Gael Monfils' H19 Customization

[grungebob]

There are three instances of Gael Monfils' wilson racquets being listed. I know he's with artengo now, but I'm curious if anyone knows how pro racquets are typically customized to make them like these:

• https://www.prostocktennis.com/products/Gael-Monfils-personal-wilson-h19-BLX-Blade-98
• https://www.prostocktennis.com/products/gael-monfils-personal-wilson-h19-blx-blade-99
• https://www.prostocktennis.com/products/gael-monfils-personal-wilson-h19-blade-98

Is it simply a longer handle and a ton of weight in the butt cap and under the bumper?

 

[Gemini]

A longer handle increases the swing weight and shifts the balance point towards the head of the racquet making it more head heavy. It doesn't necessarily equate to more weight.

To get to that balance (something like 14 to 15 pts head light), you'd have to have a lot of weight in the handle. The descriptions says that the handle is filled with epoxy/foam so that's most likely where the majority of the weight come from and the corresponding balance. One of the descriptions says that there's lead under the bumper as well. So, ultimately, that super headlight balance comes from the weight in the handle.

 

[grungebob]

A longer handle increases the swing weight and shifts the balance point towards the head of the racquet making it more head heavy. It doesn't necessarily equate to more weight.

To get to that balance (something like 14 to 15 pts head light), you'd have to have a lot of weight in the handle. The descriptions says that the handle is filled with epoxy/foam so that's most likely where the majority of the weight come from and the corresponding balance. One of the descriptions says that there's lead under the bumper as well. So, ultimately, that super headlight balance comes from the weight in the handle

cool - thank you!

 

[nohandedbackhand]

I have one of his personal match used H19s from right before he switched to Artengo. I can check specs when I get around to it. From memory it’s slightly xl (maybe 27.25), a log to swing, and the handle is massive. I’m 6’1 and have decently large hands and this racquet makes me feel like a little kid playing with a grown up’s racquet.

 

[grungebob]

I have one of his personal match used H19s from right before he switched to Artengo. I can check specs when I get around to it. From memory it’s slightly xl (maybe 27.25), a log to swing, and the handle is massive. I’m 6’1 and have decently large hands and this racquet makes me feel like a little kid playing with a grown up’s racquet.

wow how did you get that

 

[Donmikan]

I have one of his personal match used H19s from right before he switched to Artengo. I can check specs when I get around to it. From memory it’s slightly xl (maybe 27.25), a log to swing, and the handle is massive. I’m 6’1 and have decently large hands and this racquet makes me feel like a little kid playing with a grown up’s racquet.

please share the swingweight when you can

 

[Tennisist]

Just weight in the handle will not produce 371 SW. There must be lead in hoop. A lot of it.

 

[nohandedbackhand]

Got it off a tennis classifieds site that I think most people here have heard of but I don’t want to say the name and risk getting banned. Although I think it’s shut down now so maybe doesn’t actually matter. Anyways there’s definitely lead under the bumper. I’ll check sw with my Briffidi when I can hopefully tonight or tomorrow

 

[nohandedbackhand]

Some pics

Unstrung and without leather grip/OG-
326 static, balance 31.7

Briffidi isn’t currently set up but I’ll post sw when I’m able.

 

[nohandedbackhand]

That last pic is for reference. According to the grip measurement tool with the ruler and palm creases etc I should be using slightly bigger than an L5. Monfils is a beast.

 

[Gemini]

Just weight in the handle will not produce 371 SW. There must be lead in hoop. A lot of it.

Not necessarily. I'm no expert on the H19, but everything that I've been able to find and digest suggests that they're "naturally" heavier frames in terms of swing weight from the factory without having to modify with lead/tungsten. If the layup already favors a less headlight balance (more weight in the head naturally), you would need a lot of weight (lead, tungsten, silicone) on the handle side of the balance point to raise that balance point. The addition of that weight, even though it's on the handle side, also raises swing weight (though not as significantly as adding to the head). Conversely, my experience has been that I can impact (raise) swing weight more dramatically with a minimal amount of weight at the 12 o'clock position on a racquet.

All that to say that you don't have to have a huge amount of additional weight in the head to achieve a high swing weight if the racquet is already balanced in that favor.