Tuesday, March 02, 2010 11:39 am
SMASHING THROUGH
Ace the journey from clinics to tourneys by knowing the right stuff.
By Ken Rivadeneira; Photography by Dania Graibe
We've all heard the stereotypical phrase “Anyone for tennis?” But the game resembles very little the days that inspired the often-lampooned image of politely striking the ball with a gangly wooden racquet while sporting a white cardigan.
Engineering, aerodynamics and maybe even a little sci-fi have revolutionized this once-courtly sport. If you want to make it in 21st-century tennis, you’re going to have to get up to speed—and it’ll take more than just fast feet.
AT THE BASELINE
For the tennis newcomer, it might be daunting to go buy a racquet and face a wall of frames, strings, grips and more accessories than they’ll ever need. But the right racquet is crucial to your development as a player and your ultimate enjoyment of the game.
Steve Davis, vice president of technology transfer at Prince Sports, a leading equipment manufacturer, advises beginners to get an oversized, lighter-weight, prestrung racquet. “That is a great way to get into the game immediately and walk out of that shop for less than $100, including a can of balls.”
Pat Dougherty, a coach and director of strategy and movement specialty at IMG Bollettiery Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where some of the world's No. 1 players have trained, agrees. “The adult beginner's just going to use what they buy off the shelf.... It's a matter of searching through it until you find how you'd like it to feel, he says.
However, beginners should understand why they're choosing a particular racquet. “Think about your head size,” Davis says. “It's probably the single most important decision a player needs to make.”
Find out what you need to advance into the intermediate and expert ranks of tennis. Take your game to the next level by picking up the March/April 2010 issue of SOBeFiT Magazine.