Playing for Time As Tennis Returns Across the Country, Racquet and String Manufacturers Are Responding with New Product Oﬀ Erings

EQUIPMENT

RACQUETS & STRINGS Playing for Time As tennis returns across the country, racquet and string manufacturers are responding with new product oﬀ erings. By Bob Patterson Executive Director, USRSA

String /DUNLOP String /MAYAMI String /TECNIFIBRE Racquet /BABOLAT dunloptennis.us mayamistrings.com tecniﬁ breusa.com babolat.com 888-215-1530 [email protected] 888-301-7878 877-316-9435

• Dunlop introduces four • Although fairly new to • New technology from • Babolat launches the new- new polyester monofi lament the U.S. market, Mayami Tecnifi bre—incorporated in est iteration of the vener- strings under the Explosive o ers competitive choices in the new TRIAX string and able Pure Drive with the brand. Explosive Tour is a string with a variety of new in revamps of the RPX and Pure Drive 2021. While at premium poly designed for introductions. Big Spin is HDMX—has created a new fi rst glance it may not look increased comfort that is a triangular-shaped string category of string that bridges much di erent from previ- suited for players not look- designed for spin potential the gap between typical ous generations—which have ing to sacrifi ce power. while maintaining comfort. monofi lament polyester and remained among the top- Explosive Speed is a fi rm Hepta Power is a monofi la- multifi lament polyamide, and selling racquets for more than poly designed to provide ment heptagonal-shaped may well be revolutionary. a decade—what you don’t see speed and power by sup- string providing bite on the “Multifi lament Fusion” under the new paint scheme pressing the feeling of bite. ball and comfort. Magic combines microfi bers from is a new lay-up and advanced Explosive Bite features a Twist is another heptagonal- both categories of strings technologies. The additions three-sided profi le to maxi- shaped string designed to to capture the best of both. combine with existing FSI mize bite and spin. Explosive produce spin. Last but not Technically, the strings technology to provide a famil- Spin features a rounded hex- least, Tour Hex is a mono- are multifi laments, but the iar yet improved performance. agonal profi le that enhances fi lament hexagon-shaped introduction of a polyester Look for the entire family of spin while maintaining a string o ering spin and material creates an entirely Pure Drives to get this update

ﬁ rm feel. control potential. new performance category. in coming months. WILSON HEAD, TECNIFIBRE, BABOLAT, MAYAMI, DUNLOP, COURTESY

32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com Racquet /DUNLOP Racquet /HEAD Racquet /TECNIFIBRE Racquet /WILSON dunloptennis.us head.com tecniﬁ breusa.com wilson.com 888-215-1530 800-289-7366 888-301-7878 773-714-6400

• Dunlop introduces the • Head’s Graphene 360+ • Tecnifi bre introduces a • Wilson has released the new FX Series, comprised Extreme family of racquets redesigned T-Fight line of Blade SW102 Autograph, a of fi ve premium frames— includes the G360+ Extreme racquets that the company new Serena Williams model including the fi rst to feature Tour, designed for aggres- describes as perfect blend that launched in September, innovative Power Boost sive players seeking spin. of power, stability, preci- in time for the US Open. The Groove technology, which The G360+ Extreme MP is sion and feel. The frame is innovation hub at Wilson provides players with a slightly lighter than the Tour a unique fi ve-sided design spent nearly a year working larger sweetspot and more version but still provides that Tecnifi bre calls “R” with Williams, who play- power, says the company. plenty of spin potential shaped—the fi ve sides are tested prototypes to create a The new design features an and power, says Head. The designed at specifi c angles racquet that “better sup- aerodynamic head shape G360+ Extreme S now fea- to create more stability ported her signature power with a sharp, modern-look- tures a larger head size (105 with a softer feel and en- while enhancing control,” ing shaft and wider throat. sq. in.) for more power, and hanced power. In addition, says the company. With a FX refl ects Dunlop’s new is light and easy to handle. the yoke connection be- smaller, 102-sq.-in. head size “Elements of the Game” The G360+ LITE provides tween the shaft and head than her previous Blade SW naming concept, with each extra spin, while the G360+ have also been redesigned 104, the new frame weighs in name highlighting a perfor- Extreme PWR is suited for to provide a more fl uid at 10.8 oz., and has an 18 x19 mance benefi t: FX=Power, players looking for comfort fl ex, in order to add power stringing pattern. Suggested SX=Spin, CX=Control. and maneuverability. and stability. retail is $249.

www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com November/December 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 33