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When Long Racquets
were New
Like graphite, oversize racquet heads, and wide bodies,
long racquets made a big splash when they were
introduced to the buying public. They were a
technological and tennis marvel. Using the traditional
materials of the day, a long racquet would have been
unplayable heavy.
When newer lighter high tech materials became available
at a reasonable cost, it became practical for racquet
manufacturers to make a reasonably good handling racquet
that was 1 – 2 inches longer than the 27-inch standard
length.
The longer racquets had a lot of great selling points:
more power, more spin, greater reach, potentially
greater shock dissipation and higher serving
percentages.
Marketing campaigns at the time cited the successes of
Michael Chang and Amada Coetzer on the pro tour. Chang
and Coetzer’s results were both hailed as evidence of
how longer racquets could be an equalizer for small
players who were otherwise outflanked by larger
opponents with greater strength and reach. Long racquet
sales boomed!
Long Racquets in
the Present
Several model years have passed since then. The majority
of racquets made today are still longer than standard.
The trend in long racquets now is less length. For 2002,
most long racquets measure ¼ - 1 inch longer than
standard.
In general, the moderately long frames – those ¼ - ½
inch longer than standard - work best for intermediate
and advanced players. All other things being equal,
shorter frames offer better control and place less
stress on the arm, wrist, and shoulder. This can be a
good fit for players with medium or fast swing speeds.
All of the latest top-of-the-line power racquets are one
inch longer than standard, measuring 28 inches in total
length. These racquets make the game easier and more fun
for casual players. How? They supply more power with
less effort. This makes it possible for a novice to get
more balls back and to get more balls back with depth.
The extended length also translates into extended reach.
This helps players of all skill levels get to more
balls.
While a lot of intermediate and advanced players prefer
less length, you will also find some competitive
amateurs and pros using very long racquets to their
advantage. For example, Monica Seles switched to a long
power racquet to stay competitive with a younger
generation of players on the WTA tour. |
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