First, we would need to examine the prerequisites for the question:

• Is it a polyester or polyamide string?
• How tightly was the racket strung?

Regarding string tension, it's generally true that the tighter the strings, the less slippage occurs. However, this shouldn't be the sole criterion for choosing the tension, as higher tensions put more strain on the racket because the strings are less flexible, requiring more power to come from the arm and technique. If a string has been on the racket for several months (or even years), then slippage is due to the string's age.

The material influences string slippage. Polyester strings typically slip very little. With polyamide strings (nylon strings), slippage is very common. This is due to the surface and, above all, the material's flexibility – elastic strings simply slip more. However, this doesn't actually pose a significant disadvantage for playing – players are usually bothered by it visually. Furthermore, most people are no longer accustomed to string slippage because they use polyester strings. Many therefore think that slippage is a bad characteristic to be avoided and opt for polyester, even though they don't need the durability of this material at all – often unknowingly accepting unnecessary strain on the arm.

We would also like to invite you to a personal consultation at www.kirschbaum-strings.de/beratung .

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Sandra Kirschbaum