Looking for more zip on your slow motion forehand? Or how is your backhand
slice, need more English? The next time you go shopping in the tennis racket section of your local sport’s
store, here’s how to get the leading edge over your competitor.
As
a smart consumer, look at these three racket characteristics when buying:
HEAD SIZE
The modern racket is larger
in both head length and head width. George Sipple, staff writer for USTA.com wrote an
article entitled “Technique: Racket Selection.” Sipple said: “Larger head sizes (oversized versus midsized) create higher speeds of ball rebound and have a larger
sweet spot. (The term sweet spot here is used to mean the area on the racket face
where the ball rebound is the fastest and most accurate).” A larger racket head also minimizes the racket from twisting
in off-center strikes of the ball, said Sipple.
RACKET WEIGHT
Since the
time of wooden rackets in the 60s, they have become considerably lighter weighing in the range of nine to 11 ounces. Mark Bartlett, a member of the marketing department at the
Institute
of Materials, Minerals and Mining in the United Kingdom said, a racket’s
weight can affect balance and control. Lighter rackets make for more maneuverability
and a faster swing, but require more force penetration of the player to generate pace. On the contrary, heavier rackets, on
the other hand, provide more power for less effort, but with reduced control, Bartlett
said.
FLEXIBILITY AND STIFFNESS
According
to professor of sport physics at the University of Pennsylvania, Howard Brody said, flexibility of the racket’s frame causes the unpredictable changes in the angle of the string bed when the ball
is hit off-center, which reduces control. “Flexibility also reduces power, as energy is absorbed by the deformation
of the frame,” he said. A benefit is that the racket does the absorption, not the arm.
Flexibility
can be found on the inside of the V above the staff of the racket: the higher the number, the more flexible the racquet.
Stiffness is most often related to the flexibility of a
racket. Brody explains that the stiffer a racket is, the more it is able to resist bending and deforming upon impact with the ball. “Racquet deformation absorbs
energy that is not returned to the ball, so greater stiffness increases power,” Brody said.
THE PLAYER
But no matter what racket technology
you use, it is the individual athlete’s control, technique, poise, balance and footwork on the court that makes them
into a player.
THE FUTURE
The innovation in racket technology
will continue to explore new dimensions of racket sizes and featherless weights. Everyday, new materials are being tested
so that over time manufacturers can meet every player’s racket desires.
YOUR ONE-STOP TENNIS SHOP
Efficient shoppers, visit tennis’ one-stop superstores:
Europe’s No. 1 Racket Specialist offers links
to all racket manufacturers, from Wilson to Yonex. Indeed,
this racket superstore is a one-stop-shop where you can compare prices, technology and brands of rackets you are considering
to buy. http://www.pwp.com/tennisrackets.asp?id=1&cat=Wilson%20Tennis%20Rackets
Or see what your favorite pro uses at
http://www.racquetdepot.com/
