Racquets for the next decade!

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
Almost at the end of the decade and everybody is 10 years older and a newer generation will get into tennis and buy a racquet. What do we see coming up with tennis racquets? In the past big moments were the change of standard wood and aluminium frames to graphite composites and mid plus. Then we had the wide bodies ( Wilson Profile), second generation graphite and graphene, poly strings and data sensors. Lately we see the emergence of custom graphics and Wilson claims their new Clash is new. The sensors many thought would be the next big thing but I don't feel it's really been the success that many thought it would be. So anybody have any views on what we might see coming? What about 3D copying technology?
 
Lighter and stiffer racquets have been what I’ve noticed. The stiffness increases “free” power at a lower static weight. Also more polarization so swingweight stays higher at the lower static weight.


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andredcastro

New User
The way I see it, custom racquets Will be the new trend, at least for the player looking for high quality and low flex products.. Actual tour quality racquets.
I hope that companies like Angell or Zus, can really grow.


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StringGuruMRT

Semi-Pro
Almost at the end of the decade and everybody is 10 years older and a newer generation will get into tennis and buy a racquet. What do we see coming up with tennis racquets? In the past big moments were the change of standard wood and aluminium frames to graphite composites and mid plus. Then we had the wide bodies ( Wilson Profile), second generation graphite and graphene, poly strings and data sensors. Lately we see the emergence of custom graphics and Wilson claims their new Clash is new. The sensors many thought would be the next big thing but I don't feel it's really been the success that many thought it would be. So anybody have any views on what we might see coming? What about 3D copying technology?
You forgot about the Longbody craze of the mid/late 90's... There's 3-4 years of playing with garbage I'll never get back...

Tennis growth really isn't happening at the moment. Pickleball is the fastest growing racket sport.
This is true. The tennis manufacturers are trying to get in on that cash cow... Older players with $$$ to spend on paddles and grossly overpriced instructional clinics...
Pickleball will be dead in 15 years...
No, just a majority of the recreational players we currently have! :cry::laughing: Just kidding, I love Pickleball, but the stereotype of all the players being retirees in their late 60s/Early 70s made that dark joke too easy!

In reality there are a lot of "past their prime" high level tennis players starting to pick up the game, and the demographic is getting younger. Tennis teaching organizations (USPTA and PTR) are hopping on board and getting their pros certified to teach. Wilson (in a partnership with Engage) and Head are starting to put $$$ into the sport as well. Head even has a line of paddles with Jimmy Buffet/Margaritaville themes. Country Clubs are building new courts as the demand rises. It's emerged out of the shadows of the less popular racquet sports (padel, platform tennis) and is finding its own spotlight.
 

atatu

Legend
You forgot about the Longbody craze of the mid/late 90's... There's 3-4 years of playing with garbage I'll never get back...

In reality there are a lot of "past their prime" high level tennis players starting to pick up the game, and the demographic is getting younger. Tennis teaching organizations (USPTA and PTR) are hopping on board and getting their pros certified to teach. Wilson (in a partnership with Engage) and Head are starting to put $$$ into the sport as well. Head even has a line of paddles with Jimmy Buffet/Margaritaville themes. Country Clubs are building new courts as the demand rises. It's emerged out of the shadows of the less popular racquet sports (padel, platform tennis) and is finding its own spotlight.

Racquetball had a similar surge in popularity and even has a pro tour, etc. but it didn't sustain itself.
 

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
No, just a majority of the recreational players we currently have! :cry::laughing: Just kidding, I love Pickleball, but the stereotype of all the players being retirees in their late 60s/Early 70s made that dark joke too easy!

In reality there are a lot of "past their prime" high level tennis players starting to pick up the game, and the demographic is getting younger. Tennis teaching organizations (USPTA and PTR) are hopping on board and getting their pros certified to teach. Wilson (in a partnership with Engage) and Head are starting to put $$$ into the sport as well. Head even has a line of paddles with Jimmy Buffet/Margaritaville themes. Country Clubs are building new courts as the demand rises. It's emerged out of the shadows of the less popular racquet sports (padel, platform tennis) and is finding its own spotlight.

Bahh its just the next racquetball. Will have a peak of popularity then fade away like most sports that don't require that much skill or athleticism.
It's table tennis played on top of the court. I like table tennis. I'd probably like pickle ball. For a once in a while play after a couple beers.

It only has two advantages over tennis: You don't have to run as much and its more social. Everything else tennis does better: better challenge, better exercise, better variety of shots, better acoustics, better feel. Because of that Pickleball will always tend to draw the elderly, the overweight, the unathletic chatty Cathy's.
 

StringGuruMRT

Semi-Pro
Racquetball had a similar surge in popularity and even has a pro tour, etc. but it didn't sustain itself.
Bahh its just the next racquetball. Will have a peak of popularity then fade away like most sports that don't require that much skill or athleticism.
It's table tennis played on top of the court. I like table tennis. I'd probably like pickle ball. For a once in a while play after a couple beers.

It only has two advantages over tennis: You don't have to run as much and its more social. Everything else tennis does better: better challenge, better exercise, better variety of shots, better acoustics, better feel. Because of that Pickleball will always tend to draw the elderly, the overweight, the unathletic chatty Cathy's.
Racquetball never had the former high level tennis players jump on board. It's a completely different beast than tennis, other than the fact that you use a racquet, there are very few similarities. Do a little research and see where the top ranked Pickleball players in the country started... Tennis. Former D1 players, former teaching pros that have transitioned to full time Pickleball playing and teaching.

Pickleball is enough like tennis where a former good player (like myself) can pick it up very quickly, and start to relive the glory days of dominating opponents on a court. I'm not gonna lie, thats one of my favorite things about playing at this point. The other thing that I love about it is that it incoroporates my favorite aspects of doubles; touch shots, angles, reflex vollys, etc.

I keep bringing it up, but the other part of this is $$$. Companies and organizations are throwing serious money at this sport. Many of the dedicated players of the sport have money to spend. Their kids are grown and out of the house, they can travel to play/watch these national tournaments. They spend $500+ dollars for two day clinics where they get to play hit and giggle with gold medal winners. These are people with means, they have multiple houses, and play seasonally in both locations. Racquetball never had this. All you needed was a $20 a month gym membership.

As for the exercise factor, if your playing Pickleball at a high level it is a pretty good workout. You're not covering as much court as a tennis match, but the points are longer, and there is a good amount of movement. As you get to the lower levels (3.0 and down) there is a lot less movement and slower play, but the same can be said for tennis.

I also realize that I live in one of the Pickleball epicenters of the US in Florida. I have several national tournaments within a 2 hour drive, and am just one hour away from The Villages that currently has over 200 dedicated Pickleball courts and more being constructed what seems like daily.
 
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