Yonex R-50

Part of Yonex's Rexking Series of racquets, which includes some legendary sticks that I will feature in future posts. The R-50 is of a graphite/siliconcarbide construction and offers good flexibility.  Apparently, it was developed for Pat Cash after he signed with Yonex from Prince and he used it in 1988. The Tennis Warehouse Forum notes that lots of testing was done by Pat and Ian Barclay at Queens Club indoors to come up with the Specs for this frame.

I've used this one a few times...great spin as you would expect from Yonex, but control is more difficult especially at the net.  It also has a smallish sweetspot in my view.  That aside, it is enjoyable to use and generates good power.

Prince Graphite Pro 90 Series

No cover for this racquet but no matter.  A classic stick from the 80s and listed among many players' favourites on the Tennis Warehouse Forum.  Flexible frame consisting of graphite and  fibre glass, 14x18 open string pattern and 12 oz in weight.

The Graphite Pro was the most flexible of the series 90 racquets (flex rating of 49) which included the following in order of most stiff to most flexible.

boron
graphite
magnesium pro
graphite comp
pro
woodie

Hoping to test drive this one soon.

Snauwaert Masters Precision

Sadly this frame died on me recently, with a frame fracture across the top corner of the frame.  Until then I was enjoying using it. The tear shaped hitting area was a typically innovative touch from this quality, but slightly eccentric, racquet manufacturer.  In later posts I will feature my Snauwaert Ergonoms...if you have never seen one they are worth the entrance price.

If anyone has any more info on the Snauwaert Masters Precision feel free to reply.  Not sure if any famous player used it.  But it is even weighted and hit lovely firm forehands.  It will be missed. RIP.

Rossignol F200 Carbon (Matts Wilander)

The racquet that shot Swede Grand Slam champ Matts Wilander to Number One in the world rankings and not surprisingly became Rossignol's best ever selling frame.  A flexible arm friendly stick and from what I can see online its composition is 70% graphite and 30% fiberglass, weight 9.3 oz and head size of 90 sq. inches (possibly less, maybe 85sq. inches).


Don't think Rossignol are in the tennis business these days...they went back to making solely ski equipment.  Even though their tennis days are a distant memory this legendary racquet will always be a racquet collection talking point.

Pro Kennex Copper Ace

Pro Kennex Copper Ace

This 40 per cent graphite and 60 per cent fibreglass racket with 90 sq. inch head makes for a flexible arm friendly stick.  It was part of a series of Ace rackets that included, the Diamond, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Boron, Graphite, Ceramic and Black Aces.  As far as I know it came out in 1985.


Picked this one up from a recycling centre and was pleased to find the original grip in good condition buried under a rotting overgrip.


Lovely blue with orange/copper lettering and lines - simple and classic! 

Wilson Aggressor

Wilson Aggressor

Picked this little gem up from a secondhand shop...instantly recognised the black, gold and orange colouring that signalled that it was related to Wilson's Pro Staff line.

From what I have discovered online, the Agressor was one of a series Wilson produced around 1985-6 and included the Avenger (£60 approx), Aggressor (£80 approx), Staff (£100 approx) and the all-time classic PS85 (£130).

The aggressor is 80 per cent graphite and 20 per cent fibre glass.  Head size is 85 sq. inches from what I can tell and it is head light.

Haven't tried it yet so watch this space...update - now had a chance to play with the Aggressor.  Great plough through as you might expect and generates good top spin. Feels very much like the classic Pro Staff 85 and 110 rackets (I have the 110 and it will feature in a future post).  A tad heavy for me, especially when serving which puts stress on my wrist, but this may just be a reaction to playing with ligher, more modern racquets and in time I will get used to it.  But like it a lot and glad I found it.

What A Racquet!

Welcome to my blog, What A Racquet!

This site is dedicated to my tennis racquet collection, which I've built up over some time and am quite proud of.  I know many people out there love collecting racquets too, so I thought it would be nice to share these with everyone.

Basically, I love racquets from the 80s and 90s. Okay, I've a few from the 2000s too but whether it is the styling or the materials or the nostalgia, there is just something special about those older frames for me.

All of them have been picked up in charity shops, recycling centres or flea markets at low prices, and finding a bargain is a big part of the fun of collecting too.  Don't you agree?

In these posts I'll aim to offer pictures and some background to the racquets I have and feel free to offer comments on what is displayed here.

Thanks for stopping by!