Will Roger Use New or Old Racquet when he comes back in Cincy?

[GameSetAndMath]

Just vote and discuss it away as you please.

Recall that old racquet was 90 sq. inches and new one is 98
sq. inches. Also, recall that he did not have much success after the
change up, perhaps due to adjusting time or back pain or combination
of them. When asked in interviews, he said he cannot make comment
on the new racquet as his level was too low to judge.

 

[August]

I think he should go back to the old racquet. He needs to improve his game and Cincy is his last event before the USO. That's why he shouldn't be experimenting with the racquet unless he felt comfortable with the new one and it was only his back that was troubling him in Hamburg and Gstaad.

 

[Kieran]

He's in a pucker. He tried out the new one on clay, which was a wise move, but he's dissatisfied. Does he blame the racket or himself? If he thinks his own level was low, then shouldn't he give the racket another shot?

But was his level low because of the racket?

It's a bad time of the year to mess around with this stuff. I think his stubbornness might be overcome by necessity - and he'll turn up swinging the old stick...

 

[Riotbeard]

I say play the new stick. Roger ain't winning the USO this year, he needs to be thinking about making long(ish) term changes.

 

[DarthFed]

It'd be ridiculous to can the new racquet after 2 bad tournaments on his worst surface. He was also fooling himself if he thought there wouldn't be a major adjusting period that naturally will carry into the US Open. He is not that impulsive just to make a radical change like that and go back on it after a couple weeks.

Roger ain't winning New York this year, hell he isn't winning anything except maybe Basel. The rest of this year is about trying to somehow build up confidence to play adequately in 2014. And by then he will have adjusted to the new racquet.

 

[DarthFed]

He's in a pucker. He tried out the new one on clay, which was a wise move, but he's dissatisfied. Does he blame the racket or himself? If he thinks his own level was low, then shouldn't he give the racket another shot?

But was his level low because of the racket?

It's a bad time of the year to mess around with this stuff. I think his stubbornness might be overcome by necessity - and he'll turn up swinging the old stick...

His level has been low the entire year. We are literally talking about him having 1 good tournament and 1 average one all year long, the rest has been awful. It isn't only the racquet that's for sure.

 

[the AntiPusher]

It isn't his racket, its his Back.. his movement is apparently compromised,

 

[DarthFed]

The back has been a problem here and there for 4 years AP. It's more than just that. It is age and probably more importantly a lack of motivation. Look at his press conference after losing to Tsonga and picture him saying things like that even just 2-3 years ago.

 

[the AntiPusher]

The back has been a problem here and there for 4 years AP. It's more than just that. It is age and probably more importantly a lack of motivation. Look at his press conference after losing to Tsonga and picture him saying things like that even just 2-3 years ago.

DarthFed.. You are probably on the right path.. However.. if it was his back, it didn't hinder him from winning Wimbledon last year and being ranked number about 18 months ago

 

[ftan]

I think he will stick with it at Cincy atleast and if it is still bad, he will use his old stick for US Open.

I personally think, he should stick with his 90" till US Open atleast and then try the newer one for the remaining year

 

[nehmeth]

Predicting he will bypass the 90" racquet, skip the graphite racquet Sampras used, and be a true throwback all the way back to Laver, and walk out there with a woody.

 

[Front242]

Predicting he will bypass the 90" racquet, skip the graphite racquet Sampras used, and be a true throwback all the way back to Laver, and walk out there with a woody.

If he walks out there with a woody he'll be more Delboner than Delbonis

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I think he will stick with it at Cincy atleast and if it is still bad, he will use his old stick for US Open.

If at all he is going back to old racquet, he will do so in Cincy.
It is probably crazy to use different racquets in Cincy and USO.

 

[tented]

The back has been a problem here and there for 4 years AP. It's more than just that. It is age and probably more importantly a lack of motivation. Look at his press conference after losing to Tsonga and picture him saying things like that even just 2-3 years ago.

Sure, he's had the back problem for a few years, and I agree that his problems stem from more than just his back, but I get the impression his back is getting worse. Plus, as he ages, it's becoming increasingly difficult to manage it.

 

[Front242]

The way these guys arch their backs serving hard for match after match, week in week out has gotta take its toll. Especially after as many matches as Fed has played. Sadly it probably will get worse alright.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

if he goes back to his old one he is finished.

he needs a raquet that gives him a bit more power and a bigger sweet spot,,his reactions and speed are too slow for his 90-ins racquet.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I think he is fine with the new stick. I don't see him going back, but maybe have Wilson improve on it a bit. He's got bigger issues than the racket right now, like confidence, motivation, a bad back etc...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

if he goes back to his old one he is finished.

he needs a raquet that gives him a bit more power and a bigger sweet spot,,his reactions and speed are too slow for his 90-ins racquet.

Perhaps, you misunderstood my question. This thread is specifically
about what he will use in Cincy.

I do believe, like you, that he should change racquets. But, I am
of the opinion that he should postpone this change at least until
after USO, if not after WTF. Does not look like a good idea to
experiment at this critical stage.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

if he goes back to his old one he is finished.

he needs a raquet that gives him a bit more power and a bigger sweet spot,,his reactions and speed are too slow for his 90-ins racquet.

Perhaps, you misunderstood my question. This thread is specifically
about what he will use in Cincy.

I do believe, like you, that he should change racquets. But, I am
of the opinion that he should postpone this change at least until
after USO, if not after WTF. Does not look like a good idea to
experiment at this critical stage.

naah..he was turning rubbish with the 90ins one..he clearly does not believe in it any more otherwise he wouldn't have changed, so he should stay with the new racquet..his back injury had more to do with the swiss open loss more than the racquet, so new stick (98) at cincy and usa open.

 

[DarthFed]

if he goes back to his old one he is finished.

he needs a raquet that gives him a bit more power and a bigger sweet spot,,his reactions and speed are too slow for his 90-ins racquet.

Perhaps, you misunderstood my question. This thread is specifically
about what he will use in Cincy.

I do believe, like you, that he should change racquets. But, I am
of the opinion that he should postpone this change at least until
after USO, if not after WTF. Does not look like a good idea to
experiment at this critical stage.

naah..he was turning rubbish with the 90ins one..he clearly does not believe in it any more otherwise he wouldn't have changed, so he should stay with the new racquet..his back injury had more to do with the swiss open loss more than the racquet, so new stick (98) at cincy and usa open.

It'd be more of a critical stage if Fed was considered any kind of a decent favorite at the USO. His ranking has dropped, he has no confidence and his back is an issue. New racquet or old racquet Fed is a long shot at the USO so there is no need to suddenly switch back and hope he magically starts playing great.