Choosing The Right String

The main variables in string choice are material, gauge and tension. They all affect performance characteristics, such as the power and feel of your shots, and also affect the length of time your strings will last. Choosing the right one begins with deciding which characteristics are most important to you.

The earliest tennis racquets were strung with natural gut, made from a thin, stretchy membrane that surrounds the long intestines of cows. Natural gut strings are the result of a long and arduous process; therefore they are more expensive. And even though they been in the market for over 100 years some of its characteristics have not been able to duplicate by any synthetic string. They are less durable than manmade synthetics, especially if they get wet, but their elasticity gives them a soft feel that most players love and an ability to hold tension better than any synthetic. If you try natural gut and decide it is not worth the extra cost, especially if you are a chronic string breaker, there are many synthetic options that offer a range in durability and feel.

Some players prefer soft strings because they have less shock on impact with the ball and a bit more power. Other players prefer stiff strings because they add control and yield a crisper-feeling shot. While natural gut is the softest option, nylon is a close second and has become the preferred choice of most recreational players. Polyester is stiffer and more durable than nylon, but it loses its tension faster than any other string and can cause problems for players prone to arm soreness. Even stiffer than polyester are the aramids, a category of highly durable materials that includes Kevlar.

In addition to the material from which they are made, the way strings are designed can impact their performance. String constructions range from a single monofilament to multifilament strings composed of thousands of separate filaments. Strings with more filaments tend to be softer but less durable, whereas a monofilament would be stiffer and more durable.

String tension is a matter of personal preference, though it is a good idea to stay within the recommended range that each racquet manufacturer indicates. To understand the difference between high and low tensions, think of the stringbed as a trampoline. You are more likely to bounce higher on a very loose trampoline (low tension) than on one that has very little spring (high tension). But the higher you bounce (more power), the more likely you are to fall off (less control).

Variations in the patterns of main and cross strings are another factor. Open patterns might include 14 mains and 16 crosses, while a denser pattern might include 18 mains and 20 crosses. Since there are fewer strings resisting the ball, open patterns tend to have more string movement and are less stiff than denser patterns. Some players use “string savers” to limit the amount of string movement and increase longevity. Longer strings are softer than shorter ones, so strings in larger-sized racquet heads tend to be less stiff than those in smaller ones.

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