What the evolution of the tennis racket means for your game

Tennis players are obsessed with their gear. Finding the right racket can be a lifelong journey. On court, the racket is the extension of the player’s arm. During the perfect shot both become one – a moment of bliss that all tennis players strive for. It’s not much of surprise, then, that the search for the perfect racket is as long as the history of the game itself.

With its origins dating as far back as the 12th century, the game of tennis has a storied history. However, the very first tennis racket was produced in 1874 and made of solid wood, meaning John McEnroe could have caused some serious damage back then. In 1968 the first steel racket entered the market and gained legendary status when it was used by one of tennis’ superstars, Jimmy Connors. A decade later, it was the introduction of aluminium that revolutionised the racket once more. The introduction of graphite in the 1980s again lightened the weapon, furthering the previous advancements.

All of these innovations were driven by the desire for more control and, simultaneously, more power.

Tennis players crave both power and control, which historically are two competing concepts in the industry.

In most cases, rackets that provide a lot of power feature a larger head size, which increases the trampoline effect. Additionally, the rackets are lightweight, longer and stiffer which allows the ball to rebound more quickly, with greater speed. Last but not least, they are balanced head-heavy to retain enough weight in the hitting zone.

On the other hand, control-oriented rackets are typically heavier in weight and have smaller heads to avoid the deformation of the hoop. Thinner and more flexible beams allow the ball to sit on racket a bit longer when hitting and provide players with a bit more control. In addition, control-oriented rackets are balanced head-light to retain maneuverability. All this results in a racket designed for players who provide their own power and prefer equipment that offers more control.

To attain the goal and combine both in one, HEAD took inspiration from across industries, including the world of cars and photography, and married it with their already pin-point engineering of tennis rackets.

The solution is a multi-material approach, combining two elements with complementary benefits. Injection-moulded magnesium found in a car chassis for example, provides a perfect complement to HEAD’s Graphene Touch rackets. The multi-material approach of the lightweight, stable, pin-point engineering of magnesium dovetails magnificently with the shock absorption and dampened feel of the Graphene Touch. So with MxG – Magnesium and Graphene – HEAD deliver the best of both worlds.

The unique design and construction of the Magnesium Bridge is the key to HEAD's new racket. Besides the benefits of the material itself, the build of the racket allows even more power and control.

Players on the professional circuit have already felt the benefits.

“I noticed immediately my ball was so much heavier and bigger”, said America’s Taylor Fritz after using the racket.

“I like how it gives you power and also control. Usually you get one or the other but this racket gives you both.”

In technical terms, the vertical strings go through the bridge, whilst in a conventional racket the strings only touch the bridge in the upper part. This extra length leads to longer free-moving main strings, which allows a greater trampoline effect and bigger sweetspot. In addition, the Magnesium Bridge construction has a bigger contact area with the frame compared with a conventional racket which leads to more stability and finally more control.

The engineering is not only revolutionary but also aesthetically impressive. Or, as 12-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic says, “It looks impressive… it looks like a sword.”

This will certainly not be the last innovation in the quest for the perfect racquet. But if the assessment of players like Djokovic and Fritz is any indication, the MXG technology may well change the game for good, finally marrying power and control in one racket.