Stringing Isn’t an Afterthought—It’s How You Control the Ball

In competitive tennis, equipment choices are often focused on racket frames—weight, balance, and head size. Yet, one of the most significant contributors to performance is often overlooked: string selection and tension. For players who value precision, consistency, and adaptability, strings are not merely accessories—they are central to controlling how the ball behaves off the racket.

At Wimbledon 2025, the role of stringing was on full display. Over 6,400 rackets passed through the tournament’s stringing center, operated by Babolat. A team of 25 stringers worked continuously from early morning through the end of play, fulfilling player-specific stringing requests that often changed mid-match. Runners covered more than 17 kilometers per day to ensure timely delivery of restrung rackets to courts across the All England Club. This level of detail reflects how top players manage tension and string type as part of their tactical preparation.

Understanding Tension

String tension directly affects how the ball leaves the strings:

• Higher tension (25+ kg / 55+ lbs) offers greater control and a lower launch angle, which can be advantageous in hot or fast conditions.

• Lower tension (21–23 kg / 46–51 lbs) provides more power and a softer feel, often beneficial in cooler temperatures or on slower surfaces.

• Some players go outside this range for specific effects. Adrian Mannarino, for example, has used tensions as low as 8.6 kg to create a trampoline-like response.

To manage changing conditions during a match or across a tournament, players often carry several rackets, each strung at slightly different tensions. Small adjustments—often as little as half a kilogram—can significantly affect ball control, especially at higher levels of play.

Hybrid Stringing: Balancing Control and Comfort

Many competitive players now use hybrid string setups to balance durability, spin, and feel. This typically involves polyester in the mains for control and spin, and natural gut or multifilament in the crosses for comfort and power.

This combination allows players to customize string bed response, making it easier to tailor performance to their playing style or the demands of a specific match. It also helps reduce the risk of arm discomfort associated with full polyester beds while maintaining the advantages of spin generation and durability.

Small Details, High Impact

At the professional level, even seemingly minor preferences—like knot positioning, stencil placement, or ink color—are considered part of the preparation. Players develop routines around how their rackets are strung and presented. While these choices may not directly impact string performance, they support consistency and confidence in match conditions.

Implications for Competitive Players

Competitive players—whether on the tournament circuit or in high-level league play—can benefit from adopting a more structured approach to stringing. Key recommendations include:

• Track your setup: Record string type, tension, and match conditions. Note how the ball feels and performs under pressure.

• Adjust tension with environment: Use tighter strings in warm or fast conditions and looser tensions in cooler, slower environments.

• Experiment with hybrids: If you’re seeking more spin or more comfort, hybrid stringing can provide a practical balance.

• Re-string consistently: Loss of tension over time can impact feel and performance. Build a restringing schedule based on hours played or number of sessions.

Wrap

Stringing is not a postscript to performance—it’s a central component of preparation. Understanding how tension and string composition influence ball behavior enables players to make informed decisions that directly affect match outcomes.

For those looking to improve consistency and control, especially under match pressure, thoughtful string management is not optional. It’s foundational.

Read more:  A Good String Job Can Manage Your Limitations

Wimbledon Grass Exposes One-Dimensional Players

Wimbledon 2025 has delivered a brutal reminder: grass exposes incomplete games.

To succeed at the highest level, players need a toolbox of skills and tactical options that allows them to adjust to different playing surfaces and conditions. Grass courts demand versatility, while clay requires patience and endurance, and hard courts reward aggressive baseline play. Without the ability to adapt their game style, grips, footwork patterns, and shot selection, even top-ranked players find themselves exposed under pressure.

Seeds Fall Early – Why?

As the third round began, only 27 seeds remained out of 64. This isn’t random chaos. It’s the grass surface demanding adaptability, balance, and versatility.

Grass shortens rallies, making the first strike decisive. Players relying purely on big western groundstrokes find:

• Their timing disrupted

• Their balance exposed

• Their footwork inefficiency punished

Top seeds like Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Alexander Zverev fell early despite strong seasons. Their losses reveal a clear pattern: single-dimensional styles struggle on grass.

Why the Big Western Forehand Struggles on Grass

The modern western or extreme semi-western grip forehand is designed to produce heavy topspin. It’s lethal on hard and clay courts where higher bounces allow players to swing aggressively up and through the ball.  But grass?

• Keeps the ball low

• Makes it hard for extreme grips to get under the ball effectively

• Forces rushed swings or awkward adjustments due to compromised contact points

This is compounded by grass’s fast, skidding nature, which negates the time needed to wind up these forehands. Gauff’s loss is a prime example – her forehand grip couldn’t adjust to Yastremska’s low, fast aggression.

The All-Round Game Wins Wimbledon

Wimbledon is historically dominated by all-court players. Why?

• They adjust grips seamlessly for low or high balls

• They transition forward effectively, finishing points at the net

• Their split-step timing and balance remain stable on slick surfaces

• Their games are built on variety, not predictability – slices, volleys, flat drives, spins, and touch shots

Emma Raducanu’s upset win exemplified this. She took the ball early, stayed low, and redirected pace with precision. Grass rewards footwork quality and early contact more than baseline spin dominance.

Similarity with Manly Lawn

Wimbledon and Manly Lawn share a key characteristic: both surfaces play fast and stay low.

While Wimbledon’s natural grass is meticulously cut to create a skidding, slick bounce, Manly’s mod grass replicates this with its tight synthetic weave and low pile.

On both courts, the ball skids through quickly, demanding early preparation, strong balance, and compact strokes. Players who thrive on these surfaces are those who adapt with clean footwork, early contact, and versatile shot selection, as pure topspin games often get neutralised by the low bounce and rapid pace.

Takeaway for Competitive Players

If you aspire to be a complete player competing on all surfaces:

• Develop an adaptable game with a wide variety of speeds and spins, much like Mirra Andreeva, to handle the changing bounce and pace of different courts

• Refine your footwork, prep steps, and rhythm to maintain balance and timing under pressure

• Prioritise early preparation to enable stable and efficient stroke execution

• Enhance your net skills and volleying techniques, as finishing points early reduces exposure to awkward low balls and builds confidence moving forward