Abstract: A racquet including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. The head portion of the racquet being formed of a fiber composite material. When the racquet is tested under the racquet lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.5 mm when measured in a first direction that is parallel to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the racquet is tested under a racquet forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of less than 7.3 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A grip for use with a sports implement extending about a longitudinal axis. The grip includes a flexible strip defining a length defining a major dimension and width defining a minor dimension. The strip has a butt end region, a primary region and a throat end region. The throat end region defines at least one guideline. The guideline extends along an outer surface of the strip at an angle with respect to a line that is parallel to the major dimension of the strip. The angle is arranged such that when the grip is wrapped about the sports implement, the guideline extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.