Tennis Racquet Stringing Tutorial

1. Choose a String: The four main types of stringmachine and a $1100 machine and there has been no
available today are Natural Gut, synthetic gut, Multi-fiber,difference in the final result which is a strung racquet
and poly. Natural Gut used to be the professionalat the target tension. What I have noticed is that the
standard but was replaced this decade by poly.$1100 machine was much sturdier, was able to string a
Natural Gut has a soft feel that is easy on the elbowsuper oversize racquet, and was easier in mounting
and wrist. It will not lose tension as much as the otherthe racquet and quicker in pulling the string to tension.
strings but breaks quickly and is the most expensive at3. Follow the Stringing Pattern: A racquet can have a
around $40 per set of string. Synthetic gut was madetwo-piece or a one-piece or both option stringing
to imitate the qualities of natural gut but priced morepatterns. The pattern indicates how long the string(s)
affordably in the range of $8 - $20 per set. Multi stringneed to be and which holes to start the main string
will have combinations of different string inter-twinedand the cross string. The main string is the piece that is
into one and are in the same price range as synthetic.looped up and down through the long length of the
Last we have the current most popular type of stringracquet while the cross is the horizontal piece that
among the top pros, poly. In contrast to the other fiberweaves from side to side. The pattern will also indicate
looking strings, poly looks like smooth plastic in texturewhere to tie off the string(s), what the tension range is,
and doesn't get misaligned when hitting the ball so youand any other special instructions. A typical racquet
won't have to fix and align them after every pointrequires around 37 - 40 feet of string and a packaged
played but it is a good indicator that they need to beset of string comes in a single piece of 40 feet. There
replaced when they do start to move. They typicallyare some two piece sets which can be two different
don't break for a long time in relation to the othertypes of string called hybrid stringing. For example,
strings. Poly string can generate tremendous amountsRoger Federer uses poly strings for the main strings
of spin and power but will lose more tension and in aand natural gut for the crosses. You can get the
shorter time than the other strings. Lately, they havestringing pattern from stringforum.net/patterns.php
been known to be rougher on the elbow and arm andNow you have everything you need to start stringing
feel stiff when hitting. The price ranges from $5 - $30your own racquets! Yes there are so many options
per set.out there and that is why it is important to string your
2. The Stringing Machine: Now that you have pickedracquet yourself. After experience in stringing, you will
out your string you need a stringing machine to mountknow the job is done right, what tension and type of
the racquet on and pull each string to the desiredstring you like, be able to save money, and match your
tension. There are drop-weight, pull, and crank types ofstring setup to your playing style or physical needs.
stringing machines. The price ranges from $125 -Read the stringing forums, stringforum.net and
$1000+. You can buy a $125 machine that will stringtt.tennis-warehouse.com, to get your racquets stringing
your racquet just as accurately as a $1000 machine.pattern and to see what other people say about
The difference is in how fast the machine enables youdifferent strings. Order a set of the ones that interest
to string the racquet and its versatility. I've used a $125you, string them up, and hit the courts.