With a 24-6 start, including two tournament titles, it’s arguable that outside of Novak Djokovic nobody on the men’s tour is off to a better 2016 than Dominic Thiem. The 22 year-old currently sits at No. 14 in the world, younger than every player ranked ahead of him. Which begs the question: If things are going so well, why switch racquets?

In a tweet earlier today showing Thiem practicing for next week’s Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, the Austrian revealed a shot of—and shout out to—his new Babolat stick. According to the company, it’s a prototype still in development. It is not an update to the Pure Strike Thiem was previously using, but a completely new model with the internal code name #ProjectOne7.

With the Pure Drive and Aero Drive franchises Babolat has become synonymous with power and spin-centric racquets. However, 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 their power. A player very much like Thiem.

When he got his hands on the prototype Thiem immediately gelled with the frame. Just as Babolat did last year with Rafael Nadal—when he tested and played for part of the year with the yet-to-be-released Pure Aero—the company gives its tour players the option of using a prototype sans name and cosmetics in competition if they prefer it to their current frame. Other pros are also currently experimenting with Thiem's frame, as Babolat is intent on having the line tour tested before release.

To that end, the racquet brand is also looking for input from coaches, juniors and everyday players to put the finishing touches on #ProjectOne7. The company has 1017 prototypes it plans to seed globally over the next months to solicit feedback. At the end of April a website will be launched for U.S. players to apply to be one of the testers. We’ll have more information on the offer when details become available.

In the meantime, let us know what you think. Are you interested in working on this project?