Tennis Anyone? I mean, besides You.

I found a tennis club quite near my residence here - Tennis Club de Belgique. Of course I called and inquired if I might play there (13 euro tennis court fee), and take a lesson (30 euro/hour), and do you have a demo racquet I might use for a lesson, to which she said "You're a tennis player who didn't bring a racquet?". This set me aback slightly. I was trying to discern if this was humor, or a sincere castigation. I laughed it off choosing to think it mostly good natured humor.

It raises an interesting point however. Despite what Wilson, Babolat, Head and so many other tennis racket companies would have you think, I'm of the opinion the racquet is not all that relevant to the skill of the player. Sure, it can affect play - the tools today are better constructed than they were 50 years ago, but the skill still lies with the player.

Don't believe me? Go challenge John McEnroe to a match. Unless you are very, very, good Johnny Mac will beat your ass with a Spongebob Racquet from Wal-Mart.

"What is the power of Steel compared to the hand that wields it?"

Of course, that didn't work out for Thulsa Doom from Conan, but you see my point. In fact Conan had the skills - not just the blade.

After a few calls around the city to the sporting good retail stores (ok, I found ONE), I truly wish I had brought my racquets, or even the damn Spongebob racquet.

I play with Babolat, a French company. The price of the racquets are exactly the same as in the U.S. - only in Euros. My Babolat Pure Drive Roddick+ cost me $189 in the US, and it costs 189 Euros here ($306.12). I suppose proximity to the headquarters doesn't help you a bit when your product is manufactured in China.

HINTS:

• If you intend to play tennis (at all) bring a racquet from the states. They are much cheaper.
  
• Better, yet bring 3 or 4 and sell the extras