MercedesCup: Roger Federer: From Smoking to Panda

While everyone is speculating about a new clothing supplier from Roger Federer, the Maestro has already made a design change.

By Florian Goosmann from Stuttgart

Federer has discarded his “Black Beauty”: The black Wilson Pro Staff RF97 autograph, with which Federer made his famous comeback last year, won three Grand Slam tournaments and became the world’s number 1 again this winter, has given way to a new version: with white on the sides, a white Wilson logo and a larger “autograph” of the master at the club’s heart.

Simply “just” a new design? No. Although the specifications have remained the same, Federer assured in Stuttgart, there is more behind the colour change than arbitrariness. “The idea was: First a tuxedo look, all black – and now add the shirt with the white. Some people even talk about the panda look. You can see how you want.”

A myth that occupies tennis insiders in various forums: Do today’s professionals play smaller grips than in the 80s or 90s? The theory: More topspin is played, more “brushed”, with more use of the wrist – and this is more flexible with a smaller grip. Many companies have not produced clubs with the former monster strength 5 for several years.

Federer seems to be a follower of the old school here as well. “I’ve played the same game for ages. And wouldn’t even know what size it is anymore. 4 3/8, could that be, are there still such numbers?”, Federer pondered and made the press room laugh. “I’ve had the same thing for 20, 25 years. “When you get out of junior age, at 16, everything stays the same, you don’t change.”

For all experts: 4 3/8 actually still exists, it is the American size in inches. According to European dimensions Federer plays a completely normal 3-grip.