Is Felix’s racquet going to doom him?

tsurismo5 said:
I feel like nadal is the only player who has been consistently successful with the APD pro stock or whatever that frame is. And it required his extremely unorthodox, unprecedentedly athletic game to make things work. Tsonga was quite streaky with it, and seemed to have problems on the return (it just doesn’t seem like a good returning racquet). Paire and querrey obviously have holes in their games and haven’t been consistently great either. Roddick, who also used a babolat, didn’t have great returns or backhand but at least compensated with an explosive serve and forehand. Thiem, who also uses babolat, had to develop massively powerful explosive strokes to really get the most out of his racquet.

To compensate for the relative whipiness of the APD, Felix seems to have adopted a berdychian “easy power” approach to his game (looks like either his strings or his wrists are very loose for max power) but that has seen him spray a lot or hit short when his timing is off. His game doesn’t seem relatively explosive off the forehand, rather consistently powerful, and I'm not sure that style will work with his racquet. Doesn’t seem to have the forehand passing shots or crafty slices of APD greats Tsonga and Nadal either. Just as Ferrer’s game was no bueno with babolat, I worry that Felix might be holding himself back as well.
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Nice post
 
I would love to see FAA try a Yonex SV95 like his fellow countryman.

But saying that, I imagine he has tried that one when praciticing with his good mate Shapo. So perhaps he decided it doesn't fit his game.

I often wonder though, how much does the endorsement money factor into a player remaining loyal to a particular brand / racquet even if they know deep down a different stick might help them get further up the ladder?
 
Karma Tennis said:
I often wonder though, how much does the endorsement money factor into a player remaining loyal to a particular brand / racquet even if they know deep down a different stick might help them get further up the ladder?
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my bet is different depending on the player, factoring: financial situation, place in career, ego, history/relationship with racquet and company, short term financial windfall
 
Karma Tennis said:
I would love to see FAA try a Yonex SV95 like his fellow countryman.

But saying that, I imagine he has tried that one when praciticing with his good mate Shapo. So perhaps he decided it doesn't fit his game.

I often wonder though, how much does the endorsement money factor into a player remaining loyal to a particular brand / racquet even if they know deep down a different stick might help them get further up the ladder?
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Most infamous one recently is when khachanov decided to try to switch to head right after the best results of his career at the end of 2018 (now that was an exciting player). Didn’t work out for him, seemed to switch back to Wilson. That move thus far seemed to destroy his career momentum.
 
tsurismo5 said:
Most infamous one recently is when khachanov decided to try to switch to head right after the best results of his career at the end of 2018 (now that was an exciting player). Didn’t work out for him, seemed to switch back to Wilson. That move thus far seemed to destroy his career momentum.
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Lol, no.

It wasn't so much of Wilson vs Head.
He played with specs: static weight, SW.
That has massive impact.

Someone told him he needs higher static weight to handle better the incoming pace

P.S.
Before Wilson he played with Head ;-)
 
tsurismo5 said:
I feel like nadal is the only player who has been consistently successful with the APD pro stock or whatever that frame is. And it required his extremely unorthodox, unprecedentedly athletic game to make things work. Tsonga was quite streaky with it, and seemed to have problems on the return (it just doesn’t seem like a good returning racquet). Paire and querrey obviously have holes in their games and haven’t been consistently great either. Roddick, who also used a babolat, didn’t have great returns or backhand but at least compensated with an explosive serve and forehand. Thiem, who also uses babolat, had to develop massively powerful explosive strokes to really get the most out of his racquet.

To compensate for the relative whipiness of the APD, Felix seems to have adopted a berdychian “easy power” approach to his game (looks like either his strings or his wrists are very loose for max power) but that has seen him spray a lot or hit short when his timing is off. His game doesn’t seem relatively explosive off the forehand, rather consistently powerful, and I'm not sure that style will work with his racquet. Doesn’t seem to have the forehand passing shots or crafty slices of APD greats Tsonga and Nadal either. Just as Ferrer’s game was no bueno with babolat, I worry that Felix might be holding himself back as well.
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its not the indian but the bow, as the saying goes. Also i understand FAA does not use the apd but the Aerostorm like frames with 20 crosses. Furthermore how can you make general statements about the whole of Babolat line? Then Clijsters was very succesful with her APD so essential you are telling us nonsense.
 
After witnessing yet another L in the finals, he still has a lot work to do, but it seems his Babolat isn’t helping a whole lot! A lot of shots going long or out, which typically happens in a Babolat if you don’t put enough spin on your shots. I don’t know about you, but I think he should switch to a more control oriented frame as he is a big, young and strong guy! If it must be a Babolat, maybe a Pure Strike 18x20? If another company, maybe a Yonex VCore 98, Head Radical, Gravity, or Wilson Blade 16x19? What do you guys think?
 
iceman_dl6 said:
After witnessing yet another L in the finals, he still has a lot work to do, but it seems his Babolat isn’t helping a whole lot! A lot of shots going long or out, which typically happens in a Babolat if you don’t put enough spin on your shots. I don’t know about you, but I think he should switch to a more control oriented frame as he is a big, young and strong guy! If it must be a Babolat, maybe a Pure Strike 18x20? If another company, maybe a Yonex VCore 98, Head Radical, Gravity, or Wilson Blade 16x19? What do you guys think?
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How would he got in with a PC600 or something? Does anyone still use it?
 
tsurismo5 said:
I feel like nadal is the only player who has been consistently successful with the APD pro stock or whatever that frame is. And it required his extremely unorthodox, unprecedentedly athletic game to make things work. Tsonga was quite streaky with it, and seemed to have problems on the return (it just doesn’t seem like a good returning racquet). Paire and querrey obviously have holes in their games and haven’t been consistently great either. Roddick, who also used a babolat, didn’t have great returns or backhand but at least compensated with an explosive serve and forehand. Thiem, who also uses babolat, had to develop massively powerful explosive strokes to really get the most out of his racquet.

To compensate for the relative whipiness of the APD, Felix seems to have adopted a berdychian “easy power” approach to his game (looks like either his strings or his wrists are very loose for max power) but that has seen him spray a lot or hit short when his timing is off. His game doesn’t seem relatively explosive off the forehand, rather consistently powerful, and I'm not sure that style will work with his racquet. Doesn’t seem to have the forehand passing shots or crafty slices of APD greats Tsonga and Nadal either. Just as Ferrer’s game was no bueno with babolat, I worry that Felix might be holding himself back as well.
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It’s not the racket for Tsonga. He’s just been a streaky player dealing with injuries and all.
 
I see no relation whatsoever with his racket... what I see is him trying too much to be super powerfull, emulating a Nadal like approach... in my view, it's the wrong approach for him.

If I were his adviser, I think given his movement he would do much better by playing more at the net, I would advise him to ask Federer to share his coach during his final years and take him over when Fed retires... then (or asap) ask Edberg to the join the fold for a couple seasons...
 
He certainly doesn't like to rally... in finals at least. He hits the doubles alleys with as much power as possible.
 
Pure Aero VS 2017 (21.5mm box beam) is my go to stick and it is VERY different from Pure Aero / Aeropro Drive.
Very controlled and solid feeling racket and MUCH softer than PA/APD.
I also customized my sticks to Felix's specs. It hits really nice.
 
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am1899 said:
It’s not the racquet.

Clearly all the lost finals is now very much in the guy’s head. He looked like a deer in headlights out there.
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He and Shapo both are reminiscent of French players. Lots of talent and athleticism, but pretty erratic. Low shot tolerance. Very unlikely that they find enough consistency to win majors.
 
I prefer the white babolat look than the yellow and black. Felix is on the verge of becoming a great player and the fact that he's young and hungry will only help elevate his game. Him and Shapo have made us Canadian fans very proud. Much more than Polansky and his twitter trolling
 
MisterP said:
He and Shapo both are reminiscent of French players. Lots of talent and athleticism, but pretty erratic. Low shot tolerance. Very unlikely that they find enough consistency to win majors.
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I agree with you on Shapo, but I'll give FAA a couple more years before I pigeonhole him as erratic. He's only 20, and with the right guidance, I think he can still reign in his play a little.

Now...from where that guidance will come, I have no idea. But hopefully he'll get there.

Bummer they have to play each other next. Would have liked to see it they could get further along in the draw.
 
Well, I was watching Felix and Denis tonight. Felix won the match pretty easily in the end.

It was funnly looking at the SV98 -vs- PA VS match up. Felix seemed to be hitting much heavier shots than Denis. And Felix was serving really really big as well.

Good Match in the end. Well deserved win. I think the rivalry will be of interest to many over the next 10 to 15 years.
 
Lavs said:
Pure Aero VS 2017 (21.5mm box beam) is my go to stick and it is VERY different from Pure Aero / Aeropro Drive.
Very controlled and solid feeling racket and MUCH softer than PA/APD.
I also customized my sticks to Felix's specs. It hits really nice.
Click to expand...
That PAVS is NOT a box beam. It's got an aeromodular throat same mold as older GT and Cortex Aerostorms... A box beam racquet is a box beam (constant) all throughout (for example think Head Prestige or Prince Phantom 100P) whereas 2016/2017 PAVS just get boxier at the hoop..
 
Faris said:
That PAVS is NOT a box beam. It's got an aeromodular throat same mold as older GT and Cortex Aerostorms... A box beam racquet is a box beam (constant) all throughout (for example think Head Prestige or Prince Phantom 100P) whereas 2016/2017 PAVS just get boxier at the hoop..
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But it has box beamed Head! Agreed? :)
 
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