WATCH: Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov square off with old-fashioned rackets
Do you wish you could go back to the start of the weekend? Well, sadly, we can’t help with that, but we can help to create some feelings of nostalgia. Check out Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov square off with some old-fashioned tennis rackets.
The tennis world has come a long way, and we have seen numerous changes made to certain aspects of the game- like the tennis racket. Tennis rackets are crucial to the game, and making sure that you have the right one is essential to your overall game.
Let’s look at some changes that have been made over the years to increase the efficiency of the racket. The head sizes have increased in size, with most models today being measured at 100 square inches. The size of the beam/neck of the racket has also been raised, measuring between 23-26mm. Newer rackets are also a lot stiffer and have more open string patterns; they are also a lot lighter than their ancestral counterparts.
Rublev plays with a customized version of the Head Gravity Pro and, like many pros, has added weight to the frame. This has allowed him to gain more power and stability; not only that but adding weight to one’s racket also helps with transmitting less shock than a lighter racket. However, this does lower the rate at which a player can swing their racket, and it also reduces the amount of topspin they can put on the ball.
Dimitrov plays with a standard Wilson Pro Staff 97S. The racket offers many benefits to the Bulgarian star, like his power and ability to spin the ball. However, it does offer a downside, as it is considered to have a hefty swing.
We can see in the video the importance of having the right racket as we see Rublev and Dimitrov struggle to match their usual strike speed. The pair brought us an enjoyable moment, and we can see they also enjoyed it.
The stars played a quick rally that had some funny comments.
“Oh, wow.” said Dimitrov after playing a backhand shot that didn’t work out how he is used to.
The Bulgarian star delivered an excellent backhand shot that found itself sailing parallel to the line, and past Rublev’s racket, to finish off the rally. We can see that he certainly enjoyed playing that shot as he softly punches the air and says, “Yes! Sorry!”
Rublev will certainly not forget his racket when he faces Holger Rune in the Monte Carlo Masters final later today.
READ MORE: Andrey Rublev ends Taylor Fritz’s clay title hopes in Monte Carlo
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