Anthony Ginting seems to be using Axforce 100 in French Open vs Loh kean yew Sent from my RMX3363 using Tapatalk
Hey guys spotted anyone using the new NF800 Pro. I see nobody. Even my princess Shida is using the old NF800. Guess she gonna stick with it until Paris. Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk
From some shots I think the backup is surprisingly a NF800pro. Guess they are all willing to experiment in the tournament.
Guess I only have eyes for Princess Shida that I didn't notice others Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk
It's very interesting to see Liang/Wang switch from what seem like 88s pro 3rd/100zz to both nanoflare 800pro to win the match against a very attacking Alfian/Ardianto.
Since @s_mair s thread is closed (here) where I made the assumption that Pro Players use custom rackets here are a few more infos from LZJ and Ginting that they use custom versions: (time code) Carolina Marin and Seo started to say that she use a custom one and now even more players from different sponsors admit that they use a custom version for their needs, they don't get with the commercial version. Even LZJ made the assumption that he believes that most top players use a custom version. This shed some more light into this topic and also means a change how to understand this thread here.
How do you think pros' rackets are customized? Stiffer? Head heavier? I remember holding CTC's racket and having a dry swing on it. It actually felt more balanced and flexible than the normal z strike on the market if I remember correctly. Could it be that pros also customize their rackets so they could be "easier" to use?
I personally think that there are various possible tunes: heavier versions of light and headlight rackets stiffer versions of flexible rackets more sturdy versions of quite fragile commercials different racket model beneath the paint job I wouldn't exclude the fact that they also can get the option to get an easier version of a model, especially when the brand want to promote it, but don't please many pro players.
Well, maybe I can shed some light here. I'm by no stretch of the imagination a 'pro', but I know a few and have spoken to some more. I was also sponsored by Apacs for 3-4 years. Apacs quite simply offered it as a service, when manufacturers make a prototype they can vary all variables we speak of here (stiffness, materials used, balance, etc). So played with a Tweet8000 but 305mm balance instead of the commercial 295mm. For a much bigger brand than Apacs, running 10-15 rackets as a 'proto' series for some players is probably a piece of cake. When I tried to get a few more frames, unfortunately, Apacs pulled the plug on my contract. Do all players use custom rackets? Probably not, from the players I've met not all care as much about their equipment as us weirdos. Some just stick to what they know, or demo just a few rackets and select from there. A sponsor like yonex already offers 25+ types of rackets, in varying weights, so a lot of players have a good chance of finding what they're looking for. So chances are most players (inside the top100) use something off the shelve, and a select group might have additional wishes. What does that say for us? Does it matter LZJ has a Ryuga that might be even heavier than the commercial version? I'd say not, players with WR 50-250 probably all play with 'normal' rackets and maybe that might be most important. If, hypothetically, all players from WR 70 to 200 play with a Type A racket, but inside the top 10 nobody uses it; is that good advertising or bad advertising for us non-worldclass players?
