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- Selecting the Right Tennis Racquet - Tennis Warehouse :: tennis racquet, tennis racket
Apercu : Warehouse customers, you already have an idea of the type of racquet youre seeking. You want to upgrade from your current racquet - maybe youre seeking more power, more control, more comfort. Whatever your reason(s) for purchasing a new racquet, you have some basis on which to make your decision. Then again, you may not have a clue as to which racquet is best for you and are simply motivated by a review you read. Add to the confusion the shear amount of racquets available and choosing the right racquet becomes pretty daunting! To make this process a little easier, heres a primer on racquet characteristics and how they affect performance. Today, there are 3 major racquet categories, with several subcategories. This is the term used by racquet manufacturers for power-oriented racquets. In most cases, these racquet models feature oversize to super-oversize heads (107-135 square inches), are lightweight (8-9. Designed for players with shorter, slower swings and who want more power from the racquet. A forgiving racquet that offers plenty of comfort and some solid power. A great choice for 3. Offers excellent comfort and maneuverability. Perfect for players with a compact swing style. Light and maneuverable, this one also offers impressive stability and comfort. Offering good access to spin and some useful pop, this one is well suited to 3. Metallix 6 an impressive offering for 3. A powerful, comfortable and maneuverable racquet. Code molecular technology frame construction. Features a large sweetspot, 115 sq. Offering more control than most game improvement racquets, this one is ideal for the stronger, more aggressive beginner. There are several models that offer a blend of features from game improvement and players racquets. They are often light-er (9. These racquet models offer low-medium to medium-high power and are most appealing to intermediate-advanced players, seeking enhanced maneuverability. Offers plenty of pop, spin and good accuracy from a crisp response. A solid choice for aggressive players. Plus, this one packs plenty of pop, and a solid and spin friendly response. A popular pro tour choice. Standard but with more heft, reach, and power. A solid choice for improving 3. Offers an attractive blend of power, control, spin and feel. Hybrid versions bring a lot of performance to the court for 3. Oversize feature standard length frames and open, 16/19 string patterns. Plenty of pop and access to spin for intermediate to advanced players. Well suited to an all court game. This racquet offers lots of performance for 4. Excellent maneuverability is backed up by a comfortable response and impressive control and feel. A very light and maneuverable racquet. Offers excellent access to spin. With some useful pop, easy access to spin, excellent maneuverability and a comfortable response, this racquet has broad appeal for players rated 3. Oversize headsizes, both racquets offer excellent spin potential and maneuverability. Midplus 95 and 105 sq. A maneuverable racquet that offers a controllable level of power. The open string pattern lends itself well to spin and offers a comfortable and lively response. Strong on comfort and very spin friendly, this one is well suited to all court players who like to take an aggressive cut at the ball. Denotes racquets that would be used by professional and high-level club and college team players. These models are typically heavier in weight (11. The result is a low-power racquet, designed for players who provide their own power and prefer a racquet that offers more control. Can be standard or extended length. Standard length (27 inches), 98 sq. Traditional weight and balance in a standard, 27-inch length. Hundred offers a high level of comfort, ball feel, stability and control to every shot. A solid choice for advanced level players. Offers plenty of heft, a consistent response and a good level of comfort. Prestige heritage but bring some extra pop and stability to the court. Prestige fans and players seeking control, stability and the utmost racquet feedback. Standard 27 inch length frames. Features a large sweetspot and offers a comfortable response. Packs some useful power and is surprisingly maneuverable for an almost 12 ounce racquet. A solid choice for 4. String pattern: 16 / 19. Headsize: 95 square inches, 12 ounces. Very mobile from all areas of the court and perfect for aggressive players. Two control oriented headsizes offering exceptional feel and a solid response. Mid with a 93 sq. Midplus with a 100 sq. Two control oriented racquets ideally suited to advanced, aggressive players. Both offer exceptional feel on shots from all areas of the court. This maneuverable and control oriented racquet makes a perfect fit for aggressive all court players. Balance: 8 points head light. Provides a high level of feel and control from all areas of the court. Very impressive at net and a joy attacking with slice. Balance: 8 points head light. Fight 335 offers a livelier feel than its tighter string patterned brother and excellent comfort. Balance: 10 points head light. A precision racquet for advanced players. Offers a low powered response with excellent control, feel and comfort. Balance: 10 points head light. Standard length, 16/18 string pattern, and a 22mm flat beam. Tour is a stable, control oriented racquet for advanced players. Both racquets offer lots of control and great access to spin. These two also provide an impressive combination of stability and maneuverability thanks to the headlight balance. This control oriented racquet offers great feel and stability. Maneuverability is enhanced via a head light balance and the stringbed offers excellent access to spin. Power is directly related to head size - a larger head will provide more power than a smaller head, all other things being equal. A larger head also offers a larger hitting area and sweetspot, providing more forgiveness on off-center hits. Todays racquets are offered in head sizes ranging from 85 to 135 square inches, with the most common being 95-110. These head sizes offer a compromise between power and control for many players. Generally speaking, a smaller racquet head appeals to more accomplished players seeking more control, while larger racquets appeal to beginning and intermediate players seeking more power and a larger sweetspot. Racquets are available in lengths ranging from 27-29 inches, the legal limit for tournament play. Standard racquets are 27 inches long. A longer racquet provides more reach on groundstrokes, added leverage on serves and slightly more power overall than standard length racquets, all other things being equal. For most players, switching from a standard length racquet to one that is 1/2 -1 inch longer doesnt normally present much of a problem. Most (but not all) longer racquets are lighter than their standard-length counterparts to keep them maneuverable. As racquet length increases, so does dynamic swingweight. Simply lengthening a 27 inch racquet without reducing weight would result in a very unwieldy club. These two characteristics most influence how a racquet feels when you pick it up and when you swing it on the tennis court. Some basic concepts - a heavy racquet is more powerful, more stable and transmits less shock than a lighter racquet (all other things being equal). A lighter racquet is more maneuverable and thus, a player is able to swing it faster. If this is true, wont a lighter racquet that is swung fast generate the same power as a heavier racquet thats swung more slowly? Hammer racquets back in 1990. Until then, racquet weights averaged 12-13 ounces and were balanced head light (or handle heavy). Hammer technology reduced overall racquet weight (10-11 ounces) but distributed more mass in the head, resulting in a head-heavy balance. The idea was to improve maneuverability without sacrificing power by keeping weight in the racquets hitting zone. Since then, racquet weights have steadily dropped and now we have sub-10 ounce offerings from most manufacturers. Well then, which racquet weight is best for you? Is head-light, head-heavy or even balance best? In order to answer this question, you need a point of reference. How heavy is your current racquet? Is it head light or head-heavy? Next, do you want a lighter, heavier or similarly weighted racquet? Head-light, head-heavy or evenly balanced? Chances are you dont know what you want until you play with a racquet. If this isnt feasible, here are some guidelines on the advantages and disadvantages of different weights and balances. They typically weigh 11-13 ounces and are balanced 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches head light in order to retain maneuverability. In most cases, these racquets are also referred to as players racquets because they are generally more control-oriented and designed for players who provide their own power. Wilson discovered it was possible to make a racquet more maneuverable without reducing weight in the head. By removing weight in the handle, the racquet was lighter overall, while still retaining mass in the upper hoop, where ball contact occurs. Several other racquet manufacturers have subsequently introduced lightweight, head-heavy (and evenly balanced) racquets. The advantages of this racquet type are increased maneuverability without sacrificing power, especially on groundstrokes. The disadvantages are less clear - some experts argue that reducing weight increases the amount of shock transferred to the wrist, elbow and shoulder. Some players who have switched from traditionally weighted and balanced racquets to lightweight, head-heavy models claim the racquets dont feel solid. Clearly, you cant get something for nothing. Reducing racquet weight will alter its feel - for better or for worse. Keep in mind, you can always add weight to a racquet if its too light. Reducing racquet weight, however, is almost impossible. The amount a frame deflects during ball contact directly affects its power potential. A stiffer racquet bends less, thus depleting less energy from the ball. A flexible racquet bends more, resulting in more energy loss. A common myth among players is that a flexible racquet, that bends back more, returns more power to the ball due to a catapult-effect. The ball remains on the strings for 3-5 milliseconds, much shorter than it takes a frame to recover. Consequently, a racquet frame doesnt return energy to the ball, it absorbs energy - either more or less, depending on stiffness. Stiffer racquets dont deflect as much on impact, resulting in less power drain than a flexible racquet. Frame stiffness doesnt only affect power though. Control and comfort are also at stake. Generally speaking, a racquet that offers more power provides less control. However, this is largely dependent on player type and ability. An advanced player may prefer a flexible racquet because he or she has a long, fast swing and provides plenty of power. A stiff racquet might be too powerful for this player, resulting in too many balls landing long. A beginning or intermediate player though, may find a stiffer racquet that doesnt deflect as much on impact, provides better control. This may also apply to a more advanced player with short, compact strokes. To a certain point, stiffer racquets are generally less comfortable than more flexible racquets. A very stiff frame will transmit more impact shock to the wrist, elbow and shoulder than a medium stiff frame. Comfort is difficult to measure - each player has a different perception of what feels comfortable. However, players with arm and/or shoulder problems will generally benefit more from a flexible to medium-stiff frame and should likely avoid stiff or very stiff frames. A lesser known effect of frame stiffness is the amount of spin that can be generated. Generally speaking, stiffer racquets provide less spin than flexible racquets because the ball leaves the stringbed more quickly. Often overlooked by many recreational players, string pattern density influences many aspects of a racquets overall performance and feel. When we discuss string pattern density, we refer to open and dense (or closed). An open string pattern will deflect more on impact than a denser pattern, providing greater ball rebound. Strung at the same tension (in similar racquets) an open string pattern wont feel as tight as a dense string pattern. Open string patterns also allow for more spin potential, as the ball can embed itself into the strings more, due to their wider spacing. Players seeking more spin will benefit from a more open string pattern. The price one may pay for this, though, is reduced string durability. Open string patterns allow the strings to move more freely, increasing abrasion which causes string breakage. A denser string pattern wont deflect as much upon ball impact, resulting in less rebound energy. More closely spaced strings will also offer less spin potential but will last longer than a similar racquet featuring a more open string pattern. Players who dont hit with much spin and are seeking enhanced control will generally prefer racquets with denser string patterns, as will hard-hitting topspin players seeking increased string durability. As racquets become lighter and lighter, manufacturers are seeking ways to improve comfort without significantly increasing weight. Incorporating a shock and vibration dampening system in the handle is the most common method currently being used. Sensor handle systems offer varying degrees of effectiveness in reducing frame shock and vibration.
Voir Selecting the Right Tennis Racquet - Tennis Warehouse - All About Strings and Stringing :: stringing
Apercu : Strings may be the soul of racquet, but to many players they are just an afterthought. Players will spend 6 months demoing racquets and 6 minutes choosing a string. Fortunately, synthetic string technology has improved dramatically over the last 20 years and there are very few bad strings. However, not all strings (and string tensions) are right for all players. Every player has different needs and preferences. Here are a few guidelines to make your string and tension selection easier. Its very difficult to obtain consensus on what makes a string playable. Some players like a crisp, firm playing string while others equate playability with softness and comfort. Generally, a playable string is resilient, which means it snaps back quickly upon ball impact. The material, construction, and thickness of a string will all affect the playability of a string. The most resilient (playable) string at this time is still natural gut. This is the only string made from a natural product - beef intestines. It is the oldest tennis string made and remains the benchmark for playability. Strings that offer good playability at a lower price (below $7. Soft (our #1 best value playability string). As with our beer, most of us want a string that offers everything. Unfortunately, increased durability in tennis strings is usually at the expense of playability. Thicker gauges and abrasion resistant materials will be more durable, but they are less elastic and resilient than their thinner, nylon-based counterparts. Hybrids are the final alternative. Kevlar makes it the most durable string available. Generally speaking, thinner strings offer improved playability while thicker strings offer enhanced durability. Thinner strings also provide more spin potential by allowing the strings to embed into the ball more. Truth be told, synthetic gut is nylon. In fact, most of todays performance synthetics are constructed of nylon, albeit a higher grade than basic nylon string. Todays manufacturing processes produce nylon strings (or synthetic gut, if you insist) that provide a good combination of playability and durability. In the old days (wood racquet era), any self-respecting player used natural gut. Nylon was so bad that only beginners used the stuff. Today, 98% of non-professional players use nylon strings. Often overlooked due to its cost, natural gut is the best choice for players with arm problems or those who simply want the best. These players know that natural gut offers maximum feel and control due to its low dynamic stiffness, which provides better ball pocketing, and a slight texture that provides more ball grab for enhanced spin. Polyester strings also experience rapid initial tension loss. Players switching from a nylon or synthetic gut string should increase tension 3-5 pounds. The most durable string available. Kevlar is very stiff and strings up very tight. Kevlar main strings, nylon cross strings). Players trying kevlar hybrids for the first time (from nylon strings) are recommended to reduce tension by 10% to compensate for the added stiffness. Most popular nylon string construction - majority of synthetic gut strings are solid core/single wrap. Main benefits are tension maintenance and crisp feel. Quality of nylon center core, as well as size and orientation of outer wraps can influence feel and comfort. Provides additional durability and cushioning. Bundles of micro synthetic fibers are twisted together, similar to natural gut. Nylon multifilaments are typically more comfortable than solid core strings due to the cushioning effect of hundreds or even thousands of micro fibers. Resultant effect is a soft and comfortable string, recommended for players suffering from arm problems who dont want to pay the high price for natural gut. Normal use causes multifilament strings to fray, like gut, which can be alarming to players switching from solid core strings. Zyex, multifilament strings are generally classified as soft strings. Smaller multifilament core with one or more outer multifilament wraps. Offers similar comfort benefits to multifilament strings with added durability. Designed to offer enhanced spin potential by wrapping an extra filament around the outer wraps or incorporating larger filaments into the outer wrap. A combination of different materials blended together in an attempt to bring out the best features of each material. Today, there are more composite strings than at any other time in the development of synthetic strings. This is in large part due to the flood of titanium composite strings, where (in most cases) titanium use is limited to the strings coating. For simplicity, strings combining different grades of nylon, which are theoretically also composite strings, arent included in our list. Kevlar hybrids because its less stiff but it has a dead feel and high initial tension loss. Kevlar mains with nylon (synthetic gut) crosses. Kevlars extremely stiff, dead feel. String tension is the final piece in the racquet-string-tension triad. Its also the least understood by most recreational players. Lets start with the basics - lower tensions provide more power, tighter tensions provide more control. This is a very general rule of thumb and assumes a certain level of player ability (especially the control part). A beginning player may need more control but tighter string tensions arent the solution. This player needs a soft, forgiving stringbed that lower tensions provide due to the frequency of off-center hits. Advanced players who swing fast and hit hard usually need more control and will, therefore, benefit from tighter tensions. There are, of course, always exceptions but these generalizations apply to the majority of players. Each racquet has a recommended tension range. This range has been determined by the manufacturer as a result of extensive playtesting by real players. If a player doesnt have a specific need (more power, arm problems, etc. Otherwise, here are some specific guidelines for selecting a string tension. The stringbed will deflect more (and the ball less), returning greater energy to the ball. There is a point of diminishing returns where the stringbed turns into a butterfly net, but its well below any racquets recommended tension range. This means the ball wont fly as far when you hit it. Beginners who are shanking the ball in every direction wont gain any advantage by increasing tension, but intermediate and advanced players who are hitting a lot of long balls will be able to reduce the depth of their shots without changing their swing. It is also generally accepted that spin potential is enhanced with higher tensions, which provides even more control for topspin and slice players. Whether changing head sizes, brands, or buying a new titanium racquet, a player will need to make the corresponding tension change. If 60 pounds was mid-range on his old racquet and the new racquets tension range is 50-60 pounds he should start at 55 pounds with the new racquet. With composites, we recommend a 5% reduction. Kevlar hybrids should be strung 10% looser to approximate the same feel of nylon strings. On the other end of the spectrum, players switching from nylon strings to polyester may want to increase tension 5-10% to compensate for polyesters high initial tension loss. Ask questions or browse tennis discussions.
Voir All About Strings and Stringing - Wilson Hammer Tennis Racquets :: hammer wilson
Apercu : Hammer racquets look like other racquets, they are engineered to maximize the area of the sweet spot. This revolutionary weighting system extends the center of percussion -- the heart of the sweet spot and area with no shock -- into the upper part of the racquet. This is important, since more than 2/3 of all tennis balls are hit on the top part of the racquet. Hammer racquets offer players greater maneuverability, power and control. Oversize racquets offering good mobility, access to spin and a stable feel at impact. Carbon models and now available at a bargain price. Offers good maneuverability and a nice blend of power and control. Now available in 95 square inch head size only.
Voir Wilson Hammer Tennis Racquets - ATP & SE WTA Tour Official Guide 2005 :: wta official
Apercu : Guide 2005 is complete with player bios and tournament info.
Voir ATP & SE WTA Tour Official Guide 2005 - Tennis Warehouse - tennis racquets, tennis shoes, tennis apparel, string, tennis balls & rackets from Wilson, Prince, Head, Nike, Adidas, Reebok. :: tennis racquet, tennis rackets, racquet, racquets, tennis shoes, tennis warehouse Voir Tennis Warehouse - tennis racquets, tennis shoes, tennis apparel, string, tennis balls & rackets from Wilson, Prince, Head, Nike, Adidas, Reebok.
- ATP & SE WTA Tour Official Guide 2006 :: wta official Voir ATP & SE WTA Tour Official Guide 2006
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