So, you're wondering if it's time to restring your tennis racket? Hopefully this quick guide will answer that question for you! Once you've determined that it is indeed time for a restring, know that our professional stringers would be happy to restring your racquet for you. We offer a 24 hour turnaround so you can be sure we'll get your racquet in transit back to you the same or next business day after we receive it. For local players, feel free to bring your racquet in to discuss all the options available. For our customers across the U.S., before you pack up and send your racquet to us, here are some points to consider that will help you complete our Racquet Service Form to enclose in the box with your racquet.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY RACQUET NEEDS A RESTRING?
This is a question we are asked daily. Think of it like the oil in your car. It is simply a matter of routine maintenance. Can you drive your car without ever changing your oil? To a certain point, of course! Is your car performing to its potential when you do so? No! In a nutshell, here's the scoop.
-Are your strings broken? You need a restring! (ok, no points for that one, it's a gimmie)
-Has it been over a year since your last restring? You need a restring! Whether your racquet is in use four times a week or whether it has been sitting in a closet for a year or more, racquet strings are constantly losing tension. An easy rule of thumb for non-string-breakers is to have their racquet strung at least once a year to keep the tension at a playable level. Additionally, if you play three times a week you should restring three times a year. Twice a week, twice a year and so on. Otherwise you can expect to work harder than you have to to direct the ball where you want it to go since looser strings result in loss of ball control and shot accuracy.
-Have you lost accuracy over shots you'd normally make with ease? You need a restring! When your winning shot suddenly and regularly disappears and the ball seems to have a mind of its own, it's an indication that your tension has relaxed to a point that you are ready for a restring. "Spraying the ball", or loss of ball control is the most common symptom of relaxed strings.
WHAT STRING SHOULD I USE?
If you originally paid around $75 or less for your tennis racquet it was probably prestrung when you bought it. In this case, it would have been factory prestrung at a mid-range tension for a combination of power and control. The string variety used at the factory is typically a basic 16 gauge nylon or synthetic gut, offering decent playability for most players. We offer a wide range of string options ranging from basic synthetic guts to premium strings (for better playability) or more durable strings (for longer string life).
The prices for most string, including installation range from $24 - $40 (with a few super-premium selections priced higher). Our knowledgeable Staff specializes in helping talk through the options with you, based on your level of play, frequency of breakage, desire for a certain feel or performance characteristics, or YES, even a preferred color! They will help you decide the appropriate gauge of string as well. Reminder about string gauge basics: Just like with wire, the higher number the gauge is, the thinner the string. The gauge you need is determined by how often you break strings, how much spin you hit with (or want to hit with), and so on. 16 gauge strings (thicker) are more durable than 17 gauge; however 17g (thinner) and 18g (even thinner!) are higher performing in terms of playability. Most tennis players use 16g or 17g strings. You can shop our many tennis string options here, or just stop in or call to best determine what's right for your needs.
WHAT STRING TENSION SHOULD I REQUEST?
String tension is measured in pounds. The higher the number, the tighter the string bed (the more pounds of tension the string is pulled to). Higher tensions result in a firmer feel and more control (but less power). The lower the number of pounds, the looser the string job. Lower tensions result in more power and a softer feel and consequently more comfort to the arm. The majority of today's graphite tennis racquets are typically strung between 45 and 65 pounds of tension. Each racquet is manufactured (and usually marked on the frame) with an 8 to 10 pound recommended tension range determined by the manufacturer. Call us if you want the exact range for your racquet, or ask us to string it at "mid-point" for an equal blend of power and control.
WHAT IF I MAKE A MISTAKE CHOOSING THE STRING OR TENSION?
It happens! Keep in mind that like fine tuning a musical instrument, the setup of your racquet may take more than one attempt to get it to feel and perform the way that you want. In most cases, you can play with it just fine, but may wish it felt a little softer, firmer, more powerful, etc.. Your have to start somewhere, so try our recommendations and on your next restring, we will ask the pertinent questions to help you fine tune it as you desire. Racquet stringing is our specialty and the reason we have so many returning customers! We've been doing this a loooong time and stringing is the number one service we are known for! Oh, and before you ask, no, we can't tighten or loosen your strings once installed. However, as mentioned above, string tension is fluid and will change on its own. This is why you need to maintain your stringing for optimal performance. If you are a regular tennis player, you will get to know your stringer! Because of the number of choices and your personal preferences, we do not restring for free!
DO I NEED MY BUMPER / GROMMETS REPLACED?
If your bumper guard on the head of the racquet is cracked or very worn, it is time to have it replaced. If you see cracked or missing grommets (the plastic pieces on the inside of the racquet head) that is another indication you need it replaced. The bumper / grommet set is a kit that replaces all these parts. We install it prior to stringing your racquet. Most sets run $15-20 installed. We typically inspect your racquet at time of receipt and let you know if these parts need replacing. If we do not have these parts in stock, we will apply protective bumper guard tape and or repair individual grommets as needed.
DO I NEED MY RACQUET REGRIPPED?
One of the simplest and most effective maintenance items for your racquet is keeping your grip fresh. You'll want to replace your grip at least once a season due to the degradation from sweat, spinning and gripping it! This is pretty basic! If your grip looks worn and slipping in your hand it's time for a regrip. We install a grip differently for right or left handed players. If there is a particular brand and grip model you like and we have it, we'll use it. If you'd like us to replace it similar to the factory grip, we can do that too. Just let us know your preferences. We have several tennis grips in stock including cushioned grips, textured grips, contoured grips, super tacky or super thin and flat grips! Pricing for regrips typically ranges from $12.95 to $17.95 including installation. It is essentially the price to buy the grip plus a $7.00 installation charge to have it professionally installed. Many customers like to try it on their own and that's fine; you can purchase a tennis replacement grip and do that yourself. Most like it done properly in a way it looks like a factory grip and won't slip off and those customers ask us to handle it for them. We also sell tennis overgrips. In the interest of saving money, many Players choose to purchase less expensive overgrips (designed to wrap over your slipping base grip). There is a reason tennis overgrips come in multi-packs! Remember that unless you are going to stay on top of removing and rewrapping with a new overgrip every few matches, these are not the solution for you! They are literally designed as a Band-Aid for a slipping grip....meaning temporary use! An overgrip is a thin, fast-wearing grip-aid, not a long term answer for a worn grip.
RACQUET GUARD TAPE - INSTALLED FREE UPON REQUEST when we service your racquet
This is simply a lightweight adhesive tape that we can apply across the racquet’s bumper guard (on the racquet’s head) to provide an additional layer of protection. Although a racquet’s bumper guard is a replaceable part, the tape may prolong the life of your bumper guard. To most players, the weight of the tape is imperceptible.
“BELL BAND” RUBBER BAND DAMPENER - INSTALLED UPON REQUEST when we service your racquet
Some racquets come from the factory with a string dampener to absorb string vibration, others do not. The factory ones sometimes fall out of the string bed during play and/or do not dampen string vibration very well. Our special rubber band, tied in just the right way dampens string vibration very well in any racquet and stays put! Read our blog post to learn more about String Vibration Dampening.
OUR RECORD KEEPING IS SECOND TO NONE!
Worried that you'll forget what string you chose or what tension you requested? Do not fear! We keep detailed customer records of exactly how we've strung each of your racquets, the date strung, tension, all grip work, grommet work etc. Rest assured we retain these details to make future restrings easier for you. If you have multiple racquets, we keep it under your name in our system, by the racquet! This way we can duplicate or make changes based on exactly what services we've performed on your racquets in the past. THAT'S THAT WITH THAT! In summary, yes, stringing your tennis racquet is important. It can get complicated as you have more specific needs and requests, but like anything else, you'll learn as you go and we are here to help you with that process! For the majority of our Players, it's pretty basic stuff and nothing to be stressed about. We look forward to supercharging your racquet to keep you in the game!