TennisIDENTITY

New Dunlop Biomimetic 700 frame. A game improver for 2.5 - 4.0 tennis players.

The Dunlop Biomimetic 700 hit stores today. The new stick is being billed as a "game improver" racquet for the 2.5 - 4.0 tennis player looking for a little more power in their game (read depth and pace).

“Overall, this is the most advanced frame we’ve ever created," said Hunter Hines, Tennis Product Manager for Dunlop Sports Group Americas.  "It’s absolutely loaded with technology aimed directly at providing players a very powerful, yet comfortable and maneuverable frame.”  

Here's the scoop on the tech:

A 3Dom grommet system is designed with softer than usual grommet material which provide padding for the strings while allowing them to move a little more freely. This means less string vibration (so easier on your arm) and more string recoil during shot making. Additionally tiny ridges in each grommet keep the string from lying flush against the grommet bed. When string/grommet contact is reduced, the result is more string movement and greater power and spin for the player.

So why the nature scene? The biomimetic concept brings technology and nature together and here touches on the design of the sandfish skink, an animal that can swim through sand because of miniature scales on its surface. The tiny ridges on the new grommets are said to mimic that animal's scales. Dunlop designers have also studied human bone structure (how it supports weight) and wing shape on a birds of prey for a beam that is more aerodynamic. Nature has things pretty well figured out so why not imitate? 

Notes: The oval 110 sq. in head shape (16 x 19 string pattern) offers a larger sweet spot than smaller heads so those who don't move as fast as they wish they could might like the forgiveness for off-center hits. Players with more advanced strokes may find this stick to be a little too powerful. MSRP $210 unstrung. 

Find more info at Dunlop or buy at Tennis-Warehouse or tennis retailers worldwide.

Rising Brit, Heather Watson signs with Dunlop.

Today Dunlop announced the signing of British tennis player Heather Watson. The 19 year old hails from Guernsey, an island in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy, and now trains at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida. Already recognized as an up-and-comer Watson is one of the WTA's 6 featured 2011 Xperia Hot Shots.   

Watson is currently 85th in the 2011 WTA Singles Race. She uses the Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour (MSRP $210) for her penetrating groundstrokes and strong baseline game. Her chief weapon is the two handed backhand. 

Watson's apparel sponsor is K-Swiss. Pictured here she wears the Spring pleated dress (which is actually on sale at the moment).

More on the racquet at Dunlop or Tennis Warehouse.

Look for Watson on tour and at the US Open. Follow her on Twitter @HeatherWatson92. Tell her @TennisIdentity said hello.

Dominika Cibulkova had a great Monday.

Mondays usually get a bad rap. This week's was for great for the WTA's Dominika Cibulkova. Her game was all heat against world number 1 Caroline Wozniacki. Big day for the Slovakian.

Cibulkova wore a one-piece cotton blend Lacoste tennis dress that has been around a while this year. Almost like a long t-shirt with drawstring waist. Comfy and pretty on a trim body.

This dress is available online in France (not on the US site).

Cibulkova's racquet is the Dunlop Biomimetic 600 Lite. You can find it at Tennis-Warehouse and tennis-retailers selling Dunlop worldwide.

Loved her strawberries themed racquet bag too -- last year's but still really fun on the hallowed grass. 

Alas, today was a different story...same dress but I prefer to dwell on Monday's result. Congrats to Sharapova however.

 

 

Dunlop signs auspicious American Tim Smyczek.

Dunlop tennis has signed Tim Smycek, a hot-on-court Milwaukee native, to a racquet deal. His win last week against Donald Young in the 2011 USTA French Open Wild Card Playoffs earned him the coveted ticket to Roland Garros.

Smyczek is hitting with a Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour. 

"Tim is a great signing for Dunlop," said Kai Nitche, Vice President and General Manager of Dunlop Racket Sports. "He possesses the key characteristics we look for in our Tour Team members; he works extremely hard both on and off-court, he's dedicated, and he pulls through in clutch situations. It's been a pleasure to work with him thus far, and we wish him well as he continues his climb up the ATP World Tour rankings."

The 23 year old trains at the Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa and now makes his second appearance in a Grand Slam main draw; he won the USTA playoff last August to get into the US Open. This year he's continued his upward momentum by reaching the quarters in San Jose in February and the second round in Indian Wells after qualifying for the main draw. 

Smycek currently wears adidas apparel and footwear. Yeah, you're right, he's hot off court too ;)

Here's his website.

 

Dunlop Releases its 2011 Biomimetic Range of Tennis Racquets. Technology inspired by nature.

Biomimetics is the study of the structure of nature as model for the design and engineering of products. It is the newest concept over at Dunlop Sport. The company has incorporated some of  nature's most highly optimised and efficient characteristics and incorporated them in performance tennis racquets. The result?  3 brand new biomimetric racquet technologies – Aeroskin, Gecko-Tap and HM6 Carbon.

Aeroskin technology is inspired by sharkskin. A shark’s skin is covered in microscopic riblets which create localised turbulence reducing drag. The Aeroskin technology is applied to the surface of the racket, reducing aerodynamic drag by up to 25% (according to Dunlop). The reduction in drag enhances both racket speak and power.

Gecko-Tac technology is inspired by the feet of a Gecko.  The Gecko-Tac grip provides up to 50% more grip and tack than previous Dunlop grips, giving players greater feel and precision with their racket.

HM6 Carbon technology is inspired by a bee's honeycomb. The honeycomb design structure provides extreme strength and incredible lightness, as well as reduces racket vibration. With what they say is a 10% reduction in vibration, this results is energy control and feel.

The racquet line includes the following sticks:

Biomimetic 200 Plus (Nikolay Davydenko will use); Biomimetic 300 (Fernando Verdasco); Biomimetic 300Tour (Jurgen Melzer, pictured above); Biomimetic 600 (Tommy Robredo); and Biomimetic 600 Lite (Dominika Cibulkova, pictured below). The 600 Lite has a 105 sq in head; it is surprising to me that a pro would play with such a big head. US price ranges on the line, $159.00 - $179.00. Here are the specs.

 “We are incredibly proud of the new technologies used in the Biomimetic range," said Ben Fell, Head of Marketing & Communications for Dunlop. "We believe that the new range goes beyond anything done before in the industry. We’ve had fantastic feedback from our sponsored players, and are looking forward to seeing the results of the improved rackets out on the court.”

 Learn more at Dunlop or test drive and buy at Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.Pre-orders are being taken now. Delivery is expected mid November.

Illustrations are two of Dunlop's most recent advertisements. I like. Different.

 

Fernando Verdasco Signs with Dunlop.

Dunlop has announced Fernando Verdasco as the latest tennis star to join as a brand ambassador. Nikolay Davydenko signed with Dunlop earlier this year. Verdasco has signed an international contract for racquets, strings and accessories, while also agreeing to play a key role endorsing Dunlop’s junior talent identification program – D-Squad.

“Becoming a brand ambassador for Dunlop is a very proud moment for me and I look forward to joining the great players already associated with the brand.," said Verdasco. "I am continuing to work hard and with help from Dunlop I hope to be able to make this my most successful year to date.” 2009 was pretty good to the guy. Guess at this level it really doesn't matter what racquet got him to the top (Yonex). Money talks.

Barry Leach, MD of Dunlop Sport said: “Fernando is a world class addition to Dunlop and exemplifies the quality we look for at the brand," said Barry Leach, MD of Dunlop. " He plays an exciting style of tennis and, if he can build on last year’s performances, I would expect him to be a main fixture in the ATP top ten this year.”

Verdasco will immediately commence testing of Dunlop’s new 2011 technology. Stay tuned for his choice. Verdasco wears adidas apparel and footwear on court.

Nikolay Davydenko Joins Team Dunlop Stick, Shirt and Shorts.

Dunlop Sports has announced its new partnership with current world number 6, Nikolay Davydenko. According to Dunlop this includes racquet (see ya Prince -- who actually never sponsored ND), clothing (buh bye Airness) and accessories. I was wondering why this guy wasn't getting more sponsor love. He's a hot one.

Barry Leach, MD of Dunlop Sport said: “We are delighted to announce Nikolay as a Dunlop brand ambassador and believe he is one of the most exciting talents in tennis." I fully agree. His racquet choice has not been announced yet. According to the company..."he's testing right now." Maybe we'll see at Indian Wells.

Dunlop’s 'aerogel’ is known for its claim as one of the lightest and strongest materials in existence. In 2009, Dunlop was the first manufacturer to incorporate 4 directional braided materials into tennis rackets when launching the 4D range. The new technology complimented the power of aerogel by enhancing frame stability and control.

For 2010 Dunlop has refined the aerogel 4D rackets and has introduced key models to complete the range.  The aerogel 4D series now features racquets for all player levels. Pictured left is the Aerogel 4D 2HUNDRED, $199 USD the current choice of Tomas Berdych.  This is the iconic Dunlop player frame, a heavier frame, designed for use by tournament and advanced players.

Other aerogel models the Dunlop team players are using include:

Tommy Robredo, 4D 3HUNDRED, $199; Dominika Cibulkova, 4D SUPER-LITE, $179; James Blake and Juergen Melzer 4D 3HUNDRED TOUR, $199; Jamie Murray, Ross Hutchins and Nicolas Almagro, 4D 5HUNDRED TOUR, $179.

Take a look at detailed racquet specs to determine which racquet might be best for your level of play. I'll let you know what Davydenko decides on.

Learn more at Dunlop or test drive and buy at Tennis-Warehouse.

Please see the comments below this article for new information as it comes in...