Question:

What happened to square-shaped tennis racquets?

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Back in the late 70s early 80s some top players (Navratilova was one, I think) started using tennis racqets with a rather square shape to them. I owned a Yonex which a squared head back then. I don't see them any more.

Why are they not popular? Were they banned? Did players decide that they were inferior? I think the idea at the time was that a square shape gave the racquet a larger sweet spot. But the most important factor was that it looked really cool!

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4 ANSWERS


  1. I have a Yonex RQS 22, which is kind of square. And absolutely love it. Bought it like 6 months ago. So they are still here.


  2. Yonex racuets are still square-ish, but a more streamlined version.  Rossignol and Snauwaert also made square-head racuets in the 80's, but I don't think those companies even make tennis equipment anymore (they still make skis though).

  3. Aerodynamics and stability were issues for those exagerated shapes. The idea was not bad in theory, but practice is different. I think what Yonex still has today is the perfect compromise. I have only been playing with a Yonex for about 1 year, but I find that their isometric technology is awesome. I am probably a Yonex fan for life now.

  4. The boxeyness of the raquet caused a lack of aerodynamicness.  This makes it difficult to swing with speed.  Also a more even string tension can only be achieved through a oval shaped head.

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