Racquet configured with increased flexibility in multiple directions with respect to a longitudinal axis

A tennis racquet extending along a longitudinal axis and capable of being tested under a racquet lateral bending test including a first test fixture, a deflection indicator and a clamp, wherein the racquet lateral bending test includes mounting the racquet in a first orientation to the first test fixture at a first longitudinal location, attaching the clamp to the racquet at a second longitudinal location, operably engaging the deflection indicator to the clamp, applying a first predetermined weight of 3 Kg to the racquet at a third longitudinal location, and removing the first predetermined weight to obtain a lateral deflection measurement of the racquet with respect to the longitudinal axis, the racquet comprising;

• a frame including a head portion, a handle portion including a proximal end, and a throat portion positioned between the head portion and the handle portion, the head portion forming a hoop that defines a string bed plane, the throat portion including a pair of throat elements, at least the head portion and the throat portion of the frame of the racquet being formed at least in part of a fiber composite material, wherein, when the racquet is tested under the racquet lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.0 mm when measured in a direction that is parallel to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first test fixture includes a racquet contact surface, wherein the first longitudinal location of the racquet is adjacent to the proximal end of the handle portion with the proximal end of the handle portion contacting of the racquet contact surface of the first test fixture, wherein the second longitudinal location is at a distal end region of the head portion at a 12 o'clock position of the hoop, wherein the third longitudinal location is positioned at a side region of the head portion at the 3 o'clock position of the hoop at a distance that is 20 inches from the proximal end of the racquet along the longitudinal axis.