Which tennis strings should i use

Natural gut is the softest string of all but comes with a hefty price tag attached. If you're more inclined to go the synthetic route, look for a multifilament option because the composition of tiny filaments seeks to provide a very close second to the comfort and feel of a natural gut string. One downside of selecting a string option that is optimised for comfort is that spin generation is somewhat compromised. The enhanced elasticity adds power so consider increasing your tension with your new set up.

Rafa Nadal uses polyester strings and a thicker gauge than most other pros. The amount of power and topspin generated when he strikes the ball would result in strings breaking constantly if he choose thinner gauge and finer material. Roger Federer unsurprisingly takes a different approach to Nadal. To understand the huge impact Poly strings had on the professional game, check out this great article.

Different court surfaces, ball properties and variable temperatures are major factors in how pros string their rackets at a given tournament. Hot conditions cause the strings to loosen, so adjustments need to be made to help the player adapt to their environment. On surfaces where shotmaking gives players an edge, for instance, grass as contrasted with clay they might consider subtly lessening the tension on their rackets to add a bit of extra pace.

Tennis fans can see the just how important players consider their strings to be when they hand over multiple frames to get strung during a match. In summary, considerations around string largely distill down to individual preferences and alignment with your game style as well as willingness to invest money in strings.

If this blog post merely whetted your appetite to find out more about string options, the Tennis Warehouse is the best resource we've come across. The extremely detailed analysis and review of strings has quite the rabbit hole potential for those wanting to learn more.

The more tennis you play at a higher level, the more often you break strings. This way, you always have a back up when you need it and you can finish your match or practice without skipping a beat. Read More. You need to find a gift for a friend, partner, sibling or parent who loves tennis. Powered by Shopify. Menu 0. What are the best strings and tension for each tennis player?

Home Tennis Hacks What are the best strings and tension for each tennis player? In order to kick things off, here is a list of broad generalisations that will serve you well when narrowing down your string choice and assessing your set up: Lower string tensions generate more power providing string movement does not occur Higher string tensions generate more ball control for experienced players A longer string or string plane area produces more power Decreased string density fewer strings generates more power Increased string density more strings generates more control Thinner string generates more power Thinner strings tend to produce more spin More elastic strings generate more power.

Generally, what will produce more power will also absorb more shock load at impact The more elastic the string, the more tension loss in the racket after the string job Softer strings, or strings with a softer coating, tend to vibrate less What are tennis strings made of? Not recommended to string breakers. Although it has been around since the s, the tennis industry has yet to create an alternative that captures the magic of its elasticity, including the unrivaled comfort, power and feel that flows from it.

Natural gut also retains its tension and optimal playing characteristics longer than any other string type, a fact that should ease the sticker shock that comes with its premium price tag. In addition to being a popular pick for players with tennis elbow or sensitive joints, natural gut is singular in that it can be tightly tensioned for control and spin without compromising comfort.

Polyester strings are for experienced players who require maximum control, spin and durability. The upshot is more confidence when playing aggressive tennis. Although generally too firm and underpowered for beginners, polyester string construction has benefited from the increasing use of softening agents, resulting in a more user-friendly hitting experience for newcomers.

Gauges are essentially the thickness of a string. The higher the gauge, the thinner the string. The problem with gauges however, is that there is not a standardized and universal chart. A 16 gauge for one company might be a 16L L stands for "light," which basically means it's halfway between two gauges, think of a 16L as a This is why we recommend referencing the actual millimeter sizing.

In general, thinner string will provide more power and spin, while thicker strings provide more control and durability. Tension is referring to how tightly the strings are strung in the racquet.

Each racquet will have a specific tension range that the manufacturer recommends you string within, usually around pounds. Even though you can request your racquet to be strung above the maximum tension, it could void the warranty by doing so.

In general, the higher the tension, the more control and the lower the tension, the more power. There are now hundreds of strings available on the market, so how do you decide which ones to go for? Over the years, strings have evolved from natural gut via synthetic gut and multi-filaments to the latest polyester strings.

There is always a compromise between playability and durability, with natural gut and multifilament strings being the most playable and Poly strings being the most durable. This has led to the current fashion for combining different strings on the mains vertical and crosses horizontal. The classic example of this is Roger Federer, whose Champions Choice strings consist of a strong poly and natural gut.

Natural Gut - the original and most playable, but not the most durable. Multifilament strings - for gut like characteristics.

Durable Polyesters and Kevlars - The most popular and best for stringbreakers. The latest "softer" Polyesters and Multifilament Polyesters - the latest innovation, less harsh on the arm. Playability Natural Gut and Multifilaments Generally, a playable string snaps back quickly upon ball impact. Like polyester, what makes them great also leads to their downsides in that they can be overpowering or harder to control, while also lacking in topspin that many players desire.

Multifilament strings are perfect for thriving beginners as well as intermediate and advanced tennis players looking for a high-powered string that provides excellent feel at a reasonable price.

Kevlar strings use aramid fibers in their construction and are the stiffest and most durable available. If you have a history of breaking strings frequently, they make a great option.

However, because of their harsh feel, they come with the highest risk of causing arm injuries and, as a result, are the least popular. Hopefully, in step one, you were able to find a tennis string that makes sense for you based on your level and performance preferences.

As a quick recap, you would have selected one of the following:. In tennis, the gauge of a string refers to its size, or more specifically, a measure of its thickness or diameter. In the US, a higher gauge refers to a thinner string, while a lower gauge refers to a thicker string. International gauges are the opposite. The thinnest gauge in the United States is 22 or 2. Corresponding measurements range from 0.

Keep in mind that this wide range of string gauges will not be available for all strings on the market — some are only available in one or two sizes. With that in mind, we recommend beginners start with something roughly in the middle, with 16 gauge being a great option that is widely available for most strings. As your skills improve, you can work your way up or down in thickness to suit your needs for durability and spin. Now for the fun part — selecting a string.

Be sure to check out our guide for the best tennis strings in for a selection of our top picks. Higher tension will provide you with more control, while a lower tension will increase your power.

That is, most premium tennis racquets come with a recommended tension range listed on the inside edge of your frame, i. Another place to check is on the package of the strings you choose.

As a beginner, we recommend splitting the difference and starting at the halfway point. In our example above, 55 pounds would be a great choice. There are a variety of places to find a stringer, but for many, the most obvious will be your local tennis shop or club.

If you have one near-by, they might be a great option for you. You might also check with your local big box sporting goods store to see if they offer string services as some do. However, be sure to verify that the person doing the stringing is well qualified for the job. After installation, your strings will begin to lose tension, which will continue as you start to play with them.

However, the rest of us need to keep an eye on our strings to perform our best. As a general rule of thumb, you can take the number of times you play per week and double it to determine how often you should string per year. While the above method is imperfect, we find it tends to get most players in the right ballpark. You can then take into consideration factors such as duration of play and how aggressively you strike the ball and adjust from there.

At a minimum, we suggest you replace your strings twice a year. In your quest to find the perfect set of tennis strings, you may come across the concept of hybrid stringing , which is popular among professional and amateur tennis players.