Vintage Dunlop Marty Riessen Portrait Model Wood Tennis Racquet Advisory Staff For Sale

Vintage Dunlop Marty Riessen Portrait Model Wood Tennis Racquet Advisory Staff M4 1/2 1978–82

Before graphite and oversized frames changed tennis forever, champions stepped onto the court with elegant laminated wood racquets like this one. Offered here is a classic Dunlop Marty Riessen Portrait Model “Advisory Staff” tennis racquet, featuring the player’s portrait printed directly on the throat — a marketing style briefly popular during the late-1970s tennis boom. With its rich wood-grain graphics, vintage Dunlop logos, and iconic oval head shape, this racquet captures the golden era of professional tennis when touch, control, and craftsmanship mattered more than power.

This is a vintage Dunlop Marty Riessen Portrait Model tennis racquet, produced during the late 1970s to early 1980s when laminated wood racquets were still standard equipment for serious players.

The racquet features:

• Laminated wood construction

• Classic oval head frame

• Printed portrait of Marty Riessen on the throat

• “Advisory Staff Model” designation

• Grip size M 4 1/2

• Dunlop logos and graphics

• Made to Dunlop specifications in Taiwan

Portrait racquets like this were produced during the height of the 1970s tennis boom. Manufacturers began printing players’ faces on racquets so buyers could instantly recognize which professional endorsed the model while browsing sporting goods stores.

This example also carries the “Advisory Staff Model” designation — meaning it was designed to match the specifications recommended by Dunlop’s professional touring players and marketed to advanced club competitors.

The racquet retains its attractive vintage woodgrain styling, Dunlop graphics, and period leather grip, making it both a collectible and a great display piece.

Based on the portrait graphic style, Dunlop logo, and Taiwan manufacturing mark, this racquet was most likely produced circa 1978–1982.

This was a transitional period when many major tennis manufacturers began shifting production overseas while still maintaining traditional laminated wood racquet designs just before graphite frames took over the market.

Overall the racquet displays nicely for its age.

Condition notes:

• Frame appears solid with no visible cracks

• Typical cosmetic wear from age and use

• Some scuffs and finish wear around the throat

• Minor edge wear along the head

• Leather grip shows expected wear and aging

• Strings remain intact

Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the description.

Marty Riessen was one of the top American tennis players of the late 1960s and 1970s, particularly known for his doubles success.

Career highlights include:

• French Open Doubles Champion (1971)

• Australian Open Doubles Champion (1977)

• Member of the United States Davis Cup team

• Ranked among the top doubles players in the world during the 1970s

• Later became a respected professional tennis coach

Signature racquets like this one allowed fans and club players to purchase equipment associated with touring professionals.

This racquet comes from one of the most exciting eras in tennis history.

During this time:

• Television helped turn tennis into a global sport.

• Players such as Jimmy Connors, Björn Borg, and Arthur Ashe were international superstars.

• The Open Era had recently begun, allowing professionals and amateurs to compete together.

• Equipment was still dominated by laminated wood racquets, requiring remarkable precision and technique.

Within just a few years, graphite and composite racquets would revolutionize the sport — making wood racquets like this a lasting reminder of tennis’s classic era.

Vintage wooden racquets like this are increasingly popular as:

• Sports memorabilia

• Tennis club decor

• Office or study display pieces

• Sports bar or “man cave” wall decor

• Vintage sporting goods collectibles

The portrait graphic and warm woodgrain styling make this an especially attractive example for display.