string tension

Published: 24 Sep 2012 - 01:41 by alf1956

Updated: 04 Dec 2012 - 22:34

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can anybody advise me on which tension to have when i have a re-string please?i am an average club player but i do not hit the ball hard by any means.i have been told differing tensions so i am a little confused,i have been told as as i do not hit the ball really hard to have the tension set lower around 26 as this acts as a kind of elasticated effect that will make the ball come off the raquet faster than if it was tensioned at a higher tension but then somebody else told me to have it tensioned high at around 30 & that wil give me a bit more power??any advice please ?

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From SportsTrade - 04 Dec 2012 - 22:33 - Updated: 04 Dec 2012 - 22:34

Hi Alf,

Without getting overcomplicated:

Softer strings = more power, less control

Tighter strings = less power, more control

For someone of your ability I would normally start off stringing around 26 pound for a teardrop shaped racquet, 25 pounds for a racquet with a smaller head size. Once you've played with that tension for a while you'll know if you want more control or more power. The next time you get the racquet strung you can change the tension by 1-2 pounds depending on what it is you're after. I wouldn't recommend straying too far outside the 23-29 pound range as it'll probably be more detrimental to your game rather than improve it.

As a guideline, restring your racquet as many times per year as you would play per week. You will lose tension over time and the characteristics of your racquet will change. Plus you don't want the strings breaking mid game.

Also, a quick tip for increasing your control... always have a nice tacky grip on your racquet. Old grips lose their traction (like bald tyres on a rainy day), so replace it every month or two or if your game starts to turn to poo through lack of accuracy (the racquet is probably spinning in your hand on impact).

Hope this helps.

Brett

SportsTrade Ltd

From chinuind - 20 Nov 2012 - 06:20 - Updated: 20 Nov 2012 - 06:28

I think the issue is more complex...unfortunately.

I usually take the racket manufacturer's range - I use dunlops so say 20-30lbs. Now, assuming 25lb at balance between power and control, you go up figuring how much control you want at how much loss of power. Similarly you can go down for more power for loss of control. Assuming 17 gauge as standard gauge, add 1.5lb for thicker string and subtract 1.5lb per gauge for thinner string. Then add 2lb for manual stringer, if not using electronic stringer. If not sure, go tighter rather than looser by 1-2lbs.

So in my case I am aiming for 27.5lb tension (for 50% more control than power), 17g string, plus 2lb for manual stringer, so I ask the stringer to tension at 29.5. After first week, it will play around 25-27lb. One of my rackets got strung with 18g string at 28lb and that worked great.

A lot of people talk about power and control when it comes to string tension, but I also think it is about speed of your game...if you get the ball hot and play fast, you want a tighter tension because most times you will not be taking full swings and need your racket to "react" fast. When my strings get loose (below 25lb actual), my shots get extremely wayward during a fast game...interestingly my warm up is better with looser strings (I think coz i have more time to hit the shots), but not the actual games.

I am deliberately not addressing the issue of durability because I go through strings relatively fast (hence the 17g rather than 18g which i really like)...I can break strings within 6 hrs of playtime without many mishits. I am happy if my strings don't break during the middle of a match...average replacement 3 weeks (I have 3 rackets) per restring.

hope this helped.

From alf1956 - 25 Sep 2012 - 00:43

thank you for the reply .i will try my 2nd raquet at 26 to see what its like as if it gives me a little more power that will be good as long as it doesent affect my touch game like playing the front court drops into the nick really tight as i dont want them to sit up too much if the raquet is a bit pingy !

From raystrach - 24 Sep 2012 - 19:58

hi alf1956

26lbs - more power

30lbs - more control.

new rackets are often strung at lower tension to get a better feel - quite often much less than 26.

if you value accuracy - go higher although if you are used to playing with lower tensions, the racket will feel like a board at first.

cheers

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