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A big chunk of my tennis summer is already behind me. In May, I visited the French Open and took part in a fun HEAD event, where I had the chance to hit with Lorenzo Musetti. A few weeks later, I spent several brilliant days at Wimbledon—first with Babolat, then as a player guest of Roman Safiullin. His coach, Karl Adrian, is a good friend, and if you haven’t already, check out his excellent coaching videos on Tennisnerd2. We’re planning to film new ones once he returns from the US/Canadian swing.
Last week, I attended the Nordea Open in Båstad, Sweden—a player- and fan-favorite tournament nestled by the sea. The field was slightly lighter on paper this year, with Grigor Dimitrov withdrawing after that brutal injury at Wimbledon and Hubert Hurkacz also pulling out. Still, there was plenty of exciting tennis on display.
I was especially impressed by the eventual champion, Luciano Darderi, who played an aggressive brand of tennis loaded with spin and pace. He uses a Yonex Percept 97D with relatively accessible specs—proving you don’t need a sledgehammer to hit big.
Another standout was Dutchman Jesper de Jong, who had a breakthrough week by reaching the final (lost to Darderi in three sets). He joins fellow Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in swinging the Babolat Pure Aero 2023, one of the most user-friendly frames on the tour.
P.S. A new Aero line is expected in early 2026. I had a chance to hit with prototypes during the Babolat event at Wimbledon. They felt more refined and arm-friendly, and I’m hearing there’s a new mold in the works as well.
Watching Live = A Masterclass
One of the most underrated parts of watching tennis live is how much more you can absorb. From court-level, you gain a real appreciation for spin, pace, footwork, and technique. It’s simply a different sport compared to what you see on a screen. I highly recommend doing it when you get the chance—it’s not just entertaining, it’s educational.
What’s Next?
At the moment, I’m not sure if I’ll be attending the US Open, or what the rest of the Q3/Q4 travel schedule will look like. As many of you know, travel gets expensive—but staying close to the tour, brands, and players is a key part of what I do. I try to help ATP and WTA pros with gear wherever I can, without expecting anything in return. It’s just fun to have some skin in the game.
Gear Uncertainty on the Pro Tour
Right now, there’s a lot of testing and tweaking going on at the top levels. Pros are looking for more power, more forgiveness, or just something to help them gain an edge. You can read more about the recent madness in this article and video:
Pro Player Racket Changes – Summer 2025
The racquets of Sinner and Alcaraz have become testing favorites—many are curious to see what they might do for their own games. But as we all know, a racquet needs to suit the player, not the other way around. Changing frames when your muscle memory is tuned to a specific setup can feel like switching sports altogether.
This kind of uncertainty—endless testing, changing specs, overthinking everything—is a pro’s nightmare. And let’s be honest, it’s one that many of us gear junkies can relate to all too well.
Racket Questions and Helping Brands
I get loads of questions every day about racquets and strings. If you’re unsure about your current setup or looking to switch, check out the options on our Racquet Services page. I’d also love to work more closely with brands earlier in the process—offering insights into what club players and pros are really looking for, helping refine models before launch, and guiding product development toward market success.
Coming Soon at Tennisnerd HQ
We’ve got a pile of exciting gear waiting to be tested and reviewed, including:
New strings from Solinco and Toroline
HEAD Endure tennis shoes
A Dunlop CX 200 18×20 with a retro Max 200G-inspired cosmetic
New frames from Nordicdots (insiders already know more!)
And of course, lots more to come…
Shoutout: Cancha All Court Backpack
Before I wrap up—huge shoutout to the Cancha All Court Backpack. It’s been my reliable travel companion across Europe, comfortably holding my laptop, passport, racquets, clothes, and more. Stylish, functional, and built like a tank—it’s one of my favorite pieces of tennis gear.
Thanks for reading and for being part of this tennis-obsessed community. As always, stay nerdy—and if you change racquets between sets like I sometimes do… you’re in good company.
– Jonas
