SECRET WEAPON: Babolat #ProjectOne7

Aside from Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, it’s arguable that nobody on the ATP tour has had a better year than Dominic Thiem. The 22-year-old won four tournaments and is the youngest player in the Top 10. Which begs the question: if things are going so well, why did he switch racquets?

Just before the Monte Carlo Masters, Thiem revealed a shot of—and shout-out to—his new Babolat frame on social media.

According to the company, it’s a prototype still in development with the internal code name #ProjectOne7.

With the Pure Drive and Aero franchises, Babolat has become synonymous with power and spin-centric racquets. But after analyzing the evolving nature of the game, its research and development team set about creating a frame that is more of a balance between the two traits. A frame designed for athletic players with attacking games that need to marry precision with power—a player very much like Thiem.

When he got his hands on it, Thiem immediately gelled with the frame. Other pros are also currently experimenting with the prototype, as Babolat is intent on having the line tour-tested before release.

To that end, Babolat is seeking input from coaches, juniors and recreational players to put the finishing touches on #ProjectOne7. The company seeded over a thousand prototypes globally to solicit feedback. The secret’s already out—sort of.