Eric is 48 Today Sale

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC

Eric is 48 today - SO, everything in the store is an ADDITIONAL $15.00 off (except grips that don't even cost that much) Stop in and have a beer with Eric -

QUESTION

We were talking - and wondering....Where are you playing with all this winter rain? We seriously want to know.

Are you playing?

Are you ready for Spring Tennis?

Let us know how you are doing it? Post on Facebook or give us a call - or better - stop in..
Eric

Ultimate Tennis Tomorrow - Singles Deadline

Just FYI to all the Hardcore Tennis Players who play Singles - Tomorrow is Ultimate Tennis Singles deadline so get registered!

3 More New Custom Vantage Racquets:

BEAUTIFUL!

Custom Vantage Racquets - extended length

Leif S & Lindsay D on "Luxilon String"

For years I've been trying to get  players to understand that stiff, polyester strings are not for everyone. Read the following (condensed version)  and let me know what you think.

 

An interesting conversation took place last week during the women's year end championships in Istanbul. Leif Shiras who was ranked as high as 31 in the world, and former world #1 Lindsey Davenport, were commentating during the Serena-Azerenka match. It was brought up that Serena who had been using natural gut for years, now uses a blend of natural gut and "Luxillon." (As ususal they have no idea which particular Luxillon string Serena uses.)Tho following has been heavily edited. Lindsey:  The Luxillon gives her a little more control and spin. You lose feel and touch especially at the net but that is a lost art anyway. Leif: I do a lot of the Champions Tour events. Many of the guys are using Luxillon. Lindsey: How are their arms? Leif: Oh their arms are killing them! Leif: So you wouldn't recommend Luxillon strings for recreational players. Lindsey: Not a great idea.

Tennis Should Not be Played in Pain! Eric

Hit on Your Court with our Playmate Ball Machines

There is no better way to relieve back-to-school stress than knocking the crap out of some tennis balls.  Both our Playmate-volley Tennis Ball Machines are in right now - so call to reserve one by the day, weekend or week. You can reserve it online on our website: www.hardcoretennis.net or call us at 770-933-1905

Great workout if you use our ball machine...

Ball Machine Workouts

Tennis is a fun sport that offers physical fitness and an ability to compete in a friendly environment. The game, however, takes a lot of patience and practice to master. Tennis ball machines are an efficient way to learn proper technique and muscle memory so that you can automatically execute your shots and game plan in the heat of a match. Repetition is the key to learning strokes and tennis ball machines allow you to practice the same shot or strategy over and over.

Stroke Specific Drill

Every tennis player has a shot that he would like to improve, but it's tough to find a friend who is willing to spend an hour hitting shots specifically to your backhand or forehand. This is one of the ways that a ball machine can be used as an effective training tool. To execute this workout, Tennis Thoughts recommends setting the ball machine to dispense an entire hopper full of balls to whichever stroke you would like to improve. Depending on your needs, you can set the next round to continue the same stroke, or maybe switch to the opposite one.

Up the Middle

Speed, endurance and footwork are all important elements of a tennis match. The Up the Middle workout will help you improve all three skills, while giving you the chance to work on your ground strokes. Tennis Thoughts instructs to set the ball machine to serve balls down the center line of the court. Alternate between hitting forehands and backhands: A common mistake with this drill is to set the speed of the ball machine too fast. In order to avoid becoming burned out before you have hit every ball in the hopper, make sure the machine is shooting balls at a rate that is challenging yet feasible.

Two-Line Drill

Tennis is a running game, and the player who can hit winners on the run will have an edge over her opponent. For this drill, set the ball machine to alternate between forehands and backhands. Have the balls hit the ground far enough away from each other so that you have to move quickly from side to side. Along with hitting shots on the run, this drill improves your endurance and sprinting speed.

Random Oscillation

You can never be really sure where your opponent will place the ball. The random oscillation drill helps improve your reaction time so that you are able to get to the ball in time and make the right decision for your return shot. For this drill, Tennis Thoughts recommends setting the ball machine to random oscillation, with balls alternating between forehand, backhand and up the middle, and with some going deep and others landing closer to the net.

 

Yonex is doing it right this year! VCore & EZone Racquets at Hardcore Tennis in Atlanta

There is a reason Caroline W is hitting with the new Yonex Racquet...We put these racquets in many hands and all we hear are rave reviews. We agree! The EZone and VCore are solid sticks.

Atlanta Ball Machine Rental - at Hardcore Tennis

Hardcore Tennis is the Tennis Ball Machine Rental Store in Atlanta! Give us a call to reserve or you can reserve the ball machine online on our website!
Daily - $25.00
Weekend - $50.00
Week - $100.00
We provide a charged machine with balls.

There is no better way to work on a stroke. Take what your tennis Pro wants you to work on, set the ball machine to the appropriate setting and work you ass off! The weather is Perfect!

Gamma Zo Tour - details you should know...

www.hardcoretennis.net

There are so many great strings on the market - I will send information on many different strings periodically. We carry a lot of great Gamma Strings at Hardcore Tennis - Here is one of them

GAMMA ZO TOUR: This string is a durable, spin-enhancing, easy on the arm string. GZT is a great choice for string breakers looking for durability and comfort. These two assets usually don't go hand in hand.
COLORS: Orange & Natural 
GAUGES: 1.25 & 1.30
Price Strung: $38.00

Delray Beach Championship Results are in....

Okay, so we have a sale and offer $5.00 off stringing for the YEAR to anyone who guesses the winner of the Delray Beach Tournament.
This is a shame!!!
NO ONE GUESSED THE WINNERS  No One!

Vantage Tennis is having a Birthday - and offering to the first 1000 customers, Bastcore Frames for $100.00
We know how awesome the frames are and feel confident in this promotion! I think they are throwing in a bag of 'goodies' too. Who knows what is in that!
The sale is international so it may not be around for long - these frames are very popular in Europe

You can demo the racquets at our Marietta store before buying. We have all three frame demo's. We have a direct line to Sven at Vantage so your order will get priority!

If you are anyone you know needs a new stick - these are incredible and very much worth consideration! We aren't making much money on this promo but feel you deserve to know when a nice deal is presented!

Hardcore Tennis Champions

HCT Team member Mike McCall and partner Mike Mobley. CTL Pre Season Tournament 3.5 Men's Doubles Champions!

Polyester Tennis String - Is it for your game or not?

I think the largest improvement in tennis equipment over the past 10 years is/are strings. Higher level players have always known how important strings and stringing are. And now it looks as though the rest of the tennis playing world is catching on!

Let's start with the string type that has had the most buzz in recent years:

Polyester was once considered just a more forgiving option to kevlar strings. Dead feeling, with a slippery surface, and horrible tension maitanence, polyester strings were pretty much ignored in the US.

But now many polyester strings (co-polys) are softer, spin enhancing, and still very durable. Chronic string breakers who prefer a strings that don't feel like bricks now have many great choices.

Kirschbaum Pro Line II was one of the 1st polyester strings that provided durability, feel, and spin enhancement. " I  forgot that I was using a polyester string" is a typical comment from players using Pro Line II for the first time. A round string with a sticky, spin enhancing coating, Pro Line II is a fantasic option for a string breaker who wants more feel and power. Available in gauges 1.15, 1.20, 1.25 and 1.30.  It comes in red or  black.

Solinco Tour Bite is a  cool, silver colored, four sided string. If you're looking to add more spin to your game Tour Bite is  a must try.  It is available in 1.15, 1.20, 1.25, 1.30  gauge. Tour Bite

Gamma Zo Verve is a very unique looking , two-toned (black and red), 3 sided string.  A little on the firm side, Zo Verve is a great string for hard hitters looking for more control and spin.  It comes in 1.25 and 1.30 gauges.

Topspin Max Rotation is a black, shiny,  seven sided string. Max Rotation is great for players looking to add spin without sacrificing comfort. One of the best kept secrets on the market, Max Rotation has been a HCT fan favorite for  two years. Max Rotation comes in gauges 1.27 and 1.31.

All of these strings are excellent playing, and not so hard on the arm. But they are polyester: Tension loss can be quick and drastic! So while co-polys are excellent for spin enhancement, they do not hold tension well.

Because polyester strings are so durable, most players wait way too long before they restring. We often have customers come in and complain about shoulder, elbow, or wrist pain. This  is usually due to stiff and or dead strings. When you're ready let us pick out a good string for you!

                                                                                                                                                               TENNIS SHOULD NOT BE PLAYED IN PAIN!

Singles and Doubles Tennis Warm-up from My Friend Ken

Tennis Warm-up Drill

Common Elbow Issues from Luxilon...Story

Eric,

Tom teaches my Men's team and I was speaking to him about tendinitis in my elbow and strings and he gave me your card and recommended I contact you.  I called your shop and they said you were out so I figured an e-mail might be easier.  Here is some background on me and my injury.  I started using Luxilon Big Banger Rough strings in 2009 and started having elbow pain last spring.  I thought I had just sprained it but it continued to get worse until I stopped playing and went to the Dr.  The Dr. found that I had tendinitis and minor arthritis so I have gone through Physical Therapy and after not playing for almost 4 months it is better but I still have pain and can't play more than a few times a week.  I am now using some Hurricane Blue strings that a tennis shop recommended as being easier on the elbow but Tom mentioned that it is still bad and I needed to change it up to something easier on the arm.  I would like to find out from you what you recommend so I can drop my rackets off and have you string them up.  I play Men's A5 and Mixed A2 and typically don't break strings but hit the ball fairly hard and play with a Head MicroGEL Radical Mid+.  Let me know if you need any other details.

Thanks for your time,

Jason

ANSWER from Eric,

Hi Jason,

Sorry about your arm.

You are correct in your thinking that your string isn't helping you. It's actually hurting you very much. Pro Hurricane is actually be stiffer than Alu Rough. Unfortunately most stores are just order takers and only sell the most popular (but not necessarily the best for you) strings and racquets. If you are not a big string breaker there is no reason for you to be using a "poly" string anyway.

Natural gut is your best option because you're not a string breaker and it holds tension much longer than ALL other types of string. We sell a huge amount of gut for this reason. You could also go with a good multifilament string but you will string it more often that gut. 

I'll be at the store Saturday after 11:00 and All day Monday.

E

Hardcore Tennis Changes...

Yes we are closing the Columbia Store, but I will be stringing many days a week IN COLUMBIA from Jan-April 2012 - so for all you Hardcore Players in Columbia - I will still be available to string your stick. Heading to Chicago for Christmas!

Hardcore Tennis Players in Columbia!!!

Mike and Ashley McCall Take the Court for some Hardcore Tennis on Sunday

 

Tennis String Conversation...Options, Choices, Benefits, Value...

Tennis String is more important than you may know concerning improving your tennis game. The string pattern, string, tension...

I enjoy this topic and know a considerable amount about it.
Because of that, I will open up this dialog. Feel Free to ask questions you have on Tennis String on this blog - leave pertinent details. I will respond weekly.
IF you are in a rush - you can call the stores to find me. Eric

Hardcore Tennis Staff - talkin string.......sorta

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6g2ThHomdM&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL