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.