The tension matters a lot. But they don't use any frame for a long time. I think Roger switches every 7 games? The strings probably get played with for just ten minutes each not including change overs . Nadal uses RPM which loses tension incredibly fast so he just switches frames often to a brand new string job.
There's rare cases of pros who use the same string all match but most go through several fresh strung racquets.
Tension maintenance is still important at the highest level. In those 7 games, elite players put an incredible amount of stress on their strings, probably more than most rec players will in weeks and months I reckon. If a string to lose tension fast enough, these players would probably notice a drop in performance. Yet ALU and RPM remain the two most popular strings around. Also, whether pros change racquets because they actually feel the difference or if they want to be preemptive about maintaining performance, that remains to be seen. I'd have to ask around. The main point here is if there is to be any actionable difference, pro players would be the ones to feel it. Maybe they do, but they certainly don't complain about it nearly as much as rec players do.
I am not arguing whether tension maintenance, or equipment in general, matters; they definitely do. My main argument whether a particular stringing method, or any other minor adjustment, would produce significant, actionable differences in performance for most players. I continue to attest they do not and express my disdain for people put place too much emphasis in such low-yield areas. Let's not attempt to squeeze every last drop of juice from small lemons that have already been squeezed whilst ignoring the big, juicy ones right in front of our faces. Most high level players don't obsess over tiny details. Rec players shouldn't either.
This is a very important topic to me because I see it all too often, even in myself. The sooner we stop obsessing over the small things, the sooner we can start focusing on the things that really, really matter.
![[d]ragon](/data/avatars/m/26/26312.jpg?1574364787){kind=avatar}
