how to string a tennis racket

How many strings are on a tennis racquet? When you have fixed the clamp, you can release the tension and take the string out of the tensioning device of the machine. Whether you’re looking for tennis racquet stringing or service on a different style of racquet, the Racquet PROS at DICK’S Sporting Goods are certified to perform custom stringing on your new purchase or restring your trusted racquet to get it back in shape. With this procedure the frame is loaded equally on both sides. To fix the string finally, you need a knot here. You could try to string your racquet manually by using a bunch of weights to maintain tension, but the result will probably be garbage due to uneven string tension, and you will waste … A small tip: Some stringing machines have an integrated length measuring device. When you have tensioned the second cross, you fix it with the clamp. Then you put the string end through the loop and pull it in your direction with the pliers. Unless you are stringing racquets professionally, it makes no sense to buy a stringing machine. You can learn how to prep your racquet for restringing and how to approach the task with the proper technique. An overview of all machines and their technologies can be found here. After you string up your racquet the first time, account for the extra you've used to tie the knots and cut a piece of the appropriate size for your racquet. A stencil marker can also be purchased in the color of your choice. Most modern racquets will be strung somewhere between 40-70 pounds (18-32 kilograms) of tension. Take one day and do the measuring and cutting for all 17 racquets. Check all strings and align shifted strings with the awl to form an even string bed. Many health clubs, sports stores, and gyms with tennis courts have string mounts they use to restring racquets at a cost, usually somewhere between $25-$50 a job. Choose your string. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Wearing the main strings before you even use them will decrease the life of the strings and the racquet. … For more power, looser strings are recommended. Firstly, you have the possibility to choose your tennis string freely and are not bound to any manufacturer. The machines themselves cost anywhere from $200 to several thousand dollars, depending on the quality. You can also check whether the grommets are aligned more horizontally or vertically. Patrick Carter. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You can use the awl for support and enlarge the hole if necessary. You can choose from a variety of stringing machines that best fits your budget. Note the order of weaving here. Plan for the stringing about 40 ft of string material. Now clamp your racket into the stringing machine. Typically, you should avoid string polyester above 54 lbs as it is already a very stiff material. If you regularly re-string your racket, a stringing machine pays for itself quickly and you can save a lot of money in the long run. 1: Get rid of the old string by taking your pair of pliers and cutting between the strings, then take them out pulling one string at a time and be careful to to cut yourself as the cut of ends of the string can be painful if they poke you. If you're going to use two pieces of string, tie the crossing string to a main string at the head, then thread it back through the big grommet on the nearest edge of the rim, proceeding as normal. Cut the strings and then remove them from the racket. CHOOSING THE RIGHT STRING TENSION. When pulling through, it is especially important that the cross string remains in motion. Tennis racquets are built to withstand intense activity on the court, absorbing sunshine, sweat, water and the force of tennis balls traveling at high speeds. You can then release the two clamps. Start in the middle of the racket head and then cut circularly outwards. This is because the tension of the strings can warp the racquet significantly, and since the throat is weaker than the head, it's better to start at the top and work down. Whenever a tennis racquet is strung, be it at the factory to be sold as a pre-strung frame, or by your local stringer, there is a specific tension applied to both the cross and main strings. Though if you are curious and have the money to splurge, you could give it a shot. It is important to restring a racquet at least twice a year, depending on the frequency of use and your style of play. When asked, “When should you restring your tennis racquet?”, Peter Fryer, a tennis pro, responded: “The general rule is to restring your racquet as many times per year as you play per week. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. TOOLS. The strings are the most important part of a tennis racquet and maintaining them will increase the life of your racquet and the level of your game. The application of force to the strings by a machine to achieve the desired playability of the string bed. This article has been viewed 88,046 times. Make sure that the frame sits firmly in the machine so that it does not slip when you string it. What about the brand logo that corresponds to the racket? Last Updated: August 1, 2020 This article will open you up to clear-cut ways. I wanted to learn to string my own racket because I was tired of being dependent on local stringers to string my racket. Cut the string at a diagonal angle, it helps the stringer when they are putting it through the grommets, and in the end when tying up knots. Most tennis rackets have markings (e.g. String a Tennis Racket. The knot is finished. Your tennis racquet is now restrung! If your tennis racket has 6 holes in the throat, pull both ends through the throat first. This might require you to readjust the length of string you initially threaded through the racquet. Pick a Type of String. After you have pulled the string ends through the holes in the frame, hold both ends with your fingers and pull the string until it is tensioned. If you do not want to deal with the hassle of stringing a tennis racket, there are some measures you can take to avoid this problem. You proceed according to the same principle as with the main strings. Fix the second string using the second clamp and release the first string. Make sure to knot it with a needle-nose plier, as this can help ensure that the tennis racquet looks good. After you have completed one half, switch back to the other half and tension the remaining strings. At a minimum, every tennis player should understand the basic trade-offs among comfort, power, control, and spin in relation to string tension. Find a suitable stringing machine. Check in the next step if all grommets in the racket frame are intact. Use the string bed cutter to cut about 5 mm away from the knots. The optimum tension for the majority of people is mid-tension. Next you pull the second cross. If a grommet is broken, it is best to replace it. To finish the main strings, only the knots are missing. I often needed the racket back same day but I would usually have to wait several days. In these packages the string is already cut to 40 ft. The choice of the string material is the first important step towards the right string. When you’re shopping for tennis strings, the first step will be to decide … In General, there are two possibilities. It's important to string the cross strings from the end of the racquet (called the head) to the bottom of the face of the racquet, close to the handle (called the throat). First look for a suitable hole of a main string. Otherwise the main strings could be damaged by friction. 2: If the tennis racquet is dirty, take a damp piece of cloth and wipe of the dirt. This machine uses 2 clamps to hold the racket but other models may have a different mechanism. After you have pulled the end through the hole, form a loop around the respective main string. Now you prepare the tennis racket. Then continue with the other half. Lower tension range offers increased power, durability, and sensibility whereas higher tension allows more control. Finally, cut off the excess string at the knots. You measure the string and cut it in the middle so that both sections have a length of about 20 ft. Find a suitable hole in the frame, put the end of the string through the hole and tie the knot. This could cause the string to break when being tensioned. This method is particularly gentle on the frame. To learn more about how to string tennis rackets, check out Wilson’s racket stringing guide. Exceptions It should be tight enough to stay still when you shake the grip, but not so tight as to warp the frame. Always try to place the clamps as close as possible to the racket frame to avoid loss of tension. Continue this procedure for all remaining crosses. Start with the vertical strings, then weave the horizontal strings under and over. It saves time when you break your strings and are in need to get them done quick. By using our site, you agree to our. The first, and easiest, is to simply purchase a tennis racket that comes pre-strung. Of course, the new stringing machine should not be missing either. The recommended tension range is between 40 to 68 pounds. After you cut off the old strings with a sharp knife, mount your racquet in the machine and thread the new strings. What tension and/or string is best for me? References. Choose a hole through which you have already pulled a string and where there is still enough space to thread the string end. Pull the string ends through both middle holes of the frame. The best way to keep tennis racquets in high performance shape is to store them properly in a cool, dry and clean place when they are not being used, and to pay attention to the condition of the strings. Typically a racquet will feature a recommended tension range somewhere near the throat of the racquet. dots) in the frame to help you find the right holes for the main strings. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. 2. Most tennis players choose a tennis racquet with great care, but many don't realize that their racquet's stringing may have a more profound effect on their game than their carefully chosen frame. A logo stencil can be purchased through a tennis supply store or website. Unlike the main strings, you start with a knot here. While it can seem even more complicated than choosing your string, there are three easy questions you can ask yourself when deciding at what tension to have your racket strung.The questions build on one … 6-point mounting systems distribute the tension on the racquet more evenly, but whatever kind of machine you're using, you need to make sure the clamps are secured on the racquet. Many rackets have a mark in the head of the racket to indicate the middle of the head. The last step is to remove the racket from the stringing machine. Start with too much and home in on your ideal string length. This guide features dozens of pictures illustrating how to string a tennis racket for any player looking to learn the craft. Tight strings allow for more touch and accuracy. How do I apply that following restringing? Repeat this process until you have tensioned 4 mains on the right or left half. If you have a reel of string, you have to measure the length yourself and then cut the 40 ft piece. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. For more tips from our Tennis co-author, including how to choose your stringing pattern, read on! If you’re in a situation where you are using a low powered racket with a high-powered string, find a happy medium. How do I string an instinct power racket? Tennis rackets are designed to endure intense stress and regular use. And the way they get around selling you only the string is by simply factoring in the stringing cost. If you play tennis several times a week paying to have $6 w… Secure the end of the string into the grip and move the rod into the horizontal position. Tighten the string by twisting the rod to the proper specifications for your racquet. Types. Use string savers to extend the life of strings. The more you play, the greater the change in the tension of your racquet strings. Again you will have to hold the tension using the clamps. Most tennis strings are sold in single packs. Take it out of the package and cut it into 2 equal length pieces. Lastly, thread the last crossing strings back into the main grommets and then make sure to tie it securely at the end. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The most economic options are drop weight machines with flying clamps (i.e., not fixed to the machine). "Helped by showing how tennis racquets are stringed, following the one- and two-string patterns.". Now it’s time for the cross strings. If your racket has 8 holes, you start at the top of the racket head. Ask Question. After the second cross is finished, you tension the string of the first cross with the machine. 7 STEPS. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Use the string bed cutter to cut about 5 … The part on the bottom left is where you set the tension. Stringing Machines. We recommend that you always pull the cross strings from the racket head to the throat, i.e. We would recommend picking a tension 1 or 2 lbs more than mid as rackets lose tension fairly quickly. Nylon are the cheapest and most popular strings, but you can also buy polyester, Kevlar, or natural gut strings for a more professional feel. Finish. Now pull the other end of the string through the first hole of the cross string. Cost of Strings for a Tennis Racquet The cost of strings is going to depend on a variety of factors like brand and material. These are small platelets inserted into the strings where they cross to prevent wear on strings. You will need the following tools and materials to string your racket: The most important tool here is the stringing machine. Since there are many different variations on the market, there are no limits to what you can do. Every tennis racquet has a stringing tension range on the frame. Make sure that you have to skip some holes, because they are used for the cross strings. This prevents your strings from going dead and ensures your racquet always offers good performance.”. If the cross string of the previous sheet runs at a point under a main string, the cross string of the following sheet must be pulled through above the main string. You then pull the string through the next hole, tension the string and fix it with the clamp. To prevent this, simply push the cross string down a little while you are pulling. If you have a powerful racket, string higher in order to dilute some of the racket’s power and maintain control of the ball If you have a low powered racket, try stringing a little looser. You will know how to string a tennis racket with the correct techniques at the end of the read That’s why we have created this detailed tutorial for you, where you learn how to string your racket step by step. Now you start with the stringing of the main string. In the next step you take the string in your hand and make sure that the string is not bent or knotted. While the frame of the racket is robust in its own right, it is the strings of your racket that are the most important element. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 88,046 times. It depends how big the tennis racquet is; a child's would be about 36 strings, while adult racquets vary from 48 to about 60. Lots of heavy hitting top spin players love closed string patterns because their tennis racket can withstand the force of their shots. Now take the other half of the string and tension it with the machine. If you have chosen hybrid strings, check which of the two strings is used as the mains and which as the crosses. Pulling the Main Strings. String tension, how tight or loose the strings are pulled in the frame, is just as important as what string you use in your tennis racket. The tensioned string is fixed with the second clamp. However, if you play tennis several times a week, it might be worth investing a few hundred dollars in a stringing machine. You have many advantages if you string your tennis racket yourself. Set the tension measurement on the stringer accordingly and play with different tensions to learn what works best for your style and racquet. For this, you have to take a look into the heart of the racquet. If stringing as a hybrid (half poly/half multi), string the polyester 2 lbs below the multifilament. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/String-a-Tennis-Racquet-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-String-a-Tennis-Racquet-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/String-a-Tennis-Racquet-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1350160-v4-728px-String-a-Tennis-Racquet-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"