What You Need To Know About Strings

Strings are critical to how a racquet plays. Put in a crummy set of wire and your new high-performance frame will play, well, crummy. Here are the basics about string:

Natural Gut, Multifilament, or Polyester?

Most synthetic strings these days are multifilaments (manufactured from hundreds, even thousands, of individual fibers that are bonded together). There are all sorts of multifilaments, from those that are designed to mimic the properties of gut to models that are made for extra comfort, power, control, or spin.

Another choice is natural gut. Made of cow intestine, it’s very elastic and resilient, providing a lively, cushioned feel—which makes it a great option for players with tennis elbow and other arm problems. Although companies have improved natural gut’s durability with protective coatings and other advances in the manufacturing process, gut typically breaks faster than some synthetic strings and is more expensive.

Polyester and polyester-based strings are the biggest trend these days, with pros and recreational players alike using them. It’s easy to see why: These strings offer excellent durability and produce plenty of spin. The downside: Some players think poly strings don’t offer as much feel and touch as multifilaments.

What tension should I string my racquet?

This is an easy one. Almost every racquet comes with a manufacturer’s recommended tension range; these numbers are usually listed on the inside of the frame’s throat. Best bet: Have the racquet strung in the middle of the tension range—say, 55 pounds if it’s between 50 and 60 pounds. If, after you hit with the racquet, you want more control, string it higher; more depth on your shots, string lower.

When Should I Restring My Racquet? Follow this simple rule: You should restring your racquet as many times a year as you play in a week.

What thickness of string should I use? Strings come in different gauges, or thicknesses. The gauge is a measure of the string’s diameter. Tennis strings range from 15 gauge (thickest) to 19 (thinnest). An “L” placed after the gauge number of a string means that it’s “light,” or slightly thinner than the number shown. Most players use 16- or 17-gauge string.

Thicker string offers more durability but less feel on your shots. Thinner string gives you more “bite,” or spin on the ball but it breaks more quickly.