Murray testing other Head racquets

[Bender]

I am not sure about that theory : I bought a second hand (if not 3rd, 4th hand...) prestige pro 600 brown 1986 which has been strung with gut at pretty high tension for years, and measured it with rdc machine.

It surprised me a bit, but the RA was 61 ; in 35 years, not even one point dropped.

What was the RA to begin with, if you measured it back then? Genuinely asking out of curiosity, because I literally had a conversation about this with a friend of mine today who said that he found out that his RA had dropped since he first got his racquets (he has a RDC machine).

 

[McEncock]

Hey!
The ra is supposed to be 61 ra unstrung

 

[jmacdaununder2]

So your contention is that Nadal is just randomly supplied say four times yearly with say seven - apparently he uses thirty or fewer per annum - various low ra examples from the production line, rather than a targeted specification, despite his known ocd tendencies and presumably multimillion dollar contract? Oh that’s right, his racquet model has been out of retail production since the mid 2000s. Interesting theory...

 

[moon shot]

So your contention is that Nadal is just randomly supplied say four times yearly with say seven - apparently he uses thirty or fewer per annum - various low ra examples from the production line, rather than a targeted specification, despite his known ocd tendencies and presumably multimillion dollar contract? Oh that’s right, his racquet model has been out of retail production since the mid 2000s. Interesting theory...

and which in past years lacked cortex due to … spec variance?

 

[jmacdaununder2]

I should also add that the graphite that is used to create the prepregs which are ultimately baked in moulds to create tennis racquets is not really subject to 'random variation' of the level that you're implying; due to contemporary multi industry demands what's readily available to manufacturers at a viable price is, at a retail level almost invariably 'stiffer' than is really desirable for tennis racquets, albeit while being desirable for other products, hence the addition by racquet manufacturers of Countervail and other proprietary substances, along with the manipulation of layups to 'soften the blow' as it were. As the good Dr. has pointed out, due to relative lack of availability it is unfortunately economically unviable for a company to retail en masse racquets of the ra that the pros receive if desired.

 

[colan5934]

What was the RA to begin with, if you measured it back then? Genuinely asking out of curiosity, because I literally had a conversation about this with a friend of mine today who said that he found out that his RA had dropped since he first got his racquets (he has a RDC machine).

FWIW, the RDC machine can give a different RA even if you just flip the racquet over. If you secure it more or less tightly it can change a couple of points too. Depending how much your friend's sticks dropped (~3 point drop when strung vs unstrung too) it might be user error. Maybe not, though. Very possible he actually knows the ins and outs of that machine and the readings are accurate...don't want to assume.

On the Babolat topic, that big pro stock site over in Europe listed some blacked out Pure Drives, and unless it's a typo, they're 59 RA. I'm not sure how that happened. Has to be a custom layup or maybe the layup of the big box store E-sense frame (same shape/drill pattern as PDs). I think those were relatively soft for Babolat.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Naw mate, it's the elves - you know, the ones that restring the racquets thousands of times to lower the ra before changing the grommets for new ones before distribution...

 

[jarko111]

Brad Gilbert said Andy was testing 10-11 racquets and something about Andy renting courts and using the squeegees, himself, to dry courts. He said that Andy would switch even if it was just one percent more helpful for his game but that he decided to stay with his current stick

 

[wangs78]

The best way to get comfortable with a new racquet is WINNING tournaments with it. Given that, I doubt Murray would get comfortable with any new racquet, so probably should just finish his career with his old One.

 

[H22 fan]

On the Babolat topic, that big pro stock site over in Europe listed some blacked out Pure Drives, and unless it's a typo, they're 59 RA. I'm not sure how that happened. Has to be a custom layup or maybe the layup of the big box store E-sense frame (same shape/drill pattern as PDs). I think those were relatively soft for Babolat.

Most probably those black out frames are heavily used onea, sanded and repainted, that’s the reason for low RA. I would never buy a black out or repainted frame.

 

[colan5934]

Most probably those black out frames are heavily used onea, sanded and repainted, that’s the reason for low RA. I would never buy a black out or repainted frame.

Maybe, maybe not. I'd consider a soft pure drive like that. If it works, great. If not, oh well. That seller's reputable and claims it was sourced from a specific pro. No reason not to believe that with their track record. You've certainly got your own opinions on lot of topics around pro stocks, though, and that's cool!

 

[dr325i]

Maybe, maybe not. I'd consider a soft pure drive like that. If it works, great. If not, oh well. That seller's reputable and claims it was sourced from a specific pro. No reason not to believe that with their track record. You've certainly got your own opinions on lot of topics around pro stocks, though, and that's cool!

I have two pure control special pro stocks 18x20 58RA. Very interesting!

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Hope the grommets are holding up; it must've taken literally thousands of restrings to achieve an ra below 60...

 

[moon shot]

Naw mate, it's the elves - you know, the ones that restring the racquets thousands of times to lower the ra before changing the grommets for new ones before distribution...

Can you imagine being one of those elves? Hey guys new paint job came out so we need to get these 10 players 30 frames to the correct RA by next Tuesday, who wants some overtime? 3,000 string jobs + RDC QA ain’t going to do itself.

 

[colan5934]

I have two pure control special pro stocks 18x20 58RA. Very interesting!

The OG mold? Or the LTD.

The PD seller described them as "specially made and customized for a very high-ranked ATP pro from Spain." Maybe they are the soft drive layup or possibly something custom. I'm not familiar with soft drive RA off the top of my head. Adds to the theory that Babolat CAN make custom layups and might from time to time...though, I think they usually use old retail layups with current paint.

 

[dr325i]

The OG mold? Or the LTD.

The PD seller described them as "specially made and customized for a very high-ranked ATP pro from Spain." Maybe they are the soft drive layup or possibly something custom. I'm not familiar with soft drive RA off the top of my head. Adds to the theory that Babolat CAN make custom layups and might from time to time...though, I think they usually use old retail layups with current paint.

I am not familiar with Babolat stuff. These are nice thin beam, super soft, custom layup, yes and glossy paint that was never released

 

[vsbabolat]

I am not familiar with Babolat stuff. These are nice thin beam, super soft, custom layup, yes and glossy paint that was never released

Sounds like Pure Control 95

Tennis Warehouse - Babolat Pure Control 95 Racquet Review

www.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[dr325i]

Sounds like Pure Control 95

Tennis Warehouse - Babolat Pure Control 95 Racquet Review

www.tennis-warehouse.com

That is it! Except these are glossy and custom spec.

 

[Djokovicfan]

I agree @tomkowy : Imo the issue whith his lack of movement speed, is his 400ish swingweight monster.
If he wants to hit with someting as powerfull and stable yet more manuverable than his 400sw 16x19 pt57a2, he def need to switch to something bigger/easier
Extended extreme tour with austrian layup brought to 360 sw strung maybe?
(My dream racquet xD)

How similar are novak and murrays pro stocks?

 

[tomkowy]

How similar are novak and murrays pro stocks?

Novak has a something close to i.radical/Ti.radical with ~360SW, 18x19, 0.25 inch longer, 95 sq inch
Andy has an old Prestige with more than 380SW, 16x19, standard length, 95 sq inch
They are different.

 

[Keizer]

Novak has a something close to i.radical/Ti.radical with ~360SW, 18x19, 0.25 inch longer, 95 sq inch
Andy has an old Prestige with more than 380SW, 16x19, standard length, 95 sq inch
They are different.

Murray was testing extended lengths this year. Did he end up not switching?

 

[Larry Duff]

What a pro

 

[tomkowy]

Murray was testing extended lengths this year. Did he end up not switching?

It was said earlier in the thread that after extended testing he ended up staying with his current spec.

 

[Slodge630]

Novak has a something close to i.radical/Ti.radical with ~360SW, 18x19, 0.25 inch longer, 95 sq inch
Andy has an old Prestige with more than 380SW, 16x19, standard length, 95 sq inch
They are different.

Andy has no old prestige but pro tour

 

[dr325i]

Novak has a something close to i.radical/Ti.radical with ~360SW, 18x19, 0.25 inch longer, 95 sq inch
Andy has an old Prestige with more than 380SW, 16x19, standard length, 95 sq inch
They are different.

I suggest you stop speculating or guessing…

Novak does have the mold similar to those two but VERY different layup from both of those

As pointed above, Andy is using the Pro Tour 630, not the Prestige

 

[tomkowy]

I suggest you stop speculating or guessing…

Novak does have the mold similar to those two but VERY different layup from both of those

As pointed above, Andy is using the Pro Tour 630, not the Prestige

My bad about Andy, forgot PT57A was not a Prestige.

 

[Bender]

Any should switch to a Pure Drive Tour, duh

 

[B-Line]

He needs the Extreme IG model - Pace and control.

 

[Chas55]

He definitely has not switched yet. Like I mentioned he was doing everything far better with his old standby then the test frames. I'm sure he definitely knows he has to be more offensive since he can't move/run like he used to. Murray's issues are just getting into the mindset of being more offensive since he's spent a whole career being more of a defensive style player. On days where you play well it's obviously easier to commit to, but it's those days where he's not 'feeling it' that he has to be willing to miss more balls than he's used to. From the practice I witnessed he was hitting great, but Murray's probably needs a something a little more forgiving because in a match losing a half step is the difference between hitting a ball that you can hurt your opponent with or ends up as a sitting duck winner for your opponent.

If he does ever switch... I'll be curious to see if they try to stick with the Radical paint job. My guess is if he does switch... it'll be the Gravity since he definitely seemed to prefer that over the Extreme. Don't know who they'd use to carry the torch on the Radical line today.

*"THAN with his test frames". Good pics though. Good detective work. There are really a lot of frames he can try in the Head Pro Stock archives. They can be painted to look like just about any of the new sticks. However, the Extreme is a pretty recognizable frame.

 

[Chas55]

Any should switch to a Pure Drive Tour, duh

He's contracted with Head. Otherwise, sure he could try a lot of different frames out there that would give him more power.

 

[Crozzer95]

I have one of his test racquets here. A Speed MP blacked out…

 

[chrisb]

Maybe he is just trying to ward off the inevitable ravages of Father Time, and find ways to enjoy one more season in the sun, before bowing out for good - more on his own terms this time around.

ask
sinner

 

[Harry_Wild]

Boom or Extreme for Murray?

 

[chrischris]

Andy is back. Great win today. Comeback is on.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

ask
sinner

Gives hope to us old guys that like to kid ourselves that, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, we can still be as good as we ever were on a given day.

 

[jarko111]

Boom ULS

 

[Gerco]

Why hasn´t Murray changed his PJ yet???

 

[taylor15]

Why hasn´t Murray changed his PJ yet???

Probably doesn’t like it, 360 PJ is nice while the 360+ is loud

 

[jarko111]

Maybe he hasn't had time to get what he's playing with to head for a quick dip. I mean, consider the rackets in his bag - he wants to keep close to him (right?).. hard to just have a complex design as well as paint put on it when he's playing week in and out.

Surely when they get new paint they don't get a completely new prostock stick? That seems like taking too many chances. But who knows how it works.

Andy is a step slower. He still has incredible stamina. I think a bigger sweet spot or as they say "a more forgiving sweet spot" would do him wonders.
Why Not? According to the playtesters on TW and on this forum... head has some good stuff going on that could make the game a little easier on him in the Extreme line.

 

[Winners or Errors]

Andy is a step slower. He still has incredible stamina. I think a bigger sweet spot or as they say "a more forgiving sweet spot" would do him wonders.
Why Not? According to the playtesters on TW and on this forum... head has some good stuff going on that could make the game a little easier on him in the Extreme line.

Well, that stamina only lasting for the first two rounds is the problem. I don’t think a new racquet will help with that…

 

[dr325i]

Boom or Extreme for Murray?

Don't think he was testing the Boom

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

Maybe he hasn't had time to get what he's playing with to head for a quick dip. I mean, consider the rackets in his bag - he wants to keep close to him (right?).. hard to just have a complex design as well as paint put on it when he's playing week in and out.

Surely when they get new paint they don't get a completely new prostock stick? That seems like taking too many chances. But who knows how it works.

Andy is a step slower. He still has incredible stamina. I think a bigger sweet spot or as they say "a more forgiving sweet spot" would do him wonders.
Why Not? According to the playtesters on TW and on this forum... head has some good stuff going on that could make the game a little easier on him in the Extreme line.

Hasn't he already switched to a big bigger head size, from 95 to 98 that is?

 

[dr325i]

Hasn't he already switched to a big bigger head size, from 95 to 98 that is?

For photo shoots?

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Maybe he hasn't had time to get what he's playing with to head for a quick dip. I mean, consider the rackets in his bag - he wants to keep close to him (right?).. hard to just have a complex design as well as paint put on it when he's playing week in and out.

Surely when they get new paint they don't get a completely new prostock stick? That seems like taking too many chances. But who knows how it works.

Andy is a step slower. He still has incredible stamina. I think a bigger sweet spot or as they say "a more forgiving sweet spot" would do him wonders.
Why Not? According to the playtesters on TW and on this forum... head has some good stuff going on that could make the game a little easier on him in the Extreme line.

Pros go through something like 30 - 60 racquets per year; most likely it would just be due to supply chain and relative lack of importance and exposure at this time of year? It would probably be a different story if Murray was in the WTF.

 

[dr325i]

Pros go through something like 30 - 60 racquets per year; most likely it would just be due to supply chain and relative lack of importance and exposure at this time of year? It would probably be a different story if Murray was in the WTF.

Are you talking about the 360+ PJ??
It is much simpler than that. HEAD made those for him and sent them to him and he used them earlier this year and did not like the PJ. A few other cases like that, including the #1 player.
I have two of Murray’s frames with the 360+ PJ and love it. But my favorite PJ is the 360 one.

 

[taylor15]

Are you talking about the 360+ PJ??
It is much simpler than that. HEAD made those for him and sent them to him and he used them earlier this year and did not like the PJ. A few other cases like that, including the #1 player.
I have two of Murray’s frames with the 360+ PJ and love it. But my favorite PJ is the 360 one.

Wow, lucky! PT57A in 16x19 is the one unicorn I want to try.

 

[Goof]

Andy should try the PT2.0.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Andy Murray has most of his gear customized and not offered or is available to for sale to general public! His Under Armor tennis shoes are made just for his feet. His Head Radical is custom made just for him too. His clothing from what I been told is custom made just for him too! This guy has it made in the "custom"-mizing department. Murray Head racquet is available to buy a PJ; but the actual racquet is not available like almost 96% of the Tour player's racquets.

 

[dr325i]

Andy Murray has most of his gear customized and not offered or is available to for sale to general public! His Under Armor tennis shoes are made just for his feet. His Head Radical is custom made just for him too. His clothing from what I been told is custom made just for him too! This guy has it made in the "custom"-mizing department. Murray Head racquet is available to buy a PJ; but the actual racquet is not available like almost 96% of the Tour player's racquets.

His "Radical" is the PT57A in 16x19 that many pros use, so, not really "custom" aside from the handle and his own setup.

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

His "Radical" is the PT57A in 16x19 that many pros use, so, not really "custom" aside from the handle and his own setup.

It sure looks bigger than 95.