Happy New Year everyone! I though we would start off the new year by talking about what is going to be coming down the pike in 2009 from the “#1 Brand in Tennis”, Wilson.

Despite the struggling global economy, and a new technology set to be released in 2010, Wilson has a pretty big 2009 planned. Plans include 7 all new frames, several updated racquets, new strings and accessories, and a new stringing machine that is creating quite a buzz among professional stringers.

Lets start by talking about what is new for 2009. This month Wilson will be introducing the next generation of
[K]Factor, FX. This techology is in the throat of the racquet and it is for stability and aerodynamics. What Wilson has done is cut a hole in the throat of the frame on each side giving the head of the racquet a “quad shaft” design . I have attached a picture of the new [K]obra Team FX to show you. Look closely at the throat of the racquet and you will see. The Wilson rep used the Eiffel Tower as an example of this. The tower will flex in the wind side to side, but because of the design it will not twist. So this technology will help eliminate the twisting of the racquet on off center hits. In my opinion they came up with this technology more to compete aerodynamically with the Babolat Aero line and Prince’s popular O ports technology.

New Frames

  • [K]obra Tour & [K]obra Team.FX:

These new frames fall into Wilson’s player frames category. These are all new entries in the player racquet market. These frames are designed in my opinion, are meant to go head to head with Babolot. The [K]obra Tour is gunning for the Pure Drive Roddick, and the Team.FX has it’s eyes set on the AeroPro Drive, Raphael Nadal’s signature frame. These racquets will be good for players who take a big fast swing at the ball. The Team.FX weighs in at 11.1 ounces strung, while the Tour is a heafty 11.5 ounces strung, and comes with a leather grip. Both come in 100 sq. inch headsize.

  • [K] Pro Team.FX:

Also in the player frame category, this new frame is a lighter version of the [K] Pro Open frame. At 10.4 ounces strung it is more than a half ounce lighter than the Open, and features the new FX quad shaft. I think that this will be a strong racquet for advanced doubles players. Like its heavier counterpart, the Pro Team.FX has a 100 sq. inch headsize.

  • [K] Brave & [K] Court:

These frames are a part of the all-around frame category, but I put them in the transition frame category. Both of these new frames would do well for juniors looking to step it up into an adult size, standard length racquet. The Brave is the lighter of the two (9.5 ounces) and has a larger head size (105 sq. inches). The Court is heavier (9.9 ounces) and has a 100 sq. inch headsize. Neither of these frames have the new quad shaft as Wilson probably wanted to keep production cost low, to keep the retail price at a resonable level for parents.

  • [K] Tour Team.FX:

This is again a lighter, more user friendly version of a popular frame, the [K] Tour. The Team.FX version is almost a half ounce lighter (10.4) and has a larger head (102 sq. inches) than its counterpart. As the name would suggest, it has the new quad shaft, and like the original it has a 1/4″ extended length. This frame would well suit a baseline player looking for a little bit larger head, but not a lightweight frame.

  • [K] Pro Staff 88:

No other racquet has gotten as much buzz on the internet as this racquet has in the last ten months. Ever since Pete Sampras stepped onto the court at Madison Square Garden with a new blacked out Wilson frame to play Roger Federer speculation about a new Pro Staff has run rampant. People spoke of the “Sampras Prototype” and quoted unnamed sources at Wilson that it was coming. Well it is finally here, and Wilson calls it “Classic, Legendary, Evolved.’

The new Pro Staff 88 is the definition of a player racquet; small headsize (88 sq. inches), heavy (12.9 ounces), and wrapped in leather (at least the grip). This even sports Sampras’ signature on the throat of the racquet. This new beast is made from the same mold of the Original Pro Staff 6.0, but instead of it being a graphite/Kevlar blend, the new frame replaces the Kevlar with Karophite Black. The result should be a stiffer, more powerful Pro Staff. Many players who want to use this racquet will find it too advanced for them, while others will just let their games suffer through. I know that I can’t play with this racquet anymore, but I will give a full review when I get my hands on the demo!

Updated Frames

All of the following racquets get an FX facelift for 2009:

[K] One

[K] Three

[K] Four (now only available in 107″ headsize)

[K] Zen Team ([K] Zen no longer available, [K] Zen Team.FX gets a new Rose paintob.)

nFury (Now becomes [K] Fury, but not FX)

New Strings

  • Hollow Core:

This is the world’s first air filled synthetic string. A couple of months ago I wrote an extensive review on this string, so go back in the history a few posts to find out more info. You can see Wilson’s ad for the string here: www.wilson.com/newstring

  • Luxilon M2 Pro & Plus:

I am very excited about this string. This is a hybrid string all in one! Wilson has combined the benefits of a polyester and the benefits of a soft synthetic in one string. Using what they call variable flex, this string is stiff on powerful shots and comfortable on soft shots. The Pro is a thinner gauge for playability, and the plus is thicker for more durability. I haven’t had a chance to playtest these yet, but it is coming soon. Get more info here: www.luxilon.com/newstring

Accessories

In addition to the new frames and new strings, Wilson has released some new accessories. This includes a preforated version of the popular Pro Overgrip, and new varieties of novelty vibration dameners (good bye frowney faces). There are also several new bags, including a new Eco Pro Tour featuring Earthguard. These bags are constructed with recycled fabric, are PVC free and are 25% lighter. They will also be carried by all of the top tour players. They come in [K] Factor Red and [K] Blade Black and Gold. There are also bags made to match the new [K]obra racquets, the new Sampras racquet, and a couple new colors for the Perfect Pac backpack.

So there’s the wrap-up for Wilson 2009. Stay tuned for more from the other major manufacturers and playtest results soon! In the meantime come by the Essential Tennis Forums (www.essentialtennis.com/forum/) to discuss all the latest gear!