String tension in Tennis is one of the most underestimated aspects of the game. Many players wonder if it can affect much.
And the truth is that the tension in which a player strings his/her racquet can have a significant impact on the overall performance and feel of the tennis racquet.
Many people argue that when you have perfect techniques, you can manage to win points with any type of string tension.
[pullquote]But you must have experienced that many times even if you are following the perfect technique you either don’t get the placement right or can’t generate sufficient power. [/pullquote]
These are the clear indication that your strings need to change. Or you can change your technique. But changing your technique to compensate will only hurt your game in the long run.
How tight should you string your racket?
We would recommend you to follow the tension range recommended by your racquet manufacturer or you can check it on your racket’s throat.
But it is not mandatory to always stay within the recommended range because we think of strings and tension as a way of finding what makes you most comfortable playing your game. In the end, it is finding what feels best for you.
To help you select the right tension, we have listed down some inputs on what tension might be right for you:
40-48 lbs.
This is a very loose string tension which means it will give you more power and spin but less control. This also results in the strings moving more during contact which will lead to the player breaking strings more often.
We would recommend this to experienced players who want to finish points early.
49-57 lbs.
This string tension would be best with a polyester string which isn’t too tough.This is the most common tension that most people use. It is a great balance between a loose and tight string bed. This tension allows you to be aggressive without having the risk of hitting the ball out.
58+ lbs
We would only recommend this to the high-level doubles player or players who play volleys frequently.While stringing at this tension gives you greater control, enabling you to place the ball on the court with ease. It has a negative effect too.
Having to swing quickly on a consistent basis can give you tennis elbow or can result in other forms of injury.
The best tennis rackets for beginners are going to be the ones that make you feel comfortable with it. There are some that are made to be sturdy but that isn’t too uncomfortable. There are some that are made to have a more traditional design but aren’t really that user-friendly either. It all depends on what you prefer in your rackets.