TennisWhisperer
The OnLine Magazine of Racquets Etc
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WILSON
[K]Factor, introduced a year ago with much hoopla and secrecy, continues into 2008 with the release of 11 new racquets. Featuring [K]arophite black, an enhanced ultra high tech graphite, adds strength and performance to all [K]Factor racquets. [K]Factor blends with well established Wilson technologies such as TriAd(for added comfort), [K]ompact Center(enhanced sweet spot and stability) and [K]onnector(more spin and comfort). This year’s entries expand the selections for every type of player from the power seeker to the tour want-to-be, and everything in-between.
Wilson has broken down their choices into 3 categories: Game Improvement, Player Frames and All Around. Except where noted, the first group of new [K]Factors are due in before the end of January.
GAME IMPROVEMENT – In’07, the [K]One, [K]Three, and [K]Four made their debut replacing previous N Code models. This year, the [K]Zero and [K]Five are added to the Game Improvement models to widen the selection of choices for player looking for that edge when it comes to weight and power. Wilson’s number system is based on less is more, meaning that the lower the racquet's number, the more power it produces. The [K]Zero is an ultra light weight 118 square inch rocket launcher that is designed for power with exceptional maneuverability. Moving down the power scale, the [K]Five is available in two head sizes, a 108 square inch oversize and a 98 square inch mid+. Each [K]Five offers the player less power in a mid 10-ounce racquet with Wilson’s tried and true Triad technology for additional comfort. Delivery of the [K]Five is scheduled for mid March.
PLAYER FRAMES – This group of racquets is divided into 3 sub families; [K]Blade Family, the [K]Six-One Family and the [K]Tour Family.
The[K]Blade Family are all new frames bases on the extremely popular N Blade from last year. The [K]Blade Tour is just as its name might suggest, is a small 93 square in mid, for aggressive all court players looking for a soft racquet that they can really pound shot after shot. Constructed of [K]arphite Black graphite with X Loop weave at 3 and 9 o’clock, it has a very tight string pattern for precise shots from the baseline or the net. This is currently the choice of the Australian Champion Novak Djokovic and finalist Jo-Wilfred Tsonga . The [K]Blade 98 is a mid+ racquet, which is lighter than the [K]Blade Tour offering the user a bit more versatility from just about anywhere on the court. The [K]Blade Team the choice of the Williams sisters,is a 104 square inch slightly lighter and larger version of the [K]Blade 98. It offers the player a slightly larger sweet spot and increased maneuverability.
The [K]Six-One Family lineup remains unchanged. Being one of the most popular racquets of top ranked tour and amiture players alike, the Six One Family is for the serious hard hitter who wants to power the ball themselves.
[K]Tour Family - The [K]Pro family adds 3 racquets to the current [K]Surge; the [K]Pro Tour, the [K]Pro Open, and the [K] Tour.
The [K]Pro is designed for baseliners who like to take a full, powerful stroke. A slightly smaller, 96 square inch head, delivers a firm and precise hit with added stability. The [K]Pro Open is an update for the very popular N Pro Open used by many tour players. This slightly lighter and larger(mid 11 ounces and 100 square inch head) is a great choice for players looking to hit a heavier ball with added spin from anywhere on the court. The [K]Tour again, updates the N Tour 2 which established itself has a premier players racquet on the Tour. The [K]Tour continues the N Tour 2’s tradition of being a hitters stick with great maneuverability and the choice of Justin Harin and Lindsay Davenport just to name a few. The [K]Tour is do to arrive mid February.
ALL-AROUND – Moving forward from ’07 in the group are the [K] Zen and [K] Zen Team. At 103 square inches, each racquet provides a wide variety of players power, maneuverability, and comfort in an extremely versatile racquet. New of ’08 is the next generation of a long standing tradition with Wilson, the [K]Six Two. A favorite of all court players for its versatility to fit the baseline player as well as the aggressive net rusher, the [K]Six Two will only be available in a 100 square inch mid+ head weighting in around 10.5 ounces. This racquet is currently scheduled for mid March delivery. Rounding out the ALL AROUND category is the NEW [K]Sting. This Mid+, 105 square inch racquet is ideal for the aspiring player looking for rock steady performance in a lightweight medium power racquet.
[K]Factor, introduced a year ago with much hoopla and secrecy, continues into 2008 with the release of 11 new racquets. Featuring [K]arophite black, an enhanced ultra high tech graphite, adds strength and performance to all [K]Factor racquets. [K]Factor blends with well established Wilson technologies such as TriAd(for added comfort), [K]ompact Center(enhanced sweet spot and stability) and [K]onnector(more spin and comfort). This year’s entries expand the selections for every type of player from the power seeker to the tour want-to-be, and everything in-between.
Wilson has broken down their choices into 3 categories: Game Improvement, Player Frames and All Around. Except where noted, the first group of new [K]Factors are due in before the end of January.
GAME IMPROVEMENT – In’07, the [K]One, [K]Three, and [K]Four made their debut replacing previous N Code models. This year, the [K]Zero and [K]Five are added to the Game Improvement models to widen the selection of choices for player looking for that edge when it comes to weight and power. Wilson’s number system is based on less is more, meaning that the lower the racquet's number, the more power it produces. The [K]Zero is an ultra light weight 118 square inch rocket launcher that is designed for power with exceptional maneuverability. Moving down the power scale, the [K]Five is available in two head sizes, a 108 square inch oversize and a 98 square inch mid+. Each [K]Five offers the player less power in a mid 10-ounce racquet with Wilson’s tried and true Triad technology for additional comfort. Delivery of the [K]Five is scheduled for mid March.
PLAYER FRAMES – This group of racquets is divided into 3 sub families; [K]Blade Family, the [K]Six-One Family and the [K]Tour Family.
The[K]Blade Family are all new frames bases on the extremely popular N Blade from last year. The [K]Blade Tour is just as its name might suggest, is a small 93 square in mid, for aggressive all court players looking for a soft racquet that they can really pound shot after shot. Constructed of [K]arphite Black graphite with X Loop weave at 3 and 9 o’clock, it has a very tight string pattern for precise shots from the baseline or the net. This is currently the choice of the Australian Champion Novak Djokovic and finalist Jo-Wilfred Tsonga . The [K]Blade 98 is a mid+ racquet, which is lighter than the [K]Blade Tour offering the user a bit more versatility from just about anywhere on the court. The [K]Blade Team the choice of the Williams sisters,is a 104 square inch slightly lighter and larger version of the [K]Blade 98. It offers the player a slightly larger sweet spot and increased maneuverability.
The [K]Six-One Family lineup remains unchanged. Being one of the most popular racquets of top ranked tour and amiture players alike, the Six One Family is for the serious hard hitter who wants to power the ball themselves.
[K]Tour Family - The [K]Pro family adds 3 racquets to the current [K]Surge; the [K]Pro Tour, the [K]Pro Open, and the [K] Tour.
The [K]Pro is designed for baseliners who like to take a full, powerful stroke. A slightly smaller, 96 square inch head, delivers a firm and precise hit with added stability. The [K]Pro Open is an update for the very popular N Pro Open used by many tour players. This slightly lighter and larger(mid 11 ounces and 100 square inch head) is a great choice for players looking to hit a heavier ball with added spin from anywhere on the court. The [K]Tour again, updates the N Tour 2 which established itself has a premier players racquet on the Tour. The [K]Tour continues the N Tour 2’s tradition of being a hitters stick with great maneuverability and the choice of Justin Harin and Lindsay Davenport just to name a few. The [K]Tour is do to arrive mid February.
ALL-AROUND – Moving forward from ’07 in the group are the [K] Zen and [K] Zen Team. At 103 square inches, each racquet provides a wide variety of players power, maneuverability, and comfort in an extremely versatile racquet. New of ’08 is the next generation of a long standing tradition with Wilson, the [K]Six Two. A favorite of all court players for its versatility to fit the baseline player as well as the aggressive net rusher, the [K]Six Two will only be available in a 100 square inch mid+ head weighting in around 10.5 ounces. This racquet is currently scheduled for mid March delivery. Rounding out the ALL AROUND category is the NEW [K]Sting. This Mid+, 105 square inch racquet is ideal for the aspiring player looking for rock steady performance in a lightweight medium power racquet.
