GAMMA TNT tennis strings have been the secret weapon for players seeking unmatched elasticity, resiliency, and performance for three decades. But what’s the story behind these game-changing strings?
A Game-Changing Moment: The Birth of an Idea
It all started with a fateful tennis match. Dr. Harry Ferrari, a passionate tennis player and nuclear engineer, was winning his game when his natural gut tennis strings broke. Forced to go to his backup racquet that was strung with a nylon string, he lost his edge and eventually the match. This frustrating experience sparked an idea that would revolutionize the tennis world.
The First Step: Irradiation of Synthetic Gut Strings
Drawing on his expertise, Dr. Ferrari began experimenting with irradiating synthetic gut tennis strings using gamma rays. His initial goal was simple yet ambitious: to replicate the feel and performance of natural gut strings using synthetic materials. This process significantly enhanced the durability and elasticity of the strings, leading to the creation of GAMMA Sports. But Dr. Ferrari didn’t stop there. He knew there was potential to improve the process even further.
The TNT Process: Revolutionizing Synthetic Gut Strings
Determined to perfect his innovation, Dr. Ferrari combined the irradiation process with a precise thermal treatment. The combination proved to be the breakthrough he was seeking. The result was a synthetic so similar to a natural gut that even Dr. Ferrari was satisfied. This new string wasn’t just a close imitation – it was a true competitor to natural gut strings, offering players an affordable option that delivered comparable performance.
The GAMMA TNT process forever changed the synthetic gut string market. By exposing synthetics to high-energy gamma irradiation and the TNT process, the normally stiff long molecules are transformed into more elastic, resilient shorter molecules, interconnected by millions of bonds. This revolutionary technique dramatically improves the elasticity and resiliency of synthetic strings – key factors in string performance. Greater elasticity and resiliency provide greater power, better control, and increased dwell times between the ball and string bed, enhancing feel and reducing shock.
The Impact of TNT Strings: A Market Leader
Since its introduction in 1994, GAMMA TNT strings quickly became the hottest new strings on the market. The 1994 USRSA string survey rated GAMMA TNT strings as #1 in playability and overall performance. The patent-pending Thermo Nuclear Technology (TNT) process significantly increases the elasticity and resiliency of the strings, producing the first synthetics that outperform even natural gut strings. Tennis players worldwide have felt the difference and enjoy strings that deliver livelier and long-lasting performance.
Testing and analysis at the GAMMA Technology Center have shown that TNT strings provide more power, greater control, and less shock than both natural gut and typical synthetic gut strings. This wasn’t just an improvement; it was a revolution in tennis string technology.
As we celebrate 30 years of this remarkable innovation, we invite you to honor Dr. Harry Ferrari’s legacy and the continuous evolution of GAMMA TNT strings. You can shop the TNT2 string now on our website by visiting here.
