A Comprehensive Guide for the Different Types of Tennis String
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Selecting the right tennis strings can be an extremely confusing process. There are a variety of different types of tennis strings, multiple brands to choose from and even when you’ve found a string you like, there are various gauges (the thickness of the tennis string) and a wide range of tensions that you can string your racquet.
It’s enough to leave just about any player’s head spinning, especially if you’ve recently taken the time to choose a new tennis racquet. The good news is that armed with a little extra knowledge, selecting tennis strings doesn’t have to be difficult or confusing.
In fact, finding the right tennis string can be a fun process once you get the hang of the basics. Perhaps, more importantly, taking the time to do so can pay big dividends for both your game and your wallet.
The Two Categories of Tennis Strings
Without a doubt, the easiest place to start is with the different types of tennis strings. While there are quite a few string brands and types on the market they all fall into one of two categories: natural gut or synthetic.
Natural Gut Strings
The first time you hear the phrase natural gut, you may do a double take and then quickly question what the heck natural gut means. They’re not made out of actual gut, are they?
The truth is yes, natural gut strings are actually made from a rather complex process that transforms the gut of a cow into tennis strings. However, once you get past the rather surprising material used for natural gut tennis strings, you’ll be pleased to know that they are some of the best tennis strings on the market and a popular choice among many professional players.
The main benefits of natural gut strings are the superior feel and control they provide players. There’s just enough texture that translates into great spin, and they do a great job at maintaining their tension due to their elasticity. However, they’re not nearly as durable as synthetic gut tennis strings, and they are without a doubt the most expensive to purchase.
As a result, natural gut strings typically aren’t recommended for club and recreational players simply because they’re expensive to maintain and ultimately there is a wide variety of synthetic gut strings on the market that will provide players with similar characteristics while being more durable and less expensive.
Natural Gut Advantages
- Elasticity and tension stability
- Playability and feel
- Spin and control
Natural Gut Disadvantages
- Expensive
- Relatively fragile and prone to breakage
- Susceptible to moisture
Recommendation
If you’re an extremely competitive player working intensely on all aspects of your game and looking to find the edge anywhere you can, then natural gut tennis strings might be a great fit for you. With a high level of skill and experience you’re likely to recognize and appreciate the added feel of these types of strings if you can afford to shell out the money to purchase them.
The following table lists three of favorite natural gut tennis strings:
| String Name | Price |
| Babolat VS Touch | $$$$$ |
| Pacific Tough Gut | $$$$$ |
| Wilson Natural Gut | $$$$$ |
Synthetic Tennis Strings
While natural gut strings can be a fantastic option for some, most players will find the variety and price of synthetic strings significantly more appealing. As the name implies, this type of tennis string uses various synthetic materials to provide players with more options and features, such as durability, spin and power.
However, before we review the different construction of synthetic strings let’s take a look at the types of synthetic string materials that are used in creating synthetic strings.
Nylon
Without a doubt, the most popular and common material of the synthetic string family are nylon strings, which are commonly referred to as “synthetic gut” strings. However, nylon tennis strings are not made from your standard nylon you might associate with an article of clothing. Rather, nylon strings are made from high-quality nylon fibers that can provide players with great feel and added durability that you wouldn’t find with natural gut strings.
Multifilament tennis strings are incredibly popular, and they’re most commonly made out of nylon. The table below lists three of our favorites:
| String Name | Price |
| Wilson NXT | $$$ |
| Tecnifibre X-One Biphase | $$$ |
| Babolat Origin | $$$ |
Polyester
If players are looking for added durability than polyester tennis strings can be a solid option; however, due to its more durable construction, polyester can be quite hard on a player’s arm. As a result, it’s not typically a string that would be recommended to players fighting an arm injury.
Still, polyester strings do have some popularity with players who frequently break strings. However, even in this case, polyester strings are typically combined with natural gut or nylon strings to provide players with durability while maintaining a more soft, natural feel.
In recent years, polyester tennis strings have become hugely popular in large part due to players like Rafael Nadal who strings his racquet with a full bed of polyester. Here are a few of our favorites from three different manufacturers:
| String Name | Price |
| Luxilon ALU Power | $$$ |
| Wilson Revolve | $ |
| Babolat RPM Blast | $$$ |
Kevlar
Providing players with maximum durability, Kevlar strings are strongest yet most harsh strings on the market. Kevlar strings are most frequently used by chronic string breakers in combination with nylon strings to reduce the harsh feel that accompanies kevlar. Similarly to polyester, Kevlar strings are not recommended for players with arm injuries.
Synthetic String Construction
To provide players with more variety and different features, string manufacturers have developed various types of string construction. Let’s take a look at some of the more common types of string construction being used today.
Solid Core & Outer Wrap(s)
One of the most common string construction is a solid core with a single layer of outer wraps. Often, these strings are described as having a crisp feel, especially when compared to multifilament (described below) or natural gut strings. In most cases, the quality of this type of string is a direct result of the level or grade of material used, which most frequently is nylon such as Wilson Extreme Synthetic Gut.
Similarly, you can also purchase solid core strings with multiple outer wraps, which provide much of the same characteristics with the added benefit of increased durability and a slightly softer or cushioned feel.
Monofilament
Monofilament is the most basic construction of the bunch, which consists of a single solid filament. Monofilament strings are typically made of polyester or Kevlar, which makes this type of construction some of the most durable strings on the market. In addition, since these strings provide a stiff feel with less pop they tend to provide a level of control above and beyond other strings. Alien Diamond strings are an example of monofilament strings.
However, due to the harsh feel associated with kevlar, you won’t find a full set of strings on the market today that are purely kevlar. Instead, you’ll find polyester, which provides a relatively softer more flexible feel, while still providing added durability. Even so, monofilament tennis strings are still most typically found as part of a hybrid set of strings, which combines two types of strings within a single racquet.
All in all, the use of these strings as the only string in a racquet is typically limited to chronic string breakers and not recommended for players with arm injuries.
Multifilament
Multifilament tennis strings have become quite popular over the years and is considered by some to be the top category of string construction after natural gut. Multifilament strings are created through the process similar to natural gut by weaving hundreds or thousands of microfibers together as you’ll find with Babolat Xcel Premium tennis strings.
The result is a string with that provides a soft almost cushion like feel. As a result, these strings have become a great option for players suffering from arm injuries. Some players might be surprised or slightly turned off by the fraying that occurs with multifilament strings as they wear down, which is a result of the breakage of the tiny fibers used to create these strings.
Due to their added durability multifilament strings are also frequently found as part of hybrid strings sets, such as Gamma TNT2 Fusion Plus.
Textured
Textured tennis strings are frequently constructed through the addition of an outer wrap or by incorporating a larger wrap within the outer layer of wraps, which creates a raised band and gives texture to the strings. In some cases, this approach is flipped by adding groves to strings, which produces a similar effect. Another approach that is sometimes used create textured strings is by morphing the shape of the string to provide texture.
One example of a textured string is the Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough.
Composites
Composite tennis strings are produced through a process where multiple types or grades of string materials are combined in an attempt to produce a string that shares the benefits of each string material used.
The construction varies among these strings, but most frequently involves a single core with one or multiple layers of outer wraps. Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex has been a popular nylon composite, which combines multiple grades of nylon.
Synthetic String Advantages
- Wide selection of options and features
- Less expensive with a wide range of prices
- Added durability
Synthetic String Disadvantages
- Arguably less playability and feel than natural gut
- More choices can make selecting strings more challenging
Hybrid Tennis Strings
Similar to composite strings, hybrid strings combine the benefits of two different types of tennis string by using them both within a racquet. For example, it’s popular to use stronger more durable strings as the mains (the strings that run from the bottom of the racquet head to the top) and then incorporate a softer more playable string as the crosses, which experience significantly less friction and movement. One of the most popular examples of this type of string are the Wilson Ultimate Duo Hybrid strings.
The result is a string combination that seeks to find a balance between a comfortable feel and control, while providing players with the durability that would be hard to come by through the use of one string type throughout the entire racquet.
In many cases, players and string manufacturers have often opted to combine natural gut strings with synthetic as a more affordable and durable option to purely natural gut strings, such as Wilson’s Champions Choice Hybrid String.
Tennis String Gauge or Thickness
Now that you have a good understanding of the different materials and construction used to build tennis strings there is one last variable worth considering when buying or testing a new set of strings. In most cases, different styles of tennis string will come in various gauge or thickness providing players with even more options.
Below you’ll find a list of currently available string gauges.
- 19 / 1.00-1.10 mm
- 18 / 1.10-1.16 mm
- 17L / 1.16-1.20 mm
- 17 / 1.20-1.24 mm
- 16L / 1.22-1.26 mm
- 16 / 1.26-1.33 mm
- 15L / 1.34-1.40 mm
- 15 / 1.41-1.49 mm
For most players, the main benefit of a thinner string such as 18 would be to increase the potential for spin on their shots. It’s important to note the distinction between the potential for spin and the ability to produce more spin. For example, if you hit very flat shots with little spin to begin with then you may not notice much of a difference with thinner strings.
On the other hand, if you hit with a ton of topspin and move from an 15L gauge string to 18 there’s a high likelihood you’ll notice that you have a greater ability to generate additional spin, which is due to the fact that on contact with the ball the strings embed more easily and therefore “grab” the ball helping produce more spin.
Beyond the increased potential for spin players will often go with a thicker string such as an 15L gauge string for added durability. Hard hitters and chronic string breakers will often opt for a higher string gauge to help prolong the life of their strings.
So Which Strings Are Best for Me?
As with selecting a tennis racquet, there isn’t a one size fits all approach to tennis strings. However, here are some things to consider to help you find and select a great set of strings.
Your Level of Play
If you’re just getting started with tennis, then it probably won’t make sense to spring for an expensive set of tennis strings. When you’re just starting out it can be tough to recognize the benefits that a more expensive set of strings like natural gut provide.
As a result, synthetic strings with a solid core and single or multiple wraps are a great option since you’re likely to find a great string that’s durable at a price that makes sense.
Frequency of Play
The more you play, the more quickly your strings will lose their tension or break. If you’re competing at a high level, you may be able to justify the higher cost associated with a more expensive set of high-quality strings. However, most recreational players who step out on the court frequently may opt for a more durable set of strings that will hold up, while at the same providing you with great feel and playability without breaking the bank.
Multifilament and hybrid strings can be a great option for people who hit the court frequently.
Arm Injuries
If you’re experiencing arm injuries, then the best set of strings will be multifilament or a hybrid that incorporates multifilament. This will help reduce the stress on your arm, while still providing you with a string that is durable and plays great.
A popular option is Gammas Live Wire strings.
Style of Play & Personal Preference
It can also be extremely beneficial when selecting a tennis string to consider your style of play. If you spend most of your time on the baseline hitting big groundstrokes with a ton of topspin, then you may want to consider a low gauge string for increased spin potential.
Additionally, you may want to consider a more durable multifilament string for your mains (the vertical strings that receive a ton of friction with players that hit with topspin) and a high-end solid core string with multiple outer wraps for added durability, such as the Gamma Infinity 15L hybrid string set.
The reality is, there is no wrong or right answer to which types of strings you should use. However, by spending the extra time to ensure your strings compliment your style of play and meet your personal preferences you can gain an edge on other players who overlook their strings.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many different types of tennis strings, which while daunting at first provides every player with a wide range of options to find something that works great for them. The good news is that strings don’t last forever, so try and select one you think will be a great fit and if they don’t work out or they’re not your favorite it won’t be too long before you can give it another shot.
Just be sure when you’re trying out new strings that you have plenty of time to test them before a tennis match. I’ve seen players on many occasions string up their racquet with a new set of strings only to cut them out the very same day because they hated the feel.
Have questions or looking for a specific type of tennis string or recommendation? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to help.
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15 L is thicker than 18.
Hey Michael,
Thanks so much for the catch!! That was definitely a mistype on my part, which I’ve now updated, so I appreciate you brining it to my attention. Hopefully you enjoyed the article :)
Best,
Jon
Great article. Well written and concise enough for a string novice like myself.
I was wondering if you could recommend what kind of strings would be suitable for me. I’m an intermediate player and for the past 9 months I’ve been playing a couple times a week, give or take, and getting really into my tennis. I don’t play competitions and I generally play socially and recreationally. I play with a semi western forehand and some kind of eastern grip on my one handed backhand. I watch a lot of tennis and the players I like to think I emulate/study are Wawrinka and Gasquet. Which type of string would and complement these two racquets?
Head Extreme Pro
Wilson K Blade Tour 93
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Vaughan
Hey Vaughan!!
Great question, and thanks for the positive feedback, I’m glad you found the article helpful.
Let’s first start with the Head Extreme Pro, which is a great racquet.
To start, this racquet has a 100 sq. inch head with a relatively open string pattern, 16 mains and 19 crosses, and you’re playing with a semi-western forehand grip. As such, it could definitely be helpful to go with a string that has a bit of added durability that can handle the open string pattern and spin you’re likely generating on your shots.
This racquet also has a slightly higher stiffness rating of 69 (most racquets will fall in the 60-75 range) and a bit more weight at 11.8oz, so you shouldn’t need a string with too much pop as the racquet can do most of the work for you. However, at the same time a string that plays a bit softer would likely be super nice for you. Here would be my recommendations:
Gamma TNT2 Fusion Plus 19
This is a hybrid string that uses solid 19 gauge TNT Aramid mains, which are a multifilament string. These will provide you with a bit of a softer playing surface, while also providing you with plenty of durability. At the same time, the nylon 17 gauge TNT crosses will add a bit more playability, which I think you’ll find you enjoy. If you break strings pretty easily, you might consider moving up to the 16 gauge version of this string, but I think you’d be fine at this gauge to start.
Wilson NXT Duo II Hybrid 16
As the pricier of the two options, this is a super popular string option that will provide you with similar features to Gamma TNT2 Fusion Plus, but you’ll find it’s going to provide you with a bit more of a crisp feel due to the fact that it uses Luxilon Adrenaline (which I’d recommend stringing as the mains) a durable polyester string that will be more stiff than the TNT Aramid mains. However, combined with the super popular Wilson NXT crosses you should find a nice balance that is another great option.
Now, let’s check out your Wilson K Blade Tour 93.
With a smaller 93 sq. inch head, a closed string pattern of 18 mains and 20 crosses and a stiffness rating of 65, you shouldn’t have to worry as much about string breakage, but you’ll likely want to find a livelier string to help give you some extra pop and added playability. Considering these features and again the fact that you’re hitting with a semi-western forehand grip I’d recommend the following:
Gamma TNT2 17
Consistently rated one of the top tennis strings, Gamma TNT2 is a great option that will help provide you with some added power and feel. I think you can comfortably go with a thinner gauge in this particular racquet, which will provide some added spin in addition to the ever so slight texture the string provides.
Gamma Live Wire XP 17
Another great string, Gamma Live Wire XP will play very similar to the TNT2, however you’ll likely find it’s a bit livelier of a string, which will take the form of providing you with a little extra pop. Again, with the smaller racquet head and a closed string pattern I think you’ll do just fine with the 17 gauge, however you’ll find a 16 gauge version of bot the TNT2 and Live Wire XP if you’re looking for a bit more durability.
I hope this helps, and I’d love to hear how things work out if you decide to check out any of these strings. If you’re looking for a bit of extra reading, I’d definitely recommend you check out our article on tennis racquet stiffness and tennis string tension.
All the best,
Jon
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll be restringing the Wilson next month and I’ll try out one of those Gamma strings. Depends which is easier for me to track down.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
I’ll also check out some more of your gear articles!
Cheers,
Vaughan
Awesome, anytime Vaughan. Good luck and looking forward to hearing how things go for you.
Hi….New to your website and finding lots of very helpful information. I’m excited I found a site so dedicated to tennis.
So… I am looking for a new racquet. I play 4 to 5 times a week both singles and doubles and I’m USTA rated 4.0 I’ll be 65 yrs old soon, so not expecting my rating to go up, but I’m alway trying to improve my game. Currently I am using a Prince Hybrid EXO3 Red 102. I was using Wilson NXT 16 strings but changed to the NXT Tour 17 which I like better. I’ve been slowly moving the tension from 54 to 58. Right now I’m looking at a Volkyl Orginix 6 or a Babolat and I was going to try the Technifibre NRG 2 gauge 17 strings. I mostly hit flat…not too much power or top spin either. (This probably doesn’t matter too much, but I also dropped my grip size to a 4 1/8 and took off the grip and only use an over grip, so I’m think of going with a 4.0 grip next time). Anyway, do you have any thoughts for me about strings, tension, racquet. Just trying to get another opinion. Thanks. Barbara
Hey Barbara,
I hope you had a great week and thank you for your patience in my reply.
I’ve started to put together a racquet comparison and some ideas for you, but before I unveil some of my notes I wanted to ask a few extra questions:
Gotta love this stuff :) So many interesting aspects to consider!!
Looking forward to your reply.
All the best,
Jon
You ask more questions than I do…..so… I am switching because one of my racquets has a small crack and I like to change racquets every 3 to 4 years. I like that the Prince is light and elbow friendly. There is nothing I dislike about it but I’d like it even more if it was yellow. I would like to learn to hit with more topspin. I’m working on it, but I still hit mostly flat with an Eastern forehand grip. My inside out forehand is definitely my go to shot. I guess I don’t really know which Babolat, but it’s the racquet everyone is pushing where I play. Switching strings from 16 to 17 just seemed to give me a bit more power and control. Maybe it was just that the strings were new (which always helps). My son in law keeps telling me just to keep what I have and adjust the tension to 62 but I’m ready for a change even if it’s just a small one. Thanks for thinking about this.
Hey Barbara,
Haha, yes, I do tend to ask a lot of questions :) Thanks for the extra info, that’s super helpful.
Since there a bunch of different criteria I find visuals can be very helpful for narrowing down and selecting a racquet. To start, I put together a diagram for you, which you can find here:
https://tenniscompanion.org/comments/barbara/
Before I dig in, I’d say as a general comment that most brands have a great selection of racquets and Babolat is no exception. Recognizing this, I didn’t explore much futher beyond Babolat and the Volkl Organix 6 since you expressed interest in these.
All in all, I like the Babolat AeroPro Lite as an option for you. As the “Light” version of the AeroPro I think you’ll find it easier to swing, similar to your current Prince. Here are a few reasons why I think this could be a good fit:
As for strings, here are a few thoughts to consider:
Beyond that, I’d definitely encourage you to get your hands on a demo and ideally the “light” version if possible. The AeroPro Drive has a much different set of specifications including the fact that it’s 1.5 oz heavier at 11.3 oz. Unfortunately, even though everything can look great on paper you really don’t know till you have the racquet in your hand.
Lastly, since you’ve been playing with your grip you might find my article on selecting a grip size helpful too :)
There’s a lot of information here, so please let me know if you have any other questions.
All the best,
Jon
Very illustrative article. I’ve been having arm issues. So I changed from Luxilon Alu Power Rough to Wilson Sensation 1.25. Any recommendations?
Thanks
Hey Victor,
Thanks for your note! I’m sorry to hear about the challenges you’re having with your arm.
Your move from Luxilon Alu Power Rough to Wilson Sensation was a fantastic choice. As you may have read or heard polyester strings like the Luxilon set you were using are pretty stiff which can be tough on your arm. So your move to a multifilament is exactly the direction I would have recommended.
Hopefully you’ve felt the difference between the polyester Luxilon and the multifilament Wilson strings. If you’re looking for another recommendation within the Wilson family of tennis strings then I’d definitely recommend Wilson NXT. They now have quite a few variations on this string and it’s a super popular multifilament that should also provide you with a drastically different feel than the Luxilon you were playing with before.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the best,
Jon
Thanks for the very insightful and easy to understand article. Been playing for years now and I still really don’t know the differences. I’m about to have my favorite racket stringed and now I know which to choose based on what I want.
Hey Armand,
You got it! Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you found the article to be helpful.
All the best,
Jon
Hi Jon,
Congratulations on a well written piece. You clearly have passion for the subject.
I’m 44 and have been playing nearly 15 years. I’m roughly a 4.5 and play with lots of topspin and control.
For many years I have enjoyed playing with a variety of racquets. My competition racquents are modern. But I also play often with a Donnay Allwood Pro (with which Borg won several Wimbledon championships) and – before the strings broke – a Wilson Kramer Pro Staff 4 1/4 grip 12.5oz balanced light-in-head (with which I believe Mcenroe won an early championship or two.)
I also play with a 1986 Kneisl AreoClub. Lendl used the Whitestar at the time. It is strung with 15 or 16 currently at about 45lbs of tension. The racquet plays amazing.
I enjoy the challenge of learning to play with these racquets. It is a little more difficult to generate power. But other than that they provoke a more artful and enjoyable game. Watch Bjorn and Johnny go at it. It’s not bad tennis.
Anyway the Donnay’s string are still intact – they look like 15 guage Nylon – but they are quite loose and the racquet doesn’t feel right anymore. I had the Pro Staff restrung several years ago and it never felt right.
I’d like to resting and do it write. Any advice what string to get, guage and tension for Donnay and Wilson racquets?
Thanks
David
Hey David,
Thanks so much for the kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I absolutely love the fact that you take the time to get out and hit with some of your older racquets – what a blast! Having grown up with graphite racquets it wasn’t until I explicitly made the decision to try out a wood racquet for fun that I was able to enjoy and appreciate how different the game was.
As for stringing your Wilson and Donnay I’d recommend starting with a tension between 40-50lbs. If you’re looking for a more specific recommendation I’d go with a reference tension of 45lbs. This way you can get a feel for things when you string it and the next time around you can make the call to go a few pounds looser or tighter.
You will find mention of wood tennis racquets having been string at higher tensions of 55lbs or even above 60lbs, but I’d stay away from higher tensions to avoid cracking or breakage.
As for the type of string I’d recommend a multifilament – a few great options would be:
As far as price/quality goes I’d recommend Technifibre NRG2, although I think any of these strings would suite both of your racquets. As for gauge, you could of course go lighter, but if you’re looking to get a little more life out of the strings you might appreciate the 16 gauge.
I hope this helps, but of course let me know if you have any follow up questions. I’d love to hear how things go for you once you’ve had the opportunity to restring them.
All the best,
Jon
Thanks for all this information!! I am a Highschool tennis player and I am currently going to change strings. I have a Wilson Women’s HOPE Tennis Racquet and I haven’t changed the strings since I’ve had it. I’ve recently had an arm injury so I’m leaning towards a multifilament nylon string but I don’t know what brand or gauge to get. I’m also learning to play with more topspin since I’ve been playing with competative players. I play daily and want a racquet string that won’t be too hard on my arm. Any recomondations on which sting brand, gauge and tension I should get?
Hey Helen,
Thanks for your note! I’m sorry to hear about your arm injury, but I hope you’re healing up nicely.
You’re on the right track with a multifilament as a solid option. Here are two that I’d recommend:
In terms of gauge you’ll have a bit of a tradeoff decision to make. You’ll find more potential to generate spin with the 17 gauge (a thinner string with more bite), however you’ll find more durability with a 16 gauge string.
My recommendation would be to go with the 17 gauge, which I think you’ll still find to be plenty durable.
If price is a concern here are a few additional options, which are not multifilaments, rather arm friendly nylon synthetic gut strings at wallet friendly prices:
One other note that I want to mention is that while strings can certainly help ease stress on a players arm both your technique and the racquet you play with will have a strong impact on comfort. Of course, not everyone has the luxury of being able to purchase a new racquet, but I did want to at least mention so that you can consider these as you go.
Hopefully this helps point you in the right direction! If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to ask.
All the best,
Jon
Jon, great writeup for newbies like me who are still trying to learn something.
I started playing an year ago and currently I am USTA 3.0-3.5 player currently. I practise Monday to Thursday and at times on weekend.
I use Head TiS6 racquet. In my match recently, I broke my string so need few suggestion for that.
I play a lot of spin and chop (slash/flat shots) and I do have decent control on that. My first serve is really fast (my opponent told me he has been playing tennis for over 10 years and mine is fastest serve he ever played).
After lot of reading, I found that Multifilament and hybrid strings can be a great option. Here are few that I have shortlisted for myself
Head Sonic Pro Edge
Babolat XCel Premium
Wilson NXT 17g
Can you help me on deciding the correct string for my Head TiS6 and do you think, tension of 60 pounds is good enough for player like me?
Hi Pushkar,
Thanks for the kind words – happy to help out!
Multifilament strings are a popular category that generally offers up comfort and power. Hybrid stringing is another great option where you combine two different types of strings – one set for the mains and one set for the crosses. The combination of a multifilament and polyester is a very common hybrid string setup. If you opt for a hybrid setup, keep in mind that the string you use in the mains will tend to dominate the overall feel of the strings so you’ll need to determine which strings characteristics you prefer.
As for your shortlist, my recommendation would be Wilson NXT. It’s a fantastic string with great feel. However, I’d recommend going slightly thicker than 17 and opt for 16 for some added durability without losing much in terms of feel. The Head TiS6 is a stiffer tennis racquet, so you’ll likely appreciate the softer string.
As for tension, it generally comes down to personal preference with lower tensions providing more power and higher tensions more control. The recommended string tension for your racquet is 57-66 pounds, so 60 is right in that range. Is that what you’ve strung at in the past? If so, you may want to consider a few pounds tighter for a bit of extra control since you’re playing with a relatively high powered racquet and Wilson NXT packs a punch as well. I’d recommend 63 pounds if you’re looking for a specific number, but nothing beats experimenting :)
Hopefully, that helps! Enjoy the new strings and let me know if you have any other questions.
All the best,
Jon
Hi. I’m a mediocre club player and have been using a 300gm +Wilson hammer for years. Currently with polymer strings.
Due to age and not so strong wrist, I have purchased a Wilson blade 101l of 274 gms. I play an uncoached flat hitting game and wonder which strings would suit. I prefer to play doubles and enjoy the volley net game.
Hi, Jeff! Thanks for visiting and for sharing your question. I’d love to provide you with a few recommendations. If you don’t mind it would be great to get some additional feedback from you. Here are a few questions I have:
Looking forward to sharing my thougths and providing you with a few recommendations!
~ All the best, Jon
hi Jon. No dislike of polyester. Price is not an issue. I play usually twice a week or more if matches are on in season or vets league. I’m ignorant of brands and probably require control over power as I prefer to charge in slowly. No pain in my wrist but occasional elbow issues. Mostly down to my unorthodox technique.
Cheers
Jeff
Thanks for the extra info Jeff. Here are a few polyester string sets I’d suggest:
Since you’re already in the polyester family of tennis strings and don’t dislike them for any reason I didn’t stray too far from there. All of these strings are going to offer 3 key features: control, durability, and spin. However, within that in mind, I did opt to recommend these three strings because they each have a comfort slant to them that I think you’d appreciate with your occasional elbow issues.
If you do at any point find your occasional elbow issue transitions to a more frequent discomfort I’d suggest you consider moving to a hybrid string setup to maintain the control that it appears you appreciate while giving your arm a bit of relief. With a hybrid string setup, you’d simply string with one of the above polyester strings in the mains and then combine that with a softer multifilament in the crosses.
Best of luck and let me know if you have any other questions.
~ All the best, Jon
what is the name of the person that wrote this
Hi, Syd. My name is Jon. Thanks for stopping by!