TennisTension

Racketlon

About this app

• TennisTension is the only effortlessly working mobile app that instantly measures the MOMENTOUS string tension of a tennis racket with extreme consistency and accuracy (the error is less than 0.2 kg). It tracks the TENSION LOSS of the racket string all the time from the moment the racket is strung. TennisTension records and analyzes the ringing sound emitted from the strings when they are hit with another racket, fingernails, pen, pencil, etc.
• Systematically tested with different rackets and strings by players with different levels of play - from beginners to ATP professionals.

“TennisTension” mobile app measures the momentous average string tension between the main and cross strings of a tennis racquet. It records and analyses the sound emitted from a vibrating racket string when it is hit with any stiff object such as a pen, pencil, another racket, fingernails, etc. Just in seconds, the app calculates the tension by using also the preset racket, string, and stringer parameters.

It takes some time until the user of the App learns to produce a proper “ringing” sound from the string. The string must stay close (2 to 10cm) and in front of the phone microphone. Hit the string lightly, anywhere on the stringbed with any stiff object such as a pen, pencil, fingernails, another racket, etc. once or twice and wait for a second to get the result. Do not touch the vibrating string with anything (e.g. fingers) during the measurement.

Recommendations: places with less surrounding noise are more suitable for easier tension measurements; remove any anti-vibration devices from the string.

Define all known racket and string parameters. If some of them are not known and defined, the App uses average values.

Every different stringer puts different tension compared with another when they are told to put the same tension. Define the type of “Stringing”. For example, if the stringing machine is in very good condition and/or the stringer is a very experienced one, then the user must choose “tight” or even “very tight” from the popup menu of the “Stringing” button.

Hybrid strings also can be measured. Go in the settings to switch on the mode “Hybrids“.

When all parameters are correctly preset, the accuracy is about 0.2kg.

The App calculates the average tension between mains and crosses. If a racket is strung 24/23kg, then the shown result will be 23.5kg.

The “Tension Loss” can be measured and tracked from the moment the racket is strung till it got broken. Often the app users are very surprised by the display of lower tensions than expected because of the “Tension Loss” negligence. It could reach 5 kg or even more.

A procedure called “Calibration” can be made for obtaining measurements with extreme accuracy of 0.1kg. For best results, you have to use a racket strung by an expert stringer. The option “Calibration” can be found and made by going into “Settings”. Read there the provided instructions.

When the “Calibration” is made and the “Calibrated” mode is used, the App considers COMPLETELY and SIMULTANEOUSLY all specific characteristics of every given racket and string model. Then the accuracy is extremely high and is about just 0,1­­kg. Have in mind that the “Calibration“ takes into account the characteristics of the stringer by whom the racket is strung, as every stringer actually puts different tension compared with others. For different rackets and strings, it is better to make separate Calibrations.

In a long term, by using “TennisTension”, every tennis player can improve his on-court performance by choosing the right string and racquet model, the relevant string tension, adjusting it better with the playing conditions, understanding, tracking and coping with the “Tension Loss”, and adjusting faster to the way the different stringers string at various sites and tournaments.

Ratings and reviews

Works. Simply works. Refreshing to have an app do what is promissed. Works very well and seems to be (intuitively) spot on without calibration for my device. Wow...even does hybrid strings. The only thing lacking is saving of data to review later. Even lacking that (I can write down the measurements), I still think the high cost is worth it. Great app that really works. Hats off to the developers.

Love it! I checked all 4 of my racquets (poly) freshly strung. They are w/in a # of one another. I've played with one 3x (doubles, approx 7 hrs. I'm tracking the tension decline. Checked both of my wife's racquets (synth gut) strung 4 months apart at the exact tension and it is on the money. For those that hate it, is it possible something is wrong with your phone mic, you erroneously entered the wrong inputs, or the tool with which you used to strike the strings was not solid enough.

I have been trying this app with several rackets and string combinations and the results are very believable. Had some questions for the Creator and got almost instant replies which is a nice bonus. So although it is a bit more expensive than "the other app" I still recommend it. As a suggestion: a bit more detail and explanation in the instructions about the use of the settings would be nice.

What's new

Improve accuracy of measurement.