Legendary racquet stringer Lucien Nogues gives his advice on when and why you should change your tennis strings.
Option 1 – Scheduled Changes
If you play three times a week, you may choose to schedule your string changes along the lines of three times per season. This is especially effective for players who are concerned about the cost of re-stringing.
Option 2 – Emerging Needs
While scheduled changes are preferred by players on a budget, better players tend to replace their strings as needed.
Examples of emerging needs:
1. Power/Control issues – A player may want more power or control than the current configuration of his racquet can offer. Alternatively, a player may choose to string his racquet looser for more forgiveness at the beginning of the season and tighter for more control at the end of the season.
2. Sensation issues – A player may want softer strings in his racquet at the beginning of the season when it is cool and stiffer strings during the middle of the season when it is hot. Alternatively, a player may be going on vacation in a different climate and may want to choose a better string for that climate. Or another example, a player may develop elbow pain and may want to move to a softer configuration.
3. String tiring – Due to static and/or dynamic tension loss, a player may notice degrading power or control as the strings in his racquets age. Alternatively, he may want fresh strings for an important tournament or match.
Lucien’s Tips
1. Pay attention to the sounds your strings make. When they sound dead, they are dead.
2. Never leave synthetic string in the sun. Heat kills the tension.
3. Never get natural gut strings wet. Humidity kills the tension.