Why I Decided to Restring My Tennis Racquet
So my old tennis racquet was feeling like a wet noodle lately – strings were fraying like crazy after six months of abuse. I play three times a week at the local courts near my apartment, slamming forehands with buddies. Realized dead strings made my shots fly everywhere except where I aimed. Enough was enough.
Digging Into Real-World Stringing Costs
Started by calling up sports stores and asking bluntly: “How much for stringing?” Got answers all over the damn place:
- Big-box Sports Chain: Quoted $25 labor only, but would charge extra if I brought my own strings
- Local Tennis Club Pro Shop: Said $20 labor plus string cost – their own polyester strings ran $15 to $45 per set
- Independent Stringer Working From Garage: Offered $15 flat rate if I supplied strings, guy sounded like he knew his stuff
Got suspicious when that chain store quoted way higher for “premium service.” Went in person with my racquet pretending to be clueless. Kid at the counter pushed overpriced strings at me until I pointed at his own price chart behind him.
My Actual Stringing Experience
Ended up at that independent stringer’s garage workspace. Dude had this ancient-looking machine bolted to a workbench. Watched him mount my racquet, measure tensions with this handheld gadget thingy. He used basic polyester strings I brought – paid $18 online for two sets.
Whole process took maybe 20 minutes while I sipped coffee in his driveway. He cranked tension to 55 pounds like I asked, explaining how higher numbers give control but feel harsher on the arm. Handed back my racquet feeling tighter than a drum. Total damage? $15 labor plus the string cost split ($9 since I used half the reel). Entire job cost me $24 cash.
The Messy Truth About Stringing Prices
Realized price swings depend entirely on:
- Labor markup (chains inflate this big time)
- String brand hype (same $15 poly vs “premium” $45 nonsense)
- Where you go (pro shops charge club tax)
Unless you’re a pro needing specific tensions, ignore the upsells. Basic synthetic gut or poly strings work fine for rec players. And that “free lifetime restringing” promise? Stores recoup costs by locking you into their overpriced strings forever.
Final Cost Breakdown
For my racquet:
- Strings: $9 (half of $18 reel)
- Labor: $15
- Total: $24
Most rec players should expect $20 to $40 total if using cheaper strings and avoiding fancy shops. Your wallet doesn’t need to take a forehand smash just to get playable strings.