From: doucas@cerberus.bhpese.oz.au (Chris Doucas)
Subject: Re: 2 Questions...
Organization: BHP Information Technology
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 01:45:22 GMT
Followup-To: rec.sport.tennis

In article <1992Dec31.234238.27749@nmsu.edu>, ssubrama@dante.nmsu.edu
(SUBRAMANIAM) wrote:
> 
> In article <1992Dec30.212549.26509@fuug.fi> an1060@anon.penet.fi writes:
> >X-Anon-To: rec.sport.tennis
> >
> >
> >2. Perhaps a person knowledgable about physics can explain why it is that
> >   as tennis racquet string tension decreases, the power transmitted to the
> >   ball increases!!!!   This seems contrary to common sense, but most/all new
> >   tennis racquets have this printed on them!!! 
(stuff deleted...)

> There is a critical tension at which there is maximum change in momentum for
> the same force exerted.  One should be careful when saying that by increasing
> the time of contact with the ball one can increase the momentum of the ball
> considerably.  But often times loosely strung rackets give more power when
> the returning a slow shot but tightly strung rackets seem to give more power
> when blocking a fast ball.  This is because the fast ball bounces back from
> the racket with almost the same speed.  But slow balls have small momentum
> and you need to exert enough force to increase its momentum and this force
> needs to be large since the ball is in contact with the racket for a short
> interval of time.  But by increasing the time of contact between the ball and
> the racket you can increase the momentum of the ball.  But if you strung your
> racket very loose, the decrease in momentum during the contact outweighs the
> increase in momentum due to your shot.  This is because when the ball hits
> the racket it slows down due to the loose tension in the strings. ...

People,
 Drawing from practical experience(20) years and as an ex-tennis pro, I
find the those opinions above accurate but not necessarily complete: ie
other variables to consider.

The basic delemma stems from a balance of power vs control in tennis.
Considering the Connors, Couriers, Navratilovas, etc., the marketing of
Power has always been the exciting alternative, and today raquets are made
towards this end.
Traditionally, 'soft' strung raquets gave you more control, and 'hard'
strung
raquets gave you more power(ball returning off a wall). But it was the
Player who had to hit the ball in the center of the racquet(sweet spot) to
enjoy either of these experiences, and hit with the proper body leverage to
impart control or momentum on the ball!
With vendors increasing the sweet spot (ie Prince) by selling oversized
raquets, a new dimension was added. This exagerated sweet spot gave a
spring board affect that produced incredible momentum with minumal body
exertion. Also, new raquet materials allowed less (air) resistance in
stroke production and physical strength. Players switching to oversize
rackets would initially hit homeruns over the fence, and have lots of
control problems. You now see most of the pro's have settled with mid-size
racquets as a better balance. Tennis has become a fast paced game on mostly
hard courts and shorter rallies(men), where attacking and counter/attacking
players generally prefer tighter string tension(the ball leaves the raquet
faster). Those players who rely alot on 'touch' or defensive styles need
the ball on their raquet longer to adjust for a control shot.
I don't think we can blame the raquet for much as it is just a tool. Other
factors such as court surface, generating momentum from your body and
swing, as well as advanced training, and accepted game styles, all affect
the outcome. Personally, I had less unforced errors and more power on my
serve when using the traditional raquets. With the oversize, I retrieve
much better, and hit control shots from more angles. Suit yourself.   




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