When Should You Re-String Your Racquet?

Whether you’re a weekend player or a tournament competitor, your racquet strings are the engine of your game. Even the best frame will feel off if your strings are old, stretched, or dead. Over time, strings lose elasticity, tension, and responsiveness, making your racquet feel dull and less powerful.

At Racquet Vault, we help players keep their gear performing like new with professional racquet stringing services. Here’s what you should know about when (and why) to re-string your racquet.

Why Re-Stringing Matters

Every time you hit a ball, your strings wear down. As tension drops, you’ll notice your shots flying long, losing control, or feeling harsh on contact. Old strings can even cause arm or shoulder discomfort, since they stop absorbing shock effectively.

Quick rule of thumb:

Re-string once every season, or as many times per year as you play each week.

Example: If you play twice a week, re-string at least twice per year.

Key Factors That Affect How Often You Should Re-String

1. Frequency of Play

The more often (and longer) you play, the faster your strings lose life.

Even without breakage, strings gradually lose tension and feel, resulting in less pop, less control, and more vibration.

2. Style and Level of Play

Your playing style has a big impact:

• Topspin hitters: Strings wear faster due to friction and snapback.
• Flat hitters or volleyers: Strings last longer since there’s less string movement.
• Aggressive baseliners: Need to re-string more frequently due to longer, high-impact rallies.

3. Racquet String Pattern

The pattern of your racquet (how many mains and crosses it has) affects durability:

• Open patterns (e.g., 16x15): More string movement = shorter lifespan.
• Closed patterns (e.g., 18x20): Less friction = strings last longer.

If you’re using a more open pattern, plan to re-string more frequently or use a thicker, more durable string.

4. Type of String and Material

The material and construction of your string determine how long it performs well.

• Gauge: Thicker (15–16) = more durability. Thinner (17–18) = more spin and feel.
• Tension: Polyester strings lose tension faster than gut or multifilament, meaning more frequent re-stringing.

5. String Care & Storage

Strings are sensitive to temperature and humidity. To extend their life:

• Keep your racquet at room temperature.
• Avoid leaving it in hot cars or cold garages.
• Keep it dry and clean after outdoor play.

Canadian weather can be extreme. Switching between indoor and outdoor courts often means big temperature changes, which can accelerate string wear.

Signs It’s Time to Re-String

• Your strings look frayed or discoloured.
• The racquet feels dull or “boardy.”
• You’re losing control or hitting long unexpectedly.
• You hear more vibration or your arm feels sore.

If you can’t remember when you last re-strung your racquet, it’s almost certainly time.

Professional Stringing at Racquet Vault

At Racquet Vault, we don’t just sell strings, we offer expert racquet stringing services to help you get the most from your gear.

Our expert stringers can:

• Match your string and tension to your game style and racquet type
• Recommend the best setup (poly, multifilament, or hybrid)
• Optimize tension for control, comfort, or spin
• Provide fast turnaround so you never miss a match

We carry top brands like Babolat, Wilson, Luxilon, Solinco, and Head, and offer hybrid stringing options for players seeking the perfect balance between feel and durability.

Not sure what setup fits your game? Visit us in-store or contact us online, our Racquet Vault team is happy to help you find your ideal combination.