Why do tennis players switch rackets when they haven't broken a string?

Question

Why do tennis players switch rackets when they haven't broken a string?

Answer 1

Sometimes your strings can go flat before they break, but most of the time, they switch racquets to stall a match, or they switch racquets when they bring out new balls (which is every 7 games I believe).  They switch racquets when they bring out new balls because the new balls move faster.  So they want a fresh tight racquet to help them control the ball better than a racquet that has been loosened by play.

Answer 2

They do it mostly to PREVENT breaking a string during play, because if it happens during the play, they'll likely loose the point.

Pro players hit the ball so hard, that many of them simply cannot play one single entire match without breaking their strings.

Some players, like Belgian Xavier Malisse, are renowned for breaking their strings between 5 and 10 times in one single match!

Most pro players (or even very experienced players), though, will know, depending on the surface and temperature, how long their strings will last (in hours of match time). In my case, for instance (I'm not a top player), I know that my strings will last 3 hrs of actual play (or slightly more or slightly less).

So I could prevent them breaking by changing a racket every 2 hrs and 30 mins or so...

In the PRO circuit, there are indeed many players who follow the regime of 'new balls'. Others will for instance change rackets at the beginning of each set.

Kind regards,

Thomas

Answer 3

Sometimes players may have racquets strung at different tensions so they'll switch to a different one to play in different conditions.

Racquet strings also lose some tension during play and certain players like the racquet tension to feel a certain way, so they switch to a newly strung racquet.

Also, if you've been playing with a racquet for a long time, to lower the risk of the strings breaking during a point, you switch to a new one.

Then there are players who just change racquets routinely.

Federer changes every time balls are switched to new ones.

Yes, there are some players who just want to take a breather so they stroll over and change their racquet to keep their opponent waiting.

Answer 4

They have racquets with different string tensions, so they switch racquets depending if they want more control, power, or spin. Players also switch if they break the frame.

Answer 5

because they hit the ball harder than us mere mortals, they lose tension in their strings quicker. Also maybe the string is starting to fray and they want to change raquets before it breaks.

Answer 6

to show that they have several ones in their bags... to kill the time also... to have a catwalk to their chairs, to irritate the opponent, to let the umpire use the time penalty, ... and for us to notice so that we can have something to ASK in this forum...