What racquet is Martina Navratilova using?

[Canadaspy]

I saw this picture this morning on wimbledon.org. I know it's a Prince, but I've never seen it before:

[kreative]

it's a bancroft racquet. notice the "B" stencil on the strings.

[Canadaspy]

Ah! I thought that was a 'P'. My mistake. I know she was using Prince for a while. When did she switch? I have never heard of Bancroft. I went to their website http://www.bancroftsports.com/tennis.asp and supposedly they're America's oldest racquet maker. They have a couple of interesting racquets, but there is no information on this blue racquet or anything that looks like it.

[NoBadMojo]

i dont think this is a bancroft. its not the bancroft 'b' as i remember it, unless they changed the logo. look at the angles in the hoop of this frame..it looks like some kind of Fox racquet like Gilbert used to play..may it is part of the Bosworth line and it is a Bosworth B? Ed

[Canadaspy]

Okay, here's another picture, but I still can't tell:

[BreakPoint]

Looks like Martina is going back to her roots just like John McEnroe has. Martina used a Bancroft wood racquet near the beginning of her career, just like McEnroe used a Dunlop Maxply wood racquet and is now back with Dunlop's HM 200G.

[racketcollector]

Its a "Bosworth" frame

[rooski]

Originally Posted by racketcollector

Its a "Bosworth" frame

Yep. All of her previous DB800's had the BOSWORTH name prominenty plastered across the shaft. It's gotta be a Bosworth original. Funky flat areas at 3 and 9.

[dantyem108]

anyone notice how annoying Hingis was during the broadcast of that match, she kept cutting everyone off, very annoying to me at least.

[katarddx]

It is a BOSWORTH frame... We had this discussion not so long ago...

[fantom]

Her bag also said "Bosworth" on it.

[TommyGun]

See my post on the Racquets section. More info coming from Mr. B. today.

[TommyGun]

Oh, and the racquet it is similar to is the old Target 210. Fox still has a very limited number in the warehouse you can get for about $50 each, but no choice in grip size (I believe they are 5/8.)

This is new production.

[Kevin T]

Hey, Tommy, could you email me and let me know how I can contact Fox about those Target 210s? Thanks.
kevdawg40@hotmail.com

[TommyGun]

Kevin,

I will send you the last contact info I had. The Bosworths were not known nor advertised. I did some digging.

For all of the rest of you, on ESPN2 yesterday they had a conversation with Martina practicing, and she held up the frame and said, "I love the new racquet...the balls feel like (made a cantelope sized shape with her hands) this big on the strings!"

If you pause the tape and recorded it on high speed (best resolution) you can see most of the features. Definitely the large head verson of the Target 210 (102 in2 I believe) and it seems the frame may have been NEW production, not old painted over.

I did talk briefly to Warren yesterday, and I asked him if this was just a one-off, custom like he normally does (although usually NOT with the Bosworth logo and bag) or if he was going to re-enter the market like he did with Fox. He said, "I'm not ruling that out."

FYI,

TommyGun

[Kevin T]

Thanks for the info, TommyG. Much appreciated. What really peaked my interest is what Martina said at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, SC (my stomping grounds). She said in an interview that the frame would be available to the public, with the buyer able to customize flex,weight,length,balance,etc. That, along with the Boz logo and racquet bag has my juices flowing. I briefly used Fox frames in high school (always went back to Rossignol, though) and really liked the ten-sided frame shape. Have a good one.

[TommyGun]

Kev,

Mr. Bosworth has always offered custom frames, and they aren't all that expensive as long as you stay within molds he has access to and don't do too much flex tweaking.

The original Target 210 had interchangeable grip pallets in all sizes and also with an extended length that you could do yourself. He will customize weight, balance and swing weight for you at about the same price a local guy would charge you (not expensive like I thought). Even custom grips aren't that much considering maybe the best racquet tech and guru in the world, and maybe ever, is doing it for you.

I'm still looking for the contact info at Fox. The person I spoke to was NOT at the regular number and it took me a while to find someone who knew where the old stock was.

tommyg

[jayserinos99]

this new stick has got me interested. tommygun, how would i get in contact with mr. bosworth?

[TommyGun]

561-241-9966

[jayserinos99]

you are the man tg, thanks!