Mains and Crosses

I love getting my racquets strung here! Smithy, the owner of Mains and Crosses, provides professional level stringing for cheaper prices than you’d pay at many other stringing places. Not only that, he incorporates what you tell him about your play style to help you select strings/​a tension that matches your style of hitting.
While for most rec players (like me), having a professional level stringer really isn’t necessary, what keeps me coming back is the amazing customer service that Smithy provides. I once snapped two sets of strings in one night, and needed them the next day to play. I gave Smithy a call, and he drove out, picked up my racquets, strung them overnight, and dropped them off for me at my place of work the very next day.
Smithy is clearly passionate about tennis, and his passion translates into excellent customer service for other players, who he wants to enjoy the game as much as he himself does. I 100% recommend this place to anyone who’s looking to get their racquet strung!

My husband needed his racquet restrung and decided to try Mains and Crosses due to the great reviews instead of the local tennis shops around our area. We called ahead and spoke to Smith who told us to come by that same evening and he was able to restring the racquet on the spot which was great because we drove from Montgomery county Maryland. He provided the strings in which he has a selection to choose from. His prices were excellent especially for the quick service. My husband says his racquet has never felt better. Would highly recommend trying out Mains and Crosses to restring your racquet!

Totally impressed with Smithy. I expected to drop off my racket for stringing but he actually strung my racket while we chatted and I played w his kid in his dining room
Reasonable price for stringing, and he or you can provide strings at cost. He is very knowledgeable in strings/​tension/​gauge/​etc to suit/​recommend for your game. In addition he spruces up your racket — he provided a nice tacky over-​grip for me at no add cost. He seems to specialize in hybrid stringing. IE he strung my tension differently main strings vs cross strings to give a very favorable combination of pop vs control. I feel the difference in playability which has enhanced my game.
Smithy is a personable guy, I highly recommend his services

Well another great review is required for Mains and Crosses;
I bought a new Wilson spin racket ultra light 9.6 oz
UL S
I is an awesome racket I had strung with gut as is my preference. It was Wilson gut and it lasted about a month and I am not normally a string breaker
I needed the racket for a match the next day. Smitty suggested a hybrid and it was wonderful he stung my racket in twenty minutes and it plays great
I won my first two service games without losing a point
He put tape on the head of the racket to avoid rash on the frame put a new grip on all for 30 dollars.
He is a great stringer
The best I have ever used in 53 year. Damn that makes me officially old

New Unilocaler!
I play for my college club team and did not have a chance to get fresh strings for my holiday break. Of course, my strings busted instantly. I googled up local stringing places in NOVA and Smithy was the 2^nd call an I am so greatful I did. He had just the right strings I needed and when I played with it it was amazing. I had many other, including myself strung up my Wilson Blade 98s and I felt the difference instantly. I recommend Smithy if you are in need of a string job ASAP or if you’re thinking of trying a new stringer!

Smithy is very flexible and quick. I am not expert about string, but he explained very detail information. He has extensive knowledge about string. I recommend him to my friends. Awesome pricing too!

Smity is a great stringer. The quality of his stringing job and unbelievable turn-​around time is just superb. Smity is so much better than some random guy you find at a tennis shop. I’d highly recommend this guy.

Smith has definitely been a huge upgrade as a stringer for me. He’s always available, his prices are fair, and he has a great selection of strings that he can recommend to you. You couldn’t ask for better around here.

Smitty is the man. He’s always willing to string in a pinch and has a great understanding of the landscape when it comes to tennis string and what works best for each player. I highly recommend.

I have been strung my racquets with Smith for a while and he has been great. I love his job quality, turnaround time is great with very reasonable price. He also gives you suggestions on string type, tension that suit your game. He is very professional and skilled. I used to have tennis elbow problem for a long time and he changed my string type and set up and now my tennis elbow is long gone now. Highly recommend.

Smithy is an excellent stringer and available on extremely short notice. He strung my racquets close to midnight for immediate turnaround, so I could have them for a national tournament. They played great and I am very happy to have found him! He also is very skilled and knowledgeable and gave me some suggestions of some different string set ups to use in the future. I highly recommend him for your stringing needs.

I’ve started playing tennis again, been away for 20 years. Smithy is very knowledgeable and extremely passionate about the sport. It’s been wonderful last few weeks to pick his brain and ask for advice. He cares about the workmanship; he’s not trying to slap the strings together quickly and push you out the door. It’s refreshing to see someone cares that much about his craft.
Don’t waste your time at local sporting stores (you know D*cks or Sports A*thority). They will not give you the personal attention. Smithy will work with you until you are satisfy with your strings and/​or racket. Plus, he does it right on the spot for a fractional cost! In about 35 minutes, you are ready to hit. Can the big box stores do that?

Awesome Pro level stringer, i always have a couple strung before i hit the tours. Smithy takes the time to help take care of certain effects needed in my game and reliable, ever since i have been in the states i go to him.

As a tennis enthusiast, and a looonng time follower of the sport; I can speak scientifically that in the last 20 years, the rackets haven’t advanced even 10% as much as strings. In other words, in todays game, the equipment that DOES make a HUGE difference are strings. Hence, why many professionals are STILL using their same rackets of 15 years ago, but 99% of them are constantly up to date with string technology. But, here’s another secret to strings:
You NEED a phenomenal stringer. Not good, but phenomenal. Otherwise, you won’t get the max playability of your strings and a bad string job is counter productive.
I can honestly say this is the best stringer I have ever met hands down. I instantly noticed a difference with SAME exact rackets, tension, and strings from my past stringer to now Smitty. Night and day difference, and that’s because he’s certified at the highest level which many stringers are not. …and he has soooo much passion. He is considered a «tour» stringer. If you want the maximum out of your strings, this is the only choice. Yet his prices are UNREAL!!!

Smithy is the go– to stringer; not only are his string jobs completed to the highest professional standards at reasonable prices, he also offers great advice to players in matching playing style, racquets and strings.
I am a Varsity Coach of a Fairfax County high school girls team, and on more than one occasion Smithy was able to string my player’s racquets before matches on very very short notice. The stringing jobs Smithy has done for me and my friends have been spot on. Dan Root