Technology remains a vital element in all aspects of tennis, from umpire and linesmen hawk eye systems to player telemetry sensors that help keep tabs on performance and improve games.
Babolat utilizes Cortex Pure Feel in their racquets to dampen impact-induced vibrations and use Kraibon frames with reduced frame twist for enhanced stability.
Liquidmetal(r)
Today’s tennis racquets have come a long way since their wooden predecessors and feature cutting-edge technology that enhances player performance on the court. New materials and construction techniques have radically transformed the sport, from smart racquets with built-in sensors to virtual reality training programs; making their impact felt worldwide.
Liquidmetal(r), the latest innovation in tennis racquet technology, is an innovative material with extraordinary strength yet flexibility. Constructed of carbon fibers and metal, this extraordinary material delivers outstanding strength and durability while remaining light enough for players to swing faster and further with minimal arm fatigue. Acoustically neutral Liquidmetal further improves racquet feel for more precise ball placement.
TRIAD technology, another breakthrough in tennis racquet development, uses an autoclave process to evacuate air between graphite layers in order to eliminate impact shock and vibration, so players can focus on their game without distraction. It is exclusive to Wilson racquets.
Environmental sustainability is becoming an increasing priority for tennis enthusiasts, and brands are exploring more eco-friendly materials such as carbon molding. This method uses molds to shape racquet frames more responsibly while producing better-balanced frames than traditional manufacturing processes.
Graphene is an emerging technology made up of hexagonal carbon atoms arranged like honeycombs to form an extremely lightweight yet strong material, boasting 200 times stronger resistance than steel and 1,000 times stronger resilience than Kevlar. Used extensively by Head racquets including Cortex Pure Feel models; Babolat took this concept one step further with their d3o technology using Basalt fibers to filter out high impact frequencies while simultaneously reducing shaft and hand vibrations.
Hyper Carbon(r)
Tennis racquet technology has taken great strides forward to improve overall play of the game. New materials such as Hyper Carbon and Sonic Core technologies help enhance energy return, control, and power.
Hyper carbon is a composite material designed to increase stiffness without adding weight, creating a larger sweet spot and improving direction control. Sonic Core uses urethane and silicone dampening technology to dampen vibrations while increasing how much energy the string can store for increased power output.
Yonex’s d3o material is an advanced material designed to respond differently to various impacts, adapting its frame stiffness accordingly and adapting itself to every player. When struck at high velocity by fast shots, d3o molecules come together within nanoseconds to stiffen up for maximum power; but as soon as slower shots such as slices or drop shots hit it will defer and soften the impact for greater feel and control.
Volkl uses VCell in their racquets to absorb vibration frequencies and lower vibrational frequencies. Woven into resin where shaft and head meet, this material improves frame rigidity and stability for improved frame rigidity and stability.
Other technologies from Babolat include their Hybrid Frame Technology that combines the control of a square beam with the speed and dynamism of an elliptical beam to provide players with more options when selecting their ideal balance of control and power for their game. This allows them to find their optimal equilibrium of control and power when choosing their best strategy for tennis play.
Other technologies used to enhance racquet performance include changing the thickness of its shaft and throat to decrease wind resistance and accelerate swing speed, as well as using raised ridges on grommet designs that lock strings into place, increasing sweet spot length for more string movement – these two technologies enable players to generate more spin with every hit!
Dynamic 16×19 String Patterns
No matter if you prefer aggressive ball-striking or more controlled shots, you can adjust your racquet for maximum control with a dynamic string pattern. The number of mains and crosses determines your string pattern; which can either be open or closed/dense depending on its number of openings between strings at impact resulting in more power and spin when hitting. On the other hand, closed/dense patterns provide tighter feel and better control due to smaller openings between strings at impact with tighter feel and denser openings between strings which allows more movement upon impact creating more power and spin from impact and spin for power and spin respectively.
The Dynamic 16×19 string pattern can be found in many frame styles and combines an open 18×19-like structure with dense 16×18-like pattern for increased power output. This string pattern works well with synthetic, natural and multifilament strings alike.
This racquet also incorporates futuristic smart material d3o, which adapts its behavior depending on your strokes and needs. On fast impacts (aggressive shots), its smart molecules quickly lock together within nanoseconds for maximum power; on slower impacts (slices or drop shots), its molecules deform to provide a softer feel.
Daniil Medvedev endorses this racquet for its effective blend of power and precision. With a 98in2 headsize and 305g unstrung weight, its stability can withstand big swings without compromise. Engineered with crossbar stabilizing system that incorporates graphite in three critical locations (midway through throat, at 3-9/12 o’clock and bottom handle). Tungsten is also added in key spots of Triple Braid construction for increased power and precision.