Madison Keys has recently been spotted using a Yonex racquet. At the Charlotte Invitational, she appeared to wield what looked like a Yonex Ezone—a noticeable shift for a player who has historically played with Wilson racquets. This experimentation aligns with the offseason tradition, where players often try out new equipment in exhibition matches to evaluate its compatibility with their game.

From Wilson to Yonex: A Bold Switch

Keys previously enjoyed significant success with Wilson racquets, including reaching the finals at the 2017 US Open – her best grand slam result. Under the guidance of her then-fiancé, now-husband Bjorn Fratangelo, she transitioned to a 16×19 string pattern on her Wilson racquet. This setup enhanced her control and contributed to notable achievements on the court. She also shifted from natural gut strings to polyester, which complemented her aggressive style of play.

Sponsorship Stability with Nike

Despite experimenting with racquets, Keys remains loyal to Nike for her clothing and footwear sponsorship. This continuity reflects her strong relationship with the brand, which has been a staple of her on-court appearance.

Maximizing Opportunities as Career Winds Down

At 29, Madison Keys is approaching the latter stages of her career, and the transition to Yonex may be part of a broader strategy to optimize financial deals and performance opportunities. With limited years left on tour, exploring new equipment could be a way to secure both competitive and commercial advantages.

Elena Rybakina is adding a new skill to her roster, and no, it’s not a trick shot. She’s learning to drive! Yep, the tennis star is hitting the brakes (literally) and taking driving lessons in Dubai. It turns out that even when you’re a Grand Slam champ, you still have to start with the basics. Off-season goals: license up, hit the road, and maybe stop relying on Ubers.

Back in April, Elena Rybakina won the Porsche Grand Prix and drove off with—well, not exactly drove off—a shiny new Porsche. She got the car, but without a license, she had to settle for the passenger seat. Imagine winning a Porsche and not being allowed behind the wheel. It’s like winning Wimbledon and being told you can’t touch the grass. Talk about a buzzkill.