Is the WRONG string tension causing you to miss shots?

[@nicolasrivero3027]

I am something like a 4.5 or 5.0 in the US classification. I still remember one tournament match, first days of hot summer. My rackets were all strung at 48 lbs, I was used to colder days. Now at this temperature my shots were flying and I could not get the ball in the court, I was not sure what I was doing wrong to be playing so badly. I lost 6-4 the first set and was losing 2-0 the second. I had bought a used racket strung at 53 lbs, I decided to change to it and the difference was day and night, I ended up winning that match relatively easy after that. I will never forget this day. It is not the same to play in a cold winter night than a hot summer midday. Equipment is very important guys, Rafa probably would not even be in the top 100 using Delpo's racket. Just my experiencie, greetings from Argentina

[@SilverBloodedOne]

Needed this message. Started becoming obsessed with the technicalities and specifics of equipment, which are important. However, I began to dedicate entirely too much time on the said specifics instead of actually working on my game/technique. Great vid.

[@TennisHacker]

Perfect. Glad it helped 👊

[@michaeldeangelis1225]

Nice to hear your humility and humbleness. You are so right about string tension vs technical ability. I was goofing around with hybrid stringing but the next string job will be just bangers for durability.

[@TennisHacker]

I've had my backside kicked enough times to know there are lots of people better than me :-) That's the way to go, make em last!

[@vansanavongphakdy2599]

I couldn't agree with you more. I've been playing for a long time and am finally at the 4.0 level and I can honestly say that string tension doesn't effect my game. I string my poly by myself at 50 lbs until and play it until it breaks and then I grab one of my backups and play with that until it breaks. Both a string at 50 lbs same racket. Can't tell the difference the entire time and ball pace and trajectory remain the same. Maybe I'll notice something when I get to the 4.5 lvl. I also want to say that I really enjoy your videos and they have helped me incredibly through my tennis journey. Thank you and please make many more!

[@TennisHacker]

Thanks, glad you enjoy the videos 😀

[@errorcode1133]

It is not really about making a "better player" but more like a "happier player" that enjoys every shot. I believe one has a mental image of an ideal ball contact. Racquet model, weight, balance, string type and tension, even dampener largely contributes to this feel. It may even somewhat influence the technique I would think, at least it may shift one's focus from distracting things to making a perfect contact with the ball because it feels good. Regarding the string tension, for poly strings if you wait at least a day after stringing, tension naturally drops and later does not change that much during the play and you can use strings for longer (which may be weeks for amateur players). On the other hand, pro's usually use freshly strung racquets (feels a tiny bit better) and of course feel huge difference already after few games.

[@PrecisionPointTennis]

Super excellent. Thanks so much - I’ve been using the same strings for 5 months (2 hours a day) and they’re loose now but I have adapted

[@bizjakboris]

I hate trampolin effect. I don't understand why my stringers don't string at requested high tension I ask them. It's always much lower than I ask.

[@TennisHacker]

Time to find a new stringer 😀

[@matmac888]

Loving the classic 2012 pure drive, I have the Andy Roddick plus model, great racquet !!!

[@TennisHacker]

Thanks, i had to finally retire them 😂 if they still made that model i be back immediately !

[@dkrawk8309]

String tension is crucial difference

[@gkinghsmith9352]

There is some truth to this message and some not so sound advice. My view point here is that I string racquets for my friends. In each and every case, I can watch them play and then get their feedback on what they feel and what changes to make next. In all cases they're enjoyment and results are improved when we make changes. Sometimes to tension sometimes with string sometimes with guage. In the end, I believe the objective for a player is to have 100% confidence that the balls going where they intend it to go and when a player has that confidence the results are maximized. That said you have to play with what you have and do the best you can with it, but if it's off then it's not optimized. To me there is more variation in string than the racquet, my opinion is string is like the tires on a race car and the racquet is like the engine.

[@joelintl2226]

I learned to string my rackets with less than 40 lbs and be happy about it. Just for comfort, because the poly felt harsh otherwise. So yes, I too am not worried about tension, but having a fresh poly string makes quite some difference .

[@gpcgeno]

Amen. Thanks for the message!

[@GreenTimYoung]

Agree that intermediates shouldn’t obsess, but some good advice on string tension would be good.

[@TennisHacker]

Yeah, if people enjoy the tech thats great. But hoping that the string will fix technical issues is a bit miss guided i feel.

[@CH-yp5by]

I could not disagree more, to suggest that you only need to worry about your string tensions at a high level is ludicrous, if you had that attitude you would get am injuries in no time. The most common mistake that beginners or intermediate players have is not learning about strings and getting an injury because they got stiff strings with a high tension on a stiff racquet got hooked on tennis and started to play regularly only to end up with tennis elbow.

[@TennisHacker]

People can get tennis elbow for a variety of reasons, it's very rarely "because" of the strings. So think we'll have to agree to disagree.

[@AndreNatal]

I hit my forehand with a very strong topspin and was playing with 57lbs and my arm won't last two matches in a row. I then brought my racquets to a different shop and the pro asked: this is too much. Don't your arms hurt? He was on point, and said: switch to 53. It's been 14 months and never had an arm issue anymore

[@wijn_za]

lol.. got directed to this video from a website about string tension on acoustic guitars.

[@TennisHacker]

Hahahahaha. I imagine the tension on a guitar is pretty important.

[@TennisHacker]

Have you fallen into the trap of focusing too much attention on things that aren't really holding you back?

[@LiamApilado]

Big thumbs up 👍

[@NickNeras]

Like it Good stuff Thank you

[@repriser9876]

Wrong! String tension does affect your game. You say no because you don't understand and not at that level.

[@danschannel169]

Great vid.... the whole technical world and noodling gets you nowhere. Drills & Mindset is far more beneficial.

[@manro8]

Ridiculous, if your game suits a certain set up and gains you the confidence to play at your level that’s exactly what you need. Suggesting pros are the only ones that care about this? Have you seen there level drop if there tension is wrong, I have it’s a huge impact on anyones game, but why don’t they all use the same set up then? By your logic the better player will win? Such backwards thinking, I know when my tension drops too low I can’t control the ball the same or have confidence in my game, your suggesting I should change my whole technique to suit the equipment as apposed to just getting it strung at my desired tension. I agree tactics and technique are hugely important however to disregard simple adjustments like string tension and strings as not important really isn’t helpful at all! every tennis player should optimise there equipment to get the most fun, enjoyment and confidence in their game

[@TennisHacker]

Of course string tension has an impact, but I think you missed the point of the video. The point is that a lot of players focus on string tension and blame it for things that it doesn’t cause. People spend hours researching the right string, but don’t have time to work of fitness and flexibility etc.

[@fingersm]

Probably beat u?? 🤣

[@TennisHacker]

Until I play Djokovic, it's a question we just don't know the answer to 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@fingersm]

@@TennisHacker 🤣 Jelena?

[@TennisHacker]

She’d probably kick my #ss too 🙃

[@sinand881]

Do not listen to this guy, strings, and tention of your strings makes a huge difference in your tennis and your arm health as well as your racket!!!That's the reason that pros turn up to a game with upto 12 rackets freshly strung. Bad strings, a racket that's not suitable to you and your game can destroy your progress and crush your confidence.

[@TennisHacker]

Nobody watching this channel is a professional tennis player. This video is directed at players that overly obsess about there racket set up and blame it for everything. The reality is if you took 2 players, one better than the other. Then you got them to play with their own racket, each others racket and both with the same rackets, the better player would still win every time. Of course a high level player can feel the difference in racket and string tension, but most players would improve more by focusing on improving basic things like strength, flexibility and vision.

[@yangao2598]

Things are not black and white. Of course a much better player can win vs a weaker player no matter what racket or string he/she uses. Player needs a suitable racket at minimal the weight (the max weight you feel comfortable swing), reasonable string tension (I reduced the tension by 2lb and liked the new tension), the string (esp if you have tennis elbow). Of course equipment itself does not replace the critically important of technique (eg contact point at front, prep early, etc.). The recreational players I know, we are quite ‘serious’ of tennis, to play at least 2-3 times/week, take lessons, join drills, play matches, etc., what racket and what strings matter. Then you have players with elbow issues and or aging and will need a more suitable racket or string.