My history with Fischer tennis rackets  

Introduction

Many people who know me probably do not consider me as collector. But I admit, I have a small tendency for that. I have collected ice fishing lures, collected, cataloged, and reviewed over hundred Le Nozze di Figaro opera recordings, and, as this blog will reveal, collected tennis rackets, mostly made by Fischer. I might reveal my opera listening tips later. For ice fishing lures, I suggest one to join me for a cold trip or two.   

Most of my Fischers with my regular ball boy

In my opinion, every collection needs a story. As a tennis collection, my twenty or so rackets is hardly considered a collection. You know, it is just a bunch of rackets. But, then again, this is my story. Tennis rackets are probably just a chase for the lost youth, yet sure there is a historic story line involved. The collection is a short glance on the golden period of time in tennis racket evolution. The start time for this period is around 1987, when the tennis rackets finally evolved to the modern ones. About the same time, as a 13 year old kid, I started to play tennis, not as my main hobby, not even second, but anyway in a weekly basis.   

For Fischer this time marked the era of Vacuum technology, that enabled them to produce rackets of unsurpassed quality. The quality control of the rackets made in Ried, Austria is still more or less surpassed.  The end of the golden era for me is around the time when the production of the frames was transferred to cheaper facilities, away from the Austria. This time coincides well with the time, when material selection probably went to less optimal ones. It is my understanding that materials such as Kevlar and Silicon Carbide became more expensive due to their use in other industries, especially aerospace. The end time might be around 1995. This time roughly coincides me starting university studies, my own life, and own finances. There was not really time and money, nor buddies, not even real interest, to play tennis. 

Luckily the situation changed for the better. Some eight years ago I ended up happily with a lady with a Fischer tennis racket. Yet she now plays with Wilson Clash, I still have a (hitting) parnter with compatible interests.  

My racket mix

There are many Fischer rackets in the world. Not all of them are that great, and I certainly do not like all I have tried. Thus I have decided to limit my focus. As already suggested above, frames that are made in Austria are strongly favored. This means that my rackets are preferably build before 1995. Additionally, anything less than 90 square inches is probably small for me to hit the sweet spot, with my current skills that is. The Superform family is considered too archaic for the collection, which kind of determines that my rackets are from year 1987 onward, or so. I would like to ephasise that the years I list are not based on anything but internet postings. I do not have original catalogues, not Tennis magazines from that era. Additionally, the oversize frames are not, nor were, my cup of tea. Frames over 98 square inches are not permitted to my closet (unless they belong to my wife).  

My interest is mainly frames meant for advanced players, yet I do not really consider myself to be one. So there are no Opens (except one), Break points, Flairs, Motions, Tangentials, King size presidents, Clubs, Fascinations, nor any aluminium frames. Ugly ones, like Vacuum Centron (Yeah, I know it would play well), are omitted, too. 

There are some loose rules I have followed along the way in filling my closet. First of all, my apartment and especially the closet is small, on purpose, and cannot take 200 rackets.  Every frame needs to be in playable condition. I need to have some personal feel on how the frames play. So there are contemporary strings in the rackets, there are no plastic wrapper on handles, more often than not the original grips have been replaced by modern synthetic replacement, and so on. 

When it comes to tennis, the visual design is important, too. For me, the Nicole Dürr designs are the best, if not the only proper, Fischer designs. In my opinion, the 1991 smoky black and white designs are the peak of the whole tennis racket industry, design-wise. I do not fancy the post-1991 fishnet designs. As a consequence, I have just one of them - yet. 

As a starting point, I will try to list the racket molds I am interested along with some I might get interested provided some extra time and finances, and maybe second garage. They are (in order of importance):

• Elliptic
• 98 square inch head
• 1990-1994
• Tapered beam
• 3 pairs of mains in throat
• Twin Tec mid size
• 90 square inch head
• Tapered beam
• two-piece grommetless
• Twin Tec mid plus 
• 98 square inch head
• Tapered beam
• two-piece grommetless
• Used by Charly Steeb
• Vacuum pro
• 90 square inch head
• 1988-
• Constant beam
• 3 pairs of mains in throat
• Used by Michel Stich 

The molds I have some interest are

• Vacuum Pro 98, constant beam
• Vacuum Pro 98, tapered beam
• Vacuum Comp 95 

Elliptic line

Elliptic line has a classical racket with modern feel. My understanding that the line is probably not for the pros, but rather advanced player. The sweet spot is nice and big, which allows amateurs (like me) enjoy the Fischer feeling without complications.  

The original Elliptic mold has three main string pairs in the open throat area. The models with four pairs came after this mold, and was in its entirety made outside of Austria. There is nothing special about this later mold, apparently. There is an overwhelming amount of different Elliptic frames, considering the short time, maybe about 1990-1994, it was active. The original mold came with at least the names

• Vacuum Elliptic Pro
• Vacuum Elliptic
• Elliptic
• Elliptic Kevlar
• Elliptic SL
• Elliptic Fun
• Elliptic Comp
• Elliptic Comp Pro
• Elliptic Mid Plus
• Elliptic Comp Mid Plus 
• Elliptic Trend 

At least around '92 Elliptic Comp came with different SiC and Kevlar layups, that had almost alike appearance. There are some weight differences. According to my experience, Elliptic Kevlar and SL are 320 g, or so. Pro models are around 350 g, rest mostly around 340 g. Strung swing weights are on a lower side when compared to modern players racket averaging around 310, Kevlar being around 300 and Pro around 315-320. 

As I write above, the Austrian made rackets are special. There is certainly a notable mechanical difference; the Austrian made rackets are molded as one piece units. Even the handle is molded to be one with the rest of the frame. So there must a different mold for different grip sizes. I do have five of these beauties:  

• Vacuum Elliptic Pro, wonderful green 354 g unit from about 1990, with Vestoran bumper
• 2 x Elliptic Comp, best-ever 91' Dürr design, with Silicon Carbide (SiC) layup
• Elliptic Comp, 1992 Dürr design, with Kevlar layup
• Elliptic Kevlar, 91' Dürr design  

Elliptics made in Austria 

Two of these, Pro and -92 Comp are almost always in my racket bag, Kevlar frequently. One of the 91' version I have used since 1992, and is mostly on retirement, yet it has always been my number one racket. As I actually play with the Elliptics, I own, I have acquired units made elsewhere, as well. 

• 2 x Elliptic Comp, 1992 Dürr design, with SiC layup ("Designed in Austria")
• 2 x Elliptic Comp, 1992 Dürr design, with Kevlar layup ("Designed in Austria")
• 2 x 1992 Vacuum Elliptic Pro, very nice metallic green Dürr design
• 1993 Elliptic Comp Mid Pro, Pink/Cyan "Head Gravity" color scheme
• 1993 Elliptic Mid Pro, Blue/White "Head Gravity" color scheme

For some reason the old 1993 Comp, with 2020's "Head Gravity" paint, has become one of my go-to rackets. 

Elliptic frames not made in Austria

Reasonably priced Made in Austria Elliptics are not too frequently in the market. As I probably have enough of Elliptic frames for the rest of my tennis career, I am not too troubled by this. Additionally, the maze of Fischer made Elliptic names makes collecting "all relevant" frames quite impossible.    

Twin Tec

Grommetless Twin Tec frames are unique in design. Racket mold consists of two sandwiched halves, with a Vestoran layer in between. Due to Vestoran layer, no grommets are needed. These frames also appear to be wanted by collectors, most likely due to their special construction. Contrary to Elliptic, there is very limited number of versions. According to my experience, there are four versions. Mid plus (98) sized Twin Tec and Twin Tec Pro, and mid sized Twin Tec Mid Pro. After several years of monitoring market sites, I finally found that there indeed was Twin Tec Mid, too. The Twin Tec line was in production in a short time, maybe 1989-1992. The production was probably far too complicated and expensive to transfer it outside of Austria.  

The beautiful Nicole Dürr design, smoky black and white Twin Tec Pro from '91 notably carries the name of Carl-Uwe Steeb. Charly certainly was able to handle the racket effortlessly. 

I have currently four Twin Tecs

• 1991 Twin Tec Pro (Steeb)
• 1991 Twin Tec Mid Pro
• 1992 Twin Tec Mid Pro, with metallic green Dürr design
• 1990 Twin Tec, solid dark grey design

My Twin Tec collection 

One of my absolute favorite rackets is Twin Tec Mid Pro with the same graphics scheme as the Steeb racket. The low swing weight makes the racket very maneuverable. The dense and round string pattern give this racket a lot of control. Probably the construction enhances the dampened feel from the racket. This particular racket I have used since 1992 (hardly never during 1995...2015, though). The racket is perfect for warm up and relaxed baseline hitting. The racket is not especially flexible but yet very comfortable. Especially so with the multi-filament string setup. Currently I use Technifibre Triax 17 strung at 25 kg, which feels very very appropriate.   

I do not have anything against some weight in the racket. Yet, I find it very difficult to understand why the "Pro" racket is lighter than the not-Pro. Anyway, my non-Pro Twin Tec is a heavy beast, about 370 g. I rarely find my arm, nor swing, to be in the condition that I like to use this racket. Apart from the rackets I own, I know of three graphics

• Twin Tec Pro, with solid blue/purple color
• Twin Tec Mid Pro, with solid blue/purple color
• Twin Tec Mid, with solid blue/purple color with a hint of white
• Twin Tec, with smoky '91 design, with some purple

Naturally, I would like to add these to my collection, for completeness. 

Vacuum Pro 90

The 90 square inch Vacuum pro is one of the true classics. The frames made in Austria are wanted by several collectors. The drawback of this is that the prices in auction sites are generally very high. Some rare units, such as 1991 model are more or less impossible to find. According to my little research, there are at least these versions of the racket

• 1988, Vacuum Pro, solid cyan/blue color, 14x19 pattern 
• 1989, Vacuum Pro, solid cyan/blue color, 16x20 pattern (like all after this) 
• 1991, Vacuum Pro, classic smoky black & white 91' Nicole Dürr design
• 1992, Vacuum Pro Mid Size, fishnet design and purple texts
• 1993, Vacuum Pro Mid Size, fishnet design and purple texts apart from white "Pro"
• 1994, Vacuum Pro MS, fishnet design with black text background
• 1995, Vacuum Pro 90, fishnet design with blue "P" letter
• ...
• 1997, Vacuum Pro Classic, silver with red "Pro" text
• 1998, VT Pro Classic, blue with red "Pro" text
• ...
• 2013, Pacific X Feel Pro 90

There probably were some more versions between 1995 and 2013, but they are from the wrong era, in my perspective. 

My only Vacuum pro is the first generation one, with exceptional 14 x 19 string pattern. The first word that comes to mind about the frame is demanding. The sweet spot is tiny, but oh boy it is sweet. All in all, it always invite me to play my favorite style of its era, serve & volley.

Out of the 90 Vacuum Pros, I would definitely like to add 2nd generation blue and 3rd generation black & white Vacuum Pros to my collection. I could certainly accept Austrian made Vacuum Pro Mid Size from about 1992, as well. 

Constant beam Vacuum Pro 98

Apparently very soon after 90 inch Vacuum release, likely around 1990, Fischer released similar constant beam 98 inch racket. This mold is also very popular and successful, it can still be bought as Pacific X Tour Pro 97. This mold is not my main interest. The only representative was the '91 Nicole Dürr design, with the signature of Alex Antonitsch in the frame graphics. This racket, however, feels too heavy in my hands, due to 360 g weight. Thus, I traded that racket to Pacific X Tour Pro 97. 

Tapered beam Vacuum Pro 98

Tapered beam Vacuum Pro 98 may be the most well known of Fischer racket. I assume that it appeared to market around year 1992. I am uncertain if the frame was ever manufactured in Austria. My only Fischer racket of this mold is from '93-'94. There is considerable interest on the frame, probably due to better-known players, such as Kafelnikov and Baghdatis, having used it. 

I have recently bought three modern Pacific frames (2 x X Force Pro No.1 and Pro 320) that use this mold, or some newer modification of it. The lighter weight of the frames seem to be well suited for my aging body.

Other rackets 

Apart from the "Pro" Vacuums, there are several other Vacuum frames from the same era. Luckily, as of now, I have not been really interested on them, either. Open is a intermediate player line, initially with a "Vacuum Pro 90" head shape. The only reason there is Open in the collection is my own history. I got it as a Christmas present in 1991, as far as I remember.  From about 2000-2012 it was the only racket I played with, maybe just five times a year during that period. 

Preparing rackets for play

I usually string the rackets at first with 23-25 kg (50-55 lbs) multi-filament strings. Currently my reference strings are Head Velocity MLT and Head RIP Control. Occasionally I strung some of my Elliptics with modern poly, Solinco Confidential usually, for some extra spice and spin for my life. I tend to like swing weights of 310...320. The lighter Elliptics usually require few extra grams to hoop for that. 

Final thoughts

There are certain question that arise when looking at the collection. Which of these would I take to desert island, with a clay court and a (hitting) partner? For this, I would say the smoky black and white Elliptic Comp, with new grommets (or stolen from other frames). 

Another relevant question is which I would select as a serious match play. Serious here means that I would really like to win the matches. Would I take with me the racket and spirit of Stich, or maybe ones of Charly Steeb, or something else? For me the answer is quite clear. After my restart I would at the end choose some of the modern rackets from 2020's. My Pacific frames would probably be as good starting point as any. My more modern reference, Technifibre T-Rebound Iga, would probably be too modern, after all. Due to handicap of deteriorated muscles, age and definitely much-less-than-Rafa stamina, the modern, powerful and light racket would likely help me win some tighter matches.  

Appendix 

Most of my sporting life is listed in various Excel sheet. Attached is the Fischer racket sheet, which shows the state of my collection today. Interested collectors will likely find it false and incomplete. Please contact for a up-to-date list.