Is Fischer "Magnetic Speed" legal?

[FastAtoms]

Not that its important, but ITF "Rules for Equipment", Appendix II (c.) states:

"The frame, including the handle, and the strings, shall be free of any device which makes it possible to change materially the shape of the racket, or to change the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket which would alter the swing moment of inertia, or to change deliberately any physical property which may affect the performance of the racket during the playing of a point. No energy source that in any way changes or affects the playing characteristics of a racket may be built into or attached to a racket."

From this, it would seem the magnets in the Fischer frames (an energy source (?) intended to "affect the performance of the racket during the playing of a point"), regardless of whether or not they work, violate both the spirit and the letter of the rule.

Would anyone care to comment? I'm curious as to your thoughts.

 

[nadalito92]

well, if they make the racquet with that, and baghdatis plays with it, it must be legal, umm that makes me think, is head's flexpoint legal?

 

[tenis]

...just don't go close to the fence...

 

[kchau]

theyre not magnets, i stuck them next to a tube monitor.. nothing.

who knows what they are..

edit: tw says the material is piezo, so if the intelligence racquets werent illegal, mspeed is not as well

 

[saqdeez]

I dont know but it is the best racket ive ever hit with and im gonna buy 10 of em!

 

[haerdalis]

I remember racquets where you could change the swingweight by moving a weight in the handle. I didnt know that wasnt allowed.

 

[Deuce]

Aren't the Kennex 'Kinetic' racquets illegal because of this rule?

 

[KFwinds]

Uh-oh... here comes another pointless "equipment regulations" debate...

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Aren't the Kennex 'Kinetic' racquets illegal because of this rule?

The Kinetic rackets change the weight along the horizontal axis and not the longitudinal axis, so I guess that means they are still within the rules. They would have to have material shifting from handle to head in order to violate that part of the rule.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

I remember racquets where you could change the swingweight by moving a weight in the handle. I didnt know that wasnt allowed.

I think the rule forbids any device that does this while you are swinging the racket. If you change the weight between points or something, and that weight stays stationary while you are swinging the racket, then it should be legal. It's like grabbing some lead tape and slapping it on at some point in the match.