What does a tennis dampener do?

While small, simple and inexpensive, a tennis dampener can make a significant difference to how you feel on the court, which could enhance your game.

It’s there to reduce the vibrations in the strings, which you might find adds to your comfort. For some players, the main appeal of a dampener is that it alters the sound of the ball hitting the strings; instead of a harsher ’ping’, it's a softer and more muffled sound.

That can reinforce the sense that the dampener is reducing the impact on your arm, and if that helps you to feel good, you’re more likely to play your best tennis. What a dampener won’t do is reduce a racquet’s power. Whether you use a dampener or not comes down to personal preference - while some think it’s an essential accessory, others like the feel and sound of playing without one.

If you’re unsure whether to use one yourself, maybe just try one out as they don’t cost much (especially if you go for the DIY option of rubber bands).

Do professional tennis players use dampeners?

The majority of players on the ATP and WTA players use a tennis dampener. As with amateurs, it comes down to personal preference and whether pros like the feel and sound.

Does Novak Djokovic play with a dampener?

Yes. Novak uses his own HEAD DJOKOVIC TENNIS DAMPENER, which is made from silicon and rubber, and which he places between the two central main strings on his HEAD racquet. The HEAD ambassador likes using a dampener as he believes that, in addition to reducing the vibrations in the strings, it also improves his comfort and protects his arm. The dampener’s design - it’s offered in white and features Novak’s black logo - also adds to his racquet’s premium, modern style.

Do tennis dampeners help tennis elbow?

Some players believe a dampener will cut the chances of getting tennis elbow. They feel better knowing it will reduce the vibrations in the strings. However, there aren’t any studies that have conclusively shown that dampeners prevent you from getting tennis elbow or that they reduce any pain or discomfort.

Why do people use rubber bands as tennis dampeners?

It comes down to personal choice – some players just prefer rubber bands.

They are one of three types of tennis dampeners. The ‘button’ types, such as the HEAD DJOKOVIC TENNIS DAMPENER, are the most popular with amateurs and also the ones favoured by the professionals as they are the quickest and easiest to add to a freshly-strung racquet.

But you also have the option of the longer, thinner ‘worm’ dampeners. Some players prefer to create their own dampeners using rubber bands. While those DIY dampeners can be effective at reducing vibrations, they will lose their performance over time - they will become too stretchy and might fall off the racquet. If you’re thinking about using a rubber band, it’s worth considering that the overall look of the racquet won’t be quite so premium.

Where do you place a tennis dampener on the strings?

You can’t just put the dampener anywhere you please - the International Tennis Federation says that it must be placed outside the pattern of the cross strings. The best place for it is below the cross strings.

How do you put a tennis dampener on?

Whether you go for a ‘button’ or a ‘worm’ dampener, they are simple to fit. You should be able to easily insert the ‘button’ dampener between your two central main strings, sliding it up as far as it goes until it reaches the first cross string. To add the ‘worm’ dampener, weave it between your strings. If you’re using a rubber band dampener, simply tie it to your strings; it’s as straightforward as that.