why is it that tennis today is alot faster than tennis before?

Question

aside from the racquet-technology, what else makes the game different?

Answer 1

Yep racquet technology is definitely a major reason- maybe the biggest reason. Don't forget though that, just like in pretty much every other sport, athletes participating in tennis have gotten faster, stronger, better conditioned, etc. over the years serves, volleys, returns, etc have all increased an incredible amount due both to lighter racquets and stronger athletes generating more power; tennis players also dedicate more time to their sport, start playing increasingly younger (for better or worse like in many sports), practice game situations, drills (for increasing power and speed to make more returns), etc, etc. Another thing to consider is that in the early days, only a very few people participated in tennis; nowadays you have far more people playing the game thus drawing athletes from a far greater pool of players where the best players have far more skill and talent than previously. I would also suggest that, just as lighter racquet technology has vastly sped up the game, tennis balls have also probably been "improved" over time to produce more bounce/speed, to last longer, etc. The only other factor I could also possibly think of, although I'm only speculating here, is that various tennis surfaces have gotten "faster" over time too due to new technologies in creating "hardcourt" surfaces, mowing techniques and caring for grass courts, etc.

Answer 2

Aside from racquet technology the players today are more equiped with weapons developed by the past. They understand conditioning and how to get the most out of their game. In todays tennis the players use precision and power to propel their games. This is because they are allowed the freedom to hit shots without being limited to the 65 inch wooden frame that they used to have in tennis. Therefore they are allowed a certain margin for error and because of that they are given more power and accuracy. Even more so because of workout programs that increase muscle mass to gain more power.

Answer 3

The same thing happens to me ALL THE TIME! The dinks and slices and lobs drive me crazy and it is hard to win. It makes me so mad because I can beat better players. Try to remember that if you get mad, you can beat yourself, but it looks like the annoying dinker won! I do better with these types if I serve and volley. I come in on the angle of the serve, but not all the way so I can still get a lob, if I need to. When your opponent returns the serve, hit your volley at an angle and pretty hard. Put the point away quickly if you get to the net, because I'm sure you've seen that playing these people is like playing against a really annoying wall. My serve is my best weapon, too, but if it goes screwy, I tend to double fault. I've learned a couple of new serves like a slice and a topspin that have helped me when my power serve doesn't work. These things are good alternatives to the dink serve which has no power and makes you look really stupid. Get a private lesson with a pro and then get a huge bucket of balls and set up tennis ball targets or tennis can targets and practice it over and over and over. Ask a tennis pro about where to aim yor serve, but also where to aim the return. Andre Agassi was so good at returning that he won matches by breaking the opponents' serve. If you get caught in a back and forth, don't try to force the point! Wait for your opportunity to hit the winner. If you rush, you're more likely to make errors. While you're waiting for the set up for your winner, you might have to be a backbord yourself. Practice consistency with a ball machine set on slow. Ask the pro about how to hit with topspin. Topspin is a great way to keep the ball in the lines without losing much power. It makes returning the dinks much easier. Also remember the high consistentcy shots. If you are unsure, ask the pro, or check out a book on tennis. Watch where your opponent is positioned because that can help you to know where to aim your shot. Also ask the pro about where you should stand so you have the highest percentage of making your shot. You can play "your game" when you are confident in your consistency (serve included) and you know where to hit the ball for a high percentate shot. Then wait for your opportunity (which is so hard, I know!) and know that you'll make the shot because you've practiced it 100's of times. Now that you're playing tennis at a higher level, you'll begin to learn the mental game. A pro can help you, and even some books will show diagrams of when to hit the ball where. Then practice, practice, practice! Good luck with your game. I think that your quest for improvement will take you far!

Answer 4

It is in the last 10-20 years where the game has changed. Before and up through the 80's, most of the game was played at the net. Prior to 1970, serve and volley was the dominant style.

Once the racquet technology you mentioned came about, the speed of the ball made it nearly impossible to have an effective serve and volley game. This is because the speed of the ball and the speed of the return is too quick to allow a server time to cover the ground between them and the service line.

The sport sort of turned the corner with the advent of Agassi and Seles. All of a sudden kids were being taught to smack the ball as hard as they can off both sides, and if you hit it harder than the next kid, you'll win. Once "hitting harder" became the new definition of "playing better", you get the modern game. A similar progression with serving speed from Becker to Sampras to Roddick.

So now what you see is about 15 years of that progression. The next kid coming up is saying to himself: "I want to serve bigger than Andy Roddick and have a bigger forehand than James Blake." So they and all the other kids in their junior camp are all working on just that.

It's too bad, because watching groundpounders is boring, and watching servers is even more boring.

Answer 5

Players todays are more complete groundies and volleys except in this era of precision and extreme power makes it difficult to control volleys with the exception of Mr. Roger Federer. Fitness is another big factor in tennis. If you compare the players sizes today from 20 years ago there are MUCH bigger today. Players are able to hire trainers, nutritionists, coaches, etc because there is a lot more money in th sport. Yes, part of it is the racquet but stroke are very precise and efficient. There is a lot of competition in the field which makes the players work harder

Answer 6

The players today are better athletes. Tennis has gotten more people and more athletes involved because there is more prize money to be had . Tennis players today are also better conditioned athletes . They spend much more tome on their physical fitness. Those would be my two main reasons , behind the tennis raquet technology.

Answer 7

Well the old serve and volley has gone out of the game Todays players serve with greater speed and acuracy.You seldom see the long rallies Plus fitness and diet make the layers much faster

Answer 8

grips have changed. racquets have changed. tennis players work harder more lifting more runing more court time.

Answer 9

becouse all the equipments used in its have new and balanced things in it and players are with new tec and per then before so its fast and furrious

Answer 10

fitness