Racket Preview

At present a lot of my rackets are stored away and I cannot get to them but in the future I will be offering posts on many others.  To give you a flavour here are just some of the classic racquets to be featured:

Wilson Pro Staff 110
Wilson pro Staff 6.1 Tour
Wilson ROK
Yonex RDS 001 and 003

Plus a load of other classic Yonex's from the 80s, 80s Prince frames...and remember those early metal Wilson racquets used by Jimmy Connors?  Well, they will feature too.

In fact there are too many for me to remember right now but you won't be disappointed racket lovers!

Prince Graphite Comp Series 90

The 14 x 18 string pattern marks out some of the early Prince sticks from the 1980s.  Found this one in one of my regular second hand store locations and after 'hmmming' and 'haahing' finally decided to get it...why the doubts?  Well, the frame is in good condition but there are a few spots where the paint has come off, the bumper guard is a bit worn and the original leather handle is not mint.  But otherwise it is totally fine and finding the case was a bonus too!  Don't have too much info on this one so if anyone reading this can help out and comment that would be great.  But it is hefty and will no doubt offer great plough through on forehands and backhands.  It just has that look about it that says, 'collect me.'  So I did!

update: from what I have found online the Prince Graphite Comp series 90 dates from 1984 or 85 - featuring bumper guard and green case (see photo).  Prince produced an earlier version of the racket under the name of Prince Graphite Compositie which came out in around 1983.  The one pictured above - the graphite comp - comes from the period when there were three series of racquets: 90, 110 and 125.  That's all for now.

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!