Welcome to Racquet Quest!

Racquet Preparation Specialists as close as 407.491.4755 or 407.494.4702!

We are glad you are visiting our site.  We encourage you to ask any tennis, racquet, and string questions, post ideas, share tennis and racquet related stories with other tennis and racquet enthusiasts.

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There must be hundreds of web sites and forums that discuss tennis and tennis racquets specifically.

Racquet Quest is different…

I have spent over forty (40) years working with racquets; from designing to manufacturing to stringing to customization, plus retail and anything in between!  I know that each racquet and player combination is unique.  So, the racquet specifications must be exclusive to the player.  In other words, when swing weight is measured by equipment or calculation it does not take into consideration that the player may, in some cases, “choke” up on the grip and shorten, or reduce, the swing weight.  Nor does it take into account that during a match the racquet will be swung fast, slow, and in-between.

So, if you want a racquet that is specific to you a little customization can take care of that.

Prince Does Chapter 11

As you may already know Prince Manufacturing has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection in an effort to restructure it’s $60 million dollar debt.  Anyone that has been around tennis for any length of time recognize Prince as a premier brand for almost forty (40) years!

What happened?

I have no information but a couple of things come to mind that may have contributed to this situation.

One, a radical new construction now called “O” Port Technology.  This technology created some issues with retailers and racquet stringers because some of them simply didn’t know how to string them.  I know from first hand experience that retailers and stringers do have an influence on racquet sales!

Two, I saw a decline in the quality of sales personnel calling on behalf of Prince products.  Prince, like many other manufacturers began using “independent sales representatives”.  That means they can sell any non-competing product(s).

There are probably a zillion reasons it finally came to this.  Prince intends to continue business as usual during this time, and I really hope they can recover and become the brand it once was.

Winter Park Tennis Center

If you haven’t been to the Winter Park Tennis Center (also known as Azalea Lanes) you need to stop by and see the new parking lot!  It is not often a parking lot deserves attention but this one does!  You may have been put off by the “dirt” parking lot.  I know I was because between the clay and the parking lot dirt I was creating a real mess in my car.

WPTC, the City of Winter Park, and High Performance Sports Management deserve a lot of credit for this improvement!

Thank you to all of them!

Palmano’s Biscotti

I know biscotti has very little to do with tennis but this biscotti is different.  Why is it different?  Because it is homemade!  I mean really homemade and the result is fabulous!

So, when you are having a coffee at Palmano’s please ask for a biscotti.  You will be very happy you did!

The Heat is On!

Even if the heat isn’t on yet in your area it is still important to consider your racquet strings and what can happen to them in the heat.

We know that most string is “plastic” and will naturally loose tension over time, however, if we consider that “plastic” string is made up of “molecules” we can understand why high temperatures can contribute to tension loss.

As temperatures increase the molecules are able to move more freely. Think of it as one of your muscles. That muscle will stretch “easier” at higher temperatures than at “frigid” temperatures.  Or at least mine do.

So, do not leave your racquet in the car for any length of time. Don’t leave your racquet laying on a table in the sun for any length of time and generally try to keep it from extreme heat. I believe a “thermal” bag can help but please handle your racquet with consideration during the “hot” season.

Starting Procedure

This is a short video to examine a starting procedure that does not require a starting clamp on the outside of the racquet.

I do not use this type of clamping system so please watch the video and let me know if this works for you!

Thanks,

John

Tune-Up Time!

Spring is just around the corner and it is time to consider a racquet tune up.

Start with new string, a new grip, some overgrip, and a general inspection of your favorite racquet.

Bring your racquet by for the complete tune up or just a quick look. We will check the string tension and condition for free, nada, zilch, zero!

See you soon!

How to Demo Racquets

If you are in the “I need a new racquet” mood you will have a number of choices so before you set out to demo new racquets make a few notes:

1. What do I like about my old racquet?
2. What do I want my new racquet to do?
3. How much do I want to spend?
4. How many new racquets am I going to try?

There will be a great temptation to take several new racquets and start hitting.  I think that is a bad idea.  Take one racquet at a time and concentrate on that racquet.  Of course you may not like it but you are forced to figure out why instead of just putting it back in the bag.

Try to hit with this racquet at least three (3) sessions.  Normally the first time you use it you will be concentrating and will probably hit some pretty good shots.  The next session you will be back to normal (not paying attention) and the racquet may not feel right.  By the time you get to the third session the real characteristics of the racquet will be obvious.  Throw out the worst session, mentally, and decide between the remaining two (2) sessions and compare those sessions with your current racquet.

I would do this with at least three (3) racquets.  When you have narrowed it down to two (2) racquets you may want to ask the dealer to string these racquets with the string and tension you are currently using or would like to use.  This may cost you, of course, but it will eliminate that nagging “but this is not my string” feeling.

In summary you can expect to spend a better part of a month in your search for a new racquet.  If you are used to using a racquet for a year or more this is a worthwhile use of time.  This is going to be a challenge for junior players due to pre-determined “desires” for a particular racquet.  If you follow these steps you will be ahead of the game!

Good Luck!

Should Tennis be Quiet?

I have been ruminating about tennis matches I have watched during this years Australian Open and have a question. Should tennis be quiet?

It is seen as boorish for a spectator to make a sound during a match but some players are perfectly happy to put up with screams, grunts, and screeches from their opponent. Why?

Years ago trainers would emphasize the need to exhale at the release point of the action so maybe that is how it got started. Is it still a training technique or just a way to disrupt the focus of an opponent? I personally don’t believe it is malicious. Am I right?

I, for one, don’t like to watch matches with a lot of screaming so I don’t. Am I missing anything? As far as I can see we have a screamer on both sides of the women’s draw. That would be Azerenka v Clijsters and Sharapova v Makarova.

I would watch matches with the screaming players if they will allow the spectators to yell during the point. Fair enough?

The Cost of Stringing in Perspective

When it comes to stringing a racquet many players are reluctant to do it as often as they should.  Why do you suppose that is?  It may go something like this…”Wow!  Thirty five dollars is a lot and I just had this thing strung about a year ago!”

Let’s take a look at some things we can buy for thirty five dollars, and how long will it last?

Ten cups of regular coffee at a great coffee shop which may be a months worth but each cup only lasts less than an hour.  Therefore about $3.50/hour.

Two movie tickets with popcorn and drinks which will last about 2.5 hours, so about $14.00/hour.

One pretty good bottle of wine which will last a couple of hours, so $17.50/hour

Four six-packs of beer which will last some people a weekend but 1 hour per beer so, about $1.45/hour.

Two shares of Yahoo stock that may last 15 or 20 seconds, so about $105.00/hour.

Ten gallons of gasoline that may last 200 miles at 50MPH so about $8.75/hour.

Eight cans of pretty good tennis balls that may last eight weeks, or about $2.20/hour.

So, there a few things that we can spend our money on but none of them last as long, performance and satisfaction wise, as a good set of string!  For arguments sake lets say string will play its best for about 20 hours.  That is $1.75 per hour.  But if you re-string after 50 hours your cost per hour goes down to $.70 per hour.  Let’s split the difference and say you must re-string after 35 hours of play.  It is easy to see that is $1.00 per hour and is a great bargain!

Even better than beer!  Plus you enjoy the social interaction you expect from a cup of coffee, a bottle of wine, or a beer with your buddies!

It is easy to see that keeping your racquet properly strung is not expensive!

Take it Easy on the Tension!

For nearly thirty (30) years I have been stringing racquets using tension settings much lower than the prevailing “normal”.  There are a few reason for this.  I use a totally unique stringing machine(s), I pre-stretch every string, and I use vario tensions within the total racquet pattern.  Now it is becoming the “norm” to use lower tensions.  Why?

During the past fifteen (15) years string materials have changed to the extent that lower tension settings are virtually required!  This requirement has been met with disdain, reluctance, disbelief, animosity and other thoughts and actions!   In most cases, therefore, the racquet technician continued to use the same tensions regardless of string material.  Well, that is changing and none to soon!  But why is it important?

In the past strings were very elastic and exhibited high elongation which means the string will stretch as the ball hits it and absorb some of the shock associated with high tensions.  Most of the “newer” materials exhibit substantially less elongation and in fact become stiffer as the load is applied meaning the shock associated is going to be higher.  This can lead to “uncomfortable” and possibly damaging impact over time.

If you are considering using polyester based string please be prepared to “take it easy on the tension” and lower your tension request to the fifty (50) pound range (22.6kg).  Also, ask your racquet technician to pre-stretch the string.  This will increase the elongation and stability of polyester based string.  There is no scientific data to support the fear that pre-stretching will damage polyester based string as long as the elastic limit of the string is not exceeded.

Of course the object of the stringing procedure is to provide a racquet that will compliment the needs of the player.  Period!  So any technique you use must satisfy that requirement.

My advice is to try several string and tension combinations and decide for yourself.  Your racquet technician should be in a position to help with your transition to a new string and tension.  Please call me if you have any questions.