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Tennis has long been associated with abundance and exclusivity. However, this reputation appears to be increasingly outdated, with entry barriers decreasing as sports infrastructure develops. Today, software engineers and entrepreneurs make games even more accessible, offering recreational players a kind of benefit that was once limited to professionals and clubs.
SwingVision
SwingVision offers condensed videos and wide range of statistics ©SwingVision
If you’ve ever wondered how play statistics compare to professional statistics, this is the app for you. SwingVision, the creator of a former Tesla Autopilot engineer and former software developer of networking site LinkedIn, offers real-time shot tracking, video analysis and hosting using mobile phones.
After filming the game from behind the court, the app provides a condensed video of all shots, erasing gaps between points, with a wide range of statistics, ranging from serve speed and forehand winners to errors and shot placement maps.
It may be a bit surprising to face a video of your technique, but it is useful to have evidence of where you are doing wrong. SwingVision can also be used as an in-game judge, but has been downloaded over a million times. It is only available on Apple devices, but it has Android compatibility. (£14.99/$14.99, swing.vision)
Topspin Pro
Topspin’s art is essential to developing the game, allowing players to hit harder without the ball coming out of the court, but learning is an infamous skill. This training aid will save you several hours of coaching fees.
Launched 10 years ago by South African entrepreneur and tennis coach Philip Hofmaier with the help of Kickstarter’s crowdfunding campaign, the device consists of a spindle ball attached to a spring in front of a tilted screen.
The idea is to complete an upward “windowshield wiper” racket motion that allows the player to rotate the ball, ensuring that the screen holds the head at an optimal downward angle. Repeat the process and quickly master the technique and lock it into muscle memory for later deployment to court.
The company sells more than 130,000 units to customers in 125 countries, and the device says it has helped over 1 million players learn Topspin. (£129, www.topspinpro.com)
Topspin Prothe Topspin Pro helps players complete the “windshield wiper” racket motion
saber
Saber’s principle is to make tennis more difficult during training. That way the real thing will be easier later. Developed by Irish entrepreneur and tennis podcaster Fabio Mol, this product is like a regular racket with all respect in one respect.
The 37-square-inch face is more than a third of the size of the head of most modern rackets, so when hitting the ball you need much higher accuracy, and when you return to a regular racket you are more likely to hit from the “sweet spot”.
The sabers used by senior experts are the same weight and length as regular rackets. (£129/$175/€149.95, functionaltennis.com)
Player Matching App
One of the biggest challenges for casual tennis players is finding someone to hit. The age of apps has made it easier to find a partner because the process is less painful and there are plenty of platforms.
The utility of each depends on intake in a particular region, but what once was a overcrowded market had distinct winners in a particular region. Racket Pal and Spin are the most powerful options in the UK.
They all work in a similar way – sign up, enter your age and skill level, find someone similar and arrange a game. Many people can also hold leagues and other contests.
Player Matching AppSplayer Matching Apps are becoming more and more popular © Spinspinfire Pro 2 Spinfire Pro 2 can be controlled by the app or remote control © Spinfire
Spinfire Pro 2
Until recently, the ball machine has reduced size and cost as resourced clubs were protected, and the Spinfire Pro 2 is one of the best of market participants these days. It has a 150-ball hopper capacity, allowing you to send it over all kinds of shots, from deep, fast topspin to baseline, to backspin drop shots.
The app (or small remote control) allows you to play at ball speed, trajectory, spin, angle, and intervals between shots. You can also set up a drill. It’s 20kg, but has two large wheels and a pull-out handle to make transportation easier.
It’s expensive – but if you’re paying the coach just to hit practice, it can save money in the long run. (£2,150, from www.spinfiresport.com)
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