Racquet Stringing

Selecting the right string for your racquet

Choosing the right string to complement your playing style, racquet, ability and bank account from the hundreds of available models available can be a difficult task. This article will recommend a variety of string types by for various players based upon three main factors; desired level of performance, necessary amount of durability and price. Although sweeping generalizations do not always apply, one general relationship between the performance level of a string vs. its durability usually exists. In simple terms, a string with a high level of playability, or performance, will usually have a low level of durability and be prone to breaking quickly. Conversely, a string that is extremely durable will most likely have poor playability, at least in conventional terms.

So, what’s the right string for you? The first issue to address is whether or not you are a frequent string breaker or not. String breakage is caused by friction which creates grooves in the main (vertical) strings of the racquet. Tennis strings Typically, players with an aggressive style that hit with a lot of topspin or slice will be frequent string breakers. If you’re someone that breaks string in less than twenty hours of play, then you would be considered a frequent string breaker. These players will need to choose from the various types of durability strings available. What if you’ve never broken a string, or had the same string in your racquet since you bought it? If you’re someone that meets this profile, then durability is not an issue for you when selecting the right string for your racquet. You’ll want to look at performance strings, which will add to the playability of your racquet giving you more power, feel and comfort.

Regardless of whether string is broken or not, it will only perform at optimum levels for about fifty hours of play. Past this point, string will lose its resilience, causing a drop in power, which in turn requires the player to hit harder to achieve the same ball speed. Many players will complain about a loss of power and control once string becomes “dead” after prolonged use. Using fifty hours of play as a benchmark, the average non-string breaking player will require a fresh re-string for their racquet once or twice a year.