Tennis scientists are continually asked by players to develop techniques that permit more power, while those involved more with the medical aspect of the game are forced to develop better preventative programs and rehabilitative treatments to meet the demands placed on the body from movements associated with this additional power. There are several elements that contribute to an increase in racquet and therefore ball speed: 1. Elastic energy and muscle pre-tension in the enhancement of racket speed 2. The distance over which greater racket speed can be developed 3. The use of co-ordinated movements 4. The linking of linear and angular motion 5. The role of muscle strength, power and endurance 6. 'Heaviness' of a stroke 7. The role of equipment design There is a number of inter-related ways to address the question on how to increase racket speed. More segments and increased stretch on muscles and associated tissues are often linked to an increase in the level of racket displacement in the backswing and early forwardswing. Performance in an injury free environment will only occur if the body has been prepared to meet the loads imposed on the body during high-speed stroke production.
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