String to ideal or tighter? Help!

[Colebob]

Hi all,

A quick question for you that I've been struggling with... I am 47...a confirmed, and reconfirmed for years...4.5 level player. I play singles and doubles...all court game...no real weapons...no big weaknesses (that I care to remember anyway ). I use a Volkl DNX 4 racquet (very easy on my surgically repaired wrist). That's the backround...

My question is...I really like how my racquet plays right before the strings break. That is to say I like the lower tension (I use Wilson NXT 16). I have them strung at 54 lbs...but that is too tight for me...and my play suffers until there is only about a third of the string life left.

Any suggestions on should I string it even lower? Are different strings better or worse at losing tension, anything else??

Thanks!

Colebob

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

I would give it a proper pre stretch and then string it lower.
That way you are going to get a longer period in the sweet zone.
If you just string it lower without pre stretching you may drop under your desired tension too quick.
Start by pre stretching and stringing at 50 - 51lbs.

 

[Colebob]

Thanks! I don't string my own racquets anymore...is "pre-stretching something I can ask the tennis shop to do? By the way...I replace the strings (usually as they break or just before) about once every 3-4 months (and I play 1-1.5 times per week)...

Thanks,

Colebob

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

Yes any decent stringer can pre stretch the string for you. You will need to experiment with the tension after pre stretching to fine tune it but I would start with 50lbs if you are currently starting at 54lbs.

Better check the stringer is not already pre stretching.

 

[rasajadad]

The other answer is to string with natural gut at the lower tension. As it loosens less than the multi you're using it will stay "in the zone" for it's entire life cycle.