how to string a tennis racket

This can be difficult with one piece of string, and impossible on some racquets. Now it’s time for the cross strings. You can also check whether the grommets are aligned more horizontally or vertically. The choice of the string material is the first important step towards the right string. In the next step you take the string in your hand and make sure that the string is not bent or knotted. And the way they get around selling you only the string is by simply factoring in the stringing cost. String a Tennis Racket. For this you need the other section of the new string, which you cut in the preparation phase. Each runs about $5. You can use the awl for support and enlarge the hole if necessary. 7 STEPS. When you’re shopping for tennis strings, the first step will be to decide … Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. … Afterwards you secure the tension with the clamp. Every tennis racquet has a stringing tension range on the frame. The tennis shop is charging you about $15 labor each time they string a racket for you. References. 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. 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). Once you have the two main strings threaded, you’ll start to pull the … Repeat this process until you have tensioned 4 mains on the right or left half. Fix the second string using the second clamp and release the first string. You can learn how to prep your racquet for restringing and how to approach the task with the proper technique. Choose your string. When you have fixed the clamp, you can release the tension and take the string out of the tensioning device of the machine. If you have an important game or tournament on the weekend and suddenly your string breaks, that’s no problem for you either. By using our site, you agree to our. The string pattern of the racket also helps you to determine the number of main and cross strings. Again you will have to hold the tension using the clamps. Patrick Carter. For more tips from our Tennis co-author, including how to choose your stringing pattern, read on! You will need the following tools and materials to string your racket: The most important tool here is the stringing machine. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. 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. You have successfully strung your tennis racket. In General, there are two possibilities. After you have pulled the end through the hole, form a loop around the respective main string. It is important to restring a racquet at least twice a year, depending on the frequency of use and your style of play. Tennis Racquet Types. Next you pull the second cross. You proceed according to the same principle as with the main strings. Pick a Type of String. The part on the bottom left is where you set the tension. Firstly, you have the possibility to choose your tennis string freely and are not bound to any manufacturer. 2: If the tennis racquet is dirty, take a damp piece of cloth and wipe of the dirt. Unlike the main strings, you start with a knot here. Stringing Machines. This tension is a measure of weight being applied to the string as it’s pulled through the racket by the stringing machine and is expressed in either kilograms or pounds. Nylon are the cheapest and most popular strings, but you can also buy polyester, Kevlar, or natural gut strings for a more professional feel. Make the same knot at the other end of the string. 3. Peter Fryer is a tennis writer and coach based in Derry Northern Ireland. He completed his professional teaching tennis qualification shortly after finishing university and has been teaching tennis for over 13 years. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 88,046 times. 2. 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. The optimum tension for the majority of people is mid-tension. However, if you play tennis several times a week, it might be worth investing a few hundred dollars in a stringing machine. Experience has shown that it is easier to pull in a string where the previous string has not yet been tensioned. Make sure that the frame sits firmly in the machine so that it does not slip when you string it. 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. Finally, cut off the excess string at the knots. It should be tight enough to stay still when you shake the grip, but not so tight as to warp the frame. You can choose from a variety of stringing machines that best fits your budget. There are many ways on how to string them, but the three main ways are the "Standard Tie-Off Knot", the "Standard Starting Knot" and the more complex but best way, the "Fishing Knot". 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. 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. Many rackets have a mark in the head of the racket to indicate the middle of the head. At a minimum, every tennis player should understand the basic trade-offs among comfort, power, control, and spin in relation to string tension. 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. We recommend that you always pull the cross strings from the racket head to the throat, i.e. Then adjust the correct string tension on the stringing machine. Start in the middle of the racket head and then cut circularly outwards. I often needed the racket back same day but I would usually have to wait several days. After the second cross is finished, you tension the string of the first cross with the machine. Cost of Strings for a Tennis Racquet The cost of strings is going to depend on a variety of factors like brand and material. 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. Cut the strings and then remove them from the racket. Tennis rackets are designed to endure intense stress and regular use. Otherwise the main strings could be damaged by friction. 4. 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. The first, and easiest, is to simply purchase a tennis racket that comes pre-strung. A logo stencil can be purchased through a tennis supply store or website. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Typically, you should avoid string polyester above 54 lbs as it is already a very stiff material. To learn more about how to string tennis rackets, check out Wilson’s racket stringing guide. This method is particularly gentle on the frame. For more tips from our Tennis co-author, including how to choose your stringing pattern, read on! For this, you have to take a look into the heart of the racquet. Take it out of the package and cut it into 2 equal length pieces. Most tennis rackets have markings (e.g. You have many advantages if you string your tennis racket yourself. 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. At this point the string is woven across the main strings. 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. A stencil marker can also be purchased in the color of your choice. These machines start at $229.95 with the Gamma Progression 200, which pays for itself in under 25 string jobs! This article has been viewed 88,046 times. You can then release the two clamps. What about the brand logo that corresponds to the racket? Make sure that you have to skip some holes, because they are used for the cross strings. The second main reason you may find yourself stringing a tennis racket is that you broke a string on your racket. If your racket has 8 holes, you start at the top of the racket head. How do I string an instinct power racket? Now you take a clamp and fix the string at the point where you started to pull it in. To prevent this, simply push the cross string down a little while you are pulling. Always factor in your racket when deciding a string tension. Now it is ready for the next match. Use string savers to extend the life of strings. If a grommet is broken, it is best to replace it. This could cause the string to break when being tensioned. 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 … Start with too much and home in on your ideal string length. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Obp4tmwRB1M, http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2013/04/18_racquet_stringing_is_two_be.html, http://www.stringforum.net/stringingguide.php, http://www.slcstringer.com/aboutstrings.html, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Unless you are stringing racquets professionally, it makes no sense to buy a stringing machine. Find a suitable hole in the frame, put the end of the string through the hole and tie the knot. Lastly, thread the last crossing strings back into the main grommets and then make sure to tie it securely at the end. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The application of force to the strings by a machine to achieve the desired playability of the string bed. This prevents your strings from going dead and ensures your racquet always offers good performance.”. Continue threading and clamping until all holes have been strung, tightening one, securing the next, and then releasing the previous string. This guide features dozens of pictures illustrating how to string a tennis racket for any player looking to learn the craft. It saves time when you break your strings and are in need to get them done quick. Pull the string ends through both middle holes of the frame. Check all strings and align shifted strings with the awl to form an even string bed. 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. In these packages the string is already cut to 40 ft. If you maintain your strings properly, your tennis racket will perform much better on the court and improve your chances of beating the competition. The recommended tension range is between 40 to 68 pounds. Since there are many different variations on the market, there are no limits to what you can do. Finish. Inspect the rubber grommets on the rim of the racquet for signs of wear and. Try to rub the crossing strings on the main strings as little as possible. VIDEO: Why tennis strings go dead; How to pick the right string; How to pre-stretch strings; 5 Spin-friendly strings; Arm-friendly tennis strings; Best tennis strings for spin and control; How to order strings; Hybrid tennis strings explained; Natural gut explained; Softer alternatives to polyester tennis string; String patterns explained You can take matters into your own hands and don’t have to look for a sports shop that is still open at the weekend. Plan for the stringing about 40 ft of string material. Continue this procedure for all remaining crosses. Ask Question. {"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":"