What types of strings are there? Which parameters are actually important and relevant for choosing a string? What do you need to consider when stringing your racket? Questions upon questions... and who among you knows the answers to all of them? For everyone who's now looking a bit puzzled, we've created a short string ABC that will give you a quick and concise overview of the basics of tennis strings and stringing. If that's not enough, feel free to send your string questions directly to us and our string expert, Sandra Kirschbaum. So that absolutely no string question remains unanswered and you find your perfect stringing setup!
It is a particular pleasure for us to have Heinz Schwarz , author of the book "Are You Still Playing Real Tennis or Are You Already Winning Something?" , for a highly entertaining commentary. Under the title "Looking at It Differently," Heinz will present his unique perspective on the topic of "Real Tennis" in a three-part series.
"The idea of 'proper' tennis, which clearly dominates our industry, is not a closed scientific system but rather a tennis coach folklore passed down from one generation to the next, and which, let's not hide the fact, is also expected by the client. However, this system is designed in such a way that, in addition to its undeniable, albeit often less spectacular, main effects (as suggested by commercial interests), it inherently produces many irritations and a great deal of stress as side effects – among the students, the teachers, between the teachers and the students, and among the teachers themselves," says Heinz.
"Looking at It Differently" is therefore primarily about perhaps better balancing the main and side effects of the desired and intended image of "proper tennis." New ideas, perspectives, and very practical examples will surely inspire you! Let's start with part one, entitled "Two Tennis Coaches - Three Opinions." Enjoy reading!
The loss of tension begins immediately after stringing. Even a string that sits unused in a corner will no longer be "fresh" after months. Whether and to what extent the loss of tension is noticeable during play depends on various factors: the player's sensitivity, the quality of the string material, the stringing quality, and the duration of use. Therefore, if you own multiple rackets, it is always advisable to mark each one individually and note the stringing date.
Many players restring their rackets at intervals so that a freshly restrung racket is regularly available and the older one is used in training.
Sandra Kirschbaum
You can either submit your string-related question using the form below or contact Sandra directly at www.kirschbaum-strings.de/beratung . Either way, we collect your questions TennisTraveller
Better aim and avoid hitting the frame 😉 – Just kidding...
The stringing is always very sensitive at the grommets, because at the moment of ball contact, the string cannot flex at the edge and may kink at the grommet. In the worst case, and depending on the force of the ball contact (e.g., during a serve), this can even happen with a freshly strung racket. A good stringer checks the grommets for damage before every stringing, because depending on their condition, the grommet can tear and thus lose its protective function. If a grommet is damaged, a Teflon tube can be used, or, if available, the entire grommet tape can be replaced.
If the racket is still very new, you could send it back to the supplier.
Sandra Kirschbaum
You can either submit your string-related question using the form below or contact Sandra directly at www.kirschbaum-strings.de/beratung . Either way, we collect your questions TennisTraveller
Now, let's be honest: who among you really knows their stuff when it comes to tennis strings? While choosing the right tennis racket often feels like a mini-dissertation, the choice of string usually gets completely overlooked. This is actually quite baffling, because the right string can significantly influence your game, whether you're a competitive or recreational player. We believe that one reason for this widespread lack of knowledge is the rather high level of complexity in the "string universe." Or do the terms monofilament and multifilament mean anything to you? With our string world, gradually shed a little light on the "string darkness."
Hybrid stringing is a good and suitable way to combine the characteristics of different strings on one racket. However, it is important not to lose sight of the desired goal and not to get bogged down in testing.
In my consultations, I often encounter cases where a player prioritizes above-average durability in the main strings over a delicate cross string, resulting in a setup that only lasts a few hours. In such cases, it would be advisable to sacrifice durability in the main strings for more comfort, allowing for the selection of a more durable, comfortable cross string. This would ensure the overall setup offers sufficient comfort and lasts longer.
Testing hybrid strings is time-consuming, and I recommend first determining the best main string. Ideally, test 2-3 potential candidates as a full stringing setup, as this allows you to feel their characteristics more clearly. Once you've found your favorite string, then test a suitable cross string if needed.
Sandra Kirschbaum
You can either submit your string-related question using the form below or contact Sandra directly at www.kirschbaum-strings.de/beratung . Either way, we collect your questions TennisTraveller
Often, players have a string installed without any questions about their playing style. However, string advice is an essential part of a good stringing service, as many factors influence the choice of string: what racket do I use, how often do I play, how powerful is my swing, how old am I, what is my stroke technique, how long are my shots currently going to the baseline with my current strings, do I have any aches and pains, etc.
All these criteria influence the choice of different material types or the adjustment of diameter and tensioning weight.
Sandra Kirschbaum
You can either submit your string-related question using the form below or contact Sandra directly at www.kirschbaum-strings.de/beratung . Either way, we collect your questions TennisTraveller
As part of the ATP Tennis an Rhein & Sieg event in Troisdorf, organizers Marc Raffel and co-tournament director Marc Kevin Goellner are also planning a women's competition. The RW board, consisting of Uwe Mass, Volker de Cloedt, and Claus Dreser, is focusing on the medium- to long-term development of the tournament. "It was a fantastic event this year, and we're looking forward to the next one," said Uwe Maaß. The second Saturn Oil Open will take place from May 21st to 28th, 2023. The Challenger tournament on the Rhine & Sieg is expected to be held as a combined event . This means that not only the men but also the women will compete in Troisdorf, making the Saturn Oil Open an even bigger tennis highlight in North Rhine-Westphalia.
We are already looking forward to being part of the tournament again as a partner!
Wild Card – that's the title of the new book by Laura Siegemund and Prof. Dr. Stefan Brunner . It's a guide and handbook to help you mentally overcome challenges, both on the tennis court and in life. Because challenges abound everywhere. The book is a passion project and a long-cherished dream of the still-active tennis pro. Drawing on her experience as a top-level tennis player, her knowledge from her psychology studies, and the expertise of Prof. Dr. Stefan Brunner, this dream has blossomed into a nearly 300-page work that takes you through the highs and lows, problems and challenges of a tennis match, offering solutions to help you recognize and seize your opportunities. But read our book review for yourself!
And look forward to your chance to win two copies of Wild Card – enter now and apply by Thursday, November 17, 2022!
Today we have another item from our "Under Test" series . Because we not only regularly give away tennis rackets, but we also test them ourselves from time to time. And we do so with great enthusiasm, and as a former regional league player (hopefully) with sufficient expertise. I was especially thrilled when I got to test the DUNLOP FX500 , because this racket really "captivated" me from the start. In my opinion, it's the perfect blend of power, control, and comfort . Incidentally, our travel scout Marc was just as enthusiastic about this racket as I was! Find out more about my racket test and the DUNLOP FX 500 racket.
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