In the 1970s, tennis racquets started to get bigger and bigger, and this trend has continued through the years. However, Serena Williams is now going against the tide after she unveiled a new, smaller Wilson racquet for the US Open, where she will try to win her record-tying 24th Slam title. It will sport the name of Blade SW102 Autograph.
“I love my previous Blade tennis racket, and it’s been a huge part of my game, but I knew I needed to make adjustments,” said Williams. “A tennis racket is such a sensitive thing. I talked with Wilson about wanting more control and what that could look like, and importantly, feel like. So, we got to work. I am really into technology and trying new things out. And while the process was long, we ultimately designed exactly what I need for my game. I’ve had this new racket in my hands for most of this year, and it just feels right.”
The size reduction will supposedly help the American champion to exert better control on her shots by modifying the racquet’s flex points along its string bed and frame.
“We took the same stiffness and feel she loved in her previous racket and re-engineered it into a smaller geometry. With a smaller frame, you naturally add control,” said Ron Rocchi, Advanced Innovation and Player Insight Manager for Wilson Racquet Sports.
Wilson Lab engineers designed a frame that is about five square centimetres smaller than the previous model (about two inches, going from 104 to 102 square inches), a change that shouldn’t entail a drop in power and pace. The project took a year to come to fruition, and, as the American media have revealed, Williams tested it at the Australian Open, but then the Serena Williams 2020 Prototype model was blacked out – she has tried nine different 102 square inch models before settling on this one.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the racquet “features a stealthy black finish accented with Serena Williams-inspired gold at the racket’s hoop” (per PR Newswire), and will feature a motivational quote as well as Serena’s signature on the inside frame– the Wilson logo will be on the outside of the frame.
“Serena is undeniably the best women’s tennis player in the world,” said Rocchi. “She has always had aggressive goals for her career, and therefore, ever-willing to try new technologies that can complement her on court and give her an edge. The extensive prototyping and playtesting process we underwent allowed us to build a new racket that would support both Serena’s style and high-level of play.”
Williams is the third seed at this week’s Western and Southern Open. Granted a bye in the first round, she will start her campaign against either Arantxa Rus vs Alison Van Uytvanck.
