Witnessing the Evolution of Tennis: from wooden rackets to modern-day equipment
The modern day tennis racket has come a long way since its inception in the 16th century. However, the evolution of the modern day tennis racket has been incredible in just the last 50 years.
Tennis is a game that was notable in the 1600s and 1700s. Tennis was a game mostly played by the aristocracy in Europe, often in places like France and England. When I was in Prague in the summer of 2022, we visited Prague Castle. Prague Castle was built under Emperor Maximilian II by architect Boniface Wolmuet in the mid-1500s, it included the beautiful Belvedere Gardens and in the gardens there is a beautiful white stone building. That building is known as Micovna or tennis court. Over the years it has been used as a stable, a meeting place for the Congress and a concert hall. This “ballhaus” is a beautiful building and historically able to be used to entertain the aristocracy with year round tennis in the Belvedere Gardens. As of 2022, that building was being used to host events, and at the time I saw it, it was set up with tables and chairs, so no tennis afoot that day.
Outside the Micovna, tennis court in Prague 2022
Historically, tennis rackets were quite different from modern ones. They were smaller in size and made of wood, with a shorter handle and a smaller head. The strings were made of animal gut. Often, you would find tennis being played in the gardens of palaces or at private estates. Has anyone seen the 1985 version of Room with a View? It is exactly how I imagine tennis being played. In a beautiful backyard, with wooden rackets and white tennis balls with the ladies and gentlemen wearing elegant day clothes.
When I was a child, I remember watching my parents and grandparents play tennis. When I was very small, they were still playing with wooden rackets and natural gut strings. How everyone would panic if it would start to rain and those natural gut strings got wet! I didn’t realize it at the time, but if those natural gut strings got wet, they were often ruined and the racket would have to be restrung.
Patty, Maria, Mary and Ann Lowdon in 1960’s
But quickly, in the 1970’s and 1980’s the change from wooden rackets to metal rackets happened. The tennis world started to follow the lead of professional tennis players like Jimmy Connors, Billie Jean King and Arthur Ashe and the trend evolved. Wooden rackets were left behind and new metal rackets entered the tennis scene.
Metal tennis rackets were popular during the 1970s and 1980s, and while some club players, like my mom, would play with both a wooden racket and a metal racket, I remember her being a little slower to the change. The upside of a metal racket is that they were stiffer and provided more power to the ball, but the downside is that the racket itself was heavier and had a smaller sweet spot. That meant that the metal racket was harder to wield and was less forgiving for off-center hits.
My very first tennis racket was a Prince Sting. It was all the rage because it was made out of graphite. I remember people talking about graphite being so revolutionary. In the 1980s, the introduction of graphite tennis rackets revolutionized the game. These lighter and more powerful rackets allowed players to hit the ball with greater force and control.
Another huge change that came along with graphite rackets, is the popularity of oversized racket heads. These oversized heads provided a larger sweet spot for players to hit the ball. These advancements in racket technology changed the way the game was played and paved the way for future innovations.
Lowdon Sisters and friend in 1960’s
Today, the only time you will see a wooden or metal racket is if it is a cutesy photo shoot or maybe if a player is goofing around and playing with their grandparent’s sentimental racket. There is just no comparison to the power and control that the modern racket can produce.
Modern tennis players have great options to choose from when selecting a racket to hit with. Modern rackets are usually made from a combination of materials like graphite, titanium, and carbon fiber. These materials make the rackets lightweight, durable, and able to absorb shock. Players have opportunities for increased customization, like focusing on selecting a racket that improves stability and control while maintaining power. The process of selecting a racket is a very important process. Read about Lindsey’s process of trying different rackets in her quest to find a new racket. Ultimately, players should choose a racket that matches their playing style and level of experience.
In conclusion, tennis rackets have come a long way since their inception, yet look for them to continue to evolve along with advancements in technology. Look for rackets that will have large sweet spots, and the capability to assist with more control and spin. Players can expect continued improvements in weight, balance, and materials used to make rackets. Preferences of players are so individual, that it can not be more strongly stressed, the importance of trying out different types of rackets and from different brands. Most tennis clubs encourage their players to demo rackets and online companies, like Tennis Warehouse have demo programs where you can select different rackets to take out as a loaner. Overall, the future of tennis rackets looks promising as manufacturers strive to create equipment that can help players achieve their best performance on the court.
About The Authors
Tennis Yellow is a tennis lifestyle brand dedicated to sharing tennis equipment, tennis travel, and tennis lifestyle and products with the world. We offer product reviews. travel recommendations, tennis history, and more here on our blog. Please check back to see what’s new.
Sincerely,
Katri and Lindsey
