We have talked about this before and by now we all understand “tolerance”, especially if you drive in this area!

We recently received fifteen (15) racquets from the manufacturer (A). The initial characterization was surprising in that the “tolerance” was very tight. In fact, there was only slightly greater than 3 grams separating all of them!

Later in the day I received three (3) racquets from the manufacturer (Z) and there was fifteen (15) grams difference between them (very “loose” tolerance). These were for a single player and needed to be matched for tournament play. It is obvious, then, that more time is required to match the three (3) than to match all fifteen (15) if the others.

This is not a criticism of the manufacturers only a glimpse of why some “customization” may be required to satisfy players needs. When a client calls with specifications for a racquet they are considering I always ask where the data is from. The “header card”, “on-line communications”, “other players”, etc.

If you rely on these data it may not be close to what the racquet will actually be when it is received.