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The entire world has
witnessed the formidable Williams’ sisters rose to fame and success in the
tennis court. It was also at the same sport arena where Venus and Serena
have been identified to “serve with style”, causing other players to raise
an eyebrow.
As the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC) online review read, “tennis has always been something of a
fashion show.” It became of age in the early 1930’s when European designer,
Rene Lacoste, endorsed his own brand of shirts with the crocodile logo. Now,
it has climbed the ranks of a big- earning industry. However, being actively
involved in the game need not to be very expensive because it only consists
of a racquet and a ball.
If you are really
interested in this sport, then might as well breeze through this complete
list of tennis equipments (aside from the racquet and ball, of course). It
pays more to be in full gear than arrive less prepared. As Venus and Serena
Williams’ put it, "We also like to look good for
ourselves. No one wants to walk out on the court and say, I sure feel badly
about the way I look.'' Right after getting familiar with all these
tennis equipments, you are now equipped to contend in the court.
1. Tennis Equipment: Racquet
A mere tennis racquet is
made up of head, frame, strings and grip. In the physics of a tennis
racquet, it has two sweet spots. One is the vibration node while the other
is the center of percussion, which are both located in the middle of the
strings.
In buying a racquet, the
major concern should be the one that can give the most ball speed for the
least effort and does not stress the shoulder. A common injury that can be
caused by using the wrong racquet is referred to as the tennis elbow. It is
an inflammation or degeneration that attaches to the bony bit on the outside
of the arm. So the excellent choice, especially for beginners, would be the
heavy and head- light racquets. According to Wilmot McCutchen, sports
enthusiast who authored mathematically formulated tennis rankings, “it is
the best for performance and best for avoiding any casualty.”
2. Tennis Equipment: Ball
An inner core and outer
cloth covering comprises the major parts of a modern tennis ball. They come
in either white or yellow color. The ones that are currently utilized today
are subdivided in two categories: pressurized and non- pressurized.
Pressurized ball has a core coerced with air or nitrogen. Over a period of
time, it loses its pressure and playing properties. In the otherhand, non-
pressurized ball is crafted from a thicker rubber core. It tends to hold the
playing characteristics much longer as it is the cloth that only
deteriorates.
Ever wondered why players
keep on changing the balls when they are in the court? It is because the
rule of tennis states that the ball must bounce between 53 and 58 inches
after being dropped on to concrete from a height of 100 inches. Also, balls
begin to lose its spring back after about three hours of play.
3. Tennis Equipment:
Apparel
White has always been the
color for tennis apparel but in the 1980’s, competition among sportswear
became tough. It was also the climax of tennis fashion, where the audience
does not just look forward to who will be the first- seeded but, as to what
the players wear in tournaments. Now, it has become one of the most
effective medium of advertisement because tennis superstars flaunt the
trademarks of their respective sponsors.
Tennis equipment apparels
consist of polos, cap sleeves, tank tops, long sleeves, t- shirts, dresses,
razorbacks, dri- fit sleeveless, cover ups, warm ups, skirts, shorts, skorts,
under garments, hats, sunvisors and jogging pants.
4. Tennis Equipment:
Footwear
There are more than a
thousand designs of athletic shoes found in the shopping racks but if you
solely desire the premium for your feet, then it should be the right kind
for the tennis court.
Tennis footwear has special
features like the following: herring- bone style tread (the pattern wears
slower and presents more hold), reinforced toe- caps (makes the shoes last
longer especially if you pull your toe on the serve follow- through),
side-to-side sliding (added side- support is crucial to keep the foot
stable), middle cut (extra ankle support) and breathable mesh insets (makes
the shoes less sweaty).
As for the socks, it should
be cushioned to give extra protection to the bits of the feet that take all
the impact and absorbs the sweat at the same time.
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