Will playing with a tennis racquet that needs new string change how i play?

Question

im going to try out for the tennis team next month. my cousin gave me his old racquet, and i think i need new string- it makes a *boinging* noise everytime i hit even though i have shock dampeners. i dont want to spend about $20 on getting it restrung, since there is a chance that i wont make the team. will it be any different if i leave the racquet as it is? i mean, i dont want it to lower my performance, since tryouts are coming soon. thanks

Answer 1

I hate to tell you this, but at your level, I don't think the string will make that much difference.  However if you are interested I just go to tenniswarehouse.com, buy some string, then take it to a raquet club or sports authority, and have them string it for like $15.

Answer 2

i think old string can influence your play, but it's more to the feel (old strings feel "dead") than to the sound. it seems you are still ok with that current string. to further reduce the "boinging" sound, try to tie a rubber band to the mains below the bottom cross. hope it helps :)

Answer 3

if you are a beginner, it doesnt matter how good your strings are because you wouldnt be able to feel the difference.

Answer 4

This is the deal.  

I agree with the above, it wont make much of a difference at your level.  

But since you are asking, here is the real answer for if you could tell a difference.  

String tension will range by player preference, ussually strung as loose as 50 lbs all the way to be as tight as 65 lbs.  This is not to say that players arent stringing looser or tighter, but this is a good range.  

If a racquet is strung with low tension (loose) the ball will have a "trampoline" like effect.  This will result in a more powerful and less controlled shot.

If the racquet is strung tighter, then the ball will be bouncing off the strings more quickly because the racquet strings are tight and there are no "give" to the strings.  This will result in a more controlled shot (because you are making contact and the ball is coming off your racquet quickly, rather than staying cupped in the strings for the duration of your swing then trampolining out).  

This explaination is hard without pictures of a ball being cupped into the strings like a trampoline, but that is the best I can explain it right now.  

Hope that helps

Steve Viglione

USPTA Pro

owner- http://topspinsports.com

Answer 5

Tennis is lame