I often ponder how to get more tennis players to think about their equipment beyond the “I do / don’t like this racquet”. Some just don’t care (you are losing out!), some don’t realise it is possible to change anything about their racquet (incl. strings), and some (who started to investigate) just found it too overwhelming.

I play with a guy on a regular basis who until recently hadn’t restrung his racquet in years. He’s like “Why? The string hasn’t broken yet!”. As typical club player using poly strings, he is more likely to break the elbow before the strings.

I have compiled a short list of recommendations for any and all tennis players to consider. I wanted the list to be short and not overwhelming. I have deliberately left the topics of “choosing a racquet” and “how to customise racquets” off the list, as both topics require a proper discussion.

Here’s my short list of tennis tips and tricks

1. ⁠Grip size: Buy tennis racquets with one grip size below your “right” size – this gives you space to add an overgrip. Overgrips are a great way to keep the grip clean and non-slippery, as overgrips are much cheaper to replace. Well maintained grips are important for relaxing your arm resulting in better technique and reduced risk of injury.
2. ⁠String type and tension: Discuss the string setup with your stringer. And no, you don’t have to buy the string from the stringer – you can bring your own string and save money! Things to try:
   • Re-string your racquet every 3 months minimum, more frequent the more you play. Poly strings are unlikely to break for most club players, but they will loose their elasticity (aka “playability”), and depending on the specific string and original tension, this will manifest itself as a “wooden board” feeling (= injury) or “bagged out” (= uncontrollably trampoline effect).
   • Lower the tension by ~5 pounds and see how it feels. If you use a poly, then you should probably stay between 48-52 pounds, but that depends on racquet and string.
   • Try a softer string at your usual tension. Ask your stringer, and if they don’t know, then have a look in the Tennis Warehouse University’s string database (separate post on this coming)
3. ⁠Racquets: If you play regularly and you can afford it, then get two racquets that are the same: a) back-up in case a string breaks, b) one of them will have a fresher string (if you play more with the other), and c) you can experiment with one to compare – see my post re: racquet customisations. More in depth experimentation will be easier with 3+ racquets :D
4. ⁠Don’t buy the latest racquet: Buy the previous generation, as retailers will discount the “older” racquet models by 30-50% to clear stock before the new one arrives. Most YouTube reviewers such as Tennisnerd, Tenncom, and Luca from Rackets & Runners will review the new racquets ahead of the release, so you can gage whether the new racquets will be significantly different to the older model(s). More often than not there are only minor differences, so the question becomes: do you want to pay $150-200 more for the new paint job?
5. Buying racquets via eBay and Facebook: This is sometimes a great way to find good value racquets, but you must triple check(!) the racquet before buying it. Manufacturers will have made changes to the names of the racquet line-ups. For example, Yonex Percept used to be called Yonex VCORE Pro. “VCORE Pro”/Percept is a complete line of racquets and not the “pro” version of VCORE. In 2021, HEAD swapped the Pro / Tour / MP labels for two of their lines (Prestige and Extreme). Prestige MP is now the Prestige Pro, Prestige Pro became the Tour, Prestige Tour became the MP, and just to complete the confusion, the Extreme Tour became the Extreme Pro. There are plenty examples from the other brands. Triple check the specs to be sure and don’t buy it, if the seller can’t give you the year and specs.
6. Remember – it’s personal: There is no right or wrong racquet and racquet setup. There is only what works for you and what you like. Your mate’s racquet isn’t better just because s/he beats you. If you don’t like the feeling of the strings recommended by your stringer, then you don’t have to use them. Find something else!

Enjoy your tennis!