MORE UNUSUAL INTRODUCTIONS FROM THE RACQUET MAKERS {2006}

By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT and Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo

Last time, I gave a pretty serious bashing to Völkl—not for their truly outstanding legacy of technical innovations, but for their “Power Arm” in the DNX 1. I don’t apologize for telling it like I believe it is, but I think there are other manufacturers who deserve equal time.

This time, we’ll talk about handles. For those of you who haven’t been hanging on every word I’ve written in past columns, the handle refers to what’s under the grip that gives it size and shape. Lately, a few of the usual suspects have started tinkering with the handle shape. As with most “new ‘technology’”, this has been done before, albeit from a different approach in one case. Around 20 years ago (interesting how 20 years seems to be the limit of most manufacturers memories when it comes to new ideas) several companies including Yonex, started selling racquets with 6 sided handles instead of the traditional 8. It didn’t last very long, which is why most of my readers probably don’t remember them. Around this same period, ProKennex was making handles that were smaller where you would normally hold it with the dominant hand. Actually, I kind of liked that one, but alas, not too many other folks did, because it’s gone as well. One innovation used extensively by Volkl that other companies should have adopted is the changeable pallet. With changeable pallets and proper tools, almost every Volkl frame can be made into the correct grip size in relatively short order.

Now Babolat has introduced their attempt at a more ergonomic grip. Called Smart Grip, a size 3 grip (4 3/8 inches) has a “lump” just above the butt cap that measures 4 ¾ inches, and another “lump” toward the top of the handle of equal size. I tried playing with one and could not feel comfortable with it in any way. After a very short time, I had to put it down.

Head’s new handle design for their AirFlow frames, marketed toward the female player, is a taper. It starts out normal size at the bottom and gradually gets smaller at the top. This might be ok, but doesn’t strike me as earth-shaking.

Is this a trend that will run its course, possibly to be resurrected again in another 20 years; or like the Oversize and Wide Body, become the standards for recreational players? What will the other manufacturers do? Will they follow suit, as they usually do and come up with other handle designs even more radical? Will they reinvent the 6 sided handle? Will they make a 5 sided handle; a 7 sided; a 10 sided; round like a bat? Stay tuned, tennis fans, for the continuing soggy soap opera that is “New Technology” in the tennis industry. Time will tell.

As always, I recommend my readers and my customers TRY these new things for themselves before buying. It something works for you—fine; but make the decision based on actual play results, not marketing hype.

COPYRIGHT 2006