Tennis Racket Guide Category:
by Albert on May 19, 2010
When you’re buying a new racket, you may already have an idea of what you want; you may seek for more control or power. Or maybe you may have no idea whatsoever and are just tempted by the reviews that you’ve read.
For whatever reasons you’re looking for a new racket, you should know some basics on which to make your decision easier. There are three major types of tennis racquets in the current market.
Type 1: Rackets for Power or Game Improvement
These evenly balanced rackets are characterized by its oversized to super-oversized heads (107 to 135 square inches), lightness (8 to 9.5 ounces) and longer stiffer (27 to 29 inches). Their features help to retain enough weight in the hitting zone.
Manufactured to give more power to the player, they are designed for players with shorter, slower swings. Below are a couple of the top game improvement rackets:
Type 2: Control or Player’s Rackets
These rackets are used by professionals and high level clubs’ or colleges’ team players. Its balanced head light is to retain maneuverability. Other characteristics include their heftiness (11.5 to 13+ ounces), smaller heads (85 to 98 sq. inches) and thinner, more flexible beams.
They are design to provide low power as most players prefer to provide power on their own and prefer a racket that offers control instead. The length of these rackets can be standard or extended length. Here are some control oriented rackets preferred by professional players:
Yonex RDiS 100 Mid: Advanced players will be able from its firm and quick response. Its exceptional power and stability comes from the combination of 12.1 ounce of strung weight and 68RA stiffness.
Type 3: Tweener Rackets
Tweener rackets are a blend of the earlier two types of rackets. They are lighter (9.5 to 11 ounces), have midplus heads (95 to 102 sq. inches), are usually extended length (27.5 to 28 inches) and are balanced anywhere from slightly head light to slightly head heavy.
Often used by intermediate to advanced players who seeks enhanced maneuverability from their beginners’ rackets, tweeners offer low-medium to medium-high power. A couple of the best ‘tweener rackets are:
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by Albert on May 18, 2010
Like any sporting equipment, tennis rackets needs proper care and maintenance for it to perform well. Depending on how frequent you play, the strings need to be replaced once or twice a year. Don’t restring beyond the recommended extent as it could brittle the frame.
You will need: a) diagonal cutter b) stringer machine
Instructions:
Step 1
Determine the type of string you should get. The best way to go is to get strings that are a combination between durability and resiliency. If you are a first timer in buying new strings for your racket, you may not get it right the first time. In due time, you should experiment with other strings.
Step 2
Decide the best tension for you. The tighter the strings are, the more control you have. Looser strings however, offer more comfort and power because the project the ball farther. Experiment with the tension of the strings as there is no right or wrong way to do it. It boils down to personal preference.
Step 3
After getting your strings and deciding the right tension for you, mount your racket in a stringer as to secure the head and the neck. Make sure that it can’t be move by making sure to tightly clamp the racket.
Step 4
Adjust the tension on the stringer but don’t exceed the limit of the racket’s frame. You can make sure of this by the number indicated near the neck of the frame. Do not exceed the limit because this will crack your frame.
Step 5
Prepare 36 to 40 feet of string for your main strings. The mains are stringed vertically.
Insert the string at the center of the head, working your way up the mains and down to the neck. Apply tension and clamp the first string at the head and keep it clamped until all the mains are done. Do a figure eight knot with the leftover string. Unclamp and release tension and cut off excess string.
Step 6
After the mains are done, string the crosses. When stringing the crosses, always start on top of the mains. Insert string through one size and weave the string across to the other side. Apply tension to every cross and clamp.
Insert the string through one of the larger holes and tie a figure eight knot when you are done with the last cross. Make sure to clamp it. When you are done, unclamp and release the tension and cut off the excess string.
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by Albert on May 17, 2010
Choosing and using the right strings for your tennis racket does matter. This guide will show you the basics you should know when choosing quality strings for your racket.
The String Gauge
The string gauge ranges from 15 to 19. Higher gauges are thinner and offer greater feel and power, while lower gauges means that they are thicker for more durability. Thicker gauges are for beginner and intermediate rackets, while thinner strings are aimed more towards professionals.
String Types
The strings can be categorized based on the material and its construction.
a) Material
Nylon: This is affordable, fitting for casual and recreational players and also beginners.
Natural Gut: This is the most expensive and is made from animals’ intestines. They are for touring professional players. However, they do deteriorate when exposed to water and humidity.
Polyester: Although it offers less power and feel, they are more durable when compared to natural gut strings.
Kevlar: Strings made from Kevlar are the most durable, but they are stiff. To compensate for the stiffness, they are strung using 10% less tension; a factor to consider if it is suitable for your game.
b) Construction
Before considering the material of your strings, it is important to determine the right construction of your tennis racquet strings according to your playing style and the type of game you’re playing.
Mono: These strings are made out of single and solid fibers and have a surface coating to improve durability.
Ribbon: The fibers are similar to natural gut but ribbons are used instead.
Multifilament: It uses several materials and is impregnated with polyurethane for quality and durability.
CW: These are usually used in tournament play. There is a solid core made of thin filaments.
CWW: As with CW, it has a solid core but with two layers of filaments rather than one.
The Strings’ Durability and Playability
When choosing the material of your stings, make sure you are choosing a suitable balance between their durability and playability so that you can get the most out of it. Choosing the wrong balance will hamper your game and a waste of time and money.
The purpose of this guide is to show how to benefit from your purchase by determine the strings that you use with your tennis racket. There are different types of strings, gauges and tensions because this is not a one size fit all case. Don’t be afraid to try each and every one out until you are satisfied with your performance.
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