Tidbit from the Grand Slam Stringer’s Symposium

Earlier this month we had the opportunity to interact with some of the top professionals in the world of racquet stringing and customization.  One particular session we found facinating was facilitated by Mr. John Elliott who flew in from France to share some of his observations and thoughts on world of poly-based strings.  During his presentation we noted the following observations he has made through his years of working with polyester strings.

- Polyester strings are sensitive to the cold.

- Basic polys offer less than 2 hours of string life.

- Luxilon ALU strings are a very high quality offering.  Similar to formula one performance racing tires in that they perform well for a short period of time and then need to be replaced.  (Optimal performance time is very limited, usually less than a match)

- Tension determines the length of the ball.  2 pounds of tension equates to 1 yard of ball length.  Increase 2 pounds to reduce length by one yard, decrease 2 pounds to increase one yard.

- Stringmeter tool is more accurate than most people give credit for.  The reason the readings vary from string to string is due to either the stringing machine or the stringer.  A number of variables can lead to inconsistency. Ideally the tension of all main (except outer most mains) strings should measure the same with this tool.

- The best playing racquet set-up for recreational and league players is a hybrid with a poly-based main and synthetic gut cross string (not a multi).

- Racquet tuning is not the same as racquet stringing.  Racquet tuning is working toward an end result…the desired stringbed stiffness.

- To tune racquet, find desired stringbed stiffness.  Ask customer to let you know when racquet is performing optimally.  Using stringmeter, measure string tension.  Increase +4 pounds for polys and +10 pounds for nylon at next stringing.  Also use Dynamic Tension readings to confirm.

- Stringing is most consistent and best when stringer uses a FLUID and REPEATABLE motion.

- With friction tension in crosses ends up measuring approx. 1/3 less in crosses than mains when strung at same reference tension.

Obviously Mr. Elliott provides much food for thought and future discussion.  We will likely find some of these very themes emerging as future individual blog entries.  As always we thank you for visiting our blog and invite you to participate by leaving your comments and questions below.

Elbow Pain B-Gone!

Guts and Glory Tennis spent last weekend attending the Grand Slam Stringer’s Symposium in FL.  We had the opportunity to speak directly with major racquet company product deisgners and product development specialists.  We came to the unfortunate conclusion that all the whining and complaining about unhealthy racquet specifications in the world is not going to change their thinking.  They deny the specs are unhealthy, preferring to blame the mechanics of the player.  They intend to continue producing lightweight, stiff frames until the public or retailers stop purchasing them.

While we will definitely try to rally support for a grassroot boycot of these products, it seems unlikely that enough support will be gathered in the short-term.  A boycott certainly does not help those currently suffering from tennis elbow.

Guts and Glory Tennis is coming to the rescue.  We will begin to offer a racquet modification service for our local stringing customers suffering from racquet related arm and shoulder pain.  We are in the process of securing the equipment to make the necessary alterations to help make your racquet more arm friendly.  The only specification of the racquet that can not be altered is the stiffness.  So, in this regard, if you are planning on purchasing a new racquet in the future, we STRONGLY encourage you to ask about the flex/stiffness rating.  We suggest an ideal range of 50’s – 60.  Measurements of 61 – 65 should also be acceptable, though not as good.  We would strongly discourage stiffness ratings above 68.

Grand Slam Stringers Symposium – a preview

Stringers  from all over the world will convene in Orlando this weekend.  World class seminar leaders will be on hand to share first hand knowledge and insights.  We will be attending for our second consecutive year and we are filled with high expectations and excitement.

We of course are looking forward to several formal sessions we will be attending, who wouldn’t with the wonderful presenters???  However, perhaps even more interesting, is the format change.  Sessions will allow for discussion afterward as well as discussion groups each evening.  These informal networking and information sharing sessions will allow for optimal interaction and learning.  We hope to both learn and share by taking advantage of these.

We plan to seek out responses to tough questions.  Why do racquet manufacturers continue to produce racquets with unhealthy specifications?  We’ll be all over this one.  Unethical behavior by online resellers?  We will seek out answers to questions about some sketchy behaviors.  Why can’t professional stringers in the USA have access to Head pallets?  Hoping to find some answers and perhaps lead a charge for change.  Does the USRSA really believe the data it provides is objective and accurate?  We’ll see how far we can get with this one, but not expecting much on that front.  Topspin tennis; what in the world are they thinking?  We hope to talk to the owner and founder who will be in attendance.

We will also be tweeting LIVE from the conference.  Be sure to follow us on Twitter for up to the minute action.  Our Twitter site will be a great source for breaking information and updates from the Grand Slam Stringers Symposium.  We will use this blog to summarize afterward and may come back with some fun surprises to share with our readers.  Stay tuned…

Sharapova wisely reviewing her equipment, but is it too late?

First, let us clearly state that shoulder injuries and possible causes are outside of our area of expertise.  We have studied and possess a solid understanding of tennis elbow, but shoulder issues are a different animal.

With that duly noted, Maria Sharapova is currently attempting to comeback from serious shoulder surgery (rotator cuff).  We have read reports that only now, AFTER the surgery, the Sharapova camp is examining her equipment.  The results will not be surprising to those who read our blog entries and tweets.

A review of Maria’s racquet has found the the Prince O3 and Speedport frames Maria was using have some undesirable specifications from a health perspective.  As a result, it has been reported that Maria has switched from her previous racquet to a different Prince racquet.  The report indicates the weapon Sharapova now weilds is less stiff than her previous frame and is a standard 27″ in length.  It is reported her previous racquet was 27 1/2″ in length.

We have whined long and hard about the high stiffness ratings of the frames Prince has been producing.  From our perspective, the majority of Prince’s newer frames offer undesirable specs from an arm health perspective.  We believe a healthy frame has a flex rating in the mid 60’s or lower, is a standard length (27″), weighs approx. 11oz or greater, and offers a head light balance.  The flex rating is the only specification that can not be modified through customization and thus we believe is the first spec to consider when evaluating racquets.

Team Sharapova is wisely reportedly reviewing her string setup as well.  Previously Maria was using the Babolat Hurricane  as her main strings with a natural gut cross.  The Hurricane is a stiff and unforgiving poly-based string, similar in that respect to the Luxilon ALU.  Her stringer has moved her to Luxilon M2 mains with a natural gut cross.  While we applaud the effort to review the equipment and make this change, we would suggest going with the natural gut in the mains and a newer generation soft poly-based string in the crosses for added control.

It is impossible to know the exact cause of Maria’s injury, but we do know that stiff strings and a stiff frame such as she was using do transmit extra shock to the body.  Over time, it is the shock that causes the body to break down and promotes injuries.

Look at the photo above.  Even the professionals do not strike the ball squarely on each hit.  In the shot above, Maria is striking the ball in the upper 1/3 rd of the hitting area.  Any shot not centered is going to create extra shock.  It is only wise to examine your equipment, (frame and strings), to determine if it helps to absorb this shock or if it promotes the transfer of the shock to the body.

It is possible that the cumulative effect of shock contributed to or possibly caused Maria’s injury.  It is wise of her team to now examine her equipment and switch her to a frame and string set up that will help prevent excessive shock from reaching her body.

All recreational players should pay attention and take a cue from this.  It is best to do so as a preventative measure.  Do not be like Maria and make the change AFTER surgery.  Analyze your equipment and make sure it is arm friendly.  The friendliest strings are natural gut and premium multis. It is wise to do this evaulation prior to experiencing any arm pain.

Good luck and stay healthy!

Price increases on horizon

Dear friends and customers,

Several years ago we set out to introduce the best playing string offerings for you at the best prices.  When we started importing and distributing MSV and WeissCANNON string products the US dollar was trading to the Euro at 1.15.  Today the dollar is trading at 1.50 which represents an increase of approximately 25%.

Thanks to the popularity of these string products, we have been able to continue selling without increasing prices.  What we were losing in margins we were making up for in volume.  However, as the dollar continues to weaken against the Euro we are being forced to make a decision we have been resisting for a number of years.  Increasing the price of our strings.

I am sure many stringers have taken note that strings across the board have experienced a price increase this past year.  We have stood firm, resisting an increase.  Unfortunately this is not a stance we can continue to hold.  A price increase is on the horizon.

Our prices will remain very competitive and the price to performance ratio will continue to lead the industry.  We will also continue monitoring the power of the US dollar and as soon as it rebounds we will be among the first in the industry to readjust our pricing DOWNWARD.

We are proud of the products we have brought to the USA and will continue to work hard to make them available to you at reasonable and affordable prices.  We do regret having to implement a price increase but want you to understand why it is occurring.  Should you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in the comments section of this blog entry.

Signum Pro – new string offerings

Earlier this year Signum Pro unveiled three new string products.  Two of those will be available to US customers for the first time beginning next week, the Hyperion and the Tornado.  We have received nearly weekly requests asking about these products and they are finally available.

At first these products will be available in a single gauge.  Depending on sales the US distributor may bring in addition diameters of the string.  The Hyperion is reported to be a livlier and softer version of the Poly Plasma, but in a black color instead of orange.  This string will be available in a 17 ga, 1.24mm.  We will initiatially carry it in sets, but it is also available in 660′ reels via special order.

Also Signum Pro has once again won the acclaim of the German Tennis Magazine winning their 2009 playtest with the highly touted Signum Pro Tornado.  This is the same publication that announced the arrival of Poly Plasma to the world back in 2004.  Signum Pro describes the Tornado as:

- Color: anthracite
- Heptagonal shaped Co-polyester string
- Axially twisted
- Gives exceptional spin
- New optimized molecular structure
- Minimum tension loss
- Excellent ball control
- High dynamic power
- Excellent playability and comfort

Initially the Tornado will be available in a 17ga, 1.23mm diameter.  While we have not playtested either of these strings, we are making them available based on our long history with Signum Pro, our knowledge of their products, their proven record of success and customer demand.

Now for the bad news.  These new strings come at a premium price.  While not quite hitting the Luxilon pricing stratosphere, they are costly.  Hyperion sets will retail for $12.39 per set and $143.35 per reel.  The Tornado will go for $14.69 per set and $176.83 per reel…OUCH!  Because of cost, we are only introducing it via sets and can provide reels upon special order.  If there is enough interest we will stock the reels for our customers.

A brief history lesson.  In 2005 Guts and Glory Tennis introduced Signum Pro string and grip products to the USA as the exclusive distributor.  In 2006 when Luxilon sold distribution rights to Wilson, the US distributor for Luxilon lost that product line.  As such they needed to find another poly-based string offering and approached Signum Pro.  Ultimately they bought the rights to distribute Signum Pro strings in the USA.  At the time we were not large enough to match the offer of the new distributor…today it would be a different story and we would fight for the rights.  Because we are no longer the exclusive distributor for Signum Pro in the USA we are required to follow MAP pricing.  This means it is not possible for us to sell below the set MAP pricing.  We have no control over the pricing of Signum Pro strings and sell at the lowest allowable cost.

We have some questions for our blog readers.  Do you plan to purchase at these price levels?  Are you interested in the reels?  Are you interested in additional gauges, if yes, which ones?  We are here to serve our customers and if demand warrants the addition of reels to our inventory, we will definitely add them, but at $176+ clams, we just wonder…

We are currently accepting Pre-orders for these string sets.  They are scheduled to arrive next week.  If you want to be one of the first to hit with them, send us an email or give us a call.  Our contact information is on the web site, www.ggtennis.com .

New tennis gifts arriving soon!

Earlier this summer we successfully located several exciting new tennis gifts to add to our lineup.  Gifts sell well throughout the year, but particularly well as we get closer to the winter holiday season.   It is difficult to locate tennis related gift products and we believe our collection is as fun, unique and interesting as any you will find.  We hope our customers will enjoy the new products that will begin arriving later this month.  Here’s a tease…

We have already added premium tennis lip baum which arrived a couple of days ago.  A fun and inexpensive item with a practical purpose.

Also arriving soon is a new tennis throw rug which is washable and can be used as a welcome mat or to decorate any room.  The design features bright and happy colors and it fills a void in the market.  Tennis rugs have not been produced in over 3 years…at least not that we could locate.  We are excited about this product and hope you will be as well.

Also coming are some incredible microfibre cloths that feature some Gary Patterson tennis artwork as well as some other designs.  While these may sound hum-drum, they are anything but.  I have been making use of the sample I received daily.  It is incredibly handy and it is a product I can not live without.  I use it to clean my PC screen.  It cleans glasses and sunglasses, easily absorbing all dirt and grease.  I recently had salt water stains on my sunglasses from jet-skiing in the ocean and it handled that clean up job with ease.  Tired of figerprints and faceprints on your mobile phone?  No worries, this thing keeps my Palm Pre gleeming.  Also being folically challenged it can be used to quickly wipe away that afternoon glow/gloss that tends to develop on the old dome.  It cleans mirrors and glass streak free.  It is just freakish how handy and useful it is.  I wish my sample didn’t have a flower design or I would snap an image of it to post.  More later…

We also have some tennis bag tags/luggage tags featuring the same design as on the magnet pictured in this blog.  The Suzy Toronto series did not included tennis until we convinced the artist a tennis player design was absolutely necessary.  She designed these for tennis playing women at our request and we are the only tennis shop in the USA to carry and make her tennis design available to our customer in many forms.

New greeting cards including Christmas cards will also arrive soon.  These designs are brand new and unlike any we have seen in the past. On a related note, the new tennis ornament we located this season is a candy cane adorned with a tennis racquet.  It is incredibly cute and will make a nice addition to our rich collection of tennis ornaments we make available to you.

We will of course announce the arrival of each item as it arrives via our Twitter page.  (Please follow us) Also, as items arrive and are imaged, they will appear on our web site for sale.  Please check the “New Arrivals” section regularly to keep up with the latest and greatest in tennis gift products.

SomeBunny Cares – - We do!

At Guts and Glory Tennis we fully understand and appreciate the challenges the current economy can place upon families.  Each Thursday the local paper publishes hundreds of foreclosures from our local county alone.  It is very humbling and drives home the point that many of our neighbors and friends are feeling the economic pinch in a serious way.

Through the past several months we have learned about a number of our long-time local stringing customers who are out of work.  When we learn of a customer who is struggling our inclination is to assist. To date our attempts at assistance have been ad hoc but we want to change that and formalize our commitment to assisting our established stringing customers.

Toward that end we are delighted to announce via this blog that we will be providing our established customers who have lost their jobs or who have a spouse who has lost a job a hand by reducing costs of restringing services until new employment can be secured.

Tennis can play an important role in the physical and emotional health of those who are out of work.  It is an inexpensive form of exercise that provides social interaction as well as networking opportunities.

Our commitment to helping our customers play with healthy and fresh strings remains paramount.  We do not want to see our customers or their families risking arm health by not stringing at their regular intervals.  We also want them to continue their regular tennis routines.

To achieve this we are officially offering to assist our customers in need with discount stringing services.  Just let us know your situation and we will restring your racquet with the string you have been using for whatever you can afford to pay.  If you can afford the labor and not the string…the cost of string is on us.  If you can afford the cost of the string, but not the labor…the cost of labor is on us.  If you can not afford either at the current time, the stringing is on us.  We value our loyal customers and will do our part to help keep them on court and playing with healthy equipment until they are back on their financial feet.

At Guts and Glory Tennis, we CARE about our customers.   Let us know if we can assist.

More on Hybrid Crosses

One of our more popular posts with readers of this blog is our entry on selecting cross strings for hybrids with poly-based mains.  While the content of that posting remains accurate, we would like to add a new perspective we did not have when the entry was written and posted over a year ago.

Recently we have been playtesting poly-based mains with natural gut cross strings.  We have found that our customers prefer the natural gut cross strings over multis as well as solid core strings.  They tend to realize additional pop, bite and feel.  In general they receive at least 50% more string life (time used before breakage occurs) with the natural gut compared to the soft solid core strings we listed in last year’s blog.  They also tend to offer 100 – 200% (or more) greater string life than multis used as a cross string with a poly-based main.

We used to fall into the camp that believed using natural gut as a cross string was a waste of money.  We have re-examined this position and are now ready to amend it.  We still believe that using top-of-the-line natural gut as a cross string in a hybrid setup is not the best value in the world, but we do believe that the lower quality guts we have been using as crosses may very well be the ticket.  With players constantly seeking the best playability for the lowest cost, we are now recommending they explore some lower cost natural gut alternatives as possible cross string options to consider.

Special Orders

If you have played with the POG, can describe Imperial gut or know what a Yamaha Secret is, chances are very good you are of the age to remember the old Burger King jingle, “Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce…special orders don’t upset us…all we ask is that you let us serve it your way!”

For those who are too young to remember we have found a You Tube video of an old Burger King commercial to help you out.

We use this tool to help you remember that we also process a few special orders.  Among items available:

- Custom hybrid sets consisting of any of our WC, MSV, and Topspin strings.
- Extra length sets of MSV and WeissCANNON strings for those needing more than 40′
- Half sets of MSV poly-based strings and all WeissCANNON strings
- Special order reels of Unique Big Hitter and Unique Big Hitter Blue
- Special order reels of MSV Hex in the colors we do not regularly stock

For more information on how to order these products, just fire an email message our way. Remember, “Special Orders Don’t Upset Us, All We Ask Is That You Let Us Serve It Your Way!”

Proposed service modifications

In an effort to maintain a high degree of efficiency with serving our customers we are forced to consider altering some of our current practices.  These modifications will allow us to maintain our low prices.  At the same time, we want our customers to remain satisfied.  We are blogging about this in an effort to generate feedback on the blog site or via direct email.  Below are some proposed changes.  Please feel free to share your thoughts.

1.  Handle all orders for products via the web.  Currently we take phone orders as well as online orders.  The telephone orders create a series of non-standards for us and there is no back-up system/redundancy in the event an order is taken down incorrectly.

2.  Limit telephone conversations to 5 – 10 minutes.  It is not unusual for us to talk with some customers for 20 – 30 minutes or more.  While we greatly enjoy the personal interaction, we have grown to the point where more time is needed to process orders and string racquets.

3.  Reduce the number of blog entries from at least 2 per week to 1 per week, but maintain or increase our level of activity on twitter.

4.  Reduce the size of our racquet pickup/delivery service area or limit runs to certain parts of the area to a single day each week.  We will still be able to provide 1 hour or same day service to those who choose to drop off and pick up the racquet themselves. (By appointment please.)

Also note we are going to be doing some reorganization in terms of product warehousing.  This will necessitate that we close for several days in July and into August.  More on this as it becomes known.  We will keep our customers updated via twitter.  Please follow us there!

MSV Packaging…What’s up with that???

Several customers may have noticed that the packaging for some of the recent sets of MSV strings has changed recently.  Unfortunately this is causing puzzlement and confusion among some of our customers.  Inquiring minds want to know “What’s up with it?”  So that is exactly what this blog entry is designed to address.

First, it is important to note we are the exclusive US distributor for MSV string products.   When we first began delivering sets to our customers, we chose to use our own custom packaging that we designed and created in consultation with Mauve Sports for USA customers.  Because the string was new to US consumers we believed it was important to increase the amount of information provided via the packaging and we wanted it to stand out for our vendors who display it in clubs and tennis retail establishments.  We felt the USA packaging was bold in color and clever in copy content.

Recently because our orders have grown so much thanks to the many fine US players who are using these strings, our special order unpackaged sets have not always been available as quickly as they have been needed.  As a result we have asked for and received pre-packaged sets that have the new Mauve Sports packaging that is used for English speaking customers throughout the world.

Our option with these pre-packaged sets is to cut them open and repackage them in our packaging, or to sell them in the European packaging.  In an effort to be environmentally friendly and not generate unnecessary waste, we have chosen to sell them to individuals ordering through us in the European packaging.  We try to use the USA packaging for retail resellers, but often times individuals ordering through our Guts and Glory web site will find the white packaging instead of the red.

The same great, freshly made product is enclosed in each package.  The product maintains its excellence as only the packaging varies.  We do apologize to those that have been confused by this.  The bottom line is the products are the same, the packaging is different due to efforts to be kind to our environment.

As always if you have any questions feel free to post them here and we will do our best to respond in a timely manner.

Follow us…save $$$

Free Shipping.  $5.00 off.  $10.00 off.  $15.00 off. $30.00 off.    Tell me how!

Over the past several weeks customers who are following our tweets have benefited from spur of the moment sales that we refer to as “Twitter Specials” on our tennis string products.  These sales are unannounced, (heck we do not even know when they will run), and typically only last for short periods of time.  While we have had some customers take advantage of them by following the links from our homepage and this blog, those who get the most timely information are those who are active on Twitter and follow us.

If you are a Twitter user, we invite you to follow us, http://twitter.com/ggtennis and save some money.  We also keep customers informed of new products as well as assorted information.  Join the fun.

For those who do not use Twitter, we invite you to become a fan on our Facebook page.  We also keep our Facebook followers informed of products and services and occasionally run specials there as well.

Join us online, learn about our products and possibly even save yourself some money.

May I have your attention please?

Remember listening to the morning announcements in school throughout the years? Well, I was one of the students who was lucky enough to read the morning announcements.  Typically they consisted of a platter of information to keep the students informed and updated.  Today’s blog entry is just that, some announcements for our customers.

1.  As of Friday night, 5/15/09, our phone systems are not in operation.  We can not receive incoming calls or retrieve messages.  We hope to have the situation resolved no later than Monday.  In the interim, if you need to reach us, please send us an email message and we will do our best to respond.

2.  Please note we have added a new and friendlier way for you to follow us on facebook.  Our new fan page will be a quick way to get out information about sales, new products and items of general interest.  We will no longer be updating the Friends of Guts and Glory Tennis Group on facebook, so please rely on our new fan page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suwanee-GA/Guts-and-Glory-Tennis/73473230425

3.  We are still inviting you to follow us on twitter.  We are tweets several times daily to keep our followers aware of product information, twitter only sales and other fun stuff.  If you are active on Twitter, please follow us. http://twitter.com/ggtennis

4.  We are currently playtesting several new string products that will be available in the coming weeks.  MSV EVO-HEX, WeissCANNON 6StarString and WeissCANNON TurboTwist.  Each has potential to fill a new niche in the stringing world.

Please stay connected with us through use of this blog as well as facebook and twitter.  We will tweet when our phones are once again operational.  Today’s lunch menu:  Johnny Marzetti with salad and pears.  Pastor of the Day is Reverend Dave.  There will be a fire drill sometime between 3rd  and 7th period so be prepared. 

Thanks for your attention and have a great day everybody!

Reducing and Eliminating Tennis String Movement

Broccoli. A newlywed’s cooking. The swine flu. Serena after a loss. A root canal. Potholes. Jelena on a bad hair day. String movement. The Jimmy Fallon Show.

What do each of the above have in common? They are all things that many of us dislike and strive to avoid. While each of us can manage the above annoyances with varying degrees of success, the second to last requires us to work with our stringer. In some instances we need to be prepared to partake in a big slice of “reality pie.”

String movement is the most interesting phenomena that the world of stringing presents. What is described by some as completely unacceptable and excessive, is barely noticeable to others. In most cases it is a matter of personal perception. While the movement may seem minimal to me, it may be driving a customer stark raving mad. It can lead to an on-court distraction which can cause them to lose concentration, points and possibly the match. Worse yet, readjusting the strings can completely ruin perfectly good manicures, eeeghads!!!

So, what can be done? We offer the following options.

1. Learn to straighten strings between points and use the time to focus on game plan. Did you ever watch Maria Sharapova? She is forever adjusting her strings. It is a routine and a routine that serves her well.

2. Ask your stringer to make a tension differential of 4 – 5 pounds between the mains and the crosses. Tighter cross strings tend to reduce string movement. Let’s say you string at 58 pounds. Next time try stringing your mains at 56 and the crosses and 60 and see if this reduces movement for you. For some it may be the answer, while others will still wail…”my strings are moving!”

3. Change string type. In general synthetic gut string users tend to experience more string movement than natural gut and poly-based string users. Some strings begin moving more as tension is lost, thus an attempt to find a synthetic gut that holds tension well may help. Another cause is coating. Some strings use a final coating (like pearlized and titanium) that tend to be more prone to movement. Perhaps your stringer can help you find a synthetic with a coating that does not move as much. Unfortunately the reality is with most synthetics you are going to experience some movement regardless. The question is how much can you tolerate without being driven to the point of distraction?

If the answer to the above question is “none” then you need to consider one of the following. Prince has designed a string called Recoil. It is a premium priced string because it features a special coating that allows the strings to return to alignment after they are struck. The disadvantage is that it offers inconsistent durability levels.  For flat hitters the durability generally exceeds expectations, but those who hit with a lot of power and spin may find the durability less than satisfying.  Retailing at approx. $25.00 – $28.00 per set, (not counting installation), it is an expensive solution. The other solution is moving to a poly-based string offering. While we offer a fine selection of technologically advanced poly-based strings, you must always keep in mind these strings are stiff. They are extremely durable and much less expensive than Recoil but must be replaced frequently. Unfortunately they do not always play nicely with today’s ultra light frames, (leading to arm pain), but in the correct context and possibly paired with a hybrid string, may be the answer you are seeking.

4. Get a new racquet. In many instances string movement is a product of a player using an open string pattern while hitting with moderate to significant spin. Many racquets have 16 mains (the strings that run up and down) while some have 14. These racquets are much more likely to have string movement perceived as intolerable than a racquet with a denser string pattern, 18 mains. If you have not played with a racquet with 18 mains, we suggest giving one a demo. Not only will string movement be greatly reduced or eliminated, but you may find yourself experiencing more control that you ever realized playing with a racquet that only has 16 mains.

Is it possible to eliminate all string movement? Technically, not really, but the extent to which it is noticed can be managed using some of the strategies mentioned above. We invite local players to give us a call as we offer professional stringing services with insight, understanding and a level of professionalism that is not easily found. Guts and Glory Tennis will work with you to solve your unique stringing needs and find a setup that compliments your game. If you are outside of our area, we hope you will use some of the information presented here and let us know how it works for you. Thanks for visiting our blog!