Here is something that surprises most tennis fans: the racket Novak Djokovic holds up in trophy photos is not the racket you can buy at your local pro shop. It looks identical. It carries the same paint, the same logos, and the same model name. But underneath that glossy finish sits a frame that has been out of production for more than two decades. So when people ask what racket does Djokovic use, the honest answer has two layers, and both of them are fascinating.
Understanding that difference matters more than you might think. Thousands of players every year buy a pro’s endorsed frame hoping to unlock a piece of that magic, then wonder why the ball flies long or their arm aches after two sets. In this guide, you will learn exactly which frame Djokovic swings, the real specifications hiding under the paint, the strings and tensions he trusts, how his team customizes each racket, how his equipment evolved from his junior years to 24 Grand Slam titles, and how to build a realistic version of his setup for your own game.
The Racket Novak Djokovic Actually Plays With
Novak Djokovic plays with a Head Speed Pro paint job, but the frame underneath is a heavily customized Head pro stock mold known by the code PT113B, a 95 square inch, 18×20 frame descended from the classic Head Pro Tour 630 of the 1990s. In plain terms, he uses an old-school player’s frame dressed up to look like Head’s current flagship model.
This practice is completely normal on tour and it is not deception in any harmful sense. Racket companies sponsor players and need those players to promote current retail models. Meanwhile, elite players almost never want to change the feel of a frame that has carried them through hundreds of matches. The compromise is a custom paint job, often shortened to PJ. Head takes Djokovic’s preferred mold, sprays it in current Speed Pro colors, adds matching grommets, and everyone is happy.
Djokovic has been remarkably loyal to this mold. Racket technicians and pro stock collectors have tracked his frames for years, and the core geometry has barely moved since the late 2000s. While retail Speed models have cycled through YouTek, Graphene, Graphene XT, Graphene Touch, Graphene 360, Graphene 360+, and Auxetic technologies, Djokovic’s actual hitting surface has stayed the same size, the same shape, and roughly the same stiffness.
To put that consistency into perspective, consider the numbers. Djokovic has spent more than 400 weeks at world number one and won over 1,100 tour-level matches, and the overwhelming majority of those wins came with essentially the same 95 square inch frame. Very few things in professional sport stay unchanged for that long. His racket is one of them.
Inside the PT113B: Real Specs Behind the Paint
The retail Head Speed Pro is a 100 square inch frame weighing around 310 grams unstrung. Djokovic’s match frame is noticeably smaller in the head, considerably heavier, and far more head light. Those differences change everything about how the racket behaves.
A smaller 95 square inch head with an 18×20 string pattern gives him a dense, controlled string bed. The ball sits on the strings a fraction longer, launches lower, and responds precisely to small changes in racket face angle. That is exactly what a player needs when he is redirecting 100 mph serves down the line off both wings, which is arguably Djokovic’s signature skill.
Estimated Match Specifications
| Specification | Djokovic’s Frame (approximate) | Retail Head Speed Pro (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Mold / pro stock code | PT113B (Pro Tour 630 lineage) | Current Speed Pro mold |
| Head size | 95 sq in / 613 sq cm | 100 sq in / 645 sq cm |
| String pattern | 18×20 | 18×20 |
| Length | 27 in / 68.5 cm | 27 in / 68.5 cm |
| Strung weight | Around 353 g / 12.45 oz | Around 323 g / 11.4 oz |
| Strung balance | Around 32.5 cm (roughly 7 to 9 pts head light) | Around 32.5 cm (roughly 4 pts head light) |
| Swingweight | Roughly 360 to 375 | Roughly 325 to 330 |
| Beam width | Around 20 to 21 mm, near constant box beam | 23 mm |
| Stiffness (RA) | Roughly 65 to 68 unstrung | Roughly 63 to 66 |
| Grip size | L3 (4 3/8) built up with leather and overgrip | L0 through L4 available |
Notice the weight gap. Roughly 30 extra grams may not sound dramatic, but in a racket that swings around your shoulder joint thousands of times per match, it is enormous. That extra mass gives Djokovic plow through, meaning the frame keeps moving forward when it collides with a heavy ball instead of getting pushed back. It also dampens vibration and stabilizes off-center hits.
The narrow box beam matters just as much. Thin beams flex more, which lowers the launch angle and increases feel. Modern retail frames use thicker, stiffer beams to generate free power for club players. Djokovic does not need free power. He needs the ball to land inside the lines when he is swinging at full speed from six feet behind the baseline.
From Wilson to Head: The Evolution of His Equipment
Djokovic’s racket history is shorter than you might expect, because he found what he liked early and stopped experimenting. Still, the path from junior tournaments in Serbia to Centre Court included a few notable turns.
- Junior years: young Novak swung Head frames while training at the Niki Pilic academy in Germany, developing the flat, deep groundstrokes that would define his game.
- Mid 2000s breakthrough: he competed under a Wilson agreement during his rise into the top 20, playing a thin-beamed player’s frame while collecting his first tour titles.
- 2009 switch to Head: Djokovic signed with Head and became the face of the newly launched YouTek Speed line, a partnership that has now lasted well over 15 years.
- Golden era paint jobs: as Head refreshed the Speed family with Graphene, Graphene XT, Graphene Touch, Graphene 360, and Graphene 360+, Djokovic’s frames were repainted each cycle while the underlying mold stayed put.
- Auxetic era: the current Speed Pro generation uses Head’s Auxetic construction in retail form, and Djokovic’s frames wear that same look, including special black and gold limited editions released to celebrate his Grand Slam milestones.
What makes this timeline unusual is how little his stroke production changed alongside it. Many players adjust technique when they switch brands. Djokovic essentially refused to adjust, and his team simply matched every new paint job to his existing specs. Even the grommet strips get modified, since a modern Speed grommet set does not naturally fit an older Pro Tour hoop without careful drilling and trimming.
His long-running relationship with Head has been valuable for both sides. Industry reports have placed his racket endorsement among the most lucrative in tennis, and the Speed line has become one of the best-selling performance families in the sport largely because of his visibility with it.
Strings and Tension: The Real Engine of the Setup
Ask any touring pro and they will tell you the same thing: strings change performance more quickly than frames do. Djokovic uses a hybrid setup, meaning two different strings in the same racket, and it has stayed remarkably stable over the years.
- Main strings: Babolat VS natural gut, typically 16 gauge (1.30 mm). Natural gut delivers the softest feel, the best tension maintenance, and outstanding comfort, which protects his arm from the heavy static weight of the frame.
- Cross strings: Luxilon ALU Power Rough, typically 16L gauge (1.25 mm). This textured polyester adds bite for spin and keeps the string bed from launching the ball too high.
- Tension range: commonly reported in the mid to high 50s in pounds, roughly 25 to 27 kilograms, with the mains often strung a pound or two tighter than the crosses.
- Adjustments: his team tweaks tension for altitude, humidity, court speed, and ball type. Slower, heavier conditions usually mean slightly lower tension; fast indoor courts mean a touch tighter.
- Stringer: Djokovic has worked for years with the Priority One team, one of the most respected private stringing groups on tour.
Why gut mains and poly crosses instead of a full bed of polyester? Because it blends two opposite qualities. Gut supplies comfort, power, and consistency. Polyester supplies control and spin. When you put gut in the mains, the softer string does most of the work on impact, while the poly crosses grip the ball and snap back. The result is a string bed that feels plush but still keeps huge topspin drives inside the baseline.
The cost is real, though. A single hybrid job with premium natural gut can run 60 to 100 dollars or more once you include labor. Djokovic goes through several frames per match, and his team may string dozens of rackets over the course of a two-week Grand Slam. That is a level of maintenance no recreational player needs, but it explains why his string bed always feels fresh at 5-all in the fifth set.
Customization: How a Frame Becomes a Djokovic Racket
Even a pro stock mold arrives from the factory as a blank slate. Turning it into a match-ready weapon takes hours of precise work, and every one of his frames is matched to the others within a gram or two.
The Step-by-Step Process
- Sort and weigh raw frames, then measure head size, flex, and unstrung balance to find frames that already sit close to target.
- Add a leather replacement grip, which increases static weight by roughly 10 to 15 grams and shifts balance toward the handle while sharpening feel.
- Inject silicone or add lead into the handle to raise total weight without making the racket feel head heavy.
- Place lead tape at strategic hoop positions, often near 10 and 2 or along the sides, to raise swingweight and twistweight for stability against big serves.
- Fit and drill custom grommet strips so the current retail paint job matches the older mold hole pattern.
- Re-measure everything, then match all frames in the bag for weight, balance, and swingweight so any racket feels identical mid-match.
- String each frame, log the tension and date, and rotate frames on a strict schedule.
Consider a practical scenario. Djokovic walks on court for a night match with roughly eight or nine frames in his Head bag. He plays a set, notices the string bed has softened, and switches at the changeover. If those frames were not matched to within about two grams of static weight and five points of swingweight, the timing on his return of serve would shift immediately. Matching is not a luxury at that level. It is the entire point.
Recreational players can borrow this process at a much smaller scale. Adding a leather grip and a few grams of lead tape at 3 and 9 o’clock is one of the cheapest, most effective upgrades in tennis. It costs under 20 dollars and can transform a light, unstable frame into something that holds its line against heavy hitters.
The Head Speed Pro You Can Actually Buy
Good news for fans: the retail Head Speed Pro is an excellent racket in its own right, and it shares real DNA with Djokovic’s setup, especially the dense 18×20 pattern and control-first personality. It is simply built for a wider range of players.
Head sells the Speed family in several weights and patterns so you can pick the version that suits your swing. The Pro is the heaviest and most demanding; the Team and MP L versions are far easier to swing for juniors, seniors, and players with shorter, faster strokes.
| Model | Head Size | Unstrung Weight | Pattern | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Pro | 100 sq in | Around 310 g | 18×20 | Advanced players who generate their own power |
| Speed MP | 100 sq in | Around 300 g | 16×19 | Strong intermediates wanting spin and a bigger sweet spot |
| Speed Tour | 100 sq in | Around 305 g | 16×19 | Players wanting a softer, more flexible feel |
| Speed Team | 100 sq in | Around 285 g | 16×19 | Improving players and lighter, faster swings |
| Speed MP L | 100 sq in | Around 275 g | 16×19 | Juniors moving into adult frames and seniors |
Specifications shift slightly with each model year, so always check the current release before buying. Expect the Speed Pro to sell in the 250 to 280 dollar range at full price, with previous-generation models frequently discounted well below that. Honestly, buying a one-generation-old Speed Pro is one of the smartest value plays in tennis gear.
If you want the closest possible look, Head periodically releases limited edition Djokovic colorways, including black and gold versions tied to his Grand Slam achievements. They play identically to the standard model. You are paying for the paint and the collector appeal, not for extra performance.
Myths and Mistakes Players Make Copying His Setup
Every time Djokovic lifts another trophy, sales of the Speed Pro spike, and so do complaints from players who bought the wrong tool for their game. Let us clear up the most common misunderstandings.
- Myth: the retail racket is the same as his. It is not. The head size, weight, beam width, and swingweight all differ meaningfully. The retail frame is a well-designed racket inspired by his, not a clone of it.
- Myth: heavier always equals better. A 353 gram frame demands elite fitness and technique. Swing a racket that is too heavy and your racket head speed drops, your late preparation gets worse, and shoulder or elbow pain often follows.
- Myth: an 18×20 pattern kills spin. It reduces spin potential compared with an open pattern, but Djokovic still produces plenty of topspin. Technique creates spin. The pattern mainly affects launch angle and durability.
- Myth: high tension gives more control. Tighter strings lower the launch angle, but they also reduce comfort and dwell time. Many players actually control the ball better a few pounds looser.
- Myth: buying the pro frame will fix your game. Equipment can remove obstacles, but it cannot install footwork, balance, or timing.
Here is a realistic example. A 4.0 level player who normally swings a 300 gram frame decides to go straight to a fully customized 350 gram setup with a dense pattern. In the first hour, he loves the stability. By the second hour, his serve speed has dropped, he is late on returns, and his forearm is burning. The frame was never the problem. The jump was too big, too fast.
A smarter approach is gradual. Add three to five grams at a time, play with it for two weeks, then reassess. Your body will tell you when the racket has become work instead of a weapon.
Building a Djokovic-Style Setup for Your Own Game
You do not need his exact frame to enjoy the qualities that make his racket special: control, stability, plow through, and a comfortable string bed. Plenty of retail frames deliver that combination, and several cost less than his string job.
Comparable Control Frames Worth Testing
| Racket | Head Size | Pattern | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Speed Pro | 100 sq in | 18×20 | Crisp, controlled, closest to the Djokovic look |
| Head Prestige Pro / MP | 95 to 98 sq in | 18×20 / 16×19 | Flexible, classic feel, closer to his true head size |
| Wilson Blade 98 18×20 | 98 sq in | 18×20 | Soft, flexible, plush on contact |
| Babolat Pure Strike 98 18×20 | 98 sq in | 18×20 | Firm, direct, very precise |
| Yonex Percept 97 | 97 sq in | 16×19 | Comfortable with a rounded, forgiving sweet spot |
| Tecnifibre TF40 305 18×20 | 98 sq in | 18×20 | Stable and arm friendly with strong feel |
Interestingly, if you truly want the feel of his mold rather than the look of his paint, the Head Prestige line is the better match. It shares the narrow beam and flexible, control-oriented philosophy of the old Pro Tour frames. Many coaches quietly recommend the Prestige to players who admire Djokovic’s racket but do not need the marketing.
For strings, you can approximate his hybrid without the natural gut price tag. Try a multifilament in the mains and a soft polyester in the crosses, strung in the low to mid 50s. You will get much of the comfort and control balance at roughly a third of the cost. If you play only once or twice a week, a full bed of soft poly or a multifilament may serve you better anyway, since gut hybrids shine most for players who restring frequently.
Finally, get demo frames before you commit. Most specialty shops let you test three or four rackets for a small fee that is often credited toward a purchase. Hit with each one for at least two sessions, including serves and returns, because stability differences show up most clearly against pace.
Common Questions About Djokovic’s Racket and Gear
How much does Djokovic’s actual racket cost?
You cannot buy his exact match frame at retail. On the pro stock collector market, genuine PT113B frames in Djokovic paint have sold anywhere from several hundred to well over a thousand dollars depending on condition and provenance. The retail Speed Pro, by contrast, sits in the 250 to 280 dollar range new and often much less on closeout.
How many rackets does he carry to a match?
He typically travels with a large Head bag holding around eight to twelve frames, and he will have roughly eight or nine freshly strung and match ready for a big contest. Grand Slam matches can stretch past four hours, so having plenty of identical frames is essential.
What grip size does Djokovic use?
Reports consistently place him at an L3, which is 4 3/8 inches, built up slightly with a leather replacement grip and an overgrip on top. The leather adds firmness and feedback that synthetic grips soften.
Does he use lead tape?
Yes. Like nearly every top professional, his frames carry added weight in both the handle and the hoop to hit exact targets for balance, swingweight, and stability. The tape usually sits under the grommets or the bumper guard, so you rarely see it on television.
Why does his racket look different from the one in stores?
Because it is a custom paint job over a discontinued mold. Head sprays his preferred frame in the current Speed Pro colors so his equipment matches what fans can buy, even though the underlying racket differs.
Can a beginner play with the Head Speed Pro?
It is not the best starting point. The 18×20 pattern and 310 gram frame reward long, fast swings and clean contact. Beginners generally progress faster with a lighter, more open pattern racket such as the Speed Team or MP, then move up as their technique matures.
Where Racket Technology Is Heading Next
Djokovic’s loyalty to a 1990s mold says something important about the future of racket design: at the very top of the sport, feel still beats novelty. Yet the industry keeps moving, and a few trends will shape what shows up in your bag over the next few years.
- Smarter materials over gimmicks: brands are focusing on layup and construction, such as Head’s Auxetic approach, to tune feel and dampening rather than simply adding stiffness.
- Data-driven customization: affordable swingweight machines, sensors, and racket matching services are reaching club players, letting anyone tune a frame the way tour teams do.
- String innovation: new co-polyester blends aim to hold tension longer and play softer, narrowing the comfort gap that makes natural gut hybrids so attractive.
- Sustainability: recycled composites, refillable grip packaging, and take-back programs for old frames are slowly entering the performance market.
- Retail frames chasing pro stock feel: demand from informed buyers has pushed brands to release flexible, thin-beam control frames again, which is exactly the category Djokovic’s real racket belongs to.
There is also a growing transparency movement. Fans now know far more about paint jobs and pro stock molds than they did a decade ago, thanks to online communities that measure, photograph, and document tour frames. That pressure is nudging manufacturers to release retail models that hit closer to genuine pro specifications rather than watered-down versions.
Whatever comes next, expect Djokovic himself to change slowly, if at all. A player who has won on every surface with the same hoop shape for more than 15 years has little reason to gamble on something new at this stage.
So when someone asks what racket does Djokovic use, you can now give the complete answer. On the outside, he swings a Head Speed Pro in whatever colorway Head is promoting that season. On the inside, he swings a heavily customized PT113B pro stock mold with a 95 square inch head, an 18×20 pattern, a strung weight around 353 grams, a leather grip, hidden lead tape, and a hybrid of Babolat natural gut mains with Luxilon ALU Power Rough crosses in the mid to high 50s. That combination gives him the control, stability, and comfort that his relentless baseline style demands.
The real lesson is not to copy him. It is to learn from how carefully he chose, matched, and maintained his equipment. Pick a frame that fits your swing speed and your body, string it with something your arm enjoys, restring it before it goes dead, and make small changes instead of dramatic ones. Do that consistently and your racket will start working with you instead of against you, which is exactly the advantage Djokovic has quietly enjoyed for his entire career.
