Technology has had a dramatic effect on tennis. From improved materials and construction techniques to real time data analysis systems, technology is revolutionizing every facet of this ancient sport.
New racquet technology designed to absorb harsh vibrations before they reach your arm is now available, integrated into its layup for enhanced frame stability and stiffness.
Graphene
One of the latest breakthroughs in tennis racquet technology is graphene. Consisting of honeycomb-shaped hexagonal carbon atoms arranged like honeycombs, this lightweight yet highly resilient material weighs less than one gram per square meter of one sheet and boasts 200 times greater strength than steel while being 1000x stronger than Kevlar!
Material used to improve rigidity while decreasing weight. This enables players to generate more power while making their racquet more maneuverable and easy to handle.
Vibration-dampening materials like graphene can also help players feel the ball with greater precision, making VCell rackets from Volkl more resilient and helping reduce arm fatigue.
Graphene can be integrated into the epoxy resin of a racquet head to increase its stiffness, as well as strengthen areas where it connects to its shaft, making it more resistant to damage. Optical micrographs and Raman spectroscopy have shown that graphene nanoplatelets have been present within resin-rich regions where head meets shaft.
Liquidmetal
Utilizing this new material increases stiffness and power of racquets while simultaneously decreasing vibration in frames and improving overall stability of racquets.
Yonex racquets featuring nickel-titanium compounds in their shaft area take advantage of this innovative technology, making for stronger and longer-lasting shaft areas than standard graphite/titanium composites.
HEAD introduced their new Graphene XT racquet in 2014 to reduce weight by 20 percent while keeping swing weight constant – giving players faster racquets with equal amounts of weight when hitting balls.
HEAD describes their innovative material as being “super smart”, accommodating to each player’s swing and impact with just nanosecond-scale reactions to increase stiffness for more power or relax for a softer feel. Dynamic Infused Construction technology facilitates this effect.
MicroGel
HEAD’s MicroGel technology is an innovative shock-absorbing material, which deforms and compresses upon impact, evenly dispersing force evenly through the frame to provide more comfort and stability to players. This technology is especially helpful for advanced players who generate lots of power with long, fast strokes as it reduces strain on arms and shoulders – crucial in long matches!
The Micro Gel Radical OS strung tennis racket is an excellent way for players to increase spin and control over the ball, while also meeting advanced player needs for shock absorption when performing long strokes – an especially essential consideration when engaging in long matches which can cause arm fatigue and injuries if left unaddressed.
This racquet comes in oversize and midplus head sizes to meet all players’ needs. It’s easy to maneuver and offers ample power for wide range swings; making this an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced players who prefer longer matches.
d3o
D3o is an advanced material with incredible smarts that responds instantly when exposed to dynamic loading or impact, dramatically altering its behavior in response. This innovative technology is used in a new racquet design which utilizes two engineered control holes with D3o flexpoint technology for incredible power with incredible control when hitting balls – giving you INCREASED POWER with INCREDIBLE CONTROL every time you hit.
d3o is made of Basalt fibers woven together longitudinally to filter out high impact frequencies, making it easier to transfer feel and vibration to your hand. Furthermore, this revolutionary new composite also adds strength, durability, and an elegant natural look to racquet frames.
Other technologies becoming more prevalent among racquet manufacturers:
– C2 Technology: With patent pending dual cylinder construction comes an increased hitting area and greater power output from larger, stiffer racquet heads, thanks to C2’s carbon wave matrix which aligns graphite fibers in strategic stress curved areas of its frame for added stability and power.
Tungsten Triple Threat: A weighting system to promote balance and stability using titanium, copper and carbon materials strategically positioned between 10 & 2 o’clock on the shaft to decrease frame twisting for improved control and arm savings.
– EXO3 Energy Bridge and Energy Channel: This patent racquet structure captures waste energy at contact, redistributing it back into the ball to produce up to 26% more spin with 50% less frame vibration and an 83% larger sweet spot for increased comfort and performance.
TRIAD
TRIAD technology employs a revolutionary dual-layered multi-material graphite construction which enhances stability and power in tennis racquets. By employing an autoclave process to evacuate air between layers of graphite, air is removed seamlessly creating a strong yet responsive feel without impact shock or vibration allowing players to focus solely on their game rather than worrying about their equipment. This patented technology eliminates impact shock or vibration allowing players to focus solely on playing their sport.
Core 1 features an expansive 113 square inch string bed for optimal power and control for both beginner and intermediate players, providing them with maximum energy transfer for exceptional power. Constructed using balsa wood center box surrounded by dual cylinders to form a super-stiff (the stiffest PK racquet ever!) frame without compromising feel; combined with its fan string pattern for maximum energy transfer for incredible power output.
All string holes now feature Power Bevels molded into the inside graphite wall of their frames, increasing string deflection for more power while simultaneously improving shot accuracy.
HEAD has unveiled an innovative technology that goes beyond simply reducing weight to increase torsional stiffness in racquets. Their cross-section features two dual rounded bubbles in the shaft and throat area for increased structural rigidity with less twist and torque, along with Intellifiber technology that converts mechanical energy from ball impacts into electrical reactions in the frame, increasing torsional stiffness for greater power output.
Hyper Carbon
Hyper carbon is a composite material composed of carbon fiber and titanium used to craft strong yet lightweight frames for tennis racquets. This technology creates increased sweet spot size, superior directional control and reduced arm shock.
Babolat uses d3o, which belongs to the smart materials category with unusual behavior characteristics, to filter out vibrations. They integrate it into their racquet shafts so as not to transmit harshness.
This new material utilises thin, viscoelastic rubber sheets that absorb vibration at impact, integrated into the frame to reduce shaft and hand vibration and eliminate it altogether. This technology can especially assist players with arm issues or injuries.
An innovative combination of 22″ Long Strings with an extremely powerful frame and shaft has produced an unprecedented breakthrough that enhances power and feel by allowing main strings to skip every other hole, so the ball never hits two adjacent main strings at the same time.
This patented technology features thousands of micro-bearings inside multiple chambers in the racquet head, which load with energy when struck to add power and reduce arm shock. Furthermore, this technology can improve flex and stability as it repositions kinetic mass in key locations to maximize frame stiffness.
Braided Basalt
This technology combines Basalt with carbon graphite fiber, which allows the racquet’s hoop to flex more freely for improved feel, dwell time, and control.
Activated mass in the frame of a racquet expands upon contact with the ball to generate extreme power while attenuating arm shock, increasing stability for improved maneuverability.
An innovative material combining Basalt with carbon graphite to produce the world’s lightest and strongest racket is being utilized by Rafael Nadal and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, with whom it has seen great success in tennis competition.
GC Power Fibers are laminated at different angles to reduce frame twist and head weight, and create the “Hinge” or flex point in the throat area of a racquet for increased head speed, more energy being directed into hitting balls more effectively.
Dynamic 16×19 string patterns offer enhanced sweet spot and spin, as well as more control than conventional open patterns. They’re an ideal solution for players seeking to add spin without losing control over their game.
Wilson employs an autoclave process to remove air from between graphite layers, producing an extremely strong yet flexible racquet. Their patented process has strengthened four quadrants of their racquet: stiffer ones generate more power while flexible ones provide greater control.