The Physics and Technology of Tennis

This is an excellent book that dismisses many myths regarding tennis equipment. The three coauthors include two physicists and one tennis pro. They are all avid tennis players. They also have incredibly investigative minds. The book consists of about 40 different articles covering many different technical subjects regarding stroke mechanics, ball bounce, racquets, and strings. All these articles represent serious investigation and research from a physicist standpoint. These articles stand on their own independently. As a result, you do not need to read them in sequential order. You also don't need to read them all to extract the information you care about. For my part, I skipped some of the articles on the physics of ball bounce, but was very interested on all the articles regarding strings and racquets properties. Depending on your own personal interest, you may read or focus on different sets of articles. Given the rather dry subject, the writing style of the authors make the information easy to digest.Contrary to what players believe, racquets have very similar power. Strings, regardless of tension and type have also very similar power. But, different strings can feel very different based on their respective stiffness. Gut and high quality nylon strings feel soft because they are relatively flexible. Kevlar does not feel so good, because they are the stiffest strings.According to the authors, the pros don't use any of the high-tech latest models, including oversize, and widebody frames. They use older models customized with lead tape to add swingweight. Oversize racquets are not maneuverable enough at their playing speed.The authors state throughout the book that racquets that are stiff strung at low tension feel better. A stiff racquet vibrates less. Its vibrations have a faster frequency. The ball sits longer on low tension strings than the fast vibration of a stiff racquet. As a result, both string and frame vibrations are dampened by the longer impact time of the ball. Thus, the least amount of vibration occurs in stiff racquets strung at low tension.The book has a whole lot more of interesting information about tennis than I share in the above paragraphs. If you love the game, and are somewhat of a quantitative type, you will love this book.

This is an excellent review of every conceivable aspect of tennis and the colliding forces on the ball. It covers frames, spin, deceleration... about the only thing I can think of that was not covered was differences in altitude and high altitude vs. regular tennis balls. Mathematical formulas are provided throughout describing the physical phenomenon that is being explored. I loved the section of the rate of deceleration of the ball, which helped me to understand why my serves seemed to be quite fast, but only registered 95-100 mph at the net. This was good stuff!My review did not earn 5 stars because the book is a little bit dated in terms of current racquet choices, and because it appears that a little bit of material is redundant from chapter to chapter, and I wonder if this could be either justified or eliminated in a subsequent edition.If you have ever wondered if a coach/friend was giving you factual information about your game, read this book!

Using it as a reference to better understand relationships between racquets & string types & tensions as to how it relates to spin, power & control. Seems that a player has to decide what to compromise when choosing equipment.Great reference book!The main problem with the book, for me, is that it was written in early 2000's. A bit outdated technology. Game has really evolved & so has the equipment!

Was very disappointed they had almost no information on the spaghetti racket and why it was able to develop so much spin.

The authors tell that this book was conceived to be a source of enlightenment. And they really managed it.Using the principles of the physics, of the mechanics, more specifically, they explain with considerable depth, all the movements of the racquets, strings and balls and the technologies involved.The book is wonderful, and perfect for who has already a basic knowledge of physics. For who does not have, the book "Technical Tennis", of the same authors, is a posterior version, much more simplified for this purpose, more adequated for these readers

For people not playing instinctively and trying to have a better understanding for the why shoud I do it such a way.But keep in mind it won't replace U at the end of the handle!

Great book, covers everything we want to know about balls, rackets,spin, and more.

Gave insight to how the racket & strings work together along with the player to generate speed & spin.

Uma publicação indispensável para quem trabalha ou deseja saber tudo sobre raquetes de tênis. É uma publicação da Associação Americana de Encordoamento (USRSA) a única que realmente oferece suporte (sou membro digital da associação) aos encordoadores, entusiastas e/ou tenistas que desejam aprender sobre raquetes com profundidade. O livro vale muito a pena, recomendo fortemente.

I am sure it will be an interesting read.

Ok. This book is really based on the "theory". Lots of physics.Lots of pages. If you want a "quick" guide, look for something different.

Vast amount of detailed information in this mighty textbook. Great reference book for the in-depth knowledge of tennis racquet mechanics.

Great book