Fed in Blacked Out Shoes During USO Practice session

[DTL-BH]

Disclaimer: I wasn't able to get a clear pic because of the wind screen on the fence.

This morning I was watching Fed's USO Practice session. He went through a typical warm up routine, but before they started match play, Fed switched from his black & red Vapors into a shoe I couldn't recognize.

The shoe was nearly completely black. No visible highlights or even a swoosh. The sole was white as we're the laces. I think the tongue was as well. The show looked extremely low cut, but that may have bee due to the his white socks blending with the white parts of the shoe. They looked cool from a far.

Hoping that they'll be the shoes he wearing in his match tomorrow. If not maybe a prototype of the next vapor...

 

[WhereIsMacMac]

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

So how useful would this thread have been if it had pictures? It's just a pro wearing a pair of shoes...

 

[sundaypunch]

So how useful would this thread have been if it had pictures? It's just a pro wearing a pair of shoes...

Well, it looks like you clicked on it to see the mysterious blacked out shoes (as did I).

 

[WhereIsMacMac]

So how useful would this thread have been if it had pictures? It's just a pro wearing a pair of shoes...

What? That's blasphemy! Its FEDERER! You don't call him JUST A PRO... He's GOAT!

Can't wait until the shoes goes on pre-sale, it will be a good addition to the RF97 Autograph with champion's choice strings, power pads, string saver, P1 leather grip and what more?

 

[TennisLovaLova]

from there: https://twitter.com/RF_link/status/503933451813519360/photo/1

 

[LiquidWhip]

Aren't they just the Nike Vapor 9.5s he's going to be wearing in his night matches?

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage.html?PCODE=NZV95TH

 

[NickH]

Aren't they just the Nike Vapor 9.5s he's going to be wearing in his night matches?

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage.html?PCODE=NZV95TH

Yes they are.....

But people clearly love to shout and scream about "So and so is wearing/using something that has been blacked out!"....... They are just the night Vapors.

 

[TennisLovaLova]

Yes they are.....

But people clearly love to shout and scream about "So and so is wearing/using something that has been blacked out!"....... They are just the night Vapors.

not really, people seating in the stands during practice yesterday said that the swoosh was also black and only the sole was pink punch hyper stuff

 

[NickH]

not really, people seating in the stands during practice yesterday said that the swoosh was also black and only the sole was pink punch hyper stuff

Perhaps, although from the original post, someone clearly thought they were "all black" - and that is from someone who was there.

If they have a black swoosh.... then they are PE, which would be kinda cool (personally I like the Hyper Punch).

Something tells me they "probably" have a hyper punch swoosh tick though.....

 

[preacha89]

Found this from a video. Looks like Fed is play testing Vapor 10 or next year's iteration of the vapor. Clearly all black upper with white midsole/outsole. Surprising we didn't see at earlier tournaments like toronto or cincy, like in the past.

 

[anhuynh16]

Yes, I think he switched shoes mid practice. Saw some pics of him wearing blacked out ones as well.

 

[Rabbit]

Night vapors sounds more like a disease or a treatment.

 

[hcb0804]

Night vapors sounds more like a disease or a treatment.

I have night vapors, or at least that is what my wife tells me......

 

[Odonnell]

Found this from a video. Looks like Fed is play testing Vapor 10 or next year's iteration of the vapor. Clearly all black upper with white midsole/outsole. Surprising we didn't see at earlier tournaments like toronto or cincy, like in the past.

Can't see any pic, or any video...

 

[Babolast]

Any pics of the blacked out shoes? I know for a fact we won't be getting the Vapor X in 2015.

 

[preacha89]

Sorry. Let me try again…

 

[Babolast]

Sorry. Let me try again…

Still nothing. Try www.tinypic.com

 

[preacha89]

Can't post from where I am. Search #fedfan on Instagram and there are a few videos of fed in practice with blacked-out shoes

 

[Babolast]

Best I could do:

Could very well be the Vapor X, Fed testing them very early if they are indeed the new Vapor.

 

[preacha89]

Best I could do:

Could very well be the Vapor X, Fed testing them very early if they are indeed the new Vapor.

Thanks Babolast. That's it. So, do you know if Vapor X is going to be next year or is it another iteration of the IX?

 

[TMCW140]

9.5's again for next year but he'll have been on various prototypes for ages, you would imagine

 

[bobbylechat]

He is wearing the special edition of air jordan Nike made him! They look like the air jordan 3. And the jacket he is wearing is not the one that is on sale with his night outfit.....

 

[leroy_sunset]

Right now in his warmup with Matosevic, he's wearing white socks and white shoes. Looks pretty dumb.

 

[Chuonfood]

I was there on Monday as well and had my binoculars. These were shoes that were clearly covered a la stealth. It had a shiny film over it with white laces only on the top showing. The entire shoe "cover" had a velcro strap that resembled a "monk strap shoe". I tried to look under neath and it was a light grey sole with a pink/reddish logo in the middle.

With the sun being so hot - I can only imagine how hot and sweaty his feet got with those things on.

 

[Odonnell]

These could simply be the Vapor AJ3 hidden under velcro...

 

[Chuonfood]

These could simply be the Vapor AJ3 hidden under velcro...

I agree - now that I'm looking at the AJ3s

 

[stringmaster]

Best I could do:

Could very well be the Vapor X, Fed testing them very early if they are indeed the new Vapor.

but you said we wouldn't get vapor x in 2015?????

 

[NineMileSkid]

from there: https://twitter.com/RF_link/status/503933451813519360/photo/1

They pinked out the soles too. Something has to be up.

 

[NickH]

They pinked out the soles too. Something has to be up.

That pic looks very much like the Night USO Vapor 9.5 (which has been discussed).

The other pictures (white sole trim), clearly shows something which hasn't been released (or as others have said, perhaps a cover for the RF Jordans).

This second theory would be my guess - Cant see him risking playing in them unless he's had quite a lot of practice/training time in them.

 

[Dave1982]

Based on the very blurred pics anything we suggest is pure speculation & really without much substance.

What we do know though is that both Roger & Rafa have for many years now be seen testing future shoe models well in advance of their release.
With that said I am always surprised to see Rafa wearing the Lunar Ballistec uppers in practice...Nike obviously want him to persist with them even though he clearly prefers the full 4.3 (RN customised of course) for matches.

 

[West Coast Ace]

... Lunar Ballistec...Nike obviously want him to persist with them even though he clearly prefers the full 4.3 (RN customised of course) for matches.

Well they are paying him millions a year... and if the numbers showing up at discount stores are any indication they aren't selling. Could be price; could be that fans won't buy them if the pro won't wear them.

...(RN customised of course) for matches.

And no matter what foot issues he claims to have, they could add the same customizations to LBs. He just doesn't want to switch.

 

[Dave1982]

Well they are paying him millions a year... and if the numbers showing up at discount stores are any indication they aren't selling. Could be price; could be that fans won't buy them if the pro won't wear them.

And no matter what foot issues he claims to have, they could add the same customizations to LBs. He just doesn't want to switch.

It would certainly be interesting to hear what Rafa dislikes specifically about the LB's specifically though....needless to say we never will though, cant see Nike ever allowing such comments to see the cold light of day!

Interesting though as my understanding of Rafas customization was that with the 4.3 (& every Ballistec & Cage model previous) he filled in the medial Air Max window for greater stability, surely the LB would overcome this. Secondly the outsole he's been using for however long can easily be transferred to the LB upper & lastly the longer tounge I wouldn't have thought to be an issue.
I mean other than a paint job at AO2009 he switched from Cage to Ballistec quite readily....maybe he just thinks they are an ugly shoe, or knowing Rafa he feels the Ballistec has given him success so he's too superstitious to change!

 

[Rhino]

Shame I wasn't there, I would've tried hard to get close-ups!