More or Less Tension

Technology doesn’t stand still; we have a wide range of racquet head sizes, shapes, and action. They vary from fairly whippy to ultra-stiff, and have vast differences in stringing patterns. Recommended stringing tensions can range from 25 to 60 lbs.

There's a huge opportunity for a player to "tune" his racquet to suit his playing style, by change in string tension over a wider range. If you don't like your racquet's performance, experiment with changes in string selection and tension. 

The basic equations are these:
Higher Tension = More Control
Lower Tension = More Power

Strings at low tension stretch more when they contact the ball, and then quickly snap back to their initial length. This "trampoline effect" (also known as resilience or rebound) adds power to the shot: it's sort of like putting a spitball in a rubber band, pulling back, and then releasing it. If the racquet is strung at a higher tension, there's less stretch left in the string to provide trampoline effect. On the other hand, tighter strings remain flatter, so it's easier to control the direction of the ball and to impart spin to it.

Remember, there are limits on tension. Excessive tension can lead to frame or string breaks. Lower than recommended tension can mean a total loss of control and power.

This information was used with permission and taken from an article written by Steve Crandall, VP of Sale and Marketing at Ashaway String Company.