royroy85
Rookie
Thanks, couldn’t really tell.Python not Pro Staff
Sponsorship Changes for 2026!
- Thread starter brinkeguthrie
- Start date
Chokergoat
Rookie
Juvan from Adidas to Yonex apparel
Jack the Hack
Hall of Fame
I suppose that's a matter of perspective, considering that Stephens came into the year ranked #1107 and managed to win three matches in the qualifying draw to get into the AO main event. The last time she won a match anywhere on the WTA main tour was in July of 2024!
Verdi
Rookie
He might be trying etcheverry’s racquet.Well I'm not sure if all his racquets got lost between singles and doubles or what's happening... but Ugo Carabelli > Yonex Percept from Head Prestige
He has a Yonex bag, seems odd if hes still sponsored by Head that he would have a stenciled Yonex and a bag
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Seth
Legend
I’m watching the match now. I’ve never seen a mid-tournament brand change like this.
royroy85
Rookie
Somebody was saying (well it was our friend Jonas) that they don’t think he should be playing with the PT57A, especially given his play style. Message received then?
I think they were talking about Cerundolo
royroy85
Rookie
Perhaps, but I recall him talking about Carabelli as well…
Doublebounce
Professional
Alexandrova using a blacked out frame in Abu Dhabi.
The head looks really round. Definitely a 100 sq. Inch. Could be a gravity? Have not been able to get a good look at the butt cap based on images on google.
As a Wilson blade user thought she might be testing the Python like a lot of others, but it doesn’t look like the 98 at least.
The head looks really round. Definitely a 100 sq. Inch. Could be a gravity? Have not been able to get a good look at the butt cap based on images on google.
As a Wilson blade user thought she might be testing the Python like a lot of others, but it doesn’t look like the 98 at least.
My thought would be if she's testing a Wilson she would have kept the stencil on.
Alexandrova used the blackout/ no stencil frame for the first set of the Abu Dhabi final yesterday, switched to something with Blade V9 paint and Wilson stencil for the second set (and then her game fell apart).
She then came back out for the doubles final with the blackout/ no stencil frame.
tennisintheeighties
Semi-Pro
Daniel Taro now in ezone 98
FootFault18
Rookie
lacoster
Professional
Add Taro Daniel's Davis Cup teammate, Yosuke Watanuke (former Bab player), with a VCORE 98 blacked out to make it look like a Babolat. Yanolat VCaero?
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
I heard Hoka gave him Rafa’s contract that never materialized
Does Hoka make tennis shoes?
Gao
Rookie
Did On?
tennisintheeighties
Semi-Pro
Incredible to see all theses players in Python.Python not Pro Staff
The release of this frame this summer will be a huge success for sure
Not according to the experts in the python thread who say wilson have no idea what they're doing with the release.
Well it will be another Shift. Wilson is just years late to the partyNot according to the experts in the python thread who say wilson have no idea what they're doing with the release.
heavyD
Hall of Fame
Well so far it's use on the tour has come at the expense of the Blade so robbing Peter to pay Paul. The 26 VCORE and PA are going to sell very well regardless of what this frame does so the reality is that this frame could end up cannibalizing Blade sales if it's successful. It's hard to predict anything right now until retail versions become available because they are probably going to have different specs and play a little differently.Not according to the experts in the python thread who say wilson have no idea what they're doing with the release.
Shaolin
Talk Tennis Guru
It’s never coming out.
It's inevitable that it's going to cannibalize some Blade sales. Won't a more controlled PA lure some Pure Strike users?
What we don't have a way of knowing is how many of those former Blade users would've moved away from Wilson entirely if they didn't have the Python.
heavyD
Hall of Fame
Clearly it seems to be a smooth transition from the Blade for so many pros to move to it so I assume it plays very similarly with possibly a little more spin potential.
Once the racquet is retail and in full flight, they will paint half the pro's as Blades again.
They need interest to drive sales and then eventually people [not on this forum] will see pro's back with a Blade pj and some with this pj and never know the difference.
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Apart from ProStaff and I guess the early days of H22/H19 etc, I can't really think of a frame that they have done completely outrageous paintjobs for tbh, theyve always been painted with the closest modern incarnation of whatever the base frame is for the most part
All of the Steam users with a Blade pj?
I wouldn't call that "close"
I understand the sentiment, they aren't as egregious as Head.
Very different playability but the beam is not thatttttt dissimilar, especially Blade 100 vs Steam 100 - Steam 100 was kind of a Blade style mold with the specs of the Tour 95 frame - see if you can pick out the Steam 100 here
I'm more thinking purpose.Very different playability but the beam is not thatttttt dissimilar, especially Blade 100 vs Steam 100 - Steam 100 was kind of a Blade style mold with the specs of the Tour 95 frame - see if you can pick out the Steam 100 here
Steam, to me, is more like the Ultra, more about power.
Steam is the 1st image, it has a boxier throat shape above the grip and less angled elongation extending to the hoop.
Edit: the second also looks like a steam.
Yeah I get you, my point is more that the beam of the Steam 100 is closest to a Blade with Tour 95 line specs even if its stiffer and more powerful etc... so for a paintjob, it makes sense as a Blade rather than an Ultra
1. Blade 100
2. Steam 100
3. Blade 98
arthurli22
Semi-Pro
Very true. Considering how popular Project One7 once was, the extremely successful PA98 has arguably made the Pure Strike silo obsolete. Of course, endorsement do play a part. Who want to play like Cameron Norrie?
My only question is #1 actually a Blade 100 or the new "Blade 100 Pro" that's about to be released and is actually the steam 100 mold
Its a Blade 100 - the Steam 100 is the Steam 100 mold lolMy only question is #1 actually a Blade 100 or the new "Blade 100 Pro" that's about to be released and is actually the steam 100 mold
Yet they're calling the re-released steam 100 a Blade
Yes, because as I've just demonstrated the beam of a Steam 100 is largely indistinguishable from that of a Blade (and is largely a 100sqin Blade mold with some DNA from the Tour line) where the Steam 99 has its own unique geometry - obviously yes, there are commercial reasons for them to want a bunch of higher profile WTA players with the Blade Pro 100 and Demon/Kostyuk with the Ultra Pro as they head towards dumping the Head Radical, Prestige copies and the 6.1 from the Pro line.
Indistinguishable is a stretch.
The Blade has a 21mm beam and the Steam a 23mm
Plus the throat is a different shape, wider above the handle and less angled as it goes to the hoop.
The blade 100 is a 22mm beam
And yet you guessed wrong/were unable to identify the Blade 100 and the Steam 100 confidently so... yes ofc there are differences, but also some fairly clear similarities
GetOutside20
New User
Interesting. How soon? I remember him being pretty anti-Nike when he signed with On, money must be talking now.
Eravauttennis
Rookie
It's not April 1st.
rafa_prestige89
Professional
Next up, Fonseca? I can see it coming...
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
Kecmanovic head-to-toe Joma. That’s an interesting one!
Do you know if Iga is staying with On?
neversaydienadalfan
Rookie
Shelton is not leaving On. No way! Ben Shelton is loyal to On and he prefers On as an outsider to Nike, as do a lot of people. I don't think he will sell out for Nike, just like I don't think Coco Gauff would leave New Balance and sell out for Nike!!!
