Tennis Racquets Reviewed: Then and Now

The tennis racquet and variations of the game actually date back before the 1500's. Tennis, which was originally called lawn tennis, came to popularity in the late 1800's and was played with a wooden racquet which was fashioned into the now familiar shape of the key-hole. M

y, my how times have changed!

The modern racquet varies in weight, head size and length. Typically they come in a junior's length of 21 to 26 inches or an adult length of 27 to 27.5 inches, and their weights vary from eight ounces to 12.5 inches. Head size is an important factor too with sizes ranging from 90 sq. inches to a 137 sq. inches. With a large head size you generally have more power and a bigger "sweet spot". A bigger sweet spot means the tennis racquet is more forgiving when the ball is struck off center. With a smaller head you generally have more control which gives you more precision shots.

Through most of tennis's history, the racquet heads were typically around 65 inches and made of laminated wood. Wood limited the size of the racquet as it could only withstand some much pressure which dictated the size of the racquet. Wilson changed that. In the latter part of the 1960's they produced the T2000. The T2000 was a steel racquet with string loops made from wire wound around the frame. Jimmy Connors, America's top player at the time, was responsible for the tennis racquets popularity. In the mid 70's Weed produced a racquet made from aluminum which allowed for an over-sized racquet.

Prince however really was responsible for making the over-sized racquet popular. Their racquet had a head size around 110 square inches which really lead to many of the the non-standard head sizes like the mid-size 90 sq. inches and the mid plus of 95 sq.inches. In the 1980's the graphite composite racquet was introduced. John McEnroe played with an early model of the graphite racquet called The Dunlop Max200G. Dunlop also introduced a longer racquet t

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o provide additional reach for shots. The additional length was a benefit to the shorter players as it provided more reach for the serve and volley.

Professional tennis players typically play with a midsize or mid plus.

An important factor for a tennis racquets is the stringing. Natural gut is still used by a few of the elite players, but the big majority use a a nylon or polyester synthetic. The natural gut is considered by some to be more responsive thereby providing better feel, however the synthetic string is considered superior in its durability and consistency and lower price tag.

A tennis racquet's string pattern is determined by the size and design of the head. Today's racquets have the recommended string tension range marked right on the racquet, most often the throat. When a racquet is strung with a tighter pattern it is supposed to offer more control. However, a racquet with an open pattern will help with more power and spin. Or it is often put that a tennis racquet strung at a lower tension will create more power with a trampoline effect, where a racquet strung toward the top end of its tension will create more control. The reason the higher tension provides control is because the ball will stay on the strings for longer, which should give more feel and allow for shot control. At one time there was a double strung racquet, which was banned for the excessive spin it created.

Tennis is a game that continues to evolve as does the equipment used to participate. Understanding which tennis racquet will benefit your game is a crucial component of constructing a successful tennis game which translates into winning!