Zverev's stringer reveals amazing secrets of the German with his racquets

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 13 Jun 2026 | 18.00

Alexander Zverev, racket rituals. Photo: gettyimages

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Behind every victory on the ATP circuit, there is an invisible work that rarely makes headlines. Coaches, physiotherapists, fitness trainers, and, of course, stringers are part of an essential gear to allow the best players in the world to perform at their highest level. In the case of Alexander Zverev, this work takes on a particularly striking dimension.

Martin Mann, one of the stringers who regularly works with the German in tournaments associated with the Head brand, has revealed some surprising details about the relationship that the world number three maintains with his rackets. His words paint the picture of an extremely meticulous player, capable of perceiving minimal differences in string tension and demanding constant modifications even during the course of a match.

Alexander Zverev and his obsession with playing with freshly strung rackets

What sets Zverev apart from many other professionals is his need to use rackets freshly off the stringing machine.

"Sascha is quite a special client because he likes his rackets to be really fresh, straight off the machine," Mann explains. This demand makes the work pace especially intense during matches. As the stringer recounts, the German starts matches with a freshly prepared racket and replaces it just seven games later.

"The turnover is very high, especially in matches, because he wants a racket straight off the machine for each ball change. He begins the match with a new racket and, after seven games, he receives the next one."

From that moment on, the dynamic continues practically throughout the entire match. Zverev usually requests new rackets every nine games, aiming to maintain identical sensations throughout the competition.

In a sport where margins are minimal and every detail can make a difference, the German appears to have taken that quest for perfection to very unusual limits.

Zverev's string tension: changes of just 0.1 kilos

However, the most surprising part of the interview is not related to the frequency of changes but to the modifications he requests in string tension. Mann states that Zverev is capable of sensing variations that are practically imperceptible to most players.

"He intentionally changes the tension very often by just 0.1 kilos because he says he is that sensitive and notices the differences." The stringer explains that these modifications are usually related to factors like ambient temperature or the progressive wear of the balls.

"When the temperature rises or when balls are changed, we often receive rackets directly from the court to make minor adjustments." The specific figures Zverev handles reflect how much he controls this aspect of his equipment. "He may request a racket to be strung at 20.8 kilos on one side and 21.8 kilos on the other."

These are minimal variations that for the vast majority of fans and many players would be impossible to detect, but Zverev considers them significant to maintain the sensations he seeks at every moment of the match.

The trust between Zverev and his technical team

Beyond the technical specifications, the interview also hints at the level of confidence between the player and those working around him. Mann explains that he knows Zverev's routines perfectly and that communication with the player's environment is constant, especially through his father, Alexander Zverev Sr.

"I know his routines on training days because it is his father who communicates directly with me." This relationship has allowed them to build a very precise working dynamic over the years. "There is a mutual understanding of his needs. I know what he expects from me, and he knows I can provide it."

The stringer acknowledges that many times he needs to completely rearrange his schedule to respond to the German's last-minute requests.

"If I ask him to call me forty minutes before or to leave a racket for the next day, he understands the process perfectly. This gives us a common ground to work very successfully together and makes things easier for both me and Sascha and his entire team. It's part of the routine. Obviously, we do everything possible to make it feasible. It's always a challenge, but I like it."

Martin Mann's statements provide an interesting insight into one of the least visible aspects of professional tennis. While the public focuses on the shots, tactics, or results, players like Alexander Zverev seek competitive advantages in seemingly insignificant details. And after listening to his stringer, it becomes clear that for the German, a tenth of a kilo in string tension can be as important as a well-executed backhand at a crucial moment.

Really interesting interview with Martin Mann, stringer for Alexander Zverev by Head Tennis pic.twitter.com/D3tJF8iVXF
— szg (@saschashoulders) June 11, 2026