Kneissl-Red-Star

Adidas | Kneissl | Puma

Kneissl Red Star Twin (1982)

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
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About Kneissl

In 1977 Kneissl introduced the White Star Pro, with a unique egg-shaped head, 10% larger than standard size. It was a graphite/fiberglass composite. A young up-and-coming Czech Ivan Lendl began using the frame. Kneissl also made a yellow version with adjustable weights, calling it the Super Pro Vario. In 1980 Kneissl made the White Star Lendl Pro in 1980 but Lendl signed Adidas for 1981 . But Adidas was not prepared for production so Kneissl (in Kufstein, Tirol, Austria) made the Adidas Lendl GTX. It was of the exact same mold and string pattern as the Kneissl White Star Pro / Lendl Pro, but did not have Kevlar – rather, it was a Graphite-Fiberglass composite. In 1985 with a Kneissl White Star Pro Masters boosted Kneissl’s racquet sales by 21%. After the 1985 US Open, Kneissl proudly noted that seven players in six finals had used their racquets.Besides the White Star line, Kneissl launched Red Star and Blue Star lines with varying head sizes. The Red and Blue Star lines ended in 1988, replaced by Aeramic and Spark lines. The White Star line played a minor role, with only one more model, the White Star Pro Style, released in 1989. Kneissl stopped producing tennis racquets in 1991 but returned in 2006, reviving the legendary White and Red Star lines.

Historic Gallery

Specifications (👋 not yet accurate….check back soon)

MeasurementsValuePerformanceScore
Weight360gPower19/100
Length27inchControl41/100
Balance5pt head heavySpin40/100
GripPerforated leatherHandling78/100
Strings18 x 20 | syntheticComfort89/100
FlexibilityRA 43Consistency59/100

Gallery

Kneissl History

Austrian company Kneissl holds cult status among vintage racquet collectors, largely because Ivan Lendl began his career using Kneissl racquets. In 1977, Kneissl built the world’s first fully synthetic tennis racquet, the “White Star Pro.” Lendl’s success with the White Star Pro, including becoming ITF Junior World Champion in 1978 and ATP Player of the Year in 1979, showcased the racquet’s prowess.In December 1980, Kneissl introduced the White Star Ivan Lendl, featuring kevlar. However, Lendl never played with his signature racquet as he switched to Adidas in January 1981, using the GTX Pro Graphite, identical to the White Star Pro but rebranded. Lendl had already played a revarnished Kneissl White Star Pro in Adidas design during the Davis Cup final in December 1980. Kneissl produced the GTX Pro Graphite for Adidas in Austria, and later in France, while continuing its own racquet production. In 1984, the White Star Lendl Pro was renamed White Star Pro Masters, ending by 1987 with the White Star Master 10.Kevin Curren’s runner-up finish at Wimbledon in 1985 with a Kneissl White Star Pro Masters boosted Kneissl’s racquet sales by 21%. After the 1985 US Open, Kneissl proudly noted that seven players in six finals had used their racquets.Besides the White Star line, Kneissl launched Red Star and Blue Star lines with varying head sizes. The Red and Blue Star lines ended in 1988, replaced by Aeramic and Spark lines. The White Star line played a minor role, with only one more model, the White Star Pro Style, released in 1989. Kneissl stopped producing tennis racquets in 1991 but returned in 2006, reviving the legendary White and Red Star lines.

YEAREVENT
1861Kneissl founded as “wooden carriage workshop”
1919-1921First serial production of alpine skis in Austria
193620,000 pairs of skis produced
1946Franz Kneissl II takes over with 3 employees
1960First synthetic ski with wooden core developed
1967Kneissl Cup implemented in Japan
1975Most successful brand at Nordic Ski World Championship
1977Develops first fully synthetic tennis racket
1981Trak becomes controlling shareholder
1982Manufactures tennis rackets for Puma
1989Takeover by Austrian investors