Condition

8

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 This Racket

Slazenger’s hit a home run with the astonishing Challenge No.1 but wanted more sponsorships. They chose Rosewall whose professional career was one of the longest in tennis history, with his last tour victory occurring in 1977. He used several rackets including dunlop early on, then Slazenger (mostly the no1). In 1971 he tried out the 1973 the Seamco Rosewall Steel. It is likely Slazenger launched this for the public as a commemorative racket in 1974. It looks like a close cousin of the Challenge No 1, simply rebranded, and why not that was one of the best of the 70s.

Ken Rosewall, born 1934, in Sydney, Australia secured 18 Grand Slam titles, with 8 of those being in men’s singles. 1.Despite his shorter stature and slight build, Rosewall was a dominant force in tennis, outlasting many physically stronger players and remarkably avoiding serious injuries. His first major victories came in 1953 when he won the Australian and French singles titles, and, alongside fellow Australian Lew Hoad, clinched the Australian, French, and Wimbledon doubles titles. Two years later, he added another Australian Open singles title to his achievements. In 1956, Rosewall and Hoad led Australia to a Davis Cup victory over the United States and triumphed in several international doubles championships. In 1974, at the age of 39, Rosewall reached the singles finals at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, where he was defeated by Jimmy Connors. His ability to compete at such a high level at 39 was considered remarkable.

Historic Gallery

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

About Slazenger

The history of Slazenger is a significant and storied one, closely intertwined with the development and growth of tennis, as well as other sports, through its innovative equipment and strategic marketing. Starting in the mid-1880s, Slazenger UK branched out from its successful military clothing business to promote sporting goods, including tennis, cricket, and football equipment. The company quickly capitalized on the burgeoning popularity of tennis in the UK, producing boxed tennis sets and partnering with key players like William Renshaw, a six-time Wimbledon champion, to boost their brand.Slazenger’s tennis balls began production in 1877, but it wasn’t until 1902 that they became the official ball of Wimbledon, a partnership that has lasted over a century. The company expanded its reach internationally, notably to Australia, where it established a significant presence by the early 1900s. Slazenger opened an Australian factory in 1928 to manufacture rackets and later added cricket bat production. Despite setbacks like the 1932 factory fire and a devastating hailstorm in the late 1990s, Slazenger maintained its production and innovation in Australia.The company was known for its aggressive marketing strategies, including player endorsements and junior tennis development programs. This practice not only promoted their products but also helped maintain player fitness and visibility through exhibition matches. Slazenger’s investment in young talent paid off, particularly in the 1950s, with players like John Newcombe endorsing their products.In the 1930s, Slazenger introduced the “Floating Power” rackets, featuring mercury in the handle to enhance racket weight at the point of impact, a concept initially attempted in the UK in 1889. The company also experimented with unique designs like the famous “All White” racket used by Fred Perry in the 1934 Australian Championships.The post-war era saw the introduction of the “Challenge” racket, made from Canadian Ash, which became popular among club players until the mid-1970s. Despite fierce competition and technological advancements in racket materials in the 1980s, Slazenger maintained its reputation, particularly for its high-quality tennis balls.In 1958/59, Dunlop acquired Slazenger, allowing it to operate independently, and between 1960 and 1973, Slazenger rackets won a significant number of Grand Slam events. However, by the mid-1980s, racket production in Australia had ceased due to competitive pressures and the shift to manufacturing in Asia.

Gallery

Timeline of Slazenger