Coach’s Corner Q&A

A few weeks ago former tennis coach Lauren Foster weighed in on how young is too young for a child to start playing tennis. This week Lauren and I covered the bases on other tennis topics, from getting started and choosing the right equipment, to tennis fans and the world’s top players.

Hit the jump for my Q&A with Lauren.

Choosing the right racquet

Image by Phillipioo

From weight and size, to brand and price, and even color and feel, choosing the right tennis racquet can be daunting.

Racquet science has come leaps and bounds from the wooden racquets of yesterday, and now even the most elementary tennis players must take numerous factors into consideration when selecting a new racquet. By choosing equipment designed for specific skill levels and playing styles, players are able to play with more consistency and confidence, and maximize their enjoyment of the game.

Racquet design often makes compromises between power and control, comfort and feel and weight and stability. Some of the differing design elements that make this possible include:

• Head size – Power and head size are directly related. The larger the head, the more power a player can wield from his or her swing. The average head size is between 95 – 110 square inches, however racquets are made with heads between 85 – 135 square inches. Though a large head size means more power, a smaller head means more control. Generally speaking, a smaller head size appeals to more accomplished players, while beginners should aim for a larger, more forgiving racquet.
• Length – Racquet length ranges from 27 – 29 inches. Though this may seem like a small difference, a longer racquet can add leverage on serves and more reach on groundstrokes. Ultimately this comes down to personal preference.
• Weight & Balance – Heavy racquets are more powerful, more stable and transmit less shock than lighter racquets. Lighter racquets are more maneuverable, allowing the player to swing faster. Raquets are either heavier, head-light, or lightweight, head-heavy. The former is preferred by most players, but the latter also has advantages for players who want to increase their maneuverability.
• Frame Stiffness - Stiffer racquets bend less, thus take less energy from the ball. They also transmit more schock to the wrist upon impact. The opposite is also true.

There’s no better way to select the right racquet than to try it out in person. If you’re weary about ordering a racquet online, a great way to test the field is with Tennis Express’ racquet demo. Browse racquets online, demo up to four at a time, and they’ll ship them to you for free. Another good way to select the right raquet is by reading user reviews online. You can also talk to other players’ on the USTA Web site.

Looking for a tennis tournament near you?

Below is a map of all of the upcoming ATP and WTA tournaments played in the U.S. this year. The men’s tournaments are marked in blue, the women’s in pink, and mixed tournaments in yellow.

View Larger Map

Some tennis videos worth your time…

Tennis Served Fresh just posted this video of Rafael Nadal and his uncle Tony Nadal recounting when Rafa switched from playing tennis right-handed to left-handed. A born right-hander, playing tennis is the only thing Rafa does with his left hand. The video was produced by Nike before last year’s Wimbledon:

After watching this video, I thought I’d share some of my own favorite You Tube tennis videos. From the random to the awesome, these miscellaneous clips have been accumulating on my YouTube “favorites” for years.

Check out the videos after the jump.