Optimal Tensioning?

After a friendly game, a teenager was asking how to fine-tune his string tension after deciding his preferred strings.

He was aware of the adage "String loose for power and tight for control", but did not know how to make adjustments.

My answer was simple:

Generally, the tennis game can be grouped under four categories:
(1) serve,
(2) return of serve,
(3) groundstrokes, and
(4) net play.

The real challenge was that, regardless of string type, each of those categories performed best at slightly different tensions. 

So it's more of WHICH aspect of his game he needed help with. Or, was a particular style of play from any opponent giving him troubles.

Stringing very tight would help with his first serve's accuracy and return of serves for both first and second serves. But he might lose some spin for second serves and groundstrokes. So some angles and placements would be cut off. Touch shots would be challenging, or could even feel dead.

If his strategy was on using heavy spin on both serves for an opponent that he knew could not handle spin, then low tension could do wonders! Even better, if he charge forward after his spin serves to volley and finish the point early. That would avoid any potential high rebound or loss of control issues with his groundstrokes from the baseline. Best used for opponents who struggle returning spinny shots and have a tendency for weak/short returns.

Since he has multiple similar rackets, was not a string breaker, and could well afford to test strings, I even recommended different setups for different sticks! That would cover a wider spectrum of different opponents he may not have played with.

Yes, there would be adjustment issues when changing rackets. But so far, I observed that all who tried my unconventional setups, took mere minutes to acclimatize.

For an average Joe, say ntrp 3.5, that would probably cost him about 1 to 1½ games at most. Never the entire set, unless he was already struggling against a much stronger player.

Plus, the abrupt change ALWAYS seemed to rile up the opponent more! After reading, analysing and understanding your pace, spin, movement, placement, etc, you messed up the variables again!

Just take note this is no replacement for hard work and training. Only an enhancement. An unorthodox one.