Technical tennis: racquets, strings, balls, courts, spin, and bounce

What are the single most important variables in racquet performance? What racquet and string features combine to provide the most control, comfort, and feel? How can a player create maximum spin? This informative primer answers these and other elusive equipment and performance-related questions that perennially plague hackers and experts alike. A simplified, layperson's companion to the authors' previous work, The Physics and Technology of Tennis, this conveniently sized guide to selecting racquets and strings includes bite-sized explanations of the possible expectations of equipment choices.

Cover; Copyright; Contents; FOREWORD; PREFACE; 1 RACQUETS; INTRODUCTION; Choosing a Racquet-the Basics; Mistakes When Buying a Racquet; Three Types of Racquet; Racquets and Player Psychology; Racquet Features Combine with Strokes; Selecting a Racquet Is Art & Science; Care of Racquets; RACQUET PROPERTIES; POWER; The Components of "Power": Exit Speed, Rebound Speed, Racquet Speed; Match Point Box 1.1: Effect of Grip Firmness on Power; The Maximum Exit Power Point Changes with Racquet Speed; Comparing Racquet Power; Racquet Power Defined as Rebound Power

Match Point Box 1.2: Maximum Effort PowerRebound Power Is the Sum of All Racquet Properties; Power and Energy Loss; Match Point Box 1.3: Maximum Theoretical Ball Speed; The Bad News: Rebound Power Values Aren't Readily Available; CONTROL; Rebound Control; WEIGHT; Weight and Apparent Weight; The Six "Weights" of a Racquet; Racquet Weight; Light vs Heavy Racquets; Ideal Racquet Weight; Balance Point and Pickupweight; Swingweight; Twistweight; Spinweight; Hittingweight ("Effective Mass"); STIFFNESS (FLEX); Racquet Stiffness; Measuring Racquet Stiffness

Match Point Box 1.4:Vibration Comparison between RacquetsRacquet Vibrations, Sweet…