Racket Guard

A tennis racket comprising:

• a frame supporting strings arranged in orthogonal directions and terminating in a generally linear handle incorporating a grip, said frame having an arcuate distal end remote from said grip;
• a racket guard detachably mounted on the distal end of said frame without the use of mechanical fasteners, said racket guard having an arcuate integral body matching the arcuate distal end of said frame and including an outer panel, a pair of opposing side walls extending from opposing lateral ends of said outer panel, and a pair of flanges extending inwardly toward one another from the corresponding said side walls to terminate in a spaced relationship forming a gap therebetween, and a cavity between said side walls, flanges and outer panel into which said sports racket frame can be received.

An apparatus mountable on a frame of a sports racket to protect the sports racket frame from damage when the racket is impacted with a playing surface, comprising:

• a racket guard detachably mounted on the distal end of said frame without the use of mechanical fasteners, said racket guard having an arcuate integral body matching the arcuate distal end of said frame and including an outer panel, a pair of opposing side walls extending from opposing lateral ends of said outer panel, and a pair of flanges extending inwardly toward one another from the corresponding said side walls to terminate in a spaced relationship forming a gap therebetween, and a cavity between said side walls, flanges and outer panel into which said sports racket frame can be received.