pro. At least Guga, Moya and Nadal did
Furthermore with so many grandslam wins, he had so much to loose if his experiments with bigger racquet heads failed. Tennisfans have great expectations from these great champions. So a change was at least the same risk for him as it is for others i think.
But with golf you know, golf players have 14 different clubs when they walk onto the golf course and sometimes they use all 14 of them during a round which proves to me that it shouldnt take that much effort to get used to different clubs or different racquets.

 

[Londoner]

Also, the new “technologies” are just gimmicks and in most cases are just excuses to use lower quality materials. (K)arophite Black sounds a lot less cool when you see it’s defined as subpar, poorly refined, Chinese graphite.

Lower quality graphite, lower quality control and bullsh*t marketing: No, you can't buy the same stick as your tennis idol, but you can buy one that looks the same, comes with a different layup, headsize and string pattern. now go buy that every summer.

With the RF97, Wilson and Roger Federer apparently claim to be selling the exact same stick, and from stills at least we can see the string pattern and headsize look the same, but I wouldn't put money on the layup being the same at all.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I would say the "lower quality graphite" claim is largely speculation.

 

[One Handed Dynasty]

Largely agree, exept I would reckon the K90 used a reasonable, useable, "par" graphite.

K90 was great, my second favorite Pro Staff after the Hyper Carbon Tour 90. I was using a rather extreme example to make a point about a general trend. Wilson is actually one the better companies in terms of material quality, they just factory hop so it’s a gamble with the QC. I’d say Head is the worst offender.

IIRC the K90 and N90 were the last two racquets where the retail versions were foam filled. My old coach had a nice deal with Wilson and started hooking me up with pro stocks, and compared with the retail PS97, RF97A, and PS90 BLX’s you can immediately feel a difference. Stiffer and more hollow racquets are a lot cheaper to mass produce..

 

[jsm1373]

IIRC the K90 and N90 were the last two racquets where the retail versions were foam filled. My old coach had a nice deal with Wilson and started hooking me up with pro stocks, and compared with the retail PS97, RF97A, and PS90 BLX’s you can immediately feel a difference. Stiffer and more hollow racquets are a lot cheaper to mass produce..

A few months ago I wrapped a retail RF97 (red/black) around a net post and chucked it in the trash. After cooling down I wondered if its in tact brothers in my bag were foam filled. It absolutely was foam filled, at least at 3/9 clock where I split it open. (By the way, sold my remaining RF97s & switched back (for good) to nSix.One95 18x20s over the next week )

 

[moon shot]

The easy way to tell is when the strings are cut to pull the grommets, the foam is visible in the drilled holes.

The 6.1 has foam, the radical you only see drill flash

 

[jsm1373]

Thanks Moon Shot! Now I don't have to perform an "autopsy" on a precious nSix.One95 to know there's foam in them there hoops!

The easy way to tell is when the strings are cut to pull the gromme

The easy way to tell is when the strings are cut to pull the grommets, the foam is visible in the drilled holes.

The 6.1 has foam, the radical you only see drill flash

 

[Vlad_C]

K90 was great, my second favorite Pro Staff after the Hyper Carbon Tour 90. I was using a rather extreme example to make a point about a general trend. Wilson is actually one the better companies in terms of material quality, they just factory hop so it’s a gamble with the QC. I’d say Head is the worst offender.

IIRC the K90 and N90 were the last two racquets where the retail versions were foam filled. My old coach had a nice deal with Wilson and started hooking me up with pro stocks, and compared with the retail PS97, RF97A, and PS90 BLX’s you can immediately feel a difference. Stiffer and more hollow racquets are a lot cheaper to mass produce..

The PS90 BLX and the RF97A are also foam-filled.

I would dare to suggest thought that the benefits of this foam-filled thing might be a little overrated. The reason I say that is because the foam in these raquets is surprisingly low-density and brittle, which would result in a relatively small benefit in terms of absorbing shock/vibrations. I guess it's better than nothing, but perhaps not as great as some might want.

 

[MRfStop]

That site that sales pro stocks now has Federer's frame used at the 2012 French Open. But there aren't any specs listed.

 

[jsm1373]

That site that sales pro stocks now has Federer's frame used at the 2012 French Open. But there aren't any specs listed.

Saw that yesterday - most autograph COA's aren't worth the paper they're printed on but to have one filled out and signed again by the person in question is very nice... Wonder how many grand they want for it. If Fed really goes through dozens of sticks per year and gives most to charity, there should be plenty out there - guess most of those folks are just holding on to them rather than flooding the market.

Maybe we should start a TTW gofundme page to buy one and dissect it for all to see lol

 

[CiscoPC600]

soooo... it looks like OP never posted pictures or specs. Did the Fed police track him down?

 

[Tony Gareth]

Hello all,

I was lucky enough to receive an actual Roger Federer frame through my contact at the Wilson pro shop in Chicago IL yes this means it was the laver cup edition and would like to share a little bit as to his actual playing frame.

I will have to admit that the retail version we can all but in stores is very smillar and probably as close as you can get to the actual pros frames with a few minor modifications. As we all know top players use pro stock racquets not available to the general public and just simply endorse or promote and sponser the user friendly racquets we see for sale in retailers around the world.

After stripping the racquet, I was able to conclude the following specs and modifications as his actual playing specs.

His frame is a Wilson prostsff RF97 autograph in 4 3/8 grip (leather priority one leather grip and custom molded Handle) with a Wilson pro conform over grip and of course he uses the old school power pads to help preserve the playability of his natural gut main strings.

His only modifications to the weight of the racquet is he placed 3 grams of lead at 12 oclock in the tip and he had silicone injected in the Handle. To help figure out exactly how much of silicone is in the Handle, keep in mind that unstrung the racquet actual weighs 345 grams (without overgrip and strings ). When I get it all strung up with the power pads later this week I can give string weight as well. Thanks all and I can figure out how to post pictures I will.

3 grams @ 12 o’clock?! I’ve been wondering. I didn’t know about the handle though. I have a leather grip with an overwrap but I don’t know about injecting the silicone. His racket is kind of heavy. I used to use the RF without weight and did ok with it but I can’t imagine with all of the weight. I’m trying to customize my pro staff 97 which is about an oz lighter and I was wondering about lead tape in the head

 

[Nostradamus]

Hello all,

I was lucky enough to receive an actual Roger Federer frame through my contact at the Wilson pro shop in Chicago IL yes this means it was the laver cup edition and would like to share a little bit as to his actual playing frame.

I will have to admit that the retail version we can all but in stores is very smillar and probably as close as you can get to the actual pros frames with a few minor modifications. As we all know top players use pro stock racquets not available to the general public and just simply endorse or promote and sponser the user friendly racquets we see for sale in retailers around the world.

After stripping the racquet, I was able to conclude the following specs and modifications as his actual playing specs.

His frame is a Wilson prostsff RF97 autograph in 4 3/8 grip (leather priority one leather grip and custom molded Handle) with a Wilson pro conform over grip and of course he uses the old school power pads to help preserve the playability of his natural gut main strings.

His only modifications to the weight of the racquet is he placed 3 grams of lead at 12 oclock in the tip and he had silicone injected in the Handle. To help figure out exactly how much of silicone is in the Handle, keep in mind that unstrung the racquet actual weighs 345 grams (without overgrip and strings ). When I get it all strung up with the power pads later this week I can give string weight as well. Thanks all and I can figure out how to post pictures I will.

how many points head light is his racket ?

 

[dnguyen]

https://imgur.com/JXrGJxL

Adidas gtx pro ra 53

Can you please provide that link

 

[Big_Dangerous]

A lot of people like Fairway but they are such a pain to put on, I can't see it being worth it. I have been very happy with my Tourna leather so far as well

Not that hard if you just use a little double sided tape right at the start.

 

[travlerajm]

Exactly when did Fed switch from full gut to gut/poly?

 

[BlueB]

Exactly when did Fed switch from full gut to gut/poly?

For such a long time that I don't even remember when he played full gut...

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[aaron_h27]

Exactly when did Fed switch from full gut to gut/poly?

Some time in 2002!

 

[travlerajm]

Some time in 2002!

In other words, just before he became Fedr.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

..

 

[wings56]

That's not the test though. The test is if a company claims a player uses a specific frame in their marketing but the player does not use that frame. The players I listed all meet that bar.

Moreso - there's more info on your racquet which needs covering. Firstly, Federer's actual frames are not available from any Wilson pro shop in Chicago. His frames are supplied without handles to Priority One who put handles on, balance them and get them ready to his spec (the only thing they have no control over in terms of playing characteristics is the flex). Many times in the past the Wilson pro room has sent/given frames to people with the "it's one of Federer's" line to go with it and which, on this board, have been shown to be different to Federer's by people who have bought actual Federer used frames at auction (with his grip, strings, signature etc).

As far as the colour you mentioned even goes - it was written by Robbie Koenig on twitter that Fed's Laver Cup frames were more pink than they looked in the pictures. In fact, they all were - even the retail ones. I've seen one in person (on the other side of the world) and it looked more pink than I expected and certainly moreso than the marketing pics I saw. So the colour itself possibly means nothing imo.

Any links that show was his current setup might be?

 

[Benben245]

Any links that show was his current setup might be?

Oh the ecstasy you will exude when you find out his exact specs.

 

[moon shot]

Hamburg 2002

In this shot he also had a red sticker on his buttcap which seemed to be a triangle in a circle ignited I remember right. Any idea what that was, a customizer or something?

 

[coolschreiber]

how many points head light is his racket ?

How headlight are you @Nostradamus ... you still haven't told me what you smoke.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

..

 

[Povl Carstensen]

But with golf you know, golf players have 14 different clubs when they walk onto the golf course and sometimes they use all 14 of them during a round which proves to me that it shouldnt take that much effort to get used to different clubs or different racquets.

If they used all 14 to hit the same shot, you would have more of a point.