Test1 Reading Passage 1

How tennis rackets have changed

原文译文

In 2016, the British professional tennis player Andy Murray was ranked as the world's number one. It was an incredible achievement by any standard - made even more remarkable by the fact that he did this during a period considered to be one of the strongest in the sport's history, competing against the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, to name just a few. Yet five years previously, he had been regarded as a talented outsider who entered but never won the major tournaments.

Of the changes that account for this transformation, one was visible and widely publicised: in 2011, Murray invited former number one player Ivan Lendl onto his coaching team - a valuable addition that had a visible impact on the player's playing style. Another change was so subtle as to pass more or less unnoticed. Like many players, Murray has long preferred a racket that consists of two types of string: one for the mains (verticals) and another for the crosses (horizontals). While he continued to use natural string in the crosses, in 2012 he switched to a synthetic string for the mains. A small change, perhaps, but its importance should not be underestimated.

The modification that Murray made is just one of a number of options available to players looking to tweak their rackets in order to improve their games. ‘Touring professionals have their rackets customised to their specific needs,’ says Colin Triplow, a UK-based professional racket stringer. 'It's a highly important part of performance maximisation.’ Consequently, the specific rackets used by the world’s elite are not actually readily available to the public; rather, each racket is individually made to suit the player who uses it. Take the US professional tennis players Mike and Bob Bryan, for example: 'We're very particular with our racket specifications,’ they say, 'All our rackets are sent from our manufacturer to Tampa, Florida, where our frames go through a ... thorough customisation process.’ They explain how they have adjusted not only racket length, but even experimented with different kinds of paint. The rackets they use now weigh more than the average model and also have a denser string pattern (i.e. more crosses and mains).

The primary reason for these modifications is simple: as the line between winning and losing becomes thinner and thinner, even these slight changes become more and more important. As a result, players and their teams are becoming increasingly creative with the modifications to their rackets as they look to maximise their competitive advantage.

Racket modifications mainly date back to the 1970s, when the amateur German tennis player Werner Fischer started playing with the so-called spaghetti-strung racket. It created a string bed that generated so much topspin that it was quickly banned by the International Tennis Federation. However, within a decade or two, racket modification became a regularity. Today it is, in many ways, an aspect of the game that is equal in significance to nutrition or training.

Modifications can be divided into two categories: those to the string bed and those to the racket frame. The former is far more common than the latter: the choice of the strings and the tension with which they are installed is something that nearly all professional players experiment with. They will continually change it depending on various factors including the court surface, climatic conditions, and game styles. Some will even change it depending on how they feel at the time.

At one time, all tennis rackets were strung with natural gut made from the outer layer of sheep or cow intestines. This all changed in the early 1990s with the development of synthetic strings that were cheaper and more durable. They are made from three materials: nylon (relatively durable and affordable), Kevlar (too stiff to be used alone) or co-polyester (polyester combined with additives that enhance its performance). Even so, many professional players continue to use a 'hybrid set-up', where a combination of both synthetic and natural strings are used.

Of the synthetics, co-polyester is by far the most widely used. It's a perfect fit for the style of tennis now played, where players tend to battle it out from the back of the court rather than coming to the net. Studies indicate that the average spin from a co-polyester string is 25% greater than that from natural string or other synthetics. In a sense, the development of co-polyester strings has revolutionised the game.

However, many players go beyond these basic adjustments to the strings and make changes to the racket frame itself. For example, much of the serving power of US professional player Pete Sampras was attributed to the addition of four to five lead weights onto his rackets, and today many professionals have the weight adjusted during the manufacturing process.

Other changes to the frame involve the handle. Players have individual preferences for the shape of the handle and some will have the handle of one racket moulded onto the frame of a different racket. Other players make different changes. The professional Portuguese player Goncalo Oliveira replaced the original grips of his rackets with something thinner because they had previously felt uncomfortable to hold.

Racket customisation and modification have pushed the standards of the game to greater levels that few could have anticipated in the days of natural strings and heavy, wooden frames, and it's exciting to see what further developments there will be in the future.

2016 年，英国职业网球选手安迪·穆雷登上了世界第一的宝座。无论以何种标准衡量，这都是一项了不起的成就——而他是在这项运动史上被认为最强的一个时期做到这一点的，这一事实让这项成就显得更加了不起。当时他的对手有拉斐尔·纳达尔、罗杰·费德勒、诺瓦克·德约科维奇等人，仅举几例。然而就在五年前，他还被视为一名有天赋的“局外人”——能参赛，却从未在大赛中夺冠。

在促成这一转变的诸多变化中，有一项显而易见且广为人知：2011 年，穆雷邀请前世界第一伊万·伦德尔加入自己的教练团队——这一宝贵的补充对穆雷的打法产生了明显的影响。而另一项变化则细微到几乎不为人察觉。和许多选手一样，穆雷长期以来偏好使用由两种线组成的球拍：竖线用一种线，横线用另一种线。虽然横线他仍继续使用天然线，但在 2012 年，竖线他改用了合成线。这也许只是一个小小的变化，但其重要性不容低估。

穆雷所做的改动，只是希望微调球拍以提升球技的选手们可选的众多方式之一。“巡回赛职业选手的球拍都是按各自的具体需求定制的，”英国职业穿线师科林·特里普洛说，“这是实现成绩最大化极为重要的一环。”因此，世界顶尖选手所使用的具体球拍实际上并不向公众供应；相反，每一支球拍都是为使用者量身打造的。以美国职业网球选手迈克·布莱恩和鲍勃·布莱恩为例：“我们对球拍的规格非常讲究，”他们说，“我们所有的球拍都由制造商寄到佛罗里达州坦帕，在那里，我们的球拍框要经过……一道彻底的定制工序。”他们解释说，他们不仅调整过球拍的长度，甚至尝试过不同种类的涂料。他们现在使用的球拍比普通款更重，线床也更密（即横线竖线都更多）。

这些改动的主要原因很简单：随着胜负之间的界限变得越来越细微，即便是这些微小的变化也变得愈发重要。因此，选手及其团队在对球拍进行改动时越来越有创意，以期最大限度地获取竞争优势。

球拍改动主要可追溯到 20 世纪 70 年代，当时德国业余网球选手维尔纳·菲舍尔开始使用所谓的“意大利面式穿线”球拍。这种球拍形成的线床能产生极大的上旋，以至于很快就被国际网球联合会禁用了。然而，不到一二十年，改动球拍便成了常态。如今，在许多方面，它已成为这项运动中与营养或训练同等重要的一环。

改动可分为两类：一类针对线床，一类针对球拍框。前者远比后者常见：对线材的选择以及上线的磅数，几乎是所有职业选手都会尝试调整的。他们会根据各种因素不断改变这一点，包括场地表面、气候条件以及打法风格。有些人甚至根据自己当下的手感来调整。

曾经，所有的网球拍都用天然肠线穿线，这种线由羊或牛的肠衣外层制成。这一切在 20 世纪 90 年代初随着合成线的问世而改变——合成线更便宜，也更耐用。合成线由三种材料制成：尼龙（相对耐用且价格实惠）、凯夫拉（太硬，无法单独使用）或共聚酯（聚酯与提升性能的添加剂相结合）。即便如此，许多职业选手仍在使用“混合配置”，即同时使用合成线与天然线。

在合成线中，共聚酯是使用最为广泛的。它与如今网球的打法风格完美契合——如今的选手倾向于在底线后展开对攻，而不是上网。研究表明，共聚酯线所产生的平均旋转比天然线或其他合成线高出 25%。从某种意义上说，共聚酯线的发展彻底改变了这项运动。

然而，许多选手并不满足于这些对线材的基本调整，而是进一步对球拍框本身进行改动。例如，美国职业选手皮特·桑普拉斯的发球威力，在很大程度上被归因于他在球拍上加了四到五个铅制配重；而如今，许多职业选手的配重都是在制造过程中就调整好了的。

对球拍框的其他改动涉及手柄。选手们对手柄的形状各有偏好，有些人会把一支球拍的手柄塑模到另一支球拍的框上。另一些选手则会做不同的改动。葡萄牙职业选手贡萨洛·奥利维拉把自己球拍原来的握把换成了更薄的，因为原来的握把握起来不舒服。

球拍的定制与改动已将这项运动的水平推向了更高境界——这是在使用天然线和笨重木框的年代里，几乎无人能预见的。而未来还会有怎样的进一步发展，令人期待。

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Expressions

• be ranked as the world's number one 被列为世界第一
• by any standard 以任何标准来衡量
• to name just a few 仅举几例
• be regarded as 被视为
• account for 解释；是……的原因
• have a visible impact on 对……产生明显影响
• pass more or less unnoticed 几乎不被人察觉
• consist of 由……组成
• switch to 改用；转向
• a number of 许多；若干
• be customised to 被定制以适应
• be particular about 对……很讲究（挑剔）
• go through 经历；经受
• experiment with 尝试；用……做实验
• competitive advantage 竞争优势
• date back to 追溯到
• within a decade or two 在一二十年内
• in many ways 在许多方面
• be divided into 被分为
• depending on 取决于
• climatic conditions 气候条件
• at one time 曾经；一度
• be made from 由……制成
• by far 显然；远远
• be a perfect fit for 非常适合
• battle it out 奋力拼杀；激烈争夺
• rather than 而不是
• in a sense 从某种意义上说
• go beyond 超越；超出
• make changes to 对……做出改变
• be attributed to 归因于
• have a preference for 对……有偏好
• replace A with B 用 B 替换 A
• in the days of 在……的年代

精读

每句给出三部分：成分（主干与修饰成分）、用法（值得记的搭配与语法点）、译文。

第 1 段｜引入：穆雷登顶世界第一

1. In 2016, the British professional tennis player Andy Murray was ranked as the world's number one.

• 成分：主语 the British professional tennis player Andy Murray（名词短语作主语，Andy Murray 为中心词，前面三个词作前置定语）｜谓语 was ranked（一般过去时被动语态）｜状语 In 2016｜主语补足语 as the world's number one（说明主语的身份/地位）
• 用法：be ranked as ... 被列为、排名为；the world's number one 世界第一（也可说 be ranked number one in the world）
• 译文：2016 年，英国职业网球选手安迪·穆雷排名世界第一。

2. It was an incredible achievement by any standard - made even more remarkable by the fact that he did this during a period considered to be one of the strongest in the sport's history, competing against the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, to name just a few.

• 成分：主干 It was an incredible achievement（主系表）｜by any standard 状语｜made even more remarkable ... 过去分词短语作后置定语，修饰 achievement｜by the fact that ... 介词短语作状语，that 引导同位语从句说明 fact 的内容｜considered to be one of the strongest ... 过去分词短语作后置定语修饰 period｜competing against ... 现在分词短语作伴随状语，逻辑主语是 he｜to name just a few 插入语
• 用法：by any standard 以任何标准衡量；be made more remarkable by ... 因……而更显非凡；the fact that + 从句 同位语从句；be considered to be 被认为是；the likes of sb 像某人那样的人物；to name just a few 仅举几例
• 译文：无论以何种标准衡量，这都是一项了不起的成就——而他是在这项运动史上被认为最强的时期之一做到这一点的，这一事实让这项成就显得更加非凡；当时与他同场竞技的有拉斐尔·纳达尔、罗杰·费德勒、诺瓦克·德约科维奇等一众高手，这里仅举几例。

3. Yet five years previously, he had been regarded as a talented outsider who entered but never won the major tournaments.

• 成分：主干 he had been regarded as a talented outsider（过去完成时被动）｜Yet 转折连词｜five years previously 时间状语｜who ... 定语从句修饰 outsider，从句内是两个并列谓语 entered 和 never won
• 用法：be regarded as 被视为；talented outsider 有天赋的“局外人”（圈外黑马）；major tournaments 大满贯/重大赛事；previously 配合过去完成时，表示“在那之前”
• 译文：然而就在五年前，他还被视为一名有天赋的“局外人”——能参赛，却从未在大赛中夺冠。

第 2 段｜两项变化：教练与球线

1. Of the changes that account for this transformation, one was visible and widely publicised: in 2011, Murray invited former number one player Ivan Lendl onto his coaching team - a valuable addition that had a visible impact on the player's playing style.

• 成分：Of the changes ... 介词短语前置作范围状语（= 在……之中）｜主干 one was visible and widely publicised（主系表，两个并列表语）｜冒号后 Murray invited ... 补充说明“哪一种变化”｜a valuable addition ... 是同位语，概括前面的整个动作｜that had a visible impact on ... 定语从句修饰 addition
• 用法：account for 解释、是……的原因；of + 名词 置于句首表范围；invite sb onto sth 邀请某人加入（团队）；have an impact on 对……有影响；playing style 打法风格
• 译文：在促成这一转变的诸多变化中，有一项是看得见且被广泛报道的：2011 年，穆雷邀请前世界第一伊万·伦德尔加入他的教练团队——这是一项宝贵的补充，对这位选手的打法产生了明显影响。

2. Another change was so subtle as to pass more or less unnoticed.

• 成分：主干 Another change was so subtle（主系表）｜so ... as to do 结构作结果状语
• 用法：so + adj. + as to do 如此……以至于；pass unnoticed 未受注意地过去（unnoticed 作主语补足语）；more or less 或多或少、几乎
• 译文：另一项变化则细微到几乎不被人察觉。

3. Like many players, Murray has long preferred a racket that consists of two types of string: one for the mains (verticals) and another for the crosses (horizontals).

• 成分：Like many players 介词短语作状语｜主干 Murray has long preferred a racket（现在完成时）｜that consists of two types of string 定语从句修饰 racket｜冒号后 one ... and another ... 是对 two types of string 的分解说明｜for the mains / for the crosses 介词短语作后置定语
• 用法：has long preferred 长期偏爱（long 与完成时连用）；consist of 由……组成（不用被动）；the mains 竖线、the crosses 横线
• 译文：和许多选手一样，穆雷长期以来都偏好由两种线组成的球拍：竖线用一种线，横线用另一种线。

4. While he continued to use natural string in the crosses, in 2012 he switched to a synthetic string for the mains.

• 成分：While ... 引导让步/对比状语从句（此处表对比：“虽然……却……”）｜主干 he switched to a synthetic string｜in 2012 时间状语｜for the mains 后置定语
• 用法：continue to do 继续做；switch to 转而使用；natural string 天然线 vs. synthetic string 合成线
• 译文：横线他仍继续使用天然线，但 2012 年竖线改用了合成线。

5. A small change, perhaps, but its importance should not be underestimated.

• 成分：A small change, perhaps 是省略句（= It was perhaps a small change）｜but 连接并列分句｜第二分句主干 its importance should not be underestimated（情态动词被动）
• 用法：should not be underestimated 不应被低估；省略主语和系动词的短句常用于口语化评论
• 译文：这或许只是一个小小的变化，但其重要性不应被低估。

第 3 段｜职业选手的定制球拍

1. The modification that Murray made is just one of a number of options available to players looking to tweak their rackets in order to improve their games.

• 成分：主语 The modification｜that Murray made 定语从句｜谓语 is｜表语 just one of a number of options｜available to players 形容词短语后置定语｜looking to tweak ... 现在分词短语后置定语修饰 players｜in order to improve ... 目的状语
• 用法：one of + 复数名词；a number of 许多；be available to sb 可供某人使用；look to do 打算、指望做；tweak 微调；in order to 为了
• 译文：穆雷所做的改动，只是渴望微调球拍以提升球技的选手可选择的众多方案之一。

2. 'Touring professionals have their rackets customised to their specific needs,' says Colin Triplow, a UK-based professional racket stringer.

• 成分：引语作宾语前置，主句倒装 says Colin Triplow（主语后置）｜a UK-based professional racket stringer 同位语，补充说明人物身份｜引语内部 have their rackets customised 为 have sth done 使役结构，to their specific needs 作状语
• 用法：have sth done 让某事被做/使某物处于某种状态；be customised to 按……定制；UK-based 复合形容词“总部在英国的”；specific needs 具体需求
• 译文：“巡回赛职业选手的球拍都按他们的具体需求定制，”英国职业穿线师科林·特里普洛说。

3. 'It's a highly important part of performance maximisation.'

• 成分：主系表 It's a highly important part｜of performance maximisation 介词短语作定语
• 用法：a part of 一部分；performance maximisation 成绩最大化（名词化表达，学术文体常见）
• 译文：“这是实现成绩最大化极为重要的一环。”

4. Consequently, the specific rackets used by the world's elite are not actually readily available to the public; rather, each racket is individually made to suit the player who uses it.

• 成分：分号连接两个并列分句｜第一分句主干 the specific rackets ... are not ... available，used by the world's elite 过去分词短语作后置定语｜第二分句主干 each racket is individually made（被动），to suit the player ... 目的状语，who uses it 定语从句
• 用法：readily available to the public 公众容易买到的；the elite 精英、顶尖人物；rather 相反（表转折）；be made to suit sb 为适合某人而制作；individually 逐一地、单独地
• 译文：因此，世界顶尖选手所使用的具体球拍其实并不容易买到；相反，每一支球拍都是为使用者单独制作的。

5. Take the US professional tennis players Mike and Bob Bryan, for example: 'We're very particular with our racket specifications,' they say, 'All our rackets are sent from our manufacturer to Tampa, Florida, where our frames go through a ... thorough customisation process.'

• 成分：Take ... for example 祈使句，引出例证｜引语中 We're very particular with our racket specifications 为主系表｜第二句主干 All our rackets are sent from ... to ...（被动）｜where ... 非限制性定语从句修饰 Tampa, Florida，从句谓语为 go through
• 用法：take ... for example 以……为例；be particular about/with 对……很讲究（更常见搭配是 about）；send sth from A to B；go through a process 经历一道工序
• 译文：以美国职业网球选手迈克·布莱恩和鲍勃·布莱恩为例：“我们对球拍规格非常讲究，”他们说，“我们所有的球拍都从制造商那里寄到佛罗里达州坦帕，在那里我们的拍框要经过……一套彻底的定制流程。”

6. They explain how they have adjusted not only racket length, but even experimented with different kinds of paint.

• 成分：主干 They explain｜how ... 宾语从句｜从句内部 not only ... but even ... 连接两个并列谓语 have adjusted 和 (have) experimented with
• 用法：not only A but also/but even B 不仅 A 而且 B（连接平行成分）；experiment with 尝试、试验
• 译文：他们解释说，他们不仅调整过球拍长度，甚至尝试过不同种类的涂料。

7. The rackets they use now weigh more than the average model and also have a denser string pattern (i.e. more crosses and mains).

• 成分：主语 The rackets，后接省略关系词的定语从句 they use now｜两个并列谓语 weigh more than the average model 和 have a denser string pattern｜括号内 i.e. 作解释
• 用法：weigh 此处为不及物动词“重达”；more than + 名词 比……更；denser string pattern 更密的线床；i.e. = that is 即
• 译文：他们现在使用的球拍比普通型号更重，线床也更密（即横线和竖线都更多）。

第 4 段｜改动的原因：胜负差距越来越小

1. The primary reason for these modifications is simple: as the line between winning and losing becomes thinner and thinner, even these slight changes become more and more important.

• 成分：主干 The primary reason ... is simple（主系表）｜for these modifications 后置定语｜冒号后 as ... 引导时间/原因状语从句（“随着……”），主句为 even these slight changes become more and more important
• 用法：the primary reason for ……的主要原因；the line between A and B A 与 B 之间的界限；比较级 + and + 比较级 表示“越来越……”（thinner and thinner、more and more important）
• 译文：这些改动的主要原因很简单：随着胜负之间的界限越来越细微，即便是这些微小的变化也变得越来越重要。

2. As a result, players and their teams are becoming increasingly creative with the modifications to their rackets as they look to maximise their competitive advantage.

• 成分：As a result 结果状语｜主干 players and their teams are becoming increasingly creative（主系表，进行时）｜with the modifications to their rackets 状语｜as ... 原因状语从句
• 用法：as a result 因此；increasingly + adj. 越来越……；be creative with 在……上有创意；look to do 力图做；maximise competitive advantage 使竞争优势最大化
• 译文：因此，选手及其团队在为球拍做改动时越来越有创意，因为他们希望把竞争优势最大化。

第 5 段｜历史：从“意大利面线”到常态

1. Racket modifications mainly date back to the 1970s, when the amateur German tennis player Werner Fischer started playing with the so-called spaghetti-strung racket.

• 成分：主干 Racket modifications mainly date back to the 1970s｜when ... 非限制性定语从句修饰 the 1970s｜从句谓语 started playing with ...｜so-called 作前置定语
• 用法：date back to 追溯到（不用被动）；start doing 开始做；play with a racket 用某球拍打球；so-called 所谓的
• 译文：球拍改动主要可追溯到 20 世纪 70 年代，当时德国业余选手维尔纳·菲舍尔开始使用所谓的“意大利面式穿线”球拍。

2. It created a string bed that generated so much topspin that it was quickly banned by the International Tennis Federation.

• 成分：主干 It created a string bed｜that generated ... 定语从句｜从句内 so much topspin that ... 为 so ... that ... 结果状语从句｜was banned by 被动
• 用法：so much + 不可数名词 + that ... 如此多的……以至于；generate topspin 产生上旋；be banned by 被……禁用
• 译文：这种球拍形成的线床能产生极强的上旋，以至于很快就被国际网球联合会禁用。

3. However, within a decade or two, racket modification became a regularity.

• 成分：主干 racket modification became a regularity（主系表）｜However 转折｜within a decade or two 时间状语
• 用法：within + 时间段 在……之内；a decade or two 一二十年；become a regularity 成为常态
• 译文：然而，在一二十年之内，改动球拍便成了常态。

4. Today it is, in many ways, an aspect of the game that is equal in significance to nutrition or training.

• 成分：主干 it is an aspect of the game｜in many ways 插入语｜that is equal in significance to ... 定语从句修饰 aspect
• 用法：in many ways 在许多方面；be equal in significance to 在重要性上等同于；an aspect of ……的一个方面
• 译文：如今，在许多方面，它已成为这项运动中与营养或训练同等重要的一环。

第 6 段｜两大类别：线床与拍框

1. Modifications can be divided into two categories: those to the string bed and those to the racket frame.

• 成分：主干 Modifications can be divided into two categories（情态动词被动）｜冒号后 those ... and those ... 中 those 替代 modifications，to the string bed / to the racket frame 为后置定语
• 用法：be divided into 被分为；those to + 名词 针对……的那些（避免重复）
• 译文：改动可分为两类：针对线床的改动和针对拍框的改动。

2. The former is far more common than the latter: the choice of the strings and the tension with which they are installed is something that nearly all professional players experiment with.

• 成分：主干 The former is far more common than the latter（比较级）｜冒号后主语为 the choice of the strings and the tension ...（两个抽象概念被视为一个整体，故谓语用 is）｜with which they are installed 定语从句修饰 tension（介词前置）｜表语 something，后接 that ... experiment with 定语从句，介词 with 留在句末
• 用法：the former ... the latter 前者……后者；far + 比较级 远比……；the tension with which sth is installed 安装时的张力/磅数；something that ... with 定语从句中介词后置
• 译文：前者远比后者常见：线材的选择以及上线时的磅数，几乎是所有职业选手都会尝试的。

3. They will continually change it depending on various factors including the court surface, climatic conditions, and game styles.

• 成分：主干 They will continually change it｜depending on ... 现在分词短语作状语｜including ... 介词短语补充列举
• 用法：depend on 取决于；including 包括（介词）；court surface 场地表面/类型；climatic conditions 气候条件；game style 打法风格
• 译文：他们会根据包括场地类型、气候条件和打法风格在内的各种因素不断调整。

4. Some will even change it depending on how they feel at the time.

• 成分：主干 Some will even change it｜depending on ... 状语，其中 how they feel at the time 是宾语从句
• 用法：how + 从句 作介词宾语；at the time 当时
• 译文：有些人甚至根据自己当时的手感来调整。

第 7 段｜从天然肠线到合成线

1. At one time, all tennis rackets were strung with natural gut made from the outer layer of sheep or cow intestines.

• 成分：主干 all tennis rackets were strung with natural gut（被动）｜At one time 时间状语｜made from the outer layer ... 过去分词短语作后置定语修饰 gut
• 用法：at one time 曾经、一度；be strung with 用……穿线；natural gut 天然肠线；be made from 由……制成（成品看不出原材料）
• 译文：曾经，所有网球拍都用天然肠线穿线，这种线取自羊或牛的肠衣外层。

2. This all changed in the early 1990s with the development of synthetic strings that were cheaper and more durable.

• 成分：主干 This all changed｜in the early 1990s 时间状语｜with the development of ... 介词短语表原因/伴随｜that were cheaper and more durable 定语从句修饰 strings
• 用法：with the development of 随着……的发展；durable 耐用的；the early 1990s 20 世纪 90 年代初
• 译文：这一切在 20 世纪 90 年代初随着更便宜、更耐用的合成线的出现而改变。

3. They are made from three materials: nylon (relatively durable and affordable), Kevlar (too stiff to be used alone) or co-polyester (polyester combined with additives that enhance its performance).

• 成分：主干 They are made from three materials（被动）｜冒号后并列三个名词短语｜括号内 too stiff to be used alone 为 too ... to do 结构｜combined with additives 过去分词短语修饰 polyester｜that enhance its performance 定语从句修饰 additives
• 用法：be made from 由……制成；too + adj. + to do 太……而不能；be combined with 与……结合；enhance performance 提升性能；additive 添加剂
• 译文：合成线由三种材料制成：尼龙（相对耐用且价格实惠）、凯夫拉（太硬，无法单独使用）或共聚酯（聚酯加入能提升性能的添加剂）。

4. Even so, many professional players continue to use a 'hybrid set-up', where a combination of both synthetic and natural strings are used.

• 成分：Even so 让步状语｜主干 many professional players continue to use a 'hybrid set-up'｜where ... 非限制性定语从句修饰 hybrid set-up（抽象“地点”）
• 用法：even so 即便如此；hybrid set-up 混合配置；a combination of ……的组合
• 译文：即便如此，许多职业选手仍继续使用“混合配置”，即同时使用合成线和天然线。

第 8 段｜共聚酯线为何流行

1. Of the synthetics, co-polyester is by far the most widely used.

• 成分：Of the synthetics 范围状语前置｜主干 co-polyester is the most widely used（最高级被动意义的形容词短语作表语）｜by far 修饰最高级
• 用法：by far + 最高级 显然是最……的；the most widely used 使用最广泛的
• 译文：在合成线中，共聚酯的使用最为广泛。

2. It's a perfect fit for the style of tennis now played, where players tend to battle it out from the back of the court rather than coming to the net.

• 成分：主干 It's a perfect fit for the style of tennis｜now played 过去分词短语后置定语｜where ... 非限制性定语从句修饰 style of tennis｜从句中 tend to battle it out ... rather than coming ... 为 rather than 连接的平行结构（battle 与 coming 形式不完全对称，属原文口语化表达）
• 用法：be a perfect fit for 与……完美契合；tend to do 倾向于；battle it out 奋力拼杀、一决高下；rather than 而不是；come to the net 上网
• 译文：它与如今网球的打法风格完美契合——现在的选手倾向于在底线后展开对攻，而不是上网。

3. Studies indicate that the average spin from a co-polyester string is 25% greater than that from natural string or other synthetics.

• 成分：主干 Studies indicate｜that ... 宾语从句｜从句主干 the average spin ... is 25% greater than ...（比较级）｜that 替代 the average spin，避免重复
• 用法：studies indicate that 研究表明；25% greater than 比……高 25%；that 作替代词指代前文名词
• 译文：研究表明，共聚酯线产生的平均旋转比天然线或其他合成线高出 25%。

4. In a sense, the development of co-polyester strings has revolutionised the game.

• 成分：In a sense 状语｜主干 the development ... has revolutionised the game（现在完成时，及物动词）
• 用法：in a sense 从某种意义上说；revolutionise 彻底改变（名词 revolution 的动词化）
• 译文：从某种意义上说，共聚酯线的发展彻底改变了这项运动。

第 9 段｜拍框上的配重

1. However, many players go beyond these basic adjustments to the strings and make changes to the racket frame itself.

• 成分：主干为两个并列谓语 go beyond these basic adjustments ... 和 make changes to the racket frame itself｜However 转折｜to the strings 后置定语｜itself 加强语气
• 用法：go beyond 超出、不限于；make changes to 对……做出改变；adjustments to sth 对……的调整；the frame itself 拍框本身
• 译文：然而，许多选手并不满足于对线材的这些基本调整，还会对拍框本身做出改动。

2. For example, much of the serving power of US professional player Pete Sampras was attributed to the addition of four to five lead weights onto his rackets, and today many professionals have the weight adjusted during the manufacturing process.

• 成分：and 连接两个并列分句｜第一分句主干 much of the serving power ... was attributed to the addition ...（被动），of four to five lead weights onto his rackets 修饰 addition｜第二分句主干 many professionals have the weight adjusted（have sth done 使役），during ... 时间状语
• 用法：much of 大部分（接不可数名词）；be attributed to 被归因于；lead weights 铅制配重；have sth adjusted 让人把某物调整好；manufacturing process 制造过程
• 译文：例如，美国职业选手皮特·桑普拉斯的发球威力在很大程度上被归因于他在球拍上增加了四到五个铅制配重；而如今，许多职业选手的配重都是在制造过程中调整好的。

第 10 段｜手柄的个性化处理

1. Other changes to the frame involve the handle.

• 成分：主干 Other changes ... involve the handle（主谓宾）｜to the frame 后置定语
• 用法：changes to sth 对……的改动；involve 涉及
• 译文：对拍框的其他改动涉及手柄。

2. Players have individual preferences for the shape of the handle and some will have the handle of one racket moulded onto the frame of a different racket.

• 成分：and 连接两个并列分句｜第一分句 Players have individual preferences for ...（主谓宾）｜第二分句 some will have the handle ... moulded onto ...（have sth done 使役结构，moulded onto ... 作宾补）
• 用法：have a preference for 对……有偏好；have sth moulded onto sth 让某物被塑模到另一物上
• 译文：选手们对手柄形状各有偏好，有些人会把一支球拍的手柄塑模到另一支球拍的拍框上。

3. Other players make different changes.

• 成分：主谓宾 Other players make different changes
• 用法：make changes 做出改动（change 在此为可数名词）
• 译文：另一些选手则做出不同的改动。

4. The professional Portuguese player Goncalo Oliveira replaced the original grips of his rackets with something thinner because they had previously felt uncomfortable to hold.

• 成分：主干 Goncalo Oliveira replaced the original grips ... with something thinner｜The professional Portuguese player 作前置同位定语｜because ... 原因状语从句，they 指 grips｜从句中 felt 为系动词，uncomfortable 作表语，to hold 不定式作状语（表方面）
• 用法：replace A with B 用 B 替换 A；feel + adj. 感觉……；feel uncomfortable to hold 握起来不舒服；grip 握把
• 译文：葡萄牙职业选手贡萨洛·奥利维拉把球拍原来的握把换成了更薄的，因为原来的握把此前握起来不舒服。

第 11 段｜总结与展望

1. Racket customisation and modification have pushed the standards of the game to greater levels that few could have anticipated in the days of natural strings and heavy, wooden frames, and it's exciting to see what further developments there will be in the future.

• 成分：and 连接两个并列分句｜第一分句主干 Racket customisation and modification have pushed the standards ... to greater levels，that few could have anticipated ... 定语从句修饰 levels（could have done 表示对过去的推测），in the days of ... 时间状语｜第二分句 it's exciting to see ... 中 it 为形式主语，what further developments there will be 是宾语从句（there be 句型的陈述语序）
• 用法：push sth to greater levels 把……推向更高水平；few could have anticipated 很少有人能预料到；in the days of 在……的年代；it is exciting to see ... 做……令人期待
• 译文：球拍的定制与改动把这项运动的水平推向了更高境界——这是在使用天然线和笨重木拍的年代里几乎无人能预见的；而未来还会有怎样的进一步发展，令人期待。

语法要点回顾

• 被动语态：be ranked as、be regarded as、be customised to、be divided into、be attributed to，学术与说明文体中大量使用，注意其后介词的固定搭配。
• 分词作定语/状语：made even more remarkable（后置定语）、considered to be ...（后置定语）、competing against ...（伴随状语）、depending on ...（状语）。
• 定语从句：that 从句（the changes that account for ...）、which 前介词（the tension with which they are installed）、where 从句（Tampa, Florida, where ...；a hybrid set-up, where ...）。
• 名词性从句：the fact that ...（同位语从句）、how they have adjusted ...（宾语从句）、what further developments there will be（宾语从句，注意用陈述语序）。
• 比较结构：more than the average model、far more common than、25% greater than、by far the most widely used、thinner and thinner / more and more important。
• 使役结构：have sth done（have their rackets customised、have the weight adjusted、have the handle ... moulded）。
• 固定句式：so + adj. + as to do、so ... that ...、too ... to do、not only ... but even ...。