Slight advantage

It is not only the competitive elite that benefit from advances in equipment design. Many sports have been made safer and more accessible through science and innovation.

In tennis, subtle technological advances have changed the nature of the game. Since the development of the oversize racket in 1976, tennis is now a far faster sport, with fewer rallies and more stopping time.

While many argue this has diminished the enjoyment for spectators, it has become easier and more accessible to play. Modern materials have allowed tennis rackets to become lighter and stronger. The classic wooden racket with its small string bed and solid shaft is actually a stronger design than modern oversize rackets. The racket head was small so it effectively resisted the huge forces exerted on it.

The oversize design is far more prone to twisting and breaking during play. To overcome this engineering disadvantage, oversize rackets have had to rely on the latest super-stiff materials such as graphite, carbon and Kevlar to provide overall strength. Today we see rackets with massively oversize string beds, very stiff and strong constructions and all at a weight so light that some top players choose to artificially add mass to their frames.