March 2015

Hi Tennis Fans,

           I am so sorry to hear about the flooding and weather you have had over the winter and early spring I know to some it is devastating.  Hopefully, it will soon be behind you and you can start enjoying outdoor tennis again.

           This morning, I watched one of the best matches I have ever seen.  It was a Davis Cup match between the US and Great Britain.  The Brian Brothers defeated Dominie Inglot and Jamie Murray 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-7, (8)9-7.  It took 5 sets of magnificent tennis by both teams, but finally the Brian Brothers won.  Both teams were playing their 'A' game.  It was as exciting as any singles match I have ever watched.  The US team will have to win the final 2 singles matches to continue on.

           I was thinking how the effect of technology has changed the game of tennis.  We started out with wood frames and natural gut strings.  The head size was about 65 square inches.  It wasn't possible to put heavy spin on the ball.  Instead most shots had minimal ball rotation.

             Then the steel racket came along - the T2000 - introduced by Jimmy Connors.  The main difference, compared to the wood racket, was its weight.  The steel racket was 40g lighter than wood and had a string bed of  90".  This allowed players to use topspin.  Ivan Lendl was the first player to use topspin on both sides with aggressive ground strokes.  This started the age of more modern tennis.

           Near the end of the 70's, graphite frames were introduced.  They were stiffer than the metal brackets, which allowed more control.  The stiffness, larger racket head size, and lighter weight caused as explosive change in the evolution of tennis as it was once played.  Players like Lendle, Becker, McEnroe, and Edburg switched and you could tell an impact on their tennis strokes.  They used more slice and topspin.

           In the 1980's, we had a generation of graphite players such as:  Thomas Muster, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Michael Chang, and Jim Courier.  These players changed the game of tennis forever.  The modern technology made it capable to hit with heavy topspin on both sides and with more power.  These players all left their mark on tennis.  My favorite tennis player of all times is Pete Sampras, who became the most successful with 14 grand slams.  What a success story!

           On the other hand, the new technology in string, copolyme - a type of polyester, has also advanced the game of tennis.  In 1994, Luxilon, a copolyme string, was introduced.  This string provided good power and increased levels of spin.  By the mid 2000's, most of the pros were using it.

           Both the advances in the racket and string have added more topspin, more backspin and harder hitting strokes.  It has become a game of power.  Boy, have things changed since the 60's and 70's when I was playing.

           March is here.  The time changed March 8.  We will have more sunlight.  I am sure the winter doldrums are about over.  I hope you have been working out and are in good shape.  It is time to hit the courts and start practicing for the state championships, the ATS schedule, and the Kenny Huffman Tennis Classic.  The KHTC will be held at the Bob Amos Park on July 31 - August 2.  We want everyone to enter early.  You may enter 3 events - a singles, a doubles, and a mixed doubles.  Look on our website (www.kenhuffclas.org) for an entry form.

           The tennis committee is already making plans, raising money, and preparing for the tournament.  We are looking for a couple of new members to join us in taking part in the tradition of the Kenny Huffman Tennis Classic.  You do not have to be a good tennis player, but you do have to be committed to putting on the best tennis tournament in Eastern Kentucky.  Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 7 @ 6 PM at the YMCA.  If interested, please contact Jim Vanover @ 606-794-4161; or Ron Compton @ 606-794-1762.

           Have a great spring tennis season and "May God bless you as you use the gifts He has given you."