This subject can go on forever but to make it simple we need to forget the old standard of  “as many times a year as you play per week” or something like that.

So, what shall we call this elusive property we need so badly?  Let’s call it “stability”.  Stability means a resistance to change, and, assuming the string was properly installed, we don’t want change.

To maximize the performance of your racquet we need to consider how long the the string maintains it’s best properties.  For many new string materials, such as polyester based, the “playability” can be measured in single digit hours!  This is not good news since the string may appear to be in pretty good condition.  You need to get rid of it anyway!

Let’s establish new stringing frequency “standards” to assure the string is playing as well as you are, or can!  We will consider hours as the standard time basis without regard to whether it is tournament play, training, or match play.  Remember, string may break in advance of these recommendations.  The following is my recommendation(s) for maximum playability if the string is not broken.

1.  Polyester based string is really good for ten (10) hours.  Add two (2) hours to this if you are using a non-polyester in a hybrid configuration.

2.. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) , Zyex string is good for thirty (30) hours.

3.  Nylon based strings are good for thirty (30) hours.

4.  Natural gut strings are good for thirty-five (35) hours.

So, if you play two (2) hours per week with polyester I will be seeing you every five (5) weeks!  Great!

When will I be seeing you?