Myth or Reality? Federer plays with a low swingweight

[jimbo333]

Ron, Timbo just posted the swingweight - 350 - from a 2009 frame that appears to be a racquet that Mr. Federer played with. Would you be able to say whether this measurement is near the mark, within 5 units?

It's Jimbo I can promise you it is between 345-355, I did many measurements and took an average. Ron has made it clear that he won't give out any of his clients specs, which I fully understand.

 

[jimbo333]

Once again, many thanks to RJYU for shining some light on this topic.

I have said many times in other threads that the majority of people who claim to be in possession of an actual Federer frame are either misled or, frankly, making stuff up for whatever reason - notoriety, gloating etc. On closer scrutiny most claims of possession of a Federer frame are nothing but malarkey.

The specs of his actual frame are well documented in another thread where a number of his actual frames have been photographed, weighed and discussed by some very sharp-eyed people.

While Ron may not discuss the specifics of his clients I don't think it'd be too hard to work out the swing-weight of the frames with the weight (364gm) and balance point (32.1-32.2cm) which were already confirmed in the other thread. This should be enough to get a ballpark figure.

My friend has one of Federer's K90's from 2009. Ron has confirmed in a thread 3 years ago that he strung it, see below:-

And are these yours knots RJYU? LOL

Yup. Those are my knots. Or, as Nate calls them, "Those beehive looking pieces of sh*t."

Weight: 367g (including everything and has 3g lead under the bumper at 12 o'clock)
Balance: 32.2cm (measured off a table so +-2mm)
Swingweight: 350 (measured manually so +-5)

Federer used different weighted rackets for some different tournaments, this is a fact. Whether you believe it is up to you. Also I'm the only person so far I believe to check how much lead is under the bumper at 12 o'clock. In the racket above it was about 3g, this is a fact. Again whether you or anyone else believes it is up to you. Also the swingweight is between 345 and 355, I've measured it myself. I will try and get it on an RDC machine at some point in the future.

 

[corners]

It's Jimbo I can promise you it is between 345-355, I did many measurements and took an average. Ron has made it clear that he won't give out any of his clients specs, which I fully understand.

LOL, sorry Jimbo! Yeah, I think you've given us the figure!

 

[FEDERERNADAL13]

My friend has one of Federer's K90's from 2009. Ron has confirmed in a thread 3 years ago that he strung it, see below:-

And are these yours knots RJYU? LOL

Weight: 367g (including everything and has 3g lead under the bumper at 12 o'clock)
Balance: 32.2cm (measured off a table so +-2mm)
Swingweight: 350 (measured manually so +-5)

Federer used different weighted rackets for some different tournaments, this is a fact. Whether you believe it is up to you. Also I'm the only person so far I believe to check how much lead is under the bumper at 12 o'clock. In the racket above it was about 3g, this is a fact. Again whether you or anyone else believes it is up to you. Also the swingweight is between 345 and 355, I've measured it myself. I will try and get it on an RDC machine at some point in the future.

Hey Jimbo, is there any way you can tell me how your friend got a hold of the Fed frame?

PM me if you want

 

[jimbo333]

Hey Jimbo, is there any way you can tell me how your friend got a hold of the Fed frame?

PM me if you want

He got it in a charity auction, the way most people seem to actually get hold of these.

It is racket number "56" by the way from 2009, for anyone that actually knows what they are talking about regarding these rackets. Anyway that's more than enough from me frankly.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Thank you Jimbo, interesting!

 

[FEDERERNADAL13]

He got it in a charity auction, the way most people seem to actually get hold of these.

It is racket number "56" by the way from 2009, for anyone that actually knows what they are talking about regarding these rackets. Anyway that's more than enough from me frankly.

Cool! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Hollywood2]

My friend has one of Federer's K90's from 2009. Ron has confirmed in a thread 3 years ago that he strung it, see below:-

And are these yours knots RJYU? LOL

Weight: 367g (including everything and has 3g lead under the bumper at 12 o'clock)
Balance: 32.2cm (measured off a table so +-2mm)
Swingweight: 350 (measured manually so +-5)

Federer used different weighted rackets for some different tournaments, this is a fact. Whether you believe it is up to you. Also I'm the only person so far I believe to check how much lead is under the bumper at 12 o'clock. In the racket above it was about 3g, this is a fact. Again whether you or anyone else believes it is up to you. Also the swingweight is between 345 and 355, I've measured it myself. I will try and get it on an RDC machine at some point in the future.

Did you ever manage to get fed's stick on a RDC machine for a proper swwingweight test to within one point? Any info appreciated thanks.

 

[Rabbit]

Hmmmmm I think his SW is around 321.

 

[HRB]

This is just my opinion so take it for what it's worth but I don't think Federer's actual specs are very relevant to most of us rec players. Many folks tried to set their racquets up just like Sampras did and found, big surprise, that it was way too demanding for them day in and day out. I would imagine that given Federer's headsize is either 88 or 90 if you add the static weight and swingweight, whatever it is, it would be pretty unplayable for most of us. So, in the end, what does it really matter?

As most pros use paintjobbed racquets anyway the idea of playing an exact copy of a pro's stick is pretty difficult to achieve.

Ummn...I hate to break it to you...but you just spoke both truth and logic, as did a previous poster...and that's not too popular around these parts.

These threads are filled with folks who strive to duplicate the GOAT'S sticks, rather than focus on their games. You must be new, you'll learn.:twisted:

 

[Early Retirement]

Ummn...I hate to break it to you...but you just spoke both truth and logic, as did a previous poster...and that's not too popular around these parts.

These threads are filled with folks who strive to duplicate the GOAT'S sticks, rather than focus on their games. You must be new, you'll learn.:twisted:

I've only been reading TT for a year and poating for two months but this has become quite apparent to me already.

Underneath the dung is some rich soil, you just have to get covered in it and dig in to find it.

 

[HRB]

I've only been reading TT for a year and poating for two months but this has become quite apparent to me already.

Underneath the dung is some rich soil, you just have to get covered in it and dig in to find it.

Oh, good content is to be found, usually in the Racquet Tech sections (string advice, stick reviews, etc), the fitness area, and of course the nice "scenery" WTA photo's.

For the comedy you hit up Pro Player discussion and Pro Player gear!:twisted:

 

[penguin]

one of the things which is enjoyable about copying a pros setup is that when you then watch them you get an extra dimension when you see them hit. Your brain is able to mix your sensory feedback with how they hit to give you an enhanced feel and admiration for the incredible stuff they are doing.
some shots are characteristic for certain racquets etc
There is no need to mock people who want to do a perfectly simple thing. Certainly having played with a pog os enhanced my enjoyment of watching Agassi's fine strokes, even though it is not the best racquet for me and I didn't switch to it.

 

[TennisCJC]

Myth: Federer's racket is likely 360-365 total weight, around 6 HL, and 355ish SW. Look at the other threads in this section.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

one of the things which is enjoyable about copying a pros setup is that when you then watch them you get an extra dimension when you see them hit. Your brain is able to mix your sensory feedback with how they hit to give you an enhanced feel and admiration for the incredible stuff they are doing.
some shots are characteristic for certain racquets etc
There is no need to mock people who want to do a perfectly simple thing. Certainly having played with a pog os enhanced my enjoyment of watching Agassi's fine strokes, even though it is not the best racquet for me and I didn't switch to it.

Yes, we do this (play tennis) for fun. I think hardly anyone replicates a pros racket believing it will make them play him/her. But there are some interesting aspects to it. If you are not into it, fair enough.

 

[HRB]

one of the things which is enjoyable about copying a pros setup is that when you then watch them you get an extra dimension when you see them hit. Your brain is able to mix your sensory feedback with how they hit to give you an enhanced feel and admiration for the incredible stuff they are doing.
some shots are characteristic for certain racquets etc
There is no need to mock people who want to do a perfectly simple thing. Certainly having played with a pog os enhanced my enjoyment of watching Agassi's fine strokes, even though it is not the best racquet for me and I didn't switch to it.

Not addressing those who for "sh#t's and Giggles" want to try it...however, many seem to be searching for the holy grail..that's the comedy part to me.

I know quite a few diehard stubborn 90sq inch Fedophiles I play against who's games have now improved since they updated to 97....I wished they'd go back, know they take a set or 2 off me, and don't get caught late on their strokes as they fatigue! LOL

I myself once "lucked" into a Pro-Stock that a seller thought was retail. It was cool, but ultimately I hated the feel, wasn't the weight (I use 12.4-12.6 strung) it was the even balance and hence heavier swingweight. Selling it for 4 times what I paid was sure sweet though!

 

[West Coast Ace]

Not addressing those who for "sh#t's and Giggles" want to try it...however, many seem to be searching for the holy grail..that's the comedy part to me...

Great post. I have an Mechanical Engineering degree and can see the fun of the tinkering. But reading these comments by guys who'd be much better off exercising, taking a lesson or working on their strokes with a ball machine, like you, makes me laugh. The pros got to where they are because of millions of dollars of instruction (and good genetics and family circumstances), not some set-up tricks.

 

[sundaypunch]

Great post. I have an Mechanical Engineering degree and can see the fun of the tinkering. But reading these comments by guys who'd be much better off exercising, taking a lesson or working on their strokes with a ball machine, like you, makes me laugh. The pros got to where they are because of millions of dollars of instruction (and good genetics and family circumstances), not some set-up tricks.

The same could be said about someone that has their butt parked at a computer making 12,000+ posts on a tennis discussion board. And while I don't actually feel that way, it makes as much sense as your comment.

I don't understand all the hating here over some people that just want to see what their favorite pro's racquet might play like. From what I can tell it's no more time consuming than surfing TW. I haven't seen any of these people say that they thought it would make them play like a pro.

It's not my ride, but I can understand the attraction some might have more than the animosity.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Yes, its not either/or, it could be both/and, if thats your thing.

 

[oble]

Ummn...I hate to break it to you...

Umm.. Hate to break it to you too but your reply is almost 9 years too late. :lol:

I think the ones who want to know pro specs are just curious and just "want to know", whilst those who wants to customise their stick(s) to pro specs just want to see what it feels like to play with a racquet at those specs.

 

[HRB]

Umm.. Hate to break it to you too but your reply is almost 9 years too late. :lol:

I think the ones who want to know pro specs are just curious and just "want to know", whilst those who wants to customise their stick(s) to pro specs just want to see what it feels like to play with a racquet at those specs.

I'd like to think you're correct, and you probably are about the majority. It is just I've come across many a player, staring down at "Roger's" stick, or "Rafa's" stick in their hands, with a look of disbelief, like they were robbed when someone like me beats them silly with a 16 year old Raddy TT MP that no big name Pro ever used (at least publicly, many had other models painted over one)!:twisted:

But I agree with try what ever you like and have fun...just don't lose focus on the real performance enhancers...your work efforts and your fitness.