Global tennis footwear brand ASICS have announced a new online tennis event exploring a variety of topics, from coaching and playing tips, to the mental benefits of physical exercise to tips for tennis content creation

The February 1st event has been organised by the ASICS Tennis Academy, a community of more than 200 tennis coaches across Europe, located France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. ASICS have said “Whether you are a tennis coach, tennis player, a tennis fan or a content creator, our ASICS Tennis Academy Webinar is free, and open to all.”

The list of event speakers includes a wide range of expertise and skills that will be offering advice and support to anyone keen to improve their knowledge of the game. Some of the speakers included are:

Alex Corretja: Spanish former professional tennis player and ASICS athlete, who won the Tour Finals in 1998, reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 2 in 1999 and played a key role in helping Spain win its first Davis Cup title in 2000. Currently part of Eurosport’s team of expert consultants, he will be taking you through the ASICS Tennis Academy Webinar as our host of honor.

Thomas Johansson: Swedish retired professional player on the ATP Tour, who won a Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and reached a career high of World No. 7 in 2002. He converted into coaching the likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Borna Coric, Maria Sakkari, Filip Krajinovic and David Goffin. Currently coaching Sorana Cirstea on the WTA Tour, Thomas is one of the few to have coached both men and women’s professional tennis players.

Dr. Brendon Stubbs: A physiotherapist and acclaimed mental health researcher focused on the impact of physical activity on mental health. He is one of the most cited researchers (top 1%) in the world and his research has been featured in publications like the New York Times, TIME magazine, Forbes, CNN, BBC News, ITV News and Sky News. His recently published European Psychiatric Association guidelines provide invaluable insight into the use of exercise for mental health.

Ashley Neaves: Founder of The Tennis Mentor. Director & Coach at The Avenue Tennis. Coach Education Tutor. 18 years of coaching experience working with players from club level to National champions, and competitors on the ITF tour.

The event schedule includes sessions on ‘Coaching at a top level’, ‘How tennis can uplift your mind’ and ‘The importance of wearing the right gear for performance and injury prevention’.

‘Elevate your game at the ASICS Tennis Academy Webinar and learn from the best coaches in the game!

To claim your free place visit the event booking site

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The lightest model in the ASICS tennis shoe range, the Solution Speed FF3, has received a full revamp including new technologies that have ‘blown away’ world No.17 Belinda Bencic.

Japanese footwear and apparel brand ASICS are continuing their impressive record of regular technological enhancements for their premium tennis shoe range by announcing the launch of the 3rd iteration of the Solution Speed, the FF3 model.

Designed to favour attacking all-court players, the Solution Speed is considerably lighter than the other two models in the ASICS tennis shoe range, the Gel Resolution and the Court FF. This lightness combined with the shoe’s updated SPEEDTRUSS technology gives the flexibility needed to move freely.

“With each new product we launch, we start from the core pillars of the ASICS design philosophy. ASICS uses athlete wear testing, biomechanical science, recycled materials and decades of continuous innovation to create products that feel best for both body and mind,” said Tatsuya Ishikawa, Global Product Manager, Tennis Footwear. “Solution Speed FF3 is a great testament to this process, and we are confident it will be a game-changer for the speedy all-court player.”

Launching on January 15th, 2024, the shoe features ‘Precision-Sole’ technology “derived from the fact that it is the precise amount of material needed to have the optimal grip, without adding unnecessary weight,” say ASICS.

ASICS invested heavily in the design process over the past two years and in fact Tennishead CLUB members were involved in prototype testing and feeding back for this model. ASICS were able to to reduce the amount of rubber, one of the heaviest parts of a shoe, without losing grip on the court, then they applied a unique pattern, which is a combination of advanced technology and Japanese craftsmanship.

For the first time in a tennis shoe, the upper features a “newly developed engineered woven mesh, designed for more breathability and comfort than previous models, but still durable using a thick woven material.”

World No.12 Alex de Minaur was integral in the design process for the new Solution Speed FF3. “It was a great process, to be able to give my feedback on how to improve a very good shoe already. They delivered what I needed, more flexibility and a lighter feel, but also some serious evolution with the PRECISON-SOLE outsole. It just shows the attention to detail ASICS always have when creating new tennis shoes, and that is why they are the best for me.”

The ASICS Solution Speed FF3 will be available to new Tennishead CLUB members from January 2024 as the key benefit in our unique virtual tennis club. Find out more.

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The much trodden path for aspiring tennis players is well documented. Head to a sun soaked tennis factory, play tennis under the watchful eye of a famous coach for 6 hours a day and hey presto! But for coaches themselves there was never the support program in place to help them learn their trade and achieve their career goals. That was until the ASICS Tennis Academy came along.

Launched in 2020, the ASICS Tennis Academy (ATA) aims to ’empower tennis coaches of all levels’. Existing virtually with regular online meet-ups and live events, the academy currently supports coaches from 6 European tennis playing nations with more being added. Coaches can apply to join or ASICS will use their team in each country to identify and invite prospective members.

Tennis coaching can be lonely with a lot of those working as coaches being self employed and having to stand on their own feet as they learn their trade and grow their businesses. Other tennis brands will offer coaches deals to help provide kit but no brand has ever put in place a support network that is focussed on helping coaches grow their knowledge and experience in this way.

We spoke to ASICS Tennis Academy manager Louis Rouach and also to ATA member Harrison Lombe about the history of the academy and their experience.

Why did you launch the ASICS Tennis Academy (ATA)?

Thomas Johansson is a member of the ATA

Louis Roach (LR): “The plan behind the ATA was to support tennis coaches both on and off court.

“Firstly, we researched tennis coaches from around Europe about their specific needs and to understand the support they received from other brands in terms of equipment, but also off court support. From the research we realised that existing coach-brand relationships are very contractual and based just around equipment.

“The ATA has done well in creating a European community of tennis coaches that is connected and shares knowledge. Tennis is very individualistic but we want to create links between coaches from many different countries and levels of coaching. The ATA is not just about elite coaching as we want to help coaches who teach from beginner right up to the likes of Thomas Johannson, Danilo Pizzorno, Ruben Hidalgo, Jordi Vilaro and Richard Ruckelhausen (formerly coach of Gael Monfils).

“We believe that if we can support the ‘everyday’ club tennis coach then we can help to grow the game and help coaches and players to improve.”

What are the benefits of being a coach with the ATA?

LR: “ATA is about being part of an international community with access to other tennis coaches who you can talk with a share thoughts, ideas but also players. We have coaches that we have helped to exchange players.

“We also have Facebook and WhatsApp groups within each country for the coaches to share knowledge and we’ve arranged events for the same reason, such as webinars. These training sessions involve sharing programs, tips and expertise on all areas of tennis coaching from mental, to physical, to social media and online understanding that can help the coach improve not only their on court work but also their off court lives and business.

“It’s a unique program that we haven’t seen anywhere else or even in other sports.”

What’s been the most interesting learnings since starting the ATA?

LR: “We’ve found it fascinating to see coaches within the ATA exchanging players. We know that and individual sport like tennis will always create rivalries but by having the ATA as an international group then you lose the concern over sharing secrets with your competitor coach or player.”

How have you recruited the ATA coaches?

LR: “We started small through our existing ASICS community managers in each country who had existing relationship with coaches. We needed coaches who were willing to give their time and expertise rather than just wanting to receive equipment from ASICS.

“The ATA has now grown and this increased visibility has meant coaches knocking on our door wanting to join our program. Now from January-March each year we are open to applications from any coach from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium or The Netherlands then we’ll launch in the UK in early 2024.”

What’s the profile of an ATA coach?

LR: “We have a diverse profile of coaches in our academy. A lot of coaches are from clubs who want to improve themselves so that they can be more effective in coaching club players. We are also trying to promote the interests of female tennis coaches around Europe as we see that as something which isn’t catered for particularly well at the moment.

“We also look to recruit coaches who are strong influencers on social media as this helps to get the message out about ATA to a wider cohort.

“We have high visibility coaches who are working with tour level players on the ATP and WTA Tours such as Thomas Johansson. We really like when we see these tour level coaches on the ATA chatting with club coaches about their work because it creates an unexpected level of community sharing.”

Have ASICS been using the ATA to learn about tennis shoes and other products which can help your main business requirements?

LR: “100% we have. ATA coaches are asked to help with feedback on our products by testing our new shoes and apparel. We need feedback not only from top level players but also from everyday club players as they are the ones that will be wearing our products, and the ATA coaches have been really helpful with this.

“We have a clearly defined feedback loop where the ATA coaches can talk to the community manager in their country who can then direct that feedback to ASICS own product development team. This might be for a one-off product issue or we might have a recurring occurrence that needs to be fixed by our designers in Japan, which all helps to give us an edge over our competition.”

Why are you now looking to launch the ATA in the UK and what about the USA?

LR: “We’ve been looking at the UK for quite a while. We now have the resources in the UK which means we are set up with the necessary manpower to get the ATA UK live in 2024.

“ATA has been launched as a European initiative but we are having discussions with all other regions such as Japan and the USA but we have to learn the best ways of working in those countries before we can extend the ATA outside of Europe.”

Harrison Lombe is an ATA coach member. He was a professional player himself then turned to coaching and is based at the Barcelona Total Tennis academy. He started by coaching the juniors at the club and then worked his way up to become a travelling coach working with the professional players linked to his Barcelona academy. He is now working exclusively as the coach for Rebeka Masarova who is currently ranked No.64 in the World.

What’s the main differences between coaching a top professional like Rebeka Masarova versus coaching at a tennis club with amateurs?

Harrison Lombe (HL): “With a top player it’s very different. They already know what they need to do and so there is much less screaming at them to motivate them, like I have to with the juniors I’ve worked with in the past!

“Pros have a lot of input in their own training so we can have a conversation about what they need to practise and learn. The relationship you have with a player is also a big part of the coaching so you can help them to be in the best mindset when they are competing. The mental side of the game at the top levels of tennis is so huge so as a coach it’s important that you give them the belief that they can win. A quote I love is that it’s ‘the one who believes more is the one who’s going to win’, so if your player has the right plan then they can come out the other side with a win whereas at the junior level of coaching it’s quite different.”

What’s the difference in your coaching style between being at a tournament with your player and being on the practise court

HL: “I like to take what I’ve learned from watching them play their tournament matches and apply that to the practise court. A pro player like Rebeka knows how to hit the ball. She’s No.64 in the world! So we work on finding her best mental space and working on the best tactics to push for that 1% improvement which, at her level, makes the difference between winning and losing.”

Why did you want to get involved with the ASICS Tennis Academy?

HL: “When we were approached by ASICS I was excited because I always wore ASICS shoes when I was a player. Now with the program that the ATA provides I’ve been able to get to know other coaches from around the World and I still talk to them and have made friends with them. I can use their insights to help my own work and push myself forward. And the ASICS brand mantra of ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’ really resonates in my tennis work and also in my life, so it’s a perfect brand to represent.”

What does it involve when you engage with other ATA coaches?

HL: “I’ve attended a live event for the ATA in Paris which was interesting as I met coaches from different backgrounds. From the sessions we attended I noticed coaches using different techniques and in tennis you can always be learning. I’ve then connected on social media with the other coaches from the ATA.”

Coaching can be lonely so does the ATA help you feel part of a community?

HL: “The way ASICS has helped form this group of coaches means I have colleagues now that I can talk to about anything, right away. I like to learn something new so having other coaches that I can talk to online or at events is great.”

How much impact do you believe equipment has on a tennis player’s game?

HL: “As a coach you definitely get involved in the equipment that your player uses. Players want everything to be perfect and with ASICS we’re lucky that they produce three different models of shoe to suit different playing styles. I think choosing the right equipment is hugely important and it definitely effects performance. You see many pro players are wearing ASICS shoes even if they aren’t sponsored to wear them because they feel they are the best tennis shoe available.”

What would you say are the benefits to club coaches of being part of the ASICS Tennis Academy?

HL: “Joining a community that you can call upon to help you become a better coach. I’m one a few coaches in the ATA that are coaching high level players, so for the other coaches to be able to draw upon our knowledge is a huge benefit. As a tennis coach you have to take any help you can to improve your own work. I love stealing ideas from other coaches so having the ATA really helps in providing ideas and tips and advice from all levels of coach.

“Making connections around the world is also great. If you ever need something as a coach in another country then you can find a coach through the ATA in that country who you can ask for help.”

If you are a coach or club that wants to get involved with the ASICS Tennis Academy then applications are open from January to March each year and you can be kept up to date by following @ASICStennis or by emailing Louis.

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Wilson have launched a number of new models recently and the Shift is the one with the most radical technological developments, so we were excited to review it and see how the increased flexibility performed.

Wilson have said the Shift is “ideal for intermediate to advanced, all-around players, with an innovative string pattern and bending profile built to be stable, yet laterally flexible for controllable power and devastating spin.” A lofty claim which certainly needed testing from some serious players so, for the first time, we’ve recruited an ATP and a WTA player to try out the Shift and give us their experienced feedback.

What’s new about the Shift 99 and 99 Pro V1?

Wilson LABS, their dedicated tech development unit, are responsible for the Shift which has incorporated lateral bending into the frame. Wilson LABS have published some fascinating insigth into the flex qualities of the Shift…

“Shift is a continuation of our learnings on the innovation side of how a tennis racket bends. With Shift, we were able to figure out ways to control all the different bending moments of a tennis racket: how much the racket bends both horizontally and vertically, as well as how much it twists. When we figured out how to make a racket bend in all these different directions, we then spent the next few years creating rackets with all these unique characteristics and bending profiles that we could test and get consumer feedback on. This resulted in a racket that was very flexible laterally and very firm horizontally. This combination of this bending profile together allows you to hit the ball with a lot of power through the court, but also with a lot of spin.”

“Surely all frames bend a bit?”, we hear you say, but what’s different about the Shift is that the flexibility is designed to occur laterally. Translated into how that impacts performance, the idea is that the frame can literally snap back into position just after impact therefore helping create more spin and power without losing stability.

Wilson say they’ve “engineered the frame geometry for optimal stability, allowing players to hit through the court with depth.”

Shift also features a very ‘open’ string pattern with 16×20 in the Shift 99. This grips the ball better, allowing it to move across the string bed.

In terms of appearance the Shift certainly stands out with it’s “arctic ice-inspired design, indicative of a conceptual racket”.

The Wilson Shift 99 & 99 Pro review

It’s crucial for our credibility that when we take a product out onto court we let the players try it out and then we simply publish what they report. It’s the only truly unbiased method of reviewing a racket. This time we were joined by Alice and Sean who are professional tennis players on the ATP/WTA and ITF tours.

Sean currently uses the new Wilson Pro Staff v14 as he likes the stiffness of the racket which suits his hard hitting style. Alice plays with a Yonex VCore as she likes to mainly play from the baseline with plenty of spin on her forehand and aims to hit winners when in the right position.

Watch as our experienced racket tester takes the Wilson Shift 99 & 99 Pro V1 onto court:

First Impressions of the racket when hitting groundstrokes?

Alice: “It felt quite smooth and comfortable though more so on my forehand because that side for me is naturally more of a spin shot and the Shift really complimented that.”

Sean: “Instantly the Shift felt very comfortable and easy on my arm and I was able to generate a lot of spin. I normally use a stiffer racket but I didn’t feel any stress on my arm with the Shift and was able to create more ‘pop’ with my shots.”

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On whether the lateral flexibility delivered the increase spin with good stability on both your forehand and backhand sides, as claimed by Wilson?

Alice: “I found that power was easy to generate and my shots were travelling with more of an arc.”

Sean: “The racket makes you feel like the ball is being catapulted off the strings which gave me more shape and some free spin and all this without me having to change the way I hit the ball. Certainly I generated more net clearance and therefore better safety and depth.”

When hitting volleys how did the Shift perform?

Sean: “The 18×20 string pattern in this Shift Pro enabled me to control my volleys nicely. The extra flexibility in this frame helped my volleys feel very cushioned compared to my Pro Staff which is really stiff.”

Alice: “My volleys were effective but felt a little less punchy with this racket.”

What’s your feedback on the performance of the Shift on both flat and spin serves?

Sean: “Serving flat with the Shift was similar to playing with my Pro Staff but I did notice a big difference on my spin serves. Due to the extra height I was able to manoeuvre the ball further off the court. I felt like the flexibility, weight and the balance of the Shift made it easy to throw my arm at it when serving to generate a lot of ball speed.”

Do you think the Shift is suited to a specific style of tennis player?

Alice who’s an aggressive baseliner said: “For me the Shift is suited to someone that wants to work their way into the point utilising the flex and spin from this racket.”

Sean: “I think this rackets suits someone who plays from anywhere on the court but especailly a baseliner thanks to the better shape on the groundstrokes”

Wilson say the Shift is designed for intermediate to advanced players. In your opinion do you think the racket would work well for those levels of player?

Alice: “I’d say that a varied level of player could play with the Shift but I’m uncertain how many tour players would use it, however it really is down to personal preference.”

Sean: “I really liked this racket when the opponent was hitting a lot of pace at me. I found I could whip the ball up and down from different court positions that I wouldn’t necessarily be able to achieve with my Pro Staff.”

During competitive play what did you notice about the Shift?

Sean: “When the opponent gave me a deep return off my serve I was able to pick the ball up easily and direct it where I wanted, which is something I struggle with using my current Wilson Pro Staff.”

Alice: “I found this racket was one-sided for me, in favour of my forehand where the Shift offered a nice natural shape. Maybe that’s down to the way I hit my backhand which is quite flat so this racket didn’t naturally compliment my style.”

What’s your view on the radical design of the Shift?

Sean: “I love the pearlescent colour scheme which looks futuristic, clean and not flashy. I also like the glossed, smooth feel to the frame.”

Tech specs

Alice used the Shift 99 V1

• Weight Unstrung: 300g
• Head size: 99 sq in
• Balance (+/- 5mm): 325mm
• Lenght: 27 in
• String pattern: 16×20
• Material: Carbon fibre

Sean used the Shift 99 Pro V1

• Weight Unstrung: 315g
• Head size: 99 sq in
• Balance (+/- 5mm): 325mm
• Lenght: 27 in
• String pattern: 18×20
• Material: Carbon fibre

What’s the conclusion about the Wilson Shift 99

A fascinating response from our professional play testers for the Wilson Shift 99.

Both Alice and Sean found the spin-generating capabilities of this racket really shone through and pointed out how that improved the shape of their shots giving them a decent arc over the net without having to alter their technique. Consistency of groundstrokes with good net clearance and spin that dips the ball into the court is a huge benefit for tennis players so the Shift certainly scored top marks in that department.

Sean was also enthusiastic about his ability to hit more spin on his serves allowing him to take his opponent further out of court.

However, Alice was a little disappointed when hitting her flat, two-handed backhand with the Shift although she did point out that maybe a spin-focussed racket isn’t the natural partner for her style of backhand swing.

Both players felt the Shift performed well under pressure and agreed that a range of playing styles and standards would be recommended to give this new frame a try.

Buy the Wilson Shift 99

Head over to your local tennis retailer to purchase this latest version of the Wilson Shift 99 or buy direct from Wilson

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Ross Batten, the owner of the online tennis business AllThingsTennis.co.uk, continues a mini series identifying some of the sport’s most celebrated rackets. This time, it’s the Babolat Pure Drive.

The Babolat Pure Drive was originally released in 1994. Babolat had previously been best known for their VS range of strings, but after the launch of the Pure Drive the French company quickly became one of the world’s leading racket manufacturers.

Pierre Babolat, who had taken over the running of the historic family business in 1985, invented the Pure Drive to accommodate new playing styles that were emerging. It was one of the first rackets with a 100 square-inch head and weighing 300 grams. Carlos Moya put the new racket on the map in 1998 by winning the French Open with it and subsequentially becoming world No 1. Kim Clijsters, Andy Roddick and the Bryan brothers also joined the Pure Drive bandwagon.

Eric Babolat, the company’s current CEO, gives Rafael Nadal much of the credit for the brand’s worldwide popularity. Although Nadal is associated more with the Pure Aero racket, it was the Pure Drive that began his love affair with Babolat. Throughout his junior career Nadal used a Soft Drive, which has the same mould as the original Pure Drive but weighs only 270 grams.

Nadal then switched to a Pure Drive Swirly, which he used when he first played on the professional tour in 2003. At 16 he burst through the qualifying draw at Hamburg before beating Moya, who was world No 4 at the time. The Pure Drive Swirly is often regarded as one of the best versions of the Pure Drive and is still coveted by collectors for its soft feel and easy power.

There have been 10 versions of the Pure Drive. The latest, which was released in 2021, still features the 100 square-inch head, weighs 300 grams and has an open 16 x 19 string pattern. However, the racket has been updated with a wide range of new technology.

The big change from the original version is the more explosive power you get from the frame. This is achieved by a higher stiffness rating (RA) through the addition of “High Torsional Rigidity” (HTR), which is a new lay-up composition in the hoop of the racket for increased rigidity. Comfort levels are retained by the addition of SMAC technology, the cutting-edge vibration filtration system integrated in the lay-up composition. There have been modern iterations of the Pure Drive with different weight options, such as the Team, Lite and Super Lite models, to improve its accessibility to the whole playing market.

ALSO READ: Babolat Pure Drive Tour (2021) review

Although each iteration plays slightly differently, Babolat have never deviated too much from the winning formula which has made the Pure Drive the best-selling racket in history. The current version is one of the most used rackets on the WTA and ATP tours.

In the end the main reason why the Pure Drive is the best-selling frame of all time is not its history or its associations with particular players.  It comes down to the fact that the racket is so easy to pick up and play with. Both club players and professionals can use the racket with ease and enjoy its easy power and spin capabilities. It is perfect for modern baseline tennis.

HISTORY OF THE BABOLAT PURE DRIVE

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Tennis shoes come in all shapes and sizes but only one brand, ASICS, create trainers that are specifically designed for different styles of player. We spoke to an expert to find out what makes each ASICS model different and why.

Calum works for ASICS and is a font of knowledge on each model of tennis shoe in their premium range and understands how each shoe is created to support different styles of tennis player. The current ASICS tennis shoe range is made up of the Gel-Resolution, the Solution Speed and the Court FF. ASICS do have other tennis shoes but these three are the premium range and are the models specifically designed to suit different styles of player.

The 3 models weren’t all launched at the same time with the Gel-Resolution coming first and is now on it’s 9th iteration. Then the Solution Speed and Court FF were both launched around the same time with the Court FF on it’s 3rd model and the Solution Speed on it’s 2nd with a 3rd due to be launched very soon.

The general rule of thumb for the three different styles is that the Gel-Resolution is the most sturdy and durable which makes it ideal for a baseline grinder or someone who needs plenty of support when they move around the court. The Solution Speed is the lightest of the three ASICS tennis shoes and is designed to support players that want to move around all areas the court especially when attacking the net. The Court FF was actually designed in close collaboration with none other than Novak Djokovic and therefore is designed to suit someone who wants the ‘best of both’ in terms of the support required to play long rallies from the baseline but then also quickly shift into the dynamic movements of an attacking player.

In terms of weight, the Gel Resolution comes in as the heaviest followed by the Court FF and then the Solution Speed which is around 50g lighter than the other two.

Tennishead has reviewed each shoe independently using our expert tennis play testers and you can check out those review here:

Gel-Resolution 9 review

Solution Speed FF2 review

Court FF3 review

When we spoke with Calum we wanted to delve much deeper into how ASICS have created such a popular and unique range of tennis shoes which are favoured by many of the top professionals both on the ATP and the WTA tours.

Tennishead: “How has the Gel Resolution developed over the years?”

Calum from ASICS: “Nine shoes in about nine years, so a lot can change in that time. As a brand we are constantly innovating, pushing the boundaries on technology, so a lot can change in nine years. So, for us as such a traditional brand, but also an innovative brand it’s very important for us to look at what’s new, and what’s coming in.

“So, we can see the changes of midsole materials to lighter weight foams, we can see uppers changing to more sustainable fabric, but also durable, and then we also see the things like additions to support as well, so we see the introductions of the DYNAWALL, circa a year ago. So, we see a lot of change and a lot of dynamism within the shoe and ultimately that’s where we get to with the Gel Resolution 9, a really nice supportive shoe that’s designed for that baseline player.

Tennishead: “What makes the Gel Resolution 9 so suited to a baseline player?”

Calum from ASICS: “It’s all about support and stability, so if we take a look at the outsole of the shoe we can see it’s got a full ground contact (felt?), so that gives great traction underfoot, it gives you great stability and a nice steady platform. As we come up, we’ve got the DYNAWALL in the midsole, which is designed to handle those lateral movements and take the pressure off the foot, and just keep you nice and secure on that platform.

“That works really nicely with the DYNAWRAP, which is within the lacing system. So, as you pull the laces in nice and tight, it creates a great wrap around the foot, again giving you that support, giving you that stability that you know and want for that baseline player. Then you’ve got the nice Flexion fit upper, which just gives that little bit of flexibility, but still keeping your foot nice and secure overall.”

Tennishead: “How can the Solution Speed be light and flexible without compromising stability?”

Calum from ASICS: “Some people have in mind that if you get a lighter weight shoe it’s going to be less stable, but we can put some really innovative technologies in there to help with that. If we start with the outwards sole, it’s got a two-piece which creates great flexibility from the outset, but what we also have is our special Twistruss, which gives great torsional stability within the shoe, but also maximises flexibility from the way it’s strategically placed within the shoe and also the ergonomics of it.

“As we come into the midsole, we’ve got a really nice piece of Flytefoam, which gives really nice softness underfoot, but is also really nice and lightweight. So, it’s 50% lighter than industry standard DVA. What we do have is a nice addition on the forefoot as well of Flytefoam propel, so it just gives that little bit more of an energetic pop as you want to get to the front of the court for that all-court playing style. And then as we come up into the upper, we’ve got Flexion fit, which again nice and flexible to make sure that your foot is supported well, but in those quicker movements.”

Tennishead: “Can a tennis player really notice the weight difference between the shoes?”

Calum from ASICS: “For us, I think that it depends on the playing style, so these are designed for two different playing styles. One is designed for the baseline, which is the Resolution, and then you have the Solution Speed, which is designed for an all-court playing style. So, ultimately if you were to wear the Resolution to play all-court, you would notice it, it would feel a little bit bulkier and a little bit heavier. We are talking around 50 grams difference, now if we talked five, 10 grams, ultimately you probably wouldn’t be able to notice that, but 50 grams is quite substantial if you’re trying to sprint from the back of the court to the front of the court, to the net. Underfoot you are really going to notice that over a long period of time and you will start to fatigue a bit quicker as well.

“It’s all about being able to provide that stability still for those quicker sharper movements, but having it in that lighter package, and we have really been able to do that with the Solution Speed.”

Tennishead: “How much involvement does Novak Djokovic actually have in the design of the Court FF shoe?”

Calum from ASICS: “We actually create around eight or nine different rounds of shoes which have subtle changes to them. And he works quite closely with our Core Performance Sports Directors over in our Amsterdam office. He has a big involvement within the decision-making around athlete testing and he helps us to shape and mould the product that it is today, for that best of both player.

“The good thing is, he doesn’t actually have a different shoe to what a consumer would wear, so the shoe that you buy on the shelf as an end consumer is exactly the same shoe that he would wear on the court and he doesn’t make any changes to it. So, that is really testament to the work that we do with him.”

All of these ASICS tennis shoes are available as a members benefit when you join the Tennishead CLUB, our innovative, virtual tennis club with over 3,000 members worldwide. Join today and receive over $700/£600 of superb benefits delivered immediately to your home anywhere in thew world.

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Wilson are in the middle of a huge refresh of their entire tennis racket range which is why we were fascinated when one of their newest models, the Burn, dropped in at the Tennishead office and we wasted no time in putting it through it’s paces on court.

The Wilson Burn 100 is unashamedly a club players racket. You won’t spot pro’s on TV using it because it’s construction and specifications aren’t designed to help Stefanos Tsitsipas nailing his 130mph serves and down the line, single-handed backhands. In fact if mere tennis mortals like you or us tried to play with exactly the same racket and spec that a pro uses we’d struggle as the weight and stiffness would be very difficult to handle.

However, the Burn is nicely set up to facilitate keen amateur players who like to rally from the back and get their serves in more often than not, which lets face it, is most players objective when they walk on court.

What’s new about the Burn 100 v5?

Wilson have focussed on creating a lightweight racket that is very easy to manoeuvre but still delivers explosive power from the baseline.

The Burn is ‘crafted with high performance carbon fiber within a thicker dual taper beam construction for more explosive power’.

‘Parallel Drilling’ is a new grommet construction that according to Wilson ‘provides a consistent, more forgiving string bed response while dramatically increasing the sweet spot.’

And the new colour scheme of ‘burnt orange’ stands out without being over the top.

The Wilson Burn 100 v5 review

It’s crucial for our credibility that when we take a product out onto court we let the players try it out and then we simply publish what they report. It’s the only truly unbiased method of reviewing a product. This time we were joined by Tom and James who are very keen amateur club players playing 2 to 3 times per week on average and they both enjoy competing in their club leagues alongside the odd coaching lesson to give them technical advice to improve their games.

Tom currently uses the new Wilson Pro Staff v14 as he likes the stiffness of the racket which suits his flat hitting style. James plays with a Babolat Pure Aero as he likes to mainly play from the baseline with plenty of spin on his groundstrokes and he aims to hit winners when he’s in the right position.

Watch as our experienced racket tester takes the Wilson Burn 100 v5 onto court

First Impressions of the racket

Tom: “The racket felt comfortable from the first shot which was great as often new rackets don’t feel nice when you first started hitting, but the Burn felt easy straight away”.

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On whether the dual taper beam provided the extra power claimed by Wilson?

James: “On my groundstrokes I was able to really go for my shots with the Burn. I like to hit with lots of spin and this racket certainly suited my style. When hitting my flatter two handed backhand it felt a little light so maybe I’d choose a slightly heavier weight than this model of the Burn, which is 300g (unstrung)”.

Tom: “The power capabilities were decent with this racket. Not too powerful that I couldn’t control it but definitely enough speed off the strings to create the power I wanted”

Did the new grommet construction help with a bigger sweet spot and forgiving feel?

Tom: “I’d definitely be happy playing a lot of tennis with this racket as it was really comfortable and easy to hit with on all shots. I play quite a lot so having a nice big sweet spot is great as it’s more forgiving and I felt the Burn does offer that.”

On whether the 300g and lightweight feel was right for their style of play?

James: “I’m a reasonably strong, tall, physical player so I would say that this racket was on the light side for me but saying that I still felt within my comfort zone when using it so maybe just a small amount of lead tape would do the trick. But it’s definitely an easily manoeuvrable frame especially at the net when I had to react quickly.”

Tom: “I let me coach borrow the racket and he said he’d definitely be keen to try it when he’s on court coaching as the lightness allowed him to create whatever type of spin and head speed he wanted. So that’s a great endorsement!”.

Was the ‘burnt orange’ colour scheme a winner in terms of look for this racket?

James: “It’s a good look for this racket. It’s modern but classy and you don’t see other rackets in this colour so it will certainly stand out. I reckon that both men and women players will like the colour scheme of this Burn”

The Wilson Burn 100 retails for £180/$200. Is that a fair price?

Tom: “Really fair price as most other decent rackets cost more than £200 these days so to have a new Wilson frame for less than £200 is great news.”

James: “I was surprised when you told me the price as I was expecting you to say £230!”

What type of player will the Wilson Burn be suite for in your option?

James: “I would say that all club players should try this but also for ‘improver’ level players who are still learning but want a racket that can stay with them as they advance towards club team standard. Basically there is nothing wrong with this racket and it should help most players do whatever they want with the ball”.

Tech specs

• Weight Unstrung: 300g
• Head size: 100 sq in
• Balance (+/- 5mm): 330mm
• Lenght: 27 in
• String pattern: 16×19
• Material: Carbon fibre

What’s the conclusion about the new Wilson Burn 100 v5

Wilson’s ability to create rackets that appeal to a wide range of players has never been in doubt and the new Burn definitely matches up to that reputation.

Our testers agreed how easy it was to play with immediately they started hitting and the manoeuvrability on all shots was noticeable.

Wilson have obviously gone out of their way to keep the price very reasonable for the Burn and considering how pinched people’s wallets are at the moment then this will no doubt be well received.

As always we do recommend trying out a racket first and if you can get it strung in your usual string style then even better.

Buy the Wilson Burn 100 v5

Head over to your local tennis retailer to purchase this latest version of the Wilson Burn 100 v5

The post Wilson Burn 100 v5 review appeared first on Tennishead.

As tennis enthusiasts, we’re always on the lookout for exceptional tournaments and innovative ways to engage with the sport and athletes. FANtium, a pioneer in the realm of sports ownership and fan engagement, has taken the tennis world by storm. The recent Halle Open, was not only a spectacle of exceptional tennis but also a harbinger of victory for the FANtium community.

What set this year’s tournament apart was the emergence of more than one winner. While the athletes battled it out on the courts, exhibiting relentless drive and competitiveness, FANtium holders found themselves in a sweet spot of victory and enthusiasm.

FANtium’s Rocketing Demand: Sold Out in 48h!

The triumph of Alexander Bublik (ranked ATP #26) at the Halle Open had a domino effect on FANtium. With a 400% increase of monthly token sales, Bublik’s win turned out to be a Grand Slam for the platform and its users. This surge can be attributed to Bublik’s soaring popularity and surge in prize money earned, as fans rallied behind him, eager to be a part of his journey.

FANtium enables fans to invest in athletes and in turn get a stake in their future success. Athletes tokenize a share of their future earnings, offering these as NFTs to fans. In the case of Alexander Bublik, 10% of the 2023 season earnings were sold to fans upfront. This model not only provides a unique form of fan engagement but also supports up-and-coming talents financially to kick-start their careers.

Profitable Ventures for Team Bublik Token Holders

The title in Halle and the subsequent €477,795 in prize money earned by Bublik, was the ace that served investors well. Holders of this token not only supported their favourite player but also reaped financial rewards, with €47,795 paid back to fans from this single title. Additionally, being a part of Team Bublik means joining a tight-knit community and gaining access to unique perks such as tournament tickets, private chats, and video calls with the athlete.

Bublik Tokens: Still Available!

With the demand soaring, Bublik’s tokens on FANtium sold out quickly. Fans can still acquire these tokens through secondary markets, ensuring the opportunity to be part of Bublik’s exciting journey and share in his triumphs.

Introducing the Next Star: Darja Semenistaja

FANtium’s momentum doesn’t stop with Bublik, the spotlight is now on the next sensation in tennis, 20-year-old Darja Semenistaja (ranked WTA #208). With her recent achievements, such as winning the Prague Open (ITF W-60), she can now enter WTA and Grand Slam tournaments, debuting at Roland Garros, she reached the third round qualifying at Wimbledon, the second Grand Slam of her career. With lots of positives on the horizon, fans are eagerly waiting to see what’s next for her. You can become part of her journey through FANtium here: LINK.

The Halle Open proved to be a pivotal moment for FANtium, with surging demand, profitability for token holders, and the introduction of new talents like Darja. For fans, this is not just an investment, it’s an opportunity to be woven into the fabric of the sport they love.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Head over to Fantium today to invest in the future of tennis, engage with the community, and be a part of the most exhilarating moments in sports history. Be the change, be the support, and be the fan that makes a difference.

Join FANtium on Instagram, Twitter and Telegram to stay connected and tuned for the next updates.

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Just in time for Wimbledon fortnight comes Mixed Doubles, a bouncy rom-com from keen club player and former lifestyle journalist Belinda Archer. Read our review of this entertaining new tennis book.

Set in Lower Wallop, a quintessentially English country tennis club, it trails the romantic entanglements of three couples, all of whom are partners in a new mixed doubles ladder. These include Brian, dubbed ‘the boring baseline slogger’, and Diana, fragile wife of the philandering, rogueish Oliver Pemberton-Jones, as well as pretty Emma, who is secretly in love with Lower Wallop’s charming but unavailable club chairman, Gorgeous George.

The action rattles along, featuring nicely observed events from the typical club calendar such as dreary committee meetings, drunken Safari Suppers, fund-raising quizzes (the one in the book focuses on obscure tennis knowledge — anyone know Andy Murray’s middle name? Or the difference in the height of the net between the centre and the edges?), plus the inevitably badly-behaved end of season dinner at which everything is wrapped up. Throughout there are also entertaining, pacey descriptions of hotly contested tennis matches within the mixed doubles tournament itself.

Archer clearly writes from experience – this world is familiar to her and her characters are well-drawn, including many of the usual club suspects such as bossy committee members, dodgy line-callers and chippy B team players desperately striving for promotion to the A team. She also gives a nod to diversity too, introducing a black coach to the club who stirs things up a little among the more elderly ladies and their weekly Rusty Rackets sessions.

The structure also cleverly mirrors a tennis match, with chapters named after scores – beginning with Play and ending with Match Point then Game, Set & Match.

It’s a great fun read, a sort of Jilly Cooper on grass, in which no one seems to play by the rules – either on or off court. ‘Grab your racket and lace up your tennis shoes,’ says the blurb on the back. ‘Mixed Doubles is as gripping as a Wimbledon final and has more bounce than a tube of Babolat balls.’ The latter might not quite be true, but it is certainly a lively and hugely enjoyable summer read for anyone who loves the idea of a tennis-themed romantic comedy.

Out now on Amazon for £2.99 e-book or £6.99 print

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The post Tennis book review: ‘Mixed Doubles’ – No one plays by the rules in this fun read appeared first on Tennishead.

Ross Batten, the owner of the tennis retailer AllThingsTennis.co.uk, kicks off a mini series identifying some of the sport’s most celebrated rackets starting with the HEAD Radical

Andy Murray is among the more recent players who have endorsed the Head Radical, but for anyone with longer memories this iconic racket will always be associated with Andre Agassi. It was launched in 1993, the year after the American had made his great breakthrough with his historic triumph at Wimbledon. He went on to win seven more Grand Slam titles playing with the Radical.

Thanks to an exclusive partnership with All Things Tennis and HEAD you can purchase the HEAD Radical Graphene 360 MP with a 5% discount. ATT are the only UK retailer selling this classic, legendary frame so hurry up before stocks run out! Just follow this link and your discount will be applied at the checkout

The original Radical, made in Austria, was often referred to as the “Bumblebee” edition due to its striking yellow and black design. Some would argue that in terms of feel it was the best Radical that Head ever made. Agassi, who won the US Open in 1994 wielding his new racket, loved it. “Head built a racket that was like an extension of your hand and from the first day I never looked back.,” he said.

For me the next iconic Radical was the 1999 version, the Head TI model. This was the first Radical constructed using titanium. This version was a whole new mould and frame from the original six years earlier, with a lower weight of 295 grams. It was a bold change but a successful one as Agassi won the US Open for the second time that year, beating Todd Martin over five sets in the final.

The next big change of mould and frame came in 2003 with the Liquid Metal Radical. This was the racket Agassi used to win the eighth and final Grand Slam title of his career at the Australian Open. He dropped only one set in Melbourne that year, against Nicolas Escudé in the third round. In the final Agassi dropped just five games in beating Rainer Schüttler.

In 2012 Head produced the YouTek Radical, which had a 98 square-inch head, an 18 x 20 string pattern and a super low 59 stiffness RA rating. Murray endorsed the YouTek range when he won the US Open and Olympic gold in 2012 and the Wimbledon title the following year.

My favourite Radical of all time is actually the Graphene 360, launched in 2019. This model came with much more power thanks to the introduction of graphene material in the frame. The frame was also changed to feature a more open 16 x 19 pattern. This racket weighs 295 grams but is extremely stable, spin-friendly and quick through the air.

In fact this model is so popular that Head are still making it alongside their newer models. AllThingsTennis has secured the exclusive rights to the 2023 stock of this hugely popular Radical, which can be bought for just over £100.

The 2023 model still features graphene but also benefits from auxetic technology, which improves the feel. The auxetic material widens when a “pull” force is applied and contracts when squeezed. This racket, which weighs 300 grams and has a 16 x 19 string pattern, is endorsed by, among others, Taylor Fritz, Diego Schwartzman and Sloane Stephens.

AllThingsTennis.co.uk is the UK’s fastest growing dedicated tennis retailer. Tennishead readers receive an exclusive 5% discount on all purchases from AllThingsTennis.co.uk when using this coupon code: TENNISHEAD5

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The post Iconic tennis rackets series: No.1, the HEAD Radical – ‘It was like an extension of your hand’ appeared first on Tennishead.