Juan Martin Del Potro is exciting to watch but sadly his career has been plagued by injuries. But what is Del Potro’s Racquet?
The curious thing about Juan-Martin Del Potro is that he’s been reluctant to use so-called paint jobs of his racquets. For a long time, Del Potro used a Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 95 with a K-factor Six-One 95 paint job despite that the model was out of stock, which I’m sure felt very strange for Wilson. Now he has agreed to use other paint jobs. First with something that looks like a Burn FST 95
but has PWS (Perimeter Weighting System) and then the Pro Staff 97 CV
, but underneath the paint is his trusted Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 95. I was fortunate enough to test Del Potro’s racquet and can confirm what it is.
Del Potro’s Racquet – What is underneath the paint job?
Like most pros, Del Potro has used the same racquet under various paint for the main part of his career. Professional players are usually very particular about their gear and Del Potro is no different. He gets his racquets customized and ready to go from the Wilson Pro Room.
Talking about the Wilson Six One 95, it is one of the most popular racquets on the pro tour. I’m a long-time fan and part-time user of the racquet and I have tried all the different generations, from the Pro Staff 6.1 Classic to the latest reissue. Although it can be quite heavy for some players (332 grams unstrung), it truly deserves its legendary racquet status as a trusted weapon for advanced players who like stability and control.
Del Potro’s Racquet Specs – Up close and personal
Below are some pictures of Juan-Martin Del Potro’s Wilson Burn FST 95
– as you can see it says 18×20 and there is plenty of lead tape
at 3 and 9 on the frame. Del Potro uses a nice blend of Luxilon Alu Power
(in the mains) and Wilson natural gut
(in the crosses). A comfortable, versatile and spin-friendly setup that works for a lot of professional tennis players.
Del Potro’s strung racquet specs:
Racquet: Wilson Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 95
Paint job: Wilson Burn FST 95
Length: 27.10 inches
Weight: 367 g
Balance: 31,4 cm
Grip: Custom (HEAD shape) 4 1/2
Lead: at 3 and 9 o’clock
Grip: Wilson leather grip, Wilson over grip
Strings: Luxilon Alu Power (mains) @ 26 kg
and Wilson natural gut (crosses) @ 26 kg
Del Potro’s Racquet – Video
12 comments
I love PWS, but do you think it can be replicated with tape at 9 and 3 on a non PWS hoop?
Yes, I’m pretty sure it can! I love PWS too, so end up always adding lead tape at 3 and 9…
I actually designed a racket with Del Potro’s wrist problems in mind called the Rocket Racket. This and other rackets I created initially for for wheelchair tennis players can be seen at the following link: http://bit.ly/2fFU5Sk
Some crazy racquets there, Professor.
Is his Wilson 95 extended length?
Hi Branko,
No, it should be a standard version. Cheers / Jonas
Hmm, because the old Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 18 x 20 version was extended length. Did he customize it to a standard length?
Juan Martín Del Potro: new paintjob? or new Racquet?
He is practing with RF97 Paintjob, but he´s racquet has a PWS… the same racquet with new paintjob… I think…
Juan Martín Del Potro: new paintjob? or new Racquet?
He is practing with RF97 Paintjob, but he´s racquet has a PWS… the same racquet with new paintjob… I think…
Yes, he will not change his Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 95, I am pretty sure of that.
Jonas..I’m also reviewing some part articles due to the fact of quarantine now and more time on my hands..I am sure this racquet is an XL model,that is longer than 27 inches.and as I am the inventor of the XTP Xtended Tennis Product butt cap many players fashion themselves after players like Delpro,and they do install the XTP butt cap to customize their own racquet and get half an inch extension for that XL frame advantage.truly.john
Hello. Didbyou measure the weight and balance with string or without string?
Thanks