Many thanks for your comments. I can only echo your thoughts here – all the scenarios have happened to me. I refused to string the racquet at high tensions too which was met with a rather disgruntled look.

We do need to continue to remind players about these simple things. The “yours is bigger than mine” attitude is rife amongst younger players. They’re being lead by the rediculous comments on some forums about string tensions.

One guy wrote to me recently who was a beginner and his coach had recommended 27lbs tension in his racquet. Could you imagine that happening here. It’s worse still if they’re learning with plastics.

I know of too many players who have suffered injuries because of poor technique and high string tensions.

Rich, I’m looking forward to meeting you in September at Lilleshall.

To your success

Paul

Just scanning through your blogs, some good reading and points raised.

The thoughts on stringing tensions, rights and wrongs is one I am often confronted with as I restring rackets for a few local clubs I play in, trying to get players to understand what’s right for one isn’t for another is like trying to get blood from a stone. Playing at a half decent level Div 1, with and against county players I am at a level where I play with 24lbs with nano95, this has taken years and lots of trial and error as you say to find its what works for me. But when I go and play at clubs with players of a lower standard (no offence to anyone) they all ask me to sting their racket the same as mine as if this is the reason I can hit the ‘Big winning smash’ or the ‘how did you do that net shot’.
As a lot of these players play with plastics as a norm they cannot understand why I always say you’ll be much better off with the good old BG65TI as this will last you and don’t consider anything above 22lbs. And as I think you say when I pull out an old racket I have strung with bg65 at 22 to play plastics with the looks I get as if I am trying to show them up or something like I can beat them with ‘any old bat’ just goes to show the serious misunderstanding in this very important part of preparation to play in my opinion any way.

Hope I haven’t rambled on too much I just feel players need to have a better understanding of what they are asking for against what they think they will gain when asking for a restring.

I have only ever turned down a job to restring when a customer asked for 30lbs on a racket when I checked on the frame it stated recommended 18 – 22 lbs I said I wouldn’t risk it.

Rich

Great questions!

As you improve your needs will change. When you’re consistently timing the hit, then a large sweet spot on your racquet isn’t required. Your swing speed may only change a little but your technique will determine whether you’re ready to test another tension.

I’d suggest increase in increments of 1lbs so, depending on how often you play, and your budget, will determine the number of restrings/tests you’ll do in a year.

What you will find is that your technique will improve again as the racquet gives you more control.

If you know what tension is in your racquet now, then that’s your starting point. A decent stringer will ask a lot of questions about you and your wants prior to stringing your racquet. They will also advise you on string choice and tension. Make sure you tell them whether you play with plastic or feather shuttles as this should colour their decision on tension considerably.

Start off low. If you’re playing with feathers and you’ve never had your racquet strung before, then I’d ask for 20lbs tension. Most racquets are strung at a lower tension than this so you should notice the difference.

Eventually you will reach a point where the next tension increase doesn’t give you any more than you already had. It’s then a matter of preference whether you choose the lower tension or higher tension. Most players tend to choose the higher tension on the basis that they don’t want to take a step backwards. However, if you feel the lower tension is more preferable, then go with it.

Hope this helps.

To your success

Paul

Based on what you wrote, can I assume that as I improve as a player, I will then gradually prefer to string at a higher tension? Or is it dependent on some aspects of my improvement, e.g. swing speed and technique?

Is it also better to start low to high when looking for my optimum tension? And if I’m in undecided between 2 number, should I go with the lower one?

Cheers.
Thomas

Thanks for your message.

You’ve raised so many important points. Interesting that you had a shoulder problem and then reduced your tensions.

I’ve been stringing racquets for over 20 years and have catered for beginners to European and National Doubles Champions. I’m also a member of UKRSA (UK Racquet Stringers Association.)

If a player asks for a higher tension than the manufacturer recommends, then I’ll do it, subject to them signing a waiver. After all, the risk to me of stringing the racquet is high as the frame could shatter on the machine. I could get a splinter in my eye, be permanently blinded or temporaily lose my sight whilst the splinter is being removed.

Or, the frame may break and the player expects me to buy them a replacement racquet. Whilst I don’t want to gain a bad reputation, I won’t budge on this one.

Neither scenario is good. However, a stringer, if they accept the job of re-stringing a racquet, then they should fulfill the players request for string type and tension.

What a stringer must offer is consistency. There are so many variations on technique and stringing machine. 30 lbs on an electric machine should be pretty close to 30lbs on a different type of machine if they are frequently calibrated.

There is always a loss of tension (around 10%) from when the racquet is strung. Some stringers allow for this and therefore string slightly higher in order to give you a “playing” tension. Again, as long as there is consistency, you should be fine.

Many stringers I know keep detailed records of your racquet, string and favoured tension. This way, if you choose to test, they should be able to discuss the results with you.

Personally, I’d ask the stringer of your choice for transparency. You need to know whether they string at your required tension or make certain allowances. I don’t make allowances, I just string at the stated tension.

If a player asks for a tension that i think is high, I ask them what has prompted this decision. I then explain all the dangers to them. If they still want to go ahead, then I’ll get the waiver signed and do as they request.

When they receive the racquet, I’ll also ask them to keep me informed how it’s playing and whether they are suffering any aches and pains.

I haven’t had cause to turn anyone away for asking the impossible e.g. 31lbs and they only play with plastic shuttles. Thankfully, my clients have listened to advice and tested what’s right for them.

Most of the league players I string for still have their racquets strung under 22lbs. There are county players whorequire higher tensions, but most league players are very happy with their racquets at these tensions.

Very few suffer from tennis elbow or shoulder injuries.

All strings continue to stretch. There is a point where they break through normal wear. Other than that, a mis-hit is the usual cause of a break.

Yonex BG65Ti is a very good string and my personal favourite. Many players, non Yonex included, use BG80 which is thinner. If you play frequently (more than once a week), then you should have your racquets strung regularly.

A racquet strung in February will have lost considerable tension by now. If you do play more than once a week, then I’d suggest it is worn out and needs fresh strings.

Nic, I hope this helps a little. There are always players, like you who have found that they prefer highly strung racquets. I’m OK with that.

My article was meant to warn players of the dangers of listening to others and assuming more power is gained through higher string tension.

You’ve opened up this discussion very nicely by commenting on the frustrations a player can have when dealing with stringers that don’t seem to make the grade in terms of customer service (i.e. giving the customer what they want).

How often should you have your racquet re-strung? That depends on you. If you ever went behind the scenes at tennis tournaments, you’d see that players had their racquets re-strung every day! That’s how fickle or precise they are about their required tension in their racquet.

It would be interesting to find out how often the top badminton players have their racquets strung. I’m meeting up with the stringer from UK Nationals, so will ask him how often players returned for restrings when there didn’t appear to be anything wrong with their racquet.

Nic, keep in touch and let me know how you’re getting on. As I said before, have a good chat with your stringer and perhaps tell them what you expect from them in return for your custom.

Best wishes

Paul