This opens the frame up to a wider audience. Developing players get enough help from the forgiving sweet spot and lively response, while the more advanced crowd can get a boost in power and spin without going overboard. The accuracy isn’t surgical, but it’s a cut above most in the category.
Same goes for its response. Stiff, thick, variable beams are generally hollow which can feel tinny or brittle at impact, especially outside the sweet spot. To compensate many have dampening technology and materials which can aid arm-friendliness, but produce a dulled or muted hitting experience.
The Blackout bridges the gap by having foam injected throughout the frame. Usually reserved for thinner-beamed, more control-oriented racquets—like Solinco’s Whiteout—the addition of foam rewards shots with a richer sound and a more connected, solid feel that separates it from its competitors. Along with the softer flex, it also raises the comfort to ease arm abuse concerns.
The difficulty of filling a thick beam full of foam is the prospect of raising the static or swingweight, or creating an unwieldy balance. However, none of those facets have changed on the Blackout and it maintains a more head light balance than many competitors. This elevates its effectiveness on defense; when stretched and the ball is a bit behind you, all you need to flick a wrist to get the ball deep and keep the point alive.
