The Jensen Zone: Looking and Playing Like an Ace on the Court
Now is the time to take your tennis from low gear to high gear and it's ALL about first-class stuff that can make all the difference in your tennis experience.
I have always believed in rule number one of tennis … looking good! Rule number two, making sure your league match is catered in a way that the other team is jealous!
As we start to look into new tennis gear, there has never been a better time in the sport for racquet technology and performance wear. Tennis racquets and strings have driven the game from the wood racquet, where performance was limiting what players could do with shots, to today where manufacturers design technology that accounts for how the game is played.
The performance game is about spin … massive amounts of spin, and there are racquets that enhance that type of play. When you demo a new racquet frame, make sure it feels best with your best shots. These are certain shots that come through for you, and your racquet needs to enhance your confidence.
Performance strings can add to that trend and deliver heavy topspin. Even if you are not a player who relies on heavy topspin, the accuracy that can be attained with these new strings gives all levels of player a better hit on the ball.
Think of the strings like the tires on your car. The air pressure in a car tire, much like the tension of a racquet string, is vital for a performance shot. New tires grip the road better and new strings grip the ball better. A good rule is to re-string your racquet per year, the number of times you play per week. This will be an expense that is worth it if high performance is part of your tennis mindset.
Now let's talk about shoes. There are so many endless options. Combine the fashion statement you are looking for, with an eye on high comfort and performance. If you are playing a combination of clay and hard court tennis, I highly recommend spending the extra dollar and buy a hard court and a clay court shoe. If you wear one pair for both, take a look at the bottom of your shoes right now. I'm sure they are worn down and have a worn down tread. That means when you play on clay, there is no traction. Let's go back to the tires for your car. You need a snow tire for more traction in slippery winter conditions. That is the same for any level of player when you play on clay or grass courts. Hard court shoes should be durable so you may sacrifice in the feather light department, but the wear and tear of a hard surface on your shoes will save your feet from heat blisters.
My favorite part of the gear game is the outfit. How far do you want to go to find your shine? In my career, the look was a major part of the fun! My brother and I wore football jerseys and soccer jerseys during our pro matches. At one point, we had a joint promotion with Cartoon Network and wore Scooby Doo on our game gear!
Today's gear is more advanced to not just look awesome, but help improve your performance. The attire today is made of ultra-light fabrics that can keep you in the game longer instead of weighing you down in the heat of a match.
Tennis gear, from racquets to shoes, is something that all players should evaluate and demo all the time. Ask your teaching professional and pro shop specialist to find the right fit for you. I am a big believer in spending a little more on a better product that will perform better. You can research great deals online and in your pro shop on previous models that are still top of the line quality, but on sale to make room for the latest craze.
Until next time … keep going for ACES!
