ASHAWAY, R.I., May 30, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Summer is here. Flowers are blooming. Birds are singing. And recreational tennis players everywhere are reaching into the dark corners of their basements, sheds and garages to dust off their tennis rackets and get out on the court. A few tennis enthusiasts might even be considering purchasing a new racket. But, how many players consider new string? If you are a recreational tennis player and you want to improve your game, you should.
If you watch professional tennis games, you've probably seen players walk onto the court at the start of a match with a stack of five or six rackets. Ever wonder why? The reason is that pros insist on playing with fresh string. Yes, they also want to have replacements on hand for when they break a string, but often, they change rackets as soon as the string begins to feel a little "dead" -- even if it's after just one or two sets.
Tennis pros know how important racket string is to their game -- more important, in fact, than the racket itself. Racket string is just as important to the recreational tennis player. Why? Because you hit the ball with the string, not the racket. If tennis rackets were sports cars, string would be the tires: they're where the rubber meets the road. With bald tires, even a Porsche won't handle well.
In general, no matter how infrequently you play, you should re-string at least once a year -- ideally at the beginning of your playing season. Anyone who plays more than once a week should re-string more frequently, and don't think you're going overboard if you re-string several times during a season. The better attention you pay to your string, the better you will know when it is time for a tune-up.
Before you head out onto the tennis court this summer, consider the benefits of restringing your racket.
Improve your game ... for less -- Lots of tennis players think they need a new, sexy, high-tech racket to gain that competitive edge. These same players, however, will play with the "factory" string that comes in it for the life of the racket. Restringing your favorite racket is an efficient and effective way to boost your game. A quality tennis string, designed to meet your specific playing needs, costs a fraction of the price of a new racket, and may just give you better results.
Don't look now, but you are losing tension -- Obviously the more you play, the faster your strings will wear out. However, even a racket that sits on a shelf from week to week (or all winter long), will gradually lose both string resiliency and tension. When strings lose resiliency, they lose power. And as they lose tension, it becomes harder to control the ball.
Pick a string to match your style of play -- There are literally hundreds of different string brands and models on the market, and re-stringing is an opportunity to test some of them out. Different strings provide different levels of power, control, durability, and economy, and they have different overall "feels." If you'd like to put more pepper on your serve, a powerful string made of a durable material like Zyex(r) can help. Want more control on your topspin? Hybrid strings designed with braided aramid fibers for the mains provide an extra-stiff string-bed with a textured surface that helps you put the ball where you want it. If tennis elbow is a problem, there are nylon multifilament strings, such as Vantage(r) strings from Ashaway Racket Strings, that have an extra soft feel to absorb the impact before it gets to your elbow.
Ask the experts -- Finding the right string for your style of play becomes much easier when you enlist the help of a professional stringer. Stringing pros are trained to find the right string setup for every player, and can be a valuable resource for recreational tennis players trying to get a leg up on their competition. Your local stringer can offer recommendations on string materials and stringing methods to suit your style of play. Form a relationship with a stringer, and give them feedback on how their suggestions affected your game.
Another benefit of working with a professional stringer is a broader string selection. Many high-quality, specialty strings are not carried by sports superstores. Professional stringers play-test and stock a wide array of strings. With their help you can experiment with different string brands, materials, and stringing tensions until you find the right fit. To find a professional stringer in your area, visit www.ashawayusa.com
Enjoy the game -- Whether you are looking for more control over the ball or a string that is easier on older elbows, improving the quality of string in your racket can help improve the quality of your game. Tennis offers a great way for people of all ages, fitness levels and economic groups to socialize, exercise, and remain competitive. But don't get too competitive -- there is enough stress out there as it is. Remember that your time on the court should be about relaxation and release. Go out there and have fun!
For additional information, contact: Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co., P.O. Box 549, Ashaway, RI 02804. Telephone: (800) 556-7260. Fax: (401) 377-9091.
For an electronic copy of this release and/or artwork to accompany it, visit the PRESS ROOM at www.trankin.com/releases/ashaway/.
Steve Crandall is vice president of sales and marketing at Ashaway Racket Strings, the only U.S. manufacturer of string for tennis, racquetball, badminton and squash. Operated by the Crandall family since 1824, Ashaway has been making racket strings since 1950, and is responsible for several important technical innovations.
Zyex is a registered trademark of ZYEX Limited.
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