Why do tennis racquets break

This may come as a surprise to some, since many racquets are constructed with some of the same materials that NASA uses to build shuttles. But while racquets are more durable than ever, they are not indestructible. Each time you strike a ball, the frame distorts backward to absorb the impact, then bends forward as it returns energy to the ball.

Over time, this process damages the bond between the thousands of graphite fibers the primary composite of racquets and the resins that hold them together. During the course of stringing, a frame deforms, elongating and condensing before returning to its customary shape.

This also eventually breaks down the structural integrity. This two-year rule applies to club players who play two or more times a week. Aggressive baseliners who blast the ball and players who hit with a lot of spin may need to update more often. The first thing to do is restring to see if that improves playability. In fact, it is recommended to get a new restring when the tension has decreased by 20 percent.

So invest in a tension meter or a recommended app on your smartphone to test this regularly. Restring your racquet on a regular basis. All things being equal, and on the lower end of the spectrum, we recommend changing your strings at least at the beginning of the new season. Avoid mishits. Yes, they happen, but learning and improving on your technique will help minimise off center shots. Ensure your string setup is suited for your playing style. Players who frequently break multifilament string should consider switching to poly strings.

Keep your racquets cool and dry. Some modern racquet bags come with insulated racquet storage, which is a worthwhile investment. Store your racquets and wet clothes in separate compartments in your bag.

Not all stringers are meticulous about inspecting racquets prior to restringing them. It usually depends on the service level they provide whether they take care of this for you or not.

Let your stringer know if you spot torn grommets or areas of your bumper guard so worn down that the string is exposed to the playing surface. Individual grommets can be repaired or replaced, sometimes with nylon tubing to protect the string. When more than grommets are excessively damaged, your stringer might recommend replacing the entire grommet and bumper guard set. For home stringers, closely inspect your string and clamps prior to use. You should get into the habit of physically and visually inspecting your string.

Clean the jaws of your clamps with isopropyl alcohol and an old toothbrush to get rid of residual string coating and grit. This could damage the strings too much leading to premature breakage. Your experience What about your experiences? Thanks, Miguel. Hi Miguel, It depends, I would say. Hope you got a nice, new frame! Regards, Bob. Questions, doubts or problems?

We're here to help! End chat. There are no employees available at this moment. Please try again later. The longer vertical strings are often the first to snap after rubbing against the cross strings as a player puts spin on the ball. This rubbing causes a notch on the string, which inevitably snaps. Players that use lots of topspin are more likely to break their strings more often because the topspin causes more movement in the strings therefore more wear and tear. Also, if you play on clay courts then you are more likely to break your strings because the loose granules of clay are picked up by the ball and then left on your strings when you strike the ball.

These granules then work their way between your strings and cause more friction and snapping. Why and how often should I change them? Try to at least restring your racket the same number of times during a year as you play in a week. Always test your strings before you use them and if they feel loose then get them re-strung. If you go on a long-haul flight then your strings can loose tension on the flight because of the extremes temperatures they will be exposed to in the hold of the plane.

Where should I go? If you play at a club, the chances are there are a few members moonlighting as racket stringers. If not, you can visit a specialist racket sports shop, but if you visit your local sports shop ensure that they have a reputable stringer on staff. Can I string my own racket? It could turn into a nice little earner in these times of economic gloom.

Should I go natural? Natural gut was the only string worth talking about before the quality man-made fibres improved with graphite frames.