Federer’s racquet is 27 inches long, which is the standard for men. For reference, the maximum allowable length is 29 inches. The 97-inch head puts it at the upper end of the standard range for men’s racquets. The Roger Federer forehand– a thing of beauty, the most natural looking shot in the game of tennis but also one of the most devastating and versatile shots to ever grace the sport. This type of racquet is best suited for intermediate to experienced players who have the strength, technique, and endurance to play with its extra weight through an entire match. Also, power pads not only protect the string through the grommet, they also enlarge and change the sweet spot ever so slightly. You have to remember that those 6 strings are going to be a bit longer than normal. Slightly different feel, not for everybody, but Federer and Sampras are very used to it throughout their careers.

From basic physics…Force = Mass x Acceleration. If the mass (of the racquet) increases AND the acceleration (racquet head speed) remains the same, then, yes, the total force (power) increases. But, a heavier frame might slow the swing speed/acceleration for some players and the resulting force could be the same or even less than with a lighter racquet. Previously he used the Wilson Pro Staff 90, a similar frame but with a 90 square inch head size which by modern standards on the ATP Tour is extremely small. With a grip that allows him to play close to the baseline Roger is able to dominate the court and hit more aggressive shots. This is key to his effectiveness and why he’s won so many matches. 2. Vast amount of torso and shoulder rotation Federer isn’t going to be yielding one racquet that is 350g, then taking one out of his bag at the ball change that’s 355g; he needs all the racquets he uses to be identical. In the video, Federer explains that he used to play with a vibration dampener but at some point, he lost it.Federer used this red racquet at the 2018 Laver Cup. The limited-edition racquets were auctioned to raise money for charity. Pro Staff Laver Cup Limited Edition Blue (2019) Federer uses the 4 and 3/8 grip size so he can get extra wrist snap on his serves and to make changing his grips easier. The Pro Staff 85 6.0 was Federer’s first Wilson racquet when he burst onto the scene in 1998. It was the racquet he used to defeat his long-time hero Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001 on his way to superstardom. Whereas the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph weighs 340g before it’s strung, these racquets weigh significantly less. The Pro Staff 97 weighs about 315g and the Pro Staff LS is only 290g.

When Federer won his slam title at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships, he was using Pro Staff Tour 90. nSix.One Tour 90 (2004-2006) Roger Federer uses a hybrid setup of strings combining Wilson Natural Guts for the mains and Luxilon Ali Power Rough 16 L for crosses. This mix of two very different kinds of materials provides a wide array of features, which normally would not be possible. On the downside, it does feel quite stiff, which can be a challenge for the off-center shots during big serves, as you will most likely feel the harsh vibrations on your arm. Needless to say, RF97A is suitable only for advanced levels; any other player would have it difficult to play with it.

Should you use power pads?

Of course, if Roger is playing somewhere like Indian Wells where the air is thinner, he will string a little tighter than when he travels over to Miami a week later, but the changes are only subtle.