Pros and Strings

[califsurferboy33]

Ok, I hear a lot about pros using string savers and I heard Sampras used to use string savers. My main question is why? I mean they get free string and services of the tournament stringing room right? Why would they care if their strings break a lot? I mean its all free. Do string savers have any effect on how the strings play? Please help!

 

[LttlElvis]

I believe he used them to keep the strings more even, thus more consistency and predictablity on the strokes. Also, you get more bite on the ball, therefore more spin.

Sampras most likely did not use them to get more life out of a string job. By the way, as a top pro, he surely got his strings and services included with his endorsement of Babolat. Lower rank pros have to pay for their string jobs.

 

[VGP]

^^^^Federer does as you described.

Sampras did use them to get more life out of a stringjob. He regularly installed them during his matches. He used to use full gut jobs strung tightly. If he saw any fraying he'd pop in some string savers. Plus, if a frame is working for you, keeping it going is a good thing.

Why would an endorsed pro care if strings break? Free or not free, pro or amateur, no one wants a string to break during a crucial point.

 

[jura]

Ok, I hear a lot about pros using string savers and I heard Sampras used to use string savers. My main question is why? I mean they get free string and services of the tournament stringing room right? Why would they care if their strings break a lot? I mean its all free. Do string savers have any effect on how the strings play? Please help!

The meaning of string savers is to keep the string unbroken til the next "regular" change, mostly the next ball change. Most players don't like to take a new racket at 5:5 in a tie-break because of a broken string.
Not all players get their strings free. Specially the guys who use a hybrid with natural gut many times have to pay for their VS.
The stringing at the stringer's room is not free! Only sometimes for players who are under contract with the company that makes the stringing service.

 

[cstephenson]

String savers don't seem to be much of an issue lately. With the new poly strings they don't move all that much and last a lot longer. I think just about every pro on tour uses some form of poly now.