06.20.2007

Serena and Venus Williams, two of the most successful players ever at Wimbledon with ten titles between them in the last nine years, will be playing for the first time with brand new [K] Factor gold limited edition rackets at next week's Championships.

Both Williams sisters switched to [K]Factor technology at the beginning of the 2007 season to great success. After Serena's incredible ascent back into the top 10 from a low of #81 and capturing the Australian Open Championship, and Venus winning her first title after a long return from injury, their racket prototypes are now finalized. In honor of these achievements, Wilson has created two special edition rackets featuring 22 [K]arat gold, which both sisters will officially debut at Wimbledon.

Serena will play with a pure black racket and Venus with a pure white version- both featuring real 22 carat gold leaf laid into the frame. "I cant think of a better place to play with a racket made with real gold than Wimbledon," said Serena, who won her second singles title there in 2003. "I love the look of this racket and the fact that [K]Factor technology has brought the added control I was seeking in my game. It has made a real difference and could put me in contention for the title again."

Venus, who won her third Wimbledon title in 2005, added, "We both started out our tennis careers with Wilson rackets and our relationship with the brand is very special. But having special edition gold [K]Factor rackets makes us feel extra unique when we go out on court and shows just how much Wilson values our playing with their rackets."

Only 650 of each model of the [K]Factor gold limited edition rackets will be available worldwide for sale to the public this summer at a recommended retail price of $500. Venus and Serena will each autograph and donate 10 [K]Factor gold limited edition rackets for auction by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder to support clinical and genetic research on breast cancer. In addition, a percentage of every racket sold will go to benefit BCRF. Wilson and BCRF have been partners since 1998, with 100% of all Wilson contributions going directly to medical research programs.

Wilson, the No. 1 brand in tennis, launched [K]Factor racket technology earlier this year. [K]Factor combines four new exclusive technologies to produce a range of rackets that deliver up to 64% more control than standard rackets, while maintaining all of the traditional levels of power