Tag: racquet

Racket That is Head Above the Rest

The Head YouTek IG speed MP 18/20 racket isn’t just good enough, it is a grand slam of rackets. And it is the racket de jour for Serbian tennis ace Novak Djokovic. While it probably won’t let most would-be tennis pros serve up Djokovic it should help that game at the local court.

It features an 18×20 spring pattern and makes use of the Innegra, the world’s lightest high performance carbon fiber, which forms an ultra tough hybrid-composite structure. This reduces vibration on ball impact for better control and precision.

Head Tennis Official Website

Interactive Racquet

There are more and more devices that are helping track an athlete’s performance during training or competition. The Babolat Play & Connect interactive tennis racquet could help players avoid faults altogether. The racquet looks just like any other out there, but in the handle are sensors and electronics that can track performance. This can be downloaded afterward via USB or even streamed line via a wireless connection to a computer, tablet or smartphone for tracking of activity in real time.

This is reportedly the first time that MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology has been built-in a tennis racquet, but something tells us this won’t be the last. And while this information could be used to help train, it can also be used by those watching the game as well. A prototype was shown off at the French Open, where the audience could get stats on shot type, power and consistency in real time. Video after the jump

Shaping The Bosworth Racquet

If you’ve hit a few balls on the tennis court, then you probably know that the swing is essential. But that said, the right racquet can really perfect the placement of each shot. While it’s not a new company, or racquet, Bosworth Tennis has reshaped the sport’s main equipment. And it’s that’s the sport’s best kept secret.

Bosworth’s signature racquet features a 10-sided head. It’s still the classic oval, but it’s curve is squared off. This reshaping on the classic doubles the sweet spot. That means more optimal surface to hit the ball.

Another element that really helps your game is that Bosworth racquets are custom fit to the athlete. The grip, the grip’s curve, playing style and experience are just a few elements that shape the final $399.95 product of the Bosworth Tour 96.

Czech player Radek Stepanek recently used a Bosworth Tour 96 to win the Legg-Mason Classic in Washington, D.C. The company reports several pros have used Bosworth racquets over the years, and that the company is well known by pros. Bosworth often does the custom fitting for pros, even when they choose racquets from other manufacturers.

Bosworth Tennis Official Website
[Via World Tennis Magazine: What strange racquet was used to win Washington last week?]

Organix Integration of Mind, Body and Racquet

This week there was something truly “epic” in the world of tennis technology, or rather it sounded epic as it came from Epic Sports International, global licensee for Boris Becker Tennis and Volkl Tennis. The company has announced the release of its Organix racquet technology.

Does this involve some sort of “unobtainium” or other super space-age composites? Actually it is nothing so complex  nor does it involve heading to another planet to obtain the material. Instead it is base cellulose as a base material, but has been utilized with carbon nano tubes, making for racquet that provides improved sensation and power for all levels of tennis players. The Organix technology is now available in five racquet types, which were developed by Volkl, along with Munich-based Frauhofer Institute. The result is that three technologies are incorporated into the racquets, and include the Bio Sensor Handle System, Organix and Optispot. Bio Sensor Handle System offers dynamic dampening to minimize shuddering by 15 percent, while the Organix is used for enhancing vibrant power by 30 percent and it is a combination of organic cellulose substances and DNX carbon nano tubes. Finally, the Optispot offers players the capability to strike 40 percent additional balls in the sweet spot.

“Organix is the next generation technology platform which gives Völkl customers a comprehensive, highly technical and superior performing racquet to fully connect the players’ mind, body and racquet,” said Brian Dillman, vice president and general manager of Epic Sports International. “We look forward to another year of fast growth and high-level consumer visibility with Völkl on track to be the fastest-growing tennis brand worldwide.”

We’ll leave that to the court – the tennis court to decide.

Volkl Official Website

Move Your Racquet

Game, set and match… and all in your living room. This is what Ubisoft’s Racquet Sports allows users to do, with a multisport game that includes tennis, ping-pong, badminton, squash and beach tennis. While originally released with the Nintendo Wii, this get-off-the-couch game will be heading to the PlayStation 3 this fall. It will of course be compatible with the PlayStation Move so you’ll get the chance to hit the court in your living room. The game promises pinpoint gameplay mechanics that bring every serve, swing and backhand to life.

Racquet Sports features 30 rich graphical environments, and many probably look better than your local tennis court too, and are certainly places where you’d expect to get in the swing of things. These include real-world landmarks such as the beach of Copacabana, the foot of Mount Fuji and even the skyline of Dubai. These include animated backgrounds, dynamic sounds and even day and night modes. Players will further have the ability to customize their onscreen persona, and can perform with 11 different athletes, each who has a distinct personality and flair. There are 30 outfits, 30 hairstyles and even 15 different racquets available as well to keep things fresh.

Players will also have the chance to play together cooperatively or against each other, with up to four players taking the court. About the only thing missing is the chance to jump over the net, but at least you won’t have any balls to chase when this one arrives this fall!

Racquet Sports Official Site