The Evolution of Daniil Medvedev’s Racket and Equipment Choices over the Years

Over the past decade, Daniil Medvedev has risen from a promising junior to a Grand Slam champion and world No. 1. His distinctive game—built on deep, defensive court positioning, a flat, penetrating groundstroke, and an almost unbreakable serve—has made him one of the most difficult players to beat from the baseline. That unique style is not merely a product of natural talent or coaching; it is intimately tied to his equipment choices. Like any top professional, Medvedev has refined his racket specifications, string setups, and overall gear to suit the demands of his game as he matured. This article traces the evolution of his racket and equipment over the years, detailing how each change contributed to his rise and sustained excellence on the ATP Tour.

Early Equipment and Racket Choice: The Foundation Years

Junior and Early Pro Days: Wilson Blade Origins

When Daniil Medvedev first started making waves on the professional circuit, around 2015–2016, he played with the Wilson Blade 98 series. The Blade line has long been a favorite among aggressive baseliners who value control and feel over raw power. Medvedev’s early Blade setup featured a standard 16×19 string pattern, which provided a good balance of spin potential and precision—ideal for a young player still developing his shot tolerance. The racket’s 98-square-inch head size offered a forgiving sweet spot while allowing him to work on his signature flat drives. During this period, his string of choice was often a hybrid of natural gut in the mains and a polyester (Luxilon) in the crosses, strung around 55–58 lbs (24-26 kg). This combination gave him a crisp, controlled feel at contact, crucial for his developing backhand and kick serve.

String and Grip Details from the Early Tours

Medvedev’s grip size during his early years was typically a standard 4 ⅜ (L3), with a simple overgrip (Tourna Grip) that provided a tacky surface. He used a standard one-handed backhand grip for his backhand, but his forehand grip was an extreme semi-western, which allowed him to generate heavy spin when needed, though he rarely relied on massive topspin. At this stage, his string tension was slightly higher than what many other young players used, reflecting a preference for control over power. He also used a dampener (often a rubber band through the string bed) to mute vibration, a habit that has persisted to this day. The early Wilson Blade 98 (16x19) provided the foundation for his baseline-heavy style, helping him develop the precision necessary to compete with more powerful hitters.

Physical Gear and Shoes in the Early Years

In his first few seasons on tour, Medvedev wore standard Nike tennis shoes (primarily the Nike Court Lite and later Air Zoom Vapor models) with typical moisture-wicking socks. His apparel was generally from Nike, featuring lightweight, breathable fabrics that allowed freedom of movement. While shoe and apparel changes are less technical than racket specs, they still impacted his movement, especially on hard courts where he does most of his damage. The shoes he used early on were designed for quick lateral movements and provided reasonable cushioning for the long, grinding rallies that would become his trademark.

Mid-Career Adjustments: The Pursuit of Precision and Control

Switch to the Wilson Pro Staff (2017–2019)

As Medvedev broke into the top 50 and later the top 20, he made a significant racket change: he switched from the Blade to the Wilson Pro Staff 97 (RF97 or a customized version). The Pro Staff is a player’s racket known for its exceptional feel, precision, and plow-through. It features a smaller 97-square-inch head, a thinner beam (21mm straight), and a denser 16×19 string pattern than the Blade. For Medvedev, the Pro Staff offered more stability when hitting through the ball on his flat groundstrokes, especially on the backhand side where he often takes the ball early and drives it down the line. The extra mass of the Pro Staff (around 340 grams unstrung) helped him absorb the pace of heavy hitters and redirect shots with precision.

String Tension and Material Adjustments

During the Pro Staff phase, Medvedev began experimenting more heavily with full polyester string setups. He is known to have used Luxilon 4G and Luxilon Alu Power Rough at tensions ranging from 52 to 55 lbs (23.6 to 25 kg). The switch to full polyester—rather than hybrid with natural gut—was partly to increase spin and durability, but also to control the trampoline effect of a high-tension poly string. He also adjusted his stringing process: he now often uses a lower tension in the crosses than in the mains to optimize the sweet spot. This was a departure from his earlier higher-tension setups and marked a turning point where he prioritized spin and feel over pure control.

Grip and Overgrip Evolution

Around this time, Medvedev moved to a slightly thinner grip (still 4 3/8 but with a smoother base grip) and adopted a more generous use of overgrip (Tourna Grip again, but sometimes with a double wrap on the top). This allowed him to hold the racket more loosely during his long, whipping forehand follow-through. The grip adjustment was subtle but important for his wrist health during matches where he often hits hundreds of balls. He also started using a heavier static weight—adding lead tape at 3 and 9 o'clock positions on the racket head—to increase torsional stability and spin without losing maneuverability. This customization became a signature part of his mid-career evolution.

Footwear and Apparel Changes: Nike Vapor 9.5 and Beyond

During 2018–2019, Medvedev began wearing the Nike Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour shoes, which offered superior grip and lateral support for his wide-reaching defensive slides. The Vapor series was built for players who move aggressively laterally, which matched his defensive style that often involves sliding into corners on hard courts. He also started using specialized insoles (custom orthotics) to support his unique foot strike pattern, which helped prevent injuries from the constant high-volume play. His apparel shifted to tighter-fitting, moisture-wicking tops from Nike, which reduced air resistance and kept him cool during five-set marathons—a factor that became critical in his 2019 US Open final run.

Recent Equipment Changes: Refining the Ultimate Baseline Setup

The Return to a Modified Wilson Blade 98 (2020–Present)

Beginning around 2020, Medvedev made another significant change: he returned to a customized Wilson Blade 98 (18×20), but this time with substantial modifications. The stock Blade 98 is a 98-square-inch, 16×19 or 18×20 pattern racket with a 21.5mm beam. Medvedev’s version is heavily customized to his specifications. It is leaded up to a static weight of approximately 330–335 grams (strung), with a very high swing weight (around 350–360) that allows him to generate massive plow-through on his serve and groundstrokes. The balance point is around 7–8 points head-light, which helps him whip the racket through the hitting zone while still maintaining stability against heavy hitters like Novak Djokovic or Nick Kyrgios.

String Setup: Full Polyester for Spin and Durability

Medvedev’s string setup in recent years has become more sophisticated. He currently uses a full bed of polyester strings—typically Luxilon Alu Power Rough or Babolat RPM Blast—at tensions between 50 and 53 lbs (22.7 to 24 kg). The lower tension compared to his early years allows for greater pocketing and spin production, which is crucial for his flat ball striking that needs some bite to stay in the court. He strings his mains slightly tighter than his crosses (about 2 lbs difference) to fine-tune the feel. This setup gives him a controlled launch angle off the string bed, allowing him to hit his signature inside-out forehand and backhand down the line with precision.

Grip Size and Overgrip Refinements

Medvedev remains with a 4 ⅜ grip size, but he has increased the number of overgrips (usually 2–3 wraps) to create a thicker, more cushioned handle. This helps him maintain a consistent grip pressure even during long matches. He also uses a Tourna Grip overgrip with a slight tackiness that prevents slipping during sweaty points. The increased grip thickness allows him to hold the racket more loosely, facilitating his loose, whipping forehand motion that generates heavy spin despite his flat strike zone.

Customizations: Weight Distribution and Lead Tape

Medvedev’s racket customization is among the most detailed on tour. He uses lead tape at 12 o'clock (about 2–3 grams) to boost the racket's stability at contact, counterbalancing with lead tape in the handle (often inside the butt cap) to maintain a head-light balance. He also places small strips of lead tape at 3 and 9 o'clock positions to increase the racket's twistweight, which helps him maintain control on off-center hits—a common occurrence in his deep defensive rallies. The total swing weight is kept deliberately high, around 355, which is far higher than the stock Blade 98 (around 325). This high swing weight is a key reason for his ability to hit heavy, deep balls that push opponents behind the baseline.

Shoe and Apparel Evolution in Recent Years

Medvedev has switched to the Nike Air Zoom Vapor Pro shoe (and later variants), which offers improved responsiveness and a more anatomical fit for his foot. The Vapor Pro is lighter than earlier models but retains the lateral support needed for his defensive slides. He also uses custom orthotic insoles under a standard sock. His apparel has evolved into a tighter, often sleeveless or racerback-style top from Nike, made from the brand's Dri-FIT ADV fabric, which is engineered for optimal moisture management during extreme heat and exertion. These small gear choices contribute to his ability to maintain high output over five-set matches without overheating or blistering.

Impact of Equipment on Playing Style

Control-First Baseline Attacks

The evolution of Medvedev’s racket from a standard Blade to a heavily customized model has directly reinforced his playing style. The high swing weight and head-light balance allow him to hit through the ball with heavy top spin on his forehand while maintaining a flat trajectory on his backhand. His string setup—full polyester at moderate tension—produces a controlled launch angle that makes his groundstrokes difficult to read. The net effect is that Medvedev can dictate rallies from deep behind the baseline, using penetrating shots to force errors from opponents who are uncomfortable with his pace.

Serve Precision and Slice Adaptation

Medvedev’s serve, frequently ranked as one of the best on the ATP Tour, benefits directly from his racket specs. The high swing weight gives him free power on kick and slice serves, while the dense 18×20 string pattern helps him place aces with remarkable accuracy. He often uses a combination of a heavy kick serve out wide on the ad side and a flat serve down the T on the deuce side, and the control from his racket allows him to hit these spots repeatedly under pressure. His string tension is slightly lower for serve days (around 50 lbs) to boost spin on second serves, a trade-off that would not work without the stable Blade chassis.

Defensive Capabilities and Court Coverage

Medvedev’s defensive game—often described as a “wall” that returns everything—is also enhanced by his equipment. The racket’s high twistweight gives him stability when he is forced to stretch for balls and hit reactive shots on the run. The head-light balance makes the racket easy to maneuver even when he is out of position, allowing him to flick back passing shots that other players would miss. His use of polyester strings at moderate tension also adds spin when scrambling defensively, helping him redirect the ball deep into the court rather than floating it short. These equipment details are what separate his defense from that of a typical counter-puncher.

Conclusion

Daniil Medvedev’s equipment journey from a standard Wilson Blade to a fully customized, high-swing-weight racquet with full polyester strings mirrors his evolution from a talented junior to a tactically sophisticated Grand Slam champion. Every adjustment—whether to weight distribution, string tension, grip size, or shoe choice—has been made with one goal in mind: to optimize his unique baseline style for the highest levels of competition. As professional tennis continues to evolve, Medvedev’s willingness to experiment with his gear while staying true to a control-first philosophy provides a masterclass in how equipment choices can shape a playing style. For amateur players inspired by Medvedev, the key takeaway is that customized equipment—not just expensive technology—can elevate performance when matched to individual technique and strategy. Given his consistent willingness to adapt, it is safe to assume that Medvedev will continue refining his gear in pursuit of every marginal gain the modern game offers.