How is Federer Able to Use Such a Small Frame?

[GrahamIsSuper]

double post, my appologies.

 

[MotoMD]

If this theory were correct, we would see pros changing racquets every other point, due to notching on the strings, which would entirely negate sliding on every shot. Either that, or everyone would be using ridiculously low tensioned full-polyester string jobs. No one is crazy enough to do that, further reinforcing the fact that this whole thing is nuts.

I was giving the 'antifriction' coating and lower tension the benefit of the doubt in that it would be able to negate the notching factor.

The super low tensioned crosses racquet is an interesting idea but I am not sure of the negative side effects. Would accuracy suffer horribly? Would mains break every .03 seconds? Would balls be flying through the court at 150mph on average powered swings? Maybe the balance between different performance characteristics has already been met? The tradeoff with going any lower could be too great.

Like I said, this sounds a little far-fetched, but I'm won't completely discount it yet.

 

[LoneGun]

wow that is a good find.. the racket he uses is really holding him back imo...

iI would think it would be the other way around: he has to hit the ball perfectly to compensate for his racket...if he used a more stable racket he would be even better

Look closely at the ball's travelling path. Notice how the ball bouce straight back even though federer miss the sweet spot? If the racket does not flex in that situation, the ball would not be straight.