| Time and again the sports world is challenged by the | | | | science is Sports technology. |
| eternal question of whether it is the sporting talent that | | | | How did it come about? Probably, because some |
| should rule or it is technology that should hold sway. | | | | talented bloke was inspired enough to marry his |
| But which ever way you look at it - talent and | | | | knowledge with science to bring about such a product! |
| technology are the two sides of the same coin. No | | | | That's how a Puma or an Adidas sports shoe came |
| sportsperson can claim exceptional success if he does | | | | about. The two Shoemaker brothers with the |
| not use technology aided equipment/accessories. | | | | knowledge of making excellent shoes dipped into |
| Tennis too is no different. Whatever the skill level of a | | | | science and introduced the now basic sports shoes |
| player, how ever long the training sessions it is finally | | | | and later each went their ways creating the ultimate |
| those scientifically designed racquets or the sports | | | | that technology can make a Puma shoe or an Adidas. |
| shoes that hold the secret in a player being the better | | | | With each generation technological advances are |
| of the best. Why is Rafael Nadal the best? Answer, | | | | enhancing the play of tennis top seeds. Be it the play |
| he uses the Babolat XS 109 racquet also known as | | | | of a Boris Becker (there is a shoe line in his name |
| the AeroDrivePlus Cortex that was designed | | | | now) or the power play of the Williams' sisters, there |
| especially to suit his strengths, the top spin. | | | | are racquets, shoes etc for every kind of talented |
| Veteran tennis teaching professionals have it all bound | | | | player. |
| and packaged. They scout around for talent. Offer | | | | So, it all comes back to the proverbial egg-and-chicken |
| these little champions a package deal: corporate | | | | question. Did the egg come first or the chicken? |
| sponsors or a sports management house that shall | | | | Technology drives talent. Talent thrives on technology. |
| take care of all their expenses - coaches, equipment | | | | Without technology mere talent will be mediocre. Mere |
| accessories the whole gamut. The player only needs | | | | talent becomes superlative with advanced technology. |
| to concentrate on playing. Such a deal pays rich | | | | So, where does that leave us? Rapturous! How? |
| dividends all around. The player becomes the world's | | | | With every serve of a Rafael Nadal with his Babolat |
| No.1, the corporate rake in their investment and the | | | | XS 109 racquet or the return by a Roger Federer, we |
| coaches content on having sighted such talent and | | | | the common man watch wordless spell-bound by the |
| molded them into worlds top slots and of course with | | | | to-and-fro movement of the sparkling white ball |
| a fuller purse. | | | | gasping at every missed ball or a wrong second |
| In all this technology does not stay far behind. With | | | | serve. Clapping joyously when our player wins the |
| each innovation right from the material, weight, length | | | | contest, happy at having witnessed some great tennis, |
| of the tennis shoe to the soles the shape, the | | | | admiring the sheer talent of the players and describing |
| thickness, the rigidity of the materials even the sweat | | | | in leisure to younger generations what a game it was! |
| factor plays on final product that comes out of a | | | | This ladies and gentlemen is what talent and |
| brand. Such is the research and focus that is | | | | technology does to a sport - leaves us, spectators, |
| happening in the sports science. The spin-off of this | | | | rapturous! |