Fernando Verdasco: Me and My Racket
Originally published on: 20/02/13 00:00
Do you remember your first ever racket?
I was three years old when I got it and I only remember the colour – white!
How long have you played with Dunlop?
For two-and-a-half years, but I always had Dunlop rackets at home when I was a kid.
What do you like most about your Biomimetic M3.0?
It is very fast through the air and has great control.
Are you interested in racket technology and customisation?
Of course! I want to know every development that can help improve my game. I have someone to [customise] it. He is much better than me! He adjusts the grips and the weight of the racket.
How many rackets do you take with you _ьon court?
Between six and eight. I like to have at least six in case the match goes long!
What strings and tensions do you use?
Luxilon strings at around 21-23 kg.
What conditions would make you change your string tension?
The speed of the court and if it’s a heavy day, cloudy or rainy.
Do you use a vibration dampener? _ь
No. I don’t like them.
Do you smash rackets often?
I did… I’m not proud of it but sometimes I get frustrated and it’s not easy to control your emotions.
Have you ever forgotten or lost any rackets?
One day I went to the court and I had no rackets to play [with]. I’d left my thermo bag in the locker-room!
What do you do with your old rackets when you’ve finished with them?
I give them to friends, kids, fans – they are the ones using some of my rackets today. I also keep some of the frames for my personal collection.
What would you consider to be your best moment with a racket in hand?
Every morning I go on court. I am doing what I have wanted to do since I was born.
Padel tennis (played with perforated bats, instead of rackets) is huge in Spain. Have you played? _ь
Padel is a great game! It’s very social, easy to play and lots of fun. Everyone should try it!
Dunlop Biomimetic M3.0
Head size: 98 square inches
Length: 27 inches
Unstrung weight: 298 grammes
String pattern: 16×19
Cross section: 22mm
For a full review of all the new advanced frames for 2013 and an in-depth interview about rackets with Janko Tipsarevic then get your hands on the next issue of tennishead – out March 7th!
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