# Vintage Tennis back in action, look out for more posts
All sports have a discussion on this topic with many commentators saying that ‘it is all an evolution’ the way sports keep raising their levels and modernise their play and style also influenced by surfaces and equipment.
Tennis could also fall into this generalisation … however just over 40years ago tennis experienced what was more a ‘revolution’ in all ways except the size of the court.
What went from ‘evolving’ to dramatic changes a ‘revolution’ that laid the pathway for the future … racquet development to graphite/fibreglass composite from wood and aluminium | footwear to more full support and aero dynamic design together with a pattern change to the soles | technical advancement with a lighter stronger racquet affecting ball speed and increased spin (topspin) plus the advantages of double-handed backhand in power and variety (currently only 7 players in the top 100 men use a single-handed) | more hardcourt surfaces used plus development of multifilament string for the bigger racquet head/face dimensions.
The play that developed had a new number of facets making players develop different styles of play and strategies leading to a resurgent in new players from around the world, plus crowd engagement with TV rights and coverage increased, taking an enormous interest from sponsors from in and outside the industry … progressively an increase in prizemoney, attracting more players and going about a more professionalism edict.
40 years on and post the magic era’s of the 80’s and 90’s plus the monopoly of the men’s tour and depth of women’s champions in the 21st century ‘evolution’ of play continued including fitness, diet, power and speed, mentality … leading to current next gen tennis and the emergence of dynamic physicality where stamina, explosive power and speed and all-out attack at break-neck pace is on full display.
So is this a new revolution in our game or a natural evolving … you decide … but the image included also shows innovative methods to physicality may not just be reserved for today !!
Lew Hoad, Ashley Cooper, Ken Rosewall
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