Re:Running shoe tech: issues for the integrity of running (2...
by browningstreet on Wednesday April 07, 2021 @02:46PM
(#26729187)
Your example is better than the article's, as Thiem's earnings put his net worth at $30M, and Djokovic's at $220M.
That said, against the cost of racquets, each can buy -- or get from sponsors -- whatever racquets they want.
Re:Running shoe tech: issues for the integrity of running (2...
by thereisnospork on Wednesday April 07, 2021 @04:16PM
(#26730579)
It is also worth noting that elite athletes aren't necessarily beholden to using their sponsor's equipment. It is easy enough to doll up e.g. a Head racket to look like a Wilson.
Re:Running shoe tech: issues for the integrity of running (2...
by piyh on Wednesday April 07, 2021 @04:26PM
(#26730725)
Flashback to Gal Gadot tweeting with an iPhone while having an Android sponsorship.
Re:Running shoe tech: issues for the integrity of running (2...
by brokenmachine on Thursday April 08, 2021 @01:01AM
(#26735249)
Agassi did exactly that, playing with an obviously painted Prince racket when he was sponsored by Donnay.
I think this still happens a lot in tennis, but this was a memorable one.
Re:Running shoe tech: issues for the integrity of running (2...
by amelius on Wednesday April 07, 2021 @06:37PM
(#26732401)
Why don't they just give all players the same official rackets before the match? Problem solved :)
Re:Running shoe tech: issues for the integrity of running (2...
by 29083011397778 on Thursday April 08, 2021 @02:02AM
(#26735559)
For basically the same reason every programmer worth 6 figures doesn't use the same keyboard. Money clearly isn't the limiting factor, neither is not wanting the best tool for the job. "Best tool for the job" though, is subjective; and by the time someone has put in the thousands of hours of practice to excel at their craft, they will undoubtedly have preferences regarding the minutiae.
Re:Running shoe tech: issues for the integrity of running (2...
by amelius on Thursday April 08, 2021 @05:36AM
(#26736818)
Tennis players can't choose their brand of tennis balls either. So it's only a small step to enforce the type of racket or any equipment which can cast doubt on fairness.
> I don’t want a five-set final at the Australian Open thinking “Shit, I wonder if this result would be different if Thiem and Djokovic could swap tennis rackets? If only my guy had a different sponsor”.
A similar dynamic already exists in many team sports, where the elites can sign all the stars and smaller teams have to try and win with better drafting, coaching, player development, etc. And in these cases, fans often seem to love watching a less-privileged team overcome those challenges to win (see Leicester City or small college basketball teams like Oral Roberts as examples.)