Realities of Rafa’s Racket

We all know that the pros play with frames that are different than the consumer versions. Let’s take a look at the real story of the frame of one of the most
accomplished players in tennis history — Rafael Nadal.

Then let’s talk about his strings and what it’s like to actually string for Rafa from the viewpoint of Joshua Newton, an old friend who led the Babolat stringing team at the 2018 French Open.

Rafa won Roland Garros this year using a Babolat Pure Aero La Decima French Open. But it was a customized, special frame. So what were the modifications? What makes it so quick, so stable, and so lethal?

The Babolat spec sheet says frame weighs 317 grams unstrung, or 11.3 ounces. That’s light—very light—a good weight for club players but too light for a pro.

So Rafa has lead added both to the tip and the handle. The lead tape at the tip is under the bumper, and the lead in the handle is either embedded inside, or is tape wrapped around the handle itself.

Surprisingly Rafa doesn’t add a tremendous amount of weight–about 15 to 22 grams in total, less than an ounce. The exact…