Slazenger Ruzici

Slazenger

Slazenger Ruzici (1982)

Condition
9
10: New
9: Mint
8: Excellent
7: Good
6: Fair
5: Average
4: Below Average
3: Poor
| Rarity
10
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

Following on from success of the iconic Challenge no 1 from 1965 there was slow development until in 1981 there was a big leap when they released the Vilas open throat frame quickly followed by the V24. But it was late in the day and the writing was on the wall for wooden rackets and indeed for the iconic Slazenger brand in general. This is a clone (or rebranding) of the V-24 made for Virginia Ruzici. Ruzici became a professional tennis player in 1975. One of her main assets on court was her powerful forehand. In a career spanning 12 years, Ruzici won 12 career singles titles, including one Grand Slam title, the 1978 French Open. In the final, she beat 1977 French Open champion Mima Jaušovec 6–2, 6–2. Ruzici also won the French Open doubles event with Jaušovec in 1978 and reached the mixed doubles final in 1978. She appeared in the French Open singles final in 1980, but lost in straight sets to Chris Evert.[1] Ruzici remained in the world’s top 20 from 1977 to 1983.[2] She regularly featured in the Romania Fed Cup team throughout her career, and began playing for them in 1973, two years before turning professional.

The v24 was part of the last generation of wood rackets before transitioning from wood to composite materials. It competed with other wood-composite rackets like: Prince Woodie, Head Vilas, Rossignol C-15, Dunlop 150G, Bancroft Status Open. Looking at a newspaper advert from 1985, the price of the V-24 was £63.99

Historic Gallery

Specifications (👋 not yet accurate….check back soon)
MeasurementsValuePerformanceScore
Weight394gPower33/100
Head Size & Length68sq in | 27inchControl28/100
Balance8pt head light (220)Spin26/100
GripPerforated leatherHandling30/100
Strings18 x 20 | gutComfort49/100
FlexibilityRA 49Consistency33/100
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

YEAREVENT
1877Slazenger tennis balls production begins.
1881Ralph and Albert Slazenger establish a shop in London.
1883Slazenger files a patent for a table tennis net.
1885Slazenger begins promoting sporting goods.
1889Captain Ralph Slazenger visits Australia.
1902Slazenger becomes the official tennis ball supplier for Wimbledon.
1910Slazenger and Sons becomes a public company.
1928Slazenger opens an Australian factory in Sydney.
1931Slazenger acquires H. Gradidge and Sons.
1939Slazenger acquires William Sykes Ltd.
1942Slazenger acquires F. H. Ayres.
1940Slazenger factory bombed during the Blitz.
1958Dunlop acquires Slazenger, allowing it to run independently.
1959Ralph Slazenger Jr. sells the family business to Dunlop Rubber.
1960-1973Slazenger racquets win 38 of 112 Grand Slam events.
1965Slazenger Championship No.1 tennis racket launched.
1980sRise of metal and composite tennis racquets.
Mid-1980sSlazenger ceases racquet production in Australia.
1985Dunlop Rubber purchased by BTR plc; forms Dunlop Slazenger Sports Group.
1996BTR sells Dunlop Sport in a management buyout; new company named “Dunlop Slazenger”.
2002Slazenger Barnsley plant closes; production moves to the Philippines.
2004CINVen sells Dunlop Slazenger to Sports Direct International.