I get this question quite frequently. What racquet is Denis Shapovalov using? It’s not the easiest question to answer.
The interest around pro player specs is surprisingly high. And many recreational players and tennis nerds believe you will get a better racquet by buying a pro stock frame. I don’t think knowing or using pro player specs will do a lot for your game. It might be fascinating to understand what the famous players are using, but I wouldn’t recommend to use it as a guideline for what you should play with. The choice of racquet is highly subjective and should be based on your playing style, preferences, injury history, general physique and technical proficiency. A lot goes into choosing the racquet racquet and just copying your favourite pro player will not do it. But for you who are just curious in nature, let’s get to the question. What racquet is Denis Shapovalov using?
Denis Shapovalov’s racquet
I wrote about Denis Shapovalov’s racquet in a previous post. He had just gone from his Wilson Six One 95Â to a Yonex VCORE SV 95. But when a player endorses a racquet, it’s hard to know whether it’s exactly that retail frame, based on some older racquet or something created specifically for that player (rarely happens). In Shapovalov’s case, everything points to despite him endorsing the new Yonex VCORE 95 2021(click for my review) or the Yonex VCORE 95 2019, he is still using the SV 95 customised to his game.
If you want to buy the new Yonex VCORE 95 2021 (or other racquets/gear), please consider doing so with one of our affiliates: Tennis Warehouse (US), Tennis Warehouse Europe, or Tennis Only (AUS).
If you like to see the tennis spec die-hards figure out racquet molds, layups and specs, you should visit the Tennis Warehouse Pro Player Forums, where a user “ProStringing” claims that Shapovalov’s specs are 335g and 30.4 cm balance unstrung. This sounds about right, considering that is pretty much the specs of an unstrung Six One 95. If you add strings and overgrip you get around 355g, 31.5 cm (9 pts HL). And if the specs are based on the Six One 95, the swing weight is likely around high 330s or 340 (similar to Roger Federer’s swing weight).
As you can see in the picture below, pro stock racquets like Denis Shapovalov’s actual racquet are usually glossy. Why? Partly because it distinguishes them from retail racquets, but also because they look better on TV.
Denis strings his VCORE with Yonex Poly Tour Strike strings at 46 lbs.
I hope this gives you a better idea of what racquet Denis Shapovalov is using. Should you copy his specs? No, you need to find your own specs. But the VCORE 95 line (any generation really) is a great racquet series for advanced players looking for control with a tad more power and spin than a Prestige for example.
Do you want to know what racquets specs other pros are using? Click here.
Do you want to get help finding your ideal racquet specs (or strings)? Check out my consultation service.
Are you interest in getting the retail version of the VCORE 95? Read or watch my review.
5 comments
Sorry, my friend I need to address your comment that the Shapavolov VCORE is glossy because it looks better on TV as you put it.
The actual reason the Yonex VCORE 2021 he is using is glossy is because it is obviously not a VCORE 2021. It would be near impossible to use the appealing gloss finish on the material composition Yonex is currently using in the current retail frame.
The original VCORE SV 95 did indeed have a nice gloss finish and that is what Shapo continues to use to this day. The material mix on all three iterations of the 95 are somewhat different and THAT is what determines which one can take a gloss finish while the other two require the unattractive matte paint finish.
Trust me. Nothing to do with TV.
Denis spent some considerable time during the off season and lockdown testing the new frame, there is footage of him trying three or more frames. Potentially comparing his own to the 2019 and certainly both a pro stock and retail 2021.
From still images it appears to be the SV V Core 95, because of the amount of ‘fins’ at the top of the hoop. If so, custom pro stock SV Vcore 95 in gloss paint at about 335-340g with strings between 46 and 51 depending on circumstance sounds about right.
The V Core 95 2019 was so tight on QC that the retail frames are basically pro stock quality anyway. The USA player Giron I believe has stock V Cores that are provided by and custom tailored for him by TW.
So, i think again, you are correct Jonas!!
hi! the lenght if the raquect?
Standard: 27 inches.
nice!