Many asked me how exactly does a racket fitting and modification take place?
What can one expect out of this change? Does this only benefit good players?
I recently sent a very long message to a former top local player. He had just decided to embark on playing tennis full-time professionally.
Here's a glimpse of the message. Names obscured.
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XXX,
Since you mentioned yesterday that you are keen to explore modifications, and I doubt we have time to sit and chat, I'll just share some of my thoughts here so YYY and ZZZ can understand too.
It'll be a long read...
Tennis is not 50% technique/skill and 50% racket. It is 100% and 100%.
Unless you can defy physics, no amount of skill can make up for deficiencies in an ill fitting racket. It's like trying to cut with a blunt knife.
Conversely, a well fitted racket can elevate a skillful player's game and open up room for many creative shots. Even for beginners, it can also accentuate their strokes and make them play better easier. But the racket cannot move on it's own.
Racket fitting is like custom tailoring clothes. There are a lot of measurements taken over several sessions.
Depending on what one wants to achieve. It could be heavier groundstrokes. Or more spin. Or deeper shots. Or being able to redirect heavy serves.
There is always a trade off. You have to give up something to get something else in the racket. So you must be very sure and committed about your style of play. And stroke preferences. And whether you want to enhance your strengths or cover your weaknesses. It is a self discovery process as well.
The best way to do fitting is on court. I have to hit with you and see how you return the ball. How you work the ball. Your timing, etc.
If you are 100% consistent & 100% clear what your game style is, then I need only one hour to work out your specs. A lot more time and work is necessary if you are unsure and/or inconsistent.
So far, all the players I worked with do not fully understand their own game. It took multiple sessions to spot their subtle nuances and hours of videos to convince them what they were actually doing on court versus what they thought they were doing.
I am waiving my fitting fees for you. However, all modification expenses will be charged. Many are one-use dispensables like glue, tapes, replacement grips, overgrip, silicone, lead tape, grommets, special syringes, custom drill bits, etc.
On average each racket mod & restring takes me 3 to 4 hours. Some more some less. I will let you know the estimated costs before starting.
So far average mods including stringing start from $$. Some complex ones, with precision machine drilling and full repaint cost $$$ per racket and took me 3 weeks.
The 1st racket takes the most time. Once finalized, matching the others would be the next challenge as racket specs nowadays are very very off from the intended designed specs. You have to be mentally prepared that many rackets cannot be matched 100% similar to the 1st one. Only very close.
While it is tempting to try tape on a few pieces of lead tape here and there by yourself, I do not suggest it. For a pro player, there are minimum specs i recommend for different levels of tournaments.
Average racket specs for the $50k futures are heavier than the the $15k futures. I have seen a lot of good, skillful and talented players lose because of inferior equipment. And both their coaches and themselves could not figure out why they lost.
I stand by what I mod. If something dislodges during normal play, I fix it free. If the specs are a little off, I adjust it free.
But if any unauthorised alterations are made to my work, or the racket is abused, then I would not adjust nor repair nor fix the racket anymore. Basically, if you like or dislike any aspects after the mod, tell me. Please don't DIY. And please remember the confidentiality clause.
Racket fitting is a to and fro process. Lots of hitting sessions and feedback are vital to make it work. You must tell me how you felt after hitting with it. Then I can make minor adjustments.
The most important issue now is timeline. Competition season is starting and my calendar is filling up fast. I'm almost full for string tests, fittings and mods for the next two months. I can still string but I suggest you add more rackets instead of just two since you snap strings very fast.
The other timeline to note is your own racket acclimatisation. The fastest chap I've met took 3 weeks to "grow" into the racket. Most take 5-6 weeks. So you have to calculate and work backwards when your first tournament matches can be if you wish to use the new racket. There are simple pronation exercises to help you settle into the racket faster. Ask me in person next time we meet.
Remember, pushing yourself too much too fast with the beefed up stick would end up in severe wrist or elbow injuries. So you can't rush it.
Ask if you have further questions. I'll add on more if I missed any important things.
