A model of ball impacts on a tennis racket

In this paper, a model is developed for the impact between a tennis ball and a freely suspended tennis racket. The ball and stringbed were simulated using a combination of springs and dampers, and the racket frame was modelled as a flexible beam. The interaction of the stingbed and frame simulated using two different loading conditions; a point load and a distributed load. The point load condition gave a predictable dynamic response in which and impact at the fundamental node point of the model beam resulted in minimal vibrations after impact. However, when simulating the force as a distributed load the ball impact position which gave minimal vibrations was not located at this node. These theoretical results were related to those found in modal analysis of a tennis racket. It was concluded that the impact force mush be applied as a distributed load in order for a one-dimensional beam model to correctly simulate the mode of vibration of the racket.