STRING TYPES
Tennis strings fall into four main categories: Natural Gut, Polyester, Multifilament, Synthetic Gut. You can also have them strung as hybrids to suit your playing style.
Natural Gut
Made from cow intestines. They choose cattle that graze high up in the mountains as their diet can accidentally contain hard to process stones and debris adding to the strength of the end product.
– Feel and Power: Known for unmatched comfort and ball contact time, resulting in exceptional power and feel.
– Tension Maintenance: Maintains tension due to the natural stretch of the intestine.
– Arm-Friendly: Excellent shock absorption reduces vibration to prevent injuries.
– Durability in Hybrid: While less durable than polyester alone, it can last longer in terms of playability and/or performance when properly maintained.
– Durability can be lacking if hitting heavy off centre hits before the string has “bedded in”
– Dislikes being used in wet conditions as the protective layer can only keep the water out for so long.
– If treated well, can last months (I had a whole summer of coaching and playing out of a set once).
Polyester
– Primarily made from a stiff, durable synthetic polymer, typically designed as a single solid filament (monofilament). Can also be made from a co-polymer like Babolat RPM Blast.
– Spin Generation: The stiffness and low-friction allow increase string movement. This allows the main string to slide out of position and then quickly “snap back” to its original position, creating more RPM on the ball.
– Control: Due to low elasticity (stiffness), they offer superior ball control for players with fast swing speeds, preventing the ball from sailing long.
– Durability: Extremely resistant to breaking, making them popular with heavy hitters.
– Shaped Varieties: Available in shapes like hexagons or squares to further enhance “bite” on the ball.
– Can be hard on the body; shock and/or vibration can be passed up the arm.
– Some manufactures recommend theirs to be strung a certain % lower than your usual tension due to their strings stiffness (Luxilon, Hyper G etc)
– Off centre hits (around the frame) can cause strings to snap due to the less stretch they have.
– I use Luxilon Alu Power. I enjoy the characteristics of this string. However my tension is at 32lbs (14.5kg) as this reduces the stress of the stiffer polyester on my wrist. Not many players enjoy such a low tension though.
Multifilament
– Made of multiple strands of filaments
– Arm Comfort: Due to their construction they are excellent at absorbing more shock. This makes them an excellent choice for injury prevention.
– Power: They can provide good, easy power, making them great for a multitude of different players.
– Feel: They are often described as having a soft, lively, or “crisp” feel.
– Tension Maintenance: Generally, they hold their tension better than polyester strings although they can fluff up with use.
– Durability can be good or bad depending on your unique style of play. Can last a week can last years.
– A more durable and cost effective version of natural gut (just not as good feel / playability)
Synthetic Gut
– Primarily nylon, featuring a solid center core with one or more outer wraps/coils for increased durability and, in some cases, added stiffness.
– Price: Very cost effective string
– Comfort: Good, soft feel that is arm-friendly (not as good as natural gut or multifilament)
– Performance: Good all-around base string for power, control, and tension maintenance.
– Best For: Beginners, recreational players, and those seeking a budget-friendly option.
– Limitations: Less durable than polyester strings, breaking faster for heavy hitters; does the base of what a string should do but doesn’t excel in any particular category.
– I would use these in a hybrid: Usually recommend as a cross string with a stiffer polyester in the mains. For matches I used to use Luxilon Alu Power (mains) with a Prince synthetic gut (cross) 51lbs (23kg).
Hybrids
– Hybrids combine different types of strings. These offer to balance out the pros and cons of having just once string.
– Usually a tougher polyester is used on the main string (as this is the string that does the majority of moving during hitting).
– Usually a softer or more feel string is used on the crosses. This is to help reduce the negatives of the polyester whilst also gaining the positives of the second string.
– Some brands do have pre-paired strings for this; Head IntelliTour being one of these.
– As above, I mainly used Luxilon Alu Power with a Prince Synthetic Gut as a cross
– I played a whole summer, coaching and playing (mens premier doubles – no singles) with only one set of Champions Choice (Luxilon Alu Power with Natural Gut crosses).
– Federer would play with Natural Gut in the main and Luxilon in the crosses as he preferred that feel. Although he did not have to worry about the stringing cost/durability!
TENSION
– Tennis rackets recommended stringing tension generally ranges from 40 to 65 lbs (18-29 kg).
– Lower tensions (40-50 lbs) provide more power and/or comfort due to the “trampoline” effect.
– Higher tensions (60+ lbs) offer greater control and precision.
– If you are unsure where to begin; I suggest to starting in the middle, of your rackets, recommended tension range. Once you have found your preferred string, I would then suggest playing around with your tension. Easy analogy: The tennis racket frame is the car, the strings are the engine and the tension are the tyres.
– I mainly measure tension in pounds due to the finer scale but it makes no difference.
STRINGING FREQUENCY
“How often should I restring my racket?”
I recommend at least 4 times a year. I believe this a nice middle ground between cost, injury prevention and performance. Of course, more is always better!
“Why do I need to get my racket restrung?”
There are a number of reasons why rackets require restringing:
Tension Loss
String characteristics are based on the tension you choose to have your racket strung at. Strings are always losing tension. Within the first 24 hours you see the largest bulk percentage decrease of your chosen tension. Along with natural tension loss; fluctuating temperatures, wet weather and you hitting them repeatedly, your strings have to put up with a lot of abuse. This leads to more tension loss over time.
String Characteristic Changes
As strings lose tension and become used, in tennis terms, they become “dead”. Dead strings can increase the risk of injury. This is due to the changed playing characteristics requiring negative technique adaptations. Most commonly it is when players try and manually produce more racket head speed to compensate for loss of power and/or spin. This requires more forearm muscle activation, which increase the strain taken by your tendons which can then lead to tennis or golfers elbow.
Reduced Vibration Dampening
If there is.a reduced vibration dampening, that vibration has to be absorbed somewhere else. Wrist, elbow, shoulder. Where ever that is, it can cause damage and/or pain.
“Why 4 times a year and not 2?”
The two major stringing times are the start of summer and the start of winter. We see those as the 2 most important times to get your racket restrung, due to the changes in temperature. 6 months is a long time to go between restrings. Reasons for the mid summer / mid winter restrings:
Mid Summer
- Playing more tennis
- Leaving your racket in hot places e.g. cars, direct sunlight, home (temp changes)
- New balls: a lot more reactive to inputs
- Fluctuation with day time and evening temps
Mid Winter
- Putting your racket in heated rooms, next to radiators and in your car (temp changes)
- Wet tennis balls – Heavier ball being hit!
- Not drying your strings after playing – moisture is a string killer (synthetic gut/multifilament/natural gut effected most)
“I break my strings all the time, what can I do?
This is generally down to technique issues and/or the wrong string choice for you. I can help with both of those.
However, some players are just string breakers. Heavy flat hitters, or heavy topspin players increase the chances of being a string breaker. As I said above though, I have found if you understand the cause, you can usually find ways to reduce how often it happens.
OUR STRINGS – SIMPLIFIED
CLUB
Prince Synthetic Gut – “Synth” (Synthetic Gut)
NEUTRAL – No stand out strength or weakness
Upgrade: Head Sonic Pro Hybrid
Head Sonic Pro – “Sonic Pro” (Polyester)
FEEL – Comfort with good all round playability/control
The best string for uncertain players – Helps find out what your game is missing
Upgrade: Control – Volkl Cyclone // Power – Babolat RPM Blast
ACADEMY
Yonex Poly Tour Pro – “Poly Tour” (Polyester)
HIGH DURABILITY/CONTROL – Softer feel than Babolat Pro Hurricane but not as forgiving with off centre hits (prone to breaking near the frame).
Babolat Pro Hurricane – “Pro Hurricane” (Polyester)
HIGH DURABILITY/CONTROL – Harder feeling that the Yonex Poly Tour Pro and slightly higher durability
Volkl Cyclone – “Volkl” (Polyester)
HIGH DURABILITY/GOOD FEEL – A durable poly that offers a better feel than others, without losing its durability and power.
Head IntelliTour – “Intellitour” (Polyester Hybrid)
POWER – For flatter hitters who want more power from their strings. Good control but not as much as the professional strings as hybrids.
PROFESSIONAL
Babolat RPM Blast – “RPM Blast” (Co-Polyester)
SPIN/POWER – Octagonal Shape – For players that create a lot of racket head speed. Softer than most polyesters so easier on the arm (not as soft as Sonic Pro though!). Fantastic tension maintenance.
Luxilon Alu Power Big Banger – “Big Banger” (Polyester)
CONTROL – Top used string on tour – Unmatched control. Not very forgiving/doesn’t generate much power (need to hit through the shot)
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase – “Biphase” (Mulitfilament)
COMFORT – Good if you have any wrist or shoulder problems. Fantastic shock absorption with good control, power and spin potential. Will fluff up with use
NATURAL GUT
Champions Choice – “Champs Choice” (Polyester/Natural Gut)
CONTROL/FEEL/COMFORT + more power than Big Banger on its own – Due to the natural gut this will soften the feel of the string and increase the power and touch the player has
Wilson Natural Gut – “The Cloud” (Natural Gut)
SUPER FEEL/COMFORT – Like the name suggests! Amazing feel of the ball. Not as much spin potential as Champs Choice but an unbelievable string choice with incredible comfort.
jwstringing.co.uk 