Andy Murray explains why tennis’ next generation have it easy after he quit the sport

Andy Murray opened up on tennis’ new stars after his retirement from the sport. Now into his retirement from tennis, Andy Murray explained how the next generation of superstars have it ‘easy’ compared to those of his era, due to the development of new rackets. Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament founded in 1877, saw many wooden rackets come and eventually go. Most manufacturers made their equipment from wood until the 1960s, but a technology boom has since rendered them obsolete in favour of new fibre rackets that today’s stars have grown up with.

Advancements have continued to make huge strides regarding rackets, a facet that Murray is well aware of after a 20-year tennis career at the very

He went in depth at how new professionals have been given a helping hand compared to those who came before them, never having to work with a difficult racket. “You have to be more precise with the wooden racket,” Murray told the DP World Tour. “With the wooden racket (you have to hit the sweet spot). And now the players grow up with these big-headed rackets, and the rackets are a lot lighter now than they used to be.

“So they essentially can swing faster at the ball and it doesn’t matter if you miss the middle of the racket.

“I mean playing with a wooden racket is so difficult. For certain shots it’s fine, but the way the technique has gone is that guys play with a lot of topspin now. Your swing before had to be back-to-front, now it’s like this (motions swinging up) and if you try that with a wooden racket, with a small head, you will hit the frame.