How to Restring a Tennis Racket: When and How Often (India Guide)

How to restring a tennis racket: when and how often

Knowing when to restring a tennis racket is one of the cheapest ways to play better tennis. Strings lose tension and bite from the moment they go into the frame, so a racket that felt crisp in April can feel dead by June even if a string never snapped. The good news is that the timing follows a simple rule, and picking the right string is easier than most players think. Here's a practical India guide to how often to restring, what it costs and which strings to choose.

The simple rule for how often to restring

The classic guideline is to restring as many times per year as you play per week. Play twice a week? Aim for roughly two restrings a year. Play five times a week and hit with heavy topspin? You may want a fresh string bed every couple of months. Beginners who play once a week can usually get away with one to three restrings a year. Tournament and heavy-spin players at the top of that range will feel the drop-off much sooner.

Signs it's time for fresh strings

• The ball flies long or feels unpredictable even on clean contact
• You've lost spin and the ball sits up instead of dipping
• The strings have moved out of line and won't snap back
• You see notching, fraying or a flat, shiny wear spot in the middle
• A string has snapped — restring immediately, and consider a fresh set rather than a single string

One myth worth clearing up: a broken string is not the only reason to restring. Polyester strings in particular go dead on tension long before they break, which is why hard hitters often restring on a schedule rather than waiting for a snap.

Choosing the right string

For control-and-spin players, a co-polyester (poly) string is the modern default. The Yonex Poly Tour Rev (₹899) and Babolat RPM Blast (₹960) are both spin-friendly polys that suit intermediate and advanced players, while the shaped Luxilon ALU Power 125 Rough (₹2,124) is a firm, premium option for big swingers. If your arm is sensitive, drop the tension a couple of kilos or ask for a softer multifilament. Beginners rarely need premium poly — comfort and durability matter more than spin.

What restringing costs in India

You pay for the string plus labour. A single-racket string set typically runs from around ₹800 to ₹2,100 depending on the brand, and most stringers charge a separate stringing fee on top. Buying a string that lets you string one racket keeps the maths simple. A dampener such as the Wilson Pro Feel dampener (₹640) won't change tension life but does quieten the ping many players dislike.

Shop the gear

• Yonex Poly Tour Rev Tennis String (single string, cut from reel) — ₹899
• Babolat RPM Blast Single Tennis String — ₹960
• Luxilon ALU Power 125 Rough Single Tennis String — ₹2124
• Wilson Pro Feel Pro Staff Tennis Racket Dampeners — ₹640

Related reading

• Tennis String Guide: Types and Tension Explained (India)
• Tennis Racket Grip Size Guide: How to Measure (India)

Frequently asked questions

How often should I restring my tennis racket?

A good rule is to restring as many times per year as you play per week. A once-a-week beginner needs one to three restrings a year, while a heavy-spin player who plays most days may restring every couple of months.

Should I restring even if the string hasn't broken?

Yes. Strings — especially polyester — lose tension and spin long before they snap. If the ball feels dead or flies unpredictably, fresh strings will help even with no visible break.

How much does it cost to restring a tennis racket in India?

You pay for the string set (roughly ₹800 to ₹2,100 for common brands) plus a separate stringing labour charge at your local shop or club, so budget accordingly.