The Alcaraz racket broke Wilson’s long-standing hold on our Racket of the Year title. While I’ve never been a long-term user of Babolat rackets, this one had me seriously considering a switch. Straight out of the box, it offers an impressive combination of power, control, spin, and—most importantly for me—stability. I really enjoyed playing with it and almost made the full-time switch from my pro spec Radical, which I’ve been using thanks to my former pro friend James McGee, who got me hooked on his.

I’ve always loved the idea of playing with a Blade—the sleek design and the fact that so many pros use them make it really appealing. But no matter how many times I tried, it just never clicked for me. That was until Jonas, aka The Tennis Nerd, recommended the 100 sq. in. version. He said it was the one to go for, and he was right. I finally found a Blade I could actually use. The version I played with was the previous model, which has the same specs as the new one—just with an updated, stunning paint job. If you like the Pure Aero, you’ll likely enjoy this one too. It offers a bit less power but more control, making it a great option to try alongside the Pure Aero!

I’ve always preferred a light shoe. Back in the early 2010s, Diadora had a light shoe that I liked, but once Asics released the Solution Speed in 2012, it completely won me over. I still remember that green color and the incredible lightness—I loved it. Since then, Asics has only made it better, improving the durability, stability, and comfort while maintaining its signature lightweight feel. I've been fortunate enough to try every model, and with Asics as our podcast sponsor. If you want to cover the court like Alex de Minaur, these are the shoes for you.

Asics has been the undisputed Shoe of the Year champion for the past three years, and it's well-deserved. They consistently improve their shoe range, unlike some brands that seem to be moving backward.

The Court FF3 Novak is an exceptional shoe, designed with input from Novak Djokovic himself. (You can hear more about this in my chat with Renee, the product designer, where he shares the details of its development.) This shoe offers great stability and provides support in all the right areas, allowing you to get your body into those awkward positions needed to retrieve tough balls.

Personally, I find the shoe a bit too stiff for my liking, and I’m not a big fan of sleeves. But if it's good enough for world number one Novak, it’s hard to argue against it!

This year, I’ve switched to a small duffel bag, and the Tecnifibre duffel (or shoulder bag) has become my go-to for both the gym and the court. Since I don’t play matches much anymore, I carry less, and this bag fits perfectly—and looks great, too!

For travel, I rely on the water-repellent Solinco backpack. It holds my Sabers when needed, along with some filming gear, mics, a change of clothes, and other essentials. I never travel without it, and the easy-access opening makes grabbing items quick and simple.