THE OTHER FUNCTION OF RACQUETS {2008}

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

Somewhere in Florida…an avid player...let's follow the drama...

Ah, it’s been two weeks and I’m finally back on court. I usually play 3 times a week or more. Bad weather, emergencies at work, last minute cancellations by my tennis buddies; but that’s finally over and now I’m more than ready to rumble!

A little warm-up and I’m ready to kick butt. First game; he wins his serve easily; ok, now it’s my turn. 15-30, 15-40, oh, no, it’s love-2! What’s wrong? I’ll get it back now. 3-love (this can’t be happening). 1-3; it was really tough to get through that one; three deuces, but I finally got on the board!

I can’t believe it! 1-6, 2-6, barely an hour and it’s over! I didn’t feel like the ball was coming off the strings like it should. That must be the problem! I’ll get my racquet restrung.

Another week has gone by and work kept me off the courts again; what a bummer! But now I’m back (YES!). New strings; I had the pro shop string at 10 lbs. over the max. NOW I’ll get the control I need.

WHAT HAPPENED!!! It seemed like every ball I hit either went into the net, or fell short, barely reaching the service line, let alone anywhere near the baseline! Ok, so I was a little winded after a couple of games, that can’t be the problem. I just had my racquet strung, so it can’t be the strings. THE RACQUET! It must be the racquet! I’ve only had it for six months, but I’ve heard that racquets can go dead. That must be it! My racquet is dead. I’ll go right to the pro shop and buy a new one! I won’t buy another one like this, though. This time I’m going to buy one of those I saw on TV. They are supposed to give you more power. That’s what I need, a racquet with MORE POWER! And I’m going to get those new strings! I’ll get it strung just like Roger Federer! I’m going to crush that blighter next time….

What’s wrong with this scenario? Our friend has found the other, perhaps more common use for a racquet: a crutch. You too may have blamed your racquet or strings for a poor performance.

Let’s go back to basics. Start with a little SELF examination. It’s too easy to blame your racquet. Eliminate things like bad timing, or just playing someone who played better than you did that day. Change your strings or your racquet for good reasons, or just because you want to, but not as an overreaction.

COPYRIGHT 2008