Strings are an integral component of controlling a tennis ball through the tennis stroke. You don't have many options if a string breaks when playing a match. The tension of the racket and all the strings change and you will lose control of even the most basic shots. You can take steps to prolong the life of your racket strings, reducing the cost of constant restringing and keeping you on the court.
Step 1
Store your rackets in a cool, dry place. Moisture and excessive heat can lead to string expansion and contraction, ultimately making the strings brittle and susceptible to snapping.
Step 2
Use a thicker gauge string such as 15 gauge. Thinner strings have less surface area and wear faster.
Step 3
String rackets at a looser tension. Every racket has a recommended tension range; stick to the lower end of the range where the string is more of a trampoline than a board. The strings might become looser with playing but won't be as susceptible to breaking.
Step 4
Hit a flatter ball. The more spin you use on the ball, the more work is done to the strings, causing fraying and splitting. A flatter ball places less friction on the strings and will reduce the risk of breaking.
Step 5
Choose a durable string such as nylon or a mutlifilament string with a solid core. These strings have a patter of smaller threads surrounding a central core. The various layers provide added stability and reduce the chance of breaking.
Tips and Warnings
- If you do break a string during a point, don't try to hit the ball with a flat or topspin stroke because the ball will sail. Use a slice to try to stay in the point and look to get into the net to give yourself a chance of winning the point.
- Snapping a string is inevitable if you play long enough and hit hard enough. When you do snap a string, use fingernail clippers to cut the rest of the strings from the frame. The other strings still have high tension; the discrepancy of pressure on the frame can lead to warping. Start by cutting inside strings and working your way out in a T pattern.
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