Friday, January 23, 2009

Tennis Equipment -Tennis racquets, tennis balls and more

By Kevin Gillett

Tennis has always provided us with great viewing pleasure. Ever since the beginning of open era, there have been many stalwarts of the game who have added a new dimension to it. Players like Laver, Bjorg, McEnroe, Lendl, Sampras, Federer and Nadal have charmed us. We have laughed and wept with them. We have shared their dreams and almost fainted when they have played those stunning shots from the death. A fluid backhand here, a stern forehand there, elegant players, muscular players, and much more have defined tennis. Overall, tennis has lured us into missing our most important works and we have never complained.

We have been so much charmed by their magic that the instruments have largely been at the backstage. Their role in making the game what it is cannot be seen in lesser light. Think of the players playing in vacuum without the tennis racquets and balls. Did you know that a tennis racquet which seems so unassuming in the hand of a player is full of specifications? Professional racquets have a slim beam width. It gives high range and flexibility to a player. It even betters his drop shot. Such racquets are ergonomic and hence provide with a comfortable grip.

The racquets can be head-heavy, head-light or equally balanced. The racquet length has 5 specifications length wise. Today, youngsters are looking to enter the sport at a very young age. This is why there are many junior racquets doing well in the market today. These have relatively feathery grips and come in smaller sizes. Used racquets are also an industry and are sold at affordable rate over many counters.

The racquet strings are made out of animal gut. It has a laminated wooden frame. In present times, the wooden laminations are not used in general for lack of stiffness. They are being replaced by titanium, fiberglass, ceramic or some other alloy. The gut uses nylon today. The racquet head is adequately bent to provide the players with more comfort while playing low shots and shots from the corner of the court.

Tennis balls role cant be belittled either. It is 6.7 centimeters in size. It comes in yellow color. The professionally used balls use 15-18 chemical to get the required consistency. Rubber is the chief ingredient. This is why Southeast Asia is the top producer as rubber is found abundantly over there. Felt of a tennis ball is most important feature. It is steamed to give higher wind resistance and relatively low bounce.

Tennis bags come in backpacks and the sizes can go up to 12. There are 3 racquet, 6 racquet, 8-12 racquet, wheeled tour bags and duffle gears. Many online and offline stores sell them at affordable rates. Top companies like Nike, Adidas, Wilson, Head and Dunlop make such bags. - 15254

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