One of the most common questions among tennis players is how often they should replace the strings on their racket. The general rule recommends restringing your racket at least every three months. However, there are five key factors that influence how frequently a racket should be restrung, either individually or in combination. So what are the factors that determine how often you should change your strings?
Factors that affect string replacement frequency
1. How many times per week you play
A very general rule you can follow is to restring your racket as many times per year as the number of times you play per week. For example, a player who plays four times per week should restring their racket four times per year, meaning roughly every three months. This rule, however, is quite broad and does not take the other factors into account.
2. How many hours you play per session
A player who plays one or two hours more per session than someone who only plays one hour at a time will naturally need to restring more often.
3. Player level
A professional player who trains daily with high-intensity strokes will need to restring much more frequently than a beginner who plays twice a week at a lower intensity.
4. Type of strings
Polyester strings are far more durable than natural gut and multifilament strings. Another equally important factor is how well a string maintains its tension. Strings with a high percentage of tension loss will lose their playability much faster and will need to be replaced sooner compared to strings with lower tension loss.
5. Racket storage conditions
Where and how a racket is stored plays a major role in the health of the strings. In countries, where summer temperatures can be extremely high, rackets should be stored in a cool, shaded place, away from direct sunlight, and never left in a car. This is why many modern racket bags include insulated compartments designed to protect strings from high temperatures. Natural gut, in particular, requires extra care, as it absorbs moisture easily, leading to faster tension loss and a greater need for replacement.
How to make your strings last longer
Racket strings are one of the most vulnerable parts of your equipment and require proper care to extend their lifespan. By paying attention to the factors above, you can help your strings last longer. While playing less is not an option, you can be careful with how you store your rackets, consider using polyester strings, and avoid unnecessary impacts during practice, such as hitting balls that are already out, to reduce extra stress on the stringbed.