The Ultimate Guide to String

Why Tennis Strings Matter

Strings aren’t just “fillers” — they’re the part that actually hits the ball. They control:

  • Power

  • Control

  • Spin

  • Feel & touch

  • Comfort and arm stress

Your racket frame matters, but your string setup defines how it really plays.

Main Types of Strings

Natural Gut

  • Made from cow intestine.
  • Pros: Best feel, comfort, power, and tension retention.
  • Cons: Expensive, moisture-sensitive, less durable.  

Multifilament

  • Made of many tiny fibres for softness.
  • Pros: Very comfortable and forgiving.
  • Cons: Less durable than poly.  

Synthetic Gut (Nylon)

  • Good all-around, budget-friendly.
  • Pros: Balanced power/control, affordable.
  • Cons: Loses tension faster than premium strings.  

Polyester / Co-Poly

  • Single-strand stiffer strings.
  • Pros: Great control and spin, tough.
  • Cons: Can be harsh on arms; best for stronger, advanced players.  

String Gauge (Thickness)

Gauge affects durability vs playability

Gauge (approx mm)

Play Feel
16 / 16L

Good balance of durability & feel
17 / 17L

Softer feel, more spin, less durable

 

String Tension Explained

String tension is how tight the strings are pulled when installed.

  • Higher tension = more control, less power
  • Lower tension = more power, extra comfort  

Typical manufacturer-recommended tension range is printed on your racket (often 50-60 lbs).  

Tension (lbs) Effect
~40-50 Power + comfort
~50-60 Balanced power & control
>60 Maximum control (requires player power)

 

Quick tip: If balls go long → increase tension; if they land too short → decrease tense sooner. 

Hybrid Stringing

This is when you put one type of string on the mains (vertical) and another on the crosses (horizontal):

  • Polyester mains + gut or multifilament crosses → Spin + comfort

Hybrids balance performance and cost, and are popular with advanced and club players. 

 

Best Setups by Player Type

Beginner / Recreational

  • Strings: Multifilament or Synthetic Gut
  • Gauge: 16-17
  • Tension: Middle of the racket’s range
  • Why: Comfort and all-around playability  

Intermediate

  • Strings: Hybrid set or softer poly
  • Gauge: 16-17
  • Tension: Slightly lower for power
  • Why: Balanced spin, comfort, and control  

Advanced / Competitive

  • Strings: Polyester or hybrid with gut
  • Gauge: 16-17/17L
  • Tension: Lower to mid to tune for control
  • Why: Spin and precision without arm strain  

Arm-Sensitive / Injury Prevention

  • Strings: Natural Gut or Multifilament
  • Gauge: 16
  • Tension: Middle or lower for comfort
  • Why: Shock absorption reduces stress on joints  

 

Restringing: When & Why

You shouldn’t only restring when a string breaks:

  • Strings lose tension over time even if unbroken.  
  • A simple rule: Restring as many times per year as the number of times you play per week.  
  • Natural gut & multifilaments hold tension longer than poly — poly loses tension faster.  

 

Final Checklist Before You String

✔ What material fits your style?

✔ Which gauge matches your durability vs feel needs?

✔ What tension fits power/control goals?

✔ Consider hybrid for balance.

✔ Plan a restring schedule — don’t wait until strings break.