Equipment Triangle
of Tennis Performance
Tennis Racquet + Racquet Strings + String Tension

Page down to see "Learn About Tennis Strings" at the bottom of this screen
to learn more about strings and string tension.

Tennis Strings

	BABOLAT VS Team (natural gut) Code: 9240-01 Price: $44.95 Quantity in Basket: none
	BABOLAT VS Touch (natural gut) Code: 9240-02 Price: $44.95 Quantity in Basket: none
	BABOLAT Xcel Premium (synthetic gut) Code: 9240-03 Price: $24.95 Quantity in Basket: none
	BABOLAT Conquest (synthetic gut) Code: 9240-06 Price: $7.95 Quantity in Basket: none
	BABOLAT Pro Hurricane (polyester) Code: 9240-05 Price: $17.95 Quantity in Basket: none
	BABOLAT Syntronic Brio (nylon) Code: 9240-04 Price: $19.95 Quantity in Basket: none
	BABOLAT VS+ Custom (gut hybrid) Code: 9240-07 Price: $24.95 Quantity in Basket: none
	BABOLAT Pro Hurricane+ (polyester hybrid) Code: 9240-08 Price: $8.95 Quantity in Basket: none
	BABOLAT Xcel Premium+ (nylon hybrid) Code: 9240-09 Price: $15.95 Quantity in Basket: none

Learn About Tennis Strings

Several variables impact the performance of tennis strings – (1) string materials, (2) string construction, (3) string thickness, (4) string tension, and(5) even mixing string types (called hybrid strings). Below is a very brief discussion of each of these 5 topics.


String Materials

There are 3 general types of materials used to make tennis strings -- natural gut, nylon and polyester.

Natural Gut
Gut is an assembly of ribbons (13 to 15 depending on the desired final gauge), which are first twisted together then blended into each other under the effect of collagen to form one single piece. By all measures, natural gut (made of beef intestines) sets the standard of playability for all strings because of its resilience. Most top players on the ATP and WTA use natural gut strings.

Nylon (synthetic gut)
Most of the performance synthetic strings are made of nylon, and are often referred to as "synthetic gut." They offer excellent playability while being more reasonably priced than natural gut. The vast majority of recreational players today use nylon strings.

Polyester
Polyester strings offer more durability than nylon or gut strings, so are used by people who break lots of strings. They tend to loosen initially after stringing, so people should string with polyester strings at 3-5 lbs. tighter than with nylon strings.


String Construction

There are 3 general construction designs for synthetic tennis strings (this excludes gut), with additional hybrid designs. For simplification, only the 3 basic ones are presented below. Of course, string companies are always testing new string materials and designs.

Multifilament
Thousands of same-diameter fibers are put together and usually coated or encapsulated with special material. These synthetic strings have a cushioning effect, which produces a softer string bed. With wear, they tend to fray like gut. Because of the softer string bed, people with elbow or shoulder problems use multifilament strings.

Wrap
This type of structure is the most versatile in terms of durability and performance. One or more layers of bundled fibers are wrapped around a large central core.

Monofilament
Monofilament is pre-stretched and coated string. As the name suggests, one single core makes up the string. It's thicker for more durability and thinner for more feel and control.


String Thickness

The thickness of tennis string is measured by the string gauge. Most manufacturers of string produce strings from 15-18 gauge, with 15 gauge string the thickest, and 18 gauge string the thinnest. They come in half sizes, with "L" (for "Light") indicating a half size. For example, 15L is a popular string gauge, which is a 15.5 gauge string.

The general rules of string thickness are:
1. Thicker strings afford more durability (15, 15L gauges).
2. Thinner strings offer more playability (16, 17, 18).

Thicker strings (lower gauges) offer a stiffer, less resilient string bed. Thinner strings (higher gauges) offer a more resilient or elastic string bed, which is preferable for playing performance. So, thinner is better for performance, but the durability factor (cost and inconvenience of restringing) enters the picture.


String Tension

String tension has an important impact on tennis play and the performance of a tennis racquet. The choice of string tension is also an individual preference, even among the best tennis players in the world. Different strings have different recommended ranges, and so do tennis racquets. Players should choose their string tension within these two recommended ranges.

The basic rules for string tension are simple:
1. Looser strings offer more power, a bigger sweet spot and more comfort.
2. Tighter strings offer more control.

With loose strings, the soft string bed acts like a trampoline and adds additional power to the ball. But, with the trampoline effect, some control is lost, since the ball may "trampoline" in a slightly different direction than intended.

The sweet spot of a softer string bed is also slightly bigger with the looser strings. Beginners don't need more power, but they do need a bigger sweet spot, so they should have looser strings than the hard hitting pros. A softer string bed is also softer on the elbow and shoulder for anyone dealing with injuries or sore arms. With tighter strings, the stiffer string bed will pass along any vibrations (from off-center hits) to the injured joints.

With tight strings, the stiffer string bed acts more like a flat board with less trampoline effect (less power). However, boards are flat and the ball bounces more consistently off the flatter, stiffer string bed, which produces more control. The hard-hitting pros don't need more power -- they have plenty of that. They need more control, so they tend to use tighter strings than recreational players.


Hybrid Strings

With a traditional string bed, players must choose between power, durability, comfort or spin. However, by selecting 2 different types of strings, one for the mains and one for the crosses, players can take advantage of the combined benefits of each string type for even greater results.

Principle function of the Main Strings:
Durability.
Good ball effect/spin.

Principle function of the Cross Strings:
Power & speed of the ball.
Cushioning of the strokes.

With hybrid strings, the mains and crosses sometimes are strung at different tensions, since different strings have different tension holding characteristics.