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sports7h ago
Tension at the tennis: inside the high-stakes world of racket stringing
- The Australian Open relies on a dedicated stringing team beneath Rod Laver Arena to prepare rackets for around 800 athletes.
- Team leader Jim Downes says string tensions balance control and power according to players’ needs.
- Weather affects string choice, with hotter conditions prompting higher tension for more control.
- Stringing rooms handle prep, removal, and recycling of strings with careful coordination.
- Two players’ rackets may stay with the same stringer for consistency through the tournament’s early rounds.
- Stringers face long days, physically demanding work, and protective gear like plasters and bandages.
- Stenciling marks finish the final step on rackets after strings are set.
- There are friendly rivalries among stringers as they work with players who head-to-head in matches.
- Bloomfield emphasizes a team-focused environment where staff feel pride in supporting the sport.
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