Sampras, new racquet?

[pixy]

Hi guys . Ive just seen this picture

http://treizecizero.ro/wp-content/up...2519211340.jpg

and i was wondering if Pete is trying out new stuff. Last time i heard he was using a pure storm , but this looks akward, more like a dunlop ?!

What do you think ?

[cluckcluck]

I was there last night. It is a blacked out Babolat Pure Storm with I think RPM or some black poly.

The white you see in that picture is from the lights in the stadium.

[pixy]

Ohh i see...wasnt the white on the frame that got me thinking but the elongated shape of the head. (narrow on crosses and long on mains )

[cluckcluck]

I have better pictures on my computer at home. I'll be sure to post some tonight so you have a better idea of what it is.

[pixy]

thanks for enlighten the mistery

[iradical18]

It's weird seeing him wield anything but a Wilson!

[ultradr]

Isn't it new wilson blade?

[cluckcluck]

Originally Posted by ultradr

Isn't it new wilson blade?

Nope, not at all. Completely different throat and beam width.

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I dont know, kind of looks like a Prestige Mid mold from a distance. Keyword, from a distance.

[cluckcluck]

Here are some large pictures of Sampras from the LA Tennis Challenge with his blacked out stick:


Here's one with Djokovic holding Sampras' stick:


This is just to show you where I was sitting (those are my feet) :

[Overdrive]

Courtside seats huh?

How much did they cost?

[cluckcluck]

Originally Posted by Overdrive

Courtside seats huh?

How much did they cost?

It's more than courtside, it's "oncourt" and they were free for me.

[Relinquis]

courtside with sampras... cool

[darklore009]

nice, sampras still using the pure storm tour eh. really nice match on that day.

[SaberTennis]

I have to ask....what is it like to sit on court, so close up, and see these pros hit?

[cluckcluck]

Originally Posted by SaberTennis

I have to ask....what is it like to sit on court, so close up, and see these pros hit?

It's surreal. It's impressive to see it on TV or from a box seat, but to see/hear the ball going back and forth is something that seems so unnatural. It's literally a game of centimeters (not inches). The ball is fractions of centimeters over the net with incredible spin. Sitting on the court I could feel Pete's serve hitting the service box in my bum. It's just a completely different ball than what us mortals are used to, it moves so much faster and heavier.
These guys are also incredible fast and limber, just the way they move is impressive so see so close. I wish I had taken some video, but I don't think it would have done it justice.
I also have to say that the lines people have the sharpest eyes. Being able to determine if that ball is in or out moving that fast is incredible.

This picture was after Djokovic ran after some drop shot and high fived the crowed behind me (I thought he was going to fall on top of me):

[spoonmugen]

wow u can see right up his nostrils hahaha... nice one!
good to get oncourt seats? floor?

[jonnyjack]

I'm pretty sure cluckcluck is a professional photographer.

Thanks for sharing these pictures!

[cluckcluck]

Originally Posted by jonnyjack

I'm pretty sure cluckcluck is a professional photographer.

Thanks for sharing these pictures!

I wish I was a pro. I was using my Canon EOS Digitial XS with the crappy stock lens. I run a blog (won't tell you which though) and I know some people at the PR firm who run this tournament. I got hooked up with a media pass for the event. I was able to rub elbows with the players and celebs that were there.

[YesTennis]

Looks like Pete has the racquet leaded up pretty good!!