Official info on pro's racquets specs from J&S Cup Warsaw (WTA)

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Official info on pros' racquets specs from J&S Cup Warsaw (WTA)

Below is a translation from the official newsletter of J&S Cup in Warsaw (II tier WTA).

"Thanks to the official stringer of the tournament we got the real picture. Few people know that racquets used by pros only look like the ones available in shops. The best example is Justine Henin-Hardenne who endoreses one of the newest nCode racquets by Wilson, where in fact her frame is much lighter, available for years Wilson Dual Taper Beam. The two racqets differ in almost everything: string pattern, weight and balance. Justine's frame was just repainted. Anna Inanovic from Serbia is similar case - her nCode is really an old Hammer Tour. Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia has also a tailored made frame. Her Yonex Nano Speed RQ5 which she theoreticaly uses shares only the name with this racquet. Instead of 16x18 pattern, the Slovak uses 18x20. Interestigly the slim Slovak uses the heaviest frame among all players in J&S Cup 2005. Her frame weights 350 grams (including strings and overgrip). Among few players that use stock racquets are Kim Clijsters (Babolat Pure Drive) and Russian Viera Zvonariova (Fischer Pro Nuber 1 FT). As to the strings, the most popular are hybrids of natural gut strings (mostly Babolat) and polyester strings (the most popular among players in Warsaw J&S Cup is Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power). The highest tensions are used by Bulgarian Magdalena Malejeva (30kg) and Kim Clijsters (29 kg). The lowest tension is used by Hantuchova (20-22 kg)."

It's just my translation, however I'll try to talk to the stringers on the tournament, mayby I'll learn something more.

Last but not least sorry for my English, I'm not a native speaker.
 
I am shocked to hear that Henin's frame is lighter than a retail nTour. That's already a very light frame. From the way she hits her one-handed backhand, I would have thought she actually uses a very heavy frame. You need mass to drill a one-handed backhand the way she does. Amazing!

Would you be able to find out from the stringer exactly how much Henin's frame actually weighs including strings, overgrip, dampener, etc.? Thanks.
 
nice post. No need to be apologizing about your English, your grammar is better than many native speakers around here. ;)
 
It has been mentioned before by someone who had access to Henin's frame that it is far heavier than the retail version. In addition, her frame has powerholes at 3&9 o'clock. The person at J&S cup had better mention she has powerholes or they will lose all credibility. There is no way her frame is lighter than the retail version or she would not have won a round at the J&S Cup- no way.
 
tennissavy said:
It has been mentioned before by someone who had access to Henin's frame that it is far heavier than the retail version. In addition, her frame has powerholes at 3&9 o'clock. The person at J&S cup had better mention she has powerholes or they will lose all credibility. There is no way her frame is lighter than the retail version or she would not have won a round at the J&S Cup- no way.
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That's a meaningless ad hoc statement.
 
BreakPoint said:
I am shocked to hear that Henin's frame is lighter than a retail nTour. That's already a very light frame. From the way she hits her one-handed backhand, I would have thought she actually uses a very heavy frame. You need mass to drill a one-handed backhand the way she does. Amazing!

Would you be able to find out from the stringer exactly how much Henin's frame actually weighs including strings, overgrip, dampener, etc.? Thanks.
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Her frame is definitely heavier than retail version. It also has powerholes.
 
Sorry TS, but I have to agree with Bamboo. What does the weight of the racquet have to do with whether someone wins rounds or not???
 
aj_m2009 said:
Sorry TS, but I have to agree with Bamboo. What does the weight of the racquet have to do with whether someone wins rounds or not???
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Well,I was bringing up the possibility that the info, from the guy at the J&S cup, was probably incorrect. He didn't even mention she had powerholes on her frame but not the retail version. Also, the pros all play with heavier frames than retail versions. If Henin were to hit with a racquet lighter than 10oz., there would be no way she could compete with a very low ranked wta player using a heavy frame. At the pro level, you need added weight in the racquet. That's all.
I am really pissed off at some people who decide to shoot down my statements in such a rude manner so that's why I made my coarse statement to that jerk, btw. If people choose to be nasty, so can I.
 
Prince_of_Tennis said:
Tennissavy starting arguments again...
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As usual you jump right in like you have done to me before. You're a complete a-hole. I am ignoring you now for the rest of the night so go right ahead and slam me, it doesn't matter.
 
I have done research on some of this topic and tennissavy, you are right. on two matters. Henin has powerholes, someone with connections said the racquet is heftier than the one available to the public. prince of tennis has said some very rude things and starts trouble often- just simple search on his posts. The more I read your posts, the more I find things out. Good tips on racquet customization you have given to people, too. :D
 
marialover said:
I have done research on some of this topic and tennissavy, you are right. on two matters. Henin has powerholes, someone with connections said the racquet is heftier than the one available to the public. prince of tennis has said some very rude things and starts trouble often- just simple search on his posts. The more I read your posts, the more I find things out. Good tips on racquet customization you have given to people, too. :D
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The cigarette-smoking man? Scully or Mulder? Watch the skies lol
This is the opposite of the way science works - changing a faulty hypothesis- a racquet a pro uses has to be heavy- in the face of contrary evidence - you simply call all evidence fake or all contrary testimony a lie based on "what must be true" or unnamed insiders. Wacky "illuminati" type conspiracy theorists do the same thing.
 
Hey guys, chill out. I talked to one of the stringers. As to JHH's frame, it is HEAVIER than the retail version. He doesn't know why in the newsletter they said lighter (Probably a typo, or maybe a stock version of her real frame is lighter than nTour. Before you kill me, remember it was just my translation of the newsletter, not my own info).

I will know the exact weight of JHH's frame (they keep track of specs of every frame they string). I will post it here, since it seems to be that important to some of you and to clean the mess I caused. As to the powerholes, I personally don't know what they are, but I'll see what else I can learn from the guys at the tourament. The rest of the information in the letter is ok.

PS I'm a new user so it's nice to see some action going on on my thread!!! Just kidding, the level of hostility on these boards is really something...
 
Sorry, heavier and lighter aren't a typo in any language - in English heavier becomes geavier or the like. You can't pick and choose what details you like - Hantuchova's frame is 2 oz. heavier than stock - and what ones you don't - Henin's is lighter. Post the real article so we can see for ourselves or this just becomes more of the secret heresay insider nonsense. I could say I've strung Henin's racquet and it weighs 8 oz. eight points head heavy, nyah nyah, nyah.
It isn't Henin's frame that's the probelm - this whole thread starter is probably bogus and her frame may be heavy - it's when an article appears in RSA or Tennis Week, or Jim Courier discusses it on the Oz Open 2003 coverage or David Aames posts here showing with very little doubt that Roddick's frame weighs a relatively light 11.5 oz., the "it can't be because it isn't" attitde I pointed out in my prior post surfaces.
 
Numbers right off the weight: 290 grams, unstrung, without overgrip (she doesn't use a dampener and you can hear it, shallow "ping" every time)

K!ck5w3rvE
I know what impeccable means, thx
 
JTB said:
Numbers right off the weight: 290 grams, unstrung, without overgrip (she doesn't use a dampener and you can hear it, shallow "ping" every time)

K!ck5w3rvE
I know what impeccable means, thx
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Exactly the weight of an Ntour - check TW Wilson Page and allow for the strings.
 
All of these threads about pros rackets. I bet most of them are false. The only people who actually know the specs of the players rackets are the players themselves and the company that makes it for them.
 
muklucke said:
All of these threads about pros rackets. I bet most of them are false. The only people who actually know the specs of the players rackets are the players themselves and the company that makes it for them.
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Thomas Martinez identifies himself and can show his bonafides - in this thread Henin's racquet went from much lighter to much heavier to the same weight in 24 hrs - not the best way for an anonymous poster to establish credibility. Your point is well-taken, but I think Jay Schweid's piece in Tennis or Nate Ferguson's material on these boards seems reliable.
 
hmmm,

althought i fear the trolls already..

i have held justine henin's racquet. (the old blk/ornge pj) perhaps when they said light they were just referring to what a stock ncode weighs opposed to a stock dual tapered frame.

either way i held the thing and have said many a time....i use plenty of lead on my own frames, i'm 6'1 205 and that little girl is using a sledgehammer!!! not the old frame but that thing weighs a ton. there's no way she gets that pace off her backhand with no extra weight. i am telling you that thing weighs a freaking ton.

but you never know now. perhaps with the injury and coming back she's going a little lighter to make up for some lost speed. but her thing weighs a ton ;)
 
Prostaffer said:
althought i fear the trolls already..

i have held justine henin's racquet. (the old blk/ornge pj) perhaps when they said light they were just referring to what a stock ncode weighs opposed to a stock dual tapered frame.

either way i held the thing and have said many a time....i use plenty of lead on my own frames, i'm 6'1 205 and that little girl is using a sledgehammer!!! not the old frame but that thing weighs a ton. there's no way she gets that pace off her backhand with no extra weight. i am telling you that thing weighs a freaking ton.

but you never know now. perhaps with the injury and coming back she's going a little lighter to make up for some lost speed. but her thing weighs a ton ;)
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I told them, Prostaffer, but some of them just want to believe that Henin and other pros use sub 10oz. racquets. They still don't believe she has powerholes despite all the photos available on the internet, either.
 
Prostaffer said:
althought i fear the trolls already..

i have held justine henin's racquet. (the old blk/ornge pj) perhaps when they said light they were just referring to what a stock ncode weighs opposed to a stock dual tapered frame.

either way i held the thing and have said many a time....i use plenty of lead on my own frames, i'm 6'1 205 and that little girl is using a sledgehammer!!! not the old frame but that thing weighs a ton. there's no way she gets that pace off her backhand with no extra weight. i am telling you that thing weighs a freaking ton.

but you never know now. perhaps with the injury and coming back she's going a little lighter to make up for some lost speed. but her thing weighs a ton ;)
Click to expand...
On the old message boards, posters claim to have held her racquet and that it was very light - btw, power holes don't add weight to a frame, and many pros, like JJohansson have a custom pattern drilled in an otherwise stock frame - he has 18X18 in RDX mid.
 
marialover said:
Thanks AJ for the great photo which proves to all the doubters that Henin has powerholes in her racquet. Of course even with that proof some will remain stubborn that she has no powerholes. I've given up on the dense people.
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No problem, but if someone actually tries to deny it now I'll...I'll...I'll scream lol...and then show them the pic.
 
Here is another closer pic:

JHH.1.jpg
 
aj_m2009 said:
The things in the side of Justine's frame in this pic are power holes.
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I'm not a Wilson enthusiast, I've been wondering what powerholes are. Are they the same as Rollers? They let the strings move???
 
raftermania said:
I'm not a Wilson enthusiast, I've been wondering what powerholes are. Are they the same as Rollers? They let the strings move???
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The things that are circled are power holes:
HENIN_HARDENNE2.JPG

They are really just holes that let the strings move a bit more.
 
Wilson put powerholes in game-improvement frames - Prince put their version (sweet-spot suspension)in 9 0z. racquets - no one argues that Henin has taken advantage of having a frame custom drilled, it says nothing about the weight.
 
I am convinced that Wilson put PowerHoles in rackets, not to increase string movement, but to make them harder to string. Same with Rollers. Some Wilson exec sat at his desk thinking "I paid that guy $30 to string a racket, which he did in 18 minutes. Well I'll show him.......Wait til he tries to find the little tiny hole inside this slit....."
 
MonicaSelesRulez said:
Justine is heavier, that was a typo.
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It was a tall black man who held up the store - no, wait a minute, I misspoke - it was a short white man - nice try, pal.
 
Thanks raftermania.
For all others, I apologised for the mess I caused. I gave you the exact number. Whether you believe it or not, I frankly don't care. Just wanted to share some info... I'm wondering how long you're gonna beat the topic, really funny. Get a life guys...
 
Many curious people like information like this. But unfortunately these boards are patrolled by tons of vultures who love to jump on the smallest mistake/typo/mix-up. It'd be a perfect world without them, but what can we do about it???? Just ignore them, that's the best thing to do.
 
raftermania said:
Many curious people like information like this. But unfortunately these boards are patrolled by tons of vultures who love to jump on the smallest mistake/typo/mix-up. It'd be a perfect world without them, but what can we do about it???? Just ignore them, that's the best thing to do.
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Heavier and lighter cannot possibly be a typo in Polish or English - he saw which way the wind was blowing, wanted to be popular with the "heavy racquet crowd" and changed his story.
BTW, don't cry too much now that Agassi is using a stock tweener :mrgreen:
 
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