What's With Head Doing an Arthur Ashe Boom?

[WilsonPlayer101]

Head is releasing a Boom Arthur Ashe edition, but what is up with that? I guess a marketing ploy. Release a Boom in a different color reminiscent to the Arthur Ashe Comps of years ago and call it an Arthur Ashe tribute of sorts. Why not release a reissue of the Arthur Ashe Competition? After all that is what he played with and promoted. Wilson reissued a Pro Staff 6.0 although they didn't call it a Sampras model because it never was designated that and he wasn't with Wilson anymore, but they did sell the PS 6.0 again. I didn't buy one since I have an OG St. Vincent, but I am sure the reissues were nice.

Admittedly, the Ashe Boom is a cool color and looks better than the standard Boom color in my opinion. But just a marketing ploy. Sell more Booms due to nostalgia for the past plus a better color.

My first non-wooden frame was the Head Arthur Ashe Comp, I think the second one, and since, I purchased a couple used ones. I was 14 then. I had Victor Imperial gut in it. The blue and white spiral pattern. Back then no Poly and no Multi, just natural gut or synthetic gut. Used to get it strung at Westwood Sporting Goods near UCLA, I think on Galey. The owner sold me some spray he said to use on the gut to keep it from breaking or something. No one sprays gut anymore but back then they did. So if Head is releasing a Head Arthur Ashe, why a Boom if he used a Comp back when he was alive and well and playing? The DeLorean of tennis racquets.

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[leng jai]

It should have been a Prestige but they were probably afraid it wouldn't sell or it wouldn't be playable for the average person.

 

[tigonian02]

If I had to guess, a good part of the reason for this release is to get more people interested in trying the boom mp (and pro by proxy). The mp version is possibly one of the best for platform racquets out on the market right now. The boom pro is highly underrated as well - great racquet ground strokes, but missing just a little bit of stability when on defense or at the net. A better player than I may disagree and love this racquet. None of this matters though if people don’t pay attention to the racquet - for whatever those reasons are. Head undoubtedly has heard that a lot of people shy away from the color. Adding a well liked figure such as Ashe to the frame while going with a completely different color palette should generate a little more interest.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

I probably am being nit picky, I guess. It is fine they are selling a Boom Ashe. I guess I thought they should sell an Ashe Comp since that was HIS racquet, but reality is most people couldn't play with that. Too small, old school and more for nostalgia.