How TENNIS RACQUETS Can Improve Your Game
Racquet technology is the parent of the modern game. Watch any old footage and you will see the enormous differences in the game; play with an old wooden racquet and you will appreciate why the game was so much slower and played with such a different style.
Today’s racquets are still improving – and are the result of truly “space age” technology. You can purchase a lightweight, comfortable racquet that will deliver you power, spin and control that was unthinkable 20 years ago. Generally speaking there are three types of frame you can purchase – the key is selecting one to suit your game.
Traditional Frame
The traditional frame is characterised by:-
- A thin beam
- A small head (around 90cm²)
- Even balance
- A heavy feel (>300 grams) and
- A tight string pattern with 18 main strings
It weight and head size make it unsuitable for most social players, but, the feeling of hitting the ball out of the sweet spot of these racquets is unmatched.
The Wilson 6.1 is the most famous of this type of racquet – made famous by Pete Sampras and Stefan Edberg, it is now the weapon of choice for Roger Federer in the modern game. The Head Prestige (Marat Safin) and Dunlop Aero Gel 200 (Thomas Berdych) are other similar racquets that are popular amongst tour players.
You will notice that many of the players who use the traditional frame will have classic techniques. No extreme grips and they can move to the net effectively. If this style sounds like you a traditional frame may be the one for you.
The traditional frame is really only suitable for players who train and play several times each week. They are very demanding racquets with small sweet spots and their weight can cause arm soreness. If you cannot commit to a full training schedule, but like the feel of the traditional frame, consider a racquet such as the Head Radical (Amelie Mauresmo), which is pictured. It has similar playing characteristics to the traditional frame but is a more comfortable, user friendly racquet.
Performance Enhancing Racquet
While the Traditional Frame has been the most popular type of racquet on the pro tour in the past – the performance enhancing racquet is used by a higher percentage of players in the modern game.
Compared to the traditional frame they:-
- A thicker beam
- A larger head (around 95cm²)
- A bigger sweet spot
- A lighter feel (<300 grams) and
- A more open string pattern with 16 main strings
They deliver more power and when combined with the right strings (poly, or a poly blend) they can deliver tremendous spin and control also.
The Babolat Pure Drive used by Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters is the most popular racquet of this type and was almost a revolutionary force on the pro tour when it first arrived. The Head Extreme (pictures and used by players such as Richard Gasquet) and Prince O³ White (Maria Sharapova) of racquet offer similar features to the Pure Drive.
Players who favour this type of racquet typically favour fairly extreme grips and like to generate enormous pace and spin from the baseline. Think Rafael Nadal (Babolat Aero Drive) for the type of player this racquet suits.
The great thing about these racquets is their versatility and they have great “feel” at the net also. They are highly recommended for developing players (12 years old +) – they are light enough to handle and deliver good control. They will make the player generate their own power through technique and swing speed, but give them the extra “pop” they will need.
Power Racquets
Power racquets are the least used of the pro circuit, although Martina Hingis used the Yonex RQS 11 during her comeback in 2006 - 07 in an attempt to match the modern power players.
Power Racquets are:-
- Light weight
- Have over sized head (> 100 cm²)
- A very large sweet spot
- A lighter feel (<300 grams) and
- A more open string pattern with 16 main strings
These racquets are extremely comfortable and allow the social player to develop a surprising amount of power with limited technique and swing speed. All companies have a range of these Power Racquet’s including the Head Metalix Range, the Wilson KFour and Prince O³ Shark.
The emergence of the performance enhancing racquet is significant as it delivers the best of both worlds. In the past racquets have either provided great feel and control; or increased power. By giving the user good dose of power, control and feel the performance enhancing frame is a great option for all players – get down to your local club or pro shop to try one – it could send your game into hyper drive.