Category Archives: Tension
Cross String Tension…Yikes!
Cross-string tensions, or actually reference tensions, are the topic of this brief post.
First, every tennis racquet has a “natural” ratio, that is, if the reference tension (and machine setting ) is 50 for both the main string and cross string when the racquet is removed from the stringing machine, the tensions remaining will be in the area of around 50 for the mains and 37 for the cross.
The resultant tension is the natural ratio of that specific racquet.
The issue with changing cross-string tension either higher or lower than the main is that the racquet has changed shape. That is why we test for In-Plane stiffness for every racquet. The higher the In-Plane stiffness, the higher the cross-string tension will remain upon removal from the machine.
If the racquet has very low In-Plane stiffness, it has expanded in width with only the main string installed, so the cross strings need to pull the racquet back into a better (hopefully original) shape.
So, when deciding how much variation you want between the main and cross strings, please consider the racquet! In most cases, we suggest using the same string tension setting for both the main and the cross, since the cross string tension will naturally be lower.
Our True Tension Professional stringing equipment supports the racquet in such a way that we install the main string and cross string at the natural ratio, so the racquet does not change shape and the string bed is consistent.
If you are curious about In-Plane stiffness for a specific tennis racquet, please leave a comment below.
Launch Angle…what is it and how do we use it?
In the simplest terms, “launch angle” is the angle the ball leaves the tennis racquet relative to the court. That does seem simple enough, but how do we, or can we, contribute to it?
We are getting more and more calls asking what to do to reduce launch angle, as the game is changing to a flatter style, which generates a little more energy.
- Racquet Trajectory plays an important role in launch angle. That is why we hear “low to high” so often.
- A flat stroke can generate more ball speed but less spin.
- String Bed Stiffness is another property that contributes to launch angle.
- A stiffer string bed can reduce launch angle.
Many, many factors contribute to this, so we think this way:
As a player, you do not want to change too many things about your stroke; you want the racquet to do the changing for you!
OK, then! The first, and maybe the only thing you would do is pick up a racquet with an 18 x 19 string pattern! In most cases, you do not even need to change your reference tension(s).
We believe the 18 x 19 pattern is slightly more compatible than an 18 x 20, but either would work to help keep your launch angle under your control!
A Couple of Stringing Basics
Racquet Quest is happy to welcome our new clients!
If you stop by the World Headquarters, we can discuss anything you’d like to know about stringing in general, as well as what we do and why. If you can not stop by, you can take a look at our YouTube Channel for this information.
Either way is good, and we welcome questions and suggestions about anything we do.
Please leave a comment on this page below the post, or you can text us @407.491.4755
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.
Racquet Quest, LLC
