How long does it take to restring a tennis racket?

Question

I'm quite an avid player of tennis, i have a fairly expensive racket (cost me £100/$200) however the strings are close to breaking, all over the center of the racket small threads have come out of holes in the string - i'm guessing these are what make up the inside of the strings. I dont want to be without my racket for too long, so how long does it to take to restring the racket?

Its a Prince O3 Hybrid Hornet Oversize version.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

James, Mine cost about the same but I have two now and used to have 4. But that was not because of stringing but because I used to play tournaments and could not afford to be without a properly strung frame if one or two happened to break early in the match or during warmup. But in your case I would suggest taking it to someone good who should have it done in 20 minutes - 30 minutes and be prepared to pay a little extra. Grease their palm and you will get top priority. I have a couple of player coaches that string their own and are usually open to doing mine whenever I need them done if I drive out to them. The typical sport shop will tell you it will take a couple of days since the one kid that strings may not be in until then or may have to put bicycles together like the one at our Sport Chek store. They don't want to bend over backwards or do any favours because then you may expect that great level of service all the time. Try a private club or instructor who strings on the side. I would suggest that you try to find one or two people that you are happy with that string the way you like and then just go to them. You will notice that you play more consistent since the string jobs are always the same. No big discrepancies due to different machines or individuals doing the stringing. May I also suggest that you try picking up a back up racquet off eBay. It will be cheaper than full pop from a sporting goods store and if you happen to get one used almost half price is realistic. This way you would have a back up frame strung and ready to go while your primary frame is getting restrung.

Answer 2

Sportsauthority takes around 72 hrs. Other sporting goods stores also must be taking the same amount of time. However the restringing itself takes the average person about 40-60 mins.

Answer 3

it only takes about 20 minutes to actually string it. it depends on where you take it to be restrung and how busy they are. where i get mine strung, it takes a day or so.

Answer 4

well it will only take a good stringer about 30 minutes. if your a beginner it could take long over an hour. you cant just restring it by yourself unless you know how, and you would have to own a machine. if i were you i would just take it to a club or somewhere that could string it, unless you are already good at it.

Answer 5

If at a store, around 2-3 days.  Strining yourself varies. A beginner takes around an hour, and if real hi-tech and real good stringer around 20 mins.  Average is 40 mins personally though.

Answer 6

It all depends on where you take it.  If you take it into a chain store (sports authority, d**k's, etc), you can expect 3-5 days.  Those stores generally have a lot of racquets to string, so it can take a while.

If you take it to a local club or pro-shop, you could probably get it back in less than three days.  When you drop it off at a place like this (especially if it's one you play at a lot), you can usually tell them when you need it done by.  There was one time that we paid an extra 5 bucks to have one of mine done in 24 hrs.  So if you absolutely need it, you could probably make some deal with the stringer and make it happen.

Actually stringing the racquet takes most stringers between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on experience, racquet model, string choice, etc.

A good way to gauge how worn your strings are:  Pull down one of the crosses from the middle of the sweet spot.  If you look at the mains (up and down strings) where the cross was sitting, there will be a small divot in the string.  The amount of the string eaten away can give you an idea of how much life that set of strings has left.

And if you start noticing that you break strings pretty often, it's probably a good time to invest in a second racquet.  If you want to do this, just get another copy of your current racquet, and string it at the same tension as your primary.

Answer 7

Last time I had my racquet restrung, I dropped it off Friday morning. I was told it would be ready Monday, but that afternoon they called me saying it was ready for pickup.

Stringing does not take very long. It can be done within an hour or 2. But at the stores, tell you that it takes 2 to 3 days dues to several reasons. The stringer may be out on his/her day off, they might have a back log of racquets to strings, their machine is in repair, etc.

Hope it helps. Good luck.

Answer 8

If you do it your self it takes an hour if you drop it off you'll be lucky to get it the next day.

Answer 9

usually it takes around 2-3 days thats y u always nees 2-3 rackets

Answer 10

Depends who's doing it. Doesn't matter what racquet you have.

My coach can do it in a few minutes. Maybe about 15 -20 max minutes.  Professional stringers are often changing the strings during matches. Nadal gets his racquets restrung at least 2x during a match, even more if it goes longer.  Nadal's tension is SO high, that he has to restroing more than the average bear, since they get softer.  

The shop I go to I just leave it at night and pick it up the next day. The only reason it takes time, is simply scheduling when they can do it, not the actual amount of time it takes to string.

ps- dont buy from eBay or such places. There are stories of old/used racquets that have very weak frames. You don't know where they are made. Could be a fake, just like they sell fake designer handbags, that are not quality.

Answer 11

It only takes about 20 minutes but a shop usually take your racket for a day or two.