How Long Do Tennis Rackets Last?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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But assuming you don’t intentionally splinter it, a new racquet should last

at least two years

before you have to start worrying about performance-affecting fatigue. This two-year rule applies to club players who play two or more times a week.

Are old tennis rackets still good?

Some are, some are not.

There are 20-30-year-old racquets that work well today

. And there are modern racquets that play better than most old-school racquets. A good racquet is a good racquet.

How often do tennis rackets need to be restrung?

As a general rule you should re-string

each year as often as you play per week

. If you play twice per week, you should restring your racket twice per year. All strings gradually stretch and lose their resiliency or go dead, even if you play infrequently.

Do old tennis rackets have any value?


If you find a photo decal model that has been signed, it will likely be quite valuable

. Other rackets may have colorful designs on the strings and/or the handle, making them stand out as decorations. Signed rackets can be some of the most valuable vintage tennis rackets available.

When should I replace my racquet?

But assuming you don’t intentionally splinter it, a new racquet should last

at least two years

before you have to start worrying about performance-affecting fatigue. This two-year rule applies to club players who play two or more times a week.

What do you do with old tennis rackets?


Salvation Army

You can donate your old tennis racquets to one of the Salvation Army’s stores. They will sell your racquet and use the money it raises to support their charitable endeavors.

How have tennis rackets changed over the years?

Since the 1980s,

high-end tennis racquets have been made from fibre-reinforced composite materials, such as fibreglass, carbon fibre and aramid (strong synthetic fibres)

. The advantage of these composite materials over wood and metal is their high stiffness and low density, combined with manufacturing versatility.

How long do tennis racket strings last?

To this player, we’d recommend re-stringing

every three months

. While you won’t break your strings, the tension of your strings (how tight or loose they are) will change dramatically in that time. Your strings begin losing tension the moment your racket is taken off the stringing machine.

How much does it cost to restring a tennis racquet?


The average cost to restring a tennis racket is $40, but it can range from $15 to $75

. Costs are split between labor ($10-25 per racket) and strings ($2-50 per set). Players should string their racket as many times per year as they play per week. Stringers can be found at your local club, sports shops, or online.

How long do poly strings last?

The general rule of thumb is that polyester strings will play well for between

10-20 hours

of play.

Is there a market for wooden tennis rackets?


Models in good playable condition can often be found for deals like $25 to $50

. Wood rackets from the 1800s can cost over $1000 depending on maker, model, and condition. Early 1900 wood rackets can often be found for a deal like $25 .. 75 in excellent condition, even playable if you really want to try an early wood.

Does anyone still make wooden tennis rackets?


Grays are now the only known active manufacturer of wooden racquets

– primarily for the sports of Rackets and Real Tennis.

How do I know if my tennis racket is broken?

How many tennis racquets should I have?

If you play at least 3 times a week and you add a good amount of spin to your shots, we suggest that you own

a minimum of 2 rackets

. This will make sure that, if you break strings, you will have a backup racket to use while your first one is being strung.

Should you have two tennis rackets?


All tennis players should have two tennis rackets minimum

. This is because you never know when you will break a string, and if it happens during a match, you can conveniently and quickly change rackets without any problems whatsoever.

How do you make a homemade tennis racket?

When did they stop making wooden tennis rackets?


By the 1980

, wooden rackets became obsolete. Instead, brands like Dunlop and Prince switched over to graphite frames. World class tennis players John McEnroe and Steffi Graf dominated the court with the Dunlop Max200G.

When did tennis rackets change from wood?

“The wood rackets were all based off natural wood and while we sold millions and millions of rackets in those years,

there was no real definite evolution

,” he says. That evolution took public shape in 1967.

Are there any tennis rackets not made in China?


Babolats, Volkls, Princes, and really all other brands have been made only in China for many years

. Yonex makes a few racquets in Japan but the rest in China. Head makes a small volume in Austria and the Czech Republic but the majority in China.

How do I know if my tennis racket needs restringing?

The appearance of the strings – The easiest way to know when it’s time to restring is by noticing how your strings look.

If your strings are fraying or look shaggy, the strings are starting to come apart and you’re not going to get as much spin or power when you hit the ball

.

Which tennis strings last the longest?

The most durable material is polyester, while natural gut strings are the least durable.

A string with a gauge of 15 is considered to be “thick” and will tend to last longer

. A string with a gauge of 18 is considered to be “thin” and will not tend to last as long.

Why do my tennis strings move so much?

Some strings begin moving more as

tension is lost

, thus an attempt to find a synthetic gut that holds tension well may help. Another cause is coating. Some strings use a final coating (like pearlized and titanium) that tend to be more prone to movement.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.