The One
A Racket That Boasts a Rare Balance of Power and Control
The Wilson Clash 100 is raising the game of amateurs and advanced alike.
The Wilson Clash 100 tennis racket.
Photographer: Will Anderson for Bloomberg Businessweek
Like most athletic equipment, tennis rackets have evolved in bursts of innovation followed by decades of stasis. Billie Jean King and Jimmy Connors switched from wood to steel in the 1960s, and it was another decade-plus until the industry switched to graphite in the ’80s. Since then, the basic shape and composition have remained mostly the same. Now venerable brand Wilson has made a bid for the future with its $249 Clash 100, a racket that aligns carbon fibers to give maximum flexibility without sacrificing control.
The Competition