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How Often Should I Re-String My Tennis Racket ?

There is no precise answer to this question with many variables: how often you play tennis, what string you use, your skill level and the length of time the string is in the racket for and temperature. Some tennis players will notice that a racket string becomes less playable after about 20 hours of play. They start losing control and assume that the problem is their own and begin to change their game strokes to accommodate the loss of tension and elasticity in the strings. Some players will continue to play with a dead racket until a string breaks. Even if a racket is not used the strings will gradually lose tension and elasticity over a period of several weeks.

Replacing strings at the right time and at the correct tension will not only improve a player's performance but may also prevent elbow and shoulder problems.

If we take a professional tournament player, we would often string about 8 rackets up in the morning before the tournament. The professional would change his racket usually every nine games when the balls are changed. However a club tennis player may only hit the ball with a third of the power so we might assume that the elasticity in the strings might last for 27 games before feeling lifeless. Tension is lost the longer strings are kept in a racket and every time the racket is used. Most strings may need replacing every 10 to 15 hours of play.

Players must consider the type of string which is being used and the tension loss. Natural gut strings although more expensive hold their tension-elasticity better than any synthetic string. We use mostly Babolat VS Touch and Wilson Natural Gut. Most tennis strings are strung at a tension of between 50 to 65 lbs. This is the tension that the stringing machine is set to. There are variations between different types of machines and the way rackets are strung. Normally there will be 10% tension loss at the time of stringing, followed by a 5 % loss within the first 24 hours and a gradual loss the longer the strings remain in the racket. The problem has always been that the loss of tension-elasticity is so gradual that many players do not realise that their racket needs restringing.

Another consideration is a new racket, purchased online or in a sports shop. Many rackets are manufactured and strung in the Far East. By the time it reaches the player, the strings may have been in the racket for over 3 months and already need replacing. Best to buy an unstrung racket and then you will know that the strings you put in your racket are fresh.

Children's rackets are usually used for mini tennis with softer balls and strings may sometimes last for many months before they need replacing.

CHECKING THE STRING BED
With the aid of computer technology it is now easy to check the condition of the strings. Our equipment is accurate to a tenth of a pound. After we string a racket, a reading is taken from the string bed and recorded. A computer reading is made for the Dynamic Tension (DT) of the strings and recorded. Once the DT falls below 10%, the racket is ready for a restring.

Buying Antique and Collectors Rackets

The Best Rackets to Buy for Investments: These can be divided into 3 groups:
1. Rackets made before 1930. They need to be in good condition. The "Fishtail", "Bobtail" and "Fantail" racket handles are some of the most sought after by collectors. Many antique dealers suggest that any warp and the keeping of the original broken strings add to the character of the racket and during the last couple of years we have seen many of these rackets selling for several thousand pounds. If you are buying an expensive antique violin you would not expect to buy it with broken strings, and therefore if you are buying an antique racket you should also not have broken strings in it. The reason that many rackets are sold with broken strings is the expense of restringing them. It is now very difficult to obtain the original natural gut and there are very few stringers that know how to correctly string antique rackets. Whilst a couple of small string breaks may not affect the value of the racket, gaps in the centre of the racket will.
2. Wood rackets produced between 1930 to 1980. Mass produced rackets hold little value although they interesting for collectors. The famous racket is the Dunlop Maxply that was played with at Wimbledon at one time more than any other racket. They were mass produced in such large quantities that only rackets that are new or in pristine condition could be considered as an investment.
3. Modern Unique rackets that were produced in just small quantities and are very rare. There are just a small number that appear on the market every few years and usually end up being purchased by museums.
Dating: Many wood rackets are difficult to date precisely. Some rackets were manufactured and sold over a long period of time. The Dunlop Maxply Fort was manufactured almost unchanged from 1932 to 1985

FEATURES THAT AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE ANTIQUE RACKET
1. The Age Of The Racket: Older rackets are more scarce and therefore more valuable
2. Make : Is the makers name, badge, logo or model intact?
3. Wood : Check that there are no brakes or warps in the frame.
4. Stings : A 100 year old racket may have had many re-strings. Strings were normally made from natural gut and have a limited life. It is important that any restringing is kept to the original stringing pattern using the original natural gut materials and colours.

The development of Tennis

Tennis is the adaption of an ancient sport once played in Greece. It was developed by European monks when the game was played in monasteries in the 12th century. It became known as the jeu de paume with the ball being hit with the hand. The racket was introduced in the 16th century. The game continues today known as Court, Real or Royal Tennis. The game became popular with royalty and in the 1530s, King Henry 8th built a tennis court at Hampton Court Palace. In 1873 Major Walter Wingfield introduced a version of Real Tennis that could be played outside on the lawn. The game, Lawn Tennis became popular with both men and women and the 1920s and 30s were often described as the golden age of Lawn Tennis. In 1932, Dunlop introduce the iconic Maxply rackets which would become famous for 50 years. In 1976 the first graphite and fibreglass rackets gradually replaced the wood. These lighter rackets together with improved tennis balls now produce a greater velocity. However the improved technology could also be the downfall of the game. The purpose of the serve was to start the rally, but now with the high speeds of over 120 mph, the serve has now dominated the game in mens' tennis on a fast surface without a rally taking place. The solution may be to introduce a slightly larger ball with a 6% increase in diameter into the game. Known as class 3 balls by the International Federation.

What string should I choose ?

Most people put their priorities of choosing a racket first and the selection of string as secondary. Too often the string is chosen for its colour or price. It is however the string plane that is in sole contact with the ball when it is hit and therefore is of considerable importance in racket sports. There have been considerable developments in the production and manufacture of natural and synthetic strings during recent years. To start we must dispel two myths. First the name 'cat gut'. Natural strings do not come from any part of a cat. Sheep intestines were originally used, but now nearly all natural gut is made from beef intestines. Second the name 'synthetic gut' does not indicate that it will perform like natural gut, it is simply a name given by some manufactures to a synthetic string.

First their are two main choices natural gut and synthetic gut:-

NATURAL GUT
This is the choice of many professional tennis players. There is not a synthetic string that has the same performance. Natural gut has more elasticity (power) and will retain its tension for longer than any synthetic string. New improved production and coatings on natural gut has improved its durability in recent years. Whilst many companies produce natural gut, it is interesting to note from a survey produced by the U.S. Rackets Stringers Association, that the Babolat VS natural gut strings received the highest score over all other natural and synthetic strings. The main disadvantage with a natural string is the cost. The cost of stringing a racket in natural gut could cost two or three times the cost of a synthetic string.

SYNTHETIC STRING
With over 600 synthetic strings on the market it can be a bewildering choice which can be divided into a few groups. Most professional stringers keep a few popular synthetic strings in stock from each group and it is always best to obtain the best advice as to the string that is most suitable for your game. A player who suffers from an arm injury will go for a softer string and a hard hitter may decide on a thicker string with a high tensile strength.
Multifilament: This string is is made from many synthetic fibres (sometimes a few thousand). This tends to be a 'soft' string with plenty of elasticity. The string tends to stretch and loose its tension quicker than other constructed synthetic strings.
Solid Core Type: As the name suggests this is made from a solid centre core sometimes with an outer wrap of smaller fibres to protect the centre core and to retain tension. This string is more durable and retains it's tension better than the Multifilament.
Multi-Core: The centre is made from a multifilament core and sometimes with variations of outer wraps to reduce stretching and to improve durability. This is a softer playing string.
Textured: These strings are manufactured with a rough surface. Some manufacturers suggest that they give a better bite to the ball for top spin players.
Composites: Sometimes made up of a mixture of nylon and Kevlar. The strength in Kevlar is particularly good to prolong the life of the string. Many players who are constantly breaking strings may choose a string containing Kevlar.

What racket should I choose ?

There are now many superb rackets on the market to suite different types of players. Professional players tend to play with a racket with a small to medium size head and often customize the weight. Recreational rackets tend to be lighter with a larger head. Choosing a racket by holding and swinging a racket in a shop is very different to hitting a ball and could be an expensive mistake. The best way to choose a racket is to take several on court and spend a few minutes hitting the ball with each racket. Some shops allow you to do this and some good clubs arrange open days to try out different rackets. However there are other considerations to take into account including the type and tension of the strings, the type of the grip and the size of the handle. At Surrey Tennis we will be able to advise you.

Tennis-Squash Elbow Lateral Epicondylitis

Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow caused by strained muscles. You should avoid playing tennis until your symptoms improve. There is no magical cure for tennis elbow and most people who regularly play racket sports suffer from this problem at some time during their life. If the the problem causes distress it is advisable to seek help from a doctor or sports clinic. Tennis Elbow can last between 6 months and two years until the damage to the muscle repairs itself.

SOME SUGGESTIONS THAT MAY HELP PREVENT TENNIS ELBOW

Choose natural gut strings
Although more expensive than synthetic gut, this string is still preferred by most professionals. Natural gut consistently provides more power and absorbs shock during impact with the ball. Natural gut will also hold its tension for longer than synthetic strings.
String rackets frequently
Strings start to loose their elasticity and tension as soon as they are strung in a frame.
Change to a thinner string
Some manufacturers produce their string in different thicknesses. A thinner string will produce more elasticity than a thicker string and will absorb more shock. The higher the string gauge number the thinner the string. e.g. a 17 gauge is thinner than a 16 gauge.
Choose a flexible racket frames
Rackets that flex on ball impact reduce the shock load on the arm.
Choose a large headed racket
A large headed racket has a larger sweet area. A larger area of strings provide more power with less effort and greater shock absorption. Some racket manufacturers claim a staggered stringing system will also increase the size of the sweet spot.
Use as large a grip size as possible
Use the largest grip that is comfortable to play and hold the racket with.
Use a soft cushion grip
There are many new cushion grips available that can absorb some of the shock every time the ball is hit.
Use a lower string tension
This generates a little more power with less shock and vibration on the arm. (Unfortunately the lower tension can reduce the control of the ball)
Warm up gently before you start hitting the ball hard.
After a warm-up and stretching exercises, start by hitting the ball gently and gradually build up the power.
Choose a slightly heavier racket
A heavier frame generates more power and may have a larger sweet spot.
Good stroke production
Always aim to hit the ball in the centre of the strings. Hit the ball off centre, the racket will twist and add extra strain on the arm and elbow. Try to take the racket right back on ground strokes to produce more power.

We know of several tennis players who developed tennis elbow problems after they started playing badminton. The badminton stroke is different to the tennis stroke and may sometimes be the direct cause of 'tennis elbow' injury. There are many arm-elbow supports to alleviate 'tennis elbow' available from sports shops. Sometimes they may help. For players who cannot afford the cost natural gut strings, choose a soft synthetic string that is more elastic such as a multifilament. Below is a guide to string tensions, gauge and types.

STRING TENSION	POWER	CONTROL	DURABILITY	VIBRATION
Lower	Increase	Decrease	Increase	Decrease
Higher	Decrease	Increase	Decrease	Increase

STRING GAUGE	POWER	CONTROL	DURABILITY	VIBRATION
Thinner	Increase	-	Decrease	-
Thicker	Decrease	-	Increase	-

STRING TYPE	POWER	CONTROL	DURABILITY	VIBRATION
Natural	Increase	-	Decrease	-
Synthetic	Decrease	-	Increase	-

www.SurreyTennis.com e-mail: info@surreytennis.uk

Tel. Dorking 07871 552551, Leatherhead 01372 453135,

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