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