Modern racquets feature innovative technologies to maximize player performance and enhance the playing experience. Explore some of these innovations.
Head, located in Kennelbach, Austria, manufactures racquets for professional players such as Novak Djokovic – but amateur players tend to gain more from its innovative technology-laden products.
Hybrid Stringing
Professional players rely on different strings to fine-tune the balance between power, spin and control in their racquets, with hybrid stringing becoming one of the primary methods of doing this. A hybrid setup involves using different material strings for mains and crosses racquets – whether that means simply mixing different gauges of one string material or mixing materials altogether – enabling players to easily customize feel and performance without breaking the bank.
Hybrid string setups generally consist of using stiffer synthetic or poly strings in the mains and softer natural or co-poly strings in the crosses – this setup is typically preferred by pro players; however, any player can customize this set-up to meet his or her individual needs – for instance players looking to increase power and control can opt for natural gut mains with multifilament crosses; this would give additional spin to their racquet while still maintaining comfort and durability.
Hybrid sets provide an effective solution for players suffering from arm issues. Their typically stiff polyester strings tend to be quite durable and less likely to lead to arm pain than full nylon sets do.
Babolat offers several prepackaged hybrid sets on the market. One such offering from them combines Volkl Cyclone polyester string with soft yet powerful Power Fibre 2 multifilament for improved feel and performance of their racquet. This could be an ideal option if durability issues plagued your current setup, or simply want an upgrade that improves feel and performance of their current setup.
Hybrid stringing can help players enhance the playability of their racquet. Most stringers can help find an optimal combination of strings for customers; it is best to start by asking what customers desire in their racquet so that the stringer can suggest their perfect hybrid stringing solution based on this answer.
Textured Strings
Strings are an integral component of your tennis experience and can have a major influence on its feel, power, control and spin capabilities. There are various factors to take into account such as pattern, material composition tension and texture when selecting strings for your racquet.
Textured strings are one of the latest developments in string technology. They provide players with an enhanced combination of spin and control that’s difficult to achieve with traditional multifilament strings, creating friction by changing surface of string to increase grip on ball for increased spin access without sacrificing comfort or durability.
These strings come in both full-string sets and hybrid configurations, so that you can create the optimal blend of power, durability and control by choosing from among a selection of Luxilon Alu Power Rough strings in the mains and soft synthetic gut or multifilament crosses for your cross strings.
Texturing strings can be done using various methods such as brushing or coating. One approach is to apply Teflon or silicone coating on the string in order to help it slide more freely during impact and snap back quickly; however, this coating can make the string slippery and difficult to catch on impact; some players use tools like SpinGen in order to add rough friction marks that increase gripping power of their textured strings on balls.
At the core of selecting a string is its balance between power and control for players. Strings geared toward power — such as Luxilon Alu Power or 4G Rough — tend to provide more pop and depth while potentially decreasing control, while those designed with control in mind such as Luxilon Adrenaline or Savage tend to feature smooth surfaces and be more long-wearing than their power-oriented counterparts.
Gauge thickness should also be taken into consideration when selecting a string; thicker gauge strings offer more power and feel while thinner strings may generate more spin.
Smart Racquets
Imagine having access to a virtual coach who knows exactly where your racquet hits the ball during play – your forehands, backhands, serves and smashes. Now this technology exists thanks to sensors embedded in newer racquets such as Babolat Play Pure Drive with sensors that detect vibration and movement and transmit that data wirelessly via Bluetooth or USB onto smartphone apps for analysis by coaches or players looking to improve their game.
Recently, tennis players could only evaluate how well they hit the ball by making rough estimates of its force and spin. Now, thanks to new technologies that enable precision impact point tracking of every shot and how close to your sweet spot (where string connects with ball) at each moment of contact you were at contact point – giving professional and amateur players alike unprecedented insights into their shots that ultimately leads to greater accuracy and enhanced performance.
Smart technology has become an indispensable asset to sports of all kinds, but particularly tennis where top players spend millions of dollars on equipment and training to better their game. From Hawk-Eye systems that can tell whether a ball has passed into or out of play to video analysis systems, modern technologies are revolutionizing tennis while drawing in new fans to join.
One company, Courtmatics, is developing a sensor integrated into the handle of a racquet. This sensor sits in its usual vibration dampening spot and attaches with a special “Qlipp” that can tighten and loosen. Once fitted to its position on the racquet handle, this sensor records power, spin and rally length information that it transmits wirelessly back to a smartphone or computer for evaluation.
Data shared through this app can also be shared among its users, allowing competitors to compete against one another for points or money. While still under testing and refinement, this technology could increase available information to players while improving their overall understanding of their game.
3D Printing
3D printing has quickly become an indispensable technology in various sectors, including sports. From running shoes to ski boots and helmets – even cars! – additive manufacturing is revolutionising how athletes wear and use equipment. While you might not yet see 3D printed tennis rackets on professional tours, some innovative applications are helping enhance performance while protecting athlete safety.
Additive Appliances of Italy has developed a customizable grip with special geometry that absorbs vibration frequencies produced by blows to the racket, helping reduce arm strain and prevent injuries such as tennis elbow. Furthermore, this company used 3D printing technology to construct its inner structure of this customized grip.
Additive technology can also play a vital role in sports through smart mouthguards designed by American company Invent Medical. Their smart mouthguard uses sensors to collect impact data that allow engineers to design more effective protective gear – something which may prevent serious facial injuries as well as expedite recovery time for players who have suffered them.
Complex software simulations are also playing a part in improving the strength and performance of protective equipment for athletes. Cardiff University used simulations to design protective liners for football helmets which can better absorb impact energies while decreasing injury risks.
Some companies are taking to 3D printing as an environmentally-friendly means of producing sporting goods. German designer Fabienne Kille developed Loop, an eco-friendly tennis ball made possible through 3D printing. Each year approximately 325 million rubber balls are manufactured, but recycling them is more difficult due to having two half shells that must be attached and covered with nylon or wool felt material – unlike with Loop’s single piece design which can be printed all at once and even comes equipped with material-saving packaging that can be made locally.
Ralf Schwinger, R&D director for HEAD Sports (a world leader in tennis racquet production and related apparel) addressed London’s 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Industrial Applications Summit about how their company uses 3D printing for research and development purposes. Although prototyping may benefit greatly from 3D printing technology, its limitations cannot provide high performance parts required for final production products.