Choosing the right string
Once you have decided on a new racket, you will be asked one more question: "How would you like that strung…?" Although some rackets come pre - strung, more often than not they are either strung in poor quality display strings or have been strung months ago, losing tension sitting in the factory or on display shelves...! Subsequently, it is incredibly important to choose the best string and tension for your game style, so to that end we've provided a brief guide detailing the four basic categories of strings as well as some key terms to remember. Ultimately there is no substitute for experience, so be prepared to try a few different strings and tensions before finding the best fit for your game.
Polyester
A type of string design where one string material, or a combination of materials, is extruded, or drawn through a geometrically shaped dye, to form a solid piece of string. Monofilament strings tend to exhibit greater durability than synthetic gut or multifilament strings of the same material, but have less power, feel, and comfort. The most common monofilament string, polyester based strings, have become softer and easier on the arm as they have evolved. These strings are ideal for players searching for durability with control and spin. The lower elasticity of these strings requires full, fast swings to maximize their performance. This is why they are generally used by intermediate and advanced players. Nevertheless, polyester-based strings have a relatively short lifespan and as such are known for losing tension fairly quickly.
Multifilament
This is a type of string design where numerous individual string filaments, usually made of nylon, are wrapped or braided into a single length of string with a urethane binding agent. Multifilament strings tend to produce more power and comfort than solid-core or synthetic gut strings, and are a preferred choice for players with arm problems. Multifilament strings are designed to mimic the performance of natural gut without the price tag. These strings provide excellent elasticity when freshly strung but lose tension quicker than natural gut.
Synthetic Gut
The most economical of the various string families, synthetic gut is a nylon-based string, typically with a solid monofilament core surrounded by one or multiple layers of smaller filaments. This construction technique provides all-around performance by combining the improved tension maintenance of the solid core while improving the feel and playability by utilizing the outerwraps. This string's performance has improved over the years, providing dynamic response and feel enjoyed by players of various levels.
Natural Gut
This is the Rolls Royce of tennis string, providing top-of-the-line tension maintenance and feel for players of all ability levels. Made from individual strands of intestines (usually from cows), this string is also one of the most expensive. Used by touring pros and club players alike, natural gut was originally extremely sensitive to water and weather changes, but modern coatings and treatments have decreased this risk. Even so, make sure to keep it out of the rain and the boot of your car...!
Hybrids
This is the mixing of two different types or gauges of string in the same racket. Hybrid stringing has become popular in the last several years due to the rise of polyester-based strings. Since these polyester-based strings are so stiff, many players have mixed them with synthetic or natural gut strings to make for a more playable and comfortable string bed, while retaining much of the poly's spin and durability characteristics. More recently, pro players are hybriding different polys, whether different gauges or stiffness ratings.
Tension
The application of force to the strings by a machine to achieve the desired playability of the stringbed. Most modern racquets will be strung somewhere between 40-70 pounds (18-32 kilograms) of tension. Typically a racket will feature the racquet manufacturer's recommended tension range somewhere near the throat of the racquet. The closer to the top of the range, the more control and less power a player will experience. A lower tension will provide more power, but also less feel and control. The middle of the recommended tension range is a good place to start on the quest for the perfect racquet tension. From the time the string is installed, it will begin to lose tension, often 10% or more within the first 24 hours before stabilizing for a time. As the tension continues to drop, elasticity also decreases, forcing the player to provide more of their own power for the same results as a freshly strung racquet. If you want to maximize your performance, be sure to regularly restring your racket and don’t leave it too long before picking up from your stringer…
The old rule of thumb has always been to restring your racket as many times a year as you play in in one week... However, this methodology does not take into account players who are playing less than once a week, and most importantly, it's not frequent enough. As a starting point, here's a baseline guide with the minimum number of times you should restring your racket within a year, NOT just waiting for your strings to break...!
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Gauges
This is the diameter of the string, commonly expressed in milimeters and/or gauge numbers (the higher the gauge number, the thinner the string, and vice versa). Thinner strings tend to provide more power, feel and spin potential than a larger diameter string of the same type, although the thicker string will provide more control and durability.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow can be a severe problem for many tennis players of all levels and age groups. The condition can be very painful to the point of driving a number of players away from the great game of tennis. To prevent this happening to you, we'll give you the run down on what tennis elbow is, how to prevent it, and ways to treat it, although ultimatey you should always consult your doctor/physiotherapist.
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What is Tennis Elbow
Also known as 'lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow occurs when a specific tendon of the humerus bone becomes irritated, inflamed and damaged. This causes pain on the outer part of the elbow. While tennis players suffer the condition most frequently, anyone who does a lot of lifting at the elbow is susceptible. Symptoms include tenderness in the outer part of the elbow, lateral elbow pain extending into the forearm, pain during movement of the elbow, especially lifting movements. Typically the pain caused by tennis elbow subsides overnight but returns when stress is applied to the elbow.
How can I prevent Tennis Elbow
The best way to prevent tennis elbow is by having good form on your strokes, especially your backhand. Poor form often causes a player to hit the ball late or off-balance, causing their arm to have to do most of the work, rather than their torso. This can quickly cause the tendons near your elbow to become overworked.
Unfortunately,m if it were easy to strike the ball perfectly every time, we would all play like Roger Federer... One thing you can do to help prevent tennis elbow is strengthen the muscles around the tendon and make it accustomed to enduring significant strain. Another option is changing the equipment you play with. The less vibration that reaches your elbow, the less likely the tendon will flare up.. Softer strings, especially natural gut tennis strings significantly reduce the amount of vibration that travels down the racket into the handle and ultimately into the hand up to the elbow and shoulder. Also larger, heavier, more flexible rackets with larger sweet spots will help prevent vibration reaching the elbow.
