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.