SHSSC

Tennis rackets have been used for many years. Originally the games that require this equipment were played using one's hand rather than any form of a club. Eventually however, the equipment that is today referred to as a racket was created using a wooden frame and strips of gut to create a net.

From their first appearance to the point of the change in materials for the handle itself, there were very few modifications made. The frame was improved by using lamination techniques but the strings were basically unchanged. The result was a very heavy club that was quite small compared to the racket used currently.

In addition to being smaller, the clubs were much heavier than the current style of today. The games were very similar to modern day squash with the exception of playing over a net rather than against a wall. However the ball that was used was very flat with little bounce which gave the players more control.

Eventually the webbing portion was fashioned from the nylon strands of today rather than using the animal gut but few records are available as to when this change actually occurred. Even today some players still prefer wooden handles over the stronger aluminum or graphite that is available.

Players using aluminum noticed that they had little control over the direction of the ball because of the distortion to the head when the ball is struck off center. While the clubs tended to be lighter and stronger which provided for more power, the lack of control tended to cause many players to prefer the wooden frame.

Over the years, the shape and materials for the club have undergone many changes. In the beginning the club head was very small and more oval shaped. When compared with today's modern clubs, they more closely resemble the squash clubs that are currently used for the game today.