A Racket That Boasts a Rare Balance of Power and Control

(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- Like most athletic equipment, tennis rackets have evolved in bursts of innovation followed by decades of stasis. Billie Jean King and Jimmy Connors switched from wood to steel in the 1960s, and it was another decade-plus until the industry switched to graphite in the ’80s. Since then, the basic shape and composition have remained mostly the same. Now venerable brand Wilson has made a bid for the future with its $249 Clash 100, a racket that aligns carbon fibers to give maximum flexibility without sacrificing control.

The Competition

• For beginners focused on form and footwork, the Yonex Astrel 115 ($249) has a giant sweet spot and a flexible frame that does a lot of heavy lifting on its own.

• The Babolat Pure Aero 2019 ($229) has dominated the midlevel space for years, thanks to its capacity for powerful topspin, making club players look good since it was introduced in 2003.

• You’ll have to whip up dazzling racket speed to generate power with Head’s Speed Pro ($230), but when you do, you’ll be rewarded with an explosion off the strings and near-surgical precision.

The Case

Normally, highly flexible rackets—the kind that provide a more forgiving sweet spot at the expense of control—are considered amateur-only. They can’t handle heavy rallies or targeted shots at net. But the Clash 100 balances that flexibility with a stability that allows the racket to comfortably function for midlevel to advanced players. Weighing 295 grams (10.4 ounces), it still gives you enough control to return a sizzling kick serve or slam a cross-court winner. $249; 212-755-5805

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Chris Rovzar at crovzar@bloomberg.net, James Gaddy

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