Articles written by: belinda
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I am a tennis-loving journalist who has decided to make it my job to find the best information on the web relating to tennis products and supplies. Gathering this information for your convenience can save hours of weeding through product endorsements and gimmicks (hours that I myself have had to endure).
I have interviewed owners and manufacturers, including, but not limited to: Jill LaCorte of Cortiglia, Liz Waggoner of 40 Love Courture and Lynne Burns of Maggie Mather. I will continue to seek out owners, designers and manufacturers of all the top names in tennis and share that information with you here. Be sure to find me on Facebook and Twitter. I look forward to connecting with you!
There are a vast number of tennis shoe manufacturers out there today. So many, in fact, that the term “tennis shoe” has become a generic description for just about any footwear with a cushioned sole and a fabric or leather “non-polishing” upper. K-SWISS Tennis shoes, however, are the real deal.
Art and Ernie Brunner, two brothers from Switzerland, formed K-SWISS in Los Angeles in 1966. They had immigrated to the United States and began playing tennis. Well—they must have loved tennis because they formed their company and introduced the world’s first leather tennis shoe that same year! They named their new shoe the “Classic”—a name and product that is still available almost 50 years later. K-Swiss Tennis shoes are very popular—and designed specifically for the sport of tennis. K-Swiss has also expanded their product line to include footwear for several other sports and lifestyle activities.
K-Swiss tennis shoes are available in several designs, for men, women, and children. Most of their shoes are easily recognized from afar because of the K-Swiss “style”—multiple (5) horizontal sewn-in stripes on the sides (K-Swiss used white stripes on white leather in its early products).
K-Swiss tennis shoes have some interesting names within the Men’s Women’s and Children’s lines such as Big Shot, Defier, Tubes, Stabilor, Ultrascendor, Glaciator, Optim, Uproar, and Arvee. (whew—talk about “spellchecker” going crazy!!) But once you get acquainted with the line you will quickly realize that K-Swiss puts a lot of thought and effort in their shoe designs.
The men’s Bigshot, for example, is marketed as the “fastest tennis shoe on the market” and was tested by the P3 Sports Science Institute. It weighs only 13.5 oz. and offers a cushioned ride with its “superfoam” footbed. It offers “Guideglide” stability midsole construction and has a ballistic propulsion plate that helps keep players on the balls of their feet during play. It sole is high-abrasion rubber and the Bigshot comes with a 6-month outsole wear warranty.
Some K-Swiss Tennis shoes are also offered in a “mid” size (increased height around ankles) for players who wish for a bit more support and stability. And what’s really nice is the fact that K-Swiss Tennis Shoes are even made for what they call “little kids” (sizes 10.5 to 3)—a good thing when trying to encourage our kids to play tennis (provide good support and they look “just like” Mommy or Daddy).
So the next time you are shopping for shoes you may wish to give K-Swiss tennis shoes a tryout. Their line is huge, quality exceptional, and they are dedicated to the sport of tennis. After all, they were the “original”!
Since tennis racquets are among the more expensive items one can buy, each tennis player in the market for a racquet should put some thought into their next purchase. Looking at the style of tennis player you are and what your mechanics are like are important steps in finding the racquet that best suits you. This process is especially critical for competitive tennis players who need a racquet that at the very least, won’t put them at a competitive disadvantage. With these factors in mind, we examine a few models of Wilson BLX racquets designed for those who play above beginner levels.
Before looking at specific models, it helps to know more about what’s behind Wilson BLX technology. In a nutshell, it is an improvement over Wilson [K]arophite technology, which combined carbon black and silicon dioxide (SiO2) with graphite fibers for improved strength while maintaining lightness. BLX uses basalt, a rock formed from the cooling of volcanic lava. Basalt fibers are added to [K]arophite fibers, resulting in a racquet that is even stronger but has a better feel because of reduced shock and vibration from striking the ball.
Intermediate Players
The term, ‘intermediate’, can be vague, but for our purposes we will use it to describe players with NTRP ratings of 3.0-4.5. There are a few models of Wilson BLX racquets for players who fall in this range.
The Pro Open BLX racquet has a 100 square inch head with a 16 x 19 string pattern with a four point, head light design. It has a moderate power level and is meant for players with a moderate to full, medium or powerful swing.
The Blade 98 BLX racquet has a two point, head light balance with a 98 square inch head and 18 x 20 string pattern. Its characteristics more closely resemble those on racquets used by competitive players. The power level is low to moderate, and is meant for 4.5+ level players who have an aggressive, long stroke.
The Surge BLX has a two point, head light balance with a head size of 100 square inches and a 16 x 19 string pattern. It’s almost identical to the Pro Open BLX except it has a lighter feel with a two point, head light balance.
Competitive Players
For the sake of discussion, we will use ‘competitive’ to describe players with NTRP ratings of 5.0-7.0. There are several more options of Wilson BLX racquets suited for this level of player to choose from with a few new models for 2012.
The Six.One Tour BLX racquet is designed for the more elite tennis players. If you have a long aggressive stroke and an NTRP rating between 5.0 and 7.0, this model may be right for you. It has a 90 square inch head size, 16 x 19 string pattern and a nine-point, head light balance. It comes as no surprise that one of the top players in the world, Roger Federer, used this racquet in competition.
The Six.One BLX comes in a couple of variations, each with 95 square inch heads and an an eight point, head light balance. The biggest difference is that one has a 16 x 18 string pattern, while the other has an 18 x 20 string pattern.
Juan Martin del Potro, winner of the 2009 US Open, uses the Wilson Pro Tour BLX racquet. It has an 18 x 20 string pattern and a seven point, head light design with a 96 square inch head.
The Blade Tour BLX has a smaller 93 square inch head size and designed for those who want more control and maneuverability in a racquet. The six point, head light model has an 18 x 20 string pattern.
New Models
Several new models of Wilson BLX racquets are scheduled to ship on January 22 and can be pre-ordered now!
The Pro Staff Six.One comes in three different variations. The 90 square inch model uses a 16 x 19 string pattern and designed for players with NTRP ratings of 5.0-7.0. The other two variations are the 95 square inch model (16 x 19, 5.0+) and the 100 square inch model (16 x 18, 4.5+).
The Juice Pro BLX model is another racquet used by Juan Martin del Potro. It comes in a 96 square inch model (16 x 20, 4.5+), a 100 square inch model (16 x 18, 3.0+) and the large headed 108 square inch model (16 x 19, 3.0+)
The Steam BLX comes in a 100 square inch model, new for 2012. It has a 16 x 20 pattern with moderate power for 3.0+ players.
Conclusion
If you are an intermediate to competitive player looking for a racquet with good feel and state of the art materials, look no further than the many fine Wilson BLX racquets. There are several models to choose from for any skill level and style of player. The new racquets for 2012 are coming out in just a few days and are also worthy of consideration. Regardless of what racquet you prefer, you can rest assure that if it comes from Wilson, it comes from one of the leaders in providing quality tennis equipment.
Tennis racquet frames have made an impression evolution over they years, from wood to aluminum to graphite. While simple graphite alone is a strong, light material ideal for the demands of tournament play, Wilson improved on simple graphite with nCode and [K]arophite Black technologies. These technologies are available in Wilson K Factor racquets to players of any level.
A Closer Look at [K]arophite Black
To better understand the benefits of the advanced technology in the design of Wilson K Factor racquets, it’s helpful to look at how the material is produced. [K]arophite Black is a nanotechnology done at a microscopic level to improve racquet strength without sacrificing the lightness of graphite.
Take a look at a simple graphite racquet. It’s made up of a light, yet sturdy material, a great improvement over aluminum and wood racquets of previous generations. At a microscopic level you would see the graphite fibers with lots of open space between them.
Wilson improved on this by filling the spaces between the graphite fibers with silicon dioxide. If you’re wondering what silicon dioxide is, it’s one of the most plentiful substances on earth. You typically see it everyday in the form of sand, silica or glass. Wilson scientists found that adding this material to the spaces between graphite fibers on a microscopic level resulted in an even stronger racquet body. This become the nCode technology used in previous generations of Wilson racquets.
Not content to stop there, scientists found that they could take nCode technology a step further. Using carbon black fibers to connect the silicon dioxide particles to the graphite fibers added to the racquet strength even further. Thus, [K]arophite Black and the Wilson K Factor racquet was born.
Other Technologies Found In Wilson K Factor Racquets
The [K]ontour Yoke is an improvement in frame technology, limiting the twisting movement that the racquet can make while striking the ball.
The [K]onnector is one of two wing shaped fittings molded to the hoop the racquet for an increased sweet spot and greater control.
The [K]ompact Center is a rounded triangular shaped design in the area between the hoop and handle. This innovation was inspired by Roger Federer and improves the handling characteristics of the racquet.
Specific Models
If you are a beginner (NTRP 1.5+) then the K Factor Zero is ideal for you. Its 4 points, head heavy balance is best for players with a short stroke looking for power. The head is a large 118 square inches with a 16 x 19 string pattern.
The next step up is the K Factor Three, designed for a slightly better skill level (2.5+ NTRP) but an 8 points, head heavy balance for those who still have short strokes and need power from the racquet. Its 115 square inch head is slightly smaller than the K Factor Zero’s with a 16 x 19 string pattern.
Those with an NTRP skill level in the 3.5+ range should look at the K Factor Blade Team. Its 4.2 points, head light balance works well for those with a moderate swing. The head size is 104 square inches and has an 18 x 19 string pattern.
Another option for those with a moderate swing is the K Factor Four. The skill level for this racquet is in the 3.0-4.5 NTRP range, so it would likely be a good fit for those considering the Blade Team model. It has a 3 points, head heavy balance with a head size of 105 square inches and a 16 x 19 string pattern.
If your skill level has advanced to the 4.5+ range, the K Factor Blade 98 is worthy of consideration. Its 98 square inch head allows greater maneuverability and its 3 points, head light balance works well with aggressive swings and it has an 18 x 20 string pattern.
Conclusion
The Wilson K Factor series represents a big step in racquet engineering and design. Players of all skill levels can take advantage of this technology that uses common, everyday materials.
Anyone who is the least bit interested in tennis will surely confirm that Babolat products have a huge presence on the courts. From recreational and/or occasional participants to Professional players, one does not need to look far or hard to see Babolat’s logo all over the place!
Babolat’s Pure Drive racquets have been a consistent leader in sales volume and are recognized as appropriate sticks for a wide variety of skill levels. There must be a reason…
All Babolat Pure Drive racquets feature three main technologies:
1) Cortex System
2) GT
3) Woofer
Benefits of the Vibration Filter
The Cortex Dampening System (CDS) is an active vibration filter that enhances feel. “Feel” is tough to describe and may mean different things to different people. Babolat Pure Drive racquets, however, have had great success with the Pure Drive Series and one of the most common remarks heard is “it just feels great”! The CDS is an interface between the upper half (racquet face/frame) and the lower half (racquet handle). It interrupts, or “filters” unwanted vibrations from reaching the player’s hand. This, in turn, improves the player’s sensation of ball impact, i.e., ball “feel”. Not all vibrations are removed (players need to know what’s going on). Generally speaking, high-frequency vibrations are removed while useful low-frequency vibrations are retained. Any regular tennis player seems to know the difference between “good sound” and “bad sound” upon ball impact (I was SURE that ball was going to be IN—it sounded so GOOD!). Babolat says that Expert Players will benefit from the CDS because of its enhanced feel and that intermediate players will benefit from the additional comfort it provides.
Lighter Weight through Scientific Advancements
Babolat GT refers to the materials used to manufacture Pure Drive racquets: Graphite Tungsten. Used throughout the entire racquet, GT is a hybrid technology that combines braided carbon fibers with tungsten filaments added. Babolat states that GT technology improves racquet performance in the areas of “control” and “feel”. Babolat scientifically applies different concentrations of tungsten at strategic locations on each racquet to maximize its beneficial aspects. Babolat also states that GT technology results in a 10% increase in energy recovery which provides more power.
We’re Not Making Music Here
Woofer is Babolat’s invention and is designed to increase the interaction between the frame and the strings. Part of thePure Driveracquet’s grommet system, it consists of raised areas between the grommet holes which act as cushions for the strings. When a ball hits the stringbed this allows 25% more contact time of the ball on the strings. The result is more control and a very comfortable feel.
As you can now tell, there is more to selecting a racquet than a pretty paint job. Tennis companies spend a great deal of money designing features that will give their products an edge over the competition. Babolat has been, and remains, a leader in the industry. Their racquet technology has surely been instrumental in their success—many racquets are purchased because they “feel good”. And why not?
The Wilson Six One tennis racquet family is one of the most widely used on the professional tour. The Six.One’s have also been a long-time favorite of skilled amateur players around the world. Wilson Sporting Goods, for 2012, has categorized the Six.One 95 BLX as a member of their “Control & Spin” series of tennis racquets.
APPEARANCE / STYLE
Anyone who has been involved in tennis for a while will immediately recognize the Wilson Six One 95 design. It has the tried and true flat-beam construction with added material on the ‘hoop’ at 3 & 9 o’clock. This 2012 model has an attractive Red/White/Black color theme with striped accents. I think it looks great—a classy design, not overdone—for a traditional player’s racquet.
TECHNOLOGY
The Wilson Six One 95 BLX features 2 of Wilson’s newest tech features:
- Basalt (BLX): Basalt fibers are woven into the frame to reduced unwanted frequencies (vibrations) and to provide better feedback and feel.
- Amplifeel: A new handle technology that provides enhanced feel by using graphite & basalt planks, Foam, and a softer butt-cap.
SPECIFICATIONS
The Wilson Six One 95 BLX has a 95” head and weighs 11.7 oz. unstrung. It has a choice of string patterns: a very open 16 x 18 pattern or a tight 18 x 20. The label on the racquet says it is 12 pts head-light and its flat-beam cross-section is a thin 21.6mm wide. It is rated by Wilson as appropriate for skilled players with a long stroke. It is the standard 27” length. This play-test utilized the 16 x 18 string pattern.
GROUNDSTROKES
Experienced baseliners will greatly enjoy the performance the Wilson Six One 95 BLX delivers. Its weight (as one of the heavier racquets Wilson makes) really counteracts the force of the incoming ball. And the amount of power it delivers for a 95” racquet is fantastic! (but you must have a full and fast swing to gain maximum benefit). I was also pleased with its accuracy—as long as I hit in or near the “sweet-spot”. One note about the weight: even with its 12 point head-light design, the racquet is a bit slower coming around than a lighter racquet. And late-hits can cause all kinds of trouble, including injury. So be sure to demo this racquet and make certain its right for your game.
VOLLEYS
The Wilson Six.One 95 BLX was very accurate at the net. It felt very stable and solid. It was a bit slower than a lighter racquet—but that was to be expected. It was not very forgiving, however, on “off-center” hits. Any hit near the hoop would really twist the racquet in your hand and the where the shot went was “anyone’s guess.” But again—this is a racquet designed for players who rarely miss the center of the strings!
OVERHEADS
Overheads / smashes were outstanding with the Six One 95 BLX. It really propels the ball and is dead-on target. Anyone who plays with this racquet will really, really look forward to “sitters”.
SERVES
Serves were also excellent with the Six.One 95 BLX. And for many of the same reasons overheads were great—good power, great accuracy, and wonderful “feel”. Its weight and balance allows fast racquet-head speed. It is a great weapon for the server.
SPIN POTENTIAL
The Wilson Six One 95 BLX tennis racquet is available with two string patterns: 16 x 18 (more spin/power) and 18 x 20 (more control). I used the 16 x 18 and noted that it provided a predictable and adequate level of spin/slice etc. I was a bit surprised, however, with the great job it did with drop-shot performance (really cool!).
CONCLUSION
The Wilson Six.One 95 BLX is a racquet best suited for players in the 4.5+ NTRP category. It is a time-tested design with the addition of new technology. Any player who has the ability and confidence to swing fully, attack the ball, and can provide sufficient power will absolutely love this racquet.
Written by Greg Christopherson, a long-time tennis player and a professional racquet stringer who lives in Oceanside, Calif.
The Wilson Six One Team BLX tennis racquet is a new member to Wilson’s Six.One family of player’s racquets. It is, in essence, a lighter and somewhat differently constructed version of Wilson’s popular Six.One 95 BLX racquet. Wilson places the Six.One Team BLX racquet in their “Control & Spin” category for 2012.
APPEARANCE / STYLE
If you like the appearance of the Six One 95 BLX you will also be pleased with the style of the Six.One Team BLX—they are identical in appearance. The Team BLX features a nice Red/White/Black color scheme and reminds me of some “old school” racquet designs. My play-test racquet had a black Wilson “Performance Hybrid” grip which seemed to have just the right amount of tack & moisture control.
TECHNOLOGY
The Wilson Six One Team BLX features 3 of Wilson’s newest tech features:
- Basalt (BLX): Basalt fibers are woven into the frame to reduced unwanted frequencies (vibrations) and to provide better feedback and feel.
- Amplifeel: A new handle technology that provides enhanced feel by using graphite & basalt planks, Foam, and a softer butt-cap.
- Double Holes: Increased diameter on grommet holes to allow more string freedom which increases the “sweet spot” and adds power.
SPECIFICATIONS
The Wilson Six One Team BLX has a 95” head and weighs 10.2 oz. unstrung. It has an open 16 x 18 string pattern. The label on the racquet says it is 4 pts head-light and its flat-beam cross-section is a thin 20.7mm wide. It is rated by Wilson as appropriate for skilled players with a long stroke. It is the standard 27” length.
GROUNDSTROKES
I was immediately comfortable at the baseline with the Six.One Team BLX. Its lighter weight allows rapid acceleration for aggressive playing styles. It is a control-oriented racquet (smallish head-size, thin beam) and, therefore, you must provide the power! But when you do, you will certainly be pleased—it allows you to shoot for the “corner pocket” with confidence. It is a solid racquet with very little vibration or other distractions.
VOLLEYS
The good news is that the Six.One Team BLX is very quick at the net. It light weight and head-light balance equates to fantastic maneuverability. And speed often equates to success when facing incoming volleys at a rapid-fire pace! It was even more accurate than I anticipated (I believed the open string pattern and Double Holes may lessen accuracy—I was wrong!). The “less than good” news was that it was very unforgiving on hits near the hoop. Any ball that hit near the frame really made the racquet try to twist in my hand—a bit more than I believe it should, even considering its light weight and 95” head-size. But it is, after all, a racquet designed for skilled and advanced players.
OVERHEADS
The Wilson Six One Team BLX is excellent when hitting overhead smashes. It is easy to generate power (via head-speed) and control was good.
SERVES
Serves were very good with the Wilson Six.One Team BLX. I was able to generate sufficient power on flat serves and pretty good spin on 2nd serves. It did not offer the control or the power potential of its sister racquet (Six.One 95 BLX) but I did feel as if I could serve “all day” without tiring.
SPIN POTENTIAL
The open string pattern of the Wilson Six One Team BLX, combined with the ‘Double Hole’ technology seemed to help it generate good spin and slice. The strings are able to “bite” the ball a bit more due to its design and a player can really hit H-A-R-D without fear. Big Swing + Ball Bite = Spin!
CONCLUSION
The Six One Team BLX is an update and modification of proven technology. It is a control-oriented, medium weight, and very easy to maneuver racquet. It should be a consideration for players in the 4.0+ NTRP categories who have a full swing and are seeking more control.
Written by Greg Christopherson, who is a long-time tennis player and a professional stringer from Oceanside, Calif.
Wilson made some changes to their 2012 tennis racquets. Wilson categorized their racquet into three types: Control & Spin, Power & Spin, and Power and Comfort. I was able to play-test their new JUICE 100 BLX racquet which is placed in the “Power & Spin” category.
APPEARANCE / STYLE
When I first observed the WILSON JUICE 100 BLX I immediately thought of the tropics. I know this may seem strange—but it’s baby-blue/white/dark blue/yellow color combo reminded me of paint schemes in coastal beach-themed restaurants! It just doesn’t look very aggressive—like maybe a player with this stick will play “softly”?I think the paint job will take a little time grow on me…
TECHNOLOGY
The WILSON JUICE 100 BLX features 3 of Wilson’s newer tech features:
1) Basalt (BLX): Basalt fibers are woven into the frame to reduced unwanted frequencies (vibrations) and to provide better feedback and feel;
2) Amplifeel: A new handle technology that provides enhanced feel by using graphite & basalt planks, Foam, and a softer butt-cap;
3) Double Holes: Increased diameter on grommet holes to allow more string freedom which increases the “sweet spot” and adds power.
SPECIFICATIONS
The WILSON JUICE 100 BLX Mid Plus has a 100” head and weighs 10.7 oz. unstrung. It has a very open 16 x 18 pattern and is 4 points* head-light. It has a moderate 26.5 mm dual-taper beam. It is rated by Wilson as appropriate for players with a medium to long swing. It is the standard 27” length.* Wilson literature states 4 pts. HL, however, the frame decal states 7 pts. HL.
GROUNDSTROKES
The JUICE 100 BLX feels very stable & solid on ground-strokes. It does add some power—I had numerous shots go “wide” about a foot or so that I thought were going to be “in” when I hit the ball. But once I got dialed-in to the racquet’s performance I became very comfortable with it’s shots. Vibration was almost non-existent and it has a good “sound”. I knew, going in, that it is a head-light racquet, but it seemed to feel more evenly balanced. But the racquet does come-around quickly and hits with authority.
VOLLEYS
The WILSON JUICE 100 BLX provided excellent power on volleys and it’s accuracy was very good. It was not as quick at the net as some other racquets, but it should play well for experienced doubles players and “net rushers”. It is forgiving on off-center hits (resists twisting).
OVERHEADS
This racquet was a stable performer on overheads. I always felt like I knew exactly where the ball was going and at what pace. It encouraged me to put that ball AWAY!
SERVES
The WILSON JUICE 100 BLX serves well. I was immediately comfortable with ball placement and spin. I did not, however, seem to get the power I anticipated on first serves.
SPIN POTENTIAL
The very, very open 16 x 18 string pattern increases the possibility of ball spin. I even noticed that it performs extremely well on slice and drop-shots. The moderate/wide beam, however, may get in the way of players who use a great deal of slice (not much margin of error—the ball will hit the hoop).
CONCLUSION
The WILSON JUICE 100 BLX is a solid performer. It feels great, adds power, and increases spin. It may take a few matches to become accustomed to it’s balance and the way that effects your movement. And you either love or hate the paint job (or don’t care?!). I think it is a good choice for a wide range of player types and could be effectively used by players in the 3.0 – 4.0 Category (NTRP).
Greg Christopherson is a professional tennis stringer who lives in Oceanside, Calif.
Wilson Sporting Goods has made some changes to their tennis racquet line for 2012. One thing Wilson has done is to categorize racquet by three types: Control & Spin, Power & Spin, and Power & Comfort. I was able to play-test their new STEAM 100 BLX racquet which is placed in the “Power & Spin” category.
APPEARANCE / STYLE
The WILSON STEAM 100 BLX simply looks great! It has an exciting & colorful red/white/blue/yellow scheme and probably won’t show scratches or other “war-wounds” like some “plain” racquets often do. If you ignore the paint you’ll see that it is a bit of an “old school” design, i.e., flat-beam construction. But, as you read below, it is an “all new” product.
TECHNOLOGY
The WILSON STEAM 100 BLX features two of Wilson’s newer tech features:
1) Basalt (BLX): Basalt fibers are woven into the frame to reduced unwanted frequencies (vibrations) and to provide better feedback and feel;
2) Double Holes: Increased diameter on grommet holes to allow more string freedom which increases the “sweet spot” and adds power.
SPECIFICATIONS
The WILSON STEAM 100 BLX Mid Plus has a 100” head and weighs 10.4 oz. unstrung. It has a moderate16 x 20 pattern and is 5 points* head-light. It has a moderate 23 mm flat beam. It is rated by Wilson as appropriate for players with a medium to long swing. It is an extended-length racquet with a 27 ¼” length.* Wilson literature states 5 pts. HL, however, the frame decal states 8 pts. HL.
GROUNDSTROKES
The STEAM 100 BLX is outstanding at the baseline. It hits groundstrokes with confidence and power. Its control (ball placement) was exceptionally good—one can really swing-away and have some fun moving your opponent around! It is surprisingly quick considering its extended length—getting it around is not any problem at all. The only negative—and it is a very minor issue (I’m being picky)—is it has a slight more vibration than I anticipated. But this only occurs, however, on off-center hits. This vibration did not bother me at all—just surprised me. After about one set I forgot about it.
VOLLEYS
The WILSON STEAM 100 BLX provided excellent control on volleys and its power was above average. It reacts quickly on reflex-volleys and, again, its extended length was not a negative at the net.
OVERHEADS
The STEAM 100 BLX performed well on overhead “smashes”. It was solid and the accuracy was very good.
SERVES
The WILSON STEAM 100 BLX is really in it’s element on serves. I was able to generate excellent racquet-head speed and the extra .25” seems to provide a little more “pop”. I was very impressed with its accuracy and power. It does everything right when serving.
SPIN POTENTIAL
The STEAM 100 BLX provides sufficient spin and its 23mm beam gives enough clearance on slice shots. Whether topspin, underspin, or side-spin, it does it all well.
CONCLUSION
The WILSON STEAM 100 BLX is a racquet that has excellent “feel” and provides good power. Its accuracy is outstanding and it’s a “rock-star” when serving. It should be great for a wide range of players. i.e., “touch” players will love it as well as big-hitting baseliners. It’s a light, modern, well-designed stick that is suitable for players in the 3.0 – 5.0 range (NTRP).
Greg Christopherson is a professional tennis stringer who lives in Oceanside, Calif.
Adidas Barricade tennis shoes have a long tradition of adorning the feet of the top professional tennis players on the world-class courts of the Australian Open.
For eleven years, Adidas has put top notch design and technology into the progression of better and faster hard-court tennis shoes and the New Adidas Barricade 7 is no exception. All of the technology that made the Barricade 6 a top seller and a favorite hard court tennis shoe among women and men is present in the 7 with an added design innovation that adds flexibility, maneuverability and longer lasting stability.
In 2008, Novak Djokovic won his first Grand Slam title in a pair of the Barricade Fives. This year, Andy Murray (who also helped to develop the 7), Viktor Troicki, Andrea Petkovic and many more are sporting the newest member of the technologically advanced Adidas tennis shoe family.
What makes the Barricade 7 surpass other hard court tennis shoes is the introduction of the new, flexible support claws. This innovative answer to the challenging forefoot flex point not only reduces break-in time, but continues to provide forefoot flex support longer and more reliably than traditional flex point reinforcement methods.
The fact that this shoe is 30 grams lighter than its predecessor sure helps its cause. One reviewer said these new Adidas tennis shoes were so light he could almost forget that he had a pair of the Barricade 7s on.
The Adidas Barricade 7 is not a low profile shoe by any means, the five interlocking layers that make up the heel cushioning and the external TPU chassis make sure of that. But the stability, torsional stiffness and impact protection provided in that area makes for one comfortable ride.
The legacy of this high performance hard court tennis shoe comes surprisingly from the research and success of a state-of-the-art Sprint frame soccer shoe. The outsole “seamless welded upper” provides lightweight comfort, superior breathability, unmatched flexibility and extended durability.
The lateral forefoot outrigger provides additional forefoot support that prevents shifting and toe injury. An internal side wall on the outside of the forefoot creates additional lateral stability to a tennis shoe that is already packed with stabilizers.
The highly durable adiWear all-court, herringbone outsole is complimented by two circular grip points and a forefoot flex groove at the point of the Adidas ‘Claws.’ For reliability in movement, shifting and fast soot work, the new Barricade has covered all the bases.
From the Barricade’s not-so-humble beginnings on the feet of Marat Safin as he won the 2000 U.S. Open to Djokovic to Murray slip your foot into the new Adidas Barricade 7 and slip your foot into a tradition of excellence.
With the new shipment of Dunlop’s Biomimetic racquets and the amazing performance they suggest, let’s take a closer look at the technology and how it works for you.
The concept of Biomimetics in science is the study of nature and how we can utilize the natural ebb and flow of life around us in the technology we use in our daily lives. The oldest example of this is the aerodynamic shape of the airplane taking after a bird in flight. Another, not so recent example is Velcro, modeled after Gecko tack.
Dunlop Biomimetics takes the billions of years of evolution and natural selection and harnesses it into a sleek, stealth and effective weapon on the court.
The Cx Technology in in all Dunlop Biomimetic tennis racquets means that special consideration has been taken when considering the Cx factor, or the Drag Coefficient. The tapered beam cuts through air, reducing drag.
The anatomic construction of Dunlop Biomimetic racquets can be seen at the base of the racquet’s throat and imitates the ways in which natural bone structures move and respond to stress.
The two-part Biomimetic grommet system is made up of 3Dom pods that imitate cartilage and surround the actual (anti-friction) grommets. The pods provide cushioning, dampening and greater movement much like cartilage does for our skeletal system. The anti-friction grommets are modeled after the freedom of movement exhibited by sand sharks. Tiny ridges prevent the racquet string from digging into the grommets, providing more freedom of movement and additional power.
Dunlop Biomimetic tennis racquets have already been tested by the fiercest player in the world, Mother Nature. Take thousands of years of natural selection with you next time you step out on the court and show how natural selection works for you.
