04/20/24
August 26, 2003
Former champions campaigning against racket power.: McEnroe, Boris "Boom-Boom" Becker, Navratilova, among others, are challenging the International Tennis Federation impose greater restrictions on tennis racket design. The power that modern rackets provide is accused of virtually killing the serve-and-volley game in men's tennis, turning everyone into boring baseliners. The women's game, however, appears to be benefiting. Will restricting rackets make for more interesting tennis?
posted by worldcup2002 to tennis at 12:48 PM - 10 comments
Tennis is somewhat different, in that an immediate advantage is not guarateed by the juiced gear, though I still think some reform is needed. Adding power to a tennis racquet requires that much more skill to keep the ball in play. I think this phenomena is evident in the lack of dominant players on the tour, and more so by 'who the hell is he' element of tour results. The margin for error is more limited with the big racquets, and demands a player be in top form the day of the match or runs the risk of getting shocked. This is not to say skill doesn't win out in the end, but a less skilled player is more on par with a more skilled player by virtue of the equipment. Take that as a positive or negative, it all depends on your perspective. I'm guessing the WTA would like to see more consistency in the standings, merely for marketing muscle and revenue that follows.
posted by garfield at 01:23 PM on August 26, 2003
Shoes with giant springs attached to the bottom would make for more interesting tennis.
posted by Samsonov14 at 02:03 PM on August 26, 2003
Shoes with giant springs attached to the bottom.
posted by dusted at 02:59 PM on August 26, 2003
Actually, my experience is that the racquets used by pros are less powerful than those used by club players. One of the game's most powerful players ever, Pete Sampras, used a racquet that was designed in the early eighties and had a sweet spot not much bigger than the ball. I've played with that racquet, and I can tell you it's a lot harder to generate accurate, powerful strokes with a classic Pro Staff than it is with almost anything off the rack at a local pro shop. Mac's old Dunlop Max 300G was a pretty powerful racquet in its day--Steffi Graf also used it for a time--so his standards didn't extend to a unilateral show of sportsmanship back in the day. I remember an article a few years back that showed that guys like Stich could pound serves into the 120's with wooden racquets. Athletes are bigger and stronger now than ever before, including tennis players, and professionals don't need boomsticks to crush it. That said, I should admit that I learned with a wooden racquet--a Wilson Jack Kramer, actually, named after the biggest server of an earlier era--and I'm sure my strokes and game tactics benefited tremendously from the discipline needed to hit with proper form. And I do love watching the subtlety evident in older matches like the epic Borg-McEnroe contests of the late 70's and early 80's. I may play a different style today, but it is refreshing to watch.
posted by jason streed at 03:17 PM on August 26, 2003
I think the difference is that tennis pros shouldn't be using racquets the size of a small elephant. The game has degenerated into WHOMP point, WHOMP point. I used to enjoy tennis when a variety of shots was absolutely necessary to reach the highest levels of the game. Can someone name me the last time you saw a drop shot win an important point? Here's a thought: let's have one tournament every year where the top 16 players of each sex use an old-ass wooden racquet and see how it goes. I'd watch it.
posted by wfrazerjr at 07:17 PM on August 26, 2003
I defy anyone to name a match in which a rally lasted longer than 5 minutes in the past 10 years.
posted by lilnemo at 07:25 PM on August 26, 2003
wfrazer:let's have one tournament every year where the top 16 players of each sex use an old-ass wooden racquet and see how it goes. That is an awesome idea! I used to enjoy watching tennis, but I can't be bothered now. However, I would definitely watch some old school tennis. And they should make them wear those sweater vests and the striped headbands. That would be hella cool.
posted by worldcup2002 at 10:05 PM on August 26, 2003
Thanks, wc2k2, I'm full of them. Or it. And would "Old-School Tennis" require me to see Will Ferrell's pasty naked ass for the 1,000th time? I'm totally not down with that.
posted by wfrazerjr at 12:50 AM on August 27, 2003
A 5 minute rally? Has there ever been a 5 minute rally? The slower surface Slams are still entertaining, simply because points average at least 4 or 5 strokes per player. This year's French was highly entertaining, especially the mne's bracket. btw, thats a guess on the average, since i got no love from google.
posted by garfield at 09:25 AM on August 27, 2003
"I don't know if the ITF is going to take it too seriously," Roddick told Agence France-Presse in July. "I find it kind of surprising that they would go through the full-out effort and make it something to be talked about."
Why take it seriously, I mean it's only the LEGENDS of your sport trying to restore the integrity of the game.
Jackass.
I agree that there needs to be some "disarming". All other major sports have very specific rules regarding equipment, why shouldn't tennis?