If you have ever played tennis, especially over an extended period of time, you will notice how the strings in the racket get loser over time. This scholarly article experiments how depending on string material, racket material, court material and style of play. I found it amazing how these variables can be calculated in to make charts for how the strings will have tension loss. Once the equations are created, the way each variable is added is by designating them an individual number based on intensity such as a flat style of play = 1 or a top spin style of play = 3.
When the final values have been calculated, then charts can then be made. For example, one chart that was created was the court material v.s. tension loss (%) considering the style of play. It showed that with a flat style of play, playing on a clay court will result in a higher tension loss in the racket strings. Ironically, with a top spin style of play, playing on a hard court will result in a higher tension loss. I found this extremely interesting because i would not think that the material of the court would effect the strings so drastically different considering the style of play.
In conclusion, it was shown that the worst combination in tennis concerning string endurance is to play using a 16-main-string racket frame, strung with CS2/S1 or CS1/S2 strings, on a clay court. The result of this combination was the complete fracture in the strings during the same play duration as the other combination's.
I have not played tennis in some years, but has anyone that plays tennis more often notice these same kinds of results?
I don't really play tennis enough to notice a difference string tensions and interactions with different court surfaces but I do like to play racquetball fairly often. I have had the same racquet for like 6 years with the same strings and I can definitely tell that they have lost tension. It is interesting that court surface has an effect on the endurance of the strings, I would have thought the only variables would be how hard the person hits the ball and maybe the type of ball.
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