String Maintenance & When to Restring
Make your strings perform better and last longer!
When to Restring
The Pro Rule
Restring as many times per YEAR as you play per WEEK
Examples:
- Play 3 times/week = Restring 3 times/year minimum
- Play daily = Restring monthly
- Tournament player = Every 10-15 hours of play
Special Rule for Polyester
Important: Polyester loses tension FAST!
- Noticeable drop after 4-6 hours of play
- Significant performance loss after 10-12 hours
- Pros restring poly before every match
Poly guideline:
- Recreational: Every 15-20 hours
- Competitive: Every 8-12 hours
- Tournament: Fresh for every event
Warning Signs It's Time
🔴 Restring NOW:
- String bed feels "dead" or has no life
- Strings have moved and won't snap back to grid
- Visible notching, fraying, or discoloration
- Control feels inconsistent
- Ball makes dull "thud" instead of crisp sound
String Care Best Practices
✅ DO These Things:
- Store at room temperature with racket cover
- Use quality balls (old balls stress strings)
- Wipe down strings to remove dirt/rubber
- Let racket breathe (don't leave in closed bag)
❌ DON'T Do These Things:
- ❌ Hot car trunk (destroys strings in hours!)
- ❌ Direct sunlight
- ❌ Extreme cold (freezing)
- ❌ Throwing racket
The Poly String Death Timeline
| Hours | Status | Tension Loss |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Fresh, crisp, excellent | 0% |
| 4 | Noticeable tension loss | 10-15% |
| 8 | Significant loss | 20-25% |
| 12 | Major performance drop | 30%+ |
| 20 | "Dead" strings | 40%+ |
This is why pros restring constantly!
