Tennis Talk’s Take on the Latest Gear
by Wendy Ferguson (oh, so tongue-in-cheek)
If you squint your eyes, you’ll notice that The Villages men and Silver Creek boys in the photo have the latest gear. They battled it out last week in their annual tennis match. So if you are in search of the latest gear and either a newby or seriously-seasoned tennis player, trust me, this is for you.
Let’s check out the newest rackets and shoes to improve your game. These descriptions reside on the Tennis Warehouse website, I kid you not.
Babolat, which I cannot even pronounce but sounds like one of those overpriced drinks from Starbucks, has many interesting, intellectually-stimulating tennis weapons.
The cheapest one I found is the “Boost Drive” series for $99. It is described as user-friendly and speedy, and has an easier path to pace, with extra plow-through. So perhaps you can also use it to dig up your garden or maybe take if for a spin around the block after drinking your morning “Babolat.”
For the Rafa purest with big pockets wanting a weapon, there are dual Aeros for just $599. A pittance for the explosive player who wants a ticket to speed without the speeding ticket. This surgical member (I guess for a doctor) has a more flexible beam when you make bigger cuts with this stick that uses flax inserts so you can fully engage with your targets. Take it for a spin on the racetrack or to shooting range, whichever you prefer.
I would love to be opposite Isner when he serves with his Babolat at 135 MPH, like a velocity seldom seen outside of a Wile E. Coyote cartoon. So call me chicken, I don’t care, but in reality I’d have to hide behind the fence while someone else gets hurt. And besides, he’s 5 feet taller than I.
Now let’s review must-have tennis shoes. Still on the racetrack, check out the Babolat Jet, which is a speed-oriented shoe with a Michelin rubber outsole that gives you an explosive feel. Vroom!
Meanwhile, Roger’s ON shoe has 100% carbon fiber that supplies energy return and a more stable ride. Now we’re into horses, so giddy-up.
After ordering and receiving your gear, be sure to heed the warning on the package: Do not open the box if the contents are missing or broken as this will invalidate your warrantee.
After throwing away the box, ride your Babolat Jet on down to Starbucks and enjoy an iced Babolat.