Tennis provides excellent cardiovascular exercise in addition to being lots of fun. Regardless of your skill level on the court, it’s important to play with proper equipment. If you’ve broken a string on your racket, it is not suitable for play. Likewise, if your strings are loose, you need to restring your tennis racket. You can always take your tennis racket to a sports shop to have it restrung. You can also do it yourself, though you do need a stringing machine.
Step One
Determine the type of string you would like to use. Tennis racket strings can be made from a variety of materials, including natural gut or synthetic strings. Gut strings tend to be softer, whereas polyester strings are more durable. Players often find that a combination of different types of strings works best.
Step Two
Consider the tension level you would like your new strings to have. Generally, tighter strings offer more ball control while looser strings can project the ball farther.
Step Three
Acquire a stringing machine. You can find a tennis stringing machine at any tennis supply store. Though expensive, frequent tennis players find stringing machines to be worth the investment. Machines can cost between $200 and $1,200 (see Resources below).
Step Four
Place the racket in the stringing machine. The racket's head and neck should be firmly secured in the machine's clamps.
Step Five
Measure out approximately 40 feet of racket string.
Step Six
Insert the string into the first vertical hole on the racket's head. Take the string down to the racket's neck, and then again up to the racket's head. Once done, pull the string tightly and then clamp it in place.
Step Seven
Continue the process until you have strung all the vertical lines. When you are finished, clamp the final string. Tie a knot to keep it in place and then remove the clamp. Trim any excess string.
Step Eight
Add the horizontal strings. Insert the string into the horizontal holes and take it across the racket horizontally. Weave the horizontal strings in and out of the vertical strings.
Step Nine
Add tension and clamp the string when you finish each row. Once you finish the final row, clamp the string, tie it in a double knot and release the clamp.