Swiatek...countdown to racquet change

E

esm

Legend
1990's Graphite said:
131536679_695793321323669_2085241689315897167_n.jpg


Not long now
Click to expand...
Woo - is that a Tecnifibre grommet? (sorry, am not too familiar with Tecnifibre stuff lol)
 
flyhome

flyhome

Rookie
It looks like the 300RS, not the 305RS.
It makes sense she will endorse the T-Rebound Tempo line, Tecnifibre says “exclusive design for women”
 
yonexRx32

yonexRx32

Professional
Prince has been in bankruptcy proceedings more than once. Swiatek should buy a controlling stake. She could be the face of the brand. The brand would be more credible, being truly endorsed by a top pro, and that would really appeal to the public, instead of phony endorsements from players who play with anything but the rackets they "endorse".
 
P

pow

Hall of Fame
I honestly don't care. I didn't buy my Prince racquets because Swiatek or Isner use the brand. I couldn't care less what they use because everyone's technique and physical abilities are different. What works for 7 foot tall Isner has no relevance to me.

I rather Prince focus on making good innovative racquets with good quality control. I love Federer as a player but I am not going to buy a Wilson because of Wilson's premium pricing paired with atrocious quality control. I much rather Prince not waste their money on things that provide absolutely no additional value to its customers. If Federer switches to a Prince Phantom 100P tomorrow, my level of play does not improve.

I honestly don't know why any Prince fans are jumping on this sponsor Swiatek bandwagon. Her wealth and sponsorships have no relevance to your existing and future Prince racquets.
 
yonexRx32

yonexRx32

Professional
pow said:
I honestly don't care. I didn't buy my Prince racquets because Swiatek or Isner use the brand. I couldn't care less what they use because everyone's technique and physical abilities are different. What works for 7 foot tall Isner has no relevance to me.

I rather Prince focus on making good innovative racquets with good quality control. I love Federer as a player but I am not going to buy a Wilson because of Wilson's premium pricing paired with atrocious quality control. I much rather Prince not waste their money on things that provide absolutely no additional value to its customers. If Federer switches to a Prince Phantom 100P tomorrow, my level of play does not improve.

I honestly don't know why any Prince fans are jumping on this sponsor Swiatek bandwagon. Her wealth and sponsorships have no relevance to your existing and future Prince racquets.
Click to expand...

Prince fans are a shrinking crowd. That's a problem. Head, Wilson, and Babolat enjoy strong sales because of Djoko, Federer, and Nadal. When Federer was using his 90sqi racket, sales were phenomenal. Not because the old doctors and dentists at the club could play with the racket, but because Wilson claimed Federer played with it. Once he moved to the 97, the same, now older and even less able, went and bought it. Countless club players have injured their shoulders or elbows swinging what they strongly believe is Rafa's racquet. Players who use objective reasoning in their acquisition of rackets are a small portion of the market.
 
P

pow

Hall of Fame
yonexRx32 said:
Prince fans are a shrinking crowd. That's a problem. Head, Wilson, and Babolat enjoy strong sales because of Djoko, Federer, and Nadal. When Federer was using his 90sqi racket, sales were phenomenal. Not because the old doctors and dentists at the club could play with the racket, but because Wilson claimed Federer played with it. Once he moved to the 97, the same, now older and even less able, went and bought it. Countless club players have injured their shoulders or elbows swinging what they strongly believe is Rafa's racquet. Players who use objective reasoning in their acquisition of rackets are a small portion of the market.
Click to expand...

Why is that a problem? Because you think Prince will go into bankruptcy from a lack of sales? Prince had a major sponsorship deal with Sharapova at one point and that didn't save their brand from bankruptcy. How do you know with certainty that signing Swiatek will propel the Prince brand's sales significantly and not just drain Prince's financials like the Sharapova deal? I didn't even know of Swiatek prior to her French Open run this year. Are we TalkTennis posters best poised to be Prince's backseat CEOs and Marketing Directors without even a hint of their financial situation and market research?

I don't doubt Federer drives a lot of sales for Wilson racquets but Federer's sponsorship deal and Wilson sales have no relevance to us. We aren't entitled to any of Wilson profits nor will we ever touch any of Federer's wealth. Wilson signing Federer doesn't make all Wilson racquets play better nor will Swiatek make the Textreme Tour 290 any better. I don't need Prince to pay millions to Swiatek every year so I can feel good about using a Prince racquet. If anything, I want Prince to do everything it can to NOT turn into a Wilson brand. I don't want Prince to sell $250 racquets with inconsistent balance, static weight, swingweight, and peeling paint.
 
Shaolin

Shaolin

G.O.A.T.
pow said:
I honestly don't care. I didn't buy my Prince racquets because Swiatek or Isner use the brand. I couldn't care less what they use because everyone's technique and physical abilities are different. What works for 7 foot tall Isner has no relevance to me.

I rather Prince focus on making good innovative racquets with good quality control. I love Federer as a player but I am not going to buy a Wilson because of Wilson's premium pricing paired with atrocious quality control. I much rather Prince not waste their money on things that provide absolutely no additional value to its customers. If Federer switches to a Prince Phantom 100P tomorrow, my level of play does not improve.

I honestly don't know why any Prince fans are jumping on this sponsor Swiatek bandwagon. Her wealth and sponsorships have no relevance to your existing and future Prince racquets.
Click to expand...

People care in part because Prince makes great racquets and it would be nice to see her endorse them officially which could help the brand prosper.

Most tennis players are not gear heads and post about specs, pro stocks etc on this forum. They are highly susceptible to what top players are endorsing. As a coach I cant tell you how many players I've seen come to lessons with a new racquet and, overjoyed, exclaim how now they have the "Federer" or "Nadal" racquet etc. I resist the urge to tell them it's not but that's like telling a kid there is no Santa...why break their heart if it brings them happiness.

There is also interest in seeing how she does if she takes a big bag of money and switches to another frame.

So anyway, lots of reasons to care.
 
P

pow

Hall of Fame
Shaolin said:
People care in part because Prince makes great racquets and it would be nice to see her endorse them officially which could help the brand prosper.

Most tennis players are not gear heads and post about specs, pro stocks etc on this forum. They are highly susceptible to what top players are endorsing. As a coach I cant tell you how many players I've seen come to lessons with a new racquet and, overjoyed, exclaim how now they have the "Federer" or "Nadal" racquet etc. I resist the urge to tell them it's not but that's like telling a kid there is no Santa...why break their heart if it brings them happiness.

There is also interest in seeing how she does if she takes a big bag of money and switches to another frame.

So anyway, lots of reasons to care.
Click to expand...
I meant I didn't care if Swiatek moves on from Prince for big sponsorship money. Not that there is no interest from others in who will be her next suitor.

I think we're actually in agreement on a few points. Just different execution.

I want to see Prince prosper too. But I don't consider selling low quality racquets for high margins in order to meet its large sponsorship obligations to be prospering. I don't think it's fruitful to be pushing for a Swiatek sponsorship without knowing:
1.) How much money Prince has for sponsorships.
2.) How much Swiatek would cost for a sponsorship.
3.) Approximately how much additional racquet sales a Swiatek sponsorship would drive.

I am in agreement that pro racquet endorsements create a delusion among racquet buyers and their tennis abilities akin to a belief in Santa. As such, I don't need Prince to pay Swiatek millions to keep a Santa delusion going for the less-informed. You and I both know that a Swiatek endorsement changes nothing with the racquets we own. I'd prefer Prince just focus on making a good product instead.
 
yonexRx32

yonexRx32

Professional
pow said:
I meant I didn't care if Swiatek moves on from Prince for big sponsorship money. Not that there is no interest from others in who will be her next suitor.

I think we're actually in agreement on a few points. Just different execution.

I want to see Prince prosper too. But I don't consider selling low quality racquets for high margins in order to meet its large sponsorship obligations to be prospering. I don't think it's fruitful to be pushing for a Swiatek sponsorship without knowing:
1.) How much money Prince has for sponsorships.
2.) How much Swiatek would cost for a sponsorship.
3.) Approximately how much additional racquet sales a Swiatek sponsorship would drive.

I am in agreement that pro racquet endorsements create a delusion among racquet buyers and their tennis abilities akin to a belief in Santa. As such, I don't need Prince to pay Swiatek millions to keep a Santa delusion going for the less-informed. You and I both know that a Swiatek endorsement changes nothing with the racquets we own. I'd prefer Prince just focus on making a good product instead.
Click to expand...


Without the delusional there will be no Prince rackets. Without sales volume, there is no business. It's easy to say "I only want Porsche to make 911's". Problem is the Porsche SUV's are those that finance the 911s.
 
Nostradamus

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
^^^ look at the string pattern too.. looks like Wilson string pattern, denser in the middle and less dense as you go toward the frame
 
T

TennisPassie

New User
pow said:
I meant I didn't care if Swiatek moves on from Prince for big sponsorship money. Not that there is no interest from others in who will be her next suitor.

I think we're actually in agreement on a few points. Just different execution.

I want to see Prince prosper too. But I don't consider selling low quality racquets for high margins in order to meet its large sponsorship obligations to be prospering. I don't think it's fruitful to be pushing for a Swiatek sponsorship without knowing:
1.) How much money Prince has for sponsorships.
2.) How much Swiatek would cost for a sponsorship.
3.) Approximately how much additional racquet sales a Swiatek sponsorship would drive.

I am in agreement that pro racquet endorsements create a delusion among racquet buyers and their tennis abilities akin to a belief in Santa. As such, I don't need Prince to pay Swiatek millions to keep a Santa delusion going for the less-informed. You and I both know that a Swiatek endorsement changes nothing with the racquets we own. I'd prefer Prince just focus on making a good product instead.
Click to expand...

I like your comments in this. It makes sense (y)
 
1990's Graphite

1990's Graphite

Hall of Fame
time_fly said:
To my eye it looks like Tecnifibre's attempt at a Pure Strike 16x19 competitor. Geometry of the frame and string spacing is very similar.
Click to expand...

From the Tw reviews they compared the RS300 to the strike, ezone, e.t.c some even compared to the blades.... I think this RS line is a winner from Tecnifibre
 
forehandsonly

forehandsonly

New User
Nostradamus said:
This is a great point. We have a young player about to reach mega stardom. someone will have to make her a racket with great dampening with good power and control, soft feel racket like Prince. Then give her a mega contract to use it....lol. Most likely Head, her being european as well. babolat and wilson tend to be stiff feelling with less feel. It will be very interesting to see which one she chooses.

Personally, i like to see her contract with Yonex. I think Yonex will give her the best chance to display her best game, but not sure if they can afford her with so many big contracts they already have on the plate
Click to expand...
Agreed
 
pabletion

pabletion

Hall of Fame
Nostradamus said:
what about power ?
Click to expand...

Decent power. Not the most powerful of course, not like the TFlash for example, which packs more power. It definitely has more Power than the XTC previous version, which is a plus. The different section shape definitely helps on that department. Its a "controlled" power, def allows me to swing away more and not just try and brush on it, feels better than a power frame when I flatten the shot.

Give it a go! Ive tried it out w 16, 17 and even 18 gauge polys, and definitely a stick thay appreciates thinner strings!
Anywayyyyyyyys..... any updates on Iga? Is it basically a done deal with all of her "accidental" uploaded pics you think?
 
Automatix

Automatix

Legend
Some trivia...
In 2019 Iga's used Prince racquet was sold for about 2900 USDs at a charity auction.
A day or two ago one of Iga's six racquets used at the French Open was sold for around 7100 USDs, also at a charity auction.

On a side note... Poland isn't a big country and the tennis community isn't large so I hope info will come up what is the mold under that paintjob. When Iga was younger she did use Tecnifibre racquets - I recall those freaky samurai paintjobs...
 
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jarko111

jarko111

Hall of Fame
...fibre has always been a mystery brand to me. Especially when they had separate rackets for atp and wta tours.
I don’t know their flagship line or their pure drive alternative offering. (Every brand has one). So I look forward to learning more about their fleet of rackets.
 
Automatix

Automatix

Legend
Automatix said:
Some trivia...
In 2019 Iga's used Prince racquet was sold for about 2900 USDs at a charity auction.
A day or two ago one of Iga's six racquets used at the French Open was sold for around 7100 USDs, also at a charity auction.

On a side note... Poland isn't a big country and the tennis community isn't large so I hope info will come up what is the mold under that paintjob. When Iga was younger she did use Tecnifibre racquets - I recall those freaky samurai paintjobs...
Click to expand...
Trivia continued... found a picture...
121282126_3431589396886729_4105276075436559935_o.jpg
 
5.0 in 3.0 Body Guy

5.0 in 3.0 Body Guy

Rookie
I just saw this as well (cha-ching for Team Swiatek):

WTA - Iga Swiatek to become Rolex Brand Ambassador
Decidedly, everything is rolling for Iga Swiatek in 2020. After her magnificent coronation at Roland Garros , which saw her integrate the top 20, the young Polish girl is making a name for herself in women's tennis and inevitably attracts brands. While she signed a few days ago at Tecnifibre , the 19-year-old player is gaining a little more power and will sign a historic partnership with the luxury brand Rolex , as announced by Polish journalist Marek Furjan. History, because she will become the first Polish woman to sign with the Swiss brand. She joins other very big names in tennis who have worn the colors of Rolex, such as Garbine Muguruza, Stefanos Tsitsipas and of course Roger Federer.
 
E

esm

Legend
5.0 in 3.0 Body Guy said:
I just saw this as well (cha-ching for Team Swiatek):

WTA - Iga Swiatek to become Rolex Brand Ambassador
Decidedly, everything is rolling for Iga Swiatek in 2020. After her magnificent coronation at Roland Garros , which saw her integrate the top 20, the young Polish girl is making a name for herself in women's tennis and inevitably attracts brands. While she signed a few days ago at Tecnifibre , the 19-year-old player is gaining a little more power and will sign a historic partnership with the luxury brand Rolex , as announced by Polish journalist Marek Furjan. History, because she will become the first Polish woman to sign with the Swiss brand. She joins other very big names in tennis who have worn the colors of Rolex, such as Garbine Muguruza, Stefanos Tsitsipas and of course Roger Federer.
Click to expand...
Good for her. I wonder which model she will be endorsing? Maybe the Daytona or the Yachtmaster.... :love:
 
5.0 in 3.0 Body Guy

5.0 in 3.0 Body Guy

Rookie
Interesting comments below from Iga's father via Interia Sport:

Regarding the contract with Technifibre:
  • This is not a great value contract, but we needed it very much - explains Tomasz Świątek.
Regarding Prince:
  • For several years, this year's winner of this year's Roland Garros has been playing with Prince rackets. However, she had no contract with an American company. She played without the characteristic logo of this brand on the head
  • Two years ago, when Iga won the junior Wimbledon, I persuaded her to make such a logo appear on my own responsibility. In this way, we wanted to encourage the company to the contract. But for these two years they deceived us. We did not get the contract - says Tomasz Świątek.
  • For two years, the best Polish tennis player received only 12 rackets a year from the American company, plus bags, strings, etc. This contract is awarded to the majority of good juniors in Poland
  • Technifibre will significantly increase this hardware pool. The French brand is represented by, among others: Russian winner of the last ATP Finals Daniłł Medvedev, Uzbek Denis Istomin, French Jeremy Chardy, Russian Daria Kasatkina.
Interesting.
 
1HBHfanatic

1HBHfanatic

Legend
-i'm happy for her!!
-thanks to this thread she is now on my tennis radar!!
-she will be a fun player to watch
-very few "attacking female players" now
-soo many good young female prospects for the WTA
 
Shaolin

Shaolin

G.O.A.T.
5.0 in 3.0 Body Guy said:
I just saw this as well (cha-ching for Team Swiatek):

WTA - Iga Swiatek to become Rolex Brand Ambassador
Decidedly, everything is rolling for Iga Swiatek in 2020. After her magnificent coronation at Roland Garros , which saw her integrate the top 20, the young Polish girl is making a name for herself in women's tennis and inevitably attracts brands. While she signed a few days ago at Tecnifibre , the 19-year-old player is gaining a little more power and will sign a historic partnership with the luxury brand Rolex , as announced by Polish journalist Marek Furjan. History, because she will become the first Polish woman to sign with the Swiss brand. She joins other very big names in tennis who have worn the colors of Rolex, such as Garbine Muguruza, Stefanos Tsitsipas and of course Roger Federer.
Click to expand...

Good to see this for Iga. Lots of other contracts to come as well I'm sure.
 
Keizer

Keizer

Hall of Fame
Interesting that he said it's not a high value contract. Couldn't she have gotten whatever stick she wanted given the RG success?
 
E

esm

Legend
Keizer said:
Interesting that he said it's not a high value contract. Couldn't she have gotten whatever stick she wanted given the RG success?
Click to expand...
Maybe it starts as a non-high value contract, and there may be some performance clauses included for when she wins more high profile tournaments /GS/reaches higher WTA ranking.. etc.
 
5.0 in 3.0 Body Guy

5.0 in 3.0 Body Guy

Rookie
esm said:
Maybe it starts as a non-high value contract, and there may be some performance clauses included for when she wins more high profile tournaments /GS/reaches higher WTA ranking.. etc.
Click to expand...

I suppose it also depends upon what Team Swiatek was expecting.
For example, were they looking for the kind of money I'm assuming Tecnifibre pays Medvedev? Was she looking for a deal similar to Osaka and/or Halep?
Who knows.
Kind of an odd statement by her father though (given that it was literally just announced).

If she continues to play well (which I believe she will) I'd lock her down big time (if I'm Tecnifibre).
Honestly, their next most "high profile" WTA member is Daria Kasitkina (who is now ranked in the 70's).
If there was ever a women to offer a big contract too, I believe Iga is it.
 
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