Roddick just said his Pure Drive has a custom string pattern

[BreakPoint]

Roddick just admitted in his interview with Chris Fowler on ESPN2 that his Babolat Pure Drive is different than the retail version in that it has a denser string pattern which helps him with control on volleys.

So the one person we were all sure was using a stock retail racquet actually isn't. Like most other pros, his is custom made also.

Funny that Federer has a custom pattern that's more open but Roddick has a custom pattern that's more dense than their respective retail versions.

 

[efice32]

Actually, Roddick said, "Mine's a little tighter. Yeah, we go up a little bit to help with the volleys. A few pounds up for Wimbledon." Which refers to his string tension, not to his actual string pattern.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

"Actually..." Breakpoint has it correct. He said his racquet has a denser string pattern. (Leaving us to assume he meant, "denser than retail.") I heard/saw it too.

- KK

 

[BreakPoint]

I'm pretty sure he was referring to both his string pattern and tighter tension just for Wimbledon.

Fowler said that not too many people are able to volley with Babolat racquets strung with polyester. Roddick's response was that his racquet's pattern is a little tighter and that he goes up a few pounds in tension just for Wimbledon, which helps with his volleys.

 

[Dwod]

What racket is Fernando Gonzalez using??

My understanding is that he used the pure control + for years but recently switched to the Storm in a regular length. Is this a cosmetically altered version of his old control + or is this the actual new Storm? Finally, does anyone have informed knowledge about how much lead he added to the + or adds now to the Storm and info on his string type and tension?

Many thanks.

 

[Richie Rich]

goto getty images and look at roddicks racquet - 16x19 string pattern which is stock PD+. Maybe he has them drilled differently so they are closer than stock in the upper hoop? Anyway, definitely 16x19.

 

[BreakPoint]

goto getty images and look at roddicks racquet - 16x19 string pattern which is stock PD+. Maybe he has them drilled differently so they are closer than stock in the upper hoop? Anyway, definitely 16x19.

Yeah, that's probably the case. He didn't say that he had more cross strings in his racquet, just that the pattern is tighter. Just like Federer's nSix-One Tour has the same 16x19 pattern as the retail version but his has a more open pattern in the middle of the stringbed than the retail version. I guess Roddick's is just the opposite. Perhaps that's why he can control that killer forehand so well.

 

[NoBadMojo]

or...he didnt exlain properly and he uses a stock PD+ w. a little bit of lead which he has been using, and merely strung it tighter for this event.

 

[TwistServe]

Roddick's interview could be interpreted several ways. The only way to find out is to zoom in on one of his racquet pictures and count the mains/crosses. Anyone got a clear picture of Roddick holding his racquet?

 

[david aames]

I haven't heard the interview but it's clear to me that he got the tension and string pattern mixed up. Same racquet as before (16x19/same drilling pattern).

This picture is from Queens but I checked Wimbledon pics and it's the same stick.

 

[AJK1]

God, they're an ugly stick. The fat beam and throat looks dreadful.

 

[Richie Rich]

I haven't heard the interview but it's clear to me that he got the tension and string pattern mixed up. Same racquet as before (16x19/same drilling pattern).

This picture is from Queens but I checked Wimbledon pics and it's the same stick.

what's i thought. just couldn't tell if strings ere a little diff since i haven't looked at a pd+ close up for a while.

 

[Lakoste]

God, they're an ugly stick. The fat beam and throat looks dreadful.

i agree with you 100%

 

[Metzler]

"Actually..." Breakpoint has it correct. He said his racquet has a denser string pattern. (Leaving us to assume he meant, "denser than retail.") I heard/saw it too.

- KK

Will you admit you're wrong this time? I nailed you on the 4.5 getting only a single point against McEnroe but even posting the full article you wouldn't admit it. Are you gonna claim that's a fake photo above? No wonder you can fantasize you could get a game off a female pro.

 

[TwistServe]

"Actually..." Breakpoint has it correct. He said his racquet has a denser string pattern. (Leaving us to assume he meant, "denser than retail.") I heard/saw it too.

- KK

Wow Karl.. I just noticed you quoting what you heard on ESPN. You either twist words or some little voice told you otherwise...

Real quote snippet: "Mine's a little tighter. Yeah, we go up a little bit to help with the volleys. A few pounds up for Wimbledon."

No where does he mention a denser string pattern. You simply infered it and twisted the words. The picture proves roddick is using a 16x19 string pattern. Is it retail or is it custom made.. who knows.. but we do know it is the same string pattern.

 

[Jonnyf]

it definately doesn't looks denser to me compared to my PD+

 

[Grant Morgan]

Guys the fram is off the shelf. It then goes to **** for W&B ONLY. They remold the grip to Andy's Spc and add the led tap that we all can see. That is it.

 

[Jonnyf]

when i go to NY next week **** said they'd tell me all about Roddick's frame

 

[Grant Morgan]

Any body going to NY should go by. It is a very nice place. CALL THEM BEFORE YOU GO!!!!! There are times that they very very busy. They are nice guys and will show you what they do. I worked there when it was JCS. It is really cool to see the players sticks in all stages of becoming what you see on TV.

 

[Jonnyf]

i've had a few e-mail messages sent between us and they kept saying it's ok for me to go

PS CAN'T WAIT

 

[Craig Sheppard]

I haven't heard the interview but it's clear to me that he got the tension and string pattern mixed up. Same racquet as before (16x19/same drilling pattern).

This picture is from Queens but I checked Wimbledon pics and it's the same stick.

Where the heck are the other 3 knots on that racquet? I only see the one at 10B????

 

[TwistServe]

Where the heck are the other 3 knots on that racquet? I only see the one at 10B????

It looks like the racquet was strung with 1 piece stringing, not 2..

The tieoffs are on 10H and 10T opposite sides.

 

[Jonnyf]

i don't know what that means BUT BBC just had a 5/10 min article IT ROCKED it was about these two stringers that were stringing for Fed and A_Rod saw all their racquets etc. learnt millions of facts ask if you want to know lol
also yesterday i found out Grosjeans tension as well

 

[fedex27]

It looks like the racquet was strung with 1 piece stringing, not 2..

The tieoffs are on 10H and 10T opposite sides.

umm its a hybrid of gut and blue ballistic it has to have the 4knots. if you look closely you can see another at the usual tie off spot on our left.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

TwistServe - I've seen enough of your posts to conclude you probably don't LISTEN any better than you READ. This post of yours is more support for my conclusion....

Wow Karl.. I just noticed you quoting what you heard on ESPN. You either twist words or some little voice told you otherwise...

1 - I did not post a "quote" of what I heard and saw. (Notice the absence of quotation marks in my post?) I didn't know I was going to need the Court Reporter to read back the testimony on record. Geez!!!

2 - I didn't twist words.

3 - Don't make fun of those voices in my head. That's a cheap shot.

Real quote snippet: "Mine's a little tighter. Yeah, we go up a little bit to help with the volleys. A few pounds up for Wimbledon."

No argument that he said that ^. But just a few moments later -- or maybe it was prior; I dont' remember precisely -- he commented on having a denser string pattern.

No where does he mention a denser string pattern. You simply infered it and twisted the words.

Breakpoint and I heard it. Where were you???

The picture proves roddick is using a 16x19 string pattern. Is it retail or is it custom made.. who knows.. but we do know it is the same string pattern.

I'm not arguing about pictures of his stick. I merely corrected the second Poster's "correction" of Breakpoint's post about the words which came out of Andy Roddick's mouth.

I remember thinking, "In their efforts to be 'fresh' the Producers give these interviewers some pretty stupid lines of questioning." This was when (Was it Chris Fowler?) was almost "challenging" Andy about his choice of strings. I thought Andy was a very patient subject, for that "Puff Piece" interview.

[TwistServe - knowing your pattern from your other lunatic rant posts, you will probably post your own version of the "you said, I said" nonsense regarding this. I don't care. Save yourself the time and brain damage, please.]

- KK

 

[TwistServe]

umm its a hybrid of gut and blue ballistic it has to have the 4knots. if you look closely you can see another at the usual tie off spot on our left.

Ya if its a real hybrid then it needs 4 knots.. i couldn't seem to find it. Somewhere I read Roddick was using a paintjob string lol. Maybe the knots are are really small but usually the starting knot is more visible.

I actually have a PD+ myself and can't find the matching tie-offs in the picture heh besides 10T and 10H.

 

[efice32]

You can't see all of the knots, but I've strung many PDT+'s with 2 piece stringing and the knots are 6B, 6B, 10B, and 7T.

 

[Kirko]

Guys the fram is off the shelf. It then goes to **** for W&B ONLY. They remold the grip to Andy's Spc and add the led tap that we all can see. That is it.

Thanks Grant ! Now we know for sure about Andy's racket; off the "rack" like we can buy. That bodes well for Babolat.

 

[andreroddick155]

I haven't heard the interview but it's clear to me that he got the tension and string pattern mixed up. Same racquet as before (16x19/same drilling pattern).

This picture is from Queens but I checked Wimbledon pics and it's the same stick.

he has lead tape on the sides of his racket, what does the lead tape do?

 

[fedex27]

he has lead tape on the sides of his racket, what does the lead tape do?

hahahahahaha

 

[fishuuuuu]

I've never met a shoelace that mean to nubbies! You can read on this page here andreroddick155, it tells you what lead tape are varying positions of your racquet does. If you are too lazy to read that, lead tape at the 3 and 9 o' clock positions of a racquet's hoop will increase torsional stability. Torsionuh-stabuhwhat? It will make your shots feel more solid =]

 

[Aeropro joe]

the lead tape makes it heavier since babolat rackets are generally considered to have 'tweener racket specs, the pure drive + is like 11.1 oz. which is way too light for a player's swing. the lead tape also expands the sweet spot to the sides of the frame when placed at the 3 and 9 o clock position.

 

[babolatPDstandard]

Does Andy use 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch lead tape, i am planning to add weight to my puree drive at 3 and 6 and wondering which tape is suitable?
Many thanks

 

[Ryoma Kun]

Does Andy use 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch lead tape, i am planning to add weight to my puree drive at 3 and 6 and wondering which tape is suitable?
Many thanks

if this is true i would use the 1/4" adding weight at 3 adn 6 would give an uneven balance to the frame and adding less weight wouldnt be as bad

now if you were adding at 3 and 9 i would suggest the 1/2, less tape needed

 

[babolatPDstandard]

Thanks for your reply Ryoma Kun
Sorry i made a mistake. I meant to write 3 and 9, not 3 and 6.
So 1/2 inch will fit on each side of the strings better than 1/4? or should the punching wholes method be used as shown on TW site be used using 1/2 inch?
I just thought it would be easier to put 1/4 inch on each side of the strings.
Thanks

 

[david aames]

The lead on AR's racquet is 1cm wide...

Does Andy use 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch lead tape

 

[babolatPDstandard]

Thanks David, i guess thats in between 1/4 and 1/2, il just go with whatever fits best on the frame.

 

[doriancito]

i counted 16 * 20 if im not mistaken!

 

[morganman]

Andys counting and hes says 16 mains.

 

[POGO]

he has lead tape on the sides of his racket, what does the lead tape do?

I don't think it is lead tape. Looks more like "duct tape"

 

[diredesire]

Can't find the 4th, the top of the frame is too blurry when enlarged to really make a definitive circle...

Can't see the knots too well at the bottom, and the box on the left is a little to far to the left, but i'm sure you can find the corresponding zoom sections...

And no way is that a 1 piece pattern, i dunno how experienced you are at stringing, but it'd be extremely difficult to make a "paint job" string like that.

 

[Noelle]

It can't be a one-piece, since Roddick strings with a hybrid.

 

[Lala]

This is like Finding Waldo ._____."

Because the background is blurred, one of the knots may have been blended into the other stuff

 

[diredesire]

This is like Finding Waldo ._____."

Because the background is blurred, one of the knots may have been blended into the other stuff

Yep, there are 2 enlarged holes, i think it's the one on the left, since the one on the right has an extreme bend coming out of the frame, and it's a dark background, so i figure it'd show up better

 

[RiosTheGenius]

whatever the pattern is, it ain't fcuking working .... at all

 

[morganman]

whatever the pattern is, it ain't fcuking working .... at all

hes done better then you ever will

 

[bamboo]

the lead tape makes it heavier since babolat rackets are generally considered to have 'tweener racket specs, the pure drive + is like 11.1 oz. which is way too light for a player's swing. the lead tape also expands the sweet spot to the sides of the frame when placed at the 3 and 9 o clock position.

Courier and others have commented on how light Roddick's racquet is compared to the frames of the '90's - Hank Aaron hit 755 home runs with a 30 oz. bat. Tiger Woods's driver weighs half what Jack Nicklaus's did when Jack won the '86 Masters. Lighter is the trend in all swinging sports, deal with it.

 

[RiosTheGenius]

hes done better then you ever will

what a childish reply. of course I won't ...HE'S A PRO!!!!!... just like he could not be as good as me at what it is that I do for my money. but that wasn't my point.
- what I can tell you is that I spell better THAN you though

 

[AJK1]

Yeah, who cares, it ain't workin'. I'd much rather find out what Federer's racquets are like.

 

[Deuce]

I see a knot at 10H (left side, looking at the photo)... I think.