Upon receiving your Retenser, the next step is the installation on the bridge of your racket. If you’re familiar with stringing, you can do it yourself, look at the installation section of this FAQ. Here you’ll find detailed instructions and two helpful installation videos. However, if you’re not comfortable doing the installation yourself, there’s no need to worry. Simply visit your local sports shop or consult the stringer at your tennis club or your tennis coach. Show the installation video which is conveniently accessible via a QR code and they will know what to do. Remember: the Retenser installation always comes with a new string.

String tension naturally diminishes over time, whether you’re actively playing or not. With the Retenser, you can restore and tighten your string tension, revitalizing the feel of your racket to that of a newly strung racket.

In addition, it may be desirable to adjust the tension of the racket in changing circumstances:

• When facing an aggressive opponent on a fast surface like artificial grass, you may seek better control. The Retenser allows you to boost string tension, significantly enhancing your control and precision on the court

• On slower surfaces such as clay, in damp conditions, or when energy levels are lower, the Retenser offers the flexibility to play with reduced string tension. This adjustment creates a more pronounced trampoline effect, allowing you to hit the ball deeper with the same effort.

A simple adjustment with the Retenser will give you a noticeable change in performance.

Yes, the Retenser can be used with any type of string.

When discomfort sets in, a common response is to unconsciously tense up, leading tennis players to grip their rackets more tightly. By maintaining proper string tension, the ball comes off your racket more clearly, providing a positive impact both mentally and physically. This promotes relaxation during your swing, reducing unnecessary muscle tension and could contribute to lowering the risk of injuries.

• The 2-cylinder Retenser is designed for rackets with 4 loops in the bridge.
• The 3-cylinder Retenser is designed for rackets with 3 loops in the bridge.

The Retenser Pro comes with three cylinder options:

• Soft (blue cylinders) in two steps 0.5 kg, total 1 kg. 
• Medium (white cylinders) in two steps 1 kg, total 2 kg.
• Hard (orange cylinders) in two steps 1.5 kg, total 3 kg.

This extensive range enables you to more accurately apply your desired tension.

Additionally, the Retenser Pro package includes a second adjustment key and a convenient storage pouch for the spare cylinders, providing greater flexibility and convenience.

Adding a Retenser results in a negligible increase in weight, barely noticeable. It’s important to note that any alteration to a racket’s weight has an impact. On one hand, the Retenser contributes to added weight, while on the other hand, it replaces the grommet strip at the bottom of the bridge, which offsets weight in the same area. The overall effect is an increase of approximately 5 grams. For reference, racket weights typically range between 250 and 320 grams, making this weight gain typically less than 2%.

The Retenser is installed on the bridge, precisely in the middle of the racket, both along the horizontal line (from head to handle) and the vertical line (from left to right side of the head). This means that it minimally disturbs the racket’s balance.

The Retenser is protected by patents in the European Union, in the U.S. and elsewhere for Elevating Sports BV. This virtual patent marking notice is provided to satisfy the virtual patent marking provisions of various jurisdictions including the virtual patent marking provisions of the America Invents Act and provide notice under 35 U.S.C. §287(a). The following list of products and patents may not be all inclusive.

Products Name:

• Retenser 2 cylinders version
• Retenser 3 cylinders version
• Retenser Pro 2 cylinders version
• Retenser Pro 3 cylinders version

Patents/published applications:

• EP 3974037 A1
• US 2022/0088444 A1

Each year, the Red Dot Award celebrates the most outstanding and innovative products from around the globe. These products are distinguished by their captivating aesthetics, functional excellence, intelligence, and groundbreaking innovation. What unites these award-winners is their exceptional design quality. We take great pride in announcing that the Retenser received the esteemed Red Dot Design Award in 2021!

The Retenser, featuring the CCT (Conic Cylinder Technology) mechanism, developed and patented by us, clinched the title in the “Most Innovative Sport Product” category. 

Compatibility with your new racket depends on the number of strings in the bridge (the curved part at the bottom of the racket). If your new racket has the same number of strings in the bridge, your existing Retenser will also fit the new racket. However, if the string count is different, you’ll need a different Retenser type.

Please be aware that the bridge’s shape on the new racket may vary slightly from your current one; some models are flatter, while others are more rounded. The Retenser is supplied with two ‘base parts’ – one slightly flatter and the other slightly rounder. Both ‘base parts’ are made from a flexible material that adapts to the bridge’s shape. In this way, the Retenser will still fit, but you may require the alternate base for your new racket. It’s advisable to store this extra base securely upon purchase.

By allowing you to maintain string tension with precision, it enhances the quality of your string, ensuring you get the most out of your purchase.

Racket deformation is a natural occurrence when transitioning from an unstrung to a strung state. Any strung racket, over time, will experience some degree of movement due to tension loss. To mitigate this, we recommend tensioning your racket at a maximum of 24 kilograms. This ensures that the total kilogram force, even after adjustments, remains within the standard safety margins for tennis rackets, even when using the orange cylinder (maximum 3 kilograms).

The Retenser can be installed by every stringer. If your stringer is not already familiar with the Retenser, show the installation video and they will know what to do. If you or your stinger have any questions, please contact us via info@retenser.com. We are always here to help.

• Link installation video 2 cylinder Retenser
• Link installation video 3 cylinder Retenser

Each racket model has a slightly distinct shape for the bridge (the curved bottom of the racket). The Retenser package includes two ‘base parts’ to accommodate these variations: one with a slightly flatter shape and the other slightly rounder. Both ‘base parts’ are crafted from a flexible material that adapts to the bridge’s shape. Consequently, the Retenser is designed to fit on nearly all modern rackets.

The Retenser is attached to the racket’s bridge (the curved portion at the racket’s base) during the string replacement process.

For those familiar with stringing tennis rackets, installing the Retenser is a straightforward process, requiring minimal extra time. You can refer to instructional videos for guidance.

• Link installation video 2 cylinder Retenser
• Link installation video 3 cylinder Retenser

We advise utilizing the Retenser in the “minus position.” This allows you to make two tension adjustments: from the minus position to the middle position and from the middle position to the plus position. It’s crucial to ensure all cylinders are set in the same position.

Yes, because otherwise you will get uneven tensions in your racket.

Easily customize your string tension with a simple hand movement using the included key.

Please take note: When making adjustments, be sure to maintain a firm grip on the adjustment key. String tension can exert significant force on the strings. We recommend sliding your finger through the cord to secure the adjustment key and prevent any accidental slips. Your safety and precise tension control matter to us.

The main strings have the greatest impact on the tennis game. Because the strings are woven in, you experience the feeling that your entire string bed has been tensioned again.

The Retenser is made of very strong material that is capable of resisting great forces. This makes the Retenser last a very long time and can be re-installed multiple times.

When the Retenser no longer clicks into the desired position and consistently overshoots, it’s time to consider getting a new one

The Retenser Standard comes with one adjustment key, while the Retenser Pro includes two. We do not offer individual component sales, including keys. Our adjustment keys are equipped with cords for easy attachment to bags, clothing, keys, and more, to minimize the risk of loss.

The Retenser is officially approved by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), making it eligible for use in all professional matches.

You should consider replacing your string when you notice that strings crack, fray, fail to snap back into position and when strings are misalign. 

Opting for the Retenser allows you to easily maintain string tension, saving time and effort. To achieve a similar effect by frequently replacing your strings without the Retenser, you’d need to restring your racket multiple times within a season.

Once a tennis string is removed from the stringing machine, it immediately loses tension. This tension loss is further affected by factors such as gameplay, non-usage, temperature, storage conditions, playing style (e.g., powerful shots, topspin), and more. While you can continue to play with a string even as it deteriorates, it will progressively impact your physical, mental, and technical abilities, ultimately affecting your game and overall performance.

As the game progresses, you might observe a diminished response from your strings and racket. This necessitates increased effort on your part to generate power, making it necessary to exert more force in your shots, especially for hitting deeper or targeting specific areas on the court. This added effort can potentially compromise your hitting technique. Furthermore, the mental and physical demands rise, potentially reducing your enjoyment of the game. Increased reliance on your own strength also heightens the risk of physical discomfort.

Once the Retenser is attached to your racket, the strings extend beyond what they would in a racket without it. This happens because the strings are threaded through the Retenser. Consequently, the sweet spot immediately expands upon installation of the Retenser. This enhancement offers the benefit of delivering more powerful and precise shots with the same level of effort.