Tennis Technology and Training
Jill Craybas made 45 consecutive Grand Slam main draws starting at the 2000 US Open and ending with the 2011 US Open. She also represented the United States in both Fed Cup and Olympic play. According to Wikipedia, she is best known for upsetting Serena Williams at the 2005 Wimbledon Championships. I disagree. Jill Craybas should be remembered for the most epic assortment of fitness related tennis gear ever produced while filming a Tennis Channel “Bag Check” feature.
It was hard to pick just one item from Craybas’s bag to focus on. Her commitment to fitness may explain her longevity in the sport. She was 39 in 2013 when she retired from professional tennis, which was considered to be quite old at the time. She was one of the trailblazers that demonstrated the art of the possible to some of the contemporary players who have extended their careers up to and beyond that point.
Pulling back the curtain for a moment, my “Best of Bag Check” posts are presented in the order that the Tennis Channel originally posted the videos to YouTube. I am systematically working forward in time. I have been considering what will happen when I inevitably encounter a player that does not have a new and unique item in their bag. While I don’t plan to skip over any player outright, there is a chance that it could turn into a “Best of Craybas” moment.
For this week, I ultimately decided to focus on the reaction ball. During her “Bag Check” video (link below) Craybas even demonstrates how to use it as an agility training device. I also included a link to a separate video below that demonstrates a practice game that can be played with a reaction ball.
The great thing about a reaction ball is that it can be used in a relatively small space. It is perfect for training in a gym or other off-court location. It is also good for a quick warm up on a damp court since the footwork steps are small and compact.
The reaction ball is another one of those useful items to carry in your tennis bag. It doesn’t take up much space or add significant weight. You may find it useful for building quick reflexes and those small footwork adjustment steps.
 | Champro Reaction Ball |
