Professional tennis players need to go back to wood.
After watching Maria Sharapova hit one of her patented squash-like wristed stretch forehands and watching Rafael Nadal (both Maria and Raffa bludgeoned their opponents today at the French Open) do the same, and many other not-so well known players hit similar shots, I got disgusted. I'm joining John McEnroe's oft-spoken suggestion to both the men's' - ATP - and women's - WTA - tours, bring back the wood!
I have grown tired of watching pros hit "equipment shots," the kind of shots that were impossible before the advent of composite tennis rackets. I'm tired of players with marginal games, but with one weapon only advance far in tournaments because they can now use their on stroke, swing as hard as they can and hit winners from anywhere in the court.
Today power is more important than strategy and speed is more important than court position. The ability to generate tons of power only through racket speed means players are no longer forced to think their way through a point. Why do that, when you can slug your way out of trouble, a la Fernando Gonzalez? Sure, Gonzo has hired Larry Stefanki, to help him think more on the court, but he still largely stomps his way through matches like the proverbial bull in a china shop.
Wood rackets are much heavier than their composite cousins, and do not require as much racket speed to generate power. However, with their smaller racket heads, the "sweet spot" - that perfect striking area on the racket face - on a wood racket is actually smaller than a tennis ball. The sweet spot on composite rackets is more often than not, oval and the size of two tennis balls in width and two and-a-half balls in length.
But back to the game itself. If top players and satellite players were forced to use wooden rackets, we would find that many players we think are good now are not quite what they appear to be. The game would be slower, forcing the players to think their way through nearly every point; think about the consequences of every shot. On quicker surfaces, especially grass, serve-and-volleyers would regain their inherent, fast surface advantage. However, this advantage would not be at the expense of the game itself.
Back in the day of Bjorn Borg and early McEnroe, a casual observer could see how good a players' hands were. We're not talking pure hand-eye coordination, but feel for the ball on the racket. That art is nearly lost today. No longer can a player like Johnny Mac or Borg slice-and-dice a player to death; a wide shot here, a deep shot there, a slice her, a topspin shot there and before you know it, you've lost 10 points in a row - and you didn't feel a thing. Today, it's a 130 mile per hour serve (Venus Williams hit a 129-mph serve at the French Open this past week), 80-95 mph forehands, backhands whacked as hard as possible, swinging instead of punched volleys - power, power, power. And whoever can corral their power best wins.
Ack! I want to see thought and guile. I want the blend of speed, grace, good hands, and deft shot-making. I want wood.
How about you?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-03-2007 @ 4:34AM
sermon said...
That makes little sense. EVERYONE has access to the SAME equipment, therefore the point is moot. Pete Sampras was a power player. Why no call for a return to wooden raquets then? Because a white American was winning then? In golf, equipment has changed over the years. But again, everyone has access to the same kinds of equipment. Therefore it is the level skill and fitness and power with that equipment that determine the victor just as it has in the past. And it's obvious that skill and strategy are still important. At the Australian Open, Serena Williams, painted the lines with amazing accuracy and brilliance. Her service motion is fantastic. The same skills required to win in tennis before the advent of "new" equipment, are required today. People at the forefront of tennis academies and training should start encouraging parents to allow their young children to learn the game and on ALL surfaces. There should also be more tournaments in the USA. Btw, McEnroe took steroids. Didn't you know?
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6-03-2007 @ 10:14AM
Yeah I Can Do That said...
Nobody cares about the score or the equipment.....Just get the two hottest babes to the finals.......and the ratings will SOAR
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6-03-2007 @ 10:15AM
Jamie Mottram said...
Loved this piece. Which top players would benefit the most from wood? I've gotta think Federer would continue to dominate ... probably even moreso than he does with metal.
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6-03-2007 @ 10:20AM
Ryan Ferguson said...
Ah, tennis... the only sport I was ever half-way good at!
I need the composite racket. I played with wood rackets for awhile when I was a youngster -- mainly because that's what my parents had in their garage from when *they* played. The composite racket is the only way I can hit a decent serve, smack a ball reasonably hard at the baseline, or make an overhead smash land anywhere near the court.
Take away wood, you take away my tennis.
That's probably a GOOD thing for the sports world. Not so good for me and my gut, which at times is only kept in check by tennis.
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6-03-2007 @ 12:14PM
DANIEL PROVENZANO said...
I'VE BEEN SELLING TENNIS RACQUETS FOR THE LAST 35 YEARS, (TENNIS OUTLET STORES) NEW JERSEY & NEW YORK. WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY PLAYERS IMPROVE WITH THE PERFORMENCE ENHANCEING EQUIPMENT. IF WE WENT BACK TO WOOD RACQUETS ON THE PRO TOUR EACH TORNAMENT WOULD HAVE 2 OR 3 GOOD MATCHS, TODAY IN A WEEK WE HAVE 15 TO 20. PEOPLE ALSO ENJOY THE SPORT MORE WHEN THEY CAN PLAY BETTER
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6-03-2007 @ 12:15PM
matt frazer said...
This s the stupiedest thing i have ever heard!!! Tennis is now entertaining and not oring now everyone can play and watch actively. How the idiot who came up with this idea, oh yea mcenroe!
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6-03-2007 @ 2:13PM
AP said...
This is a legend that only equipment is to blame. All sports have become more extreme. Compare Nadal's biceps with McEnroe's. Composite racquets are affordable, just don't buy the Kurnikova-sponsored model. And the man at the top of men's game is powerful but also incredibly complete in his game and exquisitely tactical. It is the Pollettieri like mentality that has done more damage to tennis then the equipment. Ask how Federer felt when he was 21, had won nothing and was still trying to develop his game. The problem is greed, not composite materials. It's easier to crank out Sharapova like athletes on an industrial basis. I am sure that Federer's successes will bring a return of all around and tactical game, combined with modern power.
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6-03-2007 @ 2:31PM
D-Wil said...
Replies to comments:
sermon - ....because Sampras was white? The Sampras era was the time McEnroe and others began calling for a return to wood rackets (and - I'm black)...
Yeah I Can... you're probably, sadly, correct....
Jamie- Players who started with wood like Federer would have an advantage. Learning with wood teaches children feel for quite a bit longer before they advance to power, unlike learning with a composite racket. Any player with classic strokes has an advantage. Players with exaggerated Western grips would have the most problem adapting to wood.
Ryan- as I wrote, composite rackets were designed with the hacker in mind - and that's where they should stay.
Daniel- not sure where you're headed there. With wood rackets the chaff gets cut and the wheat is all that's left standing. Too many players today day use their federation's dollars, beat the bushes for years until they develop one big shot instead of an all-court game and finally make a big jump into main draws of tournaments on the back of that shot.
matt- the only boring tournament when wood rackets were used was the French Open. Because today's players are generally bigger and stronger not even the French would be boring. Besides some players could still play serve and volley on clay, which they cannot effectively now.
AP- Legend? Biceps are not rackets - and have you compared Nadal's biceps to Federer's? Oh, that's right Roger is #1 in the world.... Club Fed as he used to be called, had two problems growing up on the tour: 1) his commitment level, hence the moniker, "Club Fed" and 2) he was corralling a game with many more shots than even a top-ten pro possesses. All those shots at his disposal and the a failure to commit himself fully to the game equaled his up-and-down early career record. However, I do agree that Nick B. aided greatly in ruining modern tennis.
Finally, has anyone seen Sharapova hit a left-handed slap forehand holding the throat of her racket when she couldn't reach the ball with two hands as she did today? That's was a squash shot, not tennis shot - and no, sh couldn't do it with wood.
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6-04-2007 @ 1:36AM
Clark said...
Wood Tennis Rackets--Yes. Maybe a wood League.
NBA Flopping-- The rule to stop it is way over due.
Also a look at more room between the basket and the end line.
MLB- Because the foul territory at each park varies in size--you have to be standing with a least one foot in bounds to catch a fly ball that results in an out. Batting averages would go up. Let's put more balls in play.
Then there's the bunting on the third strike rule ?
A homer in one park isn't in another ?
And the green monster, high walls, low walls, and crazy corners. Put up a 10 foot fence and let the outfielders hone their skills on an even playing field.
Love your stuff, keep up the good work.
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6-04-2007 @ 1:37AM
Paul Masson said...
What about having Tournament for Wood rackets only ?
Will be fun.
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6-06-2007 @ 3:08PM
r obert lipton said...
excellent used composite racquets, strung, are available all over for less than 50 bucks...
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6-06-2007 @ 3:54PM
Joe Choi said...
Going back to wood? It will never happen. Without the new racket technologies, the game would not be flourished. It is because the wood demanded a lot of skills that an every person may not be able to achieve. That is why there are a lot of bad players still playing the game. However, the bad players plus the trained players keep the game going.
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6-10-2007 @ 10:05PM
Tennis Rackets said...
Wow, That would be so weird. All the top pro's using wood rackets again!
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6-13-2007 @ 7:10PM
Nick said...
It's time to bring back wood racquets. Or, at least reduce the size of the racquets to no more than 77 square inches and 27 inches long (but made out of any material). Require all players in tournaments 4.0 up to professional to use the smaller framed racquets. That way the tennis is about skill, not racquet power. I'm tired of playing one shot wonders in the men's 5.0 and 4.5 leagues. They can hit a HUGE serve or forehand but they have NO backhand and no net game! Most of the pros today (both men and women) CANNOT volley. They don't even try, even on grass. It's pathetic! With the smaller framed racquets the game actually would be more enjoyable. In fact, if you play with wood racquets wind doesn't effect the game as much (try it!). Even the racquet manufacturers would like this solution because they could sell smaller racquets to advanced players and larger ones to recreational players. We need the smaller racquets because the geometry of the game is gone. In addition, can you name one player on either tour who plays with elegance like Goolagong, Ashe or Nastase? Or, how about one player with wonderful technique like Evert, King or Stan Smith? Tennis used to be a sport that average people could excel at, like Connors, McEnroe or Austin. Now, most of the players on both tours are giants and amazons. As a 5'10" man, I'm almost too small for the women's top ten! In addition, the older game was easier on the body. Modern tennis is so difficult many younger people stop by the time they are 30. And, almost all of the pros quit by the time they reach 30 because their arms and shoulders are ruined! Bring back wood tennis, or at least smaller racquets (made out of whatever material you want)!
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6-26-2007 @ 3:28AM
scott said...
I have been saying for years that this USTA has ruined the art of tennis. Can you imagine major league baseball players using titanium bats that weigh less than wood bats and twice the width of bats used today or the PGA letting equipment companies make any club they wish legal.
What has the USTA said no to since spaghetti stringing in the 1970s.
Bring back wooden racquets and tennis will boom. No doubt about it but it will never happen because the dye is cast and the damage has been done.
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6-29-2007 @ 12:19PM
EDWARD said...
Remember Mcenroe '83 - wood racket. Becker '85 - graphite. That was clearly a factor in the new group of players barging in and taking over the top spots in the rankings. Connors, Borg, Mcenroe just didn't get the chance to adapt till it was too late.
Becker was well coached by the Germans who could see the change coming. 5 years earlier and there would never have been a man-child winning The Championships.
Navratilova had the physique to overcome most of the challengers with their over-sized rackets and she adapted well. Remember Sabatini with the original Prince Approach and Graf with the Dunlop Max, which McEnroe switched to later?
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7-08-2007 @ 1:59PM
My_Serve said...
Fellow Tennis lovers, July 8, 2007
It’s My Serve.
I remember when I enjoyed watching men's pro tennis, but no more.
Sledgehammer tennis is not a spectator sport.
I want my tennis the way I like it...multi-dimensional, and interesting.
If you agree, let's do something about it.
It's called Free Speech.
My late Father's creed was simple.
"You gotta problem..OK, so what are you doin' about it?"
For example, if you plan on going to the US Open in Flushing Meadows next month, make some noise, wear a T-shirt that says, "Tennis My Way!...Where's the Wood?"
Ask people to sign a petition titled,
"The Pros Should Only Use Wood Rackets".
In time we could help motivate change.
Working together we could create "Big League Tennis".
I know I’m NUTS, but so is John McEnroe.
He’s been saying the same thing for years.
Now, it’s your serve.
Make it a good one!
Do something to help save our game!
Thanks in advance!
M
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7-11-2007 @ 12:05PM
Frank Silbermann said...
Twenty years ago John McEnroe complained that the new rackets were reducing the difference between good and bad players. By now, it's far worse, in that the new rackets allow bad tennis players to beat the good ones consistently.
In the days of wood rackets, players with seriously incorrect technique quickly reached a ceiling and were unable to advance any further. Everyone knew that, because of their bad form, they just weren't very good. But look at today's pros! I'm not saying that they aren't talented or that they don't train hard. My point is that not a one of the top players uses the correct groundstroke grips! None of them uses correct footwork! Because of changes in racket technology, court surfaces and the rules, nowadays you _must_ use incorrect technique if you want to have any hope of getting to the top.
And don't try telling me that "the Eastern Grip was once correct, but now the Western Grip is correct." I don't go in for that sort of moral relativism. These changes have made seventy years of coaching tradition irrelevant. Many of the most famous tennis teachers are dead and therefore could not revise their classic textbooks even if they wanted to. Changes to the game make their books look foolish -- which helps breed cynicism in our youth and lack of respect for their elders.
Right is right and wrong is wrong; and the western grip is simply _wrong_! High-tech rackets are a major contributor to this tennis disaster.
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7-24-2007 @ 6:10PM
Yogi said...
I was under the impression that the "player's rackets" used by pros today have very small sweet spots and are difficult to use by beginner and intermediate players. I was also under the impression that Johnny Mac himself uses a composite racket - the Dunlop Maxply. Also, I remember criticism in the late 80's that 2 handed backhands were unfair cause they made the one hander obsolete, yet now we have the world's number one using a one-hander. It also seems to me that Federer would be number one no matter what era he played in - do you disagree? If not, what does it matter about the racket - the best is still the best, regarless of racket. And are you trying to tell me that Justine Henin - a woman who plays very tactically and doesn't rely on smashing the ball to win (in fact at 5'8" she is too small to smash it) is getting overpowered by the big women? Henin is the women's number one!
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8-15-2007 @ 10:23AM
a v scaramanga said...
Martina Navratilova did a great piece during a rain break at Wimbledon this year, comparing wooden rackets to the current ones. It led me to deduce that tennis is a completely different game now and all that I was taught 40 years ago is wasted on a composite racket. So I reckon there are two options. Adapt or start clubs for wooden racket players only.As far as watching the game is concerned though, it is galling to see talented players like Patty Schnyder sometimes bludgeoned off the court by noisy women with something like a lasso in their hands!
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