International book international book of favorite sports_FV | Page 130

VII.4 Tennis - equipment
Part of the appeal of tennis stems from the simplicity of equipment required for
play. Beginners need only a racket and balls.
Rackets
The components of a tennis racket include a handle,
known as the grip, connected to a neck which joins a
roughly elliptical frame that holds a matrix of tightly
pulled strings. For the first 100 years of the modern
game, rackets were made of wood and of standard
size, and strings were of animal gut. Laminated
wood construction yielded more strength in rackets
used through most of the 20th century until first
metal and then composites of carbon graphite,
ceramics, and lighter metals such as titanium were
introduced. These stronger materials enabled the production of oversized
rackets that yielded yet more power. Meanwhile, technology led to the use of
synthetic strings that match the feel of gut yet with added durability.Under
modern rules of tennis, the rackets must adhere to the following guidelines;
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The hitting area, composed of the strings, must be flat and generally uniform.
The frame of the hitting area may not be more than 29 inches (74 cm) in
length and 12.5 inches (32 cm) in width.
The entire racket must be of a fixed shape, size, weight, and weight
distribution. There may not be any energy source built into the rackets.
The rackets must not provide any kind of communication, instruction or
advice to the player during the match.
The rules regarding rackets have changed over time, as material and engineering
advances have been made. For example, the maximum length of the frame had
been 32 inches (81 cm) until 1997, when it was shortened to 29 inches (74 cm).
A tennis racket and balls.
Many companies manufacture and distribute tennis rackets. Wilson, Head and
Babolat are some of the more commonly used brands; however, many more
companies exist. The same companies sponsor players to use these rackets in
the hopes that the company name will become more well known by the public.
Balls
Tennis balls were originally made of cloth strips stitched together with thread
and stuffed with feathers. Modern tennis balls are made of hollow vulcanized
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