The short version

Tension is the single biggest variable in how your racquet feels. Here’s how to pick the right number.

What tension actually does

Tension is the force applied to each string when it’s strung, measured in pounds. It’s the main lever you have for tuning feel: lower tension = more power, higher tension = more control. At low tension the string bed is more like a trampoline — the ball sits on the strings longer and launches off with more energy. At high tension the bed is stiffer, so you have to put in more of your own power but you can place the ball more precisely.

The sweet spot

Most racquets are strung between 45 and 60 pounds. If you’re not sure where to start, use the middle of your frame’s recommended range (printed on the frame) and adjust from there. Players who swing fast and generate their own power often drop a few pounds; players who need help getting the ball over raise them.

Tension is not set-and-forget

Every string relaxes over time — this is called ‘tension loss.’ A racquet strung at 55 pounds will play at 50 or lower within a few weeks, which is why a fresh restring restores the feel you lost. That’s exactly what our next-day service is for: when the tension has drifted, we bring it back to spec and hand it back to you tomorrow.

Have a question about your racquet or your strings? Get in touch — we pick up, we string, and we return it the next day.