8 Steps to String a Racquet

If you are someone who plays tennis frequently, then you might have experienced the strings on your racquet coming off on more than one occasion. It is annoying, but that is just the way it is. Even the best quality branded racquets are susceptible to such damage.

Thankfully, they are also very easily fixed by either giving it in a repair shop or doing it yourself. Now if you are a casual tennis player, then giving your racquet in to fix the strings is the accepted norm. However, if you are someone who experiences string tear more times than you can count, then perhaps buying a stringing machine becomes a wiser option as you will end up spending way more in the long run with repairs

It is also important to note, that the entire process of stringing a racquet is not an easy one. However, with easily laid our guidelines it is possible for you to master it. It is a skill you need to keep in-handy for the future, thus saving you both time and money.

So without much further ado, here are all the things you will need to string your racquet impeccably.

• Stringing machine
• Durable tennis strings which come in nylon, Kevlar, polyester, natural gut, synthetic gut and all kinds of other forms
• An Awl to loosen blocked grommets and help tie knots
• Pliers to help you easily pull strings
• Clippers or cutters to cut the strings
• Yard stick to cut strings in appropriate length

Steps to String Racquets

1 – Mount the Racquet

Make sure to mount the racquet perfectly onto the stringing machine. A stringing machine will have at least have 2 to 6 points to hold the racquet in place. Make sure to mount the racquet, especially the head and throat securely on the machine. Remember to not block any of grommets when mounting the racquets. The racquet should be placed tightly onto the machine for a smoother stringing experience.

2 – Find the Start Point

Look at the mounted racquet carefully to know where to begin with the stringing process. You will need to find out how many holes there are in the throat to start the process. If the throat has 8 holes then begin from the top. If the throat has 6 holes, then begin from the throat itself. Make a note of which holes on the opposite side of your racquet align with your starting point.

3 – Insert the main strings

Now it is time to insert the main strings. Grab one of the two halves of the string you cut and place into the starting holes. Slide them accordingly into the opposing holes as well. You have to make sure there are equal amount of strings on both the sides.

4 – Pull the Main Strings

Start clamping one of the main strings and make sure to clamp as close to the grommet as possible. This will help minimize tension loss. The way you pull tension on your strings will totally depend on what kind of machines you are using. With manual machines you have to clamp each time you tension a string, whereas in electronic machines you are only required to click one time.

5 – Finish the Main String

With the main string pulled, secure it with the second clamp as close to grommet as you can. Release the string and repeat the process on the other side. Insert the string into the gripper, release once tension is reached, and then clamp it. Repeat this process until all mains are finished.

6 – Tie the Knots

 Once the mains are stringed, it is now time to tie the knot. You will need the help of awls and pliers to get this done. Bring the end of the string down one side, and bring it back up from another. Insert the end of the string into the gripper to tighten the knot. Repeat this process for a stronger knot.

7 – Begin and Finish the cross strings

Now proceed to finishing the cross strings. Take a half of your string and insert it into one of the shared holes. Tie a starting knot. Once done, you will have to weave the string over the mains to reach the opposing holes. Pull all the strings through; make sure no kinks are formed. Once you begin stringing the starting cross strings, continue one at a time.

Make sure to insert the string through the correct hole. Weave the strings from over and under the mains, reach out to close the loop at the opposing holes. As you reach the end of your cross stringing you might find it difficult to pull any further. Use pliers in such circumstances.

8 – Remove the Racquet

Once done remove the racquet and inspect your work carefully. If you don’t find any damage or kinks on your racquet, you can proceed to clamp the extra string. Just like that, your racquet has been stringed.