Saturday, January 3, 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.

Most of the times, this has kept the tools of the game at the backstage. They have been just as important. Think of the stars without their tools. How would they shine? The tennis racquets and tennis balls are the prime movers of the game. They are as big stars. Do you know how much specification a tennis racquet holds in itself? There are many things that must be kept in mind before buying the racquets. The professional racquets provide with very supple beam width. Such racquets add another dimension to the sports. It provides with a lot of flexibility as well. Beam width is also associated with control. These professional racquets are ergonomic.

Speaking of balance, the racquets are either heavier from the head or lighter from the head or evenly balanced out. In terms of length, they are divided over 5 sizes. They can be of 27 inches, 27.25 inches, 27.50 inches, 27.75 inches and 28 inches. Today, tennis is being avidly followed by the youngsters. This means that there is a lot of junior racquets floating in the markets as well. They have feather grips and come in relatively smaller sizes. Used racquets is in itself an industry and is sold at different offline and online stores at reasonable prices.

Racquet strings are made of animal gut. Moreover, it has a wooden laminated frame. Today, professionals play the game hard. It requires amore stiff racquet. Wooden frames wont do. This is why there is titanium, ceramic or a fiberglass frame in operation today. Even gut is a thing of the past. It is being substituted by nylon. Racquet heads are also a little inclined today. This gives greater facility to try low shots and out of court stretch shots.

A tennis ball is another important accessory which is usually 6.7 centimeters in diameter and its color is yellow. Today, the tennis balls used in professional international tennis has many chemicals mixed with rubber to attain the desired consistency. Naturally, Southeast Asia is the top exporter of these balls as rubber plantations are most abundant here. The felt of the ball is its most costly part. The felt is being steamed to provide it greater power to combat wind and also offers it a lot of reduction in 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. - 15683

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