2.4 THE RACKET
2.4.1 The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and rigid.
2.4.2 At least 85% of the blade by thickness
shall be of natural wood; an adhesive layer within the blade may be reinforced with
fibrous material such as carbon fibre, glass fibre or compressed paper, but shall not be thicker than 7.5% of the total thickness or 0.35mm, whichever is the smaller.
T4
"Natural wood" (The Law 2.4.2) implies continuity throughout the blade; this permits
plywood but not, for example, particle-board, flake-board and other composites.
“Rigid” (The Law 2.4.1) is intended to apply to the blade and the handle taken as a
whole. Flexibility is not permitted in a racket except in the racket covering.
1.1. Blade
A very thin layer of lacquer is permitted on the blade, only for the purpose of anchoring
wood fibers, thereby facilitating replacement of the racket covering. Anything more than
this will be deemed to constitute a layer of plastic, and will not be permitted. This layer
may be no more than 0.1 mm thick, and should not hide the wood from sight or touch. It is considered to be part of the blade, rather than part of the thickness of the racket
covering.
1.2. Adhesive
The use of a
thick layer of adhesive is NOT permitted either
within the blade (The Law
2.4.2), or between the blade and the racket covering.
