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Category: Racquets & Strings

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Company: HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports

10/25/06 - HEAD Introduces New Metallix Racquets Read more >>

08/21/06 - Head Celebrates Agassi's Career with Commemorative Radical Racquet Read more >>

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Category: Racquets & Strings - Company: HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports
Head Celebrates Agassi's Career with Commemorative Radical Racquet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Westerfield
Centennial Tower
Atlanta,
404-262-3000
lisa.westerfield@edelman.com

08/21/06 - Kennelbach, Austria--HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports is celebrating Andre Agassi’s spectacular 20-year tennis career with the release of an Andre Agassi Radical Limited Edition tennis racquet.

HEAD created the original Radical racquet specifically for Agassi when he joined the HEAD team in 1993. Agassi went on to win 37 of 60 titles including the Olympic tournament in Atlanta and seven of his eight Grand Slam victories while playing with the HEAD Radical. His record on the court over the last 13 years has helped make the Radical one of the best-selling tennis racquets worldwide: it was the best selling model from 1999 to 2004.

The Limited Edition Radical is an exact replica of the original Radical racquet that Andre first started playing with in 1993. Each racquet will feature Agassi’s signature on the shaft as well as his Grand Slam titles and the years he won them using the Radical. It also has a blue over wrap and comes with a rubber band tied in the string to dampen vibration (just the way Andre plays it). The black cover bag will feature Agassi’s signature in bright yellow.

Each collector’s item racquet – only a limited number will be produced worldwide - includes a serial number and certificate of authenticity.

“Andre is one of the sport’s best ambassadors and will continue to be a valued member of the HEAD team for years to come,” said Johan Eliasch, chairman and CEO of HEAD. “We wanted to honor his achievements and give people a piece of tennis history at the same time. This Limited Edition Radical is a powerful piece of equipment that will help many more people achieve their dreams on the court.”

The Andre Agassi Radical Limited Edition will be available in limited quantities at pro-specialty shops and sporting goods stores nationwide beginning in November 2006. Suggested retail price is $200.

Agassi’s career highlights while playing with the HEAD Radical are legendary:
• 1993 - Agassi signs with HEAD and begins playing with the Radical Tour. He makes the biggest one-year jump to the top 10 in the history of the ATP rankings that year.
• 1994 – Agassi wins the US Open
• 1995 - Agassi switches to the Twin Tube Radical, wins the Australian Open and shoots up to #1 in six months.
• 1996 – Andre becomes the first American man to capture an Olympic Gold Medal in singles since 1924.
• 1999 - Agassi renews his contract with HEAD and unveils the Ti.Radical, the first titanium frame to be played on the men’s professional tour. He wins the French Open and US Open, and becomes the #1 player in the world – again.
• 2000-2001 – Agassi wins the Australian Open in back-to-back years.
• 2003 – Agassi switches to the LM Radical, becomes the oldest #1 player (at 33 years of age), wins the Australian Open again and signs an agreement with HEAD that encompasses the remainder of his professional career and post-career activities
• 2006- Agassi gears up for his final US Open playing with the HEAD Flexpoint Radical.


ABOUT HEAD: Head NV is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of premium sports equipment. Head NV’s ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“HED”) and the Vienna Stock Exchange (“HEAD”). The company’s business is organized into four divisions: Winter Sports, Racquet Sports, Diving and Licensing. Products are sold under the Head (tennis, squash and racquetball racquets, Head Tennisballs, alpine skis and ski boots, snowboards, bindings and boots), Penn (tennis and racquetball balls), Tyrolia (ski bindings), and Mares/Dacor (diving equipment) brands. The company holds leading positions in all product markets and the equipment is endorsed by some of the world’s top athletes including Andre Agassi, Gustavo Kuerten, Marat Safin, Bode Miller, Johannes Grugger and Maria Riesch.

Media contact:
Mag. Robert Summer
HEAD SPORT AG
Kennelbach, Austria
Tel: +43 (0)5574/608-358
email: r.summer@head.com
head.com