In the late 1990s, some manufacturers produced rackets with the maximum allowable length and ITF-mandated cap of 32 inches (82,28 cm). The length dimension, which is no longer permitted by the ITF, has been applied to several rackets, amongst them the Adidas Mid-T Ivan Lendl racket and the Long Gamma shown in illustration 1. Illustration 2 and 3 show 4 of the Berlin Tennis Gallery´s Mid-T rackets in excess length. Illustration 2 shows the Long Gamma.
Interesting fact (tennis.com): The Frankensticks scared the ITF bosses who feared they would be so powerful they’d reduce the game to a boring fast-serving and quick-kill-shot contest. “We don’t want all the tennis players at the club serving like [Mark] Philippoussis with nobody being able to return the ball,” said ITF President Brian Robin, referring to the Scud’s blazing service missiles. “We believe [we] are correct, but we’re not able to prove [it].” The ITF decided to reduce maximum length to 29 inches, effective 1997 for league players and effective 2000 for pros. The 29-inch rule still stands.
