Your racquet, dialed in. Tour-level stringing and customization in NYC.
New York's premier all-in-one racquet studio. Tour-level stringing, expert customizations, curated gear, and honest advice for players who actually care about their equipment.
Walk-ins welcome.
Every service, built around your game
Every visit starts with a conversation. We talk tension, string type, playing style, and the specs that actually move the needle before we ever make a recommendation. That conversation is part of the service.
Precision stringing on professional equipment. Polyester, natural gut, synthetic gut, and hybrid setups. Tension dialed to your game.
Swingweight tuning, balance calibration, handle shaping, and full setup documentation. Every racquet is different. Every player is different. We build a setup that reflects both — and record it so every future visit starts exactly where you left off.
A 1-month membership to test any available racquet we carry. Take out 2 to 3 frames for up to 5 days. Buy one and the demo fee comes back as store credit.
Overgrips, replacement grips, and custom sizing to fit your hand. Done in minutes. Often overlooked, always noticed when it's right.
Grommet replacement, bumper guard installation, and minor frame work. If your racquet needs attention beyond a restring, bring it in.
Curated racquets, strings, accessories, and apparel. Every product on the shelf has been evaluated and selected for a reason. We don't stock it unless we'd recommend it.
Same-day and next-day stringing available when the queue allows. Preferred Members skip the line, guaranteed. Call ahead or come in.
Can't make it in? Leave your racquet with a nearby partner location and we'll handle the rest. Drop off, get it strung, and pick it up on your schedule.
We keep a record of your string, tension, and setup preferences. Every time you come back, we know exactly where to start.
Trusted by New York's finest.
We let the racquets and the players do the talking. Here's what a few of them had to say after coming through the Lab.
If you’re particular about your setup, identical frames matched in weight and balance with grip shapes dialed in, this is your place. They reshaped my Yonex EZone frames to match the Head Speed Pro grip exactly. Never thought I could play Yonex. Now I won’t play anything else.
Called looking for a racquet recommendation for my daughter and Ana delivered. She walked me through weight, fit, and frame options, then introduced me to the Demo Program. Our whole family is picking up tennis now and this is the place we trust.
They took the time to ask about my playing style, tension preferences, and even helped me choose the perfect string setup to match my game. The turnaround was super fast, the quality was flawless, and my racquet has never felt better on the court.
I had an excellent experience here. The staff really know their stuff and took the time to help me find the right racquet setup for my game. They strung my racquet perfectly and even gave some helpful tips on tension and grip size. Highly recommend for ballers of all skill levels.
Tennis Lab FX is a worthy successor to RPNY and offers the same extraordinarily high-level stringing service and guidance on equipment. For anyone who enjoys tennis for fun or competitively, you will be happy if you take advantage of this true gem.
A studio, not just a shop
Tennis Lab FX is New York's all-in-one racquet studio — for players who think about their equipment, and the ones who know they should but haven't known where to start. Professional stringing, expert customization, curated gear, and honest advice, all under one roof on East 51st Street in Midtown Manhattan.
Every question is welcome. Every restring gets real attention. Open Monday through Friday.
Try before you
commit.
Buying a racquet you haven't played with is a gamble. Our demo program lets you test 2 to 3 frames on court before you decide. If you love one and buy it, your demo fee comes right back to you as store credit.
up to 5 days each Demo fee credited
on purchase
A studio, not just a shop
Tennis Lab FX was built on a simple idea: New York players deserve a place where they can get honest answers, expert stringing, racquet customization, and real gear recommendations, without the hard sell or the guesswork.
We're not a big-box store. We're not an online retailer. We're an all-in-one studio tucked into Midtown Manhattan on East 51st Street, open Monday through Friday.
Everything here begins with a conversation. We ask about your game, your arm, your tension preferences, and your budget. Then we get to work: stringing, customizing, and building setups on professional equipment, with real attention to every detail.
We believe the right setup can genuinely change how you play. We take that seriously, without taking ourselves too seriously.
Every racquet gets real attention."
The Lab philosophy
Six principles that guide how we work, what we stock, and how we talk to every player who walks through the door.
A rushed restring is a bad restring. We take the time to do it right, every time, for every player, regardless of level.
We don't upsell. If the expensive string isn't right for your game, we'll tell you. Trust is built on honesty, not enthusiasm.
NYC players are time-pressed, informed, and serious about their game. We're here specifically for them and the city they play in.
String technology evolves. We stay current so our recommendations are always grounded in real knowledge, not just habit.
From weekend warriors to competitive players. No question is too basic. The lab is for anyone who wants to play better.
No two players are the same, and no two racquets should be treated the same. We build setups around the individual — and document them so the work holds up over time.
The people behind the bench
Every racquet that comes through Tennis Lab FX is handled by someone who plays, studies the craft, and genuinely cares about the outcome.
Founded Tennis Lab FX after years coaching and competing — and getting frustrated by shops that treated stringing as an afterthought. Certified coach, former competitive player, and the person who'll tell you honestly when a new racquet won't fix what's actually wrong with your setup.
Thousands of installs deep. Knows poly from gut by feel. Always happy to talk tension for ten minutes longer than you expected.
Has talked more players out of bad racquet purchases than she's completed. Knows the full string inventory by hand feel and can fit a grip in under two minutes. The person to ask if you want a straight answer on whether a piece of gear is actually worth it.
Come visit the Lab.
Walk-ins always welcome. 235 East 51st Street, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
We'd love to hear from you.
Have a question about stringing, want to book a demo, or not sure where to start? Send us a message and we'll get back to you quickly.
New York, NY 10022
E/F trains → Lex Ave / 53rd St
| Monday | 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Mon Fri
8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Before you come in.
A few things players ask us most often. Still have a question? Send us a message above and we'll answer quickly.
Standard turnaround is 24 to 48 hours. Same-day service is available depending on our current queue. Call ahead or come in and ask.
Nope. We stock over 100 strings: polyester, natural gut, synthetic gut, and hybrid options. We'll help you choose if you're not sure what you need.
Sign up for our 1-month demo membership to take out 2 to 3 racquets. Hit with them on court. If you decide to buy one, the demo fee is credited toward the purchase. No pressure.
It depends on your game, your string, and your arm. Come in and talk through it with us. That conversation is always free and always honest.
Absolutely. Walk-ins are always welcome. Drop off your racquet and we'll call or text when it's ready to pick up.
Arm pain is often a string issue. Come in and we'll look at your setup, tension, and string type. It's one of the most common things we help players fix.
Customization is the process of tuning your racquet's physical properties to match the way you play. That means adjusting swingweight (how the racquet feels through the swing), calibrating the balance point, shaping the handle to your grip preference, and documenting the final setup so it can be replicated exactly. It's the difference between a racquet that's off the shelf and one that's built for you.
If you play regularly and you've ever felt like your racquet is fighting you — too heavy at the tip, too light in hand, inconsistent between two frames of the same model — customization is probably worth a conversation. It's not just for pros. Any player who cares about consistency benefits from a setup that's been dialed in. Come in and we'll tell you honestly whether it would make a difference for your game.
Everything we offer
Every visit starts with a conversation. We talk tension, string type, playing style, and the specs that actually move the needle before we ever make a recommendation. That conversation is part of the service.
Precision stringing on professional equipment. Bring your own string or choose from our full selection of setups. Visit in store or call for current pricing.
Swingweight tuning, balance calibration, handle shaping, and full setup documentation. Every racquet is different. Every player is different. We build a setup that reflects both — and record it so every future visit starts exactly where you left off.
A 1-month demo membership. Take out 2 to 3 racquets at a time for 2 to 3 days (5-day max), from our full selection of available frames. If you decide to buy, the demo fee is refunded as store credit.
Overgrips, replacement grips, and custom sizing tailored to your hand. More control, more feel. Often overlooked, always noticed when it's right.
Grommet replacement, bumper guard installation, and minor frame work. We also shave handles to reduce size or achieve a specific shape. If your racquet needs attention beyond a restring, bring it in.
Curated racquets, strings, accessories, and apparel. Every product we carry has been evaluated and selected for a reason. We don't stock it unless we'd recommend it — and if it's on the shelf, we can tell you exactly why.
Same-day and next-day stringing available when the queue allows. Preferred Members skip the line, guaranteed. Call ahead or come in.
Not sure what string you need? We ask the right questions about arm comfort, spin, durability, and budget, then give you a straight honest recommendation.
Buy strings by the reel or by the set. We stock the full range from budget-friendly synthetics to premium natural gut.
We keep a record of your string, tension, and setup preferences. Every time you come back, we know exactly where to start.
Can't make it in? Leave your racquet with a nearby partner location and we'll handle the rest. Drop off, get it strung, and pick it up on your schedule.
* Pricing varies by setup and string selection. Visit us in store or call for a quote and we'll walk you through the options.
Good equipment advice is hard to find.
Most string and racquet content online is written by people who don't string for a living. We do. These guides are distilled from the same conversations we have in the shop every week — what string belongs in which frame, what tension makes sense for your game, and how to stop guessing. Pick a guide below, or come in and we'll walk you through it in person.
Setup Guide
A brand-by-brand breakdown of the frames we carry and the string setups we'd recommend for each one. Covers HEAD, Wilson, Babolat, and Yonex — with the reasoning behind every recommendation and verified pro setups where they apply.
- InsideString philosophy — poly, gut, synthetic, hybrid, tension explained
- InsideModel-specific recommendations for 12+ frames
- InsidePro player setups verified from tournament stringing records
- InsideInline CTAs to book a consultation if you want it dialed in
String & Setup Guide
An interactive tool that shows you exactly what we'd put in your racquet based on the frame you play and the way you play. Select a racquet, select your style, and get three curated picks from our actual in-store inventory — with the reasoning behind each one.
- Inside14 frames across HEAD, Babolat, and Wilson
- Inside4 player profiles: Baseliner, All-Court, Serve & Volley, Beginner
- Inside3 string picks per frame + player type — all from our inventory
- InsideTension ranges, string type, and a "why this racquet" note for each
Come in and ask us directly.
The guides answer the most common questions, but every player is different. If you want a setup dialed specifically to your game — your frame, your tension, your arm — walk in or book a time and we'll take it from there.
String and racquet work together.
A stiff frame amplifies a stiff string. A flexible frame can disappear under natural gut. The string you choose doesn't just change feel — it changes how the racquet performs entirely. Tension matters too: the same string at 50 lbs plays nothing like it does at 58 lbs. We start every consultation with the frame, then build the setup from there.
The tour standard. Firm feel, high durability, and excellent spin potential. Best for big hitters who string frequently and want precision over comfort.
The benchmark for tension maintenance and arm comfort. Used by many tour players — often in a hybrid — for a reason. Unmatched touch at net.
Softer feel than poly, affordable, and forgiving. A solid choice for players who prioritize comfort and consistency without overcomplicating the setup.
Gut or multi mains with poly crosses — or the reverse. The most versatile setup on tour. We dial the combination to your frame and your game.
Find your ideal setup.
Select your racquet, then your playing style. We'll show you what we'd string it with — and the reasoning behind every recommendation.
The string, the tension, the setup.
Every restring starts with a question: how do you play? Flat ball-striker, heavy topspin, arm sensitivity — all of it changes the recommendation. We talk through it before we string, and we log your preferences so every future visit starts from exactly where you left off.
The tour standard. Firm feel, high durability, and excellent spin potential. Best suited for big hitters and players who string frequently.
The benchmark for tension maintenance and arm comfort. Used by many tour players — often in a hybrid — for a reason.
Softer feel than poly, affordable, and forgiving. A solid choice for players who prioritize comfort and aren't looking to overthink it.
Gut in the mains, poly in the crosses — or the reverse. The most versatile setup on tour. We dial the combination to your game.
Most players have never had a proper setup.
Racquet customization isn't about making things more complicated — it's about making sure your equipment actually fits the way you play. Swingweight, balance, handle shape, and setup documentation: four things most stringers never touch. We make them standard practice.
Swingweight determines how heavy a racquet feels in motion. We measure and adjust it to match your swing speed and playing style — a change that's immediately felt on court.
Head-heavy or head-light affects power, control, and maneuverability. We calibrate balance point to spec so every frame performs consistently — especially across a matched set.
The handle is your only contact point with the racquet. We shape, build up, or reduce grip size and bevels to fit your hand — not the other way around.
We record your full spec — string, tension, swingweight, balance, grip setup — so every visit starts from a known baseline. No guessing. No starting over.
Play it before you pay for it.
Most players buy a racquet based on a spec sheet or a five-minute hit at a big-box store. That's not enough information. The demo program gives you real court time with real frames — the same ones we carry in the pro shop — so your next racquet purchase is based on feel, not faith. If you decide to buy, the demo fee comes back to you as store credit.
Your demo membership is active for a full month. Take out frames as many times as you want within that window.
Take out two to three racquets per visit, for up to five days each. Enough time to get a real read on feel, maneuverability, and playability.
Demo from our full selection of available frames — the same racquets we'd recommend in a fitting. We only stock what we'd play ourselves.
Purchase any racquet you demoed and the demo fee is refunded as store credit. The program pays for itself the moment you find the right frame.
Test Bench
New racquets, strings, and gear just added to the lab.
We don't stock it unless we'd recommend it.
The Tennis Lab FX pro shop isn't a warehouse. It's a curated selection — every product evaluated, every recommendation earned. We don't carry six versions of the same thing. We carry the right version. If it's on the shelf, we can tell you exactly why it's there and exactly who it's for. That's the difference between a pro shop and a retail floor.
A hand-selected range of frames across playing styles and levels. Every racquet in the shop is one we've hit with, evaluated, and would recommend without hesitation.
From tour-grade polyester to premium natural gut. Buy by the set or by the reel. Our team knows every string on the shelf — ask us what belongs in your racquet.
Overgrips, replacement grips, vibration dampeners, and the small things that add up to a complete setup. Everything selected because it performs, not because it sells.
Not sure what you need? That's the point of having a pro shop staffed by people who actually play. We'll give you a straight answer — even if that answer is "you don't need to buy anything."
Your hand is the first contact.
Grip size and feel affect everything — how tightly you hold the racquet, how much arm fatigue you accumulate, and how much control you actually have over the shot. A grip that's slightly too small or too large changes everything downstream. We don't guess. We fit.
Thin, absorbent, and available in varying levels of tack and cushion. Applied over your existing grip to refresh the feel without adding significant size. Replaced in minutes.
Strip the old grip entirely and start fresh. We match grip thickness and material to what you're looking for — whether that's more cushion, a firmer feel, or a specific texture.
If your handle is slightly too small, we can build it up with heat shrink or additional grip layers to reach your ideal size. Small changes in grip size have a big impact on comfort and control.
Need to go smaller? We shave handles to reduce size or achieve a specific shape. Often requested by players switching frames or looking for a more tailored feel without buying a new racquet.
String type is a starting point.
Before getting model-specific, it helps to understand the three string categories and what each one is designed to do. The right choice depends on how you play, what frame you're on, and how your arm feels after a session. If you're not sure — that's what we're here for.
The dominant string on tour for the last two decades. Firm, durable, and great at generating spin. The go-to for big ball-strikers who prioritize control — but poly is stiff, and if your frame is also stiff, it accumulates arm stress. String at lower tensions to soften the feel without losing the control benefit.
The benchmark for tension maintenance and arm-friendliness. Gut stays live longer than any synthetic, returns to tension better, and gives a plush, responsive feel that poly can't replicate. Most players who want gut use it in a hybrid — gut in the mains, poly in the crosses — for the best of both.
Softer than poly, more affordable than gut. Synthetic gut and multifilament strings are the right call for recreational players, arm-sensitive players, or anyone who doesn't want to overthink the setup. They work in most frames, play well across a wide tension range, and are consistently underrated.
Lower tension = more power, more dwell time, more comfort. Higher tension = more control, crisper feel. Frame stiffness matters: a stiff frame strung with poly at high tension is an arm injury waiting to happen. A flexible frame needs higher tension to feel crisp and controlled. Most players string higher than they should.
Not sure which category fits your game?
Pro setups cited below are sourced from tournament stringing records and verified gear databases. Tour frames are custom builds — retail recommendations are calibrated for frames sold in stores.
HEAD setups.
HEAD frames range from the stiff, spin-heavy Extreme to the more flex-oriented Radical. Each plays differently and each rewards a different string approach. Frame character matters more than brand loyalty.
Wilson setups.
Wilson's lineup covers a wide flexibility range — from the ultra-flexible Clash to the more traditional Blade. String selection here depends heavily on which frame you're playing. Getting it wrong is easy; getting it right changes everything.
Playing a frame not listed here? We know the full lineup.
Babolat setups.
Babolat frames are known for spin potential and stiffer profiles across the Pure line. They reward poly at lower tensions — a combination that maximizes spin while keeping arm stress under control.
Yonex setups.
Yonex frames are defined by their isometric head shape and consistent feel. The EZONE line is built for comfort; the VCORE line is built for spin and power. Both reward string choices that work with the frame's character, not against it.
Six benefits. Zero compromise.
Membership isn't a loyalty program. It is a service tier. Each benefit is built around what players actually need, not what looks good on a poster.
We come to you. Up to 2 times per month, we'll collect and return your racquet so you never have to fit a detour into your day.
Complimentary racquet matching when you purchase from us. We ask the right questions and help you find the frame that actually fits your game.
Up to 2 racquets per month go to the front of the queue. Drop it off and pick it up the same day, no waiting, no back and forth.
One free replacement grip every month, yours to keep. A small thing that makes a real difference in feel, control, and comfort.
Try before you commit. Take out 2 to 3 racquets for up to 5 days from our full selection of available frames. No deposit required for members.
Members receive preferred pricing on all custom services. The more you use the Lab, the more it pays to be a member.
Every month, we sit down with you and review your full setup — swingweight, balance, tension, string choice, grip. We document everything and flag what's worth changing. It's the kind of ongoing check-in that keeps your racquet working for you, not against you.