Someone requested me to string an old wood racket and I turned it down immediately. Most woodies are at least 30+ years old. No one could predict how it would turn out.
But he insisted. So I asked for payment in advance, and his written full disclaimer, absolving me of any blame in the event of any damage.
It was the Slazenger Vilas International (link1)(link2).
A quick search online shows someone asking for US$254 for one on Ebay (link).
The racket was unplayed and in near mint condition. No scratches, nor chips nor scrapes could be found anywhere. Even the original plastic wrap was still on the handle!
Although unstrung, I could see it had been strung before. Some string cuts could be seen at the throat grommet.
Since it was not intended for serious play, I suggested stringing it with full synthetic gut at 38 lbs. That would significantly reduce hoop stress and hopefully preserve the frame intact. He agreed.
It was smooth sailing installing and tensioning the mains. Some very slight "creaks" sounds was heard while tensioning the outer mains. So I paused for a few minutes.
(If you observe the above pic carefully, you could see the laminate fracturing at the bottom right corner of the picture.)
After ascertaining the squeaking stopped and everything was intact, I continued slowly, completed the mains, then tied-off on the short side. For wood frames, that would the side with the zig-zag on top of the frame.
(Despite the dangers explained, the owner asked for one-piece stringing.)
With the long side, I started weaving the crosses from bottom-up. This was the standard pattern for one-piece stringing with wood frames.
I was tensioning the 8th cross from the bottom when there was a sudden loud snapping sound.
But I could not see any damage nor distortion anywhere. Nevertheless, for my own safety, I stepped out of the room and observed from the door way.
An exploding racket hoop is any stringers' nightmare. Although tales have been told of it, none have seen it happen, nor could provide any evidence of it.
Could it happen to me this time? I wondered...
Mere seconds later, the side of the hoop gave way outwards!!!
I removed the clamps immediately to release the tension! Then more loud snapping sounds...
But it was too late. The damage was done. A beautiful vintage frame completely ruined.
I could not bear to see the frame explode, so I cut out the strings.
To anyone wanting to re-string an old woody, even if it seemingly appears perfectly intact, my advice is don't.
It is just too much risk.
After getting whipped left and right (link), I called for a wood rackets session with my mates.
Dunlop MaxPly, Yonex Couguss 2 (link) and Slazenger Centenary (link) showed up for some rallies.
Once we figured the sweetspot was in the bottom third of the stringbed, our strokes started falling in place very quickly.
Although challenging, it was not impossible to execute topspin, sidespin or slices with the 65 square inch face. Just that the mis-hit rate was slightly higher than with our modern frames.
One distinct difference was the need to consciously relax and swing the racket forward. Forcing or "muscling" the stick with a tight grip flexes the racket like a fishing rod and made us lose control.
On sweetspot hits, impacts were extremely soft, comfortable and powerful. Weighing about 370 grams, I estimate the swingweight of the woodies to be approximately 380-400 kg/cm². Yet it did not feel that heavy nor clumsy. Neither were any of us consistently late for any shots.
Off-centres hits were only "punished" by the ball falling very short, often in our side of the court, and some very low frequency vibrations. Not painful and nothing jarring, somewhat like placing your hand on a bass speaker that was turned on very loud. It was comical!
If you have never hit with a wood racket, you must try it. I think it is a great tool to teach anyone smooth fluid strokes, and to watch the ball very carefully at impact. A wonderful "sweetspot trainer".
It took M three weeks to decide he must have this Yonex strung and played with (link)!!!
Not a stringjob I was looking forward to though. Had to do minor chiselling to smoothen out the sharp edges of the string holes, ensure double-string holes fit, then lightly burn-in the wood with a scrap string before stringing can start.
The very tiny gaps between strings made weaving very slow and difficult. (I actually sought help from someone with small fingers!)
With wood, the risk of frame distortion is much higher. Even the flexiest graphite frames are so much stronger and stiffer. I estimate the RA stiffness of this wood frame to be about 30+.
Had to constantly measure distortion levels and make minor adjustments along the way.
The top racket in the pic above is my Slazenger (link). The bottom racket is the Yonex. You can see how much thinner the Yonex frame and shaft is.
Still remembered I was taught to tuck the final main string under the earlier strung mains and crosses. You can see that in the pic above. Not fun at all!
I am not going to restring this wood racket in the near future. At least for the next few decades...
More than two decades ago, one of my tennis buddies just shoved two rackets at me and told me they're mine!
I checked.... Nope, he wasn't having a fever and neither was he unwell or under influence of drugs or alcohol. So I cheerfully accepted the rackets and thanked him. (His name is Ramesh and used to stay at Bayshore Park. Thanks again Ramesh!)
One of the racket is the wooden Slazenger Centenary 1881-1981 commemorative edition which has become affectionately known to me and some of my friends as "Woody" (无敌).
Here I am, stringing Woody up with some Synthetic Gut @ 45lbs, two piece.
I played with it for a while. With only a 65 sq inch face, the sweet spot is really tiny! But when it was hit, the balance, plow-through, power and accuracy surpasses all modern rackets I have ever tried! Sweet!
