Choosing a tennis racket can be a difficult task and then deciding how it is strung can be equally as daunting.
We have created this guide to help you pick the strings most suitable to you.
What we'll cover:
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Firstly, let's explore the manu types of tennis string available.
Click on an image to learn more about that type of string or scroll down to read about them all.
Natural Gut offers an unrivalled combination of a lively feel and amazing power while holding tension perfectly over time...
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Multifilament strings are the closest playing string to matural gut but for a lower cost. They provide high-elasticity and excellent comfort... Read More >
Synthetic Gut is a great choice if you're unsure what to go for. They are usually a great-priced, all-round string... Read More >
Very popular with tennis pros as this type of string can provide the optimum level of power, control & spin. This string has low elasticity... Read More >
Co-polyester strings are a greast choice for those seeking the powerr and durability of a polyester string but with a softer feel...
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Hybrid strings are where the racket is strung with two completely different strings in the vertical mains and the horizontal crosses.
Read More >
Natural Gut is the oldest type of tennis string and often the choice of professionals and advanced players. it offers an unrivalled combination of a lively feel and amazing power while holding tension perfectly over time. Natural gut is a completely natural product (cows intestines) which results in a higher cost. These strings can be less durable than other synthetics so if you are likely to break strings, alternatives should be advised.
Natural Gut pros:
Holds tension perfectly over time
Unrivalled power
Remains soft at high tensions
Superior comfort
Natural Gut cons:
Expensive
Less durable than other types of string
Doesn't perform as well in wet or humid weather
Our best-selling Natural Gut string is the Babolat Touch VS 130.
(click the image to view the product)
Multifilament string are the closest playing string to natural gut but for a lower cost. They are popular amongst both advanced and intermediate players as they can provide excellent comfort and power. Multifilament strings are usually more durable than natural gut but can lose tension more quickly. The strings are often made from braided nylon fibres and wrapped in a resistant cover.
Multifilament pros:
Closest string to matural gut
Excellent comfort
High elasticity
More powerful than other synthetic strings
Multifilament cons:
Although less expensive than Natural gut, still more expensive than other strings
Not as durable as other synthetic strings
Our best-selling Multifilament strings are Wilson Sensation 16, Yonex Rexis and Wilson NXT.
(click the image to view the product)
Synthetic Gut strings are very popular with club players and are a great choice if you're unsure what to go for. Usually made from nylon and wrapped in flexible filaments, the construction offers all-round performance and a balance of playability and durability.
Synthetic Gut pros:
Well priced
Can offer different playing styles (from construction angles and materials)
Great all-round string
Synthetic Gut cons:
Does not hold tension as long as other strings
Our best-selling Synthetic Gut strings are Babolat Spiraltek, Babolat Synthetic Gut and Prince Synthetic Gut.
(click the image to view the product)
Polyester/Monofilament strings are constructed with a single polyester fibre and a thin coating, they are produced in different gauges which can enhance different playing techniques such as topspin. This type of string is extremely popular with tennis professionals as they provide the optimum level of power, control and spin.
Polyester strings would not suit every player. The last of elasticity and stiffer feel provides less comfort and may hurt the arm over time. They tend to lose tension very quickly in comparison with other types of string which results in loss of control so your racket my need to be restrung more frequently.
Polyester/Monofilament pros:
Extremely durable
Well priced
Produced in different gauges
Can provide optimum level of power, control and spin
Polyester/Monofilament cons:
Not suitable for players wanting comfort due to lack of elasticity
Loses tension quickly
Our best-selling Polyester/Monofilament strings are Luxilon AluPower, Luxilon AluPower Rough, Head Lynx Tour and Yonex Poly Tour Pro.
(click the image to view the product)
Co-Poly (or Co-Polyester) strings have been deveoped to aid some the weaknesses seen in Polyester/Monofilament strings. As a result, they have increased elasticity and are able to hold tension for longer. This means that this type of string is a great choice for those seeking the power and durability of a polyester string but with a softer feel.
Co-Polyester pros:
Similar qualities to polyester string but much softer on the arm
Holds tension for longer then polyester strings
Co-Polyester cons:
Not usually as durable as normal polyester strings
Our best-selling Co-Poly strings are babolat RPM Blast, babolat RPM Power, Babolat RPM Rough and Babolat RPM Hurricane.
(click the image to view the product)
Hybrid strings are where the racket is strung with two completely different strings in the vertical mains and the horizontal crosses. This can be as simple as using different gauges (thickness) of the same string but more often, different types of string are used; for example, a monofilament string in the mains and a multifilament string in the crosses. Hybrid strings allow the player huge flexibility when deciding on a string setup. Combining different strings can offer a better balance of the different characteristics of their chosen strings. Some of the more common reasons for choosing hybrid strings is to improve comfort or add durability.
There are pre-packaged strings that you can buy of more popular hybrid choices. For example, Luxilon Roland Garros Duo Power Tennis String 16G (12m set) which features Alu Power and NXT Power to create the ultimate power string.
For more flexibility, you can pick from individual string sets and combine them together to create the hybrid string most suitable for you.
Hybrid pros:
Offers huge flexibility to the player to balance certain qualities of strings, or enhance them, to best suit their playing style.
Hybrid cons:
Finding the perfect combination of strings to suit a playing style may take time and be trial and error.
The gauge is the thickness of the tennis string. Some tennis strings are available in different gauges which are represented by a number between 15 and 20. The higher the number, the thinner the gauge, the lower the number the thicker the gauge. Sometimes gauges come in half sizes, which is represented by the letter L (example 16L)
Racket tensions are represented in lbs, the higher the number, the higher the tension. As a generalrule, rackets strung at a high tension allow more control (but less power) and rackets string at a lower tension allow more power (but less control). Most rackets display a recommended tension range so if you are unsure about what tension to choose, you can use this as a guide. We would recommend going for a mid-tension to begin with.
There are other things to consider when choosing string tension. If you have a racket with a larger head size (102sq inches +), it is best to string at a higher tension to create the same string bed stiffness as a smaller head size. Also, the string pattern can affect tension too. fewer strings result in a lower string bed stiffness.
As you play more tennis, you will discover your own preference so it is best to experiment with different string tensions to find out what suits your playing style best. Just remember, there is no right or wrong tension. Even some professional tennis players choose to change tension mid-tournament or even mid-match.
We offer string upgrades on all of the rackets we sell online. When purchasing a racket, check the drop-down menus on the product page to see our full string list and prices. Don't forget to pick your required tension too! String upgrades are always optional, so if you choose not to upgrade, your racket will be supplied factory strung or completely unstrung (unstrung rackets will be stated in the product listing and description).
Our professional stringing team have years of experience and use industry-leading stringing machines to ensure a top-quality service. We stock a great range of strings from the biggest brands including Babolat, Head, Wilson and Yonex.
If you require more information or if you're interested in a racket restring or hybrid string upgrade; please contact us and our friendly team will do their best to help.
