* TIME FOR A CHANGE OF RACQUETS? TRY A CHANGE OF STRINGS FIRST {1998}

By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT and Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo

Many people come into my store interested in buying a new racquet without ever having had their present one re-strung. I have had individuals tell me that they've had the same string for as long as NINE YEARS. They can't understand why they should re-string if the string isn't broken. For a moment, think of racquet string as a tube with a coil spring inside. When the racquet is strung, tension is put on the string, stretching this coil to about half of its ability to stretch (elongate). Every time you hit the ball, it is further stretched and weakened a little. The more you hit the ball, the weaker it becomes until it's like a pulled out spring with no ability to return to its original shape. Another thing that wears out this spring's strength is time. While under tension, it breaks down from the constant tension and no longer can give you the power it had when it was new. The result of both scenarios is potential arm problems, loss of control, loss of power and a less comfortable feel when you hit the ball.

Aside from just getting your racquet re-strung, you should experiment with all the variables associated with stringing. Most of you already know some things about the subject. Most frames have a range of recommended tensions that the manufacturer considers the optimum for that particular racquet. You can certainly use a lower tension than recommended without any damage to the frame, but stringing higher than specified can hurt, especially in the pocket, since it will void the warranty and, if the frame breaks, cause the manufacturer to refuse to replace it.
Most folks know from all the publicity recently, that lower tension increases power. This can be easily seen if you think of the string bed as a trampoline. You will bounce higher jumping on a trampoline than jumping on a wood platform.

From here, we can start experimenting. Although there are virtually hundreds of strings on the market, there are basically three different types. This will greatly cut down on the amount of experimentation needed. Let's assume you've been playing with a standard 16 gauge synthetic gut at mid-range tension. Starting from there, you can experiment in several directions to get different effects. If you have two racquets which are alike, keep one strung the way you usually like it and compare it to the second one as you try some different things. Something else to keep in mind is that the thinner the string is, the higher the number associated with it -- for example, 16 gauge string is thicker than 17 gauge.

CHANGE THE TENSION

Increasing the tension will give the racquet a stiffer feel which most people agree will increase control, although no test has ever been devised to prove this. Increasing the tension will also reduce the amount of power the racquet exhibits. A reduction in tension will increase comfort and power. Control may be reduced, but, in my opinion, this factor is highly overemphasized. Most lack of control, especially at the club player level, is a factor of inconsistent strokes, not string tension.

CHANGE THE GAUGE

Keeping the same tension, but going to a thinner string, 17 or 18 gauge, will allow the ball to bite into the strings better. This will allow you to get more spin, but will reduce the life of the strings. Power will increase slightly, the strings will feel looser, but will sound tighter when you tap them against your hand.

CHANGE THE STRING

If you keep the same tension and same gauge, a change to a different kind of string may give you dramatic results. I said there are only three basic string types. Unless you have already experimented, you are probably familiar with just one, those strings known as synthetic gut. These are a middle of the road type both in performance and price. You can go "stiff" with aramid fiber main strings (using the same synthetic gut for the crosses). This will increase string life greatly, however you will give up quite a bit of power because the stiff strings have less ability to trampoline. You will feel more shock in your arm, too. You can go "soft" with one of the marvelous synthetic multi-filaments now on the market or with natural gut. The string life may be less, but you may feel less shock in your arm and power will increase at the same tension.

CHANGE EVERYTHING

Try a "soft" string in a thinner gauge at the top end of your racquet's tension range. This should give you the benefits of reduced arm shock with a more open string pattern, but feel close to the same power you had with your standard string. Remember; your will give up some durability with the thinner string.

A PERSONAL MATTER

No one combination is absolutely "best" for everyone. Each player develops a sense of what feels right. For some people, the less trampolining they feel, the better they like it. One thing is certain -- you can get a different feel from the same racquet just by changing string characteristics. So experiment!

Copyright 1998
(Previously published, July/August, 1998 - THE LATEST RACQUET)
Vince Chiarelli, MRT, PTR
Owner, String Along With Vince