Tips on Stringing Oversized Tennis Rackets

To correctly string an oversized tennis racket you will need to know how to properly mount the racket on the stringing machine, the correct stringing pattern to use, the correct string tension, and the best string to use. Care should be taken as a racket's warranty will be voided if the racket breaks due to improper stringing technique or string tension during stringing.

  1. Definition

    • Tennis rackets are available in four head sizes. The midsize rackets have a playing surface of 80 to 93 square inches, midplus rackets have a playing surface of 94 to 105 square inches, oversized rackets have a playing surface of 105 to 120 square inches and super-oversized tennis rackets have a playing surface of 120 to 135 square inches.

    Proper Mounting

    • When stringing oversized tennis rackets care needs to be taken to properly secure it on the stringing machine. Only allow a hair line space between the clamps and the racket frame. During stringing, the racket frame will breathe or bend and if there is too tight of a mount or too loose of a mount, there will an inadequate space or support to allow this breathing to take place which can lead to the racket frame breaking.

    String Pattern and Tension

    • Each tennis racket has a specific stringing pattern requirement and a string tension requirement. Oversized tennis rackets usually have stringing tension requirements higher than midsize or midplus rackets due to the larger string bed. It is always best to use the correct string pattern and to set the string tension within the recommended range. If the string tension is outside this range, the racket warranty is in jeopardy if the frame breaks during stringing.

    String Selection

    • Many oversized tennis rackets will have a wider string pattern than smaller sized rackets. This means the squares formed by the vertical and horizontal strings are larger. This will allow the string to move more against each other and breaking strings can happen more often depending on your style of play. To keep this from happening in oversized rackets a more durable or thicker gauge string should be considered.

    Resources

    • If you are uncertain about the string tension or string pattern for an oversized tennis racket, the best resource is the United States Racquet Stringers Association.