As tournament season approaches, it is important to make
sure that not only is your game ready but that your equipment
is ready as well. I think one of the most overlooked pieces
of equipment is the string you select for your racquet. A
player may agonize for weeks deciding which new racquet to
buy and then give no thought at all about which string to
select. Most players just drop their racquet off and say
"string it." The string and stringing tension you select are
very important and should not be taken lightly.
There is old saying that you should have your racquet strung
as many times in a year as you play in a week. So, if you
play 2 times per week, you should have your racquet strung
twice each year. Today's strings are much more durable and
can withstand the pounding they take in the longer and wider
racquets. But today's strings also provide more feel and
can really play a big part in how your racquet performs.
I've had customers that even decided against buying a new
frame after they saw the improvement with a new string job
in their old racquet.
Multifilament strings, also referred to as soft strings, are
the new rage in the industry. They allow more stretching of
the string bed and gives more of a forgiving, spongy feel.
This can be a real blessing for those that suffer tennis
elbow. There are so many types and brands of strings out
there that you have quite a choice. There are braided
strings, solid core strings, hybrid strings, etc. The
tension you select is also very important. A higher tension
decreases the power coming off the strings and usually
provides more control. The opposite is true for lower
stringing tensions, as they will give you more power and a
softer feel. That is one reason that the "soft" strings
have become so popular - you can get the soft feel without
lowering the tension.
Each type of string is unique and I would encourage you to
talk to your pro or stringer about which string is best
suited for your game. Take time to learn about strings and
how much better a new string job will make your racquet feel.
After all, the strings the thing that is making contact with
the ball, so give some attention to this important part of
your equipment.
