Want More Comfort

Do you have arm trouble or just want a more comfortable feel when you hit the ball? There are some things that you can do to achieve more comfort, mainly with strings, but also with rackets.
The best way to get a more comfortable feel is through strings and/or tension. Using a more elastic, multifilament string will absorb more of the impact and return it to the ball. You can also reduce tension, which allows the string more give, and ability to absorb impact. 
Where rackets are concerned, most these days are pretty good at reducing shock. Having a racket with the right weight and power for your swing will help make it more comfortable.
Bring in your current racket and we can give you options to make playing tennis easier on your arm.

Want More Control?

Want more control?
First of all, I should be specific about the type of control I'm describing. I'm talking about depth control. The ability to hit the ball consistently deep, but not long.
If this is the kind of control you are looking for, there are a few ways to achieve it though equipment. The first is with rackets. If you are hitting lots of shots long, your racket may be too powerful. A racket with a smaller head, thinner beam or denser string pattern will all reduce depth. This does not come without some cost. With less depth comes less power.
The other way to gain control is with your strings. Going a little tighter on the tension will add some depth control. You can also go to a firmer string. This will decrease the trampoline effect and add control. As mentioned above about rackets, going firmer or tighter on your strings will reduce your power and increase the amount of effort to get the ball deep.
There is another, non-equipment way to add control. Increase your topspin. More topspin will help the ball drop down and in play, keeping you from hitting as many long.
Stop in and we can show you ways to gain control with the least amount of power loss.

Want More Spin?

Spin.
It seems like everyone wants more, but how to get it?First of all, unless you are doing the right things in your swing, equipment really won't help you much. Assuming that you can already generate some spin, there are some ways that you can increase it.For some players, a softer string will increase the amount of time the ball stays on the stringbed. This additional dwell time can increase your spin potential. For other players, a thinner or textured string can help. Both will increase the bite on the ball, adding spin potential. The only downside is many of the textured strings are polys, which can reduce power for some players.
Spin potential can also be increased with a racket change. Rackets with open string patterns allow more string movement for longer contact with the ball, adding spin potential. Also, finding a racket that fits your power needs can help. A racket that is too powerful or not powerful enough can decrease spin potential.
Stop by the store and we can see what you using now, and help you find rackets or strings that can get you the spin you need.Spin potential can also be increased with a racket change. Rackets with open string patterns allow more string movement for longer contact with the ball, adding spin potential. Also, finding a racket that fits your power needs can help. A racket that is too powerful or not powerful enough can decrease spin potential.Stop by the store and we can see what you using now, and help you find rackets or strings that can get you the spin you need.

Tennis Equipment & Cooler Weather

Hopefully, the weather around here will get cooler soon. When that happens, does it have any impact on your tennis racket or strings?
Here, in the Tampa Bay area, the answer is most likely, no. While the cooler weather is nice, it doesn't get cold enough, long enough to really affect your tennis equipment.
If it got cold enough (like up north), stringing your racket a little looser can help reduce the shock of impact. Around here, you won't have to change anything.
One thing to keep in mind, even though it is cooler in the fall and winter, you still don't want to leave your rackets in the car all day. It can still get hot enough in a car to potentially affect both your rackets and strings. Keeping them inside a climate-controlled building or house will keep your racket and strings playing better longer.

Want More Power?

Want more power?
There are three key elements, equipment-wise, that can add depth to your shots. Your racket. Your string. Your tension.
The easiest thing to change is your tension. Going lower will increase the trampoline effect, transferring more energy to the ball, and adding depth and power.
Changing your strings to something softer or thinner will also increase depth and power. Like a lower tension, softer strings will and "spring" to your shots.
Finally, if you want more power, a racket change may be necessary. A larger head on your racket will increase the potential depth on your shots and add power. You can also go to a stiffer racket. Often, the stiffer frames also have the larger heads, which together, add power for those who need it.
Bring your current racket in and we can make some suggestions on how best to increase power to your shots.

What Head Size Should I Get?

"What head size should I get?"
We get asked this all the time. The answer has to do more about how you hit and how much or little power and control you are looking for from the racket.
Basically, the larger the head size, the more depth you will get on your shots with less effort. This is due to an increased trampoline effect from the larger stringbed. This is a good thing for those who don't hit the ball as hard and need that extra depth on their shots.
Players who hit the ball harder will benefit from a smaller head size with reduced trampoline effect. This gives them more consistency and added control.
The best way to determine which head size is best for you is to try several different ones and go with the size that gives you the best combination of power and control.
With the MP Tennis & Sports Demo Program, we'll be happy to help you find the head size that will have you playing your best.

Tennis Racket Grommets....What Do They Do?

If you look closely at your tennis or racquetball rackets, most will have one thing in common. The use of grommets.
Grommets are the plastic tubes extending out from the inside of the frame that the string passes through. They are there to form a protective barrier from the sharp edge of the frame. Eventually, you will find that some of the grommets wear out and break off. This is a problem because the string will be able to rub against the frame leading to string breakage.
If some of your grommets have broken off, there are ways that we can still string your racket with some confidence in the strings holding up. Assuming that only a few grommets have broken, we can use a Teflon tubing in the holes to act as a buffer to the frame. This usually holds up well and is a good option to keep playing with your racket.
Stop in and we'll take a look at your racket and let you know what can be done to keep it playing like new.

Stringing Over The Range

"Can I get my racket strung above the recommended range?" The first thing to consider when answering this question is why? Many of the people who want their racket string 5lbs or more over the max are trying to get depth control. One line of thought is that if you have to go that far over to gain control, you have the wrong racket. A less powerful racket would play better and do so without having to go to tension extremes to make it work. Another thing to consider is if your racket is under a year old, there is a warranty on it. Stringing over the max recommended tension can void that warranty. If you are looking for more control without going over the recommended range, a poly string may be an answer. Poly strings are stiffer and less powerful. While there are some negatives to poly strings, many players find the extra control they need this way. While not the best thing to do, going a little over the max (less than 5lbs) isn't a big deal and something we see from time to time. Over that, it is not recommended. If control is a problem, stop in and we'd be glad to show you the string options that may work for you.

Common Mistake When Trying Rackets

A mistake some people make when using our racket and paddle Demo Program is being too quick to make a decision.
The beauty of our Demo Program is that you can try many different rackets and paddles. As you go, you can eliminate what isn't working and narrow it down to the ones that you're hitting well.
As you are trying them, we recommend that you hit for an hour or more with each one. This allows you time to get used to the feel and know if its working or not. With new rackets like Wilson's Clash series, this is even more important due to their unique feel.
Another thing to do is to hit with some of the people you most often hit with. It's another way to make sure you'll know how well a given racket or paddle is hitting for you.
Our best advice, take your time and enjoy the demo process. Taking the time to hit with the rackets and paddles enough will ensure you get the right racket for your game

What Do the Pros Play?

Do the pros play with the same rackets that are available to the public?

The answer is, sometimes.

Many of the top players you will see on television are playing with rackets that look like the ones you'll see in stores, but under the paint, are quite different. They may have different string patterns, weights, and can even be an entirely different model underneath.

Nowadays, most of the ads for rackets have a disclaimer saying that the rackets you see in the ad may not be the one being used by the pros. One neat thing that many companies are doing is offering several versions of the "pro model" so people can have the racket look like the pros, but in a weight and power level that better suits their game.

There are pros who use "stock" rackets, but very often, they have them weighted up to meet their needs in performance and feel. Before that, they were the same frames available to the public. We had a pro years ago that would have us add weight to all of her frames by about a half-ounce, as the stock weight was to light. This is something we can do for anyone who feels their racket is to light.

While it's cool to have the same racket as the pros, 99% of tennis players are far better served to find a racket that fits their game. You'll end up with a more comfortable racket and play better tennis.

Women's Rackets

"Do you have any women's rackets?"
We get asked this from time to time and the answer usually surprises the person asking. The answer is they are all potentially "women's rackets".
Most of the racket companies don't make a racket specifically for women. Often when they do, it's just a paint job in a "women's color". The racket itself is really no different than the other rackets in their line.
What we recommend is that women (and men for that matter) find a racket that fits their game and their needs. While some women need a lighter, more powerful racket, others can use something heavier and more control oriented. Using our demo program, you can find that racket that fits your game and has you playing your best, even if its not a "women's racket".

Racket Balance, The Right Way

Quite often we will see people testing the balance as seen in the picture. This does not always give you an accurate measure of the balance depending on the design of the frame (headsize, length, shape). A better way to tell is going by the specs provided by the companies or finding the true mid-point in the racket's length and using that point. Sometimes people will give up on trying a racket that could be a very good fit because when the test the balance (wrongly), they think it is too head heavy or light.
Very often, balance is tied to the weight of the racket. If you feel that a change in balance may help you with your current racket, we can custom weight and balance it to your needs (within certain restrictions).
Not sure about balance?
Stop in and we'd be glad to help you find the right combination of weight and balance for your game.

Two Rackets...Same Tension...But Different

Often we will have someone come in for a restringing and ask for 55lbs because "my friend strings their's at 55lbs."
The main thing to keep in mind is that 60lbs can feel very, very different depending on the racket being strung. For example, the new Wilson Clash has a recommended tension range of 48-55lbs. The old Wilson BLX 3 has a range of 53-63lbs. A tension of 55lbs on the Clash is the maximum suggested and will feel quite tight. On the BLX 3, it will be at the low end of the range and will play looser and more powerful.
When comparing tensions that others use, check the tension range (which is stamped on most rackets) on their racket and figure out how tight or lose it is strung based on that. That will give you a better measure than the actual tension will.

We get many people coming in with questions about hybrid strings. The most common is, "what types of strings should I use?"
First of all, the main reason for using a hybrid string is because you need a combination of benefits that one string alone can not provide. An example of this is someone who wants the durability of a poly string but needs a softer feel than poly alone will have. By pairing the poly with a softer string, he can get some of the benefits of both strings and reducing the negatives in both.
As for what to use, a good way of thinking of it is apples and oranges. Most often the strings will be fairly different. Some players will use two poly strings as a hybrid, but that is like using apples and apples. The majority of the hybrids we string are a stiff, durable poly string paired with a softer,  multifilament or synthetic gut (in feel and performance, apples and oranges). Using two very similar strings, while not out of the question, will not give you the benefits of an "apples and oranges" hybrid like improved feel and added performance.
Stop in and we'd be glad to help you determine if a hybrid string job would be best for you and what combinations will have you playing better tennis.

Head Protection Tape Extends Life of your Racket

Damage from contact with court.

Both tennis and racquetball rackets take a fair amount of abuse. They end up scraping on the court in tennis, and the walls and floor in racquetball. The result is the same. The bumper guard wears down and eventually, the racket itself becomes damaged. Another result of the wear is premature breakage of the strings.
An easy way to prevent this is the use of head protection tape. It serves as a protective layer between the racket and the court, wall, etc. This can save wear and tear on the frame and the strings, adding life to both. When the tape shows wear, you just replace it with a fresh piece.
An objection we often hear about using the head protection tape is that it adds weight to the head of the racket. This is true, however, an average piece of tape covering the necessary parts of the racket will only add about 3-5 grams of weight or .1 of an ounce.  This is next to nothing compared to the benefits that the tape has in protecting your racket and strings.
If your racket is starting to look like the one in the picture above, consider head protection tape as a way to extend the life of your racket and strings.

Head protection tape covering the top of the racket,

protecting it from damage from scraping the court.

Strings for tennis and racquetball are a lot like rubber bands. At impact they give, stretching out, then snapping back, returning the energy to the ball. The more a string can be made to give at impact, the more energy goes into the ball for more power.
Softer, multifilament strings are more elastic and will give more. For players who want more power and depth on their shots, these strings are a great option. In addition to the added power, they also absorb more of the impact, making them easier on the arm.
Poly strings are less elastic, and therefore have less power for most players, For the really big hitters who can make poly strings give enough, the power can be great. 
The other thing strings have in common with rubber bands is that over time, they lose the ability to "snap back". After a while, a rubber band left stretched out will not snap back. Tennis strings are the same. After some time, they will not return as much energy to the ball, causing a loss of power and depth on your shots. For harder hitters, this will happen quicker, but eventually, this will happen with all strings. A good rule of thumb is to restring after a six months to a year if the strings have not broken, as they will have lost a good deal of the "snap back" and the performance will have dropped.
Not sure you're ready for a new string job? Stop in and we'll be glad to help, and if needed, help you pick the best string for your game.

Why Hybrid Strings?

Why would someone want to use a hybrid stringing?
The most basic answer is that a single type of string just doesn't provide the performance or durability they need.
Hybrids use two types of strings, one in mains and the other in the crosses. By using two types of string, some players are able to get the results they are looking for. An example is someone needing more durability but without the negatives of a full bed of poly string. By using a second, softer, string with the poly they can have added durability while not giving up power and feel. The two strings together can offer the best benefits of both without as many negatives.
Here at MP Tennis, we can make a hybrid out of any strings we carry, giving thousands of possible combinations. We are always glad to help you find the strings, hybrid or not, that will best fit your game.

Low Tensions....Are They Good for You?

A trend in tennis right now is to string rackets at lower tensions. On some rackets, such as the Wilson Clash, stringing at 45-50lbs is recommended.
Should you be stringing that low?
That depends mostly on the racket you are using.
Just because someone you play with is playing great with a racket strung at 45lbs, doesn't mean that it will work on your racket. All rackets have a recommended tension range. Depending on your racket, 60lbs could be at the high end of the range or the low end and will play very differently.
Another thing to consider is the strings being used. Some poly strings such as Luxilon, suggest stringing 10% less than with other, softer strings. Like with rackets, 60lbs with a poly string will feel much different than with a multifilament.
The main thing to know is what are you using now, both racket and string-wise, and what sort of results are you looking for. We can help you find the string/tension that will be fit your needs and your racket.

Hot Weather and Your Racket

With warm weather just around the corner, it's a good time to remind everyone about racket care once the hot weather arrives.
First of all, heat is not a friend of your tennis or racquetball racket. A racket left in a hot car or garage will be affected by the heat in a few possible ways.
One of the ways is your strings. Heat will cause them to lose tension faster than normal. This will be felt in a loss of power, added vibration and for tennis players, less spin potential. While they may not break, the reduced performance could be noticeable enough to have you losing more points.
Another problem heat can cause is a premature breakdown of the grip. Particularly, rackets left in a hot garage for a long period of time will often have grips that look as though they have "melted" slightly. This will reduce how well you can grip the racket securely.
The worst thing that can happen to a racket left in a hot car is damage to the frame. Excessive heat can break down the epoxy holding the graphite together, shortening the life of the racket, and in the worst case, racket breakage.
If you must keep rackets in your car, you may want to invest in an insulated racket bag which will protect the rackets from much of the heat. Obviously, the best option is to keep them out of hot cars or garages during the summer months, helping them last much longer.

Should I Get My Racket Restrung?

So, you haven't broken your strings, but you're wondering if you should restring. Here are a few things to consider.
1. How do the strings feel? Do they feel overly soft or "mushy"?
2. How is your power? Are you working harder to generate depth on your shots?
3. How is the vibration? Are you feeling more shock at impact?
4. Have the strings been in there for over a year?
Answering any of the above with a yes, and you should think about replacing your strings. Even when they don't break, they can "go dead", resulting in poor feel, less power and more vibration on impact.
Over time, strings just lose their ability to give at impact and "snap back", creating power, spin, and a consistent feel.  Even lightly used strings will lose this over time the same way a rubber band left stretched out too long will not snap back.
Think your strings may need changing? Stop in and we will be happy to go over your string options and help you pick the best one for your game.

A Unique Reality in Tennis

Tennis has a reality that is unique, and a tough one to accept for some players. The better you get, the more often you will break strings.

In golf, as you get better, you will lose fewer balls. In tennis, as you get better, you tend to hit harder and with more spin. Hitting harder and with more spin will cause more wear and tear on the strings, causing them to break more often. Also, as you get better, the players you will be hitting with will most likely be hitting harder and with more spin. This also will cause more wear on your strings.

There is good news. The harder you hit, the more durable poly strings become a better option. Where weaker hitters will find poly strings very stiff and hard to generate depth with, harder hitters can overcome this and get good results with the added durability of the poly strings.

One thing to keep in mind with poly strings. While they may not break as often, they will go dead after a while.  At some point, you will notice a drop off in performance, signaling time to restring.

Stop in and we will be happy to go over the string options that would be best for your game.

Dampener Questions Answered

Dampeners are a constant source of questions for us here in the store.
Where to put them?
How many to use?
Are there rules?
What do they do?
We'll start with the last one. What they do is limit the vibration of the strings. They do not reduce frame vibration or prevent or cure tennis elbow. By reducing the string vibration, they do add comfort at impact and quiet the "pinging" sound that many people dislike.
You only need one to do the job. Adding more will not add benefits, and, there are rules that dictate where they are placed. Dampeners must be below the bottom cross string. This makes them much less likely to affect a shot by them contacting the ball.
The best place for them is between the middle two main strings and secured up against the bottom cross string. If you have a problem with them coming out, consider using a longer dampener that is woven in and out the mains, hooking in at the two ends. This makes them less likely to come out.
And one last question, "should I use a dampener?"
That one we can not answer. Ultimately, it is a feel thing. Try your racket with and without. Whichever feels better, there is your answer.

Racquetball Rackets and Fan Patterns

Racquetball rackets have come a long way. They are more powerful than ever. The additional power comes from better materials making the frames stiffer and new, more open, fan string patterns.
Those string patterns "fan out" as you go up the face of the racket, creating more space between the strings. This increases the give in the strings at impact, returning more energy to the ball, and more power.

Power is great, but there is a downside. Durability.
All that extra give in the strings puts more stress on the strings and for hard hitters, can cause more frequent string breakage.
If you are a really hard hitter and the softer strings are breaking to quick, switching to a tougher, nylon string can add string life without giving up much power. There is a trade-off. What adds durability takes away power and vice-versa. Every player has to make a decision on which is more important, knowing the pros and cons of each string.
We can help you make a string choice that can get you more of what you need for your racquetball racket. Stop in and we will go over the options and find the best fit your needs the best.

"Should I String Like My Friend?"

Something we hear quite often when people are in to get their racket restrung goes something like this.
"My friend said their racket is strung at 60, so I should be at 60."
This is very often false. Just because someone you play with gets their racket strung at a given tension, does not mean you should do the same. When thinking tension compared to someone else, keep these things in mind.
1) Rackets have different recommended tension ranges. If your racket has a range of 45-55, and your friend's racket is 55-65, stringing both at 55 will give you very different results.
2) The type of string will make a difference. Many players who use poly strings will use lower tensions, which would not be as good an idea for someone using a softer multifilament.
3) The need of the player will dictate the tension for each player. A hard hitter will often string tighter for control. A player needing more power would want to go with lower tensions.
The thing to remember is that everyone has different reasons for why they have their racket strung at a given tension. When trying to find the right tension for you, YOUR game should be the most important factor.
Stop in and we would be happy to help you find the string and tension that will have you playing your best.