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The Art of Stringing a Tennis Racquet

 

Take These Broken Strings...

Image by phr3qu3ncy via Flickr

It’s a good bet that the first tennis racquet you ever used was a generic one bought in your local sports supply store, there is nothing wrong with that but in order to better your game you might want to consider what type of racquet, and just as importantly, what strings you use.

On the inside of your tennis racquet, there is an inscription of the ideal string tension for that particular racquet, and it is a good idea not to exceed that tension as it may damage the frame of the racquet, causing it to crack.

High tension strings allow for more control in your shots, as they create a less powerful rebound action when they make contact with the ball, whereas lower tensions provide a trampoline effect, allowing you to have more power over your shot. In order to find the correct racquet for you is mostly achieved through trial and error.

There are different types of strings you can use, and you can even use different strings for the horizontal “crosses” of the racquet and the vertical “mains”. The different materials used are:

  • Synthetic gut-an imitation of the cow or sheep intestine made using nylon. Strings made from synthetic gut give you good control over the ball if you don’t hit very hard.
  • Natural gut- Made from cow or sheep intestine, these strings are expensive and are widely used amongst professionals.
  • Kevlar- Good for players who like hitting the ball hard but do not hold their tension very well.
  • Polyester- the same as Kevlar. Both are stiff and difficult to manipulate making it harder to string the racquet so are generally expensive.

Some racquets are strung with both types of strings, for instance with synthetic gut for the horizontal strings and Kevlar for the vertical.

It is essential that you understand how your racquet is strung, if you watch a racquet being strung you will see that most of tension is applied to the vertical strings, whereas the horizontal strings are less tightly strung, meaning that whenever you hit the ball you should hit the ball from low to high so that the contact is made with the vertical strings, if you try and hit the ball with a left to right action you will not be able to generate as much power as you are striking the ball with the strings that contain less tension.

You can, if you choose, buy a stringing machine and string your own racquets, however unless you are completely sure what you are doing it is inadvisable. Expensive stringing machines have an in built computer that tells you the tension of each string as it is strung but unless you are a professional you are better entrusting your racquets to a professional. The professionals are able to make the tension of each string marginally different, and using a variety of scientific techniques can exactly calibrate your racquet to suit your style of play


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How To Properly Select A Tennis Racquet for Beginners

When beginning, most tennis players know little about the game itself, much less the importance of selecting the right gear before stepping foot onto the court. Purchasing a tennis racquet is typically the first step to achieving a good game. Absent the knowledge about what they are looking for can make the process frustrating if not overwhelming.

Tennis racquets come in various sizes, weights and lengths. Knowing which one will be the best fit for a beginning player is difficult to ascertain.  In order to make the process easier, most retailers will allow the buyer to test out the racquet prior to  purchasing.  Things to be considered include the following:

Grip Size: This is the part of the racquet that the hand wraps around to control all aspects of the swing. Having a grip size that is too small is okay since you can always add a overgrip to make it thicker but having one that is too big may cause control issues. The best way to test this is to wrap your playing hand around the handle. There should be just enough room for the index finger on the other hand to fit between the fingers and the palm of the holding hand.  Keep this in mind when choosing your first racquet.

Length: If the player is  around 10 years old or older, she should get an adult size racquet which is a standard size (27''). If she is a junior player, age 3-9, depending on her height and age, racquet length varies between 21'' to 26''. Keep in mind though the child's height and size is more important than their age in selecting the length. If the player is seven years old but as tall and strong as a twelve year old, he should get an adult sized racquet. 

Head Size: The bigger the head size, the more power the racquet will generate (All other things being equal). Today’s racquets are offered in head sizes ranging from 85 to 135 square inches, with the most common being 95-110.

Frame size: The thicker the racquet's frame, the more power it will generate. (All other thiings being equal)

Weight: Most rackets are around 9 ounces to 12.5 ounces. The heavier the racket, the more power you will have on your shots. However, the heavier the racquet is, the harder to maneuver it. I personally like heavier racquets since they absorb the shock more and don't transfer it to your arm.

Price: It is a big factor for most beginning players, average cost is between $30 and $200 based on skill level and exactly what the player is looking for.  A beginning recreational player can find a suitable tennis racquet at a sporting goods store for around $30, this will get them through a game with friends where no one is an accredited player. For the buyer who is looking to take tennis seriously, the average price would be around $150-$200. This allows the player to select the proper grip size, length and weight needed to adequately improve their game. 

Taking all these variables into account, the beginning player must consider each aspect before purchasing a racquet in order to get the most out of their newly acquired racquet.

Since most retailers will allow the buyer to “test” out a racquet each individual who is considering seriously playing tennis should take advantage of that.  The player must first test the grip size using the above mentioned self-test.  Second they should consider the length and weight based on their age and skill level. Finally price is always a factor, the player needs to decide on a ballpark figure before entering the store and should convey this to the retailer before beginning. Following these steps will ensure that the new player gets exactly what he or she needs to have a successful first game!

Tennis is a game of skill that is achieved through  hard work and constant dedication. However,  it is also a game of knowing how to properly select and use the equipment required.  Players who begin by purchasing gear that is tailored to them and their desired outcomes will have a much higher success rate than those using subpar equipment.  Always take the previous points into consideration when beginning.

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