Whether you are just starting out as a tennis player, or even if you are an old pro, the tennis gear you choose is extremely important. One of the most important pieces of tennis merchandise that you will purchase as a tennis player is your tennis racket. Your racket is extremely important and will set the tone for your game, so of course you want to pick out the best tennis racket you can find. With so many different choices out there, it can be difficult to figure out what the best tennis racket is for you; however, if you consider your skills, your style of playing, the weight, and the materials of the racket, you should pick a winner.

When you are looking for the best tennis racket, one of the most important things that you need to consider is your skill level. Beginners will want to make different choices from advanced players when it comes to picking out tennis equipment.

If you are a beginner at tennis, more than likely you will want to start out with a cheap racket that has a larger head than most. Having the oversized head will make it easier to hit the tennis ball while you are learning. Also, there is definitely no need to spend a couple hundred dollars on a racket until you have learned the basics and decided that you want to actively pursue this sport.

Intermediate and advanced players will want to pick out a racket that has a smaller head than the rackets for the beginners. While the oversized head is great for beginners, as an intermediate to advanced player, you should have more strength in your tennis swing and a smaller head will allow you a great deal more control in your hits.

More than likely if you are an advanced player, you have your own particular style of playing. Your tennis playing style will also influence what you will need in a good tennis racket. If you like to use a great deal of topspin in your game, then a racket that is head heavy can help you improve your spin. Also, if you are a serve and volley player, there are tennis rackets that are specifically designed for your style of play, and the same goes for players whose game relies mainly on groundstroking. No matter what style of play you enjoy, more than likely you will be able to find a racket that can enhance and improve your style.

To avoid injury, taking a look at the weight of the tennis racket is important before you purchase it. While you may be inclined to head for the lighter rackets, actually you will want to choose a racket that is a bit heavier; however, the head should be fairly light. While it may sound a bit crazy to purchase a racket that is a bit on the heavy side, a lighter racket can also lead to injury, such as tennis elbow and shoulder problems. Also, a racket that is a bit heavier can also improve your serves as well as your groundstroke.

When you are trying to pick out the best tennis racket, you will also need to consider the various materials that they are made of as well. The most common materials that are used on tennis rackets today include graphite, aluminum, and boron and Kevlar. Graphite rackets are probably the most popular, since it provides great hitting power and both beginners and even advanced players will find that this type of a racket will perform nicely for them. Aluminum rackets are cheaper than graphite ones, and they will provide you with excellent feel. The Boron and Kevlar rackets are very stiff and can cause shoulder problems due to the shock, so this type of racket should be avoided by a beginning player.

Tennis pro Roger Federer awed crowds at this year’s Wimbledon to win his fifth men’s finals, casting a ray of sunshine into a stadium nestled beneath gray and cloudy skies. The 2007 Championship matches saw invigorating and exciting plays made by names who have become household words across the globe, among them Rafael Nadal, his rival for the win. Nadal, originally from Mallorca, gave Federer quite a handful in the final as their volleys matched power and technique that kept fans riveted.

Federer, the 26-year-old from Switzerland, turned professional in 1998 and is currently ranked number one in singles play. He holds the second position for the ATP Championship year. Federer seems to play better alone, for in doubles competition he holds the 24th position. As a singles player, Federer shines with 48 titles. Since he began his gifted career he has won over 500 matches and has earned over 30 million in U.S. dollars.

The man who’s given him a run for his money this year, rival Rafael Nadal, was born in Manacor, Mallorca, in 1986, and is five years younger than Federer. Nadal, a left handed palyer, currently ranks number two in singles play. He holds the number one spot for the ATP Championship position and has over 200 match wins under his belt since he turned professional in 2001.

The breathtaking final between the two took almost four hours, with Federer finally winning 7-6; 4-6; 7-6; 2-6; 6-2. The match pitting two such gifted players against each other proved one of the best matches crowds at Wimbledon have seen in a while. The match drew a standing ovation upon its completion, and both Federer and Nadal can be congratulated on outstanding play as crowd favorites for 2007.

Federer with this win earned his fifth title championship, and the opportunity to compete with tennis great Bjorn Borg, who also won five straight tennis championships. This was a lifetime achievement for Federer, who all but collapsed due to the physical and emotional conclusion to his awe-inspiring play at the end of the match. Borg, watching from the Royal Box, was among those who stood to congratulate the exhausted player after completion of the final.

Once it was over, Federer honored his rival with the words, “It was such a close match. I told him at the net that he deserved it as well. I’m the lucky one today.”

Luck may have a little something to do with his win, but skill and determination takes precedence over Federer’s excellent play. It was a very tough match for him, but his refusal to crumple and his determination to excel kept the crowd on the edge of their seats for the duration of the match.

The competitive rivalry between Federer and Nadal will more than likely continue to draw crowds, as this Wimbledon match has gone down in history. Two extremely gifted and dedicated players; both Federer and Nadal honor their home countries with their skills, competitive spirit and sheer joy of the sport.