How do you see the racquet industry moving forward?

[Crocodile]

Well we are right in the middle 2021 and both the tennis tour and local tennis community continues to proceed in an altered state with at times empty stadiums and local participation that is being dictated by various government legislation.
The racquet companies continue to design and market their racquets. There has been gradual evolution in frames with more dampening technology at one level and then a bit of innovation like the Wilson Clash which has been successful with many club players and a good initiative aimed to protect arms.
My question is firstly, Are you happy with what is being offered up at the moment by the companies? Secondly do you think that this is an opportunity time for a company to come up with a superior product and revolutionise the market place to the point where they can dominate or is it steady as she goes right now? Thirdly what innovations do you see that could become a successful trend for the rest of the decade moving forward ?

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Yonex eats more market share. Yes, happy. Steady as she goes, but like I said Yonex takes 3rd spot from someone, I figure Head, Wilson, Bab are top 3, also has to do with Nadal and Fed going away at some point. I see average stiffness going down over time, pendulum swing back, but nothing innovative until a truly great buletooth or wifi enabled tech gets into the racket that lets you analyze via phone or computer, better than what we have now.

 

[tonylg]

Lightness
Power
Control
Softness

I don't think there's ever been a racquet that can offer all 4, but I do see a few companies starting to push multiple boundaries at the same time, rather than just one or two.

Imagine a Clash with pinpoint control or a Phantom that bombs massive serves.

 

[AceyMan]

do you think that this is an opportunity time for a company to come up with a superior product

Well,

Just sell me a current version of an og Head Master, quality made in US/JP/DE/&c, and guarantee grommets for ten years.

That'd be innovation in my book.

/Acey

p.s. I've yet to find a Yonex that plays worth a hoot. I love the quality construction and tolerances but they have no feel.

 

[Strayfire]

More hollow feeling frames
No more glossy paint
RIP 90 sq in, you're next, 95

Hope Yonex starts making more solid feeling frames.

 

[serveandvolE]

Aceyman I think that you're on to something. How about if companies in the future, when 3d printers becoming more of a household commonplace item, provide the buyer with the file to 3d print grommets and pallets (can experiment with grip size) for the racket sold.

 

[Strayfire]

Aceyman I think that you're on to something. How about if companies in the future, when 3d printers becoming more of a household commonplace item, provide the buyer with the file to 3d print grommets and pallets (can experiment with grip size) for the racket sold.

From memory some users tried to print grommets but they ended up being heavier than the original injection molded grommets.

Waste and e-waste is such a big problem in our society, tennis manufacturers really need to support their products longer.

Seems like Wilson are willing to do anything to look environmentally friendly except remake classic grommets.

 

[serveandvolE]

Strayfire, happen to have the url of the thread that mentioned the heavier weight as it assumes that they actually got the grommets printed and worked? I did a search and couldn't find it. I've gotten some grommets printed using some very high end printers and the weight wasn't the issue, it was the durability due to the material- not quite there but I think the technology is very close. I'd take grommets heavier than their injection molded brethren any day of the week as long as they worked- it would open up the actual use of a ton of classic rackets.

 

[onehandbh]

Lightness
Power
Control
Softness

I don't think there's ever been a racquet that can offer all 4, but I do see a few companies starting to push multiple boundaries at the same time, rather than just one or two.

Imagine a Clash with pinpoint control or a Phantom that bombs massive serves.

Wilson Blade 98 18x20.

Wait, why did I just get a Blade Pro 16x19 instead? Maybe I should have just written “Pro” with sharpie on a Blade 98

 

[A_Instead]

Old tech remarketed as new...
Foam filled will make a comeback..

 

[tonylg]

Wilson Blade 98 18x20

I can see why people would like it, but far too head heavy for me.

 

[tonylg]

Old tech remarketed as new...
Foam filled will make a comeback..

Soooo hope you're right.

 

[slipgrip93]

Just my preference, but I'm not happy with the scarcity of midsize to 95 sq in and lack of thin-beam racquets by most of the major manufacturers except for a few prince frames. If racquets today are really still mostly old tech of 10-15-20 years ago, surely 17-19mm beam frames could still be made? Maybe if in the future, there is a string breakthrough of a soft multi or poly that endures much longer, maybe oldschool racquets could make a comeback?

 

[onehandbh]

I can see why people would like it, but far too head heavy for me.

It is only 305g (unstrung). You could add weight to the handle

 

[PaddyDutch]

I think there is a huge opportunity for sustainability. But a severe challenge too considering the demands on products. It will be hard to produce the current products with a smaller footprint. It is pretty unlikely to see us compromise quality in racquets, strings and balls. In bags and clothes it might be easier.

Paint may be the most feasible thing to change. I personally liked the nude Wilson frames a lot.

 

[emaz8724]

I think there is a huge opportunity for sustainability. But a severe challenge too considering the demands on products. It will be hard to produce the current products with a smaller footprint. It is pretty unlikely to see us compromise quality in racquets, strings and balls. In bags and clothes it might be easier.

Paint may be the most feasible thing to change. I personally liked the nude Wilson frames a lot.

What did you think about the $500 price tag?

Wilson Tennis Launches Limited-Edition Naked Series Rackets For Earth Day, With Technology To Match

Wilson didn’t just slap together an Earth Day promotion for 2021; rather, the Chicago-based hard goods manufacturer spent 15 months crafting a new sustainable paint for its tennis rackets, launching as the limited-edition Wilson The Naked Series.

www.forbes.com

 

[PaddyDutch]

What did you think about the $500 price tag?

Understandable in the current phase, but not a feasible amount to roll out across the board.

With the nude frames there’s extra work in the finish, so there will be an increase in cost. But 500 seems way more than I’d pay for sure. However…. It also depends if Wilson sold those frames in a hurry or is stuck with them.

If you were to go with more responsible paint, it would need to be in the same ballpark as “normal” frames.

 

[speedysteve]

Völkl need to bring back the C9 Pro (as was, not some stiff thing), and the Extended version too.

Hardly moving forward is it,

 

[Boubi]

Lightness
Power
Control
Softness

I don't think there's ever been a racquet that can offer all 4, but I do see a few companies starting to push multiple boundaries at the same time, rather than just one or two.

Imagine a Clash with pinpoint control or a Phantom that bombs massive serves.

RS305 does
For the future, new materials maybe

 

[tonylg]

RS305 does
For the future, new materials maybe

I hit maybe 4 balls with an RS305 and gave it back. Prokennex do a much better job of masking stiffness with foam .. and they still can't tick all four boxes.

 

[GreenClay]

Old tech remarketed as new...
Foam filled will make a comeback..

This. (Or at least it should make a comeback)
I just started playing w the Tecnifibre TF40 315, which is foam filled. Feels sublime.

 

[Papa Mango]

or a Phantom that bombs massive serves.

I'll take 4 please!

 

[tonylg]

I'll take 4 please!

I reckon if I gave Isner my 18x20 Phantom Pro, I could return his serve.

Yes, I'm joking .. probably.

 

[Boubi]

I hit maybe 4 balls with an RS305 and gave it back. Prokennex do a much better job of masking stiffness with foam .. and they still can't tick all four boxes.

Come on !

 

[tonylg]

Come on !

 

[Crocodile]

Völkl need to bring back the C9 Pro (as was, not some stiff thing), and the Extended version too.

Hardly moving forward is it,

C9 and original C10, Tour 10 and V Engine 10’s, so much better than V Feel/cell stiff sticks.

 

[Diablo XP]

I'm happy. Steady as she goes for me. Been playing a long, long time and never been more pleased with racquet than I am now. Crazy, game changer technology would be fun and intriguing, but I am content with the current. I play Prince, so I worry about the brand's sustainability or the discontinuation of my model, but for now it's ok.

 

[beepee1972]

most innovative feature...... keep providing grommet sets for racquets older than just this year's! But hey... that's not good for business, I know....

 

[Crocodile]

Like everything at the moment I am sensing that there will be some changes occurring especially with the financial health of various companies making racquets at the moment.
Will he interesting to see where the market share lies in the next 12 months. Some of the larger companies have spent a lot on sponsoring players and that will have some impact on their bottom line and also they will he assessing the merits of the exposure they are getting. Having players in empty stadiums and players pulling out of events will affect decision making.
It could be quite possible that one maker could go on the attack and come up with something so good or priced do well that it could knock other companies around. I think it’s a matter of strategy.
It would be interesting if say a company like Nike decided to disrupt the market and produce something special. Adidas tried years ago but the product wasn’t good enough.

 

[NicoMK]

Bring back the classics -- real stuff!

 

[Ace of Aces]

Likely nothing huge until material technology makes an advancement in the distant future. The Clash style racquet with Pure Drive sweet spots and power but Phantom flex could be worth refining though.

 

[Crocodile]

Likely nothing huge until material technology makes an advancement in the distant future. The Clash style racquet with Pure Drive sweet spots and power but Phantom flex could be worth refining though.

I think that new material technology is around and being tested currently and they are waiting to pounce at the right moment for maximum exposure especially with nano tube technology. Costing is an issue.

 

[Strayfire]

Probably will come out in the form of a Regna-class ultra flagship racquet.

 

[PMChambers]

Over the next 5 yrs the biggest change will be manufacturing sectors. China may become problematic either in political stability or rising labour costs. Increased labour costs can easily be absorbed as its small cost. But might find a reduction in offerings.
Retail won't change much, it will be a few large retailers offering mail service and testing.
More effort into proof authentication as coping becomes easier.
Can still see boutique brands surviving, so option will be high.
There will be no new tech. Only the refinement of existing. Tech doesn't really help anymore. You can make a racquet lighter and more rigid beyond use. So what's the point.

 

[Steve Huff]

In the next 5 years, I don't see the physical products getting better or changing much. But, I see marketing (buying, selling, advertising, etc) changing a lot. I think most rackets will be bought online. I think DEMO programs will go away as they become more and more expensive to administer. I think info about each person will be collected continuously, and be used in the marketing of tennis products to you. To try to keep tennis thriving, there may be more indoor, air conditioned courts in many parts of the country (which, unfortunately, could make people perceive tennis as an elitist sport again). But, as gaming companies are becoming the sponsors of more tournaments, I see more wagering on tennis matches, and increase in crime due to match fixing, etc. and even recreational, league tennis will have incentives to bet on matches.

 

[kblades]

I’d just like to see Babolat and Wilson with QC as good as Yonex.

 

[MrFlip]

Most amateurs don't hit with arm friendly style, let alone tension, don't do forearm extension exercises to protect their elbow - but we all want a racquet that's lightweight, powerful, precise, comfortable and cool looking.......................................................................................................................ok

 

[Automatix]

I don't see it moving forward. I think the industry will keep repeating the same bs - dubious techs, poor quality. The tennis market will most likely shrink due to competition from the hipster "racquet" sports such as padel, pickleball, speed tennis. Availability of tennis courts will plummet. Companies will reduce their presence and move their resources to sports such as basketball, football, soccer, baseball where the real money is. Companies with an established position in badmington and/or squash might go that route instead due to high competition in the "big" sports.

 

[RobS]

Racquets will continue to cycle through the new added materials....countervail, SWX Pure Feel, M40X, Vibration Dampening Mesh, XTC, Dynacore, etc. They will then get rid of all of it and tell you that you have a pure racquet for the ultimate feel and charge you more for less. Racquets will cycle through the softer flex cycle then reset to super stiff because your arms have had enough relief for the time being. The new grommet "technology" that's supposed to give you elite string movement will be replaced by newer grommet tech that keep your strings from moving because that will soon be better. $249 will soon become the baseline racquet price and your special AI designed racquet will cost you $299. The new Artificial Intelligence designed racquets will be ground breaking but for some reason most of the top ranked pros will continue to play with frames that are almost as old as some next gen players.

 

[Crocodile]

I hope we don’t get new tennis racquets linked up to the 5G/6G network. Imagine not being allowed on court unless you complied with big brother.

 

[esm]

I hope we don’t get new tennis racquets linked up to the 5G/6G network.

Maybe just the home WiFi or Bluetooth

 

[sureshs]

Future is customized rackets made entirely for you. You send in a video of your game and your physical specs obtained by 3D scanning in a studio and a completely custom racket is 3-D printed for you.

 

[bertrevert]

@sureshs ... Thus Spoke Sureshs-thustra...!

What data sets do they have access to? Well maybe all the swingvision (covered by privacy or not?) It's amazing what data can be cross-used for.

Reckon industry do more analysis of us, because if they can get closer to what real rec players do, or waht you personally do, then they can build a better bomb.

Materials science aint gonna stand still, not for one second, so expect new weaves and glues.

It feels like racquets plow more-or-less the same lines (across brands), of similar measurements, because I guess our buying preferences show up. That would have to be intensified.

Pro players promoting new lines wont go away.

And er can they fit a battery into a racquet yet...

 

[BumElbow]

I just hope that the industry focuses on functional technology rather than design gimmicks to sell racquets. It seems that every manufacturer is on a 2-year cycle with their models with updates to keep the frames competitive and the prices high.

Personally, I would like to see more classic racquets available that are more constant in design rather than overhauled and outdated every 2 years. And, I would like to see technology that can generate power but not be as stiff to lessen arm, wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries. One possible innovation would be frames made of recycled materials. Beginner frames that are not made of aluminum and are more playable to encourage more people to take up the sport. The return of affordable canvas tennis sneakers and the return of mid high top tennis sneakers. I miss the old classic tennis shorts of the 1960's and would like to see them return in some form with improved fabrics.

 

[fullwesternforehand]

I just hope prices of racquets drop when a “new” exclusive version or world changing tech comes out. Head failed miserably with their mxg line, thinking if by making it 299 they would build supply. Babolat sorta succeeded with making the pure drive and aero vs, but selling in only pairs wasn‘t received very well and eventually allowed us to buy them singularly. Number one complaint however is that flagship racquets’ prices do not get out of hand. Autograph 97 racquet started the trend of pushing a 250 racquet, and every company slowly followed suit with djoko’s speed and rafa’s aero. But hey, i’m just a guy hoping we see racquets and bags affordable again

 

[socallefty]

I think the Clash is an auger of racquets that are flexible, but deliver decent power. All the lower level rec players who like stringing with poly (because it doesn’t break or move) and want comfort plus power from their racquet love this design.

 

[sureshs]

@sureshs ... Thus Spoke Sureshs-thustra...!

What data sets do they have access to? Well maybe all the swingvision (covered by privacy or not?) It's amazing what data can be cross-used for.

Reckon industry do more analysis of us, because if they can get closer to what real rec players do, or waht you personally do, then they can build a better bomb.

Materials science aint gonna stand still, not for one second, so expect new weaves and glues.

It feels like racquets plow more-or-less the same lines (across brands), of similar measurements, because I guess our buying preferences show up. That would have to be intensified.

Pro players promoting new lines wont go away.

And er can they fit a battery into a racquet yet...

They can for sensing, but any moving parts are forbidden

 

[Crocodile]

I just hope prices of racquets drop when a “new” exclusive version or world changing tech comes out. Head failed miserably with their mxg line, thinking if by making it 299 they would build supply. Babolat sorta succeeded with making the pure drive and aero vs, but selling in only pairs wasn‘t received very well and eventually allowed us to buy them singularly. Number one complaint however is that flagship racquets’ prices do not get out of hand. Autograph 97 racquet started the trend of pushing a 250 racquet, and every company slowly followed suit with djoko’s speed and rafa’s aero. But hey, i’m just a guy hoping we see racquets and bags affordable again

There is definitely room in the market for a disruptor brand that can make good quality frames at a lower price point and shock the racquet buying community with its exceptional value. People need to support it and it can be done, I would however be prepared to pay the higher price if the racquet was made by workers in my own country for instance. I always thought that having most racquets made in China feels too much of a sameness.
At present there is only Yonex, Heysill and Dacor made outside of China. Having racquets come from all over the world could create more uniqueness.
Back in the day you had US, UK, Australia, Belgium, Austria, German, France, Taiwan all making frames to name a few and that made each brand do their own thing. Just look how different and innovative Snauwert, Kneissl and Rossignol were.

 

[basil J]

I wish Volkl would go back to the technologies used during the mid late 2000's with the DNX frames, PB10 mid, Tour Becker Melbourne, all exceptional playing performing frames. I would welcome a main stream company that offered Pallet options for grip shape. I have always loved the Dunlop and Prince grip shapes and If I could add those to a Volkl or a Head frame, I feel that that would open up a market to seasoned players who know exactly what they like and add a easy level of customization.

 

[Crocodile]

I wish Volkl would go back to the technologies used during the mid late 2000's with the DNX frames, PB10 mid, Tour Becker Melbourne, all exceptional playing performing frames. I would welcome a main stream company that offered Pallet options for grip shape. I have always loved the Dunlop and Prince grip shapes and If I could add those to a Volkl or a Head frame, I feel that that would open up a market to seasoned players who know exactly what they like and add a easy level of customization.

I don’t know why Volkl decided to go in the direction of making stiff racquets when they had a the flexible racquet space and comfort almost all to themselves ( along with PK for instance ). A lot of masters athletes used Volkl. I can understand that they thought that they wanted to go after the youth modern player, but if they thought they were going to entice Babolat users away from their pure drives and aero’s then I think they have made a mistake. If one wants to embark on that path then you have to sign up a young pro ( like Nick K) who is the king of the kids type guy or girl and connect coaches to the brand through the retailers that stock Volkl.