Spalding Speedshaft

Spalding

Spalding Speedshaft (1972)

Condition
6
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 Spalding SpeedShaft

The Spalding Speedshaft was one of the most innovative of the 70s and one the most powerful rackets in its day. At the time racket innovation was just starting to move away from wood. The racket was extensively used by Rosie Casals. It was one of the first composite open throat rackets at a time when tennis was very traditional. In 1970 when the 22 year old Rosie Casals defeated Judy Dalton in the final of the Virginia Slims Invitational – the event that truly launched women’s professional tennis. In 1971 she reached the US open final on grass, losing to Billy Jean King and using a metal racket (possibly the Wilson T2000) but in 1972 she signed with Spalding and possibly they might have made the Speedshaft to copy (and improve) on the T2000. In doubles, her stellar haul of 112 trophies – including five Wimbledon crowns with Billie Jean King and four US titles – has been bettered only by Martina Navratilova. She was inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1996.

Rosie reflects: “Jeopardizing the chance to play Grand Slams was probably the riskiest part of going against the old establishment. What else were we risking? We were really second-class citizens when we played at sanctioned tournaments alongside the men – and that meant all tournaments. In that sense we didn’t have a lot to lose. On the other hand, the Grand Slams were everything to us at that time. “It wasn’t just about the money, it was about recognition, being given places to play and being paid fairly for something you did well. Prior to Houston, Billie Jean, Françoise Dürr, Ann Jones and I had become contract pros, playing alongside Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Pancho Gonzales, Roy Emerson and the other male pros. The four of us got a better deal at those events, and it gave us a taste of what was possible. We could see that in order to gain anything we had to risk something, and we were prepared to do it.

“The women’s movement at the time certainly helped our momentum. There was a real feeling that we were on the right track, that what we were fighting for was obtainable. Having a strong leader like Billie Jean, who could really command attention, was very important to us. We were also very fortunate to have found, through Gladys Heldman, Philip Morris and the Virginia Slims brand at a time they were looking to promote women. “It was a tough beginning, because we had to sell the media on the fact we deserved the right to play and be our own leaders and demand equal prize money. It was very difficult to attract their attention and get any ink. But we were educated by Virginia Slims – they taught us how to sell ourselves. I know for certain women’s tennis would not be where it is today if it wasn’t for them. To see how many players are playing today, how competitive it is, it’s terrific.”

Historic Gallery (re-drawn by AI)

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 Spalding

Albert Goodwill Spalding’s journey began as a pitcher for the Boston Red Stockings in 1871, where he pitched with a baseball he developed himself. In 1877, Spalding revolutionized baseball equipment by creating the first baseball glove, which transitioned the sport from bare hands to protective wear. In 1887, Spalding introduced the first American football and in 1894 the first basketball, followed by the first volleyball in 1895. By 1900, Spalding was the largest manufacturer of baseball bats in the U.S., producing over a million bats annually.While the business was rooted in baseball. Spalding opened their fifth global plant in Sunshine, Melbourne, in 1925. This plant was dedicated to manufacturing tennis rackets, tennis balls, and golf balls. Tennis rackets were imported from the USA in a rough state and shaped to various designs using special machinery, with Queensland maple and cedar woods used for the handles. The first year’s projection was to produce 40,000 rackets, with key 1926 brands including Kro-Bat, Gold Medal OS, Gold Medal HIC, Vantage, Greenwood, Crescent, and local Sunshine models.By 1927, the famous Top Flite split throat racket made an appearance, and Spalding’s global marketing efforts meant rackets produced in the USA resembled those made locally. In 1929, models included the Davis-Cup-De-Luxe, and by 1930, the Peerless and Endura were introduced. Spalding acquired Alexander Tennis Rackets in 1957

1888 Spalding Slocum

1961 Spalding Pancho Gonzales Autograph

1972 Spalding Speedshaft

1974 Spalding Lotus One

1980 Spalding Competition

1980 Spalding Elite

Gallery
Spalding Speedshaft

Timeline of Spalding

YEAREVENT
1871Albert Goodwill Spalding began his baseball career with Boston Red Stockings.
1876A.G. Spalding & Brothers sporting goods store opened in Chicago.
1877Spalding created the first baseball glove.
1878Spalding published the first “Official Rules Guide for Baseball.”
1882Spalding retired to become president of Chicago White Stockings.
1887Spalding created the first American football.
1894Spalding developed the world’s first basketball.
1895Spalding developed and manufactured the first American volleyball.
1900Spalding became the largest manufacturer of baseball bats in the U.S.
1930Spalding developed the first liquid center golf ball, the Kros-Flite.
1968Spalding developed the first 2-piece performance golf ball, the Spalding Executive.
1983Spalding Basketball selected as the Official Ball of NBA.
1992First composite leather basketball created.
1997Official basketball of the WNBA.
2001Spalding introduces first basketball with built-in Micro Pump.
2002Official soccer ball of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
2003Official basketball of the Rucker League and Big Ten tournaments.
2004Spalding becomes the official ball of the Arena Football League