Snauwaert-John-Newcombe

Snauwaert

Snauwaert Boronite II Newcombe (1976)

Condition
10
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

Snauwaerts 2nd sponsorship was Australian John Newcombe (born 1944) who attained a world No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles. At the majors, he won seven singles titles, a former record 17 men’s doubles titles, and two mixed doubles titles. He also contributed to five Davis Cup titles for Australia. They made this racket around 1975 and it has to be one of the best liveries ever made. Stunning!!

Specifications (👋 not yet accurate….check back soon)
MeasurementsValuePerformanceScore
Weight360gPower19/100
Head Size & Length65sq in | 27inchControl41/100
Balance5pt head heavySpin40/100
GripPerforated leatherHandling78/100
Strings18 x 20 | syntheticComfort89/100
FlexibilityRA 43Consistency59/100
About Snauwaert

Snauwaert, is one of the biggest names is tennis, but one only tennis geeks know about. That’s because they manufactured mainly for other brands! Founded in 1928 in Beveren, Belgium, by Valeer Snauwaert and Eugeen Depla , the company initially focused on producing wooden sports equipment. Their expertise in woodworking, honed from their previous work in car body construction, laid the foundation for their venture into the sports industry. During the 1930s, Snauwaert & Depla expanded their operations, moving to a larger facility in Brabantstraat, Beveren, and began exporting their products internationally. However, World War II brought significant challenges, and the company shifted its production to sleds due to the war’s impact on the sports market. After the war, despite the untimely death of Valeer Snauwaert, the company resumed its growth under the leadership of his son Karel and Eugeen Depla’s son Andrée. The 1950s and 1960s marked a period of significant expansion and innovation for Snauwaert. They successfully adapted to the establishment of the European Economic Community in 1957 and capitalized on the tennis boom in America during the 1960s, becoming a leading brand in tennis racket production. The 1970s were a golden era for Snauwaert. The company reached its peak, producing about 800,000 rackets per year and becoming a supplier for major brands like Adidas, Lacoste, and Spalding. This period also saw the introduction of iconic models such as the Snauwaert Pro Wood and the Snauwaert FP10, which were favored by both professionals and amateurs. In the 1980s, Snauwaert continued to innovate, introducing new materials like graphite and composite materials into their rackets. The company also made a significant marketing push by sponsoring prominent tennis players such as Vitas Gerulaitis, Yannick Noah, Emilio Sánchez, and Mats Wilander. This era saw the creation of revolutionary rackets like the Snauwaert Grip 2, Snauwaert Boron, and Snauwaert Mid, which offered a balance of power and control. However, the 1990s brought increased competition and financial difficulties for Snauwaert. Despite efforts to adapt and release new models, the company struggled to keep pace with the rapidly evolving market. The unexpected death of Karel Snauwaert in 1985 further compounded these challenges. By the early 1990s, Snauwaert faced significant financial difficulties, and despite attempts to revive the brand, the company ceased production in the mid-1990s.

Gallery

Snauwaert Timeline
YEAREVENT
1928Snauwaert & Depla founded in Beveren, Belgium by Valeer Snauwaert and Eugeen Depla, producing wooden sports equipment.
1930sCompany expands, moves to Brabantstraat in Beveren, and begins exporting to various countries.
1940sCompany produces sleds during World War II.
Post-WWIIValeer Snauwaert dies; his son Karel inherits his role.
1950sEugeen Depla passes leadership to his son Andrée.
1957Company successfully adapts to the establishment of the European Economic Community.
1960sTennis boom in America leads to increased demand and expansion; Snauwaert becomes a leading brand in tennis racket production.
1970sPeak production reaches about 800,000 per year as a supplier for major brands like Adidas, Lacoste, and Spalding.
1975International market under pressure due to cheap Taiwanese rackets.
1979Karel Snauwaert launches the Snauwaert-branded racket in the American market.
1980Vitas Gerulaitis becomes a brand ambassador.
1982Introduction of the ‘Ergonom’ racket with a 42-degree inclined oval.
1985Karel Snauwaert unexpectedly dies; production moves from Roeselers to Portugal.
1987Jacques Mattan buys a majority of shares.
1988-1989Mecir wins Olympics and Indian Wells using a Snauwaert wood and graphite racket.
Early 1990sCompany faces financial difficulties, Bob Bruloot attempts to revive the brand, but fails.
1991Snauwaert & Depla closes down.