How quickly do tennis strings lose tension?
James Craig
Published Jan 17, 2026
Tension Loss
How fast do tennis strings lose tension?
The most commonly discussed phenomenon of string performance is that all strings lose tension from the second they are put into the racquet — up to 15 pounds in one minute. Polyester loses more than nylon which loses more than gut. Strings stabilize quickly after the few first minutes.
How many hours do tennis strings last?
Before you get back on the court, you should replace your strings. If you take your game seriously, restring your racket regularly every 10 to 15 hours of play if you use polyester. You can add a couple more hours if you use nylon or multi-fibre string.
How long do unused tennis strings last?
IMO, natural gut can be stored for about 1 yr in correct conditions. any longer than that and you are risking something happening to the gut and when it's so expensive why take the chance? a multi (like nxt ot nrg) can be kept longer but i have seen instances where these type of strings become more brittle over time.
How long does it take to string a tennis racket with a drop weight?
On average, most people should be able to string a tennis racket in about 30 minutes while maintaining complete focus and still paying attention to detail, 30 minutes to string a squash racket and 45 minutes to string a badminton racket.
30 related questions foundHow do I change my tension to lose weight?
Setting Tension
To set the stringing tension, loosen the locking knob on the side of the drop weight. Slide the weight in the appropriate direction until the face closest to the string gripper is indexed with the desired tension mark on the tension bar.
How long should a tennis string be?
Measure out the string: You'll need about 40 feet of string for a tennis racquet, which most string packages come with. But if you are getting string from a reel (which is more cost-efficient), measure out ~40 feet and clip it at a diagonal angle (helps later to put strings through the grommets).
How do I know if my tennis strings are dead?
Here are the signs that you need to know:
- Strings are “fraying” significantly.
- Strings are moving; much more crooked than normal after points.
- Strings make a “thud” sound at contact.
- You feel that your ball has far less control than normal.
How often do you break tennis strings?
Advanced (plays 4-7 days a week)
Most advanced players playing this frequently will break a string every week or two, so no need to re-string until you break unless you have an important tournament coming up, in which case you should have fresh strings in all your rackets.
How do you know when you need new tennis strings?
A Loss in Control
When strings lose tension, the ball spends more time on the string bed, which can lessen your control. A loss in tension can mean you will find yourself hitting just long, making more unforced errors or having difficulty placing the ball. If so, it might be time for you to restring.
How do you make tennis strings last longer?
Try hitting with a thicker gauge size or 2. Switch to a different string material that's more for durable. For example if you're playing with an 18g multifilament string, you can move to a thicker 17g or 16g string or switch to a synthetic gut or polyester string.
What should I string my racquet at tension?
When it comes to the actual tension, most manufacturers recommend stringing elastic materials like nylon or natural gut around 50-60 lbs. If using a stiffer string like polyester, drop the tension to avoid arm injuries.
How long do poly strings hold tension?
The general rule of thumb is that polyester strings will play well for between 10-20 hours of play.
How long does Hyper G last?
Hyper-G posted very impressive scores for tension maintenance in our Tennis Warehouse University String Lab. This bodes well for big hitters who want a poly that doesn't “ bag out ” and lose its magic after a couple sessions. Both testers found this string to last about three weeks before needing to re-string.
What is the average string tension?
Typical tensions range from around 40-65lbs, but most players' tensions fall well within that range of extremes! Generally speaking, professional stringers tend to advise players to string their rackets as low as possible whilst still being able to maintain control of the ball.
What happens when strings lose tension?
“When a string loses tension, it becomes softer,” they write. “That is all that changes in a string. It does not lose power, resiliency or 'go dead' in any quantitative way. It simply becomes less stiff, and thus feels 'different' to the player.”
How long does it take to break tennis strings?
i break strings about every 2-3 weeks. i use babolat superfine at 62.
How often do pro tennis players restring?
When should you restring? Touring pros restring every day. Recreational players restring anywhere from every three or four times they play to once a decade, or until the strings break.
What causes tennis strings to break?
Dirty clamps, mishandled string, and improper stringing techniques at home or in the shop can result in string breakage on the court. Broken strings are part of tennis, and all strings, no matter the type or cost, will eventually break if not replaced on a regular basis.
Do tennis racquets go dead?
Do racquets ever "wear out?" A: Yes, racquet frames do eventually "soften." Over time different stresses add up and eventually break down the fibers and resin that make up your racquet, resulting in a frame that is less stiff than it once was.
Do tennis strings make a difference?
Generally speaking, thinner strings offer improved playability while thicker strings offer enhanced durability. Tennis string gauges range from 15 (thickest) to 19 (thinnest), with half-gauges identified with an L (15L, 16L, etc), which is short for “light”.
How do I know if my racket needs restringing?
If your strings are fraying or look shaggy, the strings are starting to come apart and you're not going to get as much spin or power when you hit the ball. When your strings get ratty-looking, it's definitely time to restring.
How long do tennis rackets last?
For a big hitter, training regularly and playing tournaments, rackets last about 1 year and tend to lose stiffness after that. A club player who does not hit the ball particularly hard and looks after their rackets can have rackets last for 10 years or perhaps more without problems.
How many racquets does a 660 reel string?
A standard reel that is 660ft should be enough for 16 rackets (40feet x 16 rackets = 640ft). Each set of string is typically around 40ft (give or take 2 feet).
What tennis strings last the longest?
The most durable material is polyester, while natural gut strings are the least durable. A string with a gauge of 15 is considered to be "thick" and will tend to last longer.