Fresh strings can transform your game—adding power, control, and comfort. But most players wait too long before restringing, unknowingly playing with dead or worn-out strings. Here are the clearest signs it’s time to get your racket restrung.
1. 🎯 Loss of Control and Power
If balls that once landed deep are now sailing long (or dropping short), your strings may have lost their tension. Over time, all string types—polyester, multifilament, and synthetic gut—gradually lose elasticity, which reduces energy return and shot consistency.
2. 👀 Visible Fraying or Notching
Look closely at your strings:
- Fraying: Multifilament strings start to split, showing small fibres sticking out.
- Notching: Strings “cut” into each other where they intersect, especially with polyester or synthetic gut.
Once fraying or notching gets deep, performance drops and breakage is close.
3. 🎾 Reduced Spin Response
Fresh strings snap back into place after brushing the ball, helping you generate spin. Dead strings stop moving freely. If your topspin feels flatter or slices float more than usual, it’s a sign they’ve lost their “snapback.”
4. ⚡ Arm or Shoulder Discomfort
Dead strings transmit more shock and vibration into your arm. If you notice new discomfort—especially with stiff polyester—it may be time to restring or switch to a softer option like Solinco Vanquish or Wilson Sensation.
5. ⏱️ It’s Been Too Long
Even without obvious signs, strings degrade over time—even in your bag. A good guideline:
If it’s been more than 3 months since your last restring (and you play weekly), it’s time.
Polyester players may need to restring even sooner due to faster tension loss.
✅ Quick Check: When Did You Last Restring?
- Play 1–2 times/week → restring every 3–4 months
- Play 3–4 times/week → restring every 1–2 months
- Competitive players → every 2–4 weeks
📦 Ready for Fresh Strings?
Our UK postal tennis racket restringing service makes it simple:
- Choose your string (poly, multifilament, or synthetic gut)
- Pick your tension and extras (like replacement grips and stencils)
- Send it to us using the likes of Evri or Yodel
- Receive your racket back, freshly restrung in 48 hours
