My most asked question.

My most asked question.

The most asked question I get as a racket stringer is, How often should I restring my racket?

There's loads of different answers to this question but let me ask you a question first,  How serious are you about your tennis?

So, the answer will vary depending on who you ask.  A racket stringer looking to make money will say once a month.  The parent, paying for the restrings, will say only when the strings break.

My advice varies depending on the player I am talking to.  While all strings lose tension/elasticity overtime (some faster than others), it really depends on the question I asked, How serious are you about your tennis.

For the social player or someone new to tennis, I always say at least twice a year.  That would be fresh strings at the start of the winter season and then again at the end of this season.  

Obviously this depends on climate but, for me in Ireland, regardless of standard, players should be using a different tension in winter than the rest of the year.  The reason for this is to keep the feel in the racket the same throughout the year.  In winter it's colder so your muscles don't warm up as much, therefore you aren't as agile.  The courts are wet and the tennis balls are heavier.  It's harder to generate power, therefore you can't expect to generate the same power in the winter as you do in the summer.

I would then change again at the end of the winter so as to remove the strings that have become lifeless due to the cold and wet weather.  You can also consider increasing the tension again now.

Most pro players change their rackets every 9 games, with the ball change.  They change the racket not because they have broken their string but because they want fresh strings to help control the new tennis balls.

If you are a serious player I'm not suggesting you need to change this often but what you should learn from this is the importance fresh strings.  Regular stringing provides a more consistent feel which will help your game.

Leaving strings in your racket a longtime reduces power, control and increases shock and vibration, major factors in arm injuries. 

For advice on which string suits your game and racket get in touch and will be delighted to help.

Rob 087-1528120 

Professional Racket Stringing available in Cork

 Hi all, I mentioned in a previous post that I was moving back to Cobh, well we arrived last Friday.

Currently I am available for racket stringing and soon, once my other equipment arrives, I will also be available to customise your rackets.

In previous years I have run stringing courses and may do some more in the future.  As well as stringing now I am also available to Club Talks.  These talks will help players understand more about their rackets and strings and give you the information needed so you can make your own informed choices in the future. For more information on the Club Talks, you can contact me on 087-1528120.

If you need a racket strung, don't hesitate to get in touch.  My turnaround time is very quick.

Hope to be of service to you soon.

Rob

Summer Tennis Season

Summer Tennis Season

In a previous post I talked about what to watch out for in the Winter tennis season.  Similarly, the summer season brings different challenges as the weather gets hotter, or is supposed to at least!

The word for the hotter weather is 'Control'.

Generating power should be easier as the air gets thinner, the balls heat up more and therefore fly faster.  The best way to compensate for this is with your strings.

There are different options available, however the most common one is to increase the tension.  You would want to be at least increasing by 1 kilo or 2 pounds to notice a difference.

If you are unsure about which strings you are using and why, I will gladly help.  Contact me via email.

Here are some options to consider when looking to increase control:

• Like I mentioned above, increase tension
• If you are using a multifilament or nylon/synthetic gut string you may want to increase tension a bit more as these are power strings and really soft.
• You can change the thickness/gauge of your regular string.  Thicker strings offer more control, but it is worth noting thicker strings decrease spin potential.
• Change from softer strings to a hybrid setup.  A hybrid setup will add a polyester string (best for control) either in the mains or crosses.  Discuss the benefits of both setups with your stringer before changing.  Please note if you do make this change it can take a little longer to adjust to the feel, not a good idea to change just before or during a tournament.

All strings come in different thicknesses, so it is worth noting that within the same string make and model a 120 gauge will play very differently to a 130 gauge.

Here's a few other things that might help:

• Put on a fresh grip at the start of a match.
• Bring plenty of water and something for an energy boost
• A change of t-shirt and socks(you don't want blisters)
• A hat, the cooler your head the less likely you are to overheat

Let's hope we get the weather I'm expecting!

Rob's Stringing and Customising Service to resume in Cork

After a number of years living abroad I will be returning home this summer and I can't wait.

I have missed being home but have had some great experiences living in Qatar, Club World Championships, FIFA World Cup 2022, an ATP and WTA event every year and so much more.

Prior to leaving Cork I had just attended a stringing course in Cobh, with a very talented and knowledgeable stringer named Liam Nolan.  Liam is an Irishman living in England and in his time there was Head Stringer of Wimbledon for a number of years.  So it is safe to say he knows what he's talking about and someone you could learn a lot from.  Liam is also the owner and founder of the UKRSA (UK Racket Stringers Association).

Having attended the course it really opened my eyes to the world of stringing and racket technologies.  This gave me an appetite to learn more, so in my time away I have attended courses around the world and received qualifications from the main stringing bodies.  I hold qualifications in stringing, customising and pro tour level stringing.

In Qatar they also host ITF Futures events.  These are held twice a year in 3 week blocks.  I have been the onsite stringer for some of those but in recent years I have strung privately for the Dutch team and a few other players on their request.  I have done all the customisation work the Qatari Davis Team and also for their WTA player.

Shortly after arriving here I found the scene to be active, but disjointed.  There are no clubs to join, so finding players of your standard to play can be difficult.  This prompted me to setting up a tennis league.  The original league started with 12 players and over time, through word of mouth and my website, I leave the league after 9 seasons with 4 divisions and between 120-150 players.  I am really proud of the league and what it has given me and the tennis community of Qatar.

From the league I grew my stringing business.  While I love stringing, I also am passionate about teaching players about strings and how they affect their game.  I think that is why I have the support and customer base I have here.  Players know they can ask me anything and that between us they will get the best choice for them.  This is one of the areas I look forward to working on when I'm back home.

I will be available to give advice to players, coaches and parents whether they chose to string with me or not.

Your equipment is the most important part of your game, because when all the coaching is done and the off court areas, like fitness and nutrition are finished, it is only you and your racket on the court.  If your racket and strings don't compliment each other then you are in trouble.

Equipment is extremely important, even more so for a stringer.  There are plenty of cheap options available in machines and strings and unfortunately for the player who's stringer uses these cheap options, the quality of your stringing will be poor.

All my equipment is of the highest quality and is maintained to the highest standard, to ensure quality workmanship and consistency.

Below are some of the pieces of equipment I will be using on my return.

I hope to be of service, pardon the pun, during the summer and afterwards but in the meantime if you have questions or would like any advice you can email me at rob@racketrestringing.ie. 

Many thanks and I hope to see you soon.

Cork Tennis Coaches

 Looking for a Tennis Coach in Cork?

In an addition to the site I have added a page with a list of coaches in Cork and their contact numbers.

If you are a coach and would like your name added to the list, send me a message on WhatsApp (087)1528120.

The permanent link to the page can be found on the top right of the site, or from here.