The journal Volume 2026

Every examination we've published.

Newest first. Browse by topic from the navigation, or by category from the footer. Older pieces stay reachable forever — we don't archive away from URLs.

Page 6 of 37

051
Community ·5 min · July 2026

Founder Credibility and the Tennis Community: What a "Certified Expert" Badge Actually Buys You

There are, by the USRSA's own accounting, only a few thousand people who hold the Master Racquet Technician certification worldwide.

052
Tennis History ·5 min · July 2026

Famous Male Tennis Players: A Newcomer's Field Guide to Who Matters and Why

Fame and greatness are not the same thing in tennis, and if you're new to the sport, that gap is the first useful thing to understand.

053
Strings ·5 min · July 2026

The First Polyester Strings for Players Leaving Multifilament: A Sourced Guide to the Transition

If you have played with multifilament long enough to trust it, you already know its ceiling: the comfort you love starts to feel like a lack of control on your biggest swings.

054
Gear ·11 min · July 2026

Reading Tennis Racquet Specs: Why Does One Control Frame Play Nothing Like Another?

You have two racquets in front of you. On paper they are nearly twins: both 98 square inches, both around 11 ounces strung, both 16x19 patterns, both listed with a mid-60s stiffness figure.

055
Polyester ·5 min · July 2026

ALU Power Alternatives: Better Luxilon Strings (and Rivals) When Tension Loss Is the Problem

A coach we trade notes with sent over a photo last month: a stringbed of Luxilon ALU Power, 16L, strung at 52 pounds, pulled out of the racquet after eleven days of doubles.

056
Tennis Shoes ·5 min · July 2026

Grass Court Tennis Shoes vs. All-Court vs. Clay: What Actually Matters for a Club Player

If you are a recreational or club player wondering whether you need dedicated grass court tennis shoes, the honest answer is: probably not, unless you actually play on grass regularly — and most…

057
Wilson ·6 min · July 2026

Wilson Pro Feel Vibration Dampener Review: Does "Feel" Really Mean Less Dampening?

Wilson is better known for frames and strings than for the little rubber button that sits in the throat of your stringbed, but the Pro Feel is one of the more talked-about accessories in that category…

058
Playtest ·5 min · July 2026

The "Just Buy Breathable Tennis Apparel" Rule: Where It Holds and Where It Falls Apart

The advice you hear in every pro shop and every gear thread runs the same way: for warm-weather practice, buy breathable, moisture-wicking tennis apparel and you're set.

059
Grips ·9 min · July 2026

The Serve Is a Shot: How Tennis Came to Treat It Differently, and What the Evidence Actually Says

The serve is the only stroke in tennis you begin from a standstill, on your own terms, with the ball in your own hand. No one hits it to you.

060
Racquets ·5 min · July 2026

Wilson Blade 98 v8 vs v9: A Racquet Comparison for the Sensitive Player

The short version of this racquet comparison: the Wilson Blade 98 v9 is a construction refinement of a frame that already worked, and if you own a v8 in good condition with life left in the grommets…