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Safe Tension Range

Q: I noticed in your pro equipment logs (http://www.racquettech.com /members/prologs/prologstoc.html) that the string tension indicated for several players is higher than the racquet manufacturer’s tension range on their racquets. Are the pros playing with special made versions of these racquets to handle higher string tensions? Is there a “safe” range over the manufacturer’s tension range that a racquet can be strung?

A: Some pros do play special frames that are not available to the public, even though the graphics on the pro’s racquet are similar to those appearing on racquets that are available to the retail customer. In those cases where a pro is playing with a frame that is available to retail customers, the primary concern is to get the racquet to perform a certain way, regardless of any reduction in frame longevity, because the sponsoring manufacturer provides free or low-cost racquets to the player.

The published tension range is the safe range. Increasing tension beyond the maximum listed tension will void the warranty.

From the April 2005 issue
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