Tennis Vibration Dampeners - Fact vs. Fiction
By: Tracy Rolling
Tennis vibration dampeners are a fiercely popular tennis accessory made of rubber or silicone. The tiny device is inserted between the strings on a tennis racquet and has a few objectives. The primary purpose of dampeners is to reduce the amount of vibration a player feels when the racquet strings make contact with a ball. Another role is to alter the sound effect of that impact. Although dampeners have been used for more than a half of a century, there are a lot of myths behind the miniature tennis shock absorbers. In this blog post we’ll uncover the truth about vibration dampeners and what you can expect from this semi-effective piece of tennis gear.
Fiction: Only beginner tennis players use tennis dampeners.
Fact: Vibration dampeners are used by players at any skill level. From beginner to advanced, even top tennis professionals like Holger Rune, Iga Swiatek, and many other ATP and WTA players endorse certain dampeners.
Fiction: Dampeners create a high-pitched "ping" or louder ring sound upon string contact with the ball. Some players prefer the sharp sound, others find it annoying.
Fact: It’s quite the opposite. This type of tennis equipment is known for muting the sound of the ball when it strikes the strings. The primary advantage for a quieter impact is to reduce potential distractions and help players maintain concentration throughout their match.
Fiction: String silencers can be placed anywhere on a racquet string bed.
Fact: The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has established rules for competitive players. Dampeners can only be placed outside the pattern of the cross strings. This means dampeners can be put at the top, bottom, left, or right edges of the stringbed and will prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by altering the tennis balls trajectory or spin. While it's based on personal preference, most install them just below the last cross string, between the two main strings closest to the racquet’s throat.
Fiction: All dampeners are the same.
Fact: Just as the quality of tennis racquets changes from brand to brand, not all tennis dampeners are the same. Each manufacturer uses different materials to help absorb some of the kinetic energy transferred from the ball to the stringbed making some more effective than others at the different aspects of functionality.
Fiction: Dampeners influence a player's performance and have the ability to add power, control, or to their game.
Fact: The vibration and sound a dampener creates is purely cosmetic in terms of gameplay. Usage is based on a players personal feel and comfort, although the little tennis gadget has been known to add a boost of confidence to a players game, especially players who like matching their dampeners with their favorite tennis brands.
Fiction: If a dampener comes off during a point, the point can be replayed.
Fact: As with any player's equipment, when a damper interferes with match play, it could be considered a hindrance and the point is awarded to the opponent.
Fiction: There’s only one style of string dampener.
Fact: The little shock absorbers come in basically two configurations; a button-type style, which is small and round in nature, and a worm-type which is a longer, thinner form. Vibration dampers are also available in fun designs such as a smiley face, heart, donut, and more which can be an expression of a player's personality.
Fiction: Dampeners prevent arm injuries.
Fact: There is more of a psychological comfort found in a dampener that helps absorb the ball's vibration, but a dampener will not prevent arm injuries.
Fiction: You can only use one dampener on a tennis racquet.
Fact: Tennis players can use multiple vibration dampeners on a racquet at any given time, so long as they are legally positioned outside the pattern of the cross strings. Even though there’s no limit to the number of dampeners a player uses, adding more dampeners won’t necessarily reduce more vibration. For that, you may want to consider changing out your strings to a more arm friendly set. Keep in mind too, if you add multiple dampers, you could potentially affect the racquet's balance and swing weight.
Bottom Line
Tennis dampeners are a great gadget for players who want to add a little extra comfort to their game. They lessen the sound a ball makes off the string bed, and can be used as a focal point during the most critical points. Like with most tennis gear, dampers are a matter of personal preference, but will always add a little bit of personality to your game. Find more tennis equipment at Midwest Racquet Sports. GEAR UP! GAME ON!