Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Instruments of tennis

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.

This has often kept the instruments of the game at the backdrop. Even they have been very important in letting the game prosper as it has. Imagine what the stars would do without tennis racquets or balls or even tennis bags. You would never imagine if not being told, that a tennis racket holds a world in itself there are so many points to ponder. Professional racquets come with a thin beam width. This offers greater range and flexibility to a player even as it adds to the quality of drop shots. These give greater control over shots. These racquets are also ergonomic in nature.

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 strings of racquet are made of intestine of animals. The wooden frame is laminated. In fact, today the laminated wooden frame is being replaced by fiberglass or ceramic or even titanium for more sternness. Even gut is replaced by nylon today. The head of the racquet is slightly inclined to give it greater potency of hitting low shots or corner shots out of the court width.

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 as well as 12 size bags. Top global companies like Nike, Adidas, Dunlop, Wilson, Head and others are producing high quality bags to let a player feel comfortable with his package. In terms of size, there are 3 racquets, 6 racquets, 8-12 racquets, duffle gears and wheeled tour accessory bags. They are available online over many reputed outlets today. - 15266

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