Wilson releases next generation BLADE rackets, includes four new models

What do Serena Williams, Milos Raonic, David Goffin, Madison Keys, and Gael Monfils have in common? The Wilson Blade is their weapon of choice. The racket maker has announced the next generation of Blades that includes four new models: BLADE 98 16x19, BLADE 98 18x20, BLADE 98S and BLADE 104.

The BLADE is the second attacker-focused product to emerge from Wilson’s new PlayerID system. For this system, Wilson categorized three core playing styles in today’s game: Baseliner, Attacker and All Courter. The PlayerID system helps players better select products that speak to their playing style and enhance their overall performance on the court. The introduction of the next generation BLADE rackets follows Wilson’s highly successful re-invention of its attacker-style Pro Staff franchise, which launched in 2014.

“BLADE is an incredible story of how to take performance tennis engineering and design to the next level,” said Hans-Martin Reh, General Manager, Racquet Sports. “We really dug into the playing style of attacker athletes and what they need to optimize their game. Then we looked at materials, construction, string pattern, weight, head size and feel, to design a racket that gives these powerful players greater control, feel and a bigger sweet spot.”

The new 2015 BLADE features a bold, new design with lime green accents on a sleek, black base, and is technology-packed. Evolutionary Braided Graphite and Basalt construction allows the BLADE to be more elastic and reactive at the point of contact for enhanced feel and greater control. The racket also includes Wilson’s Parallel Drilling, a technology that ensures the racket’s grommet holes are parallel with the string bed. This expands the sweet spot size by up to 26 percent, resulting in more power and a forgiving feel.

Further, the BLADE 98S delivers precision spin through Wilson’s patented Spin Effect Technology, which creates 200+ more RPM’s on every shot and enables players to get more balls in the court. And the BLADE 104, Serena William’s racket of choice, has a larger head size and bigger sweet sport.

The BLADE is available for pre-order now at select retailers and will be in retail stores and on Wilson.com in mid-January.

[Photo(s) credit: Wilson]

Andy Murray is officially a brand, logo included!

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray are known as the "Big 4" of men's tennis. But after today, they are also now known as the "Big 4" of...personal branding?

The Brit baller unveiled his personal logo, designed by Aesop, ahead of the year's first major, the Australian Open, that kicks off next week. It will be showcased on his tennis bag and on his warm-up t-shirts provided by new clothing sponsor, Under Armour. Their 4-year partnership was announced last month.

The inspiration behind the logo was the number 77, a reference to the number of years between the last British man to lift the Wimbledon trophy, Fred Perry, and Muzz's triumph at SW19 in 2013. (It also happens to be the name of his management company.) The logo combines the number 77 with his initials.

So how does Muzz's logo stack up to the other members of the Big 4?

Federer's, the first to be unveiled, does what logos are supposed to do. When you see the logo, it's instantly recognizable and you know who it's referencing. Plus, the use of negative space is smart and it represents Fed's brand values of quality, precision, and timelessness.

The bull logo for Rafa fits him perfectly. Strong, stubborn, hard working, and determined are all qualities represented by the bull and qualities the Spaniard displays every time he steps onto the tennis court.

There are two reasons why the eagle motif was used for Nole's logo; it's the national bird of his home country, Serbia, and it represents his style on the court. The eagle is hard to make out here, but the use of long, curved lines does mimic the world number one's supreme agility and flexibility on the court.

Ironically, Muzz's logo is somewhat reminiscent of the adidas logo with the use of three lines. Compared to the other three, I find it rigid and flat, which he can sometimes be when he's not playing well. But it's no-nonsense and does without any fuss. There's something very Muzz about that, too. So I guess it's perfect. I also see a pitchfork. Carry on.

[Via TheGuardian.com]

FASHION FIX: Australian Open Uniqlo kits for Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori, and Shingo Kunieda

Here are some images of the Uniqlo duds No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic, No. 5 seed Kei Nishikori, and men's wheelchair champion, Shingo Kunieda, are said to be wearing at the 2015 Australian Open.

There's not much to say about these looks. In typical Uniqlo style, they're pretty basic. It's what we've come to expect from the Japanese retail giant for their ballers.

[Photo(s) credit: tt.tennis-warehouse.com/]