Most club players restring only when a string snaps. That is often far too late: strings lose tension and elasticity long before they break, and a racket with dead strings plays very differently from the one you bought. Here is a simple schedule, the signs to watch for, and how to get more from each string job.
The quick rule
A long-standing rule of thumb: restring as many times per year as you play per week. Play twice a week, restring twice a year; play four times a week, restring four times a year.
It is a minimum, not a target — and it was created before polyester strings became common. If you use polyester, plan on more frequent string jobs.
By string type
| String type | How it wears | Typical restring trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Polyester / co-poly | Rarely breaks quickly, but loses tension and liveliness | About every 15–25 hours of play |
| Multifilament | Frays and eventually breaks; keeps feel well until then | When fraying is heavy or it breaks |
| Synthetic gut | Loses tension steadily; durable enough for most club players | Every few months of regular play |
| Natural gut | Keeps tension best; sensitive to moisture | When it frays or breaks |
| Hybrid | Mostly behaves like its main strings | Follow the mains |
Not sure which string you have? Our tennis strings guide explains each type.
Signs your strings are dead
- Lost control: balls fly long or wide with the same swing that used to land in.
- Less spin: the strings no longer snap back, so the ball "sits" on the string bed.
- Dull sound: a flat "thud" instead of a crisp "ping".
- Strings stay out of place: mains shift sideways and do not move back after a shot.
- Notches and fraying: deep grooves where the strings cross, or fibres coming loose on a multifilament.
- Harsher feel: particularly with polyester, the bed becomes stiff and the arm feels more vibration.
- It has been months: even unplayed strings lose tension over time.
Quick test: press the centre of the string bed with your thumb on a freshly strung racket and remember the feel. When the same press feels clearly softer and the strings shift easily, it is time.
A simple restringing schedule
| Player | Typical play | Suggested restring |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional | A few times a month | Once or twice a year, and before the season |
| Club player | 1–2 times a week | Every 2–6 months |
| Keen club / league player | 3–4 times a week | Every 4–8 weeks |
| Competitive junior or adult, polyester | Daily or near-daily | Every 1–3 weeks |
Restringing and tension
A new string job is the perfect moment to fine-tune tension. If your last strings felt too lively at the end of their life, the problem may have been dead strings rather than the tension itself. Start from your usual setting and adjust in steps of 1–2 lb — our string tension chart gives the typical ranges in lb and kg.
How to make a string job last longer
- Keep rackets out of heat: a hot car boot speeds up tension loss. A thermal-lined bag helps — see tennis bag essentials.
- Straighten the mains between points so they wear evenly.
- Use a slightly thicker gauge (for example 1.30 mm instead of 1.25 mm) if you break strings often.
- Rotate two rackets with the same setup so neither goes dead much earlier.
- Keep natural gut dry: avoid playing it in heavy humidity or light rain.
DIY or stringer?
Many shops and clubs offer stringing with a quick turnaround. If you restring often, a basic stringing machine can pay for itself over time, but it takes practice to string consistently. Either way, keep a note of the string and tension used so you can compare. Strings, string kits and machines from partner shops:
Frequently asked questions
How long do tennis strings last?
It depends on the string and how you play. Multifilament and synthetic gut typically last until they fray or break; polyester usually loses most of its playability within about 15–25 hours of play. A frequent rule is to restring as many times per year as you play per week.
Do strings lose tension if I don't play?
Yes. Strings slowly lose tension from the moment they are strung, even if the racket stays in the bag. A racket strung months ago will play softer and less precisely than when it was new.
Is it bad to play with dead strings?
It mostly costs you control and consistency, but dead polyester in particular becomes stiff and transmits more shock, which can contribute to arm discomfort. If your arm is sensitive, restring more often.
Should I cut out my strings if one breaks?
Yes. If a string breaks, cut the remaining strings out in a symmetrical pattern, starting from the centre, to release the tension evenly. Leaving a racket with uneven tension for a long time is not ideal for the frame.