RULE OF THUMB – replace your string as many times in a year as you play in a week
Example – play three times a week – replace every 4 months
If you play year-round, we recommend that you restring your rackets a minimum of 4 times a year to maintain tension, control, comfort, feel and power.
Strings lose tension even when not playing, especially polyester, which lose tension most rapidly before stabilizing. It is not uncommon for syn-gut strings to lose 5 to 8 lbs during their life. Polyester may lose this same amount within the first few hours of hitting before stabilizing. Natural gut on the other hand has the best tension retention of all types of string.
Should you replace strings only when they break, or sooner?
Good indications for considering replacement is when your racquet has reached the point of having too much power, or when the strings no longer spring back into place, and require constant readjustment. At that point you may also consider stringing at a slightly tension with your current string, or choose to experiment with smooth/round polyester string, which has a better tendency to snap back into place after spin shots.
Fun Pro Facts
Roger Federer changes racquet before every change of balls (after first 7 games, since it includes the warm-up; every 9 games thereafter). Nine racquets would be more than sufficient to see him through his opening match.
Nadal changes every six games, and therefore may change his racquet up to 15 times in a day, including practice and warm-up.
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