Tennis Strings Explained
Your strings are the only part of the racket that touches the ball — yet most club players couldn't name the string in their frame. A $20 string job can transform a $300 racket. Here's what you actually need to know, minus the marketing nonsense.
The Five String Types (Honest Comparison)
Every tennis string falls into one of five families. The differences are real, but manufacturers love to exaggerate them. Here's the unvarnished truth:
| Type | Feel | Durability | Spin | Power | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Gut | Sublime | Low–Medium | Medium | Excellent | $50–70 | Arm-friendly power |
| Polyester | Stiff, crisp | High | Excellent | Low | $15–30 | Big hitters, string breakers |
| Multifilament | Soft, plush | Medium | Medium | Good | $20–40 | Comfort seekers, arm issues |
| Synthetic Gut | Balanced | Medium | Medium | Good | $8–15 | Beginners, all-rounders |
| Hybrid | Varies (best of both) | Medium–High | Good–Excellent | Good | $25–50 | Intermediate+, customisers |
String Tension: The Most Misunderstood Setting
Here's the simple rule: higher tension = more control, less power. Lower tension = more power, less control. That's it. Everything else is nuance.
Most rackets recommend a range — typically 22–27 kg (50–60 lbs). Start in the middle and adjust from there. Going above or below the recommended range voids most frame warranties for a reason: it can warp the frame.
| Tension Range | Feel | Power | Control | Who It Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–23 kg (44–50 lbs) | Springy, trampolining | Maximum | Less precise | Beginners, shorter swings |
| 23–25 kg (50–55 lbs) | Balanced | Good | Good | Most club players |
| 25–27 kg (55–60 lbs) | Firm, boardy | Less | Excellent | Advanced, big swings |
When to Restring: Three Tests That Don't Lie
The old rule of thumb — "restring as many times per year as you play per week" — is decent but vague. Here are three concrete ways to know it's time:
The Ball Bounce Test
Drop a ball from shoulder height onto the string bed. If it bounces less than 60% of the drop height (roughly below your hip), the strings have lost significant tension. Fresh strings will bounce the ball back to chest height or higher.
The String Movement Test
Push the crosses (horizontal strings) sideways with your finger. If they slide easily and don't snap back into position, the string surface has worn smooth. This means less spin potential and less bite on the ball — even if the strings haven't broken.
The Dead Feel Test
This one's subjective but reliable. If the ball feels like it's landing in mud instead of springing off the racket, your strings are dead. Most polyester strings lose 20–30% of their tension within the first 24 hours and keep declining from there.
How Strings Affect Your Arm
If you've ever had elbow or wrist pain after playing, your strings might be the culprit — not your technique (though that probably doesn't help either). Stiffer strings transmit more shock to your arm on every hit.
The comfort ranking, from most to least arm-friendly: natural gut > multifilament > synthetic gut > soft polyester > stiff polyester. If you're dealing with tennis elbow, switching from poly to multifilament at lower tension is often more effective than a new racket or a fancy brace.
Adding a vibration dampener reduces the "ping" sound and changes the feel, but studies show it doesn't meaningfully reduce shock at the handle. It's a comfort placebo — but if it makes your arm feel better, use one. The brain is powerful.
Hybrid Stringing: The Advanced Move
A hybrid setup uses two different strings — typically a durable polyester in the mains (vertical strings) and a softer multifilament or natural gut in the crosses (horizontal). You get the spin and durability of poly with the comfort and power of the softer string.
About 60% of ATP players use some form of hybrid. It's not just a pro thing, either — any stringer can do it. You'll pay for two half-sets instead of one full set, which usually costs $5–10 more. Worth it if you're breaking poly mains regularly but find full poly too harsh.
The Beginner's Cheat Sheet
If you're just starting out, here's the honest advice nobody in a pro shop will give you: it doesn't matter much yet. Your technique has 100x more impact on your game than your string choice.
Get synthetic gut at mid-tension (around 24 kg / 53 lbs) and focus on hitting balls. Restring when it breaks or feels dead — probably every 3–6 months if you play weekly. Save the string experimentation for when you can consistently rally 20 balls in a row.
What does matter from day one is your basic gear setup — a decent racket, proper shoes, and a fresh overgrip so the racket doesn't fly out of your hand. Get those right and the strings will sort themselves out later.
String Maintenance Tips
Between restrings, you can extend your string life with a few simple habits. Store your racket indoors — extreme heat (like a car boot in Australian summer) accelerates tension loss dramatically. A racket left in a 50°C car can lose 2–3 kg of tension in a single afternoon.
Straighten your strings between points with your fingers. It takes two seconds and maintains the string pattern, which preserves spin potential. And if you're serious about your gear, check out our equipment maintenance guide for the full rundown on keeping everything in top shape.
Keep your racket playing its best
While you can't buy strings from us (yet), we've got everything else your racket needs — overgrips, dampeners, lead tape, and grip spray.