Who’s Pulling Your Strings!?!

I was watching the New Haven Final the other day when Finalist Denis Istomin requested that his racquet be strung mid-match.  The dutiful ball girl ran it off to the tournament stringer to be strung and returned in a timely manner.  Watching the stringer perform his work, I was very surprised to notice him starting the string job at the bottom of the racquet.  I thought it was common knowledge that, unless the pro specifically requests that a racquet be strung bottom up (Rafael Nadal is one such pro), the proper procedure is to string a racquet from the top down; that is, from the top of the racquet head to the throat of the racquet.

The reasons for doing this are obvious.  Certain manufacturers won’t honor your warranty if it is discovered that the racquet was improperly strung from the bottom up.  Another good reason to avoid stringing a racquet in this way is the simple fact that it changes the shape of the racquet.  It’s like pitching a tent.  If you alter where you place the supports and the way you stretch the tent, the entire shape of the tent can be skewed.  The same thing happens with racquet stringing, especially where strong polyesters are strung at high tensions.   They pull on the frame of the racquet and hold the frame in a new position (a more oval position).

Despite its technical appearance, racquet stringing really is an art.  And, as is the case with all art, some artists are more talented than others.  No two stringers string the same way.  Each one has his (or her) own methods, personal techniques and secrets for making your string job awesome (e.g., I keep my technique for creating a larger sweet spot close to the breast and wouldn’t dare share it, even if waterboarded!).  But, as the client, you should be getting your racquet strung precisely how you request it!

Watch for common mistakes like missed holes, missing or inverted grommets, and incorrect tension.  If you consistently notice mistakes in your string job, you might need to start shopping for a new stringer.  Also beware the stringer I like to call the “telemarketer.”   This is the stringer who will suggest a crappy product to you just to make a sale or move inventory that is otherwise not selling.  Your stringer should be like your doctor-they should want nothing but the best for you.  If your stringer can’t or won’t listen to what you want to get out of your tennis game or constantly suggests products you’re less than satisfied with, consider finding a new one, preferably, one that’s certified or has professional experience.

Now, I know it seems like I’m just saying “dump your stringer-he sucks!” But, I’m simply trying to  get those of you with good stringers to appreciate them more (we’re a bit short on appreciation these days) and those of you with bad stringers to find good ones.

What should really get you running for the hills is a stringer who DOUBLE PULLS!! Avoid the double (and sometimes more) puller at all costs.  By not pulling each and every string, the stringer is essentially changing the tension, play and feel of the string/racquet because there is only tension on one side of the racquet.  Trust your instincts!  You know how your racquet is supposed to feel.  When it doesn’t feel the way you’d like, you have to determine if one of a limited number of explanations is fitting.  Odds are, if nothing else has changed about your game, it’s the string job that’s off.

While I’m not privy to whether or not Istomin requested a bottom up string job, the ball girl did return with a freshly strung racquet in about eighteen minutes-not bad.  No matter how fast your stringer gets your stick off the machine, know that it takes a lot of hard work to be a professional racquet stringer.  Not everyone is capable of paying attention to minute details. Every professional stringer wants to get it done accurately, fast and fantastically.  If your stringer has other goals, cut the strings!

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