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!

$25.00 well spent

Last fall I made a purchase on a whim. Turns out it was the most pleasurable $25.00 ever spent. I had strung for years on a thin mat covered by carpet. I thought all was well. Then one day I decided I wanted more cushioning. Sure I could wear crocs, but since I prefer to string in socks or bare feet, I decided to give a 5/8″ thick anti-fatigue mat a try. I purchased mine through U-Line supply where I paid a whopping $25.00. There is a U-Line distribution center near me so I just picked it up avoiding any shipping charges.

This purchase was made last fall. Each day I find myself thinking, “I absolutely can not believe how long I strung without this.” It makes a world of difference and I just can not believe I strung for years without it.

Since I am aware of a number of stringers who visit our blog, I thought I would start of series of entries related to my favorite tools and such. This is a great place to begin. I strongly recommend that if you are a serious stringer you consider purchasing the thickest anti-fatigue mat you can afford. Mine is 2′ x 3′, fits perfectly behind my machine, is 5/8″ of spongy goodness and set me back the approximate cost of one stringing.

The wonders of natural gut

Playing with natural gut is for many, the ultimate tennis experience. The power, feel, ball pocketing, liveliness are the properties that many synthetics (excepting poly-based strings) attempt to emulate. Natural gut is extremely resilient and there is probably nothing better at absorbing shock which makes it ideal for those with a tendency toward tennis elbow.

So, why then, don’t more people play with it? First off, gut tends to be expensive compared to synthetic string products. Secondly it can be temperamental. It does require some extra care. However, properly taken care of, it will outlast synthetics in terms of overall playability many times over. Thus the added cost may be justified, except for when it is finicky.

While friction durability is pretty solid, and the newer sealed coatings have reduced moisture issues, natural gut is still more prone to snapping while sitting in ones tennis bag. The main reason, as I perceive it, is because of temperature variations. Natural gut does not like and will not tolerate extreme heat or extreme changes in temperature. Thus during the summer months those using it must not leave it in the car, (even if just running to pick up a few groceries), or even leave it in your tennis bag that is sitting in the sun. These are no-no’s.

Amazing that I have already babbled as much as I have without even getting close to the original point of today’s blog entry. I started this entry to share a tip/observation. I have noted through the years that natural gut users tend to experience breaks at the knot. This pattern occurs much more frequently with natural gut than other strings. The main reason, I suspect, is because the knot is really nothing more than a controlled kink. Kinks are weak spots and natural gut is more prone to break at this weak spot than man-made string products. That said, I am wondering about another possibility. While I observe many breaks at the knot area, just had a racquet yesterday with this exact issue, I have noted that very few of my customers ever have a break at this point. Why is that? My knots are not much different than others…just a basic Parnell knot. BUT, I do take one extra step. Does it make a difference? I am not at all sure, but will describe and look for input.

After the string job is complete I always take a drop of “hard as nails” clear polish and dab it on each cut end of natural gut. I started this for cosmetic reasons. I did not like how the cut ends would expand, unwrap and fan out over time. This step prevented that from occurring. But the question is, has it made the knot less prone to breakage? I suppose without the polish there is no active sealant and moisture could attack the knot area further weakening it. As the moisture attacks and the fibers get looser, it is possible the knot area weakens and becomes more susceptible to breakage. While I do not have any research to support this theory, I have not that disputes it either. I wonder of this little cosmetic touch actually protects the knot area? And that, my friends, is the point of today’s entry. Please let me know what you think. Does the dab of “hard as nails” polish decrease chances of premature breakage at the knot area? I wonder???

Get a Grip!

It can be successfully argued that the grip is the most neglected piece of equipment in tennis.  It’s absolutely true. Improperly sized racquet grips can lead to racquet twisting and potentially an arm injury. Excessively worn and tattered grips can also lead to racquet twisting and arm injury, not to mention an annoying discomfort.  Why not forego the medical expenses, anti-inflammatory drugs and elbow pain devices and instead make sure your grip is properly sized and in good condition?

We recommend replacing your grip after approximately 40 – 60 hours of court play.  The actual grip (not the overgrip) consists of cushioning materials.  These materials serve to help absorb shock, which is your enemy on the court.  As the cushioning becomes worn, the ability to absorb the shock is reduced.  We want all of our customers and blog readers to play as much tennis as possible and to do so in complete comfort.  Toward this end, we encourage you to replace your grip frequently.

We are happy to provide free racquet grip size evaluation and inspection for our local customers, just ask!  And always remember, if you show your grip some lovin’ it will truly become a “handle with care.” (It’s okay to groan.)

Just Bend Over.

I can’t even begin to describe how frequently I see this particular wear pattern on the headguard of racquets. Most frequently it is observed on the frames of junior players. I suspect if you are a racquet stringer you have seen it too.

In my shop I have several juniors who regularly wear through the headguards. The wear pattern is always the same, as pictured above. I attempt to explain the cause to the parents, but I am continually surprised at how many do not address the issue with the kids. In some instances the worn grommet is not caught in time and the racquet is compromised to the point where a new one is needed. Expensive propositions, especially in today’s economy.

The purpose of this blog is to clarify a common misperception. I will hear from players and parents alike that the head guard is worn from digging out low balls. 99.999% of the time this is simply NOT accurate. I have gone to the courts and watched the juniors practice. In so doing I have personally observed the act that I strongly suspected was causing this particular wear pattern. If I had a video of said act, I would post it. It is an act that simply is not necessary and can be avoided without impacting play in any manner.

Kids, (and some adults alike), use a technique to pick up lose balls that is the cause of head guard destruction. The best way to describe the act is the player approaches a lose ball on the court. Instead of bending down to pick the ball up (afterall we wouldn’t want too much exercise) they place the racquet head on the far side of the ball. They then scoot the ball to the heal of their foot and pop the racquet and foot up in order to get the ball to rise to a point where they can reach it without bending over. In the process of “scooting the ball to their foot” the racquet head is allowed to scrape the court. Over time and repeated transgressions;  abrasion, wear and head guard obliteration occurs.

To me this is an easy problem to avoid. Don’t use your racquet in this manner to pick up the ball.  Dr. Johnny suggests, “Just bend over, it won’t hurt.”

Who’s Stringing Your Prince “Port-Style” Racquet?

Prince tennis has long been an innovator in racquet design. Tennis players throughout the world have flocked to the new design that Prince refers to as O Ports and Speed Ports. What most tennis players do not know is that ALL of the new Prince “port” frames that have ports located on the 3 and 9 o’clock side of the frame present special stringing challenges. If not properly addressed, these challenges can lead to an inconsistent stringbed which negatively impacts overall on-court performance.

When investing in a Prince Port-Style racquet you are paying for innovative engineering to enhance overall performance, but if the racquet is not properly strung the full performance potential may never be realized. Who’s stringing your racquet? Do they know how to optimize the process so that the stringbed will be consistent and you will get the optimal performance? We do!

While the engineers of the Prince racquets are to be commended for thinking way outside of the box, the design does present stringing challenges that I suspect only a small percentage of stringers are addressing in a manner to allow the frame to provide the user with premium performance.

The first and greatest of these challenges involves the side ports. Because the ports are open, with no grommet system to secure the string in place against the frame, the top portion of the cross strings pull at a very awkward angle when tensioning. The severity of the angle varies according to location of string and size of port. This angle must be eliminated to produce a consistent string job.

Prince has attempted to address this issue by providing a special stringing tool which is an adequate alternative, but not as effective as the method we use. Prince also recommends that stringers use a turntable break to hold the racquet in place or that the stringer use brute force to keep the string in proper position while tensioning. Some reputable stringers use the later suggestion and actually refer to it as the “Hip Method.” ALL of these suggestions/ solutions lead to inconsistencies and in some instances can actually cause damage to the stringing machine or possibly the frame itself. With all due respect to my colleagues, “The Hip Method” is not a proper or consistent solution.

At Guts and Glory Tennis we were the first to share reports with fellow stringers (and Prince itself for that matter!) of a solution we found to these issues. By using a stringing technique known as 50/50 we effectively negate all of the negative issues that surround the above mentioned methods of getting the crosses installed. Our method results in the most consistent stringbed possible and allows our customers to experience optimal performance from their racquets.

We caution those not using our services that it is IMPORTANT to make sure your stringer is well versed in the 50/50 method if they are using it. This method involves starting the cross strings in the center of the frame and the starting process is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. If not properly started, the center cross strings will be installed several pounds lower that the rest of the strings and the overall result of this in terms of on-court performance is as bad or even potentially worse than the inconsistencies the ports can produce.

The second issue we have observed is that the Prince engineers have not designed string channels in the top of the frame that are deep enough to provide adequate protection to the strings. When stringing with a two-piece method, (which 50/50 is), this issue is magnified. (We have not yet seen the new EXO3 frames and hope this issue is now addressed). We have developed a stringing process whereby we have reduced the length of string in these channels to help provide extra protection until Prince sees fit to properly address this issue. (For those with Speedport racquets, look at 10 and 11 o’clock and you will see raised ridges on the headguard. This represents Prince’s very WEAK attempt to address this issue!)

The final issue we will address is the bottom ports on some of the Speedport racquets. The bottom port presents the most severe angle of all. This is one where we have not identified any better solution than the one that Prince offers. However, we do make sure to use the “loop over” method which Prince suggests and have found this yields much better and more consistent results than can be achieved without using it.

So, if you are using one of these newer, high-tech Prince racquets, you will obviously want to get the most out of it. In order to achieve this goal the racquet must be strung to optimize performance. I am suggesting in this blog that it is probable your stringer is either not aware or not addressing some of these issues and the result is an inconsistent stringbed and inconsistent results with each new stringing.

To get the best possible stringing job for your Prince Port-Style racquet we suggest using our services or find a professional stringer who is well versed in the issues. Local customers can simply give us a call 404-246-1062 to make use of our convenient racquet pick-up and delivery service. For those at a distance, we offer a mail order stringing service. Details can be found at our web site, under our Racquet Stringing From Afar section.

Bottom Line: We understand the challenges these frames present and are eager to show you that our methods to address these challenges result in the best-playing, most consistent stringbed for your Prince port-style racquet.

Happy New Year!

We wish all of our readers and customers a terrific 2009! We invite you to continue reading our blog as 2009 has many exciting announcements in store.

Our intent is to post new content at least 2x per week. We’ll have to see if we can make that happen this year. With the new posts we will provide information and hopefully excitement for our readers.

Here’s our first official insider tip:
For 2009 the first thing you should do, if you have not already done so, is to order 1 – 2 replacement bumper/grommet sets for your racquet. They are fairly inexpensive and it is far better to have them on had while they are still in production than to have to search for them when the manufacturer no longer makes them. Trust me, this is solid advice.

Please check back frequently in 2009 as we promise major announcements will be made in January and some will save you $$$. Woo Hoo!!!