24 TennisIndustry February 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com

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 A s we launch into the new year, new racquets and frame technologies continue to come our way. It’s hard to point to

any “earth-shattering” developments in 2018—but more importantly, companies are continuing to tweak and improve their techology and design in their e� orts to provide the best possible racquet for every player type.

As you are probably aware, the industry and the U.S. Racquet Stringers Association continue to emphasize how important it is that retailers and stringers “fi t” rac-quets to their players. The key to a satis-fi ed customer is making sure the racquet they invest in is one that is suited to their particular swing and style of play—thereby providing the best performance possible, with little to no risk of injury. A properly fi tted customer will be a repeat customer, both in terms of regular stringing and customizing needs, and when it’s time to purchase a new frame.

Manufacturers are making this process easier with a wide variety of frames, so that you can fi t your client with a racquet with the best head size, weight, swingweight and string pattern to meet their needs and help them perform their best on court.

Complete CoverageManufacturers continue to improvetechnology anddesign so playerscan fi nd theirperfect frame.By Bob Patterson

Wilson / wilson.com /773-714-6400Wilson introduces new frames in the Pro Sta� and Ultra families. The Pro Sta� 97 and 97L feature Countervail technology, as does the Ultra 100 and 105S. Also new is the Ultra Tour and Ultra 110 (Version 2.0), XP-1, Triad XP 3 and Triad XP 5.

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February 2018 TennisIndustry 25

Volkl / volkltennis.com/ 866-554-7872Volkl continues the roll-out of its V-Sense tech with several new models, including the V-Sense 1, V-Sense 5, V-Sense V1 MP and OS, and V1 Pro.

Head / head.com /800-289-7366Head continues to update its lineup of Graphene Touch Technology frames, most recently with the new Radical line. In addition to the Graphene tech, the new Radical frames also feature new cosmetics with a logo designed to point out the versatility of the line—it can be read right-side up and upside down. The Radical line includes the MP, Pro, S and PWR.

The Graphene Touch Prestige line also launched in January, which includes the Prestige MP, Prestige Pro, Prestige Tour and Prestige Mid.

Dunlop / dunloptennis.us 888-215-1530The new frames from Dunlop carry dual-branding as Dunlop and Dunlop Srixon racquets. As their ads proclaim, “This is what happens when English tradition meets Japanese precision.”

Featuring a redesign that merges the best of both brands, the new frames include the Revo CX 2.0 Tour, the CX 2.0, CX 2.0 LS and CX 4.0, which all fea-ture Dunlop Srixon’s Solid Core Tech-nology. Also new are the CZ 98D and CZ 100S frames. All CZ and CX frames are Sony Smart Tennis compatible.

Babolat / babolat.com/877-316-9435Babolat recently released the newest incarnation of its popular Pure Drive racquet. Two updated technologies are included in this version: FSI Power features a new string pattern with diamond grommets to provide a larger sweetspot and more power on shots; and Babolat’s Cortex Pure Feel vibra-tion absorption technology helps play-ers achieve optimal feel on shots, according to the company.

The complete line of Pure Drive models is scheduled to launch in the fi rst quarter of 2018.

Pacifi c / pacifi c.com /877-847-7721The X Fast ULT is light—ours weighed 9.7 oz. strung. But it could be a perfect transition for an advanced junior or any adult looking for a lighter racquet.

Volkl / volkltennis.com/ 866-554-7872

The key to a satisfi ed customer is making

sure the racquet they invest in is one

that is suited to their particular swing

and style of play—thereby providing

the best performance possible, with little to

no risk of injury.

Babolat / babolat.com/877-316-9435