Meet the man who strings Roger Federer's rackets

By the time Roger Federer steps onto a tennis court, it's already been a long day for Ron Yu. For the last 15 years, in non-descript hotel rooms around the world, Yu has personally strung Federer's rackets -- nine fresh ones per match. Most pros just use local stringers provided by the tournament, and that was good enough for the players who made this year's U.S. Open finals. But for a hefty fee, some elite players hire one stringer to follow them around the world. Brook Silva-Braga reports.
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[@GauravGRocks]

3:50 "CHA-CHING" I love this guy, he understands business and doesn't have to time to be upset.

[@DavidRROYALE]

I saw $$$ in his eyes the moment he said that hahaha

[@timhanby5662]

Gaurav G. Lmao yes

[@KniGht1st1]

These rackets cost easily over $2000 each, why would he be upset to make that amount of money in 3 hours?

[@njsfer]

@HENRIC NORDHOLM Yes, 500usd for 3 hours but he still has to buy the frame, grip, strings... Still, it's a good amount.

[@smonyboy]

never put feelings into a business

[@rogefedwon]

Imagine those two guys in a hotel stringing the racquets of Federer and Djokovic before they play each other.

[@kevinwang7731]

theboss That has actually hAppened in a Wimbledon final before 30 or 40 years ago. The two players only had a couple racquets so they asked the stringers to string more the day before the final

[@kevinwang7731]

😀

[@exinmate]

and they would sabotage each other's racquets.

[@gutwounds]

@@exinmate both put money on one player and the other stringer sabotages the losing players racquet ever so slightly

[@carrotbailey]

ID FIND MY RIVAL STRINGERS ROOM AND PUT SYRUP ON HIS DOOR HANDLE TO THROW OFF HIS HAND MOJO AND GET INTO HIS HEAD

[@your_homie1157]

3:50 i was expecting him to be like "oh its devestating...we put so much hours for the racquet...its not easy" but his answer is gold hats off to the lad😂😂😂😂

[@ZekeValk]

This guy Roman, who customizes the racquets, reminds me of the guy who hands out the wands in Harry Potter.

[@yanrulim3485]

Well, you'll want Ollivanders. There ain't no place better.

[@ViaticalTree]

Hands Novak a racquet. He proceeds to hit a line judge in the throat. Olivander: “Nope. Definitely not.”

[@chrisnam5490]

@@ViaticalTree LOL

[@pietrpiepir6444]

@@ViaticalTree Makes a racket for the line judge, "It is interesting you should be fit for this racket...when its brother gave you that scar..."

[@Zumbadaddyyo]

" Aii wander ! "

[@LaPlus-Value]

3:50 Journalist: and when you watch a guy smash it on the court what do you feel? Him: Stonks

[@badasshuh69]

Lmfaooo

[@mikerzisu9508]

As a former competitive tennis player, stringing makes a big difference in how the racket feels and behaves. A good string job gives you more confidence because the ball feels better after coming off the racket. Hard to explain if you haven't played a lot, but this is certainly a factor

[@jantran5349]

isn't ban-able to modify the racket? I mean I can make a racket that rotate or put some kg like a bat.

[@mikerzisu9508]

@@jantran5349 learn how to speak English please

[@qqq2307]

@@mikerzisu9508 learn how to read English please

[@mikerzisu9508]

@@qqq2307 f u

[@choochtrain]

On the flip side, I often play with a verity of wooden rackets (some with very loose strings) and I think the helps to insulate from being too dependent on the quality of the equipment.

[@ndnaf3705]

He said cha ching! Lmao!

[@DeeeFoo]

That was hilarious. Guy's got a good sense of humor.

[@matrix2000x2]

I would say the same more money for me.

[@Max-yp1iw]

timestamp pls

[@duatec6983]

@@Max-yp1iw 3:49

[@koreailoveyou]

@@duatec6983 Thanks~~

[@agradina]

man did i see it corectly the stringer of djokovic and federer are both in the same hotel room???? what is going on?

[@TheRob2D]

Shared workspace. Saves some money I guess.

[@brianlowery3723]

They string for way more than just those two. I think the have Isner, Monfils, Murray, Djokovic, Federer, Wawrinka, Raonic and many more. I think the only big name they don't have is Nadal. They used to have a cool twitter account @priority1

[@operasinger2126]

Cut costs.

[@marcelobarros5729]

That's pretty cheap of them.

[@moritzlehnhardt9563]

[tense ambient music playing]

[@jc-vu4gn]

"what hppn if they smashed ur racket?" i thought he gonna be like "oh man that breaks my heart every single time" reality : "CHI-CHING!!!"

[@makronusse]

2019: adds 9.1 gram weight to balance it 3019: adds 0.000000001mm of string to make the ball go 0.000037mm further to the right

[@helmeteye]

The balance and weight of a racket are very important. Of instance, if you buy a racket at Wal-Mart the racket is half the weight of a good racket. Almost all pros modify their racket. When you see players playing with rackets that look like those in the store, you are seeing what is called a paintjob. The biggest mod for Djokovic's racket was to add length.

[@finridler2199]

Ive played tennis for eight years and let me tell you that 9 grams is a lot for a 255 gram racket

[@finridler2199]

The people who dont play tennis won’t understand

[@danielmltu]

What type of racket is only 255 grams?

[@finridler2199]

The babolat aero lite is 255 grams

[@patricklustado433]

As someone who strings their own racquets, Roman Prokes and Ron Yu are my absolute idols in racquet customization. It must be known that pros do not get the same retail racquets available to the public and that when they "switch" racquets, they are switching the paint jobs that while keeping the racquet the same. If players were constantly changing racquets every year, their shots would be different even with the same specs due to the mold of the racquet. However, Federer is the one of the few who changes their racquets, but he has a lot of feedback that influences the retail racquet. This is evident when Wilson the all black Prostaff RF 97A but when the "tuxedo" colorway came out, he was dissatisfied and changed back to the all black. This was because the molds were different.

[@sidhanthmishra8488]

Thanks for the clarification on the 97A black and white model. On the paintjobs where does one begin? Both wawrinka and Novak use heavily leaded 95 sq in paintjob versions of the retail frames they endorse for example.

[@ZekeValk]

Yup, I heard that Pete Sampras was using the same frame for a long time, but sometimes he would let them paint it to look like the latest and greatest racquet on the market.

[@haystacksjalisco]

@@ZekeValk Wilson Pro Staff Original 85... 80% Graphite / 20% Kevlar... The best frame of all time.

[@eddiedantes7470]

Some said due to the different weight of the paint in the tuxedo's white area.

[@eduardohuerta5460]

It's been done since the 80's. Lendl, Becker, Edberg, Courier and many more used the same racquet their entire careers. Paint jobs are only a marketing tool.

[@akshaydg2324]

We expected him to say my soul gets crushed, But he's like "cha-ching!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Epic 🤣🤣

[@VezWay007]

@Raphie Mate how is this racist?

[@possesedcake5422]

@James The Great wait how?

[@vishalprakash6788]

They really are the'unstrung'heroes of tennis.

[@brendboer6026]

I now know more about Roger Federer's racket stringer than I do abour Roger Federer

[@Andre-Vids]

00:36 you can see the power pads 1:24 and there are the string savers 3:44 Thats the racket Federer used from 2007-2009, ironically, also its the one he used to smash when in 2009, what the reporter may have been talking about later in the interview

[@corneliaedgerton3595]

So that's what stands between me and ATP championship: a personal stringer

[@Bgbadminton]

Quote of the day "KA-CHING, More Money" Remember it folks

[@Hxrb]

1:48 THAT WAS SMOOTH

[@michael2305]

Roger Federer also has a guy conditioning his spaghetti when he eats pasta... If the noodles are not properly layed out before he's rolling them up, it could lead to a wrist injury. The fork also has to be balanced properly to guarantee a perfect scoop every time.

[@TTko4KKmo]

The mindset of Japanese athletes is so different from the rest of the world. Smashing rackets for them as a release of frustration and the makers of the tennis racket and people who string them consider it as source of income and more money. In Japan the athletes consider destroying of sports equipment as disrespectful to the people who makes the equipment. Suzuki Ichiro one time broke his baseball bat out of frustration. He latter apologize to the maker of the bat and never did it again.

[@MJAY-N7129]

Awwww bless. That's so precious. I'm also not surprised about that. Their culture can be very respectful

[@MoorishBrooklyn]

Wow. Technology, expertise, bespoke, design and niche market all in one.

[@sidhanthmishra8488]

Novak reduced his swingweight from 370 to 364. His new racquet is slightly longer, lighter and the string pattern is 18x19 (earlier 18x20). Interestingly Medvedev uses a 18x19 too (similar strokes to Djokovic).

[@mastershake886]

They should make more rackets with an 18x19 string pattern. Seems to be the most balanced in terms of feedback and spin

[@sidhanthmishra8488]

@@mastershake886 i play with a 16x20 and definitely prefer it to a 16x19 but my dad also has a volkl 18x20 which can produce as much spin as my frame even though he hits the ball typically more flat

[@vanlendl1]

Andre Agassi sometimes played his Head Radical Tour 690 with 22X20. I saw that racquet.

[@hongrand]

The guy making Kyrgios' rackets must make bank

[@Utubemann]

I love it how he just keeps him in a small room.

[@emjay2045]

Get in your cage

[@nitsuj6801]

Me: Uses same racket for past 3 years and still going strong

[@808bluemont]

lmfaooooo did that lady @4:05 have to duck behind the table to stay out of the next shot? Prayers up that she didn't get fired

[@kazziais2006]

Hello, this is her i jut got fire today thanks to this comment

[@justinye8700]

Kazzia IS200 😂

[@DavidRROYALE]

i think she just stepped back behind the camera guy @4:38

[@jortand]

when someone smashes it in the ground "$$$"

[@badasshuh69]

*Stonks*

[@NewPurpleRobyn]

This man is doing a noble service to a profilic sport. 💯🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@4rct1c9Ic3m4n]

Hah! Fed, Novak and Mats need customized rackets to hit their shots consistently. That's nothing! I can hit inconsistent shots consistently with non customized rackets.

[@jj0493]

I can hit just as many shots in without a racquet as with a custom one.

[@eribaldoyes3883]

Old master: "So it´s telling me to add 9,1 grams.. (on a tennis racket)" - Amateur journalyst who knows nothing about tennis: "it´s a tiny little bit of weight.."

[@viptech_c5286]

Well I mean, yeah what did you expect if he doesn't know anything about tennis.

[@eribaldoyes3883]

@@viptech_c5286 Well, giving the fact the old guy just told him that Djokovic changed his racket for one with less strings because of it´s lighter weight and maneuverability, you would think the journalyst could put things in proportion.

[@viptech_c5286]

@@eribaldoyes3883 I see where you're going with that but I'd have to disagree because... he's a journalyst. Also, 9.1 grams on it's own is not heavy at all. Combine that he's a journalyst, not a hardcore tennis analysist or commentator or whatever, with a common proportion in every day life, you get your result.

[@eribaldoyes3883]

@@viptech_c5286 Yeh, but going into context, the "old master" says: (the COMPUTER) is telling me to put (the very specific weight of) 9.1 grams on (the very specific place of) this part of the handle. So I just find it very naive and somewhat careless from the journalyst to come up with that comment. It´s surely not a sin, but it´s very naive in my opinion. Cheers!

[@viptech_c5286]

@@eribaldoyes3883 Yes, but he could of also been saying that 9.1 grams is a tiny little bit of weight, implying that even a small amount of weight has a large impact on the racket. I wouldn't say the designer was offended by it or thought it was naive.

[@INTLCFRD]

0:42 - "in non-descript hotel rooms around the world, Yu has personally strung Federer's rackets " Oh, the irony of bespoke tennis stringing for world-class elite tennis champions taking place in off-brand, generic hotels room! lol

[@ED-uj2fh]

Roger's Threaderer

[@mattk1631]

Meet the man that cuts Federer's hair, meet the women that cleans Federer's house, meet the immigrant that does Federer's landscaping.

[@monarch8086]

I like how they focus so much on string tension and details but then put paint on the racket

[@awa3374]

I just need a personal stringer to become a world champion. I missed that detail. 😅

[@Gmasked2]

6 grams dont feel like nothing, If you handle weed you'll understand weight my guy

[@urfamilyaremidgets5449]

*mass u dope

[@urfamilyaremidgets5449]

Jj

[@Gmasked2]

​@@urfamilyaremidgets5449 thanks for the correction GG

[@thenman23]

lmao 9 grams. that's nearly a third of an ounce. that's a lot

[@ohniichan8148]

😂on a tennis racquet you can really feel it. Slight changes in weight feel quite different. 1-2 ounces can change a lot of the feel of the racquet.

[@missourimanful]

Actually totally fascinating seeing this video. Thank you.

[@caseylee2739]

Absolutely no one: CBS: this video

[@ezee-e]

hmmm dunno, like the first string to explain how he pulled the cross strings while burning pits into the main strings? i assume its nylon with was covered filaments which would burn , thus leading to premature breakages on court. its always recommended to move the strings with opposite fingers to avoid burning

[@ovloh]

So, basically, they have M or AMG versions of rackets.

[@larsdukart1096]

😂😂😂

[@mauritop11]

Hi, could you modify the video to add subtitles? The option of subtitles doesn't appear, im from Argentina, and sometimes its a little bit harder to understand everything :(

[@randomdogger5278]

Novak’s racquet builder is a genius because that dude is winning at least 2 of the 4 majors every year.

[@mastershake886]

Facts

[@masters.1000]

Like in 2017.

[@hazza9595]

So is Rafa but he doesn't have someone like them

[@vika0194]

So Djokovic is winning because of the racquet and not because of his stamina and skills?

[@sinaisinai43]

@@vika0194 customized racquet is critically important to playing at the highest level. But a customized racquet will do nothing in the hands of a player without the skills to match

[@niklasdolch9195]

can somebody tell me a match where a player changed his racket very often?

[@hadynedwards8525]

I need this man to string my 15 dollar rackets from walmart

[@rudytrulytruly7467]

Thanks for showing this to us

[@sasmannen7869]

Reporter: And when you watch a guy smash it on the court, what do you feel? Guy: 𝘊𝘩𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨

[@FeetLov3r69]

I mean personal rackets always costs triple digits so he not wrong

[@andrewzavala9633]

I did not expect that voice

[@zachcouch8654]

3:51 I love this guy

[@89strangelove]

very good segment

[@Dachdogoriginal]

Federer is going to be here in Ecuador the 24th of November for a match. But they say in Quito. That is serious elevation, over 9000ft. . It will be interesting to see how he plays. I trust this gentleman will be with him. Welcome to Ecuador.

[@garciandcruz]

I love how for a racket smash they show John Isner - someone who rarely smashes his rackets 😂. Could have literally shown anyone else. Show Djokovic smashing one of your custom rackets lol

[@Mmmyess]

I noticed that, too. Isner is one of the most disrespectful players in the entire ATP when it comes to his racquet sponsor, though Prince still stays with him for some reason.

[@LPdevilness]

I think the funniest person to show their racket smashing is Zverev or maybe Kyrgios lol

[@DeeeFoo]

Probably because Isner's the only high-profile rep they got.

[@rishabhgulati9804]

Djokovic is a well behaved guy off court and most of the time on court. At least when he smashes it or screams, he comes out to be a winner. Imagine smashing for nothing, it's like burning money.

[@possesedcake5422]

@@Mmmyess what do you mean compared to most of the top 30 he rarely smashes his racquet?

[@cp_703]

Does federer use one piece stringing or two piece ??

[@manisht1020]

I remember my dad doing it with just sharp instrument and using his legs when I was a child.

[@BassByTheBay]

3:50 - I love his honesty. 💲😁

[@jpetro]

The video I never knew I wanted to watch. Thanks, KZbin.

[@uneducatedmoron1541]

this clip like gems among others

[@SolowSports]

Ron always doing an amazing shop!!!

[@lesgasl6503]

Pretty cool job!

[@percelababontvlogs]

Nice to meet you..

[@shekeepcallingme2018]

The real MVP is the towel boy..don't let this fool you lmaoo

[@ernestolupercio3168]

If you think racquet fitting is complicated. Go see how a golfer gets fitted for his equipment similar but more equipment

[@SaulGoodman-w2x]

Djokovic: smashes racket Pink Floyd Money: starts playing

[@MontTheBeatMaker]

Just glancing at this thumbnail i thought dude was wielding an AK

[@steezywu]

Maker's MONT you stupid

[@tims.2832]

Uh-oh, they already need to explain the names of my tennis heroes ("Lendl, a star of the 1980s").

[@anandrv81]

That woman at the end understood nothing.

[@CosmicApe]

I just assumed Pros use the same rackets all the time. I didn't even know they used multiples per tournaments. Makes sense but shows how little I know about tennis!

[@gargantuan4696]

This racket stringer Ron is like LeBron James to people in Chinese sweatshops

[@thenman23]

lmfao

[@snuurtje]

So why do they need to travel with them? They can just bring enough pre strung rackets right?

[@Alucard-gt1zf]

Like he said, tension, a fresh racket with have more tension than one made a week or a couple days before

[@marcodeluca4068]

What happens if main and cross is one continues piece of string ?? On the racket.

[@maxmcvicker]

Would prob lose tension more quickly is my guess.

[@Practice_Kindness-1st]

And what happens when you see a guy smashing a freshly strung racket? Answer: They price just went up (drop the mic).

[@joechrow8341]

We missed out on another HUGE showdown with Federer/Nadal in US Open this Year...Federer had his foot on Dimitrovs Neck during that match and had him 0-40 with 3 break points to give Dimitrov NO HOPE...Federer could not win "1" of those points...Federer needs to bring in some kind of MENTAL coach who can calm him down during the BIG points...He gets VERY VERY nervous

[@TheRob2D]

He needs Lendl. He should have tried to get him years ago.

[@tanushkiran]

You will be perfect since u know him that well

[@joechrow8341]

@@tanushkiran We Fed fans WATCH his repuation continue to BUILD from CHOKING on BIG points

[@sidhanthmishra8488]

Maybe you should credit Dimitrov for hanging tough in that 4th set and saving those breakpoints? He made Roger work for them and Roger missed. Maybe you can also see the extended highlights to appreciate how hard grigor pushed fed physically. Except set 1 which was a typical grigor choke the match was hard fought. Period.

[@masters.1000]

Federer was injured...

[@cubicillusion2674]

Next up: The man who cleans Roger Federer's mansion.

[@rahuldev7289]

To think that the Head racquet has 9.1 grams less on it right out of the factory. Appalling. And they sell them for no less than 150$ to 200$ per racquet.

[@sidhanthmishra8488]

Wilson has the worst QC (retail frames). Yonex the best in my experience. They are within a gram of advertised specs.

[@benjamined5519]

Sidhanth Mishra yeah I have 4 Yonex racquets and they all have very similar specs

[@jaysean9589]

Maybe that was to spec it differently? But yeah there is a discrepancy threshold. 9 grams isn't bad. I think that was for matching swing weight though. Not just weight. That's why it was in such a specific spot and then shaved later.

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Not only 9.1 grams less, because Novak adds 2 overgrips, that's 12 grams more in the handle. Total 21.1 grams added to the original frame. Considering they haven't added silicone inside the handle, wich is a common practice between pros.

[@adamwallace7638]

The guy who makes Kyrigos racquets must be rich af

[@BullyGarfield.]

lmfao

[@Dman9fp]

Final nail in the coffin of "Player X uses exact stock racket you'd buy off the shelf". B.s., even if I didn't know about special head/ wilson classic models/ pro stock rackets. All marketing hype gimmicks. Doesn't matter anyways, what matters is what racket feels closest to an extension of our arm, then focus on other more important things (technique, footwork, etc.) to play better tennis

[@RealAadilFarooqui]

And all those time I was thinking they just get the best version right from Manufacturer ready to play

[@davidkilmer5268]

Does he only do federer rackets or does do others?

[@danrodrigues3531]

How about doing a piece on the guy that laces his shoes...

[@cxptain3vil193]

bruh the fact that the two guys who string other players racquets in the same room can also mean that one of the stringers can sabotage the other player by messing up the other persons racquet.

[@TeamEmperor]

Love this

[@TheYoudhruv]

That lady in the back at 4:05 😁😁

[@RK831]

How many pounds of tension for Roger's rackets? Bjorn Borg had 80!

[@cornevangulik6166]

*Sees his player break some racquets on court* The guy who strings the racquets: Cha Ching

[@gdeangelkick]

The club player who gets the racquet strung by the same guy is getting the same kind of consistency. You would think for the price these "personal stringers" charge, given how long Fed and Joker have been in it, they would just find a local "regular" to string for them who can remember their preference. But when you have money to burn, I guess it doesn't matter. That is the real story of tennis today, and the stringing expense at the top is only the tip of the iceberg.

[@HopeEsleim1101]

MAN that's a lot of work and money

[@brooksbrooks6805]

Borg had a ritual with his strings

[@jerome_morrow]

It was but one of his multitude of rituals. His obsessive intensity undoubtedly contributed to his burn out by age 26. Still a legend no less.

[@curiousgeorge6921]

Romain prokes is gold

[@jeremychung948]

Who noticed they spelled andreescu’s name wrong

[@JGunit]

In three days.... just you Hawkeye

[@640A]

Wait why are Novak and Roger's stringers in the same room...that's a bit odd, to be honest o.0?!

[@scepanscepan2192]

P1 , same company

[@Ran_007]

I wouldn't be surprised if they sometimes swap the racquets.

[@bustdetector1738]

Imagine making rackets for that hot head Kyrgios , it would be cha cha cha cha Ching!

[@myhealthtoo]

People like you is why I watch youtube but you probably could get clips to hold the string too if anyone know where please let me know ????

[@mrfrog235]

i like the cup he used

[@RaymondLo84]

How do you feel your car is so reliable? Toyota: It's great. We are proud of our work. How do you feel your car is so unreliable? BMW, Porsche, Benz: "CHA-CHING""CHA-CHING""CHA-CHING""CHA-CHING""CHA-CHING"

[@sillwuka]

Elite customisation

[@shabeenakhan5001]

Imagine, such hard work is put up and they destroy them very easily Such a irony

[@pauljamison3340]

Reporter was expecting the guy to say " smashed rackets make me cry" but no!!!! CA CHING!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@nathanhall2804]

I always wondered who strung Roger’s rackets.

[@dontletthedemonsoutofyourb692]

no one: the camera when it moves: ~~~~~ ~~~~~

[@lgeiger]

2:08 Kind of arrogant to say that. I'm sure there are pros like Medvedev who don't care at all who strings their racket. And yes, even I feel the difference. I'm playing tennis since I was 3 years old. It takes me less than 15 minutes minutes to adapt to it. So I'm sure a pro can do it in less than 5. The do that, because they can never blame the strings or the racket. It's literally just a mental thing.