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Receive our brief weekly recap of the 5 most interesting things we dig up in the world of tennis. String savers are devices used to preserve racket strings and extend their life. When the strings of your racket strike the ball, they rub together. This friction wears them down and can eventually cause them to break. A string saver acts as a buffer between the two strings. You can put string savers at any string intersection, but players usually install them in high-wear areas.
Frequently toward the center of the racket where the strings connect with the ball. String savers are perfectly legal for use in competitive play per the International Tennis Federation and the official rules of tennis. Either way, here are a few ways you may experience string savers impacting your game. The most obvious change most players tend to notice is a deadening of the string bed, similar to the feel you might experience when using a vibration dampener.
The jury is out here, but string savers should theoretically decrease topspin because they limit the snap-back effect of the strings after a ball is struck, which helps produce topspin.
However, some professionals like Roger Federer claim they actually increase spin because he feels they provide more grip and therefore rotation of the ball. Typically, I limit the number that I use to ten or so and the impact is negligible. My recommendation is to experiment with them yourself and form your own opinion.
Depending on how many you use and how heavily you rely on topspin may be a factor in whether you notice much difference. When string savers are installed, they increase the tension of your strings slightly and therefore all things equal decrease power potential and increase control. This is worth keeping in mind when you use them. If you want to limit the change in tension you might consider a slight drop of a pound or two when you get your racquet strung next time.
Also, keep in mind that the more string savers you install the greater the difference in tension. Ultimately, how you use string savers is up to you. However, the most common reason players will install them is to get more life out of their strings and in the process save some cash.
Pay attention to where your strings are breaking. Find the places with the most wear and consider that location for using string savers in the future. String savers are really small, so they can be tricky to manipulate at first. Luckily, most string-saver brands come with an applicator. The applicator acts as a lever and lets you separate the cross from the main. Then you slide one of the string savers into the intersection. Once you release the applicator, the tension from the strings holds the string saver in place.
So, this may decrease their power potential and offer better control. To limit any string tension changes, you should consider dropping a pound or two when stringing your racket the next time. Moreover, keep in mind that the more tennis string savers you install, the higher the difference in tension.
Many top pros on tour are seen using string savers. Some of them include the following:. So, there must be some legitimacy in the similarity claims , whoever has made them. He even used to install them while playing, in between points.
It is up to you. Players install them to increase the life and durability of racket strings and save some cash in the long run. If you want to use tennis string savers, remember that you should then use them all the time. The best location to install string savers on your racket is the point where your strings are visibly breaking. However, if you have just started playing and have yet to break a string, check the intersections to install string savers.
If there are notches on the strings, a t the point where they rub against each other. This is the point where you should install them. It would help if you detected places with the most wear. The good news is most string brands come with an applicator, which acts as a lever and allows you to detach the cross from the main.
Once this is done, slide one of the savers into the intersection. Roger Federer and many tennis string savers admirers prefer an alternating pattern. Before buying string savers, there are some factors that you should consider. So, take a look at the main factors that should influence your decision:.
The primary reason players turn to string savers is they increase the life of racket strings , which are pretty expensive items. So, tennis string savers should withstand wear and tear themselves. Therefore, savers should be made from durable material. Generally, you will find string savers made with composite or plastic.
However, many manufacturers have come up with their proprietary materials , which vary greatly. Keep this in mind though, that this will make the string bed a little stiffer and creates a control situation, but if Roger Federer, the greatest player tennis has ever seen can handle them, you can too.
T he answer to this question is that, well it depends on a lot of factors. If you are someone who breaks a lot of strings and are not that strong financially then I would a hundred percent recommend you go and get one of these solutions. Everybody likes saving money, whether you are earning 50k a year or a k a year, you would rather save the money that you spend on bi-monthly string jobs towards your house or travel funds. String savers, unless you can get them easily through Amazon can be a little harder to get in other countries so for them I would recommend a good polyester string like the one I mentioned above.
It should be able to last you close to a month easy. For my personal use, I can go by a month easily without even coming close to breaking them, so I just get them restrung. Polyester strings go dead after a month of use so be sure to get them changed after than period. I have never been too stripped for cash in my life, so I just a get new string job done. There is nothing as better feeling as a fresh string bed to play with.
The tension is perfect, the shots go with the same power every time and I enjoy that feeling. When it comes to trying to save strings, these are the only two options and considering their prices, I would say they are as cheap as anything could get. You can probably change the polyester string to a cheaper one, but I would not recommend that.
Signum Pro is the best affordable polyester, and anything lower than that will end up causing you problems with your game. They are usually effective at prolonging string life -- but how much will vary. Some players complain that they fall out, particularly if they hit with a lot of spin.
Some players also do not like String Savers because the give the racquet a stiffer feel. Another alternative to lengthen string life is to use a thicker guage string. In any event, it is still recommended to replace your strings at least as many times in a year as you play on average in a week.
There is a little picture on the String Savers box showing how to install them, along with a tool for insertion.
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