Learning my craft

I know that I usually review strings here but my experience below is related to strings and how I can help you make the best decision on what strings you use. Back to strings next time!

I recently attended the Grand Slam Stringer's Symposium in Orlando, Fl where some of the world's top stringers and racquet technicians gathered to learn and teach. This was a 4 day event that was jam packed with seminars and workshops where I was engulfed with string stuff. There were workshops on stringing, racquet customization, racquet technologies, string technologies, among other string-related topics. Frankly, this was a string nerds paradise where the talk was about strings, racquets and everything tennis. Sure, maybe not everyone would like to spend their time in Orlando doing this, but I felt like a sponge. Actually, I rarely left the hotel because I was so engrossed with the subjects inside.

While I was there, I decided to take the test for the Master Racquet Technician (MRT) certification. Actually, I had began studying weeks before the symposium so I could have a chance to pass this thing! This is a thorough exam testing everything from stringing, grip replacement and buildup, grommet replacement and an comprehensive exam on the racquet itself. Needless to say, this was a tough test and one that made me (and the other 6 test-takers) nervous and anxious to get it done. Nervously, we all went through the "hands on" portion (stringing, grip buildup, grommet replacement) and then it was on to the written test. This was a 90 minute exam that I completed with seconds to spare! Whew!

The next step was to wait on the results. I found out that I passed the hands on section with flying colors while in Orlando but I was nervous about the written exam. My results would come in about 10 days through the mail. I was quite happy to open that envelope and find that I had passed! I write this to you all being proud of the fact that this is a certification that is not easy and only about 600 or people in the world are MRT's. I wanted to get this certification proving to my customers that I am committed to providing superior service and providing good information about their strings and racquets.

As we all know, the strings are the only thing that hits the ball (well, that's the idea, anyway!) and the racquet you use DOES make a difference. I want to help you get the best strings for your racquet and enjoy this great game the way I do!

Keep hittin'

Dan