Collectors?

[Hannah19]

Originally Posted by zapvor

it would slow it down way way lot

So, what's your point...?
It's about time the game of tennis slowed down to a point where a Hawkeye is no longer needed.

[rodracquet]

Any old racquet collectors here? I am doing an english report on racquet collections and could really use an interview with a collector. just a few questions about your collection
1) When did you start collecting?
I bought 4 1940's Australian made racquets about 10 years ago and these sat around for 4-5 years. Then I was introduced to e*** at the same time decided to learn more about tennis in Australia. To my shock the history of tennis was confined to great players and nothing was available about the industry that thrived here. So www.tennishistory.com.au was born. This now includes a mass of valuable history from player results singles all tournaments men / women from inception to 2004, links to old player video clips, Australian made racquets, unusual racquets and so on....now we have developed a group TENNIS HERITAGE AUSTRALIA (like UK & USA have) and meet in Melbourne and Sydney regularly. Other states don't yet have the start up person wishing to co-ordinate.

2) Why did you choose to collect racquets?
Basically because they display so well on a wall, like a painting or artwork. My collection comprises more unusual designs so people often have never seen the gambit of 1890's-1920's-1930's and the crazy 1980's designs.... see the website for some of these.

3) How many racquets do you have and/or how much is your collection worth? I don't just collect racquets but other bits and pieces as well and one day these will be featured in a lovely lit glass display case. I have only about 160 racquets and that's about my max....almost reached a one in one out policy (management (wife) dictates policy). Value is as others have said luck of the draw as who wants to buy at the time you want to sell. I think that there are more collectors now than 10 years ago...I think certain models are bringing more money than 10 years ago...but I think the secret is to trade your way into a low cost collection. You can find all manner of $5 racquets at markets, op shops etc which do sell on **** for $60-$200 so a tidy profit all round to fund some other pieces. My hope is that when my custodianship is complete it will deliver a nice trip somewhere overseas. Objective to sell while I am alive and not wait for the kids to give it away. hopefully 25 years from now....

4) What is your favorite or most valuable racquet and why?
No real favourite; it's a group thing I am most excited to have acquired.

5) Is there any racquet that you wish to add to your collection and why?
Of course as you read the bible Siegfried Kueblers book of TENNIS RACKETS there are many models you would love to find. I guess I still just love the feeling of finding an odd ball racquet and then counting myself lucky that none of the dudes, who are also posting here, haven't spotted it as well online and you get it for a good price.

6) Who are favorite tennis players and why?
For on court play and super strength at the net Rod Laver and Pat Cash. For modern play and breaking up the back court game Pat Rafter. For current players Roger Federer for having an all round game. Tomic is like Pat Rafter for being able to upset players with crazy pace delivery but needs to get his head right before I would say a favourite....hopefully he will end up like Hewitt and achieve some warm public feeling

If you have anything else to add about your collection i would greatly appreciate it.

Look up facebook "australian tennis history" as well as the website.

Thank you.

[Antónis]

1) When did you start collecting?

About 5 years ago, a got a tennis-elbow crisis, and bought back an old pro staff 6.0 95 i sold to a friend of mine. My tennis elbow healed, i started to look for a second one (the main reason why i sold my first one was that i couldn't get a second one here in Portugal), and ended up with two more then i tried to find a 6.0 85, and i did, in Holland (I have family there), and i got hooked to this, trying to find rackets i played with when a was a kid, and some other graphite classics - I'm not into wood (yet...)


2) Why did you choose to collect racquets?

It's funny, i never had this collecting thing when i was a kid. I like graphite classics, i like to hold them, look at them and specially hit with them, even for 10 minutes. I like all the graphite classics i saw on TV in the hands of those 80's and 90's ATP champions (I'm 40, start playing in 1983), probably it has something to do with this: have a little taste of their racket's feeling (even in retail condition)

3) How many racquets do you have and/or how much is your collection worth?

I still play with PS 6.0, have 5 of them now, cracked 2 others in the proper way, playing, and offered both: one to my coach, the other to my opponent in that infamous match - he collects to, and was looking for one PS 6.0, seamed fair to me.

I own about 10 more rackets besides my playing ones, some of them real beauty gems

4) What is your favorite or most valuable racquet and why?

I don't have a favorite racket, i like all of them the same, but in different ways - for playing, i always like to flirt a bit with the PS 6.0 85 (i warm up lots of times with this one, it's always in my bag)

In terms of value, i don't really know prices, but i would say this 3 ones: POG Series 90, in 93 sq.i. head size; Adidas GTX Pro (both 9/10 condition), and a pristine Head Prestige 600 - not very impressive, but i love them all...


5) Is there any racquet that you wish to add to your collection and why?

As a PS 6.0 absolute fan, definitely a St. Vincents 6.0 in good playable condition (no way this one would stand on a wall or a closet)

Besides this one, i like all graphite classic frames from all brands, and would like to add them all, but right know i can recall this ones: Stich's Fischer Vacuum Pro 90; Puma Vilas and Becker's models; all 80's Kneissel's (I played with the Super Pro Vario, but any white star would do); Yonex R-22 and so many more

6) Who are favorite tennis players and why?

I'm a S/V fan, so Johnny Mac from 80's, and all S/V from 90's.

From the 00's, I would say Safin - not a S/V'er of course, but still a lot of of fun to watch.

I also like baseline heavy-flat hitters, so nowadays i would go with DelPotro - but just a little over the other guys, i tend to get bored with baseline wars.

From the "big 4", Murray - great hands, best volleyer, and always the underdog

And no, i don't like Federer's game.