Wimbledon Behind the Scenes | Racket Stringing

Clara

New User
Dang, so that one dude is averaging about 20 mins a racket, while all the speedsters around here are doing sub 15 minutes. What's that poor chap doing wrong ;)

I’m pretty sure he meant 20 min with cutting out the string and measuring new one [emoji6][emoji5]


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Dags

Hall of Fame
Always good to see @uk_skippy prowling in the background!

How are the team getting on with the Babolat Modular machines? I can't remember whether they were all Modulars last year, or if you had a mix with the Sensor. The Modular doesn't get mentioned that much on this board, so I'm curious what the professional opinion is now it's been out for a couple of years.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Dang, so that one dude is averaging about 20 mins a racket, while all the speedsters around here are doing sub 15 minutes. What's that poor chap doing wrong ;)
There is a big difference between an average time and how fast you can string a racket. With all the different rackets, patterns and string types and average of 20 minutes is actually pretty fast. Especially when you’re stringing 30 rackets a day.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
Dang, so that one dude is averaging about 20 mins a racket, while all the speedsters around here are doing sub 15 minutes. What's that poor chap doing wrong ;)

Well, if I had to hazard a guess, he probably wasn't using the latest technology. I'm quite certain he isn't using old style wooden clothes pins on the crosses or hair beads to weave....

Clara said:
I’m pretty sure he meant 20 min with cutting out the string and measuring new one
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I think after the front desk checks the frames in, there is someone dedicated to cutting the strings out so the stringers don't have to do it.
 
Always good to see @uk_skippy prowling in the background!

How are the team getting on with the Babolat Modular machines? I can't remember whether they were all Modulars last year, or if you had a mix with the Sensor. The Modular doesn't get mentioned that much on this board, so I'm curious what the professional opinion is now it's been out for a couple of years.
The major advancement in my opinion is the full 360 circular clamps and rail. You can get both clamp well enough on the same side, actually in some case no need for a starting clamp because you can get the 2nd clamp to tie off area without release into the other clamp.

the tension head is at an angle so it doesn’t directly pull in an awkward way and put less stress on the strings.

Having this machine for the last 5 months... I would say it is way up there in rank with the Baiardo which I still think is superior than the Racquet Machine
 
Why would you ever want both clamps on the same side?
I am just stating that there is plenty of space in those tight area where sometime the clamps run into each other. You can be in the same area and get the clamp right to the groomet which I found difficult on other machines with linear or curve rails. I am not explaining it as well my apologies
 

Wes

Hall of Fame
Why would you ever want both clamps on the same side?
I can think of at least one scenario.

If you needed to do a 2pc. job... and didn't have a starting clamp to hold/anchor the top cross... and you didn't want to use any sort of starting knot to anchor the top cross either.
This procedure would create a moment when the top cross would have one swivel clamp on it (let's say, on the right side of the frame) and then the 2nd cross (after pulling tension) would have the other swivel clamp on it (also on the right side of the frame).

In effect, the 1st swivel clamp is taking on the duty that would normally be accomplished with a starting clamp.
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
That is a Q I can't answer n a public forum; or private message. That stays amongst the stringers
I knew the answer before I asked. I found it funny the reporter asked it to the stringers.

I know a handful of people who’ve had responsibilities at various professional golf tournaments. To a person, they ALL talk about how poor of a person Tiger Woods is/was. He’s not good at making friends or fans. Phil Michelson is the opposite.

I do find your job interesting. You guys have a decent amount of power over the players’ main equipment. While you’re not walking with them and helping in the decision like a caddie in golf, you could sabotage a very rude player quite easily. Although, they’d likely figure it out during warmups and just create more work for another. I still suppose that most realize the relationship is important and treat you as an important part of their success. I’d guess the younger players might be more foolish but that’s just a guess.

Does wisdom come with age?
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Dang, so that one dude is averaging about 20 mins a racket, while all the speedsters around here are doing sub 15 minutes. What's that poor chap doing wrong ;)
A lot of the pros are using 18x20s which take a few mins longer than 16x18 or 16x19s.
 

uk_skippy

Hall of Fame
For those players using gut (hybrid or not), what are you seeing much of other than Babolat?

Of gut use, Babolat is king, followed by the older Wilson gut (i.e. made by Babolat), then newer Wilson gut (i.e. made by Luxilon), then Luxilon and a bit of Pacific.
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
We see both new and used racquets; but mainly used.

Interesting, and ive always wondered about this,,,
how do you guys handle bad grommet scenarios? At a major event,, (a local shop would make the client wait a couple days until grommets come in;, you all dont have that luxury),,
Is the check in person trained to adress this issue before the stringer gets the raket??
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
Interesting, and ive always wondered about this,,,
how do you guys handle bad grommet scenarios? At a major event,, (a local shop would make the client wait a couple days until grommets come in;, you all dont have that luxury),,
Is the check in person trained to adress this issue before the stringer gets the raket??

It's been my experience that pros usually carry spare grommets with them. Their rackets are subject to very diverse situations (to put it nicely). They restring every day and find themselves in need to spare parts so to speak.
 

uk_skippy

Hall of Fame
Interesting, and ive always wondered about this,,,
how do you guys handle bad grommet scenarios? At a major event,, (a local shop would make the client wait a couple days until grommets come in;, you all dont have that luxury),,
Is the check in person trained to adress this issue before the stringer gets the raket??

It's been my experience that pros usually carry spare grommets with them. Their rackets are subject to very diverse situations (to put it nicely). They restring every day and find themselves in need to spare parts so to speak.

We will tube any grommets that are split. Occasionally they have spare grommet sets; but this is very rare. Higher level players get new rqts every 4-6 months; lower level players are where you'll see damaged strips. Desk people will highlight any racquets that come in that have tubing in them
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
@uk_skippy

If you can answer.

What string does Isner use?
What is the highest tension of any player and string used?
Does anyone use synthetic gut?
What’s the lowest tension and string used?
Are there any other oddities we’d find interesting?
 

uk_skippy

Hall of Fame
@uk_skippy

If you can answer.

What string does Isner use? TF Redcode
What is the highest tension of any player and string used? 34.5kg, with 10% pre-stretch; Luxilon Original
Does anyone use synthetic gut? No, but quite a bit of multifilament
What’s the lowest tension and string used? 16/14lbs; Wilson Gut/Timo
Are there any other oddities we’d find interesting? I may cover that in a separate post after the finish

Answers in bold
 
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