NEW TENNIS RACQUET.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 714, 18 March 1933, Page 7

NEW TENNIS RACQUET.

Patented Throughout the World. A tennis racquet constructed on an entirely new principle has been patented throughout the world by Slazengers, Ltd., and will be on the market in Christchurch in readiness for next season. The new feature is that the ash frame is cradled in a bed of cane, in the same way as cricket bats are spliced into a cane handle. The effect is that the strength of the racquet is tremendously increased and becomes virtually unbreakable. It gives very much increased speed in deliveries, at the same time lengthening the life of the gut. The racquets are manufactured in Sydney by the Australian house of Slazengers, Ltd., London, who have been producing 2000 racquets a week. The new racquet, which goes under the name of Matchpoint, was released a month ago in Australia, and the output has been increased to 500 a w T eek to meet the demand even in that short time. Leading Australian players have adopted it, among those to do so being R. Dunlop and J. Purcell, the visiting Australian stars. Dunlop is an Australian representative player and last year’s doubles champion. Purcell is the Victorian junior champion. The retail price of the racquet in New Zealand will be £4 15s. Mr S. J. Hines, of the Slazenger Company, is at present visiting the city and will be here for another ten days. He stated this morning that his firm felt that the price of sporting equipment in New Zealand was too high and it was his mission to put their goods on the market at the lowest level possible. 6