Breaking Strings
What’s the perfect solution for the string breaker? The truth is, there isn’t one, but it’s a matter of weighing out the various options available.
To understand this issue a little better, let’s look at the three different types of string breakers.
1. AVERAGE string breakers are those that break strings once in while. In fact, they might even feel proud of themselves that they actually broke a string for a change. WOW – am I hitting the ball that hard?
2. FREQUENT string breakers will break strings every 3-4 weeks. This is the category that’s the most difficult for a stringer to address. These players are usually playing at the 4.0 NTRP level or higher. They are serving with good pace and hitting the ball with heavy slice or topspin. Because of their level of play, they’re usually more sensitive to the “feel” of the racquet, preferring a thinner string or maybe even natural gut.
3. CHRONIC string breakers can and often break strings every time they walk onto the court. A set of string might last them one to three sets of tennis. Two hours of play from a string job they’re doing well. There are a multitude of string options on the market and many are targeted at string breakers. This is where communication with your Certified Stringer is vital. We as professional stringers are here to help balance the need for durability verses comfort and playability.
AVERAGE string breakers need not worry. You’re not breaking strings often enough that it becomes an issue. Remember to string on a regular basis and you should be ok. A general rule of thumb is to restring as many times a year as you play each week and you should be fine. Another suggestion might to restring every season – once as you go indoors, and then again as the outdoor season approaches. Play a little more in summer? Think about stringing twice for summer and once as you move indoors.
FREQUENT string breakers have to be more involved with their stringer. There are strings that can solve your problems of premature breaking, but they’re much stiffer than a typical synthetic. These usually include Kevlar, polyester and hybrids, which consist of different main and cross strings.
1. The first option is to switch to a thicker gauge version of the current string you’re using if it’s available. You’re going to give up a some of the “feel” in your racquet, though.
2. Another option is to play with a racquet with a tighter string pattern. (18/20 verses 16/19) Many player frames come in two options.
3. Consider using string savers, which are little plastic pieces that go between the main and cross strings and can enhance the overall life of the string, sometimes doubling it. There is some debate about whether string savers affect play or tension, but in my experience, they have little affect on either.
This player must balance the number of hours that a string plays well verses it’s comfort and performance.
CHRONIC string breakers are rarely found at the recreational level, so many of us players don’t need to worry about this too much. However, if you’re a highly ranked junior or college level player, it’s a different ballgame. These players will string after each weekly, or after a handful of hours. The name of the game for these players is maximum control, not durability. Here, the options are limited. Use a thicker gauge of string, a lower tension, string savers and lastly, consider a more flexible racquet with a dense string pattern.