Tennis, a very popular outdoor game and a favorite sport for several people, is quite an entertaining and exciting game for its fans and players. It is a technical yet straightforward game. It can be played as single or double players and requires only a racquet, a tennis ball which is hollow from the inside, and a net in the middle of the field. What looks like a simple game of hitting the ball in turns, has several technicalities, the most important of which is the type of racquet used.
Several amateurs that love to do this outdoor activity are unaware that their performance in the match dramatically depends on the kind of racquets they are using. Every good swing and shot depends on the material of the frame, strings, and the grip of the racquet. Additionally, the use of the correct racquet ensures minimum sports injuries and better performance on the field.
The material in Tennis Racquets
In this article, you will be enlightened about the materials that are used to make racquets that feel good in your hand and help you give an outstanding performance.
1. Frame
Graphite:
It is the most popular material for a tennis racquet. A racquet with pure graphite frames has a stiff structure and inflexibility in its property. These types of racquets are mostly used by the players who play with the strength of their arms and do not depend on the movement of the wrist. The stiffness and inflexible nature of this type of racquet sometimes hamper the performance.
So, to improve the flexibility of the racquet graphite is mixed with some other components. This makes the movement of the player lighter and quicker, which has positive effects on the performance. Especially nowadays, when the game is more dependent upon the spin of the ball, its lightweight and strength add to the performance.
Aluminum:
Aluminum was once used as material for a racquet frame; however, it is now replaced by the graphite. Racquets of aluminum frame long-lasting and tensile, which will give a good hit to the ball in the game.
It has more weight in comparison to graphite, which hinders the shots and swings and consumes more strength of the player, making it unsuitable in the market. Aluminum frames come in two types, i.e., tubular and bi-hollow.
Boron:
Boron is a rigid and frothy material. It is difficult to manage for beginners. Racquets made of this material allow more vibration through the body of the racquet due to its flexibility and rigidity. Their stiffness and rigidity make them unsuitable for the game. They are lighter in weight and more durable than most frame materials.
Kevlar:
The property of this material is the same as the boron. It is durable but is more rigid, which makes its use less efficient. These racquet frames are not preferable to beginners and learners as the movement of their arms is not skilled enough to handle the rigidness of the racquet.
2. Grip
The grip is the primary requirement of the game. Better grip ensures better performance. Similarly, if the hold is not right, performance will be affected, and there will also be a risk of muscular injury.
There are several types of grip materials in the option to be used by the players, whether they are amateurs or skilled professionals. Some of the materials used to make grip materials are as follows:
- Leather
- Rubber
- Polymer
The grip material can be chosen by a player depending on his or her comfort level with the material. A better grip is not only good for field performance but for the psychological satisfaction of the player as well, which plays an equally important role in performance. The performance of the player is not affected by the grip material as long as he or she is holding the racquet in hand with great ease.
3. String Material
Nylon:
As nylon is a highly tensile synthetic polymer, it stretches and provides enough tension to the ball, that it bounces back to the opponent. Hence, the string material should be durable and flexible to an optimum level for bringing the bounce to the ball upon hitting the racquet.
This bouncing of the ball is very important in the game, as better bounce takes the ball to the opponent with a faster pace, improving the game. This makes the racquets with nylon strings very durable and reliable with flexible performance. However, the rigidness or frailty of the strings depends on the composition of nylon with other material
Polyester:
Polyester being a robust and resistant material proves to be quite rigid and stable. Strings of a racquet made of polyester provide less tension to the ball that resulting in lower elasticity to the performance of the racquet. It is a durable material but is not flexible enough.
The lower flexibility is not recommended as it reduces the bounce of the ball. Hence a mixture of nylon and polyester in the optimum ratio can provide us with both the required rigidity and flexibility. Therefore they are mixed to make more resistant strings of the racquet to perform even better in the game.
Conclusion:
Tennis is a particular case where the technicalities of the equipment play a vital role in addition to the fitness and talent of the player. Excellent performance in a game of tennis greatly depends on the quality of the tennis racquet, and it is also essential that one should be used to playing with a specific type of racquet as your hand will work more smoothly on a product that you are used to operating with.
The most important properties expected to be found in the racquet are being lightweight and robust, and its strings being elastic and durable. Graphite is an excellent material for frames, and a mixture of nylon and polyester makes the best material for strings.
However, it may vary from person to person. Knowledge about the composition of a tennis racquet is also vital as it will enlighten one more about different materials and their properties so that one can see to oneself, which type of racquet will perform best in his hands.
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