 String Basics
Recreational players should have their racquets restrung as often yearly, as many times as they play in a week. If you average playing twice a week you should have your racquet strung twice a year. If you play three times a week you should have your frame strung three times a year. Another rule of thumb is you should have your racquet strung after 40 hours of play. There has been controversy over the years but you get slightly better control from a tighter string bed and a more comfortable feel and a little more power from a looser string bed. During the US Open Jim Courier and John McEnroe talked extensively about the Luxilon Big Banger strings. He even quoted Andre Agassi "these strings should be illegal. Everyone should use them or no one." Co-Poly or Polyester strings are stiffer, give you more spin potential and control. There are s everal manufacturers of polyester strings but the most popular among touring professionals is Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power strings. While Couriers' statements were true, polyester strings have a tendency to go flat quicker than synthetic guts. Professionals get their racquets strung a lot more often than recreational players, so they get the responsiveness from polyesters that recreational players, over time will not. When I strung at the US Open in 2004 I strung 301 racquets. One was with synthetic gut, One with a Kevlar blend, five all gut and all the rest were with all Polyester, Polyester/gut blends or Polyester/ multifilament blends. The next time you string your next racquet blend the polyester with a multifilament string. Put the polyester in the mains and the softer string in the crosses. Consult your racquet technician!
Chuck Hakansson
Georgia Tech Racquet Technician
Manager, Racquet Stringing Services @ Dicks Sporting Goods
Visit www.dickssportinggoods.com
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