Bancroft PlayersSpecial

Bancroft

Bancroft Players Special (junior) (1969)

Condition
9
10: New
9: Mint
8: Excellent
7: Good
6: Fair
5: Average
4: Below Average
3: Poor
| Rarity
9
10: Impossibly rare
9: Extremely rare
8: Hard to find
7: Fairly rare
6: Uncommon
5: Common
<4: Big Seller
– – – – – – – – – – –

About This Racket

Borg was contracted to use Bancroft rackets worldwide and then only in the U.S. in the 1970s but eventually was won over by Donnay. Interestingly Martina Navratilova used this racket thru the late 70s including in 1978 finals. She then switched to Yonex.

Specifications (👋 not yet accurate….check back soon)
MeasurementsValuePerformanceScore
Weight338g Power19/100
Head Size & Length64.9sq in | 26inchControl28/100
Balance6pt head light (35.3cm | 186)Spin25/100
GripPerforated leatherHandling70/100
Strings18 x 20 | gutComfort66/100
FlexibilityRA 36Consistency33/100
About Bancroft

Bancroft was a very traditional wooden racket company from USA. It was extremely successful in the 60s and 70s and produced some amazing rackets and nice innovations including the use of Bamboo. However it failed to expand outside of USA and failed to adapt to new materials and technologies of the 80s 90s.

Gallery
Bancroft by Time
YearEvent
1882Founded by Frederick J. Bancroft in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
1906Bancroft is manufacturing over 35,000 rackets a year
1912Bancroft offers its first racket under its own name (“The Bancroft”)
1915Bancroft patents the 3-ply laminated racket
1920sBill Tilden, world’s top player, uses Bancroft
1941Bancroft introduces the “Streamliner” model
1940sThe Bancroft brothers sell the company
1950sBancroft introduces its first aluminium tennis racket
1960sBancroft begins using fiberglass in their rackets
1970sBancroft introduces the iconic “Big Stick” racket
1976-79Billie Jean King uses a custom Bancroft
1978Bancroft introduces the Scorpion, their first graphite racket
1980sBancroft is acquired by Spalding
1990sBancroft ceases operations