Fabio Fognini is an Italian professional tennis player who has been a prominent figure in the tennis world for years. Fognini has won several tournaments and has been known for his aggressive playing style on the court. Tennis enthusiasts and fans around the world have always been curious about the equipment that Fognini uses to achieve his success, particularly his tennis racquet.
Fognini’s tennis racquet is a Babolat Pure Drive Original, which was first introduced in 1997. The racquet has undergone several changes and upgrades over the years, but Fognini still prefers to use the original version. He has customized the racquet to his liking, and it is one of the factors that contribute to his playing style and success on the court.
Many tennis fans and players alike are interested in learning more about Fognini’s tennis racquet, including its specifications, string tension, and overall design.
In this article, we will delve into the details of Fognini’s tennis racquet, exploring its unique features and how it contributes to his playing style. By the end of this article, readers will have a better understanding of the equipment that Fognini uses to achieve his success on the court.
Fabio Fognini’s Tennis Racquet: A Brief Overview
Fabio Fognini is a professional tennis player from Italy. He is known for his incredible skills on the court and has won several titles throughout his career. Fognini’s tennis racquet is an important part of his game, as it helps him to deliver powerful shots and control the ball with precision.
Fognini uses a Babolat Pure Drive Original racquet. The racquet has a head size of 100 square inches, a length of 27 inches, and a strung weight of 11.9 ounces. It has a balance of 4 points head light and a stiffness rating of 64. Fognini uses a grip size of L3 (4 3/8) and strings his racquet with Babolat RPM Blast at 55lbs.
The Babolat Pure Drive Original is a popular choice among tennis players due to its power and control. It is a versatile racquet that can be used by players of all levels, from beginners to professionals like Fognini. The racquet’s 16×19 string pattern provides excellent spin potential, which is important for players like Fognini who rely on spin to control the ball.
Fognini’s racquet is customized to his preferences, with lead and silicone added to the frame to increase the weight and balance. He also uses a Babolat Syntec replacement grip and overgrip to ensure a comfortable and secure grip on the racquet.
It is a powerful and versatile racquet that helps Fognini deliver his signature shots with precision and control.
Read: Daniel Evans Tennis Racquet
The Anatomy of Fognini’s Racquet
The Head
The head of Fabio Fognini’s tennis racquet is 100 square inches or 645 square centimeters. This is a standard size for an adult tennis racquet. The head size affects the power and control of the racquet. A larger head size provides more power, while a smaller head size provides more control. The 100 square inch head size of Fognini’s racquet is a good balance between power and control.
The Frame
The frame of Fognini’s racquet is made of graphite. Graphite is a popular material for tennis racquets because it is lightweight and strong. The weight and stiffness of the frame affect the power and control of the racquet. Fognini’s racquet has a strung weight of 11.9 ounces or 339 grams and a stiffness rating of 64. These specifications indicate that the racquet is relatively heavy and stiff, which can provide more power but may sacrifice some control.
The Strings
The strings of Fognini’s racquet are Babolat RPM Blast, strung at 25 kilograms or 55 pounds. The string pattern is 16×19, which means there are 16 main strings and 19 cross strings. The string tension affects the power and control of the racquet. A higher tension provides more control, while a lower tension provides more power. Fognini’s racquet has a relatively high string tension, which can provide more control but may sacrifice some power.
There is no doubt that, Fognini’s racquet is a well-balanced combination of power and control. The 100 square inch head size, graphite frame, and Babolat RPM Blast strings with a 25-kilogram tension all contribute to the racquet’s performance on the court.
Fognini’s Preferred Tennis Racquet Specifications
Weight
Fabio Fognini’s preferred tennis racquet has a strung weight of 11.8 to 11.9 ounces (335-339 grams), which is considered to be on the heavier side. This weight provides him with the necessary power to hit his shots, while also allowing him to generate spin and control.
Balance Point
Fognini’s tennis racquet has a balance point of 33.4 to 33.7 cm, which is considered to be slightly head-heavy. This balance point helps him generate more power and spin on his shots, while also providing him with stability and control.
Grip Size
The Italian tennis star uses a grip size of L3 (4 3/8 inches), which is considered to be a medium grip size. This grip size allows him to have a comfortable and secure grip on his racquet, while also providing him with the necessary feel and touch to execute his shots. Overall, Fognini’s preferred tennis racquet specifications are designed to provide him with the necessary power, spin, control, and comfort to compete at the highest level of professional tennis.
Also Read: Gael Monfil’s Tennis Racquet
Fognini’s Tennis Racquet Selection Process
Fabio Fognini is known for being one of the most unpredictable and colorful players on the ATP Tour. However, when it comes to his tennis racquet, he has a very specific and deliberate selection process. Fognini has been playing with the same racquet for several years now, and he is very particular about the specifications of his racquet.
It is safe to say that, Fognini’s actual racquet is a Babolat Pure Drive Original, the first version of the Pure Drive that came out in 1997. However, he uses a paint job of the newest version of the same racket line. He strings the racket with Babolat RPM Blast at 25kg. The following are the specifications of Fognini’s tennis racquet:
| Racket | Babolat Pure Drive Original (1997) |
|---|---|
| Head Size | 100 sq. inch |
| Lead and Silicone | Both |
| String Pattern | 16 x 19 |
| Strung Weight | 339g |
| Strung Balance | 337 |
| Balance | Close to even |
| Grip | Babolat Syntec replacement grip and overgrip |
| Stiffness | 64 |
As for his selection process, Fognini has mentioned in interviews that he is very sensitive to the feel of his racquet. He prefers a heavier racquet because it gives him more control and stability. He also likes to have a good balance between power and control, which is why he strings his racquet with Babolat RPM Blast at 25kg.
Overall, Fognini’s tennis racquet selection process is a testament to his attention to detail and his commitment to finding the perfect racquet for his game.
The Impact of Fognini’s Racquet on His Game
Fabio Fognini’s racquet choice has had a significant impact on his game. His preferred racquet is the Babolat Pure Drive Original (1997) with a weighted up handle for extra power and plow through. The racquet’s specifications have been tailored to Fognini’s playing style, which is known for its effortless look and baseline rallies.
One of the benefits of the Babolat Pure Drive Original is its increased swing weight, which allows Fognini to generate more power and spin on his shots. This is particularly effective when he needs to redirect a heavy incoming ball with his own spin. The racquet’s weight distribution also helps Fognini control the power of his shots, which is crucial in high-pressure situations.
Fognini’s racquet is strung with a thick 1.30 RPM Blast string at high tensions. This string provides excellent control and spin potential, which complements Fognini’s playing style. The high tension also helps Fognini generate more power on his shots.
However, Fognini’s racquet choice has also had its downsides. In the past, Fognini has injured his hand while smashing his racquet in frustration during matches. This can be seen as a result of the racquet’s weight and power, which can lead to more forceful impacts when smashed.
With that said, Fognini’s racquet choice has had a positive impact on his game. Its tailored specifications and weight distribution have allowed Fognini to generate more power and spin on his shots, while the string choice provides excellent control and spin potential. However, the racquet’s weight and power can also lead to injuries if not handled with care.
How Fognini’s Racquet Can Benefit Your Game
As you can see, Fabio Fognini is known for his aggressive playstyle and effortless-looking strokes. His racquet, the Babolat Pure Drive Original (1997), has been a key factor in his success on the ATP Tour. Here are some ways that Fognini’s racquet can benefit your game:
- Increased Power: Fognini’s racquet has a high swingweight, which allows him to generate a lot of power on his shots. This can be especially beneficial for players who struggle to generate their own power, as the racquet can do some of the work for them.
- Improved Spin: Fognini is known for his ability to generate spin on his shots, and his racquet plays a big part in that. The Pure Drive Original has a 16×19 string pattern, which allows for more spin potential on shots.
- Stability at Net: Fognini’s racquet has great stability, which allows him to confidently approach the net and finish points off with volleys. This can be beneficial for players who struggle with their net game and want a racquet that can help them improve in that area.
- Comfortable Feel: Despite its power and spin potential, Fognini’s racquet also has a comfortable feel. This can be beneficial for players who want a racquet that is easy on their arm and won’t cause discomfort or injury.
The thing is that, Fognini’s racquet is a great choice for players who want a powerful, spin-friendly racquet with great stability and a comfortable feel. However, it’s important to note that every player is different and what works for Fognini may not work for everyone. It’s always a good idea to demo racquets before making a purchase to find the one that works best for your game.