Need a restring?
What it costs, how often to do it, and how to find a stringer near the tournament you're playing who'll have it back by tomorrow.
What a restring costs in Australia
About $40 to $75 with the string included, in 2026. The spread is mostly the string.
- Labour
- $25 to $45
- Synthetic gut
- adds $10 to $15
- Polyester
- adds $20 to $35
- Natural gut
- adds $50 or more
- Pro shop at a centre
- top of the range
- Stringer at home
- bottom of the range
Bring your own string and most stringers charge labour only. A hybrid (two different strings) costs the same as the dearer of the two.
How often to restring
As many times a year as you play each week. Twice a week, twice a year. Strings lose tension sitting in the bag, so a racquet strung last summer plays dead even if nothing's broken.
Polyester goes flat faster than it breaks. If you're on poly and playing tournaments, every one to three months. The sign is the ball flying long on shots you used to keep in.
Finding one at a tournament
You're away from home, a string went in the second set, and you're on again tomorrow at 9. Your own stringer is three hours away. What matters now is who's near the venue and will pick up the phone today.
- 01Ask the tournament desk. The bigger centres have a pro shop, or a stringer on site on match days.
- 02Open the tournament's page on Peanut. Under "Need a restring?" the nearest stringers to the venue are listed, closest first, with the ones who've said they're taking racquets for that event at the top.
- 03Call before you drive. Most stringers are one person. WhatsApp works when they're on a machine and can't pick up.
- 04Pack a second racquet next time. Even a cheap one strung at the same tension beats borrowing.
Stringers near you
Stringers by state
97 stringers checked and listed so far.
Stringer? List your service, free.
Players at tournaments within 30 km of you see your name, your suburb and a Call button the day before they play. Say you're taking racquets for a tournament and you go to the top.
Questions
How much does it cost to restring a tennis racquet in Australia?
About $40 to $75 with the string included, in 2026. Labour is usually $25 to $45; a basic synthetic gut adds $10 to $15, a polyester $20 to $35, and natural gut $50 or more. A pro shop at a tennis centre tends to sit at the top of the range, a stringer working from home at the bottom.
How often should I restring my tennis racquet?
The old rule still works: as many times a year as you play each week. Twice a week means twice a year. Strings lose tension sitting in the bag, so a racquet strung a year ago plays dead even if it never broke. Competitive players and anyone on polyester should go sooner, every one to three months.
How do I find a restring at a tennis tournament?
Ask the tournament desk first: bigger centres have a pro shop or a stringer on site on match days. Otherwise it's a stringer near the venue who answers the phone today. Peanut's tournament pages show the nearest stringers to the venue, with Call and WhatsApp buttons, and whether they've said they're taking racquets for that event.
Can I get a tennis racquet restrung the same day?
Often, if you call before you drive. Most stringers are one person with a machine, and a restring takes 20 to 30 minutes once the racquet is in their hands. Drop it in the morning and it's usually ready by the afternoon. At a tournament, ask whether they'll be at the venue, or whether you can drop off at the desk.
What tension should I string my tennis racquet at?
Start at the middle of the range printed on the frame, usually 50 to 55 lb (23 to 25 kg). Lower for more power and comfort, higher for control. If you're not sure, tell the stringer what you play with now and what you want more of. Going two pounds either way is a safer experiment than ten.