Federer to switch to a 95 sq in racquet

[sureshs]

Monaco, Monte Carlo
April 23, 2007
Tennis News
---------------------

After losing yet another clay court match to Rafael Nadal in straight sets, world No. 1 Roger Federer announced a change of racquets. He will play with the K Factor 95 (standard length).

"K Factor racquets give me great [K]ontrol and I helped design them," said Federer. Asked why he was switching racquets in the middle of the clay season, he said "For many years, I was arrogant and persisted in using an obsolete racquet. I thought I was emulating Pete Sampras. Now I have realized that if I continue in this fashion, I will also retire like Pete without winning the French Open."

Federer is well aware of the consequences of his actions. He candidly said, "I have been shanking balls like a beginner. I am ashamed of myself. Because of my ego, I lose to Nadal every time. Let this be a lesson to everybody. I have always loved oversized objects, like Mirka, so it is not a new feeling for me."

Experts said the smaller, obsolete head size used by Federer required him to swing faster to generate more power, which is needed to face heavyweights like Nadal. But the faster swings resulted in less accuracy, and combined with the small sweetspot, led to numerous forehand and backhand unforced errors.

All-time great Rod Laver applauded the decision by Federer. "He is becoming an embarrassment because of his shanking and dependence on ultra-accurate timing for his game. I say, just go for what will get you the Fench Open win."

 

[JRstriker12]

Isn't it a bit late for April fools?

That was good. You should submit it to the Onion.

I wonder if Fed would play better with a larger racket on clay since he's used to playing with the 90- sq. inch racket. It might be worth a try, or it could just throw off his game.

I really can't imagine any player making a suddent switch like that.

 

[ktownva]

Omg Roflmfao

 

[NoBadMojo]

As an adjunct to the story, it was later revealed that Federer himself was a poster at the TW forum and admits to have fallen into the trap of listening to the TW posters who jammed the following myths down his gullet
-midsize frames give you more control
-midsized frames have better ball feel
-midsized frames because of their smaller sweetspot FORCE you to concentrate more and thusly you miss hit less than you would with a larger headed frame
-midsized frames give you better technique
-midsized frames volley better
-midsized frames are more manueverable even though they typically are heavier and have higher swingweights
-midsized frames are better for the one handed BH and dont get stuck in your armpit on the takeaway
-years ago infants, children, and the old and infirmed used frames which weighed more than they do now and had much smaller sweetspots..if infants could use these frames back then, they can sure use a small headed heavy demanding frame now
-mid sized frames make you special and elite, and Roger is just a Sampras wannabe

When Federer was asked why he listened to these TW posters who caused his game to go in the dumper on clay he said 'I dunno..i was just being dumb'

 

[jackcrawford]

Fed may listen to his new buddy Tiger - after two years without a major, Woods ditched the obsolete 330 cc driver and joined the rest of the PGA with a 460 cc and soon returned to his winning ways.

 

[KingOfTennis]

wow very very good. i actually believed it until i started the bit about shanking the ball. anyway good work

 

[NoBadMojo]

Fed may listen to his new buddy Tiger - after two years without a major, Woods ditched the obsolete 330 cc driver and joined the rest of the PGA with a 460 cc and soon returned to his winning ways.

excellent...a 460cc has an enormous head i believe? i retired from golf about the time of the BigBertha which likely looks like persimmon compared to the a 460cc or even a 330cc?...here's a real analogy which is analogous..rare around here at times. i also like the baseball bat analogy. bats are much lighter these days as it's more about bat speed than weight..same for tennis. Example, the Babes' bat was much heavier than Barrys and i think we can agree that Barry is in much better physical condition than the Babe could ever dream about and dont think the Babe indulged himself in the roids. I realize the ball is hotter now than then, but the analogy still holds true I think....

 

[BreakPoint]

Experts said the smaller, obsolete head size used by Federer required him to swing faster to generate more power, which is needed to face heavyweights like Nadal. But the faster swings resulted in less accuracy, and combined with the small sweetspot, led to numerous forehand and backhand unforced errors.

You seemed to have completely ignored the heavier weight of the K90.

Weight + high swing speed = MORE power, NOT less

 

[LarougeNY]

"I have always loved oversized objects, like Mirka, so it is not a new feeling for me."
LOL
where do you come up with this stuff?!?

 

[Pistol Pete]

listen just because you guys do not want him to play with a 95 or can not play with the 90 yourself does not mean he should switch...he has made the last 4 clay finals..should have won rome and ohh he won 3 out 4 slams this year...and oh he won the aussie without dropping a set...hmm yeah i guess he should switch

 

[Kill-It]

"I have always loved oversized objects..."

I love that quote.

 

[Bogie]

funny, but you have waay too much spare time on your hands buddy

 

[stormholloway]

I've never heard of the "Fench Open". Is it played on carpet?

 

[Roger_federer]

Hahahaha this thread is awesome

 

[ps60]

anyone who has played midsized racket, wouldn't believe that for a second :grin:

i played the Asian K90 (320g unstrung), it was harder to swing, actually, i could hit it right from the first swing, without warming up. after 10-15 swings, i started to move around, to the net. and cross-court high volley is so easy because it has the stability (or power) to do it itself. Just like the AnCode 90 did.

it is a bit of a habbit. if u play sth. for a long time, it takes some effort to try sth else.

 

[sureshs]

Fed may listen to his new buddy Tiger - after two years without a major, Woods ditched the obsolete 330 cc driver and joined the rest of the PGA with a 460 cc and soon returned to his winning ways.

Very interesting. Specially since Tiger has won all the four Majors, unlike Federer.

Also interesting is that the only man to win Slams on all 4 modern surfaces, Agassi, used an oversize racquet.

I would hate to see Federer ranked all-time as follows because of his French deficit:

Laver
Agassi
Sampras
Federer

 

[mileslong]

another incredible sad, unfunny post from one of nadals boot lickers...

 

[Mick]

Very interesting. Specially since Tiger has won all the four Majors, unlike Federer.

Also interesting is that the only man to win Slams on all 4 modern surfaces, Agassi, used an oversize racquet.

I would hate to see Federer ranked all-time as follows because of his French deficit:

Laver
Agassi
Sampras
Federer

don't feel too sorry for Fed because he is going to be the richest one among those guys on that list when he hangs up his racquet for good.

 

[Noveson]

Hahahaha, you totally had me going until the embarresment and oversized objects bit:lol:

 

[katastrof]

Hahah! Although this thread is bogus, the idea is not. If you watch "No Strings" with Pete Sampras on the Tennis Channel, you'll hear him say (when talking about his racquet) "my only regret is that I haven't used something a little bigger on clay. my sweetspot was -making point sign with hand- this big".

Just throwing it in as something to think about.

 

[katastrof]

Hahah! Although this thread is bogus, the idea is not. If you watch "No Strings" with Pete Sampras on the Tennis Channel, you'll hear him say (when talking about his racquet) "my only regret is that I haven't used something a little bigger on clay. my sweetspot was -making point sign with hand- this big".

Just throwing it in as something to think about.

The program is "Center Court", not "No Strings". My bad.

 

[Ronny]

I have always loved oversized objects, like Mirka, so it is not a new feeling for me."

hahahaha rolfmao....good call

 

[spaceman_spiff]

You know, it's funny that you guys are making fun of a person who can easily beat every tennis player in the world but two on any surface with his "obsolete" racket. In addition to making it to the finals of MC, he played a 6-4, 6-4 match against a man who has now won 68 straight on clay. Just think about what Nadal did to all those other players who use other rackets. Maybe those guys should switch their rackets because they "suck." Let's hear your suggestions about what all those other guys should do. And, while you're at it, let's hear your thoughts on their girlfriends, wives, etc., because I know you guys can do so much better.

Anyways, before you go around acting like you know more than some professional about what rackets people should use, you should take a look at your own ratings and results. 99% of the people on here (including myself) are just local nobodies. Once one of you can beat Nadal on clay (or, for that matter, just win any professional tournament on clay), then you will have proven your expertise on the subject. Until then, have a little humility on the subject.

 

[slice bh compliment]

... Once one of you can beat Nadal on clay (or, for that matter, just win any professional tournament on clay), then you will have proven your expertise on the subject. Until then, have a little humility on the subject.

Humility?
On the internet?
Ahhahahahahahhahhahahaahhhhhhhhahaaaaaaahhahhhhhhhhhhhaaaa!!!

Good one Spaceman! Hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaa!!

EDIT:
Aaahhhahahahahahahhhahahahahahahahahahhaahahah! Still laughing, ahahahhaahaha! This is exactly what Al Gore had in mind when he invented the interweb! Thank you Al Gore, you large, beautiful genius, thank you, sir!!

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Humility?
On the internet?
Ahhahahahahahhahhahahaahhhhhhhhahaaaaaaahhahhhhhhhhhhhaaaa!!!

Good one Spaceman! Hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaa!!

I know. I could hardly keep a straight face while writing.

BTW, not only am I better than you, I also know more about what's best for you, because I'm just that cool.

 

[slice bh compliment]

...BTW, not only am I better than you, I also know more about what's best for you, because I'm just that cool.

There, now, that's the spirit!

 

[spaceman_spiff]

There, now, that's the spirit!

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that your girlfriend, wife, or part-time lover is overweight and ugly, and that makes me question your sexuality.

Ha ha!

 

[jelle v]

As an adjunct to the story, it was later revealed that Federer himself was a poster at the TW forum and admits to have fallen into the trap of listening to the TW posters who jammed the following myths down his gullet
-midsize frames give you more control
-midsized frames have better ball feel
-midsized frames because of their smaller sweetspot FORCE you to concentrate more and thusly you miss hit less than you would with a larger headed frame
-midsized frames give you better technique
-midsized frames volley better
-midsized frames are more manueverable even though they typically are heavier and have higher swingweights
-midsized frames are better for the one handed BH and dont get stuck in your armpit on the takeaway
-years ago infants, children, and the old and infirmed used frames which weighed more than they do now and had much smaller sweetspots..if infants could use these frames back then, they can sure use a small headed heavy demanding frame now
-mid sized frames make you special and elite, and Roger is just a Sampras wannabe

When Federer was asked why he listened to these TW posters who caused his game to go in the dumper on clay he said 'I dunno..i was just being dumb'

LMAO

He later also admitted, that leads up his racket to SW2..

 

[ktownva]

26 April, 2007
Hamburg, Germany
------------------

Tennis world #1 Roger Federer, still reeling from a straight sets defeat a week ago at the hands of nemesis Rafael Nadal, announced today his intent to break his lifetime racquet contract with Wilson Sporting Goods. Wilson has sponsored Federer since his early junior days, and the Swiss has amassed 10 Grand Slam victories using a Wilson racquet. Federer claims the split with Wilson was dissapointing but amicable.

Federer is quoted as saying, "I have had great success with my 90" Wilson racquet over the years, but it is now apparent to me that I will not be able to compete on clay without a change in equipment. Therefore, I will now partner with WEED Racquet Sports in an effort to revive their unique line of superoversized racquets, as well as my hopes for winning on clay. My new racquet will be called the "RF 135", a 9.5 ounce, 28.5 inch long, 135 square inch racquet with a sublime flourescent hot pink paint scheme. The added length, lightness, and sweetspot of my new racquet will make it virtually impossible for Rafa to kick the ball high over my backhand out of my strikezone. The hot pink paintjob will also bewilder and distract my Spanish foe and extract numerous unforced errors and fits of laughter." The Swiss superstar plans to unveil his new weapon next week in Rome.

 

[NoBadMojo]

LMAO

He later also admitted, that leads up his racket to SW2..

my bad...an ommission on my part actually Fed did go to Warren Bosworth asking him to convert his racquets to SW2, but Mr Bosworth couldnt figure out what SW2 is.............

 

[drakulie]

Hahah! Although this thread is bogus, the idea is not. If you watch "No Strings" with Pete Sampras on the Tennis Channel, you'll hear him say (when talking about his racquet) "my only regret is that I haven't used something a little bigger on clay. my sweetspot was -making point sign with hand- this big".

Just throwing it in as something to think about.

Jiim Courier certainly didn't feel that way when he won two french opens.

 

[sureshs]

26 April, 2007
Hamburg, Germany
------------------

Tennis world #1 Roger Federer, still reeling from a straight sets defeat a week ago at the hands of nemesis Rafael Nadal, announced today his intent to break his lifetime racquet contract with Wilson Sporting Goods. Wilson has sponsored Federer since his early junior days, and the Swiss has amassed 10 Grand Slam victories using a Wilson racquet. Federer claims the split with Wilson was dissapointing but amicable.

Federer is quoted as saying, "I have had great success with my 90" Wilson racquet over the years, but it is now apparent to me that I will not be able to compete on clay without a change in equipment. Therefore, I will now partner with WEED Racquet Sports in an effort to revive their unique line of superoversized racquets, as well as my hopes for winning on clay. My new racquet will be called the "RF 135", a 9.5 ounce, 28.5 inch long, 135 square inch racquet with a sublime flourescent hot pink paint scheme. The added length, lightness, and sweetspot of my new racquet will make it virtually impossible for Rafa to kick the ball high over my backhand out of my strikezone. The hot pink paintjob will also bewilder and distract my Spanish foe and extract numerous unforced errors and fits of laughter." The Swiss superstar plans to unveil his new weapon next week in Rome.

A 90" racquet is quite big already ....

 

[BreakPoint]

A 90" racquet is quite big already ....

It's amazing to think that Borg dominated the way he did on red clay with his heavy, 65 sq. in. wood racquet that was strung so tightly that it had a non-existent sweetspot. Was he just a superhuman God?

You guys please go tell Borg, Vilas, Laver, Nastase, Rosewall, Lendl, Courier, etc. that it's not possible to win on clay with a 90 sq. in. racquet. They'd laugh in your face.

 

[sureshs]

It's amazing to think that Borg dominated the way he did on red clay with his heavy, 65 sq. in. wood racquet that was strung so tightly that it had a non-existent sweetspot. Was he just a superhuman God?

You guys please go tell Borg, Vilas, Laver, Nastase, Rosewall, Lendl, Courier, etc. that it's not possible to win on clay with a 90 sq. in. racquet. They'd laugh in your face.

That may be because they never played anyone with bigger racquets, Luxilon strings and a physique like Nadal. Nothing against them, but even Federer does not play with a 65 si racquet, and most of the pros don't use 90 si either. They have moved with the times, just as today's engineers use computers and not slide rules, but not because of disrespect to those in the past who did. Women don't play in long dresses any more, either.

 

[Moose Malloy]

They have moved with the times, just as today's engineers use computers and not slide rules, but not because of disrespect to those in the past who did. Women don't play in long dresses any more, either.

Yet baseball players play with the same basic equipment of 100 years ago. It has stayed popular without change.

 

[jackcrawford]

Yet baseball players play with the same basic equipment of 100 years ago. It has stayed popular without change.

MLB players are prohibited by rule from using metal/graphite bats - college players use 27 oz. bats and have 18-12 scores due to the tremendous bat speed they generate. No MLB player would use a wood bat if he weren't forced to.

 

[sureshs]

Yet baseball players play with the same basic equipment of 100 years ago. It has stayed popular without change.

And so has cricket with wooden bats.

But not table tennis which moved away from its plain wood bat origins to today's bats with topsheet and sponge.

I was responding to BP's post that using modern racquets somehow implies players in the past who used wood racquets could not win the French Open. Whatever you play with at any time, there has to be a French Open winner.

 

[EasternRocks]

i haven't heard anything about this thread, so i am neutral.
______________________________________
by the way, its a nice thing to know. )
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

[Clecwm]

It would be funny to c Federer change from a 90" to a 135"! its really going to shock e world although its definitely not gonna happen.

 

[dminh01]

Federer did use the HPS 6.1 before which is the 95 headsize so I think it is not very for him to change to bigger headsize

 

[Chauvalito]

comedy, i had to stop from laughing because I am in the library...

 

[BreakPoint]

Federer did use the HPS 6.1 before which is the 95 headsize so I think it is not very for him to change to bigger headsize

No, that HPS 6.1 that he used was a paintjob, so he's never used a 95 before.

It was actually first a PS 6.0 85 with a HPS 6.0 95 Tour paintjob on it (which has the same red paintjob as the HPS 6.1 except that it's matte instead of glossy), and then he switched to a PS Tour 90 but with the same red HPS 6.0 95 Tour paintjob on it. Thus, he never used a real HPS 6.0 95 Tour nor a real HPS 6.1.

 

[carol4832]

so what if fed switched to a 95, I think he is just doing it primarily for marketing purposes. after all most people use a mid plus or oversize racquet, however it seems that most of the elite players play with a small racquet head 85's , 88's or 90's. I wonder why ?? , I alway's that that the better player you are, the more accurate and consistent you are. so therefore It is more advantageous to use a smaller racquet head with a tighter density pattern, giving you more precision and power.. besides if you are a good player, you should not need an error forgiving racquet with excessive size. I alway's that that the best players use smaller racquet heads... like pete... and steffi, and hewitt.. etc. etc. am I missing something ??

 

[jackcrawford]

Now that Roche has been fired, when Fed fires the K90 to play some version of the Wilson 95 family, all the wannabes will switch too and claim it's just a coincidence

 

[sureshs]

I alway's that that the best players use smaller racquet heads... like pete... and steffi, and hewitt.. etc. etc. am I missing something ??

Two are retired, the third is almost retired. Think Nadal, Roddick, Blake, Bryans. Who uses a small head?

 

[BreakPoint]

Two are retired, the third is almost retired. Think Nadal, Roddick, Blake, Bryans. Who uses a small head?

AFAIK, nobody uses "G.O.A.T." and these other guys names in the same sentence.

 

[sureshs]

AFAIK, nobody uses "G.O.A.T." and these other guys names in the same sentence.

Nobody uses GOAT with Hewitt either. And without a FO, one cannot be the GOAT.

Even if all 3 were GOATs, it has little relevance today. The real GOAT, Laver, played with a wooden racquet. Nobody does that today.

And the almost-GOAT Sampras has switched to a bigger frame and loving it.

 

[BreakPoint]

And the almost-GOAT Sampras has switched to a bigger frame and loving it.

Is it any bigger than what Federer is using?

 

[superstition]

And the almost-GOAT Sampras has switched to a bigger frame and loving it.

I'm sure he's loving that check from Wilson.

 

[BigServer1]

I'm sure he's loving that check from Wilson.

That's the truth. Nice to see you again, Superstition. You have a lot to contribute to the boards and I hope to see you more often.