For some, Sir Andrew Barron Murray is the Biggest British Sportsman of all time, for others he’s only a boring Scottish tennis participant, however what tennis racket does he use to ply a commerce that’s received him three Grand Slams and over $60 million in prize cash?
Murray has been a model ambassador for Head ever since he was a junior and has lengthy been one of many distinguished faces endorsing the Head Radical line of rackets, particularly the Head Graphene 360 Radical Professional.
Is that his racket of alternative, or is there extra to it? Let’s have a look.
What Racket Does Murray Truly Use?
Shock shock, Andy Murray makes use of a totally totally different racket to the one he endorses.
Murray has lengthy been the Head Graphene 360 Radical Pro poster boy however makes use of a pro stock racket designed properly over 20 years in the past, the Head PT57A2.
The PT57A is also referred to as the Head Professional Tour 630 or Thomas Muster racket and relying on who you communicate to within the tennis neighborhood, it’s thought to be probably the greatest rackets ever made.
Relatively than the everyday 18 x 20 string sample used on the Muster body (PTF7A), Murray’s is drilled with a 16 x 19 string sample (therefore the 2 being appended onto the professional inventory code PTF7A2) and was by no means obtainable to retail clients again within the Nineties.
What Specification is Andy Murray’s Head Racket?
Like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, Murray makes use of a weighty racket in terms of static weight, however that swing weight of 379 kg cm^2 is loopy excessive! You’ll be able to see his full specs beneath.
Head Dimension | 98 in² |
Size | 27in |
Strung Weight | 353g |
Steadiness | 33.2cm (2pts HL) |
Swing Weight | 379 |
String Sample | 16 x 19 |
Dampener | Sure |
Grip Model | Karakal PU Tremendous Grip + Tournagrip |
Grip Dimension | 4 3/8″ (L3) + Overgrip |
Stiffness | 58 |
Has Murray Modified Racket Specs Throughout His Profession?
Like most gamers, Murray has flirted with different rackets over time by testing them within the offseason, however not like Federer and Djokovic, he’s but to make any important modifications to his racket.
On the again finish of 2020, in line with dr325i on the Tennis Warehouse Forums, Murray was testing a barely longer racket (a change Novak Djokovic made in 2018).
In 2022, he then started testing some new Head rackets with a bigger head dimension at 99 sq. inches, which was achieved within the hope of extra energy and spin.
They have been primarily based on the Head Prestige MP L, utilizing the PTA57 layup (produce code PT334.1). He performed a number of tour-level matches with the body, together with on the Australian Open, however by March 2022, he had returned to his PT57A and that’s the racket he utilizing as of 2023.
So the one modifications Murray has made are the addition and removing of lead tape and silicone all through the years, with quoted specs of his racket swing weight being as excessive as 400 and as little as 370.
Given his current hip issues and a sport that depends closely on defence, a change could make sense to assist him delay his profession by ending factors sooner however switching from a racket he’s used since his junior days isn’t any simple process given his stage of success.
Why Does Murray Use the Head PT57A2?
Murray makes use of a counterpunching tennis type, and somewhat than blazing winners, he’s redirecting the ball to attempt to drive an error. The return of serve is one in all his finest property, and that prime swing weight permits him to step in and bunt the ball again somewhat than taking huge cuts on the ball.
Though Murray makes use of a static weight just like most different professionals, his swing weight could be very excessive. It’s because he has a shorter and slower swing than Federer and Nadal, so to attain the identical stage of energy, the racket has to behave as if it have been heavier, therefore the distribution of weight in the direction of the top and the very excessive swing weight.
Should you consider somebody like Dominic Thiem making an attempt to make use of Murray’s racket, he’d tear his arm off each time he hit the ball. Alternatively, Murray can take smaller swings and let the racket’s weight do the work, which works properly for his approach.
What String Setup Does Murray Use?
Murray makes use of Luxilon Alu Energy in his primary strings Babolat VS Touch Natural Gut within the cross strings. His rigidity will differ all through the season however is up round 60 lbs.
This hybrid string setup is designed to offer him a mix of management because of the polyester string within the mains, however sufficient contact/really feel from the contrasting natural gut within the crosses.
Can You Purchase Andy Murray’s Racket?
To purchase the racket Andy Murray makes use of, you might have just a few choices. The primary is if you need a racket that appears like he could be to purchase the Head Graphene 360 Radical Pro he endorses.
Whereas nothing just like the body he makes use of specs-wise, it’s a trendy and steady racket for intermediate and superior gamers. You’ll be able to evaluate the specs beneath:
Murray’s Precise Racket | Head Graphene 360 Radical Professional | |
---|---|---|
Head Dimension | 98 in² / 632.26 cm² | 98 in² / 632.26 cm² |
Size | 27in / 68.58cm | 27in / 68.58cm |
Strung Weight | 12.5oz / 353g | 11.5oz / 326g |
Steadiness | 33.2cm / 2pts HL | 32.39cm / 6 pts HL |
Swing Weight | 379 | 325 |
String Sample | 16 x 19 | 16 x 19 |
Grip Model | Karakal PU Tremendous Grip + Tournagrip | Head Hydrosorb Professional |
Stiffness | 58 | 68 |
To purchase an precise PT57A2 professional inventory body, you’ll must scour the boards and web sites like ProStockTennis to try to discover a match-used racket on the market.
You would possibly be capable of choose up a match-used racket that Murray has used himself, wherein case you can be taking part in together with his actual specs.
Murray just isn’t the one professional to make use of a PT57A2 on tour, although, so it’s attainable to purchase different gamers’ professional inventory body and customise it to match Murray’s excessive swing weight.
A 3rd possibility is to select up a used Professional Tour 630 from nearly 30 years in the past. This may have the unsuitable string sample because it’s an 18 x 20, however when you add some lead tape and silicone, you’re going to get an analogous taking part in body when you overlook the string sample.
Lastly, Head has not too long ago launched the Head Pro Tour 2.0, a restricted version remake of the Head Professional Tour 280 (the 280 is a 630 however stiffer and was for the American market). The remake is actually the identical body, albeit with not one of the artificial fibre known as Twaron in its building. Once more that is an 18 x 20 string sample.
This will probably be your most cost-effective possibility as match used professional inventory frames are $$$, and the used marketplace for Professional Tour 630 rackets is equally as costly as a result of demand outstripping provide.
So there you might have it. Andy Murray’s actual racket specs revealed. What do you consider his swing weight? May you employ a body like that? Let me know within the feedback.