Wilson-Chris-Evert-Autograph

Wilson

Wilson Chris Evert Autograph (1975)

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

Wilson launched the Chris Evert Autograph racket in 1976, which Evert used until switching to the Wilson Pro Staff Mid in 1984. Chris Evert was known as America’s tennis sweetheart was the posterchild for Wilson as she used Wilson since her teens, initially the Wilson Billy Jean King model. Of course, following her early success Wilson couldn’t resist putting her name on as many rackets as possible.

Remember that in 1969 Wilson released the Billie Jean King Autograph racket with Strata-Bow technology. This racket was known for its long handle pallets to reduce torque and flexibility in the head. This racket helped Billie Jean King win her record fifth Wimbledon victory. But by 1975 Wilson introduced a championship racket designed to meet the needs of serious female players; the Chris Evert Autograph. This racket was lighter and more flexible overall which increase power and included white ash and Strata-Bow construction

To recap she became the first player to win 1000 singles matches and compiled the second most career match wins (1,309), behind Martina Navratilova, who won 1,442. She was ranked #1 or #2 in the world from 1975 to 1986. 1982 and 83 were not great years for Chris as she played with Wilson CE Autograph but Martina has switched early from the wood Yonex Carbonex to the synthetic R1 R7 R22 series. Despite this she beat Martina on grass at the 1982 Australian Open using wood. She ran her close at Wimbledon 1982 and even won three grand-slams in a row from 1982 to 1983 (on all surfaces of hard, grass and clay) when all her main rivals were playing with racket. In early 1984 she switched to Wilson Pro Staff wood. Chris finally moved to graphite two years later than everyone else (having spent her whole career playing wooden rackets it was difficult to change….the same happened to Borg). Chris really spent late 1984 growing into graphite, with the benefits appearing in 1985 towards the end of her illustrious career.

Variants
AutographChampChampionChris EvertCutlass
Court StarEmbassyLady EvertMiss ChrisMonaco
Net KingPersonalPrestigeProPro Cup
Pro StaffProfessionalSentryShot-makerSelect
StylistSignatureTriumphTournamentTopspin
Victory CupRallyAdvisoryAmericanAmerican Star
Historic Gallery

Specifications (đź‘‹ 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

Gallery
About Wilson

Wilson Sporting Goods Company traces its origins to the “Schwarzschild & Sulzberger” meatpacking company, founded in 1913 to utilize animal by-products, the company initially manufactured tennis racket strings, violin strings, and surgical sutures. By 1914, it expanded into producing baseball shoes and tennis racquets. Thomas E. Wilson, a former meatpacking president, was appointed in 1915, renaming the company “Thomas E. Wilson Company”. He steered the company into producing a variety of sporting goods, including footballs and basketballs.Wilson’s entry into the sporting goods industry was marked by innovation and strategic partnerships. In the 1920s, the company introduced the Ray Schalk catcher’s mitt and collaborated with Knute Rockne on football equipment. In 1931, it was renamed “Wilson Sporting Goods Company”. The company developed the Wilson Duke football, which became the official NFL ball in 1941, a partnership that continues to this day.Wilson’s influence in tennis began in earnest in the 1950s with the partnership with Jack Kramer, resulting in the Jack Kramer Autograph racquet. This racquet became one of the best-selling models of its time, used by numerous champions including Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King. The 1960s saw further innovation with the introduction of the first steel racquet, the Wilson T2000, endorsed by Jimmy Connors.Wilson continued to innovate with the release of the Chris Evert Autograph racquet in 1975 and the introduction of wide body racquets in the 1980s. The company’s tennis balls became the official balls for the US Open in 1979 and the Australian Open in 2006. In 2021, Wilson returned as the official game ball supplier for the NBA and WNBA.

YEAREVENT
1868Thomas E. Wilson born in Ontario, Canada.
1914Wilson Sporting Goods founded; first racquet crafted.
1915Thomas E. Wilson appointed president; company renamed “Thomas E. Wilson Company”.
1917Wilson’s catalogue included 28 racquet models.
1922Introduced Ray Schalk catcher’s mitt, became the standard.
1925Renamed “Wilson-Western Sporting Goods” after distribution agreement.
1931Renamed “Wilson Sporting Goods Company”.
1935Released original leather tennis handle wrap, Mahogany Leather Grip.
1941Wilson Duke football becomes official ball of NFL.
1946Becomes official game ball supplier for BAA (NBA predecessor).
1950sOfficially partnered with Jack Kramer; created Jack Kramer Autograph racquet.
1958Thomas E. Wilson passed away.
1967Introduced first steel racquet, Wilson T2000.
1969Released Billie Jean King Autograph racquet with Strata-Bow technology.
1975Introduced Chris Evert Autograph racquet.
1979Wilson tennis balls first used at the U.S. Open.
1987Introduced Profile racquet, first wide body racquet.
1990Introduced Hammer technology for recreational players.
2006Wilson tennis balls began use at the Australian Open.
2021Became official game ball supplier for NBA and WNBA.