Why Alex de Minaur and Marta Kostyuk changed racquets mid-season

NEW YORK—Alex de Minaur and Marta Kostyuk helped Wilson kick off the US Open fortnight in style, showing off the brand’s newest Ultra racquets at a private event in Lower Manhattan.

They weren’t just there to pose with the gear—both have already made the switch. De Minaur and Kostyuk were among several Wilson players who made a major gear change mid-season, joining Zheng Qinwen and Maria Sakkari.

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“I changed my racquet after Wimbledon. Usually players don’t do these kinds of things, but I’m a little bit crazy so I can!” Kostyuk laughed, speaking to a small group of media.

“I think I needed a little bit of change in my racquet, because I made some modifications at the end of last year on my racquet but it didn’t really fit me.”

According to Tennis.com’s gear expert Jon Levey, the Ultra is Wilson’s power franchise. “With its thick, stiff, variable beam, the racquet offers generous pop and easy playability,” he wrote in his review. “It’s for players who like racquets with a firm response and a boost on their shots, while still maintaining good versatility and control.”

Those specs attracted pros like Kostyuk and De Minaur, who both competed with the popular Blade 98 before switching to the Ultra this summer.

👉 Read More: Alex de Minaur saves three championship points to beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Washington final

De Minaur says he needed a training week to get a feel for the new frame before going all in. The Australian took his new gear to Washington, D.C., and immediately found success winning his first title of the year.

“It’s a new racquet with a little bit more power, and I need some more power every now and again,” De Minaur quipped. “And in exactly my first tournament with the new racquet, I got a title. It was obviously the racquet, not me!”

The Ultra boasts dimensions and specs “reminiscent of the retired Steam models from about a decade ago that had a loyal following amongst recreational players and Wilson tour players”—giving pros plenty of reason to make the switch.

“For me, more than anything, tennis is a stressful sport,” De Minaur added. “There’s a lot of moments out there on the court when you need to have the utmost confidence in yourself and your equipment. For us to be able to change mid-season just shows the faith we have in the product itself.”

Wilson unveiled the Ultra v5 back in July, dropping seven models, including a new Pro model that reimagines the old fan favorite. The latest version is more ergonomic, aerodynamic and comfortable, with tweaks to improve response and spec tolerance.

To mark the launch, Wilson also created its first-ever head-to-toe performance look inspired by the racquet’s electric blue cosmetic. Kostyuk wore the kit in Washington, D.C., Montreal and Cincinnati, and, in a full-circle moment, she was also the face of the brand’s campaign.

“To have me in the campaign and on the racquets is a dream come true,” Kostyuk gushed. “If you see it in the shops, I’m on the racquets!

“I remember when I was a kid and I was shopping for racquets. I played with Wilson most of my life, since I was a kid, and I would see all these players on the racquets. Now I’m on them. It’s a pretty cool feeling to have.”

Both players will kick off their US Open campaign on Tuesday, the third day of main draw thanks to the tournament's new Sunday start. De Minaur, the No. 8 seed, will take on fellow Australian Christopher O’Connell in the first round, while Kostyuk will face De Minaur’s fiancée Katie Boulter.