How to Knot Tennis Mains

A properly strung and tensioned tennis racket is vital to a player's performance. A racket is thread with interwoven strings in vertical and horizontal directions. The vertical strings are also known as the mains and the horizontal strings are known as the crosses. The most popular type of knot used in tying racket strings is known as a Richard Parnell knot or a pro-knot. This is popular because it is a compact and secure knot that does not slip or break.

Things You'll Need

  • Racket
  • Stringing stand
  • String
  • Wire cutters
  • Pliers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clamp your tennis racket onto your stringing stand.

    • 2

      String your mains and adjust your tension. Once you're satisfied with the tension, knot the mains using the Richard Parnell knot.

    • 3

      Hold your string to the right of the main string, loop it over to the left of the main string and back under the main string, returning to your starting point. You now have a loose loop around the main string.

    • 4

      Loop the string back over the main string and bring it back through the loose loop.

    • 5

      Pull the knot tight using a pair of pliers. Further tighten the knot by pulling the remaining string across the base of the racket, using as much tension as possible. Cut the remaining string close to the knot or start to string your cross strings.