New Head Extreme Rackets at MP Tennis & Sports

Now available at MP Tennis & Sports at our Dale Mabry Store is Head's new Graphene Touch Extreme rackets. There are two rackets in the new Extreme series, the MP and the Lite. Both feature the same Graphene Touch technology which gives players a great feeling racket with the perfect combination of power and comfort. They also have Head's '360 Spin Grommets' that allow the the strings added ability to move for greater power and snap back for increased spin potential.
Head has given the new Extremes a more conventional head shape. In past versions, the head shape was very round, which some players found difficult to get used to. The new, oval shape is more common and gives the Extremes a more conventional look and feel.
The MP version has enough weight for the big hitters and plenty of spin potential and is a great choice for aggressive base line hitters.
The Lite is, like it's name says, a lighter option for players who want the performance but need less weight for more racket speed and maneuverability.
In the short time they have been out, the feedback on the new Extremes has been very positive. People who have tried the demos have like the power/control mix and have commented about the very solid feel.
If you'd like to try them, stop by our Dale Mabry store and start our demo program. You can call us at 813-961-8844 if you have any questions.

Beating the Heat on the Court

Not sure about where you're at, but here in Tampa, it is HOT!
Playing tennis in Tampa this time of year creates several issues for those willing to take on the heat.
One of the biggest problems is worn out grips. When you are sweating buckets, your hands and grip are going to get wet. If you are using a worn out grip, it's even worse. Here at MP Tennis & Sports, we often see rackets that have broken after slipping out of someone's hand and sent slamming into the court. A new grip or overgrip will help this problem quite a bit. For those who sweat a lot, something like a tacky-towel or grip enhancement gel can increase your ability to keep the racket from slipping.
Another problem is what to do with your racket when not on the court. Just about the worse thing you can do is leave it in your car all day. I won't go into how hot it can get in a car, in Florida, in summer, but it is very hot. 
The heat can damage your frame and cause your string to lose tension prematurely. Both things will reduce the performance and how well you play. Keep your racket inside whenever possible, or at the very least, have them in a bag with a thermal protective pocket for the rackets. 
Doing these things will help increase your racket's life span and have you playing better tennis.
Come into MP Tennis & Sports and we can help you select the right grips and even put them on while you wait. Stop by our store at 14845 N. Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa and we'd be happy to help.

Big Things Coming to MP Tennis...& Sports!

Since 1998, MP Tennis served the Tampa tennis community with equipment from the top brands in the sport and professional service to help our customers select the right things for them. We take pride in helping people play better tennis, and though our league, The MP Tennis Ladder, more tennis.
Over the years we have applied the same formula of service and selection to racquetball and pickleball. 
Now, in late summer 2017, we will be adding new sports to our store. Baseball and softball.
We will offer brands like Wilson, Louisville Slugger, DeMarini and EvoShield and will offer the same level of service to help players pick the best product for them.
Check out our website at mptennis-sports.com for updates on when the new bats, gloves and more will be available.
We are still MP Tennis, only now it's, 
MP Tennis & Sports.

A "softer" Poly Option

So you break strings pretty quick, but still want something that is fairly easy on the arm? There are some options for you now days.

First of all, poly strings have become popular due to its durability, but for many, it comes with a cost. Poly strings are generally very stiff, which creates a tight, unforgiving feel to the string bed. While some players do hit with enough power to make poly strings give, most players do not. This inability to make the string give enough at impact creates more shock to the arm.

A possible answer for players who like the durability of poly, but not the extra shock is a new breed of polys designed to be “softer” and easier on the arm (note - most non-polys will be softer than the softest poly).

Here are a few of this new breed of poly strings that offer a better feel and extra pop.

• Luxilon Element - The Element is different in construction than most polys. Rather than being a solid core, it has what Luxilon calls “multi-mono”, which is several strands forming the core of the string. This gives Element more elasticity which increases ball-pocketing, power and gives it a better, less shocking feel.
• Luxilon 4G Soft -  This is a softer version of their 4G strings, which hold tension better than the average poly string. It still has great control, but is a more arm-friendly option than the standard 4G strings.
• Babolat RPM Team - The RPM Team has the same exterior features of RPM Blast, but the core of the string is made differently to add flexibility. This allows for more give at impact, which absorbs the shock better and is easier on the arm, without sacrificing durability.

One thing to keep in mind with poly strings. While the do break less often, they generally do not hold tension as well as other string construction. If you get to the one-year mark on a set of poly, chances are, the performance has diminished, robbing you of power and feel. It is still a good idea to change your strings as many times in a year as you play in a week.

Come in and we can help you choose the string and tension that will best fit your game.  

New Rackets from Head

Coming in May, Head has two new racket that promise power, without sacrificing control. The MXG rackets have a unique throat design that adds stability for powerful, under control shots.
The MXG will come in two models, the MXG-3 and MXG-5. The MXG-3 has a 100sq" head size and the MXG-5 has a 105sq" head size for added power and a larger sweet spot.
They will be available 5.5.17.

Tennis Balls....What's the Difference?

You only need two things to play tennis once you get to the courts. A racket and tennis balls. There is a lot of attention paid to the rackets, but how do you know if you're using the right tennis balls?

The first thing to ask is what kind of court are you going to be playing on. For most of us, there are two potential options, hard court or clay court. While there are other things to consider such as playing in high altitude, we're going to focus on the two most likely answers.

Tennis balls come in regular duty and extra duty. This refers to the amount of felt on the balls. For playing on a hard court, the extra duty, with its additional felt, will hold up better on the harder, abrasive court surface. On clay courts, the regular duty works best due to less felt on the ball that can pick up clay during play, causing the balls to feel heavier. On watered clay courts, you may notice it even more. Also, with less felt, the regular duty will tend to "get fuzzy" less than the extra duty.
Both types are available in most types of balls such as Wilson US Open balls or Pro Penn Marathon balls.

When selecting tennis balls, you do get what you pay for. There are some low cost balls available at grocery stores, drug stores and non-sporting goods big-box stores. Often, these balls will lose their bounce faster than the higher end balls. The biggest thing to look for is if the ball is USTA approved. Any ball that is will feature this information on the can. The fact that the balls are approved for tournament use lets you know that they will hold up better than the non-approved ones.

As for which type/brand to use, that is something you will have to figure out for yourself. If you get a can or USTA approved balls, for use on the courts you play on, you should find they perform well. That said, ask any tennis player and he/she will have a brand and type they prefer. Try some different balls and see what you think. Like everything else in tennis, it's all individual.

One last thing about tennis balls.
There is a myth about balls that says the number on the ball means something.
The only thing the numbers are for is to make it easier to know your tennis balls from others. If you have a can of #1's and the people on the next court are using #2's, you know whose are whose.

New Rackets for Big Hitters

It’s the perfect time to be a big hitter looking for a new racket. There are great new rackets from Babolat, Head and Wilson, all designed for aggressive styles and powerful swings.

From Wilson comes the upgraded Blade series. Besides having a clean new look, most new Blades feature Countervail, Wilson’s newest racket technology. Countervail is a special carbon fiber that transfers less of the ball’s energy to the player, allowing them to expend less energy  during each swing while offering an incredible feel. This reduces muscle fatigue and helps shorten recovery time.

Countervail is available in the 98S, 98 16x19 & 18x20. It will also be available in the new Serena Williams racket, the SW104 Autograph, coming in January.

            Head has a new version of Novak Djokovic’s racket, the Speed Pro and the other Speed series frames. The new Speeds use Graphene Touch, the latest Graphene material to improve the feel and reduce shock, without compromising the power. Head describes the frames as having “less shock, more wow”.

            The Speeds are available in Novak’s Speed Pro, which has an 18x20 string pattern for optimal control. The Speed MP has the same great feel with a little less weight and a more open string pattern. The Speed S is for players who want a light, more powerful frame.

            From Babolat, comes a new and improved Pure Strike line of rackets. Besides a fantastic new look, the Strikes offer hard hitting, aggressive players a racket with more precision and speed. The more open string patterns help in adding more power and spin while the new design gives greater stability at impact for more precise shots.

            Currently, the Pure Strikes come in three versions. The Pure Strike 16x19 has a slightly smaller, 98sq” head, for players who want a little more control and precision. The Pure Strike 100 and Pure Strike Team both feature 100sq” head sizes for added power. The Team is a little lighter for those who don’t want or need the added weight. Babolat has three more Pure Strikes coming in January.

            All three companies have great options for players who like to take big swings, but want a balance of power and control. Which one is right for you? Come in to our Dale Mabry location and with our Demo Program, you can try them out to find the one that will have you playing your best tennis.