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..."

[@PranavNYt]

" 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

[@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~~

[@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!!!"

[@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.

[@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]

[@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.

[@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

[@Bgbadminton]

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

[@brendboer6026]

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

[@corneliaedgerton3595]

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

[@hongrand]

The guy making Kyrgios' rackets must make bank

[@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

[@TheRedc0met]

There's no respect in western culture. My 2007 RX350 get keyed frequently parked in NYC. I'm chinese american.

[@Hxrb]

1:48 THAT WAS SMOOTH

[@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

[@missourimanful]

Actually totally fascinating seeing this video. Thank you.

[@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.

[@nitsuj6801]

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

[@kammil1035]

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

[@emjay2045]

Get in your cage

[@AndreGamingOfficial]

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

[@MoorishBrooklyn]

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

[@NewPurpleRobyn]

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

[@jortand]

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

[@badasshuh69]

*Stonks*

[@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.

[@rudytrulytruly7467]

Thanks for showing this to us

[@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

[@clickinitwithdrew6891]

I don't even play tennis, but yet I'm watching this..

[@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.

[@lesgasl6503]

Pretty cool job!

[@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.

[@89strangelove]

very good segment

[@ovloh]

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

[@larsdukart1096]

😂😂😂

[@TeamEmperor]

Love this

[@SolowSports]

Ron always doing an amazing shop!!!

[@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.

[@uneducatedmoron1541]

this clip like gems among others

[@monarch8086]

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

[@jpetro]

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

[@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

[@hadynedwards8525]

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

[@dustyshackleford6772]

You should at least buy a used $30-40 decent racket on ebay, easier on the arm than the super cheap thin metal ones.

[@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.

[@andrewzavala9633]

I did not expect that voice

[@percelababontvlogs]

Nice to meet you..

[@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?

[@manisht1020]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@caseylee2739]

Absolutely no one: CBS: this video

[@niklasdolch9195]

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

[@BassByTheBay]

3:50 - I love his honesty. 💲😁

[@shekeepcallingme2018]

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

[@zachcouch8654]

3:51 I love this guy

[@TheYoudhruv]

That lady in the back at 4:05 😁😁

[@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 :(

[@tims.2832]

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

[@mrfrog235]

i like the cup he used

[@gavinchung6815]

I’ve got the same head instict mp

[@MontTheBeatMaker]

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

[@steezywu]

Maker's MONT you stupid

[@RacistFemboyFox]

I swear, the title said "Meet the man who sings Roger Frederick's tracks"

[@awa3374]

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

[@MarcusLeepapi]

Looking nice..

[@danrodrigues3531]

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

[@jeremychung948]

Who noticed they spelled andreescu’s name wrong

[@JGunit]

In three days.... just you Hawkeye

[@mquillan]

Magic hands ,can make racquet Magic :) Like it the service Man are Master :) Peace.

[@gargantuan4696]

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

[@thenman23]

lmfao

[@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).

[@deboja1]

OMG! Its my dream to have one racket! 😇

[@RealAadilFarooqui]

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

[@bustdetector1738]

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

[@cp_703]

Does federer use one piece stringing or two piece ??

[@sungit2g111]

4:05 that lady tho

[@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 ????

[@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.

[@nathanhall2804]

I always wondered who strung Roger’s rackets.

[@HopeEsleim1101]

MAN that's a lot of work and money

[@sidehop]

Makes sense...it's their bread & butter so consistency is going to be absolutely vital. Just like you won't ever see Chef's buying Fabreware knives at Walmart either 🤣

[@dust_jo2520]

4:04 LOOK AT THE WOMAN AT THE BACK NOT MOVING HAHAH

[@hasnain4214]

Well, it's so nice to see Ted Mosby reporting for CBS😂

[@subzero871NL]

Doesnt look like tedd at all.........

[@hasnain4214]

Jesse Pinkman The guy at 4:10 has some resemblance, you gotta agree??

[@zonforestmoua]

Anyone notice they spelled “racquet” as “racket”?

[@alalducente]

consistency?

[@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!

[@RK831]

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

[@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

[@DerekHinderager]

Can't hear the video

[@sillwuka]

Elite customisation

[@Kriegter]

I guess we can call the professional racketeers!

[@dinh6327]

Nobody: CBS this morning: here’s an Asian guy who strings rackets

[@shabeenakhan5001]

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

[@640A]

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

[@cubicillusion2674]

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

[@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.

[@davidkilmer5268]

Does he only do federer rackets or does do others?

[@Ran_007]

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

[@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.

[@mike_404]

1:15 ah yes, grand slam champion Bianca Andreesco