Racquet "Fatigue" and Useful Life

I've read that the bond between the fibers in our composite racquets can break down over time giving the frame a "dead" response...high initial flex, but no rebound.

Has anyone noticed any practical difference in frames they have played with for years? I've got a Head PT280 I've used on and off for over 10 yrs. I've been trying some new and re-issued players frames of similar flex and noticed the old PT280 seems to have a somewhat "dead" response in comparison.

Never seen this topic discussed... Think this is real or BS?

Not to thread hijack, but I'd also like to know how you can tell a frame is "Dead"

It's real, but can most people tell? Probably not. By the way, there is no "rebound" during contact. The ball leaves the strings too quickly.

Put some different strings on it and forget about it.

Basically, the racquet loses its stiffness over time I believe. I've read on this forum that you will be able to notice a difference in play(from your old racquet to a new one of the same spec) after 30 restringings.

Thomas Bird-Itch said:

By the way, there is no "rebound" during contact. The ball leaves the strings too quickly.

Click to expand...

You're right, I guess by "dead" I am describing the initial flex that gives right away like a flat tire rather than a smooth transition to max flex as contact w/ ball is made. Not so much a string issue, they're new. Just wondering if anyone's concerned with this when buying used racquets. Classic styling in new frames is on the way out.

People can't typically tell because people don't usually have access to fresh rackets. I can tell a difference in some frames in as little as maybe a couple dozen times out, maybe one or two restrings.

Now, is it enough of a difference to matter in play? Not at that point, but I'd have no problem believing someone who plays with only 1 or 2 sticks year 'round hitting them out in less than 2 years, especially if they like them fresh and lively.

This might be less true now that the manufacturers have moved on to different resin technologies like nCode, aero/microgel, etc. - jury's still out.

You really have to wonder if this is a psychlogical issue when some people use old racquets. I know quite a few older guys who've used the same stick for ten or fifteen years, maybe longer, and they still hit a very heavy ball. (And this in spite of the fact that they presumably have lost some strengh themselves during this period.)

sandifer said:

I've read that the bond between the fibers in our composite racquets can break down over time giving the frame a "dead" response...high initial flex, but no rebound.

Has anyone noticed any practical difference in frames they have played with for years? I've got a Head PT280 I've used on and off for over 10 yrs. I've been trying some new and re-issued players frames of similar flex and noticed the old PT280 seems to have a somewhat "dead" response in comparison.

Never seen this topic discussed... Think this is real or BS?

Click to expand...

It's <more> a function of number of restrings rather than the age. Stringing stresses out frames more than anything (other than throwing them of course or perhaps microwaving them

The way to tell is by hitting a brand new frame of the same model along with the old frame of the same model and see if you notice a difference. The response of a fatigued frame is dull, more flexible, and less lively. some people notice stuff like this and others dont

Some of the older frames were really subject to racquet fatigue..some more than others. Prestiges, i would get a max of 2 years out of rotating 4 or 5 frames (dont know how many restrings). some of these would warp so you had visual fatigue. many of the guys only got a few months <if they were lucky> out of the 200g before they warped or just broke on an overhead or something

it depends on how often you play, how often you restring and if you are into the habit of letting your racquets "bake" in the trunk of your car.
30 restringings could be an indicative number, and you would only really notice the change if you play a "fresh" racquet of the same kind. otherwise, you'd just go with your racquets and adapt your strokes without even noticeing it.

when i get my new APD's every 6 months or so i notice a slight difference to my older ones...u will notice it if you bounce the racquet on the ground, they make slightly different noises