Equipment · Strings
Restringing your tennis racquet: when and how?
You should restring your tennis racquet long before the strings break: strings relax and lose their liveliness from the very first hours of play. The simplest rule: restring as many times a year as you play each week, so twice a year if you play twice a week. If you use polyester or hit hard, restring more often.
Key takeaways
- The basic rule: as many restrings per year as sessions per week.
- Three signs of wear: lost tension (a “dead” string bed), frayed strings, and balls that no longer come off the racquet as usual.
- Worn strings tire the arm: they get stiffer and raise the risk of tennis elbow.
- Do not wait for a break: by the time a string snaps, your game has been suffering for a while.
- Usual tension: 23 to 27 kg (50 to 60 lb) for a regular player, within the manufacturer’s range.
When should you restring your tennis racquet?
Every player asks this question. Wait too long and your strings lose their liveliness, costing you both control and power. The rule most stringers use: restring as many times a year as you play each week.
| You play… | Suggested restringing | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Once a week | At least once a year | Even without a break: strings relax as they age |
| Twice a week | Twice a year | Roughly every 6 months |
| 3 to 4 times a week | 3 to 4 times a year | More often with polyester, which loses tension fast |
| Every day (competition) | Much more often, as soon as tension drops | High-level players restring very frequently |
Signs it is time to restring
- Lost tension: you lack power and control, and the strings feel “soft” at impact.
- Frayed strings: if the fibres are coming apart or the strings are notched, they are at the end of their life.
- Changed feel: the ball no longer comes off the racquet as usual, you lack precision or your balls fly long.
- Strings that stay out of place: after each shot you have to straighten the mains by hand.
Why restring regularly?
Ageing strings do not just lose tension: they also get stiffer. More vibration reaches your arm, which increases the risk of injuries such as tennis elbow. And as they lose liveliness, you have to work harder for the same power and precision.
Restringing regularly is good for your game, for the life of your racquet and for your body. If elbow pain sets in all the same, get it checked: our sports medical center looks after injured players. See also our article on racquets and tennis elbow.
Which string should you choose when you restring?
Restringing is the right time to ask whether your string still suits you. The choice depends on your level, your style and how often you play.
| String | Strengths | Weakness | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monofilament (usually polyester) | Control, durability, spin | Lacks comfort | Competitors who hit hard with topspin |
| Multifilament | Soft feel, power, kind to the arm | Wears faster | All-round players, sensitive arms |
| Natural gut | Top comfort, power and feel | Price, lifespan | Demanding players who want maximum touch |
To compare all the materials in detail, see our guide to tennis racquet strings. If comfort is your priority, our multifilament string explainer will help you choose.
Which tension should you ask your stringer for?
A higher tension gives control, a lower tension gives power. For a regular player, the usual range is 23 to 27 kg (50 to 60 lb), adjusted to your style and string.
- Low tension (22 to 24 kg / 48 to 53 lb): more power and comfort, slightly less control.
- High tension (25 to 27 kg / 55 to 60 lb): more control and precision, but a stiffer feel and more strain on the arm if you hit hard.
At the Mouratoglou Academy, you can have your racquet strung by professional stringers at the ProShop. Elsewhere, most sports shops and clubs offer the service.
Mistakes to avoid when restringing
- Ignoring the manufacturer’s tension range: every racquet is designed for a specific range, printed on the frame. Going beyond it hurts performance and can contribute to injury.
- Waiting for a string to break: a broken string means you waited too long; your game was already suffering.
- Overlooking racquet and string compatibility: a very stiff frame with a tightly strung polyester, for example, is a harsh combination for the arm.
- Changing several things at once: new string, new tension and new racquet together, and you will not know what works.
To compare string families, see also nylon strings, hybrid strings and all our tennis equipment guides. At the Mouratoglou Academy on the French Riviera (Biot, near Nice), string choice is part of each player’s individual set-up, in the spirit of the Mouratoglou Method.
AdultsFull daysAll levelsPerformance Camp AdultA week of intensive tennis, 4 players per coach: technique, match play, physical and mental training.DISCOVER Frequently asked questions
How often should I restring my racquet?
As many times a year as you play each week: two sessions a week means two restrings a year. Restring more often if you use polyester, hit hard or feel the strings have lost tension.
What is the most durable tennis string?
Polyester monofilaments are the most durable of the common strings, and Kevlar is even tougher. The trade-off is comfort: they are stiffer on the arm.
How can I get more power from my strings?
Lower the tension to around 23 kg (50 lb) and choose a soft string such as a multifilament or natural gut. The string bed will deform more and return more energy to the ball.
How do I know if my strings are too tight or too loose?
If you lack power or your shots feel harsh on the arm, the strings are probably too tight. If you struggle to control your shots and balls fly long, they may be too loose or have relaxed over time.
Should I restring before an intensive tennis camp?
Yes, ideally a few days before: fresh strings that have had time to settle give consistent feel all week. Bring a second racquet strung the same way, because the hitting volume of a camp wears strings faster. Before a Player Camp Adult, also mention any arm pain so tension and material can be adapted.
