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