Equipment Matters - Do You Have the Right Tools For the Job?
Living in the age of technology is thrilling to tennis players who embrace change,
for every season manufacturers introduce new sticks for testing. Whether you want added spin to you stroke, more power, greater control, or less vibration, there are racquets developed to help you achieve fantastic results. Prepare to enter the demo process with an analytical, yet flexible mind. If you have the time, knowledge, and money, you have the essentials for a rewarding product testing experience. Following are suggestions to help you find the perfect hitting partner in a racquet.

DEMO TIPS

1 - Soul Mate Search
Approach the demo process similar to how you would approach finding the perfect spouse:
pay attention to detail, compare the pros and cons, be willing to compromise, realize quality
may come with a price tag, and don’t rush the courting period – you can’t hurry love.

2 - Open Mind
Every racquet manufacturer touts technology that is unique to their brand. Many players have loyalty to a particular manufacturer, but from time to time, you should test another brand. The comparison will either validate your loyalty or pleasantly shock you when you find a more suitable racquet.

3 - Organize
Organize racquets before starting the demo process in such a way that makes sense to you. One example: separate racquets by purpose. For instance, categorize racquets based on whether they’re designed to create more spin, power, control, etc. From that point, if you still feel the need to narrow each group further, break the groups into weight, head size and balance weight. You’ll eventually find your favorite racquet in the categories of spin, power and control. Proceed to test and compare until you’re satisfied.

4 - Instinct
If a racquet doesn’t feel right or gives you pain when you swing, recognize the signs and move to test
another racquet. On the flip side, if a racquet feels perfect from the moment you swing, don’t over analyze the reasoning. Trust your gut-feel. You need not fully understand why the racquet feels wonderful, just be thankful you found a perfect match.

5 - Be Realistic 
Let’s say you’re physically strong and generate your own power and pace, and you want a racquet that offers more control. If that were the case, your player profile aligns well with the racquet of Roger Federer. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should dump your 105 sq inch racquet head and use Roger’s 90 sq inch racquet head. Consider making changes in your racquet incrementally. Using a racquet that’s developed for a more advanced player may thwart your learning curve. Bottom line: be realistic with your skill, and be patient.

5 - Assistance 
Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or advanced player, asking your favorite club teaching pro to assist with racquet testing should expedite the process and help you understand the selection process more clearly

STRING PATTERN
An open string pattern (16 x 18 is more open than 18 x 20) provides greater rebound affect, therefore more power and spin potential. Strings tend to wear more quickly with the open string pattern, leading to breakage. Players who want more control tend to favor a denser closed string pattern.

HEAD BALANCE
Head-light racquets tend to be used by professionals and seasoned tennis players because it provides better maneuverability and control. In theory, head-heavy racquets generally offer more power and are preferred by less experienced players and/or players who can’t generate their
own power.

BEAM WIDTH
A wider beam provides more power by enhancing the trampoline effect of the strings, but it will reduce
the amount of control over the ball.

WEIGHT
The traditional racquet weight is 11-13 ounces. Heavy racquets offer greater stability, absorb more shock with each ball strike, and are preferred over lighter racquets for preventing or reducing elbow pain. Lighter racquets are more manuerverable and allow the player to swing through faster.

GRIP
The standard grip size ranges from 4 to 4-5/8 inches. To determine the size most suitable for you, hold the racquet in one hand and slide your index finger of the other hand between the tops of your fingers and the base of your palm. Generally, if the index finger fits snug, you have the correct grip size. Some players use a smaller grip size to increase maneuverability and the ability to generate spin.

LENGTH
A 27-29 inch racquet is the legal limit for tournament play. The standard length is 27 inches and is used by most recreational players and pros. Although long racquets tend to compromise maneuverability, Venus and Serena Williams, Andy Roddick, Fernando Gonzalez and Marion Bartoli choose a long stick, offering them greater leverage and power.



Racquet 2010 Continued...