Karen Khachanov Blacked out Racket!

[bobeeto]

Anyone have a clue on what this could be??
18x20, modified aero throat….

 

[UnderArmServeOP]

Is it me or does it look like the RF 01 Pro ??

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

a couple of larger pics. red wilson prostaff buttcap

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

Is it me or does it look like the RF 01 Pro ??

The throat area is not the same as the RF01. Could this be a P25 in 18x20? But the shaft looks a little thicker than P25? Or maybe a Shift?

Or it could be a combination of multiple silos, into a new mold.

 

[Dae18]

To me it looks like the Ultra 98 with a 18x20 instead. The throat is very Ultra like with the sharper V throat

 

[bobeeto]

To me it looks like the Ultra 98 with a 18x20 instead. The throat is very Ultra like with the sharper V throat

The new ultra 98?

 

[aus89]

The new ultra 98?

Ultra 98 is apparently Nishikori's Tour mold coming to Japan for V5, this does look like an Ultra somewhat, but the throat is more Aero - feels to me like a Wilson prototype for an Aero competitor, def not a P25 like Coric used to have or Nishikori's new 98 frame

 

[UnderArmServeOP]

The throat area is not the same as the RF01. Could this be a P25 in 18x20? But the shaft looks a little thicker than P25? Or maybe a Shift?

Or it could be a combination of multiple silos, into a new mold.

yeah, you're right. I didn't get to see the bigger photos before posting

 

[bobeeto]

Ultra 98 is apparently Nishikori's Tour mold coming to Japan for V5, this does look like an Ultra somewhat, but the throat is more Aero - feels to me like a Wilson prototype for an Aero competitor, def not a P25 like Coric used to have or Nishikori's new 98 frame

I agree. The grommets also have an interesting groove thing going on, something I haven’t seen on current Wilson’s. Curious to see if it’s theirs or a buttcap swap

 

[Dae18]

Could be the Kobra too making a comeback but with a different drilled pattern

 

[Chairman3]

Shift V2?
Throat looks wider kind of like the Shift?
Would make sense if they dropped to 4 throat mains for the 18x20 but could also be custom drilled.

 

[Dae18]

Shift V2?
Throat looks wider kind of like the Shift?
Would make sense if they dropped to 4 throat mains for the 18x20 but could also be custom drilled.

Nah, the Shift has that U like yolk where the one Karen looks more sharper and has a indentation in middle

 

[Chairman3]

Nah, the Shift has that U like yolk where the one Karen looks more sharper and has a indentation in middle

The shift has a very strong V shape?
Not sure where you're getting the U shape from.
I'm also positing that the V2 has a redesigned throat shape.

 

[Nobackhander69]

At First glance on tv I thought he borrowed Stefanos old sticks but this seems interesting. Following

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

To me it looks like the Ultra 98 with a 18x20 instead. The throat is very Ultra like with the sharper V throat

Heres the Nishikori 18x19 , future Ultra 98 just for reference.

 

[aus89]

I will say that the black strip across the W on the buttcap is "interesting"... and to me looks like hes perhaps taped on a Wilson buttcap to another brand frame... but it doesn't look exactly like an Aero 98 etc... unless its the 2026 Aero which could jive with people saying it looks more like an Extreme etc... than the classic Aero

 

[ozbikebuddy]

Seems there are a lot of "new" offerings surfacing, gunna be an interesting few months ahead

 

[Gerco]

Could this be a new Wilson version of the Aero 98?

 

[jlouie]

I will say that the black strip across the W on the buttcap is "interesting"... and to me looks like hes perhaps taped on a Wilson buttcap to another brand frame... but it doesn't look exactly like an Aero 98 etc... unless its the 2026 Aero which could jive with people saying it looks more like an Extreme etc... than the classic Aero

Also, Wilson grommets. But the black strip could just be weight on the end of the racquet.

 

[Gerco]

To me it looks like a hybrid of a Aero 98 throat with a Blade 98 head.

 

[Gerco]

Also, Wilson grommets. But the black strip could just be weight on the end of the racquet.

Weight can be placed inside the butt cap. It´s obviously an intention to cover the Wilson logo.

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

Weight can be placed inside the butt cap. It´s obviously an intention to cover the Wilson logo.

It's kind of weird. Usually if a player is going to cover up the buttcap due to sponsorship issues, they wont stencil the strings either.

 

[jlouie]

Weight can be placed inside the butt cap. It´s obviously an intention to cover the Wilson logo.

I just don't see the point in specifically covering up the Wilson butt cap, considering he is Wilson sponsored and has their logo stenciled on his strings anyway. Also, again, Wilson grommets too. In any case, it's likely still a Wilson racquet, most likely an Ultra like others were suggesting.

 

[The Aceserver]

I watched the highlights against FAA and Khachanov had a couple of dropshot winners! I don’t think I ever remember seeing him even attempting a dropshot before. Must be the racquet, lol.

 

[ozbikebuddy]

To me it looks like a hybrid of a Aero 98 throat with a Blade 98 head.

That would make it similar to the old AeroStorm/VS models then? Definitely interesting

 

[esm]

I just don't see the point in specifically covering up the Wilson butt cap, considering he is Wilson sponsored and has their logo stenciled on his strings anyway. Also, again, Wilson grommets too. In any case, it's likely still a Wilson racquet, most likely an Ultra like others were suggesting.

Maybe just creating a talking point, to hype up the situation… lol

 

[aus89]

Maybe just creating a talking point, to hype up the situation… lol

It's tape most likely to stick the buttcap on, so its either a prototype for a Wilson spin racquet or to quickly replace another brand so it doesnt get seen like a certain Greek gentleman

 

[esm]

It's tape most likely to stick the buttcap on, so its either a prototype for a Wilson spin racquet or to quickly replace another brand so it doesnt get seen like a certain Greek gentleman

Or maybe it’d be a new Wilson buttcap logo…. lol

 

[travlerajm]

The black strip is gorilla tape, extending up the pallet under the grip, to help secure the buttcap.

 

[dgoran]

Looks like a Dunlop

 

[18x20 ftw]

Headguard/grommet looks very Wilson-ish to me (rounded like the blade head guard). I’d guess it’s a Wilson.

 

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Definitely looks like a Shift Pro to me. Can't see if there are 5 pairs of holes/grommets at 6 o' clock to be certain.
Mains and crosses tie-offs meet at the same places.

 

[aus89]

Definitely looks like a Shift Pro to me. Can't see if there are 5 pairs of holes/grommets at 6 o' clock to be certain.
Mains and crosses tie-offs meet at the same places.

beam is nothing like a Shift Pro, this frame has an Aero style throat and doesn't have the sort of hourglass/vase shaping of the Shift throat

 

[socallefty]

If it is a Wilson racquet, is there a reason he would black it out?

 

[veelium]

If it is a Wilson racquet, is there a reason he would black it out?

Prototype?

 

[vsbabolat]

If it is a Wilson racquet, is there a reason he would black it out?

Yes, two. It’s a prototype and cosmetics influence how people think about a racket while testing it.

 

[bobeeto]

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

Trying new strings as well? Looks like black strings with White W stencil

 

[Dae18]

The shift has a very strong V shape?
Not sure where you're getting the U shape from.
I'm also positing that the V2 has a redesigned throat shape.

I don’t see a V shape at the throat. It looks like a U. Perhaps it’s the lighting for the pictures on TW

Perhaps it’s a redesigned throat shape, we’ll not know till later

 

[dave t]

Grip shape does not look like a Wilson at all - no taper. it looks like a Dunlop to me, especially the more recent post that shows the throat shape.

 

[dr. godmode]

Grip shape does not look like a Wilson at all - no taper. it looks like a Dunlop to me, especially the more recent post that shows the throat shape.

Throat does look SXy.

Also weird that he’s got the wilson buttcap with the logo taped off

 

[bobeeto]

Take it for what it’s worth, tennisnerd via IG says it’s a Wilson prototype. Maybe Stef’s fling inspired them to get back into the aero game

 

[jm1972]

Wilson would not create a new mold for Karen

Anyway, subscribed

 

[jlouie]

Wilson would not create a new mold for Karen

Anyway, subscribed

They do have 3 racquets that are ready to get refreshed: Ultra v5, Shift v2, and Blade v10 (unlikely this). I can't unsee the Shift throat, since someone had mentioned it.

 

[aus89]

Take it for what it’s worth, tennisnerd via IG says it’s a Wilson prototype. Maybe Stef’s fling inspired them to get back into the aero game

tennisnerd probably just read this thread and said it was a prototype if we're being honest lol - but yes, i wouldnt be surprised if there is an Aero-esque spin frame in the future, potentially a significant reworking of Shift for V2

 

[Verdi]

Take it for what it’s worth, tennisnerd via IG says it’s a Wilson prototype. Maybe Stef’s fling inspired them to get back into the aero game

I think, sometimes, Jonas just goes on here and sees what people are guessing, then reports it.

 

[bobeeto]

Every blacked out aero racket has its cheap copy I guess

 

[socallefty]

Every blacked out aero racket has its cheap copy I guess

The real Aero comes through today!

 

[Nobackhander69]

Yeah having looked at it a bit more: if this not a Shift Pro (v2/ some other mold), I’ll retire

 

[jm1972]

Yeah having looked at it a bit more: if this not a Shift Pro (v2/ some other mold), I’ll retire this username

FTFY