ROCKET PARAMETERS
A modern tennis racket is a technologically sophisticated product that has many different characteristics. The right choice of racket depends on the knowledge of these characteristics, which means convenience, style, effectiveness of the game and even maintaining health. The article discusses the main characteristics of tennis rackets.
Materials
Aluminum is an inexpensive material from which budget entry-level rackets are made. Aluminum racquets are quite durable, but under harsh conditions they can deform and lose their characteristics.
Graphite is the currently most popular material from which most modern tennis rackets are made. Graphite has high strength, lightness, especially with fiberglass and thermoplastics. Graphite rackets in their characteristics are suitable for both novice players and professionals.
Titanium Titanium rackets in their parameters are very similar to graphite. Often in the production of rackets, a mixture of titanium and graphite is used to improve performance, in particular the optimal balance of weight and strength.
Composite materials. Rackets are made from combined materials, such as graphite, titanium, fiberglass, etc.
Fiberglass / Fiberglass – an additional component for giving flexibility and elasticity.
Tennis Racket Device
The head is a part of a tennis racket, consisting of a rim and strings stretched inside it, forming a playing surface.
Handle – a thickening at the bottom of a tennis racket to hold it in your hand. A fork is part of a tennis racket connecting the head and handle.
Fork – performs the functions of a vibration absorber, which absorbs vibration from the contact of the string surface of a racket with a ball.
Racket Handle Size
The handle of a tennis racket can be measured in inches according to the American system, for example 4 1/8 or according to the European system, where the number of units corresponds to the number 1/8 excluding 4 inches. For example, size 3 in the European system corresponds to size 4 3/8 in the American system.
Racket Head Size
Tennis rackets are available in various sizes (area) of the head. The power of the blow, ball control, and the number of possible errors depend on the size of the head.
Table for matching the size of the head of a tennis racket:
Racket Weight
Typically, the weight of a racket is 310–325 g. There are lighter or heavier models. The weight of the racket affects the power of the strike, the ease of swing and shock movement.
Tennis Racket Balance
Distinguish the balance of tennis rackets in the head, in the handle or neutral balance. The balance of the racket affects the power of the blow and the ability to accurately control the ball. Rockets with a balance in the head feel like heavier and provide more powerful hits. Rackets with balance in the handle allow better control of the ball and play more variably. Accordingly, rackets with the same weight, but with different balances have different characteristics.
The balance of the racket is determined by the overweight of the head (HH – headheavy, balance to the head) or the handle (HL – headlight, balance to the handle) relative to the middle of the length of the racket. The marking on the racket, which determines the balance, means the distance from the end face of the handle of the racket to its center of gravity and is expressed in inches or centimeters. With a standard racket length of 27 inches – the middle is 13.5 inches – a neutral balance. Smaller values mean balance in the pen, larger ones in the head. Some racket manufacturers indicate a balance in points showing the number 1/8 inch between the center of gravity of the racket and its middle.
Racket Length
The standard length of the racket is 27 inches (68.6 cm.). There are several sizes of shortened and elongated rackets. Shortened ones are children’s and junior rackets, the length of which is selected according to the table depending on the height of the child:
Child height Racquet length in inches Racquet length in centimeters
up to 118 cm 21 53.3
119-135 cm 23 58.4
136-150 cm 25/26 63.5 / 66
151 cm and above 27 68.6
Elongated rackets provide more powerful strokes and return less vibration to the hand compared to standard ones, but have less maneuverability and are difficult to disperse. The maximum racket length allowed by ITF rules is 29 inches (73.7 cm).
