Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a huge advocate of shopping local and supporting small businesses. Especially when it comes to specialty shops, I really try my best to shop local. I've stopped by this shop several times, and though I'm a beginner, the person I go with is pretty experienced. But for some reason, every time we came here, I felt like the owner did not want to help us. I don't know what it was, because I'm generally super polite when I first meet people - especially if I need help. I don't want to assume, but for whatever reason, the staff here was extremely unfriendly to us every time we stopped by. And I noticed this even more a couple of times when the owner was helping other customers in the store - and being extra nice to them. Even other beginners. I just felt really unwanted and out of place. I'm not going to repeat the rude things the owner said to us, but it was very clear he didn't want our business. I'm really disappointed especially since there isn't an abundance of tennis and squash shops around. read more

Extraordinarily knowledgeable and helpful staff. Wide equipment variety. Great racquet stringing.

The staff were very professional and helpful! I needed to get my rackets restringed after years of not playing, and they gave great advice. Very smooth experience. read more

Person at the front desk was very nice. We will use for any future tennis needs. Thanks for the help

Jonathan provides excellent counsel and expertise about how to choose and string a racquet! He's been my family's go-to for 20 years. I really appreciate him! read more

I don't shop T&SS because I'm loyal, I'm loyal because I buy something at T&SS I can't get anywhere else; expertise, personalization and patience. Ultimately, T&SS helps me enjoy my sport more. I am a second generation customer, and soon there will be a third. I've tried to buy tennis and squash racquets and shoes elsewhere, but never had the confidence I have after talking with Johnathan. Which has meant I've played the racquets far longer than I should have because they were a perfect fit from the beginning. I'm finally in need of new equipment and, after spending hours reading on-line reviews and talking with sales people without satisfaction I'm going back. read more

A terrific place for squash and tennis gear - or to be re-strung or re-gripped. Moved to this location summer 2015 from Harvard Sq where they had been for many years. Racquets, shoes, clothing, balls, accessories, etc. New location is much larger - and easier to park! Free parking out front. Near Belmont/Cambridge line - 1/3 mile from the Star market at Mt. Auburn Cemetery. I bought my first squash racquet from them 13 years ago - great advice on stringing and gripping from Jonathan since then. Recently wanted to upgrade and was able to borrow several loaner racquets to test them out - what a difference between my head-heavy Head 150 and newer Dunlop and Technifibre models! 115 and 125g - wow. Amazing. Wide range of choices and good prices. Jonathan is a great adviser who understands your needs. I bought a new racquet and am extremely happy with it. Note that he's a very busy guy! Often answering a phone - talking to a customer - recommending something - a very fast-paced, driving energy. Like he's had a few cups of coffee! Just go with it! Also honesty - I blew out some Prince shoes I had used for a decade - came in for new shoes, something equally wide. He said my best bet was to go online and buy the same Prince model again (and told me where to go!), as he didn't have those or anything equally wide. Wow! He's got my business going forward! True what other review said about sometimes having to wait - worth the wait, but it's a one-man show. Best to call ahead to make sure he's there or what hours he's in - sometimes he has someone covering while he's out. Also very cool old vintage squash racquets mounted on wall - see pix. read more

See all

I can see why people might find Jonathan a bit abrasive...I felt the same at first but this changed after speaking to him for a bit. I recently went in with a friend, and we were both fully intent on buying new racquets. After a lengthy discussion with Jonathan he actually talked us out of buying new ones on the spot and allowed us to sample two racquets. We ended up not buying new ones and just regripping and restringing our old ones (for now). Not sure how many small business owners would encourage you to do some research and trial some things over just throwing your money down on a big purchase. He has won my future business and I highly recommend going to his shop over any big name sports store. read more

Had two rackets regripped and restrung for what I think is a reasonable price. Got some decent advice when I asked for opinion on what I should do as a relative beginner. The guy I dealt with definitely had an unorthodox style but since I'd read about that here ahead of time it didn't bother me. Thanks!! read more

I love the Volkl racket I got and Jonathan does a great job with the stringing too! Very helpful advice

Very rude and abrasive staff. Have been there a couple of times and have never had a good experience. The prices are also significantly higher than alternatives. Will not be going again. read more

I cannot speak for the products, but the one individual I spoke to when I called middle of the afternoon on a Saturday left much to be desired from a customer service standpoint and looking at past reviews, it seems to be the owner. I was planning to go in and purchase a new racket and get my 2nd one re-gripped, when I called and asked if they do that there, he said "yes". Then when I asked a follow up question about how long it would take, he responded in an extremely condescending tone stating "I don't know, it could be 5 minutes or it could be all day, it depends how busy the store is". Gladly took my business elsewhere to similar shop in Woburn where the owner is much more polite and easy to have a pleasant conversation with. read more

After many years I returned to the shop and Jonathan to see if I needed a new racket or just restring the two I have. Jonathan was super - listened to my description of my game and needs and explained why the rackets I had were the right ones for me at this stage of my life and game, how they should each be strung and gripped (and badly in need of it after several years, including play on soft courts), and had them ready for me within 24 hours. And what a change they made - immediately obvious in my game! I'm no 4.5 player, by a long shot, but it's so much better to be playing with a racket that gives me the best chance to play well, and I'll keep relying on Jonathan to help me do that. read more

I can't speak to the product selection, but the customer service at the store has some real issues. I have called twice, and each time the person who has answered the phone has been very rude and has spoken to me as though my call was a major inconvenience. Also, I have been in the tennis "world" for about 20 years, and I've never heard of a pro shop refusing to sell customers string without the stringing labor charge. read more

For years i fought traffic, limited parking and the crowds of pedestrians (like everyone else did) to get to the Harvard Square location... and to be honest, even though i liked the store, I struggled with whether it was worth it or not. The new location solves those issues and yesterday was my first trip to the new location. Living in Swampscott, it's obviously not convenient (20+ miles in Christmas traffic) to get there but when i did, i parked in front of the store without any issues. So far, things were looking up. i have a squash racquet that i use as a spare or sometimes loan out to a friend. It has a small crack so i was deliberating whether or not i should have it restrung. i needed the advice of an EXPERT... and trust me when i say... Jonathan IS an expert. Our local pro strings racquets as a side business and i probably drove by 20 other places that COULD have strung it... but i needed the input of an EXPERT so i made the trek to see Jonathan. After I explained the issue and showed him the small stress crack... he examined it, tested it and said... i will be glad to restring it but i wouldn't waste your money. WHAT??? Here is a guy who just opened a new location (which i'm sure wasn't cheap to do)... and you're telling me NOT to spend the money??!! WOW. Honestly, i couldn't have been more impressed. When someone is probably still recovering from a big expensive location move and willing to say "i wouldn't waste my money" ... well, there is no other way to say it other than... beyond impressive. As it turns out, i wasn't leaving without spending some money. I told him i hated the strings and since he thought the racquet would support it, i told him to do it. He said i'll dab a little crazy glue on the stress crack, for a little additional support. i'm not able to get back until after Christmas to get it so i insisted i pay then. (to which he tried to refuse!!!!! are you kidding me??) after he rung me up, i noticed that he only charged me for restringing without any repair charge (which I felt he was completely entitled to!) so I SUGGESTED... "please add on something for the repair" to which he said... "no, it's ok. should only take a few minutes." (you're kidding me, right??) anyway... to say this guy is a stringing expert is an understatement. after he got done helping me, a CURRENT pro on the professional tennis circuit came in... with two racquets for restringing. it was then... that i realized what a true expert Jonathan is. He had been gracious enough to talk at MY level... but when i heard Jonathan and the pro discussing his racquets, i could tell Jonathan knows more about this topic than most stringers forgot. (seriously). Need a racquet restrung or regripped (HUGE selection of premium grips)... this is THE place. if you need a tennis or squash racquet.... or shoes... or tennis wear... go here please. yes, admittedly the selection is limited and you might even pay a couple of bucks more than you can order it from some foreigner on the web... but believe me, it's worth it. expert service and a business that's worthy of support, folks. read more

Jon is a knowledgeable guy who takes pride in his work and is shows. Always willing to engage in passionate conversation if he's not pressed for time. Highly recommended read more

Whoa, customer service! (A) I called to see when they were open, and the owner answered the phone even though they didn't open for an hour. (B) Taking a chance, I told him what I was looking for, and he checked the stock room for my size. (C) When I told him I was looking for a wide shoe, he considered that he was getting a shipment of shoes soon, which had a shoe that was better than the one he had in stock. He took my phone number and said he'd call me if he got the shipment before I needed the shoe - tomorrow! I'll update my review if/when I get the shoe, but honestly, I've never had that kind of personal service anywhere from any store. Reminds me of Brine's when I met the granddad/founder of the store... read more

Not sure whether I rubbed him the wrong way or he just doesnt like the look of me. My experience with the owner (not sure his name) is that he did not want to spend any extra breaths talking to me than necessary. I had rackets restrung a few times and purchased new rackets, balls etc. In every transaction, he was quite curt and frankly looked like he did not want my business. read more

Great service. Jonathan has been stringing me (or better said my racquet) for a decade or two. Going to Harvard Square was always nice but the parking tickets were more expensive than the strings. Now that the business is in Belmont there are no more parking tickets. read more

For a shop specializing in Squash and Tennis - this is as good as it gets. PROS: Working with Jonathan, you get hand tailored attention to the racquets and equipment that are you are considering as well as suggestions based on how you play, or what you think about a given equipment. Additionally, being able to discuss and get insight into your play and how the equipment can help you by changing (insert strings, grips, racquet weight/style) is very useful. Lastly, he strings racquets ridiculously fast and and pretty quickly turns them around if you need them in a pinch. NUETRAL/CONS: It's usually only him, so if the shop has a lot of people in it, you may have to wait a minutes. read more

Very knowledgeable and helpful staff - highly recommended! I received useful advice on squash racquet string type and tension, as well as grip. After bringing my racquet in, it was restrung within 2 hours. read more

Super helpful and very informed staff. Definitely recommend this business.

I wish I could give this place more stars. From when you walk in until you leave you are serviced with care. I needed to replace the grip on my racket replaced and I had no clue on what I needed or what needed to be done. The owner explained what he was doing as he did. He was full of knowledge on what courts were the best as well as what type of balls that I needed. In the past I just replaced the racket. A friend suggested I check out this local shop. I walked out with my strings adjusted, an amazing grip and the proper balls that I needed. I will definitely come back. Location is amazing. Easy to find and one of the closest to Harvard Square. I'll never shop anywhere else again read more

Jon was not only responsive, he knew his equipment. On short notice, he took care of my needs and gave excellent advice. As someone who strings his own racquets, I 'm particularly discerning about string jobs. Jon's string job was superb. Recommend without reservation. read more

Have to agree with all of the comments that I have read on yelp about this store and Jonathan (in particular). This guy has likely forgotten more than most of us will ever know about rackets, strings, etc. He seems more than willing (and more than capable) of talking to anyone from a beginner to a highly skilled player. In my case, I have taken most of the last 15 years off from playing (enjoying a detour into golf) only to realize that I really miss playing tennis. Needing some guidance and advice as to what kind of racket I should be playing and (of course) looking for an explanation to go with it, Jonathan took all of the time needed (on the phone and in person) to work with me until I was comfortable with the selection. In all honesty, I think it is entirely possible that you could buy the same rackets for a couple bucks ($10-20) less via online resources, but Jonathan more than earns the small premium with his knowledge and expertise. There is also something to be said for him qualifying the type of player you are and taking that into account when he recommends tension for the strings. Lastly, having a store like this in the area is a huge perk and supporting a local business is something that I definitely believe in. I will absolutely recommend Jonathan and his store to anyone and everyone I know who plays the game. read more

The rating is out of 5 stars? Then give it 6. Convenient location and great selection of equipment and anything racquet sports but above all great service. John is a stand up individual who genuinely cares that you walk out of the store with the best equipment suited to you. He's honest, fair, timely and on point with basically everything. Sincere thanks for all your help. read more

Simply a place with some of the best tennis experts and customer service in New England. Jonathan is outstanding. He makes the extra effort to find customized equipment to meet your needs and he is probably the best stringer in New England. read more

Astounding place and people. This is a brick and mortar store that the internet will never match or replace. The prices are better than most if not all online along with specials that are untouchable, but what makes this place amazing is the team who runs it. They can look at you, speak to you for 3 minutes about your game and get you into the best racquet, grip size and string tension that is possible. These people have been doing it forever and are the best. Jonathan strings and has strung for the best pro players in the world ; knows their tension and grip size and things you can never duplicate. Forget the "bargain" websites- this is a bespoke service. Also, I got a better price on my HEAD Speed with the best strings than anything online and had one of the best "sports talks" ever with Jonathan. Great guy! read more

Customer service was great. We stopped in to buy a hopper and were impressed with the selection of racquets. Definitely will be back for our future tennis needs. read more

The owners care. Been going to this location and the one before for 20+ years. Wouldn't go anywhere else. Has taken care of all of my families tennis needs. read more

Incredible customer service, store that was located in Harvard Square for years, now in Belmont. Best place around for your tennis and squash needs read more