Racquet having an improved handle assembly

A handle assembly for a sports racquet comprising:

• a handle base portion formed of a fiber composite material, the handle base portion including a distal region, proximal region and a central region positioned between the distal and proximal regions of the handle base portion, the central and proximal regions of the handle base portion having outer surfaces that define first and second transverse cross-sectional areas, respectively, the second transverse cross-sectional area being larger than the first transverse cross-sectional area, the proximal region including a proximal end and a side wall forming the polygonal-shaped transverse cross-sectional area, the side wall having first and second side portions, the first side portion extending from the proximal end and having a length of at least 10 mm, the first side portion defining a consistent polygonal-shaped transverse cross-sectional area along its length, the second side wall portion defining a transverse cross-sectional area that varies from the first side wall portion to the central region of the handle base portion, the second side wall portion having a length of at least 10 mm;
• a pallet coupled to and longitudinally extending over the central region of the handle base portion but not over the proximal region of the handle portion;
• and
• a butt cap secured to the proximal region of the handle base portion, the butt cap including a proximal end wall and a peripheral wall extending from the proximal end wall and about the proximal region of the handle base portion, the peripheral wall having a length extending from the proximal end wall and about the proximal region of the handle portion with less than half of the length of the peripheral wall extending over the pallet.