Timeline of the greatest racquets

Tennis Man

Tennis Man

Hall of Fame
(duplicate post placed by mistake in the Racquets section where it got lost in the noisy crowd) :)

I put together a little timeline of the greatest racquets of the recent past, mostly 1980-90s and wanted to complete the list using your recommendations. Feel free to contribute. Thanks.


1963 Lacoste - first steel racquet (aka Wilson T-2000, Connors)
1969 Head Arthur Ashe Competition (AA)
1972 Volkl Zebra - first fully synthetic (fiberglass) racket
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1977 Kneissl White Star Pro (Lendl)
1978 Prince Original Graphite (Agassi, Chang)
1979 Jack Kramer Pro Staff (JK)
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1980 Kneissl White Star Lendl Pro (Kevlar)
1980 Wilson Ultra Graphite
1981 Adidas GTX Pro (same as White Star Lendl Pro)
1982 Wilson Ultra 2 Midsize
1982 Dunlop MAX 200G (Graf/McEnroe)
1982 Rossignol F200 (Willander)
1983 Wilson Pro Staff Midsize (PS 85, Kevlar)
1983 Snauwaert Ergonom
1984 Donnay Pro Cynetic 1 (Arias)
1984 Puma G. Villas
1984 Head TX Edge
1982 Yonex R-7 (Navratilova)
1985 Yonex Rexking R-22 (Navratilova)
1985 Adidas GTX Pro-T (Lendl)
1985 Puma Boris Becker Winner
1986 Head TX Professional
1986 Head Prestige Pro
1987 Fischer Vacuum Pro (Stich)
1987 Wilson/Kuebler Profile - innovative widebody design (racquetfreak)
1988 Yamaha Secret 04 (???)
1988 Lacoste LT 301 (Guy Forget)
-------------------------------------
1993 Head Prestige Classic 600 (Ivanisevich, Safin)
1993 Radical Tour/230 (Agassi)
1994 Pro Tour 630/280 (Muster)
 
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It has a nice soft feel, with tremendous stability, and what I think is a generous sweet spot with no hot spots.. Plus it is still being used on the circuit today.:)
 
Could be mistaken and maybe Coach Rick will see this and jump in - but I always thought the F200 started production in 1979.

How about the Yonex R22 - 1984?
 
You say "1977 Kneissl White Star Pro", but didn't that get released to public in 79? I thought Lendl was using a custom Kneissl racket until then? Anyone know?
 
jimbo333 said:
You say "1977 Kneissl White Star Pro", but didn't that get released to public in 79? I thought Lendl was using a custom Kneissl racket until then? Anyone know?
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http://www.80s-tennis.com/pages/kneissl_rackets.html

Austrian company Kneissl enjoys cult status amongst vintage racquet collectors, largely due to the fact that Ivan Lendl started his career playing Kneissl racquets. But in 1977, Kneissl also built the world's first fully synthetic tennis racquet, the "White Star Pro. It was a miracle mighty weapon for the courts, what was impressively demonstrated by Ivan Lendl, hammering himself way up to the top with the White Star Pro. In 1978, Ivan Lendl became ITF Junior World Champion of the year, and ATP Player of the Year in 1979. In December 1980, Kneissl introduced the White Star Ivan Lendl which was similar to the White Star Pro, but additionally featured the component kevlar. However, the name of the new White Star racquet actually was an anachronism, as the Kneissl/Lendl era should very soon come to an end (and Lendl never actually played the Lendl signature Kneissl racquet): Beginning from 1 January 1981, Lendl was contracted with adidas, from then on playing the Adidas GTX Pro Graphite which was identical with the White Star Pro, a true paint job. Shortly before his contract with Adidas began, on occasion of the Davis Cup final CSSR vs Italy (4:1) in December 1980, Lendl had already played a Kneissl White Star Pro revarnished into Adidas design. But Lendl`s shift to Adidas actually was a name game only, as Kneissl produced the GTX Pro Graphite for Adidas in Austria. Later on, the Adidas GTX Pro Graphite Ivan Lendl was made in a separate factory in France on behalf of Adidas, but evidently Kneissl still sold Adidas the respective molds. And Kneissl kept on building own racquets. In 1984, the White Star Lendl Pro was renamed as White Star Pro Masters, with only the inscription being changed (see photo below). The era of that very small 10% head size ended by 1987, when the last model of the White Star line was launched, the White Star Master 10.
 
Don't know exact dates, but someone else should be able to...a few 70s era:

Head Professional (Red Head metal)...~'77? Earlier?

Prince Classic 110, '75?

Prince Pro 110, '80?

Tony Trabert C-6 (9?) '74?

Early green Yonex metals, '73?
 
dje31 said:
Don't know exact dates, but someone else should be able to...a few 70s era:

Head Professional (Red Head metal)...~'77? Earlier?

Prince Classic 110, '75?

Prince Pro 110, '80?

Tony Trabert C-6 (9?) '74?

Early green Yonex metals, '73?
Click to expand...

what do you think makes them the greatest racquets?
 
suggestions for addition:
1972 - Volkl Zebra - first fully synthetic racket
1987 - Wilson/Kuebler Profile - innovative widebody design
1987 - Fischer Vacuum Pro

LT301? why? why not Bergelin Longstring or Chris 5 Star? I don't think it had any significant impact other than whimsy and collecting.
 
Fwiw, the copyright year printed on my bumpered 1-stripe Prince Graphite 110 is 1978.

Don't know if the no-bumper 1-stripes have an earlier copyright year...
 
racquetfreak said:
suggestions for addition:
1972 - Volkl Zebra - first fully synthetic racket
1987 - Wilson/Kuebler Profile - innovative widebody design
1987 - Fischer Vacuum Pro

LT301? why? why not Bergelin Longstring or Chris 5 Star? I don't think it had any significant impact other than whimsy and collecting.
Click to expand...

That's interesting how people think. Kuebler Profile - innovative widebody design is ok and my personal favorite LT301 with a biggest sweetspot in a 85 sq frame, the racquet that won the Davis Cup is "why". :)
 
Tennis Man said:
That's interesting how people think. Kuebler Profile - innovative widebody design is ok and my personal favorite LT301 with a biggest sweetspot in a 85 sq frame, the racquet that won the Davis Cup is "why". :)
Click to expand...

Forget did great with the LT301 but I don't think the racket made a great impact whereas the Profile represented the beginning of a new approach to racquet design that can be seen in present-day rackets (albeit in a slimmed down profile). As a collectible and as a "players racket" the LT trumps the Profie in spades.
 
racquetfreak said:
Forget did great with the LT301 but I don't think the racket made a great impact whereas the Profile represented the beginning of a new approach to racquet design that can be seen in present-day rackets (albeit in a slimmed down profile). As a collectible and as a "players racket" the LT trumps the Profie in spades.
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ok, I will add it without an argument. I still love LT301 much more. :)

excerpts fromt he patent (I completely agree with the test results after playing with it for a month now)

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5306005.html

TESTS IN PLAY
Prototype rackets were initially given to players who normally use conventionally shaped rackets with approximately oval strung surfaces or having strung surfaces of even greater than 604 cm 2 .

After immediately becoming aware of the great ease with which Equijet rackets, in accordance with the invention, can be moved by virtue of their reduced strung area of 572 cm 2 , these players found very quickly that the Equijet rackets provided the same sensation of good general resilience that they liked about their usual rackets having large strung surfaces, and, in particular, they like the good results obtained from off-center strikes and the overall improved playing accuracy.

Very good players who normally use rackets having a strung area of 533 cm 2 said that they obtained the same playing speed with the Equijet, and some even felt that they could serve faster balls, and all were agreeably surprised by the playing accuracy obtained, particularly for returning service, and also by the nearly total lack of string vibration, giving rise to a pleasant, comfortable feel.

fwsxnn.jpg
 
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racquetfreak said:
1979 - jk pro staff (wood)
1987 - jk staff (graphite)
1984 - donnay pro cynetic 1
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I have a Wilson comsumer catalogue from 1986 which lists the all new JK Staff.

I would argue that there isn't much revolutionary about the 1977 Kneissl White Star Pro - the first iteration - until they released the Lendl Pro (in 1980), which must have been the first application of Kevlar in the layup in a tennis racquet. The introduction of the Voelkl "Zebra" was of much greater note, as our esteemed colleague Mr. Q correctly noted.

I'd also echo that although the Lacoste 301 is a technically interesting frame, it doesn't really belong in the pantheon of the greatest. A good argument can be made for the *real* landmark Lacoste, the steel frame which later was known as the Wilson T-2000.

It should also be borne in mind that the Yonex R-7 (c. 1982) predated the R-22 (c. 1985) and was effectively replaced by it. As was the R-10 by the R-27.
 
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Updated.

retrowagen said:
I have a Wilson comsumer catalogue from 1986 which lists the all new JK Staff.

I would argue that there isn't much revolutionary about the 1977 Kneissl White Star Pro - the first iteration - until they released the Lendl Pro (in 1980), which must have been the first application of Kevlar in the layup in a tennis racquet. The introduction of the Voelkl "Zebra" was of much greater note, as our esteemed colleague Mr. Q correctly noted.

I'd also echo that although the Lacoste 301 is a technically interesting frame, it doesn't really belong in the pantheon of the greatest. A good argument can be made for the *real* landmark Lacoste, the steel frame which later was known as the Wilson T-2000.

It should also be borne in mind that the Yonex R-7 (c. 1982) predated the R-22 (c. 1985) and was effectively replaced by it. As was the R-10 by the R-27.
Click to expand...

With your permission I will leave Kneissl & Lacoste in the list ( I hope it doesn't bother anyone). :)
 
racquetfreak said:
1979 - jk pro staff (wood)
1987 - jk staff (graphite)
1984 - donnay pro cynetic 1
Click to expand...

The Jack Kramer Pro Staff came out long before 1979. I saw a documentary on Bjorn Borg where a 14 year old Bjorn was using a Jack Kramer Pro Staff in 1970.

I remember the Pro Cynetic coming out in 1986. In 1984 the Donnay flagship racquet was the Pro 25, 35, and 50.
 
vsbabolat said:
The Jack Kramer Pro Staff came out long before 1979. I saw a documentary on Bjorn Borg where a 14 year old Bjorn was using a Jack Kramer Pro Staff in 1970.

I remember the Pro Cynetic coming out in 1986. In 1984 the Donnay flagship racquet was the Pro 25, 35, and 50.
Click to expand...

Cynetic Pro 1 release is a mystery. If Sampras was using it it should pre-date Pro Staff 85 or be concurrent with it.

Can anyone confirm the date for JK Pro Staff ?
 
Tennis Man said:
Cynetic Pro 1 release is a mystery. If Sampras was using it it should pre-date Pro Staff 85 or be concurrent with it.

Can anyone confirm the date for JK Pro Staff ?
Click to expand...

I know in 1987 Sampras was using the Kneissl White Star Aero 20.

The Donnay Pro Cynetic 1 came out in 1986.
 
i remember personally using the jk prostaff before 1973 - you can't believe everything you read.
Kuebler is wrong by omission about the jk prostaff. i don't have a correct date for its release but 1979 is definitely not right.

he is, though correct on the POG. the bummperless, grommetless POG first hit the streets in 1977.

i think kuebler is correct on the 1984 release of the pro cynetic.
 
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retrowagen said:
I would argue that there isn't much revolutionary about the 1977 Kneissl White Star Pro - the first iteration - until they released the Lendl Pro (in 1980), which must have been the first application of Kevlar in the layup in a tennis racquet. The introduction of the Voelkl "Zebra" was of much greater note, as our esteemed colleague Mr. Q correctly noted.
Click to expand...

This 1977 Kneissl White Star Pro then, does anyone here have a photo of it?

Can anyone provide here a photo of a version of the White Star Pro before the one with blue/green chevron from late 79?

So many people mention this racquet, but until I actually see it, I'm sorry but I have trouble believing it exists!

(And I'm not talking about blurry photos of Lendl using a white racquet that looks like a White Star Pro)
 
Tennis Man said:
Cynetic Pro 1 release is a mystery. If Sampras was using it it should pre-date Pro Staff 85 or be concurrent with it.
Click to expand...

There is no evidence, as far as I'm aware, that Sampras used a Pro Cynetic 1. Unless you have some evidence?

It was definitely a Donnay, but other than that I'm not aware of evidence to say what it is. In fact from what I've seen it is likely to be a Donnay racquet that was released before the Pro Cynetic 1!
 
racquetfreak said:
Forget did great with the LT301 but I don't think the racket made a great impact whereas the Profile represented the beginning of a new approach to racquet design that can be seen in present-day rackets (albeit in a slimmed down profile). As a collectible and as a "players racket" the LT trumps the Profie in spades.
Click to expand...

I would have to agree with this:)

Profile was unfortunately a Very influential racquet!

The LT301 on the other hand was ignored. Which was ridiculous as it's one of the very Best most playable racquets ever made, and rightly much sought after:)
 
jimbo333 said:
There is no evidence, as far as I'm aware, that Sampras used a Pro Cynetic 1. Unless you have some evidence?

It was definitely a Donnay, but other than that I'm not aware of evidence to say what it is. In fact from what I've seen it is likely to be a Donnay racquet that was released before the Pro Cynetic 1!
Click to expand...

i think the strong similarity of the pro cynetic 1 to the midsize prostaff leads some to believe that Sampras used it. he may have used it before switching to the midsize prostaff. surely wilson provided plenty of incentive for him to adopt the prostaff. additional incentive may have been the fact that many successful mid-80s players were using the prostaff at that time. donnay and kneissl probably could not comPete with the deep pockets of wilson.
in the end, the man makes the racket ... or does it? what if Pete used the pro cynetic instead of the prostaff?
 
jimbo333 said:
There is no evidence, as far as I'm aware, that Sampras used a Pro Cynetic 1. Unless you have some evidence?

It was definitely a Donnay, but other than that I'm not aware of evidence to say what it is. In fact from what I've seen it is likely to be a Donnay racquet that was released before the Pro Cynetic 1!
Click to expand...

My only evidence is that it plays just like PS 85 heavily leaded at 3 and 9 o'clock (a la Sampras). :)
 
racquetfreak said:
i think the strong similarity of the pro cynetic 1 to the midsize prostaff leads some to believe that Sampras used it. he may have used it before switching to the midsize prostaff. surely wilson provided plenty of incentive for him to adopt the prostaff. additional incentive may have been the fact that many successful mid-80s players were using the prostaff at that time. donnay and kneissl probably could not comPete with the deep pockets of wilson.
in the end, the man makes the racket ... or does it? what if Pete used the pro cynetic instead of the prostaff?
Click to expand...

good point, btw, what other racquet designs Wilson "adopted" in addition to Lacoste (T2000) and Kuebler Resonance?

Also what PS85 "clones" in fact may have pre-dated it?
 
racquetfreak said:
i think the strong similarity of the pro cynetic 1 to the midsize prostaff leads some to believe that Sampras used it. he may have used it before switching to the midsize prostaff. surely wilson provided plenty of incentive for him to adopt the prostaff. additional incentive may have been the fact that many successful mid-80s players were using the prostaff at that time. donnay and kneissl probably could not comPete with the deep pockets of wilson.
in the end, the man makes the racket ... or does it? what if Pete used the pro cynetic instead of the prostaff?
Click to expand...

I comPetely understand what your saying about Wilson:)

But back to the Pro Cynetic 1. By now someone around here should have come up with at least a bit of actual evidence that Sampras used it. He says himself that he used a Donnay before Prostaff. So if anything it's not likely to be the Pro Cynetic 1 because that was released too late, isn't it more likely to have been a slightly earlier Donnay?

Until I see some evidence, it could one of many similar Donnays, and there are lots!
 
Tennis Man said:
My only evidence is that it plays just like PS 85 heavily leaded at 3 and 9 o'clock (a la Sampras). :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, and that's not enough evidence:)

I like your list, but the Pro Cynetic is only really on there because a few people think Sampras used it. He might have done, evidence is needed though. And I realise it's a very good racquet, but there are many very good racquets!
 
jimbo333 said:
Yeah, and that's not enough evidence:)

I like your list, but the Pro Cynetic is only really on there because a few people think Sampras used it. He might have done, evidence is needed though. And I realise it's a very good racquet, but there are many very good racquets!
Click to expand...

I'd love to find out exactly what Donnay frame he used; then uncover a mint one and hand it out to him to sign (above a sea of people's PS 85s) at an exhibition ... imagine that... 'course it'll never happen...
 
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Tennis Man said:
good point, btw, what other racquet designs Wilson "adopted" in addition to Lacoste (T2000) and Kuebler Resonance?

Also what PS85 "clones" in fact may have pre-dated it?
Click to expand...

midsize prostaff is a downsized largehead prostaff. both pre-dated the ps85 clones includibg the pro cynetics
the profile was developed by Kuebler for Wilson as credited in the labeling on the Profile (at least the early runs).
 
jimbo333 said:
I comPetely understand what your saying about Wilson:)

But back to the Pro Cynetic 1. By now someone around here should have come up with at least a bit of actual evidence that Sampras used it. He says himself that he used a Donnay before Prostaff. So if anything it's not likely to be the Pro Cynetic 1 because that was released too late, isn't it more likely to have been a slightly earlier Donnay?

Until I see some evidence, it could one of many similar Donnays, and there are lots!
Click to expand...

just because prostaff predates pro cynetic there is no reason rule out the possibility that Pete may have used the pro cynetic before going to the prostaff.
i just hit 200 posts, so i'll give it a rest. the cynetic has made me cyanotic!
 
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