Federer's new racquet - or a new paint job?

Watching the match against Djokovic @Abu Dhabi 2011, this seemed a bit out of place....

Old - https://imgur.com/Fk6tJ

New (??) - https://imgur.com/HFA1k

There are claims that this is a 'new' racquet - http://federerfan07.com/2011/10/07/official-federer-2012-racquet-pro-staff-six-one-90-blx/

Does anyone have any additional information?

New Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 90 BLX Racquets 2012
Roger Federer's racquet of choice. Slightly faster version of the 90, this one offers better access to both pace and spin. Still incredibly solid and stable at contact, this racquet provides the advanced player with the highest level of control, feel and touch. Strung weight: 357g. Swingweight: 327 RDC. Flex: 65 RA. Now available for pre-sale. Racquets due in stock 10/01/12.
http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/catpage-WILSONRACS.html

Federer nears lifetime deal with Wilson
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2006/03/20060306/This-Weeks-News/Federer-Nears-Lifetime-Deal-With-Wilson.aspx

The Wilson Website: "Roger Federer is the greatest player of all time.16 Grand Slam titles, 63 career titles, 8 doubles titles, and an Olympic medal are just a few of his great accomplishments. Roger Federer's impact on today's game is unparalleled." http://www.wilson.com/en-us/sports/tennis/players/Pro-Tennis-Men/roger-federer

Thats interesting, did he use the new racquet in WTF last month?

Thanks, NS.

If you see the Federerfan07 link, apparently, there are some specific differences.

Not sure if the 'amplifeel' is a marketing term or is a technical difference between last year (2011) and 2012.

"Wilson player and 15-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will be leading the BLX endorsement parade with his new Six.One Tour BLX racquet starting in Abu Dhabi for his first match Jan. 1. “This change [to the new BLX frame] will provide me with the added feel and performance I want to further enhance my game in 2010 and beyond,” Federer said recently. Juan Martin Del Potro, the recent US Open winner and ranked No. 5 in the world, also will be switching to the new BLX family, using the Pro Tour BLX."

This is from 2010 - http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2010/01/wilson_seeks_the_perfect_feel.html

The racquet used is probably a non-commercially available racquet, but Wilson can get endorsements on their product line, irrespective of what he actually uses.

invisiblecoolers wrote:Thats interesting, did he use the new racquet in WTF last month?

The images that I posted are from WTF 2011(old) and Abu Dhabi (the Djokovic match today).

PS: Here is the UTube match link I was watching... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNVe-jVt1mM

@LF then the racquet is un-predictable, this is the one he used to thrash Rafa and this is the one with which he struggled against the likes of Fish and Tsonga.

laverfan wrote:...If you see the Federerfan07 link, apparently, there are some specific differences.

Not sure if the 'amplifeel' is a marketing term or is a technical difference between last year (2011) and 2012.

"Wilson player and 15-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will be leading the BLX endorsement parade with his new Six.One Tour BLX racquet starting in Abu Dhabi for his first match Jan. 1. “This change [to the new BLX frame] will provide me with the added feel and performance I want to further enhance my game in 2010 and beyond,” Federer said recently. Juan Martin Del Potro, the recent US Open winner and ranked No. 5 in the world, also will be switching to the new BLX family, using the Pro Tour BLX."

This is from 2010 - http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2010/01/wilson_seeks_the_perfect_feel.html

Yes there appears to be some differences that might hide significant engineering / material composition balance changes:
measure…………….....2010............……..2012
Head Size:............ 90 sq. in ……...... 90 sq. in
Length:................. 27 inches ……….…27 inches
Weight: Strung: ....12.52 oz (354g) …12.6 oz (357.2 g)
Balance: ........9pts Head Light ..……… 8 pts HL
Beam Width:........ 17mm ……… 17.5 mm
Flex: ....................65 …………… 65
String Pattern: 16 Mains/19 Crosses …. same
Swing Weight:......326 ……………..327


Some background research:
The original kevlar Pro Staff model (Sampras' racquet) was heavy (350+gm) and small-headed (85 sq. in.); Roger Federer also used the same racquet model. Currently, he uses the BLX Six-One Tour model that is heavy (354 g/12.5 oz) and slightly larger (90 sq. in.) . … In late 2009, Wilson unveiled their latest line of racquets, codenamed 20x, which they would later rename BLX. This line directly replaces their previous K-Factor series with all new technologies…

Refs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson_Sporting_Goods
http://www.tennisnow.com/Blogs/Tennis-and-stuff-/October-2009/Wilson-BLX-(2010-line)--what-it-is-and-what-s-comi.aspx
http://www.tennisnow.com/blogs/tennis-and-stuff-/october-2009/wilson-blx-previews---1-blx-6-1-tour-90.aspx

I assume the 2010 model (the first 20x or BLX model) that Federer endorsed / used was called the "Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 90 BLX 2010".

The 2012 version is called "Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 90 BLX 2012"
http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/descpageRCWILSONH-WPS90.html

So if the BLX technology only became available in 2010 (in terms of racquet design) I would imagine there would be fairly moderate developments by 2012 (composition balances. engineering tweaks etc).

More:
Amplifeel handle technology provides an even cleaner and enhanced feel in the racquet. Amplifeel also allows for a more customized handle system providing additional handle comfort to further support maximizing the feel in each racquet and player segment. http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/catpage.html?CREF=5116

Elsewhere Dated 11-21-2011 01:39 PM "The Basalt flavored Amplifeel shanks in the new Prostaff BLX provide a more dampened feel in the shaft and cut down vibrationary centrifuges that cause the stalwart 4.0 player discomfort and a disdain for tennis and life in general."


Elsewhere dated 9 Nov 2011: "Wilson “Amplifeel” handle technology to be introduced in several new racquets
This technology incorporates a softer handle, made possible by enhanced foam that conforms better to a player’s grip, yet made stable by graphite and basalt planks that also improve feel. A rounded butt-cap design gives the racquet handle a more tapered feel that provides greater comfort for players who grip the handle closer to or on the butt-cap."



The following seems to explain all - the Amplifeel handle tech seems to be new for 2012:
So what exactly is different in the new version other than the name and the paint? This time it is something you can actually see, though you will have to take the grip off in order to do so.

If you do take the grip off, the normal tan colored foam pallet will look very different on the Pro Staff Six-One 90. The best way to describe it is that on the four main bevels, areas have been carved out of the traditional handle shape and then filled with graphite and basalt plates.

These pieces make up what Wilson calls their AmpliFeel technology, which is designed purely for more feel, as that is what most of the players answering their survey said they wanted in a racquet. The different material offers a distinctly different amount of vibration dampening to lessen the harsh feel that typically results from an off-center hit.
http://www.tennisnow.com/News/Tennis-Now-Racquet-Review--Testing-Federer-s-New-S.aspx

Thanks NS.

So this is the racquet that will dominate in Melbourne, then?

Josiah Maiestas wrote:So this is the racquet that will dominate in Melbourne, then?

Perhaps, a bit too early to tell. Defence of Doha first, correct?