Every couple of years the racquet manufacturers introduce new technologies that promise to improve your game and make you a better player, but very few people know what they really are and what they do. I would like to discuss the latest technologies from some of the top racquet manufacturers.


Babolat
In the last couple of years Babolat has introduced a couple of new technologies, both designed to make your playing experience a little more comfortable.

  • Smart Grip: The ergonomic design of this grip allows your entire palm to be in contact with it. The grip is actually shaped like an hourglass, with two raised areas for each of your hands. Racquets with this technology do not have a traditional butt cap that tapers out, but instead is flat. Some people feel that a Smart Grip feels larger than a traditional grip and go one size smaller.
  • Cortex: This is a vibration reduction system that is located just above the grip on the throat of the frame. Babolat has updated some of their most popular frames with this technology in the last two years. I have found that Cortex frames feel slightly more stiff than their non-Cortex predecessors. Some players like this, others feel as if it “deadens” the feel of the racquet.

Dunlop
Last year Dunlop unveiled a new frame construction technology that has put their name back on the map as a major player in the racquet industry.

  • Aerogel: Aerogel is “the worlds lightest solid” and an increase in power and stiffness are the result of adding it to a frame. In my opinion these Aerogel racquets do play stiffer than their M-Fil and Hot Melt counterparts. I have not found them to be noticeably more powerful however.

Head
Head has two major technologies currently on the market, one for power and one for touch and feel.

  • MicroGel: This silicone based technology equally distributes itself at contact to give the frame a more solid feel, and superior touch. Like Dunlop’s Aerogel, MicroGel does seem to give a more solid feel to the frame, but I have not found an increase in touch in my game by using them. I will say that for me, this is the best performing technology that Head has introduced since the Titanium boom of the late 90’s.

  • Crossbow: This is so new it isn’t even on the market yet! Crossbow replaces Metallix as Head’s power technology starting in late June. Crossbow racquets load power at ball impact by a flexing of the top of the throat. When the ball strikes the string bed the top of the throat flexes up and loads the power before launching the ball off of the strings. My initial impression of Crossbow technology is that it does add power, but not an uncontrollable amount.

Prince
Prince arguably has the most talked about technology in years. I get more questions about this technology than any other manufacturer technology on the market. Part of it could be the marketing onslaught that Prince has waged through endless commercials on Tennis Channel, or it could be the odd looking holes on the sides of their racquets.

  • O3: On O3 racquets traditional grommets are replaced with round or rectangular O Ports. These O Ports allow the racquet to cut through the air faster and thus increase racquet head acceleration. The O Ports also allow the strings to move more freely, which in turn increases the size of the sweetspot. There are several different levels of O3 technologies. Some frames have O Ports at the 12, 6, 3 and 9 o’clock of the frames, while some only have them at 12 and 6 o’clock. Some of the frames come with stringhole inserts for a more traditional feel without sacrificing the aerodynamic properties of the O Ports. I will say this about O3 racquets. They play much better than Prince’s racquets in the last several years. I have not found that I can swing faster with these frames (nor do I have the equipment to measure), but they do feel better. This technology is definitely worth a try.

Wilson
In 2007 Wilson gave their entire line a technology upgrade with the introduction of this technology. Anytime that the number one player in the world is swinging your racquet there will be some buzz about it. Tell the people that he helped develop it, and the buzz will become a roar.

  • [K] Factor: [K] Factor is actually made up of 4 seperate technologies, but they are all based on the next generation of nanotechnology. Not all [K] factor racquets have all four technologies.
  1. [K]arophite Black- a material technology that increases frame stiffness for a stronger, more powerful frame.
  2. [K]ompact Center- the throat of the frame is made smaller for more stability and greater maneuverability.
  3. [K]onnector- 2 external wings at 3 and 9 o’clock that flex at contact to widen the sweetspot.
  4. [K]ontour Yoke- the yoke of the racquet contours in to enhance stiffness at key points on the frame, thus making the frame more stable.

Each manufacturer is trying to get a bigger piece of the racquet sales pie, and by introducing these new technologies they create a buzz in the industry. Do these technologies make you a better player? No, practice and hard work does. But by choosing the right racquet you can make your life on court a lot better. All of the racquet makers make racquets for all types of players, you have to try them to see which ones you like best. Some racquet innovations have changed how the game is played, others have made less than impressive impressions. It is up to you to decide which ones work best for you and your game!