Roger Federer is hoping for more of the same after debuting a new racquet in a winning start at the ATP Bet-at-Home Open event. The Swiss advanced in his first match using the 98-square-inch racquet, a step up from the 90-square-inch model he has used for years.
“I’ve been very close on numerous occasions to change racquets in a bigger way,” Federer told the ATP website after beating German Daniel Brands 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, adding that his early loss at Wimbledon last month gave him the perfect opportunity to make the switch to a more modern weapon and level the playing field with his rivals.
“But then very often, time was the issue. It was also a bit more difficult to change it because of the time.
“This time around, all of a sudden I just had the extra 10 days, two weeks I was looking for (after an early loss as holder at Wimbledon), and I really was very serious about it. Wilson (racquets) flew to Switzerland and we went through the whole process and I was very happy how things went over there.”
Federer is hoping get comfortable with the new racquet in Hamburg and next week at home at the Gstaad event before starting the North American hard-court season in Montreal from August 2.
The 17-time grand slam winner pronounced himself “pleased” as to how it’s playing.
“It wasn’t like just jumping into the water, but I’m very happy that under match conditions I was feeling comfortable with it. I’m satisfied,” he remarked.
