PRO AM (CENTURION) forged alloy tennis racquet from the 1960's

rodracquet

rodracquet

Rookie
coachrick

coachrick

Hall of Fame
rodracquet said:
A fascinating link has been established between pro player Francoise Durr and USA's PRO AM forged alloy model called PRO AM. No rivets or screws, it is one piece.

Sorry the pics uploader didn't like the insert link.

http://tennishistory.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/francoise-durr-pro-am-centurion-model.jpg

http://tennishistory.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/pro-am-1.jpg

http://tennishistory.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/pro-am-racquet-ad-1002.jpg
Click to expand...
I have one and I would likely choose a T2000 over it if I had to play a match!! I would guess she didn't play much more than a month with one ;)
 
vsbabolat

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
rodracquet said:
A fascinating link has been established between pro player Francoise Durr and USA's PRO AM forged alloy model called PRO AM. No rivets or screws, it is one piece.

Sorry the pics uploader didn't like the insert link.

http://tennishistory.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/francoise-durr-pro-am-centurion-model.jpg

http://tennishistory.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/pro-am-1.jpg

http://tennishistory.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/pro-am-racquet-ad-1002.jpg
Click to expand...
That backhand grip! Looks so uncomfortable and awkward but worked for her.
 
P

Plainsman83

Rookie
Mme Durr reminds me of Hsieh Su-Wei today in that she was unorthodox and an incredibly effective doubles player despite not having a ton of power. We all recall the team of Durr and Stove, right?
 
R

retrowagen

Hall of Fame
Plainsman83 said:
Mme Durr reminds me of Hsieh Su-Wei today in that she was unorthodox and an incredibly effective doubles player despite not having a ton of power. We all recall the team of Durr and Stove, right?
Click to expand...
Wasn’t Betty Stove one of the tallest women ever to have played tennis professionally?
 
D

dkmura

Professional
vsbabolat said:
That backhand grip! Looks so uncomfortable and awkward but worked for her.
Click to expand...
Having watched Durr play for the Denver Racquets WTT Championship team back in '74, I can attest that her backhand was amazing. Whether playing WD, mixed or singles, Durr was a cunning player and incredible athlete. In the WTT Finals, she frustrated no less than BJK (of the Philly Freedoms), despite Billy Jean throwing everything at Durr.

BTW- Durr also used a Head Master aluminum racquet in those days.
 
Sanglier

Sanglier

Professional
Durr didn't seem to have been very particular about her equipment, as she was willing to give anything and everything a try that looked half interesting. Here is a Seamless she used in her attempt to transform the concrete court in Oakland into terre battue:

1ADLB0a.jpg


I actually referred to Durr's adoption of the ProAm at the end of this old post: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...s-in-movies-and-tv-shows.555844/post-11991831 I don't believe it was a lasting relationship. The example I have measured out to just under 10 RA - essentially in the same range as Japanese Soft Tennis racquets, but carrying a 13 Oz body and 347 swing weight. Even a crafty player like Durr would have had a very hard time making a butter knife out of this paper weight, much less a scalpel.
 
joe sch

joe sch

Legend
rodracquet said:
A fascinating link has been established between pro player Francoise Durr and USA's PRO AM forged alloy model called PRO AM. No rivets or screws, it is one piece.

Sorry the pics uploader didn't like the insert link.

http://tennishistory.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/francoise-durr-pro-am-centurion-model.jpg

http://tennishistory.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/pro-am-1.jpg

http://tennishistory.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/pro-am-racquet-ad-1002.jpg
Click to expand...
Rod, You may have purchased the racket that I saved the sales description from. Seller used upper case and it did include the advert in your link. Here is the text. I also have one in mint condition and believe they were made in SoCal maybe Costa Mesa ? May try to find so another picture can be posted ...

VINTAGE PRO AM TENNIS RACKET ALCOA RARE FORGED ALUMINUM TENNIS RACKET USA


A RARE TENNIS RACKET BY: ALCOA.

THE WORLDS ONLY FORGED (BY ALCOA) ALUMINUM TENNIS RACKET.

MODEL: PRO AM HAS NO RIVETS, WELDS OR LAMINATIONS TO BREAK OR SHAKE LOOSE. AND ITS PLAYING CHARACTERISTICS AND FLEX DUPLICATE THE FEEL IN WOODEN RACKETS.

THE BONUS: THE ORIGINAL TENNIS AD FROM TENNIS MAGAZINE FOR THE PRO AM TENNIS RACKET (FRAMED)....

RACKET IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH THE NORMAL WEAR...TOP OF THE BOW HAS SOME SCUFFING FROM HARD COURT PLAY....ORIGINAL STRINGS (UNBROKEN)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top