Are my strings dead?

slicefox

Banned
I have this Wilson racquet with some unknown strings (got it as a gift so I don't know). I've been playing with the same thing for about 3 years, and I don't know If I need to be getting new strings or not. When I try do some of the spins, the strings tend to warp and bend out of the pattern, so I just move them back with my hand. Is it time to get some new strings? How close are those to being dead? And, how do I test to see if strings are still good (tension etc.) ?

Thanks.
 

bank5

Semi-Pro
If you play at least once a week and are a 3.0 or above, I'd probably replace them. If you just play every once in a while for fun, they're probably not worth replacing.
 

tbini87

Hall of Fame
3 years?? they are definitely dead! that doesn't mean that you can't still use them, it just means lots of tension has been lost and playability is probably horrible. but restringing would only help!
 

brayman9

Semi-Pro
three years is a long time my dad plays ocasionaly and his strings died in 6 months so 3 years is definetly time
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
They have lost their elasticity. Not only do they move a lot, they will eventually hurt your arm (if you play enough).
 

slicefox

Banned
I'm about level 4.5. I used to play lots last year (almost every day) for about 3 months and then I stopped because I didn't have anyone to play with anymore. I started getting into it again now though.

The thing I'm worried about right now is that if I get new strings that would mess up my style. I'm used to it hitting this way (not very far) and I'm worried that if I switch to new strings I will over hit all the time. Is that a problem with replacing strings?
 

shintan17

Semi-Pro
It's weird. If you were a 4.5 player, I don't think you would ask the question like that. Of course, the string is dead in 3 years. Most people play at 4.5 usually break or change the string every two weeks or a month, probably depending on what kind of string you use.

I am around 3.5-4.0 and I usually break my string every two weeks if I play a lot like 3-4 times a week for a few hours, if not, still probably only lasts about a month.
 

slicefox

Banned
Man, you guys serious? You probably use crappy strings or something... I hit balls as hard as I can and I've never seen strings broken. I'm seriously a 4.5; I can curve serves, and do consistent slices and top spins. I don't know what you're talking about broken strings.... never seen it happen.
 
isn't there some rule of thumb that number of times played per week = number of restrung per year?

You might be using a tournament nylon though, I pulled out my 12y/o prestrung $15 off the shelf racket a couple days ago and I was still able to hit "as hard as I can" with topspin and slice while curving serves. course the only reason i whipped that baby out was cause i usually break multi's and syn gut's every 1-2wks in my regular rackets.

back to your original question, string movement doesn't necessarily denote the end of your strings lifespan. My strings usually stop moving after the first hour or two from the notches I put in them. The only real way to tell is if you experience a drop in playability. Are your shots starting to sail long or eat the net frequently? Are you having to adjust your stroke to compensate for your strings? If so your strings may have lost tension or elasticity and may need to be changed.

I agree with shintan though, most 4.5 players can probably tell when their strings need to be changed. The amount of time inbetween their restringings will probably vary depending on their playing style though. (I know a few 4.5s who have a flatter stroke who don't restring nearly as often as I do and I think I'm a weak 4.0)
 

cukoo

Semi-Pro
I have this Wilson racquet with some unknown strings (got it as a gift so I don't know). I've been playing with the same thing for about 3 years

Been playing with "this Wilson racquet" with "unknown strings" that havent broken for 3 years doesnt really make your previous post believible...
You probably use crappy strings or something
LOL, nice
 

Nuke

Hall of Fame
slicefox, my mind is boggled by the ideas that you're a 4.5 player and hit the ball as hard as you can, yet you have never broken a string and have no idea that three-year-old strings are dead. Wow.
 

TheShaun

Hall of Fame
Man, you guys serious? You probably use crappy strings or something... I hit balls as hard as I can and I've never seen strings broken. I'm seriously a 4.5; I can curve serves, and do consistent slices and top spins. I don't know what you're talking about broken strings.... never seen it happen.

lol.........
 

lethalfang

Professional
Man, you guys serious? You probably use crappy strings or something... I hit balls as hard as I can and I've never seen strings broken. I'm seriously a 4.5; I can curve serves, and do consistent slices and top spins. I don't know what you're talking about broken strings.... never seen it happen.

1) You're either making up a new moniker and playing joke on this board, or
2) You've no clue about tennis.

I've no idea which one.
 

Loco4Tennis

Hall of Fame
to everyone here, when was the last time you came across a 4.5 player that did not know exactly what kind of racquet he/she is using, and slicefox even said he played with it for 3 years
i know hs girls 3.0 that know the grip size on their babolats
this dudes just playin!!!
 
Last edited:

slicefox

Banned
1) You're either making up a new moniker and playing joke on this board, or
2) You've no clue about tennis.

I've no idea which one.

Dude, nobody has ever taught me anything about tennis. I've never had a tennis lesson in my life. The way I learned was just practicing by hitting against the wall, and experimenting a lot, learning from my mistakes. Just because I can't tell grip size from a mile away doesn't mean I don't know how to play.

Here's what a 4.5 player is according to USTA:

4.5
You have developed your use of power and spin and can handle pace. You have sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and attempt to vary game plan according to your opponents. You can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. You tend to overhit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.

Tell me what part in that description you think I can't do.
 

gjoc

Semi-Pro
Dude, nobody has ever taught me anything about tennis. I've never had a tennis lesson in my life. The way I learned was just practicing by hitting against the wall, and experimenting a lot, learning from my mistakes. Just because I can't tell grip size from a mile away doesn't mean I don't know how to play.

Here's what a 4.5 player is according to USTA:

Tell me what part in that description you think I can't do.

Dude, I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, and no offense intended here, but you’re probably a 3.0, if not a 2.5.

The “characteristics” that USTA publishes are very confusing and disingenuous, imo, because they cause just this type of gross misunderstanding.

Your correct “rating” is simply a handicap number, if you want to call it that (kind of like in golf), that merely indicates your ability level in terms of your ability to win matches against other rated players.

In other words, your correct rating is the same as the computer rating of someone that you play more-or-less evenly with.

A computer rating gets set from the computer comparing, at the end of each year, everyone in league play to everyone else (either directly or indirectly) in accordance with all of the match results that year in the USTA NTRP leagues and tournaments.

USTA has a booklet called the NTRP Guidebook that you might want to read.

Here are a couple of salient points that the guidebook mentions:

Q. Can the NTRP be successful as a self-rating-only program?

A. A self-rating can be accurate. But it is important to remember that
there is no substitute for match results as a measure of playing
ability. Even when the NTRP is used as a self-rating-only program,
a tennis professional can assist players through the process. In any
competitive program, it will become obvious from match results
when players have rated themselves inaccurately.

Q. Must players qualify on all points of all preceding NTRP descriptions
before placing themselves in a particular category?

A. No. The rating categories are generalizations about skill levels. They
should place themselves in the category that most closely matches
their playing skill level. The ultimate test is in match play results.

Remember:

• The rating categories are generalizations about skill level.

• You may find that you actually play above or below the category that
best describes your skill level, depending on your competitive ability.

• Your self-rating is not meant to be static; rather it may be adjusted as
your match play demonstrates the need for reclassification.

• There is no substitute for match results as a measure of playing ability.

Play somebody in your area that has a computer rating and see how you do.

When you find somebody you play against more-or-less evenly (i.e., you don’t know for sure ahead of time who will win each time), you’ll know your correct level.

EDIT: Oh, and your strings are dead and need to be replaced.
 
Last edited:

lioneldude

Rookie
Just change the strings. Then you'll know if you are really that good or are just comfortable with dead old strings.
 

slicefox

Banned
I just went there tonight. I got some Wilson strings for $20 that were made of nylon and they were hexagonal for extra spin. They string for free too, so that's cool. I gotta pick up my racket Friday night, and I'll tell you how that goes.
And dude, trust me. I've even let my brother hit it as hard as he could a bunch of times and it didn't break... and he can bench press 240LB so it's not weak sauce.

As for the rating, I haven't seen anyone (in real life) play better than I can. I've seen guys/gals at the highschool varsity team and they SUCK BALLS (tennis balls, that is)
 

lethalfang

Professional
^^^
That post made it clear that you've been joking this entire thread. Good job. It took me a while to recognize that.
 

Owfred

Rookie
slicefox said:
I just went there tonight. I got some Wilson strings for $20 that were made of nylon and they were hexagonal for extra spin. They string for free too, so that's cool. I gotta pick up my racket Friday night, and I'll tell you how that goes.
And dude, trust me. I've even let my brother hit it as hard as he could a bunch of times and it didn't break... and he can bench press 240LB so it's not weak sauce.

As for the rating, I haven't seen anyone (in real life) play better than I can. I've seen guys/gals at the highschool varsity team and they SUCK BALLS (tennis balls, that is)

I hope that you did not go to a general sporting goods store to have your racquet restrung. They generally do not do a good job (personal experience). I broke a set within the first week after a string job.

Im afraid that your self-rating is based on the fact that the amount of proficient tennis players in your area is relatively low. A 4.5 level is really high for most people, including people who have been playing for several years. A 4.5 player will surely break strings since the spin and technique required for the strokes will wear down the strings. Strings are not broken by power alone, but by the topspin you use when playing. If you feel that you are the best at your HS, it may be you are from a less skilled school, much like I was when I was in HS. Check out this thread to see how hard it really is to get to 4.5: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=151450&page=2 .

If no one is challenging you or no one is your level, consider joining a 4.5 league and see how you fare.
 
Last edited:

Nuke

Hall of Fame
I just went there tonight. I got some Wilson strings for $20 . . . They string for free too
slicefox, you are very funny. Are we to suppose this is the first time you've ever had a racquet strung? My troll alarm is going nuts on this thread.
 

nickb

Banned
As for the rating, I haven't seen anyone (in real life) play better than I can. I've seen guys/gals at the highschool varsity team and they SUCK BALLS (tennis balls, that is)

LOL....you will be top 10 in the world with new strings :D
 

slicefox

Banned
If slicefox thinks hes a 4.5 in his world then let him believe it.

Tell me what a 4.5 is in your word and then I'll reconsider. USTA descriptions are a little vague and so I chose the one that most accurately describes my playing style.
 

Gmedlo

Professional
Seattle High schools suck at tennis. Go to Kentwood and you'll get your *** handed to you by a 5.0+ 15 year old.
 

AmericanTemplar

Professional
Dude, nobody has ever taught me anything about tennis. I've never had a tennis lesson in my life. The way I learned was just practicing by hitting against the wall, and experimenting a lot, learning from my mistakes. Just because I can't tell grip size from a mile away doesn't mean I don't know how to play.

Were you by any chance the kid hitting on the wall in the movie "Gummo?"
 

slicefox

Banned
id be careful i think his slices have top spin on then >_<

top spin is for pussies. (that's not a bad word, they let that on the radio)
all the tennis coaches teach their students to do topspin and nothing else. they don't harness the power of the slice. My slices also have a little side spin, so they bounce off to the side when they hit the ground.

topspin = bad
slice = good
topspin + slice = best
 
Top