The Continual Evolution of Tennis Rackets

Two components which make a good tennis racket in today’s came are materials that are light and stiff. Manufacturers are constantly finding new ways to adopt new materials in making stiffer rackets, without adding weight. Graphite still remains the first choice amongst tennis racket makers. Racket weight over the past twenty five years have not changed drastically, losing only a couple ounces. Fiberglass, boron, titanium, Kevlar, Twaron and ceramics are being used along with graphite in many of today’s top tennis rackets.
Wilson, forever innovators, in 1987 came up with an idea for increasing racquet stiffness all while using materials they were comfortable with. Wilson’s Profile racquet was the first "widebody." In retrospect, it seems strange that no one thought of the idea sooner to increase the thickness of the frame along the direction in which it must resist the impact of the ball.
The Profile was a monster of a racquet, with a frame 39 mm wide at the middle of its tapered head, more than twice the width of the classic wooden frame. Ten years later, extreme widths became obsolete as other widebody innovations came to life. In general, today’s modern tennis racket frames are larger than what was standard in the pre-widebody era.
The racquet makers have, to some extent, suffered from their own success. Unlike wood racquets, which warped, cracked, and dried out with age, graphite racquets can last for many years without a noticeable loss of performance. A 10-year-old graphite racquet can be so good and so durable that its owner has little motivation to replace it. The racquet companies have met this problem with a stream of innovations, some of which, like the oversized head, wider frame, and lighter weight are evident in almost every racquet made today.
So what’s next in tennis racket technology? Andy Roddick is already hitting 150 mile an hour serves with his Pure Drive Babolat Tennis Racket. Raphael Nadal is constantly lifting the ball ten feet over the net, forcing his opponent to camp way behind his baseline and well then there’s Roger Federer, doing things that has the great Pete Sampras already calling him the greatest player to ever step onto a tennis court.
Exciting times for a game that never ceases to amaze even the hardest core player as we review the histor of the tennis racquet

The beginning of modernization

Reagrding the history of the tennis racket, The Open Era of tennis saw many exciting, long rallies even on the fastest surfaces such as grass or cement as tennis rackets were made of sandwiched wood. It wasn’t until the mid sixties, when Wilson’s T2000 metal racket caught on. While metal rackets could be found as early as the late 1800’s, it was never widely used. Wilson’s T2000 tennis rackets were lighter and stronger than any wooden racket and Jimmy Conners, one of the first pros to adopt this new technology used it for most of the 1970’s and found Grand Slam success after success. The long neck, steel frame soon became a best seller.
The T2000 was faced with stiff competition in 1976 when the first popular oversized racket was introduced by Prince. In those days, oversized meant around 95 square inch hitting area. 
While these new rackets helped introduce more players to the game, thanks to forgiving rackets with their huge sweet spot, light weight and increased power, it created a re-learning experience for more powerful, advanced tennis players. Wooden rackets were much stiffer, which made shots more predictable, while the new, lighter aluminum tennis rackets gave too much flex and simultaneously power, resulting in shots ending up in unfavorable results. Off center shots with power distorted the frames and also changed the string direction, causing shots to deviate from their desired target areas. 
Advanced players needed a stiffer frame material, and the best material proved to be a mixture of carbon fibers and a plastic resin to bind them together. This new material acquired the name "graphite," even though it isn’t true graphite such as you would find in a pencil or in lock lubricant. The hallmark of a good racket quickly became graphite construction. By 1980, racquets could pretty much be divided into two classes: inexpensive racquets made of aluminum and expensive ones made of graphite or a composite. The playing days of wooden tennis rackets came to an end, sending them to the dark corners of our closets.

Player’s Rackets
These models are typically heavier (11.5 – 13+ ounces), with smaller heads (85 – 100 square inches), with thinner beams and usually more flexible with an even or head light balance. This type of racquet is low-powered, designed for players who provide their own power and need or want a racquet that offers more control. These racquets are usually standard or slightly longer. Roger Federer, the current world number one player uses a Wilson nSix-One Tour 990 nCode tennis racquet.

Wilson nSix-One Tour 90 nCode Racquets
The nSix-One Tour replaces the Pro Staff Tour 90 as Wilson’s flagship player’s racquet. The nSix-One Tour is designed to offer greater frame strength, more stability and more power. A good all around racquet, the nSix-One Tour 90 will reward those skilled enough to swing it with accuracy and good weight of shot. We found the racquet to play very stable, even when in use against hard-hitting opponents. Best suited to 5.0+ NTRP level players.

Babolat Pure Control Team Standard Racquets
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, standard length, midplus (98 square inch) player’s racquet with a very stable, comfortable feel, the Pure Control from Babolat fits the bill. The Pure Control is ideal for players who like solid heft, stability and, as it’s name implies, control. Advanced and tournament level players will find the Pure Control is a diamond in the rough – and gaining popularity quickly. Used by several ATP and WTA Tour pros. Includes Babolat’s Woofer System grommet technology

Head Flexpoint Prestige Racquets
Midplus
As with the Mid, the Midplus offers a crisper, cleaner feel compared to previous Prestige racquets. Some extra beam stiffness results in a solid and stable feel from all areas of the court. The weight and mobility of the Midplus makes for a very stable racquet that’s more than up to the task of handling the heavy hitting found at the higher levels of play. We found this one well suited to all court players. There’s plenty of control from the baseline and a little extra pop compared to previous versions. Advanced players will still find this racquet mobile when pushing forward, yet there is ample weight and a crisp feel, allowing the player to stick volleys with plenty of gumption. The larger sweetspot and more forgiving nature of the Midplus headsizes makes this a solid choice for 4.5+ level players who take long, fast swings at the ball.

Tweener Rackets
When thinking about how to choose a tennis racquet a popular option is the tweener racket. Tweener Rackets are for intermediates are designed for players who hit with enough pace and placement to want good control, but don’t mind some modest power contribution from the racquet. Rackets designed for players between the intermediate and advanced levels are often called "tweener rackets." Tweener and intermediate rackets tend to be somewhat lighter in the 9.5-11 ounces range, stiffer, and less head-light, with larger heads (95-102 square inches) than advanced racquets.

Babolat Pure Drive Roddick Plus Racquets

In an update to the immensely popular Pure Drive, Babolat introduces the Andy Roddick signature racquets. Stiffer and heavier than the regular Pure Drive, the Pure Drive Roddick offers a tad more power and improved stability. This is the standard length version of Roddick’s racquet – Roddick actually plays with the Plus (27.5) inch long version. Designed around the actual weight of Andy Roddick’s racquet, the Pure Drive Roddick swings with noticeably more heft than the regular Pure Drive and offers a solid feel at impact. In true Pure Drive tradition, spin potential is impressive and players with aggressive swings will love the response off the stringbed. We found some added weight to groundstrokes, making both topspin and slice shots more penetrating. At net the Pure Drive Roddick retains a maneuverable feel, while offering some added punch and a crisp yet solid feel. We found some nice weight, plenty of pace and ample access to spin on serves. Our testers found some added kick on spin serves and a firm response that offered accurate targeting. Best suited to players at the 4.0+ level seeking a racquet that offers some solid punch from all areas of the court.
Headsize = 100 sq inches
Length = 27 inches
Weight = 11.7 oz

Prince O3 Hybrid Hornet Racquets

Prince O3 Hybrid Hornet Racquets
The tradition of the Prince Hornet continues with the O3 Hornet Hybrid racquets. Offering noticeably more power and a more dampened and comfort oriented response, the O3 Hybrid Hornets set themselves apart from their Triple Threat predecessors. The "Hybrid" in the O3 Hybrid Hornet name refers to the combination of existing Prince grommet technologies with Prince’s O Ports at the 12 & 6 o’clock racquet head positions.

Wilson nTour Two Midplus 105
A great intermediate doubles stick and ideal for players looking for access to power and spin from all areas of the court. Players at the 3.5 level and above will find maneuverability and plenty of power for attacking play with this racquet. We found this one to play very similar to the nTour 105, but with a more dampened and solid feel on all shots. At 105 square inches, this racquet is still a Midplus (Oversize designation is for 106 sq. in. and up), but it offers the playability of an Oversize – larger sweetspot and more power. A versatile racquet from all areas of the court, the nTour Two 105 offers controllable power for both flat and spin hitting. We especially liked this one on those tough mid-court volleys where the light weight and adequate power level helped make it possible to hit deep and penetrating volleys. Only a moderate swing speed is required to find plenty of pop on serves and groundstrokes.

Head Flexpoint 4 Racquets
The Flexpoint 4 won Editor’s Choice in Tennis Magazine. It offers a great mix of power and control. Flexpoint racquets have specifically engineered holes at 3 and 9 o’clock to increase frame flexibility at those points. This new ‘flexpoint’ allows the racquet to cup the ball resulting in greater control, feel, and a larger sweetspot.

The Head Swing Style Rating for this racquet is S4. Head Recommends that this racquet be strung by a USRSA Certified Stringer.

Headsize: 107 sq. inches / 690 sq. cm.
Weight: 10.3oz / 292g strung
Length: 27.3 inches

Power or Game Improvement Rackets
Generally when choosing a tennis racquet in the game improvement or power category, tennis rackets that fall under this category are oversized or super oversized tennis rackets. They can range anywhere from 108 to 135 square inches, weigh merely 8 to 10 inches unstrung and are longer. Longer tennis rackets are 27 to 29 inches. These tennis rackets are stiff and are either head heavy or evenly balanced to keep most of its weight in the sweet spot hitting zone. They help players with short, less powerful swings, requiring that extra little advantage out of a tennis racket. Players suffering from slight tennis elbow or lack basic techniques will find these rackets forgiving and perhaps what they are looking for when choosing a tennis racquet
Here are some of the top game improvement racquets:

Babolat Drive Z Oversize
Head Size:110 sq. in. / 710 sq. cm.
Length: 27.5 inches / 70 cm
Weight: 9.3oz / 265g
CLUB PLAYERS with a short swing looking for both power and maneuverability – as well as comfort.
CORTEX SYSTEM: FILTER+ DAMPENER Filters and dampens vibrations for maximum comfort

Prince O3 Silver
Headsize:: 118 sq in OVERSIZE
Length:: 27.75
Weight:: 8.8oz / 250g unstrung
Powerful racket with larger hitting spot, helpful for players with short swings.

Wilson n1 nCode Rackets
An ultra stiff game improvement racquet designed to offer the kind of power slow swinging beginners need. The n1 features Wilson’s nCode Technology. nCode takes the construction of racquets to the molecular level and nCode racquets are said by Wilson to be twice as strong, twice as stable and up to 22% more powerful than ordinary racquets. The n1 definitely delivers a lot of power and the 115 sq. inch, Oversize head features a large sweetspot. The open (16/19) string pattern makes spin easy to generate on faster swings and offers a lively feel. Even though the n1 is light and maneuverable, its head heavy balance provides good stability on both groundstrokes and volleys. With plenty of pop at net, this is a great choice for both singles and doubles players who like to finish the point with a winning volley. Best suited to 2.5-4.0 NTRP level players.

HEAD METALLIX 10 Tennis Racquet
Strung with Head Synthetic Gut PPS 17.
Full cover included, Plastic still on handle.
Made of a specially designed Matrix of carbon fibers and a new crystalline metal alloy.
Metallix is one of the lightest and strongest new materials today.
No chain is strong enough to harness the power of HEAD Metallix.
HEAD Stabilizer that eliminates racquet vibration and ensures the ultimate in comfort on every shot.
Flexpoint system: Power. In control.
Head size: 124 sq.in. (800 cm2).
Weight (unstrung) 8.6 oz (245 g).
Length: 27 1/3 in. (695 mm).