Hazell’s Streamline Blue Star 1935

In 1935, Frank W. Donisthorpe released the first production version of his newly patented triple-shaft racquet design: the Streamline Blue Star. It marked the starting point of a series that would eventually appear in four base colors over the following years. The Blue Star featured a slim central shaft reinforced by two diagonal supports connecting the handle and the racquet head. This distinctive construction was developed to reduce air resistance and improve structural stability. To promote the innovation, British professional Henry ‘Bunny’ Austin was contracted to use the model in competition. He remained closely associated with the Streamline series until the end of his career. His final appearance with the design came in the 1938 Wimbledon final, where he was defeated by Donald Budge.