While tennis may not be the most popular spring sport, there is no doubt that it is still one of the most popular sports in the world. Whether you’ve gone to the park when it’s nice out to hit the ball around with friends or played competitively, we can all agree that there’s just something about tennis that immediately puts a smile on our face.
It’s one of the few competitive sports that you can participate in by yourself or with a partner, or even both. You can practice hitting balls against a wall by yourself and even make use of a machine to help you get better at returning those high velocity serves.
But just like other sports, having the proper equipment is going to help you to get better and rise above the competition.
You don’t have to have the best racket or the best shoes, but having equipment that is set up for success is going to help you elevate your game to the next level.
Knowing how to properly string your tennis racket is an important part of the sport. While you may never have to do it personally yourself, knowing how it’s done and what is required to do it, will give you a better appreciation for the sport that we love.
Why Should You String Your Tennis Racket?
Over time, tennis racket strings lose their tension, which can affect the performance of the racket. A racket with loose or worn strings will not be able to provide the same level of control or power as a racket with tight strings.
Stringing your racket regularly can help maintain its performance and ensure that you can play your best without injury or problems.
How to String Your Tennis Racket
When it comes to stringing your tennis racket, the one thing you should know is that it will require the help of a stringing machine.
Since the tension on the string is so high it would be tough to string your racket without the assistance of a stringing machine.
Depending on how often you play tennis will determine whether it’s worth it to buy a stringing machine, which can range from $200-1000 dollars. But if you don’t play that often, or are members of a tennis club or gym, you may have access to one already for a smaller fee.
Remove the Old String
Before you can do any of the steps below, regardless of finding a stringing machine or not, you’ll need to remove the old string from the racket.
You can do this by taking a knife and carefully cutting the strings and removing them from the racket.
Measure out the String
Once you have access to a stringing machine, the first thing you’ll want to do is measure out the amount of string you’ll need.
You’ll want to cut about 40 feet of the new string which should be enough string to cover the racket head.
You always want to cut off a little more than you’ll need, as you don’t want to run out before you get finished.
Determine The String Pattern
There are two different ways you can string your tennis racket, the one string pattern and the two-string pattern.
Once you have your racket mounted on the stringing machine, you’ll need to determine which pattern you’d like to use.
- One String Pattern uses a single piece of string for both the horizontal and vertical strings.
- Two String Pattern uses a different piece of string for the horizontal and vertical strings.
One benefit of the one string pattern is that it can provide a more consistent distribution of the tension on the strings, which can improve performance and feel.
The two-string pattern can result in uneven tension and less consistency across the string bed; however some players prefer the feel of the two string pattern.
Overall, the pattern you choose is up to you. Use whichever you’re used to and comfortable with.
Start with the Main Strings
When you start the stringing process, you’ll want to make sure you start with the main strings, which are the strings that run through the middle of the racket from the top of the head to the throat (handle). You’ll go up and back vertically until you complete the mains and then you’ll want to tie a knot at the end to secure the tension and then cut off the excess string.
If you’ve never restrung a tennis racket using a stringing machine it’s best to watch someone do it first in order to get the hang of the full process.
String the Horizontal Crosses
Now that the vertical mains are strung, you’ll begin to string the horizontal cross strings. These strings will run perpendicular to the main strings and will be weaved over and under each of the main strings as you go across.
Make sure you’re applying the same amount of tension to the cross strings as you did the mains, and then tie off the cross strings once you’ve completed the whole racket.
The last thing you want to do is ensure that the tension on your racket is within the specs for that racket. Typically, rackets will have tension measurements printed on the racket themselves, usually between 50-70 lbs. You can adjust the tension of your racket depending on your play style.
Importance of Stringing Your Tennis Racket
Ensuring that your tennis racket strings are tight and in good condition can impact your game. Broken or loose strings will cause you to have less power when hitting the ball and can also affect the accuracy of your hits.
Having the proper equipment, and equipment in good shape, can help improve your game and provide more control over your hits. We suggest checking your strings often if you play tennis a lot. If you only play a couple times a week, then checking the strings every 6 months should be sufficient. However, if you notice any broken or loose strings, you should string the racket immediately or you could damage the racket, and also hurt yourself if things decide to snap at the wrong time.