Craftsmanship behind the racket: Exploring the pro...
Behind the intense competition at the Jiangxi (Jiujiang) Tennis Open, in addition to the athletes fighting hard on the court, there is also a group of behind the scenes workers silently ensuring the operation of the event, among whom the threading master is a crucial role. This time, we interviewed Zhang Kai and Guo Xiaobin, the court stringers, to gain a deeper understanding of the professional details and court stories behind racket stringing.
The weight of the racket is a key factor that affects a player's hitting feel and performance. Zhang Kai stated that the threading work will strictly set the weight according to each player's personal requirements. Different players have different requirements for weight due to their playing styles, but overall, the threading weight of most players is around 50 pounds, which is a commonly used value on the court. The weather environment is also an important factor to consider in threading work. Zhang Kai introduced that the tension of tennis racket strings is mainly affected by temperature and humidity, and rainfall and temperature can directly change the elasticity and weight stability of the strings. In the face of hot or humid weather, in order to avoid a rapid drop in weight and ensure the player's hand feel, the weight will be appropriately increased or pre pulled according to the actual situation to make the racket more stable.
Every player has their own unique playing habits, and the timing of racket stringing is no exception. Zhang Kai revealed that some players particularly pursue the "freshness" of their rackets, insisting on putting on the strings immediately before the game, refusing to put them on and place them one night in advance, and hoping to use rackets that have just been put on to compete; Some players also have the habit of delivering their rackets in advance, threading them one day before the game and using them directly the next day. Different needs will be met one by one, fully cooperating with the players' game rhythm.
When it comes to quality control after putting on the racket, Guo Xiaobin said that the most basic and crucial inspection standard is the vertical and horizontal lines, which are horizontal and vertical. This is the prerequisite for ensuring the feel of the racket during use. Unlike complex instrument testing, years of threading experience have enabled him to form professional judgments. In addition to visually inspecting the regularity of the strings, he relies more on industry accumulated experience to control quality and ensure that every delivered racket meets the requirements for playing. Guo Xiaobin has a clear understanding of the core role of threading technicians in competitions: "Firstly, it is to ensure that players can have a good state, because the influence of the ball line on players is indeed significant." Although seemingly simple threading work, it actually carries the important mission of escorting players, and every detail is controlled to enable athletes to perform at their best on the field without any worries.
A handy racket is the core equipment for players on the field, and the stringer provides professional and meticulous support for every swing. It is precisely these behind the scenes rigor and perseverance that have laid a solid foundation for the smooth progress of the competition and enabled athletes to fully devote themselves to the game.
