Tennis training apparatus

An exercise/training apparatus for attaching to a tennis racquet,

• wherein the tennis racquet has a racquet head including an upper side, a lower side, a left side, and a right side, the exercise/training apparatus comprising:
• a circular or ovular drag chute formed of a flexible body with a rigid member disposed around the circumference of the flexible body,
• wherein the drag chute has a plane that is substantially parallel to a face of the tennis racquet,
• wherein the drag chute has an upper side, a lower side, a left side, and a right side;
• a left clamp secured to the left side of the drag chute;
• a right clamp secured to the right side of the drag chute;
• a transverse support rod coupled to the left clamp and the right clamp, wherein the transverse support rod extends between the left clamp and the right clamp;
• an aperture formed within a central portion of the transverse support rod;
• an upper L- or U-shaped bracket configured to be secured to the upper side of the racquet head;
• a lower L- or U-shaped bracket configured to be secured to the lower side of the racquet head;
• a longitudinal support rod coupled to the upper bracket and the lower bracket, wherein the longitudinal support rod extends between the upper bracket and the lower bracket,
• wherein the longitudinal support rod extends through the aperture in the transverse support rod, such that the longitudinal support rod and the transverse support rod are positioned substantially perpendicular to each other,
• wherein the transverse support rod, the left clamp, the right clamp, and the drag chute are slidable proximally and distally along the length of the longitudinal support rod to adjust a resistance experienced by a user of the exercise/training apparatus;
• a locking mechanism that locks and unlocks the transverse support rod, wherein
• in the locked position, the locking mechanism prevents movement of the transverse support rod along the longitudinal support rod, and
• in the unlocked position, the locking mechanism allows movement of the transverse support rod along the longitudinal support rod,
• wherein the longitudinal support rod has a length that is larger than a length of the racquet head;
• and
• a coil spring in communication with the upper bracket or the lower bracket, wherein the coil spring is biased toward a position of expansion,
• whereby upon compressing the coil spring, the upper and lower brackets are disposed closer to each other and can be secured to the racquet head.