How to apply lead tape

[xwall]

This is for sure a very interesting and brainstorming one!

The more one read, the more ideas are coming up in the head.

Since I (sadly) don´t have the time, nor the money to test everything myself, I do have a couple of questions for the panel of expertis in here

Is it possible to tune a type of racquet into something very different than it´s original intentions?

For instance: If one would have a true players stick like Wilson K 6.1 95 18/20 (332 grams unstrung), is it possible to buy the Team version at 289 grams (same control frame and pattern), and then add let´s say (for not killing the balance too much) 7 grams on the handle and then 3 x 3 grams on 3´, 9´ and 12´ to make it a killer stick for serving and from the baseline? I can most certanly be wrong on this, but in my mind this would really add some serious bang to a control oriented stick, without making it to heavy in the end.

I am also wondering if you know what weights upper leauge- and pro players use? I can never imagine that Nadal plays with a 300 grams stick, or that huge Söderling uses the original weight at only 295 grams in his Radical MP??

[Stefano]

Hi Kendra.

The racquet with the weight at the handle should be better for volleys, maybe for serving, but that amount of weight at the handle doesn't change the swingweight, or it changes it just by 1 or 2 units, undetectable.

One of my C10 Pros has more than 20 grams at the handle (I am experimenting to see which set up I like best) but there is a huge difference compared to the others. The original C10 Pro is 7 pts HL, this one is 16! Big difference

[Stefano]

Xwall, you can definitely turn a light racquet into another one.

That's what most pro do. Of course, you need to be able to put the right amount of tape to the right place, but it can be done for sure.

I don't have in front of me the specs for the Wilson frames you are talking about so I don't know if that amount of grams you wrote would do the trick. It would certainly add weight so you would have the two frames with the same mass. But then, there is the balance and - most of all - the swingweight to consider and check out.

As for the Nadal and Soderling's specs, here they are:

NADAL

Weight= 332 grams
Balance= 33.50 cm
Swingweight= 355
Length= 26" 7/8

SODERLING

Weight= 357 grams
Balance= 33.75 cm
Swingweight= 384 (WOW!)
Length= 27"

[xwall]

Stefano, you are truly a great asset on this site! Your fast and knowing answers are much appreciated

Thanks for the specs on N´s and S´s racquets as well - you confirmed what I was thinking. I have their racquets "original specs" in my head, and with your specs added, it looks like they have built them up pretty much overall, but mostly in the head for more bang!

My two new Wilson BLX 95 feel a little bit heavy at 351 g for the (little) bang they make. Maybe I should have bought lighter frames and tuned them to baseline killers instead

Thanks again mate!

[Stefano]

You're welcome, xwall!

You're right, starting from a lighter racquet, it is certainly easier to customise it without having a frame that's too heavy