Sampras and the Air Oscillate

[DariusRaiden]

What is the story behind why Sampras wore only the Air Oscillate after it's debut? I heard that he had some foot problem after switching from Sergio Tacchini to Nike, and that he was afraid of it flaring up again so he never switched once he got settled. I also heard that he was the highest paid athelete because of "The Oscillate thing", but I don't know what that means.

Obviously, the shoe was(and still is) popular on the tour, and was probably a big seller from Nike. Did they pay Sampras a ton of money to keep using it? I see this shoe all over the place on pro players and at the clubs, and I wonder if it's mostly because Pistol Pete stuck with them so long. Thanks for your input!

 

[PrestigeClassic]

Sampras wasn't ever the highest-paid tennis player, muchless athlete. For that reason, you'd think that he wasn't a direct reason for consumers buying the Air Oscillate. I don't see the shoes as often now because they have for some time been discontinued for the US; the only way of getting them now is to get the clay court version from Europe.

I think you answered your own question of whether Nike paid Sampras a lot of money to continue using the Air Oscillate. They didn't have to, did they? In fact, once the Nike/Sampras contract ran its course, Nike tried to low-ball Sampras. Before, Sampras was signed to a multi-year contract at the highth of his popularity and at a different time than now.

By the way, I'm not sure, but I've always heard that the Sergio Tacchini shoes were really just Wilson Pro Staff Classic mesh shoes covered. Once Nike made a suitable Pro Staff Classic replacement, Sampras locked on. At the very least, Sampras' shoes maintained the Pro Staff Classic's mesh side panels, as well as his own molds to whatever degree.

 

[BDAZ]

i think pete may have worn the pro staff mesh between his sergio days and when the oscillate came out. remember, nike had made the air max sweep for him when he signed his contract in 1994(?), but with the big air bag, they were too high off the ground for him due to foot problems. he needed something lower to the ground. he wore cheep nikes for a while (air repete?) until nike came out with the oscillates.

 

[Brian Purdie]

PC knows what he is talking about. i think there is also a small legacy factor that Sampras wanted for himself as well with the oscillate. They are very very plain. Nothing flashy about them. The Swoosh is very subtle. The design is very classic and unique. They will one day be called the "nike sampras classic". Similar to the Borg Elite, Adidas Stan Smith, the Adidas Rod Laver, and the Puma GV speical, the Sampras Classic will be another street shoe in due time. True, Sampras could not change rackets, string, or overgrip much less shoes once he found the right combo. He was forcing himself to wear the oscillate for comfort, but the legacy component is certainly there (after all he did have an ego)

 

[Sinner]

When did he wear the red and black ones?

 

[@wright]

Those shoes were great - I've had several pairs - I wish they still made them!

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Those shoes were great - I've had several pairs - I wish they still made them!

the clay 2005 (!) version is still available on European sites ...
search at Yahoo with
Air Oscillate chaussures
and you'll find French sites ...

 

[@wright]

I only play on hard though. I have worn clay shoes on hard before, and they wear out fast!