Klip Signs Kneipp
April 18, 2004 by SquashTalk Staff, SquashTalk Independent News Service © 2004 

World top tenner Joe Kneipp goes back into action at Qatar with his new Klip Rackets. (photo © 2004 SquashTalk)

World Open Semi Finalist Joe Kneipp has signed a racquet and string contract with Klip. The Kneipp signing marks the first contract with a world-class squash player for the Klip organization

Joe Kneipp, the 30 year Amsterdam-based Australian broke into the world top 10 in January and is a member of the World Team Champions. He trialed the new Klip racquet at February’s Tournament of Champions in New York, and then March’s Bermuda Open. At both tournaments he made the Quarterfinals.

Klip, originally an Australian company, began manufacturing racquet strings in the 1920s in Melbourne. Since then they’ve established themselves as a market leader and innovator in both strings and racquets.

“I was very happy with the racquet,” Kneipp said. “It has the perfect mix of great feel and touch, but still with the power and durability required of a top class racquet. When I step on court I need to be comfortable that my racquet will allow me to hit a feathery volley drop that clings to the front wall, but that I can still slam the ball into the nick or blast it past my opponent with pace. A racquet needs to have touch and power, but also be able to take some heavy whacks on the sidewalls and stay intact. The Klip racquet does that.”

Klip began manufacturing strings in the 20s in Melbourne (photo © 2004 Klip)

Klip have come a long way from the small family operation that began nearly 80 years ago. In the '30s, the company began producing natural gut tennis strings, which immediately became extremely popular. It didn't take long for Klipspringer to start innovating. The world's first string made from inedible beef Serosa Ribbons was soon developed, producing a string with extremely high tensile strength.

Soon, Dunlop/Slazenger and Spalding were buying all their strings from Klipspringer. The relationship with Dunlop continued for many years, with both companies establishing themselves as market leaders. Klip’s stable of tennis players included Wimbledon Champions Pat Cash and 7-times Grand Slam Champion John Fitzgerald.

In the late '80s, thanks to Klipspringer's use of the finest raw materials and adherence to strict manufacturing procedures, the company formed relationships with some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, supplying them with natural gut sutures. For the same reasons, Klip strings are found on some of the world’s finest harps, violins and cellos.

Klip, with the help of German Sandro Diwok a professional stringer on the tennis world tour, began producing top quality racquets. 9 times German national squash Champion and former World #11 Hansi Wiens used the racquet to secure his 9th national title.

Klip are proud to have Joe Kneipp as part of their team.

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