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.
