Category Archives: PEEK
Play Better Longer
For many years, we have been testing all racquets for string bed stiffness, effective stiffness, flexural stiffness, in-plane stiffness, and about any other stiffness you can imagine.
Throughout this process, we were also testing the strings for power potential, creep, string-on-string friction, and linearity.
Linearity is a significant property of string; however, it does not get the attention we believe it deserves. So, this little post will begin to change that. We will start with some images and explain what we see in them.
String Behavior
Four different string materials are represented here from left to right:
- RPM Blast
- IsoSpeed Polypropylene Composite
- Babolat VS Touch Natrual Gut
- Ashaway MonoGut ZX Polyether ether ketone (PEEK)
The entire chart is important, but the real property we are interested in for this post is “linearity”.
- Linearity is how straight the plot is from the beginning to failure.
- Failure is the vertical line associated with each string material.
A glance will show MonoGut ZX with the longest linear track, however, Babolat VS Touch is the very “straightest”, followed by IsoSpeed and RPM Blast.
OK, but why do we care? We care because when we say a string will play better longer, it is based on the linearity which is the property directly related to consistency.
Better predictability = better performance
Players perceive predictability more than raw stiffness.
A string that ages predictably plays better longer, even if it’s not the softest or most powerful.
That’s it!
Now all we need to do is quantify “better”.
I will leave that up to you.
You need to see this!
For years, we have been exploring the properties of materials that make up many of the tennis strings used by players now.
What we found, over fifteen (15) years ago, was that polyetherether ketone (PEEK) is the best string material for preventing arm, elbow, shoulder, and other injuries while enhancing performance.
What!
We love natural gut and use a lot of it; however, PEEK can take more “abuse” than natural gut, environmentally.
If you are joining the Racquet Quest community, you may be perplexed by this statement. And for good reason. If you are not near the world headquarters of Racquet Quest, LLC, you may have never heard of PEEK, marketed by Ashaway as MonoGut ZX and ZX Pro.
Why?
PEEK is a unique fiber that requires an understanding of its properties, unlike most other materials that do not possess the performance properties of PEEK.
Stringing with PEEK requires caring about the player and the racquet!
Jason’s Two (2) month old PEEK 17 gauge!
Previous stringing date: 8.3.25
This is an un-retouched photo of Jason’s Wilson’s RF 01 Pro after many hours of rigorous hitting.
String bed stiffness loss…17.7%!
You need to see this!
Ask your racquet technician to set up your racquet with this string. We believe you will be glad you did.
Players Please…Part Two
Racquet Quest, LLC is for players!
Players’ input helps shape what we do. Now, we would appreciate your help in focusing on what you need, whether you’re a player, parent of a player, coach, or enthusiast.
Racquet Quest evaluates, tests, and reports on anything we can verify.
The Racquet Quest YouTube Channel is a way you can see and hear what we are doing and how it can affect you. So, please spend about 18 minutes with us!
What About Me?
A lifetime dedicated to racquet technology and innovation
For more than five decades, I have been immersed in the world of tennis racquet and string design, manufacturing, and performance optimization. As the owner of Racquet Quest, LLC, I’ve combined deep technical expertise with hands-on innovation to set new benchmarks in racquet customization, diagnostics, and stringing.
My journey has been defined by a relentless pursuit of precision and performance—whether with professionals, college, junior tournament players, in the lab, or in front of an audience, sharing knowledge with peers.
Advanced diagnostic technology
At Racquet Quest, technology and science drive results. I’ve integrated some of the most advanced diagnostic equipment available, alongside proprietary systems I’ve developed, to provide unmatched insights into racquet and string performance:
- True Tension Stringing Machines – pioneering distortion-free stringing
- Babolat Racket Station & Wilson Baiardo Stringing Machines – industry-leading accuracy
- Babolat RDC (Racquet Diagnostic Center) – comprehensive racquet analysis
- Questron proprietary string testing equipment – measuring ultimate tensile strength, stress/strain, knot strength, and more
- Three-string comparative graphing tools – side-by-side performance visualization
- Flex, In-Plane, and String Bed Stiffness devices – quantifying structural dynamics
- Custom portable SBS device – portable precision testing
By combining these tools, I’ve been able to capture and refine the delicate balance between tension, elasticity, and structural integrity, pushing racquet performance beyond traditional standards.
Innovation in design and customization
Innovation has always been central to my work. Some of the highlights include:
- Development of the Perfect Pallet grip system with a custom three-piece anti-vibration design
- Expertise in Special MakeUp (SMU/Pro Stock) racquets for elite players
- Custom racquet extensions and modifications tailored to individual needs
- Proprietary software solutions for collecting and analyzing racquet and string performance data
These advancements have helped players—from juniors to professionals—experience greater consistency, comfort, and control on court.
Experience on the global stage
- My expertise extends well beyond the workshop:
- 50 years in racquet and string design and manufacturing
- Professional event stringing services for several years at major tournaments
- Seminar presenter for 12+ years, sharing expertise with players, coaches, and technicians
- Delivered the acclaimed session “Understanding String” at the 1994 Super Show in Atlanta, hosted by the United States Racquet Stringers Association
This combination of hands-on service and educational leadership has helped shape best practices across the racquet service community.
Media and knowledge sharing
I believe that expertise should be shared widely. To that end, I’ve created multiple platforms to bring racquet knowledge to players and enthusiasts worldwide:
- RacquetQuest.tennis – a hub for insights and resources on racquet technology
- Racquet Quest Podcast, Podcastini, and Podcast Midi – covering everything from string science to on-court trends
Through these channels, I aim to make the science of racquets accessible to every level of the game.
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Tennis continues to evolve, and so does racquet technology. At Racquet Quest, I remain committed to research, testing, and innovation that give players an edge while deepening their understanding of how equipment shapes performance.
Whether stringing for professionals, customizing for serious competitors, or educating the next generation of racquet technicians, the mission remains the same: deliver precision, performance, and passion through technology.
Racquet Quest, LLC
