From the arrival of tennis in the late 1870’s tennis became the social game and courts began to spring up everywhere at bowls clubs, churches, stand alone tennis clubs were formed and home courts became very popular.

The tennis boom globally saw the expansion of equipment suppliers and after reading Siegfried Kuebler’s Book of Tennis Rackets, in which there hundreds of racquet makers listed, very little is known about the Australian industry.

Up to the mid 1920’s most racquets were being imported from England and the USA, but tennis’ popularity reached levels which justified local production of racquets and balls.

The objective of this site is to try and source photos of and date as many models as possible which can be done from old ads, catalogues and even old receipts that people may have at home. The pictures and brand listings below come from a 1939 Melbourne Sports Depot retail catalogue and as you can see the information is priceless.

One thing you will notice about the Australian racquets is that many are wonderfully presented with colourful decals or patina often over the frame, throat and shaft. Compared to other countries in the 1920’s-1940’s period, the local racquet industry was experiencing hot competition where customer presentation was concerned and this level of finish in our view is unique to Australia with all manufacturers presenting outstanding graphical finishes.

Another project we are pleased to support is the production of a book about the Alexander Tennis Racquet Company which is being compiled by the family. We will happily provide information which will make the book a valuable account of Australia’s early Tennis days.

Below are some photos of various racquets made in Australia.

The main companies in Australia that produced wood racquets were:

Alexanders – Tasmania (1921 from a merge between two companies)

Brewers – Victoria

Chesterfield – Victoria

Hedley’s- Victoria (early 1930’s)

Oliver – Sth Australia

Slazenger /Dunlop – Victoria/ NSW

Spalding – Victoria (c1925)

Other smaller Australian companies producing locally or which began to market Australian designed racquets produced offshore are listed below. More information and photos are required given the obscurity and short life span some of these Companies. The other factor is whether some of these locally produced wood racquets were actually produced in-house or sub contracted to larger firms for manufacture.

ARCO (Australian Racquet Company) SA – (First stainless steel racquet made in Australia in1976. Company purchased by Olivers family member but was not continued, so racquets are quite rare)

Campbell’s – Qld

Empire

Emrik (c late 1970’s)

Fin- Australian owned Taiwanese made (c early 1980’s)

Master Racquets- QLD (First Aluminium extrusion racquets mid 1970’s)

Olympic Racquet Company (Petersham NSW)

Spider Web – Victoria

Stella- imported from various countries (VIC)

Taskers- Victoria (started late1950’s by staff ex Hedleys- brands Champion & Southern Star)

Tasmania Racquet Company (pre Alexanders) TAS

We intend developing sections for each company over time and would appreciate any contributions to the list above and information about the racquets produced, brand names etc.

Learn more under the manufacturers heading.