What to Coose?

 

Strings are the heart of any tennis racket, and alter the way a racket 'plays'.

​

Often players who suddenly struggle with a racket, will look to buy a new one. Instead, we would recommend reviewing the strings in your racket, and perhaps getting a fresh set chosen specifically to compliment, and enhance your game and play style.

​​

​String type, thickness and tension of the string affect the way your racket feels when you play a shot, and the way the ball reacts. Many club players give the matter little thought, but these string characteristics make a big difference to a player's control of the ball, spin generation and impact how often their strings break.

 

Here’s a short guide that explains the main string types, tensions, gauges, and recommended setups so you can select the perfect option for your game.

 

There’s no definitive answer to which strings are best, but taking the time to ensure your strings suit your technique, preferred style of play and other personal preferences can give you an advantage over players who overlook it.​

​

​

String Types

​

Polyester Strings

​​

Polyester strings offer maximum control, spin, and durability. They suit players with fast, modern swings who generate their own power.

​

Best for: aggressive baseliners, topspin players, competitive juniors

 

Pros: control, spin, durability

Cons: stiff feel, reduced comfort

​

Examples: Solinco Hyper‑G, Babolat RPM Blast, Yonex Poly Tour Pro

​

 

Multifilament Strings

​

Multifilaments are soft, powerful, and arm‑friendly. They are designed to mimic natural gut and provide excellent comfort.

​

Best for: beginners, all‑court players, anyone with arm sensitivity

​

Pros: comfort, power

Cons: lower durability

 

Examples: Wilson NXT, Head Velocity MLT

​

​

Synthetic Gut

 

A great all‑round option offering balanced performance at an affordable price. Best for: recreational players, juniors, budget‑friendly setups Pros: predictable feel, good value Cons: average durability

​

Examples: Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex

 

 

Natural Gut

The premium choice for players who want the best possible feel, comfort, and tension stability.

 

Best for: advanced players, touch players, hybrid setups

 

Pros: comfort, power, tension stability

Cons: expensive, less durable

 

Examples: Babolat VS Touch, Wilson Natural Gut

​

​

Hybrid Strings

Hybrid setups combine two string types (usually poly mains and gut or multifilament crosses) to balance control and comfort.

 

Best for: players wanting spin and control without sacrificing feel

 

Pros: spin, comfort, durability

Cons: more complex to customise

​

Examples: Poly mains with gut or multifilament crosses

​

​

Choosing Strings by Playing Style

Power Players

Recommended: polyester or hybrid

Tension: 48–54 lbs

Control and spin help manage big swings.

​

Spin Players

Recommended: shaped polyester

Tension: 45–52 lbs

Edges grip the ball for maximum rotation.

​

Control Players

Recommended: firm polyester or hybrid

Tension: 50–55 lbs

A predictable response suits precision hitters.

​

Comfort Players

Recommended: multifilament or natural gut

Tension: 52–58 lbs

Soft, arm‑friendly feel with added power.

 

All‑Round Players

Recommended: synthetic gut or soft polyester

Tension: 50–55 lbs

Balanced performance for most club players.

​

​

String Tension Guide

​

Each racket has a recommended tension range but this can also be influenced by the string type, i.e. lower tension for Multifilament strings can be classed as higher tension for Polyester strings.

​

Low Tension (40–48 lbs)

More power, more comfort, larger sweet spot. Best for spin hitters and players with arm sensitivity. Typically only Polyester strings would be strung at these levels.

​

Medium Tension (49–54 lbs)

Balanced power and control. Suitable for most players and string types.

​

High Tension (55–62 lbs)

Maximum control and a firmer feel. Best for flat hitters and precision‑focused players but often only used with Synthetic Gut and Multifilament strings.

​

​

How Often to Restring

​

If you have a snapped string or there is prominent fraying then there is no time like the present!

 

However outside of that, a simple rule is to restring as many times per year as you play per week.

​

A more detailed guidance is:

​

• Polyester: every 10–20 hours of playing time

• Multifilament: every 20–30 hours

• Synthetic Gut: every 15–25 hours

• Natural Gut: every 30–40 hours

​

If your strings feel “dead,” and you find you are losing control and hitting longer for no reason, then the chances are they are due for replacement.

​

​

String Gauge (Thickness)

​

16 Gauge / 1.30mm

Thicker, more durable and is best for frequent string breakers who when using more fragile strings such as Synthetic Gut or Multifilament. 

​

16L Gauge / 1.25mm

Balanced performance and is the sweet spot for many Polyester strings where it offers a great mix of durability and playability. Typically recommended for most club players.

​

17 Gauge / 1.20mm

Thinner giving more access to spin and feel, often used by juniors and spin‑focused players.

​

 

String Profile​

​

The profile of a tennis string refers to its shape and surface texture and directly influences how the ball interacts with the string bed.

​

Shaped Strings

These have hexagonal, pentagonal or twisted edges that grip the ball, creating more friction and boosting spin. They offer extra control but slightly reduce power and durability.

​

Round strings

These slide more easily, producing stronger snap‑back for power and a smoother, more comfortable feel. They’re also more durable and consistent.

​

Textured Strings

Add surface roughness to increase grip, giving players extra spin without the stiffness of heavily shaped profiles.

​

In simple terms:

Shaped = more spin and control  
Round = more power and comfort  
Textured = added grip for spin

​

 

Recommended Setups by Level

​

Beginner ​

​

​If you're just getting started, or play casually, the most important element is to learn the fundamentals of tennis technique and footwork, rather than focussing on expensive strings (or rackets!) as the benefits are unlikely to be realised.

​

Synthetic Gut in a thicker gauge this is a great and cost-effective option, this all-round string offers comfort and some durability at this level.

​

Tension: 52–55 lbs

​​

​

Intermediate

​

Those who generate topspin, and are comfortable playing a range of tennis shots, can benefit from the characteristics offered by particular strings and medium gauges to help elevate their game.

​​​

Multifilament: Next level of Synthetic Gut offering comfort, power and feel

Co-Poly: Gain the extra spin and control available with these strings  

Hybrid: A Co-Poly in the mains and Multifilament in the crosses helps get a mix of the two types

​​

Tension: 48–55 lbs 

​​

​

Advanced

​​

Competitive players, who have long, full strokes and sound technique, and who can generate their own power with control, will benefit from Polyester strings for maximum performance where they can unlock specific 'play' characteristics offered by individual string types.

​​

Tension: 45–50 lbs

 

 

Injury History

​

If you have experienced, or are currently in the midst of, arm discomfort, such as tennis elbow, then opting for comfort-based strings such as natural gut or multifilament will best, or, if the pain isn't too severe, a hybrid including a soft Poly may also be suitable.

​​

Combined with thicker string gauges and lower tensions, these string setups will help reduce the stress on your arm while still providing you with a string that can enhance aspects of your game.

​

​

Browse Our Strings

​

Head to our Book Online page where you can browse our collection of stocked strings and choose your next re-string.

 

We offer technical specifications and descriptions of all our strings, so you can use this guide to pick out a string to compliment your game. 

​

Alternatively please get in touch with any questions.

​​​

​​

​

​

​​

​​

​​

​​