There is an art to the game of singles and it starts when you get ready for your match. It starts with all the off court training you do, your diet, rest, and equipment. It includes researching your opponent's game either in the warm-up or mentally before you step on the court. You should have a good idea of what you do well, what your opponent does well, and what gives you both a problem. You should have the right equipment to boot.
Let's hit equipment first. I like to have five racquets of the same model and grip freshly strung and ready to go. Bill Tilden also had five. At first you might think--"hey, I don't use five racquets in a decade." Two should be of tighter tension, two of medium, and one of lower tension. If you break a string you still could be in trouble. Conditions change, people change, and racquet tensions change during a match. Broken strings are no big deal but broken tennis hearts are the worst. Don't let that be an obstacle. Get the equipment right. Hell, call me and I'll give you a deal on racquets. I can't believe how people will spend over $2,000 plus on tennis court time and memberships while at the same time be so cheap as to play with a racquet worth $40.00. That's nuts. Give up a few plays per year and get at least three decent sticks to use in battle. What about strings? If you swing big enough go with big banger (Savage has a great crisp feel). If you don't then go with Wilson NXT or Sensation. Try putting Big Banger in the mains (a little less tension) and then the NXT Max or regular in the crosses. It's that simple. I like 55lbs in the mains and 59 in the cross for hybrids with the BB in the main (allow 4-5 less with the mono filaments because of the stiffness. That's with small mid size performance frame. If you use big rackets then add a few pounds to your tension. What about shoes? Get shoes that fit. That's number one. How many? Two, one for each foot. Seriously, get three pair and rotate them just like racquets. Think about it. These are your racing tires. Don't play in beat shoes. It's just as bad as beat strings and racquets. It's not crisp and fresh and it "stinks." What about socks? Socks--got to go with Thorlo. Those things will last for years. I have manged to wear out toes on those things but theirs not many people who've suffered that fate. After that I like to layer with Wilson socks--a thinner over sock which fill out the shoe. Shirts--if you play on the grass you're supposed to wear all white, if you're in your tennis club wear a comfortable shirt that doesn't scratch. Personally I like a thin cotton tee shirt or tech shirt (it drys quicker) And I like it to fit right--not like a tent or like a 1950's tight tee with a pack of cigarettes tucked in the sleeve. Logos, don't like them because I don't liked being branded.
Over- Grips--go with the Wilson Pro Grip for a sticky feel unless your playing in the steaming heat (it gets slippery) in which case you should go with Tournagrip (the blue one that absorbs moisture). I've never used powder but I will if I ever need it. The under grips on most frames are great until you use them a few times. Get use to changing grips fast when needed. Flipping pro grips over will save you some coin and the underneath side provides a unique sandy feel which can be preferable when your sweating like a pig. The underside of Tournagrips are not as good as the top side (which is tough to tell when you take em out of the pack) but beats a worn top side hands down. There are a few people who still you gauze (sticky slippery mesh) who have played since the seventies. There's not many using this product anymore. It went out with BlueStar tennis strings.
Rackets--There are so many out there. Your game demands you have the right one. I like the Wilson line. The Pro Staffs are great for feel and control while the new juices are powerful beyond belief. Light isn't always right because you have to generate more speed to get the same power. Heavier rackets provide easy power.
Let's hit equipment first. I like to have five racquets of the same model and grip freshly strung and ready to go. Bill Tilden also had five. At first you might think--"hey, I don't use five racquets in a decade." Two should be of tighter tension, two of medium, and one of lower tension. If you break a string you still could be in trouble. Conditions change, people change, and racquet tensions change during a match. Broken strings are no big deal but broken tennis hearts are the worst. Don't let that be an obstacle. Get the equipment right. Hell, call me and I'll give you a deal on racquets. I can't believe how people will spend over $2,000 plus on tennis court time and memberships while at the same time be so cheap as to play with a racquet worth $40.00. That's nuts. Give up a few plays per year and get at least three decent sticks to use in battle. What about strings? If you swing big enough go with big banger (Savage has a great crisp feel). If you don't then go with Wilson NXT or Sensation. Try putting Big Banger in the mains (a little less tension) and then the NXT Max or regular in the crosses. It's that simple. I like 55lbs in the mains and 59 in the cross for hybrids with the BB in the main (allow 4-5 less with the mono filaments because of the stiffness. That's with small mid size performance frame. If you use big rackets then add a few pounds to your tension. What about shoes? Get shoes that fit. That's number one. How many? Two, one for each foot. Seriously, get three pair and rotate them just like racquets. Think about it. These are your racing tires. Don't play in beat shoes. It's just as bad as beat strings and racquets. It's not crisp and fresh and it "stinks." What about socks? Socks--got to go with Thorlo. Those things will last for years. I have manged to wear out toes on those things but theirs not many people who've suffered that fate. After that I like to layer with Wilson socks--a thinner over sock which fill out the shoe. Shirts--if you play on the grass you're supposed to wear all white, if you're in your tennis club wear a comfortable shirt that doesn't scratch. Personally I like a thin cotton tee shirt or tech shirt (it drys quicker) And I like it to fit right--not like a tent or like a 1950's tight tee with a pack of cigarettes tucked in the sleeve. Logos, don't like them because I don't liked being branded.
Over- Grips--go with the Wilson Pro Grip for a sticky feel unless your playing in the steaming heat (it gets slippery) in which case you should go with Tournagrip (the blue one that absorbs moisture). I've never used powder but I will if I ever need it. The under grips on most frames are great until you use them a few times. Get use to changing grips fast when needed. Flipping pro grips over will save you some coin and the underneath side provides a unique sandy feel which can be preferable when your sweating like a pig. The underside of Tournagrips are not as good as the top side (which is tough to tell when you take em out of the pack) but beats a worn top side hands down. There are a few people who still you gauze (sticky slippery mesh) who have played since the seventies. There's not many using this product anymore. It went out with BlueStar tennis strings.
Rackets--There are so many out there. Your game demands you have the right one. I like the Wilson line. The Pro Staffs are great for feel and control while the new juices are powerful beyond belief. Light isn't always right because you have to generate more speed to get the same power. Heavier rackets provide easy power.
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