Choosing the right tennis equipment

Black Enterprise, Sept, 1995 by Eric L. Smith

Stepping onto the tennis court can be a lot like stepping onto a battlefield--just you versus your opponent, both armed with tennis racket in hand. But as in battle, unless you're properly armed, chances are you're going to get blown away.

Compared to other sports, such as football and baseball, the basic requirements for a tennis match are pretty simple. Not that you need that much to begin with. A good pair of tennis shoes, some tennis balls and a racket are the only must-have requirements to play the game. A headband, of course, is optional.

Wooden rackets went the way of the old eight-tracks following tennis great Bjorn Borg's dominance of the game with them in the mid-seventies to early eighties. Now tennis rackets are stiffer and lighter, mostly made of lightweight metals such as graphite and graphite composites. New technology has helped make the game a bit easier for the novice and added new dimensions for the intermediate player.

There are some things to consider when choosing the right racket for you:

Head Size--Up until the mid-seventies, most wooden rackets measured about 70 square inches. It was then that Prince Manufacturing unleashed the first oversized model at 110 square inches. Other similarly modeled rackets have been released in recent years, with colorful names like "The Sledge-Hammer," "The Hammer" and "The Big Bang." The benefits of a larger racket are obvious almost immediately--it's easier to hit the ball. The wider racket face gives the user more stability against off-center shots and more power to the swing.

The drawback is that larger rackets are harder to maneuver and more difficult to angle for those close line shots that require a certain finesse. Some tennis purists have also complained that the new power rackets have made the game too fast, reducing once extended rallies into three-stroke points.

Flexibility--The more flexible the racket, the more power it will generate. The more powerful your own stroke, the more flexibility you will want in your racket. Those with slower strokes should have a stiffer model to add power.

Also, consider the balance and weight of the model you're using. Most lightweight models come in at about 12.5 ounces and superlight at about 11.5 ounces. With the lighter weight, players can swing harder and the rackets are more maneuverable during play. But you may feel increased vibration and shock to the arm as you hit the ball. Several models of "vibration dampers" have come on the market in recent years to help players stabilize their rackets.

If you're looking for a pair of tennis shoes that are just right for you, they shouldn't be hard to find. The market is virtually flooded with sneakers, and they've come quite a long way from the days of the $20 canvas Pro-Keds or leather Converses of years past. Today, tennis shoes, including those made specifically for women, are designed with the athlete in mind.

When it comes to selecting a shoe that's right for your foot, every consumer is different, requiring different features depending on their activity level, says Bob Michalski, marketing product manager for Reebok Tennis.

Advancements in cushioning technology is literally out of the space-age as shoe companies look to meet consumer demands. New advancements such as a cushioning material Reebok calls Hexalite, are now used in a majority of their footwear. "Hexalite is basically little honeycomb pockets of air," Michalski explains. "NASA uses the Hexalite designs in their space suits as a form of cushioning. It allows us to take out heavier pockets of the midsole and replace it with this lighter material."

The type of shoe you select will depend on the type of athlete you are. A "toe dragger," or someone particularly rough on shoes and very active, will be looking to get something as durable as possible. An athlete who's either heavyset or more muscular might look to get a heavier weighted shoe. Lightweight models are for those concerned about speed and agility. And while just about any sneaker will do for the most basic athletic activity, the experts say if you're shopping with a particular sport in mind, it pays to look for a shoe created for that purpose.

And don't forget about socks. Playing sockless can not only lead to blisters and calluses, but can also add wear and tear on the sneaker.

Other products on the market include various cross-training shoes for the athlete involved in a variety of activities. But be warned. Since "multi-functional" shoes of this type are not geared with one particular sport in mind, they may be lacking certain features included in tennis-specific shoes.

"Our athletes demand we create shoes that are geared for their game, and so do our consumers," says Michalski. "If you don't have the right footwear, you're going to be behind your competition and it could affect your performance."