Whether you’ve never held a racquet before or if yours has been dusty for weeks, it’s never too late to start playing and enjoy the numerous benefits of tennis. Not only does this sport help you keep your body in shape, but it also improves your social and mental health. However, one factor can significantly impact your performance and overall enjoyment – comfort. Read on and discover how to enhance your comfort by improving your gear and lifestyle!
Durable Tennis Racquet Grips
The way that the racquet fits in the palm of your hand has a big influence on how you strike the ball. One vital piece of gear that can improve your comfort and performance is resilient and well-constructed grip tape for tennis racquets from top brands like Wilson, Babolat, Karakal, etc.
Many pro players can testify to the comfort and efficiency of these grips, including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. This often-overlooked part of your gear can make all the difference between a smashing victory and a slippery defeat. Tennis grips provide the right texture that prevents your racquet from slipping from your hand mid-shot. You can adjust the thickness depending on your needs and preferences.
How Do I Replace Grip Tape on a Racquet?
When your grip loses its tackiness and becomes filthy and frayed, it’s time to replace it with a new one. And if your racquet’s handle feels too small and turns in your palm, it’s a good idea to thicken it. Every tennis player should know how to easily change their tennis racquet grip:
Take off the existing grip: Remove the tight rubber collar located at the top of the handle to reveal the old material. Strip away the finishing tape, which is the small strip of tape holding the grip to itself, and then unwrap it;
Locate the tapered end: Take off the plastic covering and unfold your new grip tape for tennis racquets. It should have a tapered edge on one end. Depending on the manufacturer, this part often has a tiny, adhesive backing that you need to remove;
Start at the bottom: Beginning from the bottom edge of your racquet, apply your tennis wrap tapered side inclined upward on a slight bevel. Avoid covering the butt cap of your racquet with the material;
Tighten the tape: Adjust the tape to make it more comfortable. After reaching the handle’s top, trim off any extra material, then wrap the tape around the handle. Return the rubber collar to its original position around the handle’s top.
Footwear
Tennis players sometimes wear running shoes rather than conventional tennis shoes when playing. And while you should wear whichever shoe makes you feel comfortable, there’s a good reason why tennis-specific footwear exists. Wearing court tennis shoes is usually necessary because they provide support, cushioning, and traction on the court. As everyone knows, this sport involves more than just a lot of running about; it also calls for sharp starts and pauses. It also demands a lot of lateral mobility, and tennis shoes offer precisely the support and cushioning you need in these kinds of scenarios.
String Tension
The string tension of your racquet has a significant impact on its performance. You can adjust its responsiveness to suit your style of playing and get more spin, power, and control. The right string tension gives your shots more power. When you increase it, it enables the strings to hold more energy, which they give to the ball upon contact. This can assist you to gain more momentum on your shots, particularly for groundstrokes and serves.
Moreover, reduced string tension makes your strings move effortlessly, which increases friction with the ball and produces greater spin. This helps you strike shots with greater precision and control. The strings usually feel stiffer at higher tensions or softer at lower tensions. So, if you like a stronger feel for your racquet, you should tighten the strings more, whereas if you want a softer feel can loosen them.
Warm-Up
According to many tennis coaches, preparation is among the most crucial yet neglected aspects of the game. So, you should always pay attention to the warm-up and the cool-down after the game. You need a vigorous warm-up routine and an adequate cool-down to condition your body and prevent injuries. Whether you’re getting ready for training or an important game, this is a crucial component of your daily preparation. A good warm-up offers 5 crucial benefits:
- Raises the body’s temperature making your muscles function more effectively;
- Prepares your heart and lungs for intense activity;
- Dynamically stretches your muscles and primes them for the game’s demands;
- Builds coordination and appropriate movement patterns;
- Activates your nervous system and helps the brain communicate with the muscles.
Rest and Recovery
After all those sprints and powerful serves your body deserves a break. Proper rest allows your muscles to repair and strengthen, helping you avoid burnout and reduce the risk of injuries. A good night’s sleep is a powerful tool that lets your body do its magic. During sleep, your body releases growth hormones that aid in muscle recovery. So, the next time you’re tempted to sacrifice sleep for some extra screen time, remember that those extra Zs might just be the secret weapon you’re missing.
