What Racket Does Novak Djokovic Use? The Head Speed and the Secret Mould Beneath It
Twenty-four Grand Slam titles, more than 100 tour titles and a record number of weeks at No. 1, all won with what looks like a Head Speed. But here is the fun part for gear fans: the racket Novak Djokovic actually plays with is not the one you can buy in a shop. Underneath the Speed paint job is a pro-only frame based on a Head design from the early 2000s.
Here is the real story of Djokovic's equipment, what is known about his specs, and what you can buy to get close.
Racket History: Head, Wilson, and Head Again
Djokovic played with Head as a junior. In his early professional years he used a Wilson frame, and he won his first Grand Slam, the 2008 Australian Open, in that period. At the start of the 2009 season he returned to Head, which built its new Speed line around him, starting with the YouTek Speed Pro.
Since then, the paint on his racket has followed every generation of the Head Speed: YouTek, YouTek IG, Graphene, Graphene 360, Graphene 360+, and the Auxetic models of recent years. Head has also released special Speed Pro Legend editions in his honour, in a black-and-gold finish. The latest version is part of the Speed 2026 line, which adds a boron-carbon material called Hy-Bor to the shaft for extra stability.
What He Actually Plays With: the PT113B Mould
Djokovic's real frame is widely reported by stringers and pro-stock specialists to be a Head pro stock known as PT113B, a mould based on Head's old Ti/i.Radical from the early 2000s. It is not sold to the public. It has simply been painted to look like each new Speed.
Reported characteristics (these come from gear specialists, not from Head or Djokovic):
- Head size: 95 sq in, smaller than the retail Speed Pro's 100 sq in
- String pattern: 18x19 in recent years (earlier 18x20)
- Weight: around 350–360 g strung, much heavier than retail
- Balance: slightly head-light
- Length: slightly longer than the standard 27 in
Reports suggest that after working with Andre Agassi as a coach in 2017–18, Djokovic made small changes to his setup, including a slightly lighter frame and a more open string pattern for easier spin and depth. These details are reported, not officially confirmed, and the exact numbers vary from source to source.
Strings
Djokovic is one of the few top players who still uses natural gut. He is widely reported to play a hybrid:
- Mains: Babolat VS Touch natural gut
- Crosses: Luxilon ALU Power Rough (a textured polyester)
Reported tensions are high, in the high 20s kilograms (around 59–62 lbs), with crosses often a little lower than mains. As always, tension changes with conditions and is not officially published.
Natural gut gives him feel, comfort and power, and the polyester crosses add control and durability. That combination suits a player who absorbs pace and redirects it, rather than one who generates everything himself.
How the Setup Fits His Game
- Return of serve. Djokovic may be the greatest returner of all time. A heavy, stable racket helps him block back huge serves with depth.
- Defence to attack. The extra mass means the frame doesn't get pushed around when he is stretched wide, so he can turn defence into offence with one swing.
- Precision. A 95 sq in head and a dense pattern give him the control to hit deep, flat, accurate groundstrokes, especially his backhand down the line.
2026: Still at the Top Table
At 39, Djokovic is still going deep at the biggest events. He reached the 2026 Australian Open final, where Carlos Alcaraz beat him in four sets, and the Wimbledon semi-finals, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. There were tougher days too, including a third-round loss to João Fonseca at Roland-Garros and a five-set first-round defeat to Mariano Navone at the US Open. His quest for a 25th major goes on. He has 24 Grand Slam titles, and he passed 100 career titles in 2025.
If You Want to Play Like Djokovic
You cannot buy his PT113B, but here are sensible options:
- Head Speed Pro (2026): the retail racket carrying his paint. It has a 100 sq in head, 18x20 pattern and a weight of about 310 g unstrung. Good for advanced players who want control. Bear in mind that it is lighter and more powerful than what he actually uses.
- Head Speed MP: a more forgiving option with a 16x19 pattern, great for club players.
- Strings: natural gut is expensive. A hybrid of a synthetic gut or multifilament with a soft polyester gives some of the comfort for a fraction of the price.
If you want to add weight to match the stability of a pro frame, do it gradually with lead tape and have a stringer help you. A racket that is too heavy will hurt your technique and your arm.
Quick Facts
- Brand: Head (as a junior, then again since 2009); Wilson in his early pro years
- Retail paint: Head Speed Pro, including special "Legend" editions
- Actual frame: reported Head pro stock PT113B (based on the early-2000s Ti/i.Radical)
- Reported specs: 95 sq in, 18x19, around 350–360 g strung
- Strings: reported natural gut mains (Babolat VS Touch) and Luxilon ALU Power Rough crosses
- Tension: reportedly around 59–62 lbs; not officially published