Why is Karatsev not sponsored yet?
- Thread starter smalahove
- Start date
t-pain1991
Rookie
Looks like he is starting to wear non-sponsored clothing (except hat is still Adidas) for the Miami master
Mixeddubskickserve
Rookie
Yes I remember it well and he was potentially number 3 at that time aswell! For some reason posters on this forum think once you get a bit of attention brands just flock to you. I'd imagine people would be surprised if they found out what some of the top 30 players receive from their clothing contracts
ron schaap
Hall of Fame
why is this guy so popular here? is he top 10 or what?
Have you watched any of his matches? He's literally a guy who couldn't get out of challenger/futures level his whole career and then suddenly straight setted Schwartzman at the AO, dismissing him like a nobody. Then went all the way to the SFs coming back from two sets down against FAA in the 4th round. Then he won his first doubles and singles titles at the next two tournaments. How can you not love a story like that? Watch his match against Schwartzman or the one against Rublev in Dubai if you haven't.
Keizer
Hall of Fame
Having seen this guy's prior posts, I'm inclined to think he is baiting. But Karatsev's ballstriking performances in the AO and Dubai (notably outhitting both Sinner and Rublev) are among the best we've seen in the last couple of years. If he can stay somewhat consistent, he'll be a constant presence in the top 30 and will threaten to break even higher ceilings in the next year.
Raul_SJ
G.O.A.T.
Have not seen him play yet. Still trying to figure out how a guy comes out of nowhere at age 27 to break into the Top 10. It is practically unheard of in the ATP.
Even if he had confidence and injury issues one would have heard of him long ago as a promising young up-and-comer... Instead, he suffered thru many many years of obscurity trying to even qualify for Slams.
Very odd.
D
Deleted member 771911
Guest
Well, we don't know he's not going anywhere. He'll need another strong slam run imo to get a good sponsor paying out decent bucks.
Checkmate
Legend
Beat World Number 1 , Novak Djokovic at his own backyard, yesterday.
D
Deleted member 771911
Guest
Still, who really is paying attention to that tournament? Karatsev needs to be playing big at big events before some big sponsors come in.
Red Rick
Bionic Poster
Like maybe winning a 500 in Dubai or making the AO semi?
The first sponsor contracts will have been smaller contracts trying to get a cheap jackpot.
D
Deleted member 771911
Guest
It's not that odd he would achieve those in the current form he has. I think it's too close to the AO. I think business people who make decisions on sponsorships are going to want to see how he pans out in a longer time span.
At least Katatsev continues using Head stencils on his Prestige. He's getting frames, strings and probably has at least a couple of of contingency contracts at least.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Such a clueless response...
D
Deleted member 771911
Guest
Because it does not agree with your response?
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
No, because you exposed your lack of knowledge (and intelligence).
The guy beat #1 in the World at the courts named after him!
He is playing the Top 10 in the final.
Why would he waste his time in Barcelona where everyone is staring if Nadal is there yet or if Tsitsi can trip him???
Also, coming to Novak's tournament, playing him, and beating him is not only huge confidence booster but also a great advertisement for the Sponsors
I can clarify further if you want me to.
D
Deleted member 771911
Guest
Please hold off on the personal attacks. I know this is a messageboard but still. I don't need you to clarify further as I have lost all respect for you and am not interested in your 'clarifications'.
You really think anyone but TW and hard core tennis fans care that Karatsev beat Djokovic at an ATP 250? That business people are going to be desperate to sign him up now? No need to answer though as I won't read your post due to your less than cordial interactions.
Let's see Karatsev beat Djokovic in a slam semi-final and talk then.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Again, you keep going...
It is not if he beats him in the Slam SF, it is the AO momentum that woke up many including those that previously were not interested to sign him up...
Believe me, sponsors are scrambling over him and his price just went up 10% last night.
PS. When you respond all cocky "Because it does not agree with your response" after spitting on a very STRONG 250 tournament, don't expect full out respect, please.
initialize
Hall of Fame
Dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. He’s not ugly, and there are plenty of people that are uglier and sponsored like Rublev, Anderson, Jack Sock, etc
Chokergoat
Rookie
Basically his agent is probably waiting for the end of the season. Clothing companies in majority close their budget entirely at the start of the season (which is when most major changes happen) and they know they won’t get the highest possible offer now.
And if he builds on his results (like he did with Dubai, Belgrade and more to come I’m assuming), they can get even more money, so it makes sense from agent’s perspective not to rush on something that doesn’t affect his client’s performance on the court anyway.
And if he builds on his results (like he did with Dubai, Belgrade and more to come I’m assuming), they can get even more money, so it makes sense from agent’s perspective not to rush on something that doesn’t affect his client’s performance on the court anyway.
rafa_prestige89
Professional
Favorite player of the season so far, the guy just looks like one of us playing top tier tournaments with pajamas t-shirts, "buy 1 take 3" Decathlon shorts and an Adidas cap that his grandma gave to him for Christmas
longtimelurker
Professional
Once he grows out his hair, Nike will pick him up again
norcal
Legend
Davydenko had a pretty 'boring' style and zero personality/charisma.
Aslan doesn't have the most charisma but his backstory is amazing and his style of play is electrifying. He also has only challenger points to defend so his ranking will keep rising through the year.
He's got to be on the short list of guys the top dogs want to see in their draw section.
As a tennis fan I want to see all of his matches including early rounds...which is pretty rare (for me).
Hope he gets a good deal so he can focus 100% on tennis and not worry about expenses.
Let's review his standing on a market-to-market perspective.
Based on the current ATPTour dot com rankings, he's currently the 4th ranked Russian player behind Medvedev, Rublev, and Khachanov.
Based on rankings, currently he is 27.
What type of marketing appeal does he have - worldwide or per territory ?
Would you categorize him as a European player and within the Western or Eastern European markets? Compare him to per country (Italy, France, Germany, Great Britain) players.
What type of appeal does he have for South American consumers, Western European consumers, young vs older American consumers (at this point in his ranking and career)?
At 27 years old, how much longer would his "potential" to continue upward climb vs let's say, Rublev (23 years old) ?
In the pandemic era where more money seems to be spent on pickleball than tennis, do you think its wise for any of these manufacturers to break-the-bank to pay him?
What will probably happen, is he and his agent will wait and wait for the large contract, and he might make the quarters or semis of a Grand Slam - then the clothing and footwear sponsors might jump on-board.
Based on the current ATPTour dot com rankings, he's currently the 4th ranked Russian player behind Medvedev, Rublev, and Khachanov.
Based on rankings, currently he is 27.
What type of marketing appeal does he have - worldwide or per territory ?
Would you categorize him as a European player and within the Western or Eastern European markets? Compare him to per country (Italy, France, Germany, Great Britain) players.
What type of appeal does he have for South American consumers, Western European consumers, young vs older American consumers (at this point in his ranking and career)?
At 27 years old, how much longer would his "potential" to continue upward climb vs let's say, Rublev (23 years old) ?
In the pandemic era where more money seems to be spent on pickleball than tennis, do you think its wise for any of these manufacturers to break-the-bank to pay him?
What will probably happen, is he and his agent will wait and wait for the large contract, and he might make the quarters or semis of a Grand Slam - then the clothing and footwear sponsors might jump on-board.
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
You have seemingly valid arguments, but if you had watched the match in Serbia against Novak, you would change your opinion. The match was played on an epic level that’s rare even for Grand Slams. Both guys were in the zone and giving it their all for much of the contest; barring injury, this guy will be a top 10 player soon because he’s already playing at a top 5 level. Big companies don’t wait until players become world class stars to pay attention. The most strategic time to offer an endorsement deal is often when a talented player is on the rise but hasn’t yet become a household name.
D
Deleted member 771911
Guest
I'm happy to be proved wrong. It's just my opinion and I like the guy. Let's see those businesses sign him up soon as pro tennis is an expensive business.
Slowtwitcher
Legend
And the winner of this amazing match went on to lose to Berrettini the next day...
This guy has zero mass appeal. On top of that, the rumours surrounding him don't help. He'd have to win a Slam to get a good apparel contract.
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
He played a 3.5 hour gritty match against the world No. 1 and had to compete in the final the next day, clearly fatigued. And really, you think it takes winning a GS to get an apparel contract these days? I can think of plenty of players much, much worse than Aslan on tour who have apparel deals from top companies ...
Slowtwitcher
Legend
I did write "good apparel contract" but thanks for your post.
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
I agree that he doesn't have that "Nick Kyrios" flair in terms of personality, but disagree 100% that his playing style is nondescript. He has one of the most lethal 2HBH I've seen in quite some time.
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
Nondescript doesn't mean ineffective. They're just not distinct. Dress him in a ninja outfit and it would be extremely hard to tell who he was. Unlike other players with recognizable signature strokes. Kyrgios, Fed, Rafa, Medvedev, Shapo et al.
initialize
Hall of Fame
I disagree. His strokes are very distinct. He has somewhat slow/prolonged takebacks on his ground strokes, usually keep his arms somewhat straight, and then just unloads on the ball, hence the power he's able to generate. You can also see that he hits most of his forehands with a distinct "wrist flick", again adding to his pace on the ball
Checkmate
Legend
I can identify Karatsev's groundstrokes even if he was dressed up like a mummy.
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
That's us though. Real tennis nerds. That's not what drives big marketing budgets.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
He can move product with his calves alone.
/thread
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
I guarantee sponsors have already made countless offers. Mizuno and Lotto will sponsor anyone with arms. Considering he is Eastern European I am going to say Mizuno def made offers already.
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Nope.
I've owned Barricade shoes but had no idea Adidas made Barricade racquets.
I've owned Lacoste shirts but had no idea Lacoste made racquets.
TW does not even carry Adidas and Lacoste racquets.
I would assume you dont have idea about some other issues too.. But Thats ok we are all in the same boat.
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Pretty much this though he is still much better looking than Davydenko
initialize
Hall of Fame
So you think Medvedev and Rublev are better looking? Karatsev is probably the best looking top Russian player (not counting Kachanov since he sucks)
I don't disagree. I actually think it's just because Karatsev hasn't been good until recently. But he doesn't have that something "extra" right now.
Medvedev isn't bad looking, has a pretty goofy look, says interesting things and is a good interview. In interviews, he seems approachable, funny and capable of having a good time. He also looks like a classic russian intellectual.
Rublev isn't that marketable of a personality nor does he have the "look" but he has been pretty good for awhile and has a marketable "balls out" type of playing style. But if he starts stinking it up, he'll lose sponsors quickly.
Karatsev will get his sponsorships but from the limited amount I've seen, he's not that interesting in interviews yet. Being that Russia is not a massive market, Russian men need to have something extra to market them outside of their motherland. A guy like Andy Murray would not get nearly the amount of sponsorships if he weren't from the UK.
Russian women are different. Many of them are pretty good looking.
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
Davydenko isn't bad-looking in terms of facial features. You all think he's ugly because for most of his career he was bald. If he had hair, I think he looks kind of like Paul Bettany.
sp1derman
Professional
Have not seen him play yet. Still trying to figure out how a guy comes out of nowhere at age 27 to break into the Top 10. It is practically unheard of in the ATP.
Even if he had confidence and injury issues one would have heard of him long ago as a promising young up-and-comer... Instead, he suffered thru many many years of obscurity trying to even qualify for Slams.
Very odd.
Yes, certainly no history of doping in Russian athletes state sponsored or otherwise. In fact, I call it "Clean Russia." Many recent succes stories shows Russians are just working hard!! Go Clean Karatsev, ya know because of his Clean ground strokes
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