The 2025 ATP Tour Season is over. It was a good one. Lets take a look at what happened in terms of pro racquets switches and what we can expect for next year.
The most improved player? Did the racquet make a difference?
Congrats to Alexander Bublik who was voted the most improved player by our readers on Tennisnerd.net. Thanks for the interest in the poll, we will do more of those in the future.
Bubliks switch to the Aero 98 might have been placebo, but we did see the racquet suit his style with a big serve and forehand combo and loads of drop shots. Can he rise further in the ranks in 2026 or has he reached his ceiling? Also, will he be signed by Babolat or play a blacked-out racquet for the rest of the season?
The new Spin machine from Wilson
Another switch that worked out in 2026 was Khachanov going to the new Wilson spin racquet (working name “Python”). There are numerous layups and string patterns for this racquet and Khachanov played the 18/20 one, which was a smoother transition from his Blade Pro or h22.
We have seen several players use this racquet. Tsitsipas, Korda, and Colton Smith, to name a few. I have not spotted any high-ranking pros try it on the WTA tour.
It will be exciting to see it released sometime next year.
Tien is good learner
Another Wilson player who has improved tremendously in 2025 and made a switch late in the year is Learner Tien. From the Wilson Blade Pro, he moved to the Ultra. Some say it is a 100 sq inch racquet, but I heard from a reputable source that it is the Wilson Ultra Tour 98 16/19. The Ultra Tour 98 is a Japan-only model that comes in an 18/19 string pattern, but the pros can get it in 16/19.
Tien has gone from being around 200 in the world to a top 30 player. An amazing achievement in one season.
The Speed is going strong
Before we move on to some other big racquet switches for this year, we can mention that another Wilson Blade player, Ugo Humbert, has been seen testing the HEAD Speed MP. We are not familiar with what mold he has been using, but it seems like most players want to try the Sinner Speed, the TGT 301 mold, so that is a solid guess. Sinner and Alcaraz have been so successful that most players seem keen on testing their sticks.
Coric also made a switch to this Speed model, but he has been struggling with injuries for a large part of 2025.
No pro racquet switches in the top 10?
The top guys have not been switching much. The guy who still seems to be searching a bit is Alexander Zverev who has been going between the Gravity Tour and the Pro and also tried several string setups and always experiments with string tensions during tournaments.
Medvedev has also been switching back and forth, but has found a second gear with a team change in the latter part of the season. Still with his Tfight, but not sure whether he has changed specs. I know he has also been frequently testing string setups and tensions.
Casper Ruud did a late-season change, going from his Yonex Ezone 100 Plus to a Yonex Ezone 98 Plus. The change allows him to play more aggressively and hit smaller targets. It is counter to what most players look for, which is more power, but in his situation, already using an extended 100 with loads of power, this makes sense, and the results have been positive.
On the WTA, the most noticeable change was Madison Keys going from a Blade to a Ezone 98 and winning her first slam following the switch. The Blade 98 is a rare frame on women’s tour, and the extra power in the Ezone seemed to do her a world of good. But I don’t expect Sabalenka to follow suit anytime soon.
The Wilson Steam 100 and 99, now called Ultra Pro 99 and Blade Pro 100, is still going strong on the WTA Tour and used by so many high/ranking players like Anisimova, Badosa, Raducanu, Andreeva and Ostapenko. However, one player did switch from the Steam and that was Elina Svitolina who is now with the Diadem Axis 98.
It is not easy for small brands to get their racquets into the hands of a top 50 players, so well done to Diadem.
What can we see in the crystal ball for 2026?
There are a few players I think will switch.
Francisco Cerundolo is using a 27.5 inch PT57A with a 380 swing weight. He did try the Radical in last year’s off-season but still played with the PT57A for the full season. I think we can expect him try something new.
Although he does not play as heavy, same can be said for fellow Argentinian Ugo Carabelli who also uses the PT57A. I could see him do very well with a Pure Aero or a Yonex VCORE, for example.
Do you have some ideas around pro players that will switch or, in your opinion, should switch for 2026? Please comment below.
And if you are looking to make a switch, consider our key pages like Recommended Racquets or Recommended Strings, which can help lead you in the right direction and when you are ready for a purchase, check our Deals page to see if you can save some money.
