I had the good fortune to borrow and test Novak Djokovic’s actual racquet last week. The pro stock name for it is the PT113B and it is one of the most elusive frames on the pro stock market. Is it as good as it is rare? Read on to find out.
It is good to point out that this was Novak Djokovic’s actual racquet before he moved over to his slightly new version earlier this year. The new racquet has an 18×19 string pattern instead of the old 18×20, extended length of 27,5 inches instead of 27 and a lighter weight. I would also guess it is slightly stiffer for him to be able to get more free power.
The racquet I borrowed had the owner’s specs on it and not Novak’s (the owner has a couple of these racquets and actually uses them!). This being: 340 grams and 32 cm balance strung with a hybrid of natural gut 
You can find out Djokovic’s old racquet specs here.
Novak Djokovic’s Actual Racquet – How does it play?
The PT113BTT as I think it is called, plays similar to the HEAD Liquidmetal Radical Tour that Djokovic used in his younger days and I myself use nowadays. It has pin-point control and a nice feel, the difference perhaps being that Novak’s pro stock PT113B is more flexible. You really feel the ball sink in to the string bed when hitting with his racquet, while the response is slightly stiffer with the Radical Tour. I would say the Radical Tour is a little easier to use thanks to the slight increase in power, but Novak’s PT113B has a better feel.
I would probably have added some lead tape to get it up to my preferred spec while increasing the power a bit, but it was still a joy to play with this racquet. I now understand why so many players and collectors want to get their hands on a PT113B. The mold is also used in various iterations by players such as Mischa Zverev (16×19) and Fernando Verdasco. There are probably more players using this frame, but it is not nearly as popular as for example the PT57A or TGT 292.3 (HEAD IG Prestige MP mold).
Novak Djokovic’s Actual Racquet – Is it worth it?
The million dollar (well not really, but it is expensive) question is if buying a PT113B (if you can find one) is really worth it. Well, if HEAD doesn’t send this to you for free, meaning you are a very accomplished player, it probably isn’t. It is a fantastic feeling frame, but there are other 95 sq inch, flexible racquets out there that are cheaper. I am a big fan of the mold, because it has a distinct flex, but it is still more even in my opinion than the PT57A, which makes the sweet spot slightly bigger. However, I am not sure I play better tennis with this racquet than with the slightly stiffer Radical Tours. My guess would be: probably not. And if I wanted a more flexible 95 sq inch racquets here are some cheaper options:
- HEAD iPrestige MP or IG Prestige MP
(relatively easy to find used)
- Srixon Dunlop CX 2.0 Tour
(never got around to reviewing this one, but the specs are there for sure)
- Prince Textreme Tour 95
or Prince Rebel 95
- Yonex VCORE 95
(review coming up!)
So unless you are a collector or a racquet purist of the most specific kind, I would say your tennis will be fine also without the PT113B. But I am for sure glad I got to try one, because it was a really nice experience for a tennis nerd.
Novak Djokovic’s Actual Racquet – Video
The footage from this play-test is coming soon!
Talking about tennis nerds. There are still some t-shirts left if you feel like donating 25 euro or more for the life of this humble website.
15 Responses to “Novak Djokovic’s Actual Racquet”
October 3, 2018
Sarah FlotelI’m always scouting about for these flexies, rarely find grip 2s and 1s well they’re non existent! Head and their interchangeable pallets make it easier.
Excellent info as always, much appreciated.
October 4, 2018
TennisnerdYeah, smaller grip sizes might be hard to find sometimes, but I agree, pallets make everything easier. Thanks!
October 4, 2018
jirawatI own Verdasco’s pt113B. with his set up, power was too low for me.(strung wt at 342 g.) I have to lead up 2 layers at 3 and 9.( 4.5 g each side)and 1.5 g at 12 and change to leather grip. It end up at 359 g and play a lot more powerful and stable. But swing wt of my set up is not as high as Djoker set up. I personally feel that the flex racket always need ton of lead tape to shine its real aura.
October 4, 2018
BryceYou are so lucky to hit with these! Question: I’ve heard rumors that the PT113B is twin tube. Is this true? And you find it even flexier than the PT57A? Cool article. These are among some of the most difficult stocks to find out there.
October 4, 2018
SiI saw Djokovic up close training at Wimbledon before the final this summer and those Speeds look great. The paint job is excellent. Slightly prefer the new 2018 PJ though.
Would love to try one of these pro stock racquets just to see how different they are to regular retail racquets.
Always been a big fan of Djokovic. At his best he’s arguably the best of the ‘big three’ but the least popular or likely to get the recognition. So when he’s up against Federer or Nadal in a grand slam semi final or final he’s easy to root for as the underdog.
October 5, 2018
TennisnerdTo be honest, they are not much different. It all depends on the player. What works for Djokovic might not work for a lot of other players of course. But the feel of his stick was nice. At least I thought so personally, but I play with something that is relatively close in spec…
I have not been a big fan to be honest, but my level of respect for his game is huge.
October 5, 2018
TennisnerdYesm sometimes I am lucky 🙂 Yes, should be Twin tube. I did not find it flexier than the PT57A, just a more even flex to the string bed that gave me the impression of a bigger sweet spot. So I would say the PT113B is easier to use than the PT57A.
October 5, 2018
TennisnerdThat is a nice find! I can understand the power was low, he basically belts his balls at his opponent (and his towels at his ball boys). Between 350-360 is my go-to spec with a relatively head light balance so I can see how that plays really nice. And I agree that a flexy racquet needs some help with weight up in the hoop. But I prefer that from racquet stiffness.
October 7, 2018
KevinEnjoyed your review! I have a few old TGK 238.1 pro stock frames. I was told by Roman Prokes (from whom I purchased them) they were made in Austria. I see there’s one poster on TT who insists they’re made in China. I see you have some TGK pro stock frames of Cilic. Do you know where they’re made?
October 8, 2018
MarkHi,
I enjoy your post and found the latest “do I need a new racket” interesting.
Currently I play the Head IG MP. But I only have 3 frames.
My question is one that you did not touch on. How do I tell if I am wearing the frames out? Is there a number of restringing a racket can take. Number of hours of solid hitting.
Any suggestions would be great.
Mark
October 8, 2018
TennisnerdHi Kevin,
Thanks. The TGK should be made in Austria and TGT in China. So if Roman says it is from Austria, I am pretty sure they are from Austria.
Enjoy those nice frames! Cheers / Jonas
October 8, 2018
TennisnerdHi Mark,
Good point! It takes a LONG time before a frame starts breaking down. What happens is that it will probably play “softer” which is usually a good thing. Del Potro used the same k-Factor paint job racquets for many years due to the feel (and maybe superstition) and they lasted a long time. Consider that he is a pro that plays many hours every day and strings the racquets all the time.
So don’t worry about that one! If the racquet breaks, it breaks. But they do last a long time.
Cheers / Jonas
October 10, 2018
EthanDo you remember what grip size was on his racquet? It seems that he was switching between 4 1/2 and 4 3/8 several years ago, but no confirmation what he’s using now. I believe he also uses a leather grip and 2 OG’s on top, first OG wrap with no overlap.
October 11, 2018
TennisnerdYes, it is 3 and he is using two overgrips still.
October 15, 2018
ViorelHi,
What is his real head size? And the beam?
Thanks!