Tennis players replace shoes when they wear through and balls when they go flat — then play eighteen months on the same strings. Dead strings are the most ignored performance leak in club tennis. Here is the honest schedule.
The baseline rule
Restring as many times per year as you play per week — twice-weekly player, twice-yearly minimum. But string type changes the maths:
- Polyester: goes 'dead' (loses elasticity) in 8–12 weeks of club play even without breaking. Dead poly is harsh, unpredictable and hard on arms — poly players should restring most often, not least.
- Multifilament/synthetic gut: loses tension gradually; restring every 3–4 months of regular play.
- Natural gut: holds tension superbly; restring when notching appears.
Signs you are overdue right now
- Balls flying long with your normal swing (tension loss = extra trampoline)
- Strings notching visibly or shifting out of line and staying there
- A dull thud instead of a clean pop at contact
- New elbow or wrist soreness with no technique change — classic dead-poly symptom
- You cannot remember your last restring
Why fresh strings feel like a new racket
Strings are the only part of the racket that touches the ball. From day one they lose tension and elasticity; after months the string bed plays several pounds looser and far less predictably than what you chose. A fresh restring restores the racket you actually bought — for a fraction of a new frame's price. Pick your setup with our tension guide.
Our stringing service
Calibrated electronic machines, honest string advice, grommet checks included — and every racket bought from Central Sports gets its first professional restring free. Browse strings or pair a fresh setup with a new frame from the tennis racket wall.
FAQs
How much does a tennis restring cost?
Typically £20–40 including string, depending on what you choose. Premium natural gut costs more; club multifilaments less.
Can strings be too old even if unused?
Yes — a racket strung two years ago has lost significant tension just sitting in the bag. Strings age in time as well as in play.
Should both my rackets be strung the same?
Identically, and restrung together — switching mid-match to a different tension is a self-inflicted handicap.
Drop your racket in for a restring — or start fresh from the tennis racket collection, first restring on us.