Tennis: Curb on racket power

AS WELL as bigger, slower balls that were being talked about on Thursday, the International Tennis Federation may also introduce controls on racket power, according to their president, Brian Tobin, yesterday.

The ITF meet next month to vote on the balls, while a machine is being developed, nicknamed the Steel Sampras by ITF scientists, to test racket power accurately.

"The machine will test rackets to the point where we will bring in some sort of regulation which says this racket is too powerful," Tobin said. "I think there has got to be some control over them in case next year somebody develops a new material."

The game may also be made more spectator-friendly by scrapping the first break after the opening game in order to speed up proceedings.