HUMAN VARIABLES IN RACQUET SELECTION {2008}

By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT and Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo

We talk about equipment variables all the time: racquet stiffness, head size, length, beam, string thickness, composition, and on and on. What we almost never talk about are the most important variables of all, those having to do with the user.

Let’s say that two people read racquet reviews. Both have reasonably similar games, and they (as this is a perfect world) choose the same racquet. What are the chances that both will have the same reaction to the racquet? In my experience, chances are very low. Why? Even though there are some similarities in their games, there is much more significance in the differences in the players.

When choosing a racquet, we have to take into account the INDIVIDUAL. One obvious difference is height. Do you really think someone who is 6 feet tall will have the same reaction as someone 5 feet 6 inches, or 6 feet 5 inches? I doubt it. Age will also add to the mix. Even though their games are similar, the older person will most likely have lost a step; his swing speed may be slower. We can consider differences such as whether one’s feet pronate or supinate, size of feet, hands, length of arms, overall musculature, flexibility, balance, diet, weight, weight-to-height ratio, general fitness, color of eyes (just kidding about eye color) and many other things.

Even differences in how our brains work may be a factor. How many times have we heard the mental part of the game is as important as the physical?

What this all boils down to is, if you decide to buy a racquet because your best friend has one, you are not thinking about some of the most important variables to improving your game. These differences make you a unique individual, and should be taken into account as well as the characteristics of the frame.

Sales of racquets used by top players increase when the players do well on tour. I believe we are by nature hero worshipers, and this is good except when it’s taken to the extreme. The racquets may indeed be fine sticks; well-made with nice cosmetics, but you should buy them based on who you are, not who you admire. By all means, try them and 10 others both similar and different in overall specifications. Don’t buy simply because someone else, a local pro, friend or top player uses it, but because YOU can play well with it. Make the choice based on all the variables and choose your frame for the right reason (because you like the color!).

COPYRIGHT 2008