Stefanos Tsitsipas is a Greek professional tennis player who has been making waves in the tennis world since he turned professional in 2016. He has been a consistent performer on the ATP tour, and his aggressive style of play has earned him a lot of fans. One of the key components of Tsitsipas’ game is his tennis racquet, which he has customized to suit his playing style.
There has been a lot of interest in Tsitsipas’ racquet setup, with fans and analysts alike trying to figure out what makes it so effective. Tsitsipas has been using a Wilson Blade 98 racquet for most of his professional career, and he has made some modifications to the racquet to suit his playing style. He has also experimented with different strings and tensions to get the perfect balance of power and control.
In this article, we will take a closer look at Stefanos Tsitsipas’ tennis racquet and explore what makes it so special. We will examine the specifications of his racquet, including the make and model, string type, tension, and weight distribution.
We will also look at how Tsitsipas’ racquet has evolved over the years and how he has customized it to suit his playing style. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of what makes Tsitsipas’ racquet so effective and why it has become such a key part of his game.
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Tennis Racquet Specifications
Head Size
Stefanos Tsitsipas uses the Wilson Blade 98 racquet with a head size of 98 sq.in./632.26 sq.cm. The head size of the racquet is an important factor that determines the sweet spot size and the level of control the player has over the ball. A larger head size provides a larger sweet spot, which makes it easier to hit the ball cleanly and generate power. However, a smaller head size provides more control over the ball’s direction and spin.
String Pattern
Tsitsipas uses a string pattern of 18 Mains/20 Crosses with Luxilon 4G strings at 25 kg mains and 24 kg crosses. The string pattern determines the amount of spin and control the player has over the ball. A denser string pattern provides more control over the ball’s direction and spin, while a looser string pattern provides more power and spin.
Weight
The strung weight of Tsitsipas’ racquet is 11.4 oz/323 g. The weight of the racquet is an important factor that determines the level of power and control the player has over the ball. A heavier racquet provides more power and stability, while a lighter racquet provides more maneuverability and control.
Balance
The balance of Tsitsipas’ racquet is 33.02 cm/13 in/4 pts HL. The balance of the racquet is an important factor that determines the level of maneuverability and stability the player has over the ball. A head-heavy balance provides more power and stability, while a head-light balance provides more maneuverability and control.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Tennis Racquet Technology
Graphene 360+ Technology
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ tennis racquet is equipped with Graphene 360+ Technology, which is a combination of Graphene 360’s energy transfer and innovative spiralfibers technology. This technology provides enhanced flex and clean impact feel, giving Tsitsipas better control over the ball. Graphene 360+ Technology is also designed to increase power and spin, making it easier for Tsitsipas to hit winners and put pressure on his opponents.
SpiralFibers Technology
The SpiralFibers Technology in Tsitsipas’ racquet is a unique design that uses spiraling fibers in the racquet’s throat to increase the flexibility of the frame. This helps to absorb shock and vibrations, reducing the risk of injury and providing a more comfortable playing experience. The spiraling fibers also provide a more consistent response across the entire string bed, giving Tsitsipas greater control and precision with his shots.
Power Grommets Technology
The Power Grommets Technology in Tsitsipas’ racquet is a system of grommets that are strategically placed to increase the sweet spot of the racquet. This technology allows Tsitsipas to hit more powerful shots and generate more spin, even on off-center hits. The Power Grommets also help to reduce string friction, improving string movement and extending the life of the strings.
As you can see, Tsitsipas’ tennis racquet is a high-performance tool that is designed to help him play his best on the court. With advanced technologies like Graphene 360+ and SpiralFibers, as well as the Power Grommets system, Tsitsipas has a racquet that is optimized for power, control, and comfort.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Tennis Racquet Performance
Groundstrokes
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ tennis racquet is known for its excellent performance on groundstrokes. His racquet of choice, the Wilson Blade 98, provides him with the perfect blend of power and control, allowing him to hit with pace and accuracy from the baseline.
The braided graphite and basalt composition of the racquet provides a solid feel, which helps Tsitsipas generate more spin on his shots. The 18 mains and 20 crosses string pattern also contributes to the spin potential of the racquet, allowing Tsitsipas to hit with more topspin and control the trajectory of the ball better.
It is safe to say that, Tsitsipas’ racquet is well-suited for his aggressive playing style, allowing him to hit with pace and spin from the baseline and dictate play from the back of the court.
Serve
Tsitsipas’ racquet is also well-suited for his serving game. The 21mm beam width of the racquet provides a solid feel and helps Tsitsipas generate more power on his serves.
The 18×20 string pattern of the racquet also allows Tsitsipas to hit with more precision on his serves, placing the ball exactly where he wants it to go. The balance of the racquet, which is 4 points head light, also helps Tsitsipas generate more racquet head speed on his serves, resulting in more power and accuracy.
Volleys
While Tsitsipas is primarily known for his baseline game, his racquet is also well-suited for his net play. The solid feel of the racquet and its 359 kg cm² swingweight provide Tsitsipas with the stability and control he needs to hit accurate volleys.
The 21mm beam width of the racquet also helps Tsitsipas generate more power on his volleys, allowing him to put away easy shots at the net. The thing is that, Tsitsipas’ racquet is a versatile tool that allows him to play his aggressive style of tennis from all areas of the court.
Conclusion
Stefanos Tsitsipas has been using the Wilson Blade 98 V7 18 x 20 racquet throughout his professional career, albeit in a customized form. The racquet has a swingweight of around 359 kg cm², which he upped from around 340 kg cm² in 2018. He strings his racquets with Luxilon 4g at 25/24kg, though he has experimented with black strings and hybrids after an arm injury.
The Blade 98 is a popular choice among professional tennis players due to its maneuverability and control. The 18 x 20 string pattern provides excellent control and precision, while the braided graphite and basalt composition offers stability and power. The racquet’s weight, balance, and stiffness are also well-suited for Tsitsipas’ aggressive playing style.
With that said, Tsitsipas’ racquet setup is a crucial component of his success on the court. While the Blade 98 may not be the perfect choice for every player, it has undoubtedly helped Tsitsipas reach new heights in his career. As he continues to refine his game, it will be interesting to see if he makes any further adjustments to his racquet setup.