Jonas Eriksson, aka Tennisnerd, is back for our annual racket catch-up on the Functional Tennis Podcast.

We discuss why the new Babolat Pure Aero has divided opinion, why players are stocking up on the 2023 version, and whether Wilson can take the crown in our Racket of the Year vote.

We also get into the latest from Head, Dunlop and Tecnifibre, why some pros switch back to their old rackets, and the balance between power, spin, control and comfort. Plus, Jonas talks about his Toroline string collaboration and reveals the racket he’d reach for with a big match on the line.

Plenty of racket chat to help you weigh up your next switch or appreciate what’s already in your bag.

Mentioned in this episode:

10 Year Edition Saber Discount

How much time should your child spend on court and when does more practice stop helping?

Coach Piotr Sierzputowski returns to the Functional Tennis Podcast to discuss one of the questions I hear most often from parents. Focusing on players aged 16–18, we explore his approach to training hours, why the quality of each session matters, and why adding more practice isn’t always the answer.

We chat about group versus individual training, balancing tennis with fitness and school, and recognising when a player needs more recovery. We also catch up on his coaching journey and the lessons he’s learned working across the women’s and men’s tours.

A conversation for parents, coaches and players trying to find the right balance between working hard and staying fresh.

What makes the HEAD Prestige so special, and where does it fit in today’s game?

I am joined by Max Defregger, HEAD’s Global Business Unit Manager for Tennis Rackets, Bags and Accessories, to celebrate 25 years of the iPrestige and explore the two rackets marking the occasion: the iPrestige MP 2.0 and the Prestige Limited.

Max takes us behind the scenes of bringing a classic back, explaining what HEAD wanted to preserve from the original and how the more forgiving Prestige Limited offers a modern interpretation of that familiar feel.

We discuss:

• The iPrestige’s memorable 2001 season, including Goran Ivanišević’s Wimbledon triumph.
• The differences between the two new rackets and who each is designed for.
• Racket development, molds and professional player customisation.
• Why Prestige still has a place in an era of power and topspin.
• A hint of what HEAD has planned for the Prestige’s 40th anniversary in 2027.

Whether you grew up playing with a Prestige or are curious about its loyal following, this episode explores the appeal of one of tennis’s most recognisable racket lines.