Stringing Tip 101: DO NOT leave your racquets in the trunk of your car when there are extremes in temperature! This will significantly degrade the life of your strings. (RSI)
I have been recently studying for certifications through the USRSA (United States Racquet Stringers Association) located on 330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084, http://www.usrsa.com/. You can find local certified stringers on this website. There are two certifications available within the professional organization. MRT (Master Racquet Technician) which is apparently quite difficult and requires studying from a 22 page supplement that can be found on their website and a school-like textbook, 2008 Stringer's Digest, and an RSI (Racquet Sports Industry) magazine which is really intriguing and has really detailed and informative articles. I am officially a member which does have its benefits besides the prestige, it allows me access expensive tennis websites (instructional, classified, business, etc). The rumor is that the CS exam is easy and the MRT exam is very difficult. The rumor is that the MRT requires extensive studying and memorization of several topics i.e. frame technologies, string lengths, and a bunch of other things I never thought of as important. I believe the knowledge gives myself an edge over uncertified stringers, so goes as they say "knowledge is power."
Today I spoke with Dave Bone, Executive Director, CEO of the USRSA and was slightly shocked how easily I was able to obtain his cell phone number. This may sound odd, but over the years I have read many many articles with his name attached to it through TENNIS MAGAZINE and TENNIS.com and this guy is sort of famous in the tennis industry. It was like meeting one of my favorite pro tennis players now I have his cell number in my phone, cool. Anways, he reinforced my thoughts on the USRSA and I look forward to further studying and becoming a part of the organization. I suggest any tennis enthusiast interested in stringing skills to do the same.
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