sports
January 15, 2026
Tension at the tennis: inside the high-stakes world of racket stringing
There would be no Australian Open were it not for the work undertaken in an unassuming underground room at Melbourne Park
TL;DR
- Racket stringing is a high-demand job at the Australian Open, requiring speed and consistency for professional players.
- Players have specific preferences for string tension, impacting control and power; they often increase tension in hotter weather for more control.
- The stringing process includes removing old strings, setting tension on a machine, manually weaving new strings, and stenciling the racket.
- Stringers are assigned to specific players for consistency, and the team shrinks as the tournament progresses.
- Modern strings often use a hybrid of natural gut and polyester for a balance of power, strength, and control.
- Stringers face challenges like calloused hands and aching feet, but develop a unique perspective and pride in their essential role.
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