If you’ve hit a few balls on the tennis court, then you probably know that the swing is essential. But that said, the right racquet can really perfect the placement of each shot. While it’s not a new company, or racquet, Bosworth Tennis has reshaped the sport’s main equipment. And it’s that’s the sport’s best kept secret.
Bosworth’s signature racquet features a 10-sided head. It’s still the classic oval, but it’s curve is squared off. This reshaping on the classic doubles the sweet spot. That means more optimal surface to hit the ball.
Another element that really helps your game is that Bosworth racquets are custom fit to the athlete. The grip, the grip’s curve, playing style and experience are just a few elements that shape the final $399.95 product of the Bosworth Tour 96.
Czech player Radek Stepanek recently used a Bosworth Tour 96 to win the Legg-Mason Classic in Washington, D.C. The company reports several pros have used Bosworth racquets over the years, and that the company is well known by pros. Bosworth often does the custom fitting for pros, even when they choose racquets from other manufacturers.
To prepare for the recently concluded USA Pro Cycling Challenge many European riders arrived days, even weeks prior to the big event to acclimate to the altitude. But what do you do if you are already at sea level, and can’t spend days in the mountains but still want the benefits of altitude training? You could climb into a really expensive egg.
According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, and now making rounds throughout the blogosphere, tennis star Novak Djokovic uses a special CVAC Pod every single day. He climbs into the egg-shaped pod, which sorts of evokes memories of Lady Gaga’s arrival at the Grammy Awards earlier this year, but whereas her egg was just for show, Djokovic’s $75,000 device – which is just one of only 20 in the entire world – is meant to compress the body’s muscles by using computer-controlled valve and vacuum pump to simulate being at high altitudes. Basically it is akin to a trip to the mountains without the need to be stuck in a tight and extremely uncomfortable airplane seat breathing recycled bad air.
On second thought, it seems the device is actually just like being on a coach airline seat, something Djokovic probably hasn’t had to endure in years. But the difference is he only has to spend 20 minutes at a time, and just three times a week – although reports suggest the tennis star is in the egg daily. All things considered it does seem to be more of a compression rather than decompression device, but if it helps his game he might prove to be one smart egg.
This week there was something truly “epic” in the world of tennis technology, or rather it sounded epic as it came from Epic Sports International, global licensee for Boris Becker Tennis and Volkl Tennis. The company has announced the release of its Organix racquet technology.
Does this involve some sort of “unobtainium” or other super space-age composites? Actually it is nothing so complex nor does it involve heading to another planet to obtain the material. Instead it is base cellulose as a base material, but has been utilized with carbon nano tubes, making for racquet that provides improved sensation and power for all levels of tennis players. The Organix technology is now available in five racquet types, which were developed by Volkl, along with Munich-based Frauhofer Institute. The result is that three technologies are incorporated into the racquets, and include the Bio Sensor Handle System, Organix and Optispot. Bio Sensor Handle System offers dynamic dampening to minimize shuddering by 15 percent, while the Organix is used for enhancing vibrant power by 30 percent and it is a combination of organic cellulose substances and DNX carbon nano tubes. Finally, the Optispot offers players the capability to strike 40 percent additional balls in the sweet spot.
“Organix is the next generation technology platform which gives Völkl customers a comprehensive, highly technical and superior performing racquet to fully connect the players’ mind, body and racquet,” said Brian Dillman, vice president and general manager of Epic Sports International. “We look forward to another year of fast growth and high-level consumer visibility with Völkl on track to be the fastest-growing tennis brand worldwide.”
We’ll leave that to the court – the tennis court to decide.
When the Kinect for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is released next month gamers will be able to compete in 10 sporting events from the single Deca Sports Freedom title. This one will feature controller free gaming, which should hopefully get players off the couch and get their hearts pumping as they take part in tennis, boxing, archery, paintball, beach volleyball, dodge ball, kendo, mogul skiing, snowboard cross and figure skating. We’re not sure how all these will work, but we like the sound of it.
“DECA SPORTS FREEDOM is an exciting step forward for the DECA SPORTS franchise,” said Mike Pepe, Director of Marketing at Hudson Entertainment. “We’re proud to embrace new technologies and innovations in gaming in our mission to deliver games that appeal to players of all ages and skill levels.”
The game, which is being published by Hudson Entertainment, will arrive with the release of the Kinect for Xbox 360 video game system on November 18.
The U.S. Open recently wrapped. The PlayStation Move is just now in stores. So now you can pick up a racket of your own with Racquet Sports for PlayStation Move on the PlayStation 3. Try your swing in five different sports including tennis, ping-pong, badminton, squash and beach tennis.
Players can team up or go head-to-head in multiplayer mode. Of course you’ll need more than one Move if you want to play a tournament with friends. The game has 30 environments inspired by real-world landmarks such as the beaches of Copacabana, the foot of Mt. Fuji, overlooking Dubai’s skyline, and the middle of Ha Long Bay. In these settings you can play one of 11 different athletes, or should we say characters? They each have unique personalities — though don’t expect one to have complete temper tantrums on the court a-la John McEnro.
Five racket courts gives Racquet Sports from Ubisoft added life. It’s more than just tennis, and you can vary the level of seriousness or fun based on the sport and setting. Whatever your game, you will get some exercise running all over your living room to hit the ball.
Did you have a tantrum and want to throw your racquet at the referee last time you played tennis? Sure, everyone has. Get ready for the court next year. SEGA is in development with Virtua Tennis 4 for PlayStation 3, which will use the Sony PlayStation move controller and be 3D for those who spring for a new 3D HDTV set. Read the rest of this entry »
Game, set and match… and all in your living room. This is what Ubisoft’s Racquet Sports allows users to do, with a multisport game that includes tennis, ping-pong, badminton, squash and beach tennis. While originally released with the Nintendo Wii, this get-off-the-couch game will be heading to the PlayStation 3 this fall. It will of course be compatible with the PlayStation Move so you’ll get the chance to hit the court in your living room. The game promises pinpoint gameplay mechanics that bring every serve, swing and backhand to life.
Racquet Sports features 30 rich graphical environments, and many probably look better than your local tennis court too, and are certainly places where you’d expect to get in the swing of things. These include real-world landmarks such as the beach of Copacabana, the foot of Mount Fuji and even the skyline of Dubai. These include animated backgrounds, dynamic sounds and even day and night modes. Players will further have the ability to customize their onscreen persona, and can perform with 11 different athletes, each who has a distinct personality and flair. There are 30 outfits, 30 hairstyles and even 15 different racquets available as well to keep things fresh.
Players will also have the chance to play together cooperatively or against each other, with up to four players taking the court. About the only thing missing is the chance to jump over the net, but at least you won’t have any balls to chase when this one arrives this fall!
Stella McCartney Tennis Performance Dress by Adidas worn by Caroline Wozniacki.
Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki made it through another round of women’s singles today at the Australian Open Tennis Championships. She stays cool outfitted in Adidas by Stella McCartney gear. On the court she’s wearing the Tennis Performance Dress, which is made with Adidas Climate technology. Climate Technology consists of layers of special materials and mesh panels on the sides of the garment for proper ventilation. The garment also features flatlock stitching that makes all seams flat and prevent the discomfort a seam with bulk might add.
If you’ve hit a few balls on the tennis court, then you probably know that the swing is essential. But that said, the right racquet can really perfect the placement of each shot. While it’s not a new company, or racquet, Bosworth Tennis has reshaped the sport’s main equipment. And it’s that’s the sport’s best kept secret.
