Tennis Technology

The physics of racquet design is changing the game. Are wider, longer and lighter better?

A few years ago, after my wife and I bought tennis racquets with heads the size of garbage-can lids, we became (arguably) the world's best Bad Doubles players. The oversize racquet head was only one of many weapons in our quiver. We are also the kind of Bad Doubles players who are not above yelling "Misssssssss-it!" when someone on the far side of the net is serving. Plus we tend to do a little "chicken" victory dance after winning any point, to a loudly hummed rendition of Do the Hustle. Still, I'd have to say it was technology--the oversize head--that catapulted...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!