h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I heard John McEnroe say on TV the other day that he's convinced men should go back to using wooden rackets. (I don't know if this is just for grass events or for all surfaces.) I totally agree with him. The advent of super technology (specifically rackets) and the physiological trend towards taller, more muscular male players, has tipped the balance away from play-making - from rallies - towards big booming serves. Craft has been eclipsed by sheer power. That's not to say that the male game is bereft of skill, or indeed great graft. It's just that the balance between speed and strength, and that of craft, has gone awry. Male tennis on grass can tend to get a little boring to watch. Slowing it down a bit would encourage more wily shot making, more craft and guile, and less downright power.

Whaddaya reckon? Wooden rackets?

Sam.

I think they did an experiement to see whether it was the players or the racquets which had made the game faster, I think Mark Phillippousis found the wooden ones to be no different to the graphite ones, so the key may in the surface rather than the equipment.

There was the argument that Wimbledon should have the grass replaced by clay for that very reason, but everyone was wholly against that, mainly because there is already a dedicated clay Grand Slam in Roland Garros. However, in this tournament, the courts are noticably slower, so I think they must have done summat to the grass to harden it up and slow the skiddy balls down.

Ah ha! I see... OK, that makes sense. Cheers Witty Ditty.