How to Make Tennis Strings Looser

Factors that cause the loss of tension in tennis racket strings include playing with the racket, heat and weight. Of the three, logging many hours of play with a racket will slowly loosen the strings and is the least damaging for the racket's frame. The fastest way to loosen strings it to use heat or weights. However, this is not a recommended. Studies conducted by renowned tennis coach Nick Bollettieri show that with heat, strings loosen quickly. The tension loss is significant, but it is the most damaging since frame weakening or warping can occur.

Things You'll Need

  • Clean towel
  • Paper towel
  • Standard bricks
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Instructions

  1. Use Heat

    • 1

      Pick a hot summer day when the temperature is expected to reach a minimum of 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 2

      Remove the racket from the racket bag if it has been stored in one. Place the racket inside a car with the windows rolled up. The temperature inside the car can reach as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit when it is parked in the sun.

    • 3

      Keep the racket in the car for 30 minutes if you want an approximately 10 percent reduction in tension. For example, if the racket was strung at 60 pounds, it will drop to 55 pounds after 30 minutes. Keep the racket in the car for 1 hour if you want an approximately 18 percent reduction in tension, or 1 1/2 hours for an a reduction of about 20 percent.

    Apply Weight

    • 4

      Pick a hot sunny day when the temperature is expected to reach a minimum of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Select an outdoor area that receives direct sunlight for a minimum of 6 hours. This area should be hard and flat such as a cement patio.

    • 5

      Lay a thin towel on the surface of the patio. Place the strung tennis racket flat on top of the towel. Put a piece of paper towel on top of the racket's head to protect the strings.

    • 6

      Make two stacks of bricks, each containing seven bricks. The weight of a standard solid brick is a little less than 5 pounds, so the two stacks you've made weigh approximately 70 pounds.

    • 7

      Position the two stacks, side by side, over the paper towel and the string bed of the racket. Be sure the bricks are completely on the string bed and not on any part of the racket's frame.

    • 8

      Keep the racket exposed to the sun, undisturbed, for a minimum of 6 hours. Remove the bricks from the racket. The weight of the bricks in combination with the heat will cause the racket strings to loosen.