A 5-Step Guide To Choosing The
Right Tennis Strings
We hope you love this article. Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. Learn more.
Beyond their obvious necessity, tennis strings can help enhance a player’s performance with thoughtful consideration.
However, many players fail to reap these benefits, such as added power, spin, control, and comfort, because the overwhelming number of options makes selecting the optimal set challenging and intimidating.
To help simplify, I’ll provide step-by-step guidance for narrowing down your options and confidently choosing a new set you’ll love.
Step 1: Pick a Type of String
When shopping for tennis strings, the first step will be to decide between the two categories of string: natural gut and synthetic.
As you may have guessed by the names, natural gut strings are made from organic fibers, while the synthetic variety uses artificial materials, such as nylon or polyester.
Natural Gut
Pierre Babolat first introduced natural gut string in the 1870s using sheep gut to create them, but eventually transitioned to cow intestine, which you’ll find still in use today.
The molecular structure of natural gut strings gives them exceptional elasticity, especially compared to most synthetic strings, which results in excellent power, comfort, and feel.
Until the 1990s, most players considered it the gold standard for strings, but that began to shift as synthetic alternatives like polyester entered the scene. While still in use today, especially on the pro tour, their popularity has diminished.
One key reason for their decline is their cost, which can be two to ten times more expensive than synthetic options. This disparity makes them less practical for most players.
Pros
- Power
- Comfort
- Feel
- Tension stability
Cons
- Price
- Spin
- Durability
Recommendation
Natural gut strings are an excellent choice for experienced players who are less price-sensitive and looking for a high-end string with terrific performance and feel.
They’re also a terrific option for players who suffer from arm injuries like tennis elbow, as they’re one of the most forgiving; in this case, the cost is not hard to justify.
On the other hand, if you’re a beginner, play casually or infrequently, or are on a tight budget, these strings are unlikely to be a good fit. At this stage, you’ll be hard-pressed to detect the nuanced difference compared to their synthetic counterparts, so you might as well save yourself the cash.
Synthetic
Synthetic strings offer a wide range of options and are ideal for most tennis players. However, not all types of strings in this category are created equal, and each has pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular.
Synthetic Gut
Synthetic gut is an affordable group of nylon strings popular among beginner, intermediate, and recreational players.
If you buy an entry-level pre-strung racquet, it will usually come with nylon strings installed.
Most nylon strings feature a solid core construction with smaller outer wraps. The quality of nylon, construction methods, bonding agents, and coatings differentiate these strings, resulting in a wide range of prices.
Pros
- Price
- Moderate all-around performance
Cons
- Durability
- Spin
- Feel
Recommendation
Synthetic gut strings are an excellent option for beginners and intermediate players due to their low cost and all-around performance. They’re also a solid option for casual or recreational players who aren’t overly concerned with string performance.
Polyester
Polyester strings, or polys, have become one of the most popular choices on the pro tour and in amateur tennis, and you’ll find more options in this string category than any other.
These low-powered strings are durable and stiff, allowing players to swing faster and generate more topspin without losing control. Moreover, when struck with enough force, the strings deform and snap back into place, further enhancing topspin.
Unfortunately, the stiff nature of these strings results in one of their most significant downsides: comfort. Another pitfall is that they don’t do a great job maintaining tension and, therefore, require frequent replacement, increasing their cost.
Pros
- Spin
- Control
- Durability
Cons
- Comfort
- Feel
- Tension stability
Recommendation
Polyester strings are ideal for intermediate to advanced players with the skill and technique to generate sufficient racquet head speed to take advantage of their benefits.
Buying them as a beginner might be tempting, but I’d encourage you to steer clear. Instead, start with synthetic gut or multifilament. Once you learn the fundamentals, establish your baseline technique to generate spin and control, and gain an initial feel for your racquet, you’ll be better prepared to decide if these are a good fit for your needs.
Finally, if you have a history of arm injuries or discomfort, you’ll want to avoid them.
Multifilament
Manufacturers create multifilament strings by weaving ultra-small nylon fibers to make a single string. Due to their construction, they tend to hold their tension better than synthetic gut while mimicking natural gut’s power, comfort, and feel.
However, like polyester, what makes them great also influences their downsides. Specifically, they can be overpowering or harder to control while lacking the topspin many players desire.
Pros
- Power
- Comfort
- Feel
- Durability
Cons
- Spin
- Control
Recommendation
Multifilament strings are perfect for improving beginners and intermediate or advanced players looking for a high-powered string that provides excellent feel at a reasonable price.
If you have a history of arm injuries, you’ll appreciate the comfort these strings offer, and they’re a more budget-friendly option to natural gut if you were considering those for the same reason.
Kevlar
Kevlar strings use aramid fibers in their construction and are the stiffest and most durable available. They are a great option if you have a history of frequently breaking strings.
However, because of their harsh feel, they come with the highest risk of causing arm injuries and, as a result, are the least popular.
Pros
- Durability
- Control
- Tension stability
Cons
- Comfort
- Feel
- Spin
Recommendation
If you’re a chronic string breaker with no history of arm injuries or discomfort, then you may want to experiment with Kevlar to increase the life of your strings.
These days, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a full set of Kevlar strings. Instead, most brands combine them as part of a hybrid string setup where you install one type in the mains and another in the crosses. If you go down this path, keep in mind that the string you choose for the mains will dominate the feel.
Step 2: Identify A Gauge
Hopefully, in step one, you were able to find a tennis string that makes sense for you based on your skill level and performance preferences. As a quick recap, you selected one of these:
- Natural gut
- Synthetic gut
- Multifilament
- Polyester
- Kevlar
Next, you’ll need to select an appropriate gauge. In tennis, a string’s gauge refers to 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 2.5 international. On the other end of the spectrum, the thickest gauge in the United States is 13 or 12 by international standards. Corresponding measurements range from 0.60 to 1.65 millimeters.
Most strings are not available in all sizes, and the widest availability is in the 17, 16L, and 16 range.
| US Gagues | Int. Gauges | Measurements |
| 13 | 12 | 1.65 – 1.80 mm |
| 14 | 11 | 1.50 – 1.65 mm |
| 15 | 9.5 | 1.41 – 1.49 mm |
| 15L | 9 | 1.33 – 1.41 mm |
| 16 | 8.5 | 1.26 – 1.34 mm |
| 16L | 8 | 1.22 – 1.30 mm |
| 17 | 7.5 | 1.16 – 1.24 mm |
| 18 | 7 | 1.06 – 1.16 mm |
| 19 | 4 | 0.90 – 1.06 mm |
| 20 | 3.5 | 0.80 – 0.90 mm |
| 21 | 3 | 0.70 – 0.80 mm |
| 22 | 2.5 | 0.60 – 0.70 mm |
All else equal, a thicker string will provide increased durability, while a thinner string will help generate extra topspin because they have more “bite” or dig deeper into the ball.
However, it’s worth noting that most players in the early stages of their tennis careers will be hard-pressed to detect the subtle change in topspin performance from one gauge to another.
With that in mind, I recommend beginners start with something roughly in the middle, with 16 gauge being a great option widely available for most strings.
Ultimately, choosing a string gauge becomes a tradeoff based on preference. As your skills improve, you can work your way up or down in thickness to suit your needs for durability and spin.
Step 3: Select A String
At this stage, you should have a specific type of string in mind and a gauge you’d like to try. Now for the fun part – selecting a string.
To help cut through the clutter, I’ve compiled my favorite strings from top tennis brands for every type we’ve covered. Simply find the kind of string you’ve selected below and grab yourself a set.
If you’re new to tennis, don’t overthink it. Each string I’ve selected is best-in-class and offers excellent performance.
- Natural Gut: Babolat VS Touch
- Synthetic Gut: Prince Synthetic Gut
- Multifilament: Wilson NXT
- Polyester: Luxilon ALU Power
- Kevlar: Gamma TNT2 Fusion Plus
Of course, if you’re up for it, I’d encourage you to explore other tennis strings in each category. Check out my guide to the best tennis strings this year for my top picks.
Step 4: Choose A Tension
After you select a string, you’re almost across the finish line, but there are a few more things to keep in mind, starting with tension.
String tension measures how tightly a stringer pulls the strings during installation. In the United States, we express string tension in pounds, but kilograms are the standard unit of measurement globally.
Generally, string tension ranges between 35 to 70 pounds or 15.88 to 31.75 kilograms. Higher tension will give you more control, while lower tension will increase your power.
That may appear to be a broad range, but there’s a simple way to narrow your choices. Most premium tennis racquets come with a recommended tension range printed on the edge of the frame, i.e., 50 to 60 pounds or 23 to 27 kilograms. If you don’t find it there, do a quick search online.
Another place to check is the package of the strings you choose. Sometimes, they’ll also display a recommended tension range, typically within your racquet’s acceptable ranges.
As a beginner, I recommend splitting the difference and starting at the halfway point. In my example above, 55 pounds would be a great choice. Once you’ve experienced hitting at that tension, you can increase or decrease it based on your preference.
Some strings, such as polyester, perform well at lower tension, which you’ll want to consider as you move from one type of string to another. For a complete overview of the topic, check out my guide on string tension.
Step 5: Find a Stringer
At this point, you should be just about ready to go, but there’s one last step: finding someone to string your tennis racquet.
There are several places to find a stringer, but for many, the most obvious will be your local tennis shop or club. If you have one nearby, they might be an excellent option.
You might also check with your local big-box sporting goods store to see if they offer string services, as some do. However, verify that the stringing person is well-qualified for the job. You don’t want someone who plays tennis and has experience.
Last but not least, you can check RacquetTech’s directory of certified tennis stringers, which may include a local tennis coach, instructor, or passionate player who offers the service.
Do Strings Really Matter?
Absolutely. Using the right strings that cater to your needs can help you perform at your best, improve arm health and longevity, and, more practically speaking, help you stick to your budget.
Of course, there’s a limit to the effect changing your strings will have, but customization and finding the right fit is a worthy endeavor. For example, if you’re looking to maximize control and topspin, some strings will perform better than others.
Earlier in your tennis career, your strings will have less of an impact on your overall performance. Instead, proper technique and repetition through practice will be the primary factors determining how well you play.
Regardless of your level, I’m a big advocate of helping players gain the knowledge to make smarter decisions.
Tips for Selecting Strings
Here are a few tips to get the most from your next set of strings.
Assess Your Unique Needs
When considering a new set of strings, one of the best tips I can give is to reflect on your unique attributes as a player and your desired outcome when experimenting with them.
I often find players swayed by what the pros are using or a teammate or friend’s advice with little or no consideration for their specific needs and what makes them unique as players.
Although there’s a lot you can learn by looking for outside opinions and feedback, you should focus on identifying a string that provides you with the characteristics that would best enhance your game as a priority.
More often than not, when players take the time to evaluate their needs seriously, they’re happier with the strings they choose, even if it takes some time to find the ideal set.
With that in mind, don’t underestimate the value of experimenting to find the best fit. Figuring out what works best takes time, and while paying for restringing isn’t cheap, it’s a sound investment for players serious about improving their game.
Finally, expect your preferences to change as your skills improve and your style of play evolves. Although I don’t recommend changing strings frequently, it’s worthwhile to consider your options periodically.
Replace Your Strings
After installation, your strings will steadily lose tension. In the first 24 hours, they can lose up to 10% of their tension, which continues as you play with them. Eventually, their resilience and elasticity diminish, causing a loss in performance.
For professional players who get their racquets strung every time they hit the court, it’s not much of a concern. 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 double the number of times you play per week to determine how often you should string per year. For example, if you play three times per week, you’ll want to string your racquet at least six times yearly or every two months.
While the above method is imperfect, I find it tends to get most players in the right ballpark. You can then take into consideration factors such as string type, duration of play, and how aggressively you strike the ball and adjust from there. At a minimum, I suggest you replace your strings twice a year.
To help determine when it’s time, you can check your strings for visual cues and keep tabs on the feel of your racquet as well. If your strings form deep notches at the cross-sections or they’re fraying and look like they’re on their last leg, then it’s probably time to restring. Furthermore, if you’re sensing a loss in control, spin, or crisp feel, you’ll likely want to replace them.
Ideally, you’ll restring before your strings break.
Consider Hybrid Stringing
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.
Hybrid stringing refers to installing one type of string in the mains and another kind of string in the crosses. The general idea is to get the combined benefit of different strings, i.e., the comfort of a multifilament plus the durability and spin of a polyester.
Any two strings can be installed within a racquet to form a hybrid, but here are the most common setups:
- Natural gut and polyester
- Multifilament and polyester
- Synthetic gut and polyester
It’s worth noting that whichever string you install for the mains will dominate the overall feel and performance.
Try String Savers
String savers aren’t nearly as popular as they used to be, but they’re still around. Players install these small plastic devices at the cross-sections between strings to reduce wear and tear.
Every time you hit a ball, your strings rub against each other, causing friction that can lead to premature breakage. If you notice your strings repeatedly breaking in roughly the same spot, you can install string savers to protect and extend their life.
Opinions differ, but adding string savers may cause a slight deadening in the feel of your strings, similar to when you use a vibration dampener. They also slightly increase your string tension, so if you use them, you may need to ask your stringer to reduce tension by a pound or two to accommodate them.
Although professional players constantly replace their strings, some, including Grigor Dimitrov, Roger Federer, and Pete Sampras, still use string savers because they like the feel.
The best part is that they’re inexpensive, and you can easily uninstall them if you don’t like the feel.
Wrapping Up
Remember that while your racquet is essential, your strings are the only thing that touches the ball when hitting, so it’s worth giving them sufficient consideration to perform at your best.
No string will compensate for years of hard work and practice. However, choosing the correct string can help you maximize your performance, improve comfort, and save money.
Now that you know how to select strings, I recommend experimenting with different types, gauges, and tensions to understand their nuances. You’ll better detect and appreciate their subtle differences as your skills improve.
Have questions? I’d love to help in the comments below!
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!