The men’s tennis team has balls — thousands of balls to be exact.
“We probably get 50 cases of tennis balls through the year,” coach Jon Choboy said.
That’s not all the funding the men’s tennis team gets from the athletics department. According to Choboy, the team is completely covered in top-line equipment.
“They get everything,” Choboy said. “Shoes, grips, strings, people string[ing] their racquets. They don’t have to bring anything — everything is provided. We just have to worry about playing.”
Yet the men have several options when it comes to equipment. Other than the balls and uniforms that are issued to the team, the men get to choose the racquet with which they will practice and compete.
According to senior Andre Iriarte, the University supplies each team member with several racquets. The students are allowed between two and three racquets, with extras available only if the player wears down or breaks the equipment.
“There’s only a certain number of items one can have,” Iriarte said. “But they have to provide more if it wears out, like wear and tear, that will be replaced. You get a certain amount of racquets, between two and three, and after that you have to get your own racquet.”
Iriarte said the team allows players to select the racquet of their choice that best fits their playing needs.
“Any racquet you want — you like any racquet — [and] they’ll get it for you,” Iriarte said.
Upon receiving racquets, players then decide how tightly they want their racquets strung. According to junior Ben Zink, most players have had the same preference for years.
“I’ve played with the same tension for about four years,” Zink said.
Zink said the preference of racquet tension varies depending on whether players want more power or control. Tighter strings generally tend to offer more control, he said, while looser strings offer more power. The tension is measured in pounds the racquet can support.
“I keep it a little looser, so I get a little more pop off the strings, a little more power on the ball,” Zink said. “Occasionally I’ll tighten up the strings just a little bit.”
Another option players have is to use two different types of strings on the same racquet. Iriarte, for example, said he prefers different strings.
“Everyone has their own preference for how tight they like it,” Iriarte said. “For me, I use two different kinds of strings. One is 59 [pounds of tension] and one is 61.”
According to Choboy, the team has the luxury of not worrying about equipment needs as the University cares enough to take care of the players.
Meanwhile, Choboy said his only concern is the team continuing its winning ways, beginning today at home against East Carolina and UNC-Greensboro.
“We’ve got to play two matches on Tuesday,” Choboy said. “But I’m pleased with what we’re doing so far. We’re pretty happy.”