Stringing at Ray's: Our In-Store Service
A racquet is only as good as the string in it. For over fifty years, players across San Diego have brought their frames to Ray's because of what happens at our stringing bench, not in spite of it. This is the one thing a website in a warehouse somewhere cannot do for you.
The Ray's stringing experience
When you bring a racquet to Ray's, it is strung by hand, in our shop, by people who actually play. We have been doing this since 1969, from our roots at the Balboa Tennis Club, and the same care goes into a junior's first frame as into a 5.0 player's match racquet. You talk to the person stringing it. You tell us how you play and what is bothering you, and we help you dial in the right string and tension, not just the popular one.
- Expert, by hand. Consistent tension, clean knots, and a finish you can feel on the first swing.
- Fast, local turnaround. Our standard is a 24-hour turnaround time. We can do rush and same-day stringing if requested.
- Honest advice. We would rather you play the right setup than spend more. If a $12 string is right for your game, that is what we will tell you.
Two ways to get strung
Buying a new racquet? Order it online and simply choose “Strung,” then pick your string and tension. We string it before it ships, so it arrives ready to play, no second trip, no waiting on a restring after it lands.
Already own the racquet? Bring it by the shop. In-store restringing is our specialty, and doing it in person is exactly why it is better: we can check your grip, look at wear on the frame, and get your tension right the first time. Walk in during store hours, or call ahead at (619) 295-5362 and we will have it ready.
A note on mail-in: we do not push mail-in restringing of a racquet you already own, because the back-and-forth shipping time defeats the purpose. The in-store experience is faster, better, and personal. That is the point.
A quick guide to strings
Not sure what to ask for? Here is the short version. For the full breakdown, see our String Guide.
Polyester (co-poly)
The spin-and-control choice for intermediate to advanced players with full, fast swings. Firm, durable, and great for heavy topspin. It loses tension faster, so if you play often, restring more often. Popular: Luxilon ALU Power, Babolat RPM Blast, Yonex Poly Tour Pro.
Synthetic gut and multifilament
The comfort-and-value choice, and the right default for beginners, juniors, and anyone with arm trouble. Soft, lively, forgiving, and easy on the elbow. Popular: Tecnifibre X-One Biphase, Wilson NXT, Head Velocity.
Natural gut
The premium choice. The most comfortable and powerful string there is, and it holds tension the longest. Many players use it in a hybrid (poly on one axis, gut on the other) to get much of the feel for less. Popular: Babolat VS Touch.
A quick guide to tension
Every racquet has a recommended range (for example 45 to 60 lbs). Within it:
- Lower tension = more power and comfort. The stringbed works like a trampoline. Good for more free depth or protecting your arm.
- Higher tension = more control and a firmer feel. Good if your shots are flying long.
Not sure? Start in the middle of the range, and with poly string a few pounds lower than you would with synthetic gut. Still unsure? That is what we are here for. Tell us how you play and we will set you up.
Come get strung the way it should be. Ray's Tennis, San Diego, since 1969. Call (619) 295-5362 or stop by.