Daniil Medvedev has risen to No. 2 in the world and won the 2021 U.S. Open while playing with a ... [+]
The powerful career trajectories of both Daniil Medvedev and Iga Swiatek have done more than bolster their personal brand, it's given an "explosive" boost to racket maker Tecnifibre.
"Tecnifibre's growth is both exciting and explosive," says Marco Baron, CEO Tecnifibre North America. "There is so much momentum for our brand."
Lacoste purchased the French-based company in 2017, but Tecnifibre has enjoyed growth in both technology and recognition in the years since. With Medvedev, the 2021 U.S. Open champion and year-end World No. 2, and Swiatek, a 2020 French Open Champion and year-end World No. 9, both sporting signature models of Tecnifibre, the two brand ambassadors have created more visibility and excitement while lending additional credibility to the relatively young brand in the tennis racket space.
Iga Swiatek finished 2021 as the World No. 9. She also launched a signature Tecnifibre racket in ... [+]
Along the way, the two have brought their expertise to racket creation. "The Tecnifibre product team spends a tremendous amount of time on courts learning and listening closely to experts and constantly testing new products with players of all levels and ages," Baron says. "What better experts than Daniil and Iga? They are so in-tune with their equipment, so their advice is incredibly valuable. They always look for the extra 'something' in their equipment that can help play better."
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Medvedev endorses the TFight 305 RS and Swiatek lends her name to the T-Rebound Tempo 298. Swiatek started her career in Tecnifibre but moved to other brands, including for her 2020 French Open victory. She returned to Tecnifibre in early 2021 and this summer launched her signature frame, saying at the time, "I started my journey in tennis with a Tecnifibre racket and my first on-court memory is associated to the brand."
Medvedev has been with Tecnifibre since 2016. The brand says that both models mimic the specifications the players use on the court.
Tecnifibre is on the rise in the tennis gear space.
The latest line of frames from Tecnifibre come in the form of the TF-X1, a summer 2021 launch, with X-damp technology to dampen vibrations and IsoFlex to increase the racket's sweet spot by making shorter strings stiffer and longer strings softer. "As a result," Baron says, "the player keeps the same speed and precision on centered and off-centered hits."
Tecnifibre first entered the tennis equipment scene with strings in 1979. Now the brand has 14 different types of string in its lineup and continues to pair string technology with its growing list of racket technologies. Tecnifibre made its first rackets in 2004.
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As the brand continues to build momentum, thanks to the success of the Russian U.S. Open Champion and 20-year-old Polish star, Tecnifibre hopes to attract new players. "With an eye on the future, we are rapidly building an exceptional roster of young promising juniors who we believe will follow Iga's and Daniil's path," says Philippe Oudshoorn, Tecnifibre North America's national sports marketing manager. One such example is France's Gabriel Debru, who this fall became the fourth-youngest player ever to win a round at the Challenger level.
With the popularity of Medvedev and Swiatek and the quick rise of the TF-X1, Baron says to expect multiple new frames launching in 2022.
