The most common reason to re-string a tennis racket is (of course!) when you snap a string whilst hitting the ball.

 

If you do suffer a snapped string, then you should remove ALL the strings as soon as possible to prevent uneven stress on the racket, which could lead to frame warping and distortion.

All strings will degenerate over time.  The speed of this depends on string type, gauge (thickness) and how hard you hit the ball !

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You could wait until a string snaps on your favourite racket midway through a match … or instead, if you do notice your string fraying (often in the centre of the stringbed) then it is a good idea to proactively get them replaced.

Strings naturally lose their tension, or ‘tightness’, over time. As they gradually become slacker the properties of the strings change, and they can lose their ‘pop’.

 

This is usually noticeable when you start to feel less control and hit long more than usual. What's more; ‘dead’ strings can cause vibrations through the racket into your arm, potentially leading to injuries like tennis elbow.  

There are various string types which all have different properties and offer individual intricacies.

 

So, specific strings can be selected to suit your game whether you're looking for that extra bit of power, more spin or more comfort (in case of wrist and arm injuries).

Typically a racket should be re-strung as many times in a year as you play tennis in a week.

 

So if you play tennis twice a week, it is recommended to re-string your racket every 6 months.