Racquet Stringing
Tennis, Squash, and Racquteball Stringing
Stringing is the most important service you will ever purchase for your racquet. After all, no strings means no play. But not all strings are created equal, and not all stringers take enough care while putting them in.
Getting your racquet strung by a certified Master Racquet Technician ensures not only that you will have consistent, high-quality installations, but that you will have the best strings for your game as well. You wouldn't have just anyone put just any parts in your car, so why treat your racquet that way?
Not sure whether you need your racquet strung? If you answered, "Yes," to any of the following questions, it's time to come in.
>Has it been more than 3 months since you've had it strung?
>Do your strings feel mushy or dead when you hit the ball?
>Do you have tennis elbow?
>Do you want more spin?
>Do you want more power?
>Do you feel your strings aren't giving you what you need?
Want to know more? Browse the educational section below and become a more savvy consumer.
**Is your tennis facility struggling to keep up with the racquet service demands of your patrons? If so, contact me about subcontracting stringing and other services.
Stringing Education
Ever wondered how much goes into stringing a racquet? More than you think!
Fact or Fiction?
I don't need to get my racquet strung because I haven't broken my strings yet.
Fiction. Strings in a racquet are pulled at tremendous weights. The strain caused by this causes the strings to lengthen over time. This phenomenon is referred to as "going dead," and "losing tension." The longer these strings become, the more they lose their initial characteristics, and their performance starts to deteriorate significantly. A general rule of thumb is to get your racquet strung as many times per year as you play during a week. Obviously, that changes based on a litany of factors, but that is a good starting point.
There is nothing I can do about my tennis elbow, so I just have to tough it out.
Fiction. Tennis elbow can be caused by a number of issues, most often in conjuction with one another. However, the first step in trying to solve this problem is changing your strings. The first question I ask the people I see wearing an elbow brace is, "May I see your racquet, and how long ago did you have it strung?" Too often these people say, "A long time ago," and they have a polyester string in their racquet. There is no worse combination for people with tennis elbow! Before you go seek out more expensive solutions or quit the game, stop in and have your situation evaluated. A simple string change may be the solution.
It is best to have your main and your backup racquet strung at the same time.
Fact. Because strings lose tension over time, having all of your racquets strug at the same time helps to minimize the differences between them. Alternating racquets on days you play also helps to keep them as close to the same as possible.
I have a string I like, so I don't need to look at anything else.
Fiction. There are many strings out there from which to choose, and part of what tennis enthusiasts enjoy is the experience of playing with different strings in their racquets. Now, it is not smart to be adventurous two days before a tournament, but trying new strings can be rewarding. Who knows? You may end up with a new favorite! In fact, I have an extra racquet in my bag just for the purpose of trying new things without messing with my backups.
String Types & Tension
Multifilaments: The strings of comfort and power.
Multifilament strings are the softest strings on the market, second only to natural gut. Composed of up to thousands of individual fibers that are often finer than human hair, these strings are the best friend of those suffering from tennis elbow who cannot afford natural gut. With power and comfort comes a comparative lack of durability. Hard hitters generating a lot of spin will rip through these strings like a hot knife through butter if they are installed in the mains. These strings are best suited for those who do not strike the ball aggressively, and these players will find no durability problems with these strings.
Polyester: The strings of spin and durability.
Obviously, polyester strings are made of polyester. However, these strings are solid in construction, making them much more durable than other strings. Also, this is why these strings are often referred to as, "monofilaments." This single-piece construction has also allowed many manufacturers to shape the string in order to give it more "bite." Because they are much more rigid, they generate much more spin than multifilament strings, but this benefit does not come without costs. First, these strings are much more harsh on the player. Therefore, those with elbow problems are advised to steer clear. Also, for this benefit to be realized, the player must maintain high racquet head speeds, which may be difficult for less experienced players to do.
Tension: The extra variable.
After all this talk of string types, you thought you were done. Nope! The topic of tension still remains. The basic rule of thumb here is lower tensions mean more power, and higher tensions mean more control. Without getting into too much detail, you will be well off as a player if you grasp that basic principle.
When strings are pulled at higher tensions, it increases what is called their dynamic stiffness. When lowering tension, the dynamic stiffness decreases. The lower this stiffness, the longer the ball is in contact with the strings. As contact time increases, so does power, feel, and the upward trajectory of the ball when hitting topspin. As it decreases, so do all these other factors.
Still unsure about what you need?
All of that information is a lot to take in, and we just scratched the surface! If you are still unsure about what is right for you, contact me, and I will get all of these moving pieces lined up in a way that is tailored to you.