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Racquet Selection Map 2010

Our exclusive Racquet Selection Map enables you to help your customers choose the perfect racquet for them quickly and easily, with the features and performance they want.

The map below presents the entire performance racquet universe on one grid that instantly locates each racquet compared to every other in terms of power, control, and maneuverability. Simply locate the specs of your customer’s current racquet on the map, then move outward in large or small increments in the direction of the customer’s primary preference — relatively more or less power, control or maneuverability. Once you’ve zoomed into an approximate location on the grid, you can narrow down the racquet’s feel attributes by choosing from length, size, and flex specs coded into the racquet number.

Next, look up the racquet(s) by number in the accompanying racquet list.

Your customer will now have a handful of “choice-customized” demos. And you’ll have a satisfied customer.

Racquet Selection Map key

1. Power/Control (columns). (formula = length index × headsize × flex × swingweight) ÷ 1000. Length index calculation: 27” = 1.0, 27.5” = 1.05; 28” = 1.1, etc.
2. Maneuverability (rows). RDC (Babolat Racquet Diagnostic Center) swingweight units.
3. Racquet ID. The number in the grid correlates to the accompanying racquet list.
4. Headsize. Midsize and midplus (≤104 sq. in.) have no indicator. Oversize (105-117 sq. in.) = •. Superoversize (≥ 118 sq. in.) = :.
5. Length. × = extended length. Standard length (27”) racquets have no indicator.
6. Flex (RDC). a = < 60; b = 60-64; c = 65-69; d = 70-74; e = > 74. The higher the number, the stiffer the racquet.
7. Company. Coded by number and color. See accompanying racquet list.
8. Racquet Quadrants and the Center of the Racquet Universe. The center of the racquet universe is located at the intersection of the two red lines. Approximately half the racquets lie to the right and left, and half above and below these lines. The lines divide the racquet universe into four color-coded quadrants — clockwise from top left: (1) quick power, (2) quick control, (3) stable control, (4) stable power. These characterizations provide a general vocabulary for comparing racquets.
9. Racquet Finder List. The racquet list identifies all the new racquets and gives additional information. The map provides specific (very narrow ranges, anyway) swingweight, flex and power statistics, and general size and length characteristics. The racquet list specifies the length and size and further specifies weight, balance, and price.

How To Use It

1. Ask questions. What are you looking for that your current racquet does not provide? What do you like most and least about your current racquet? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your game?
2. Locate current racquet on map. If the racquet is not in the list, take measurements.
3. Locating potential racquets. Depending on the answers to the above questions, draw an imaginary arrow (a wide or skinny one) from your present racquet in the desired direction for power and maneuverability.
4. Narrowing the field. Shrink the choices using the length, headsize, and flex codes to match customer preferences.
5. Selecting racquet demos. Once the choices are narrowed, locate the racquets by number in the racquet list.

From the April 2010 issue
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