Dead Strings

Exploring the intersection of manufacturers claims, player perception, and subjective point of view. This section is editorial and subjective, opinions are being expressed, not be misused/mistaken as an authoritive source. Send your comments to the email address controversy at this domain name.

Dead Strings Overview

Do strings go dead? If so, when should strings be cut out and replaced?

Strings don't lose resilience in tests

p279 PTOT 1 describes an experiment dropping a 2lb steel ball 100 inches onto the stringbed and measuring rebound height. Rebound height remained constant over time and use.

A majority of players are convinced that new strings perform better than old strings. Objective data from many sources seems to contradict this.

The stringbed does lose measurable stiffness. There is a measurable tension drop in the first 24 hours. There is also a tension drop associated with hours of play. Widespread use of various inexpensive installed tension devices seem to confirm this tension drops published by objective sources such as this Racquet Sports Industry summary String it up! 2.

 

Available strings by type, stiffness, and tension loss

Racquet Sports Industry summary String it up! 2.

The effects of tension loss that can be objectively measured include:

  • increased dwell time
  • slight increase in rebound efficiency
  • increased string movement


References

  1. The Physics and Technology of Tennis, 2002, Racquet Tech Publishing
  2. String it up! Racquet Sports Industry magazine, September 2007 issue
  3. reference

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