Your elbow is barking, the ball feels heavier than it used to, and every off-center hit sends a little reminder up your arm. Before you blame your backhand—or swear off tennis altogether—look at what’s in your racket. A stiff string bed, especially a full bed of polyester, can make an already sore arm work harder. The right string won’t magically heal tennis elbow, but switching to a softer setup can make hitting more comfortable while you address the real cause.
Here’s the simple starting point: if your elbow hurts, try natural gut or a comfortable multifilament, and consider restringing at a sensible, slightly lower tension. These picks are popular options, not medical treatments; comfort still depends on your racket, technique, tension, and how your arm responds.
What to look for in a tennis-elbow string
Natural gut and multifilament strings are usually the first places to look for a softer-feeling setup. Gut uses natural fibers; multifilaments bundle many fine synthetic fibers to create a more flexible feel than most polyester strings. Neither category guarantees pain relief, and players can react differently to the same racket-and-string combination.
Polyester is durable and helps many players control heavy topspin, but it often feels firmer than gut or multifilament. If you have elbow symptoms, a full bed of poly is a poor first experiment. If you’re committed to poly, talk with a qualified stringer about a softer alternative and consider a full switch while symptoms settle, rather than assuming a hybrid will protect your arm.
Tension matters, but there’s no magic number. A modest drop from your usual tension may give the bed a more forgiving feel; stay within the racket manufacturer’s recommended range and change one variable at a time. And don’t keep playing through worsening pain: tennis elbow, commonly used to describe pain around the outside of the elbow, deserves assessment from a medical professional if it persists or interferes with daily activities.
Best tennis strings for players with tennis elbow
| String | Type | Good fit for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babolat VS Touch | Natural gut | Maximum comfort and feel | Price and moisture sensitivity |
| Tecnifibre X-One Biphase | Multifilament | Comfort with lively response | Not the longest-lasting choice |
| Wilson NXT | Multifilament | Comfort-minded all-court players | Can fray and wear |
| HEAD Velocity MLT | Multifilament | Comfort on a tighter budget | Less plush than premium options for some players |
| Yonex Rexis Comfort | Multifilament | A soft, controlled-feeling response | Feel and durability are personal |
1. Babolat VS Touch: the premium comfort pick
Natural gut is the classic choice when comfort is the priority, and VS Touch is one of the best-known gut strings. It offers a lively response, excellent feel, and strong tension maintenance compared with many synthetic strings. That can suit a player who wants the ball to come off the racket without having to swing at full blast on every shot.
- Pros: Plush feel, strong playability over time, and useful power for compact swings.
- Cons: Expensive, less appealing if you break strings often, and it needs protection from moisture.
For a recreational player with elbow symptoms who doesn’t regularly snap strings, gut may be worth the spend. Ask your stringer whether your frame and playing conditions are a good match for it.
2. Tecnifibre X-One Biphase: a lively multifilament
X-One Biphase is a premium multifilament with a crisp, springy response. It can be a nice transition for a player moving away from poly who still wants easy depth and a responsive feel. Think of a doubles player trying to get a deep return without muscling every ball: the extra liveliness can help, though it takes a little adjustment if you’re used to a deadened poly bed.
- Pros: Comfortable, powerful, and lively on touch shots.
- Cons: Some players find it too powerful, and heavy hitters may wear through it faster than a durable polyester.
If control is an issue, ask your stringer about a small tension adjustment rather than jumping straight back to stiff poly.
3. Wilson NXT: a familiar comfort-focused option
Wilson NXT is a well-established multifilament aimed at a comfortable, forgiving response. It can suit recreational players who want a softer-feeling string without the cost of natural gut. From baseline rallies to a late stretch volley, it offers a more cushioned impression than many full-poly setups.
- Pros: Comfort-oriented feel, accessible compared with natural gut, and a good option for players seeking an easy transition from poly.
- Cons: It can fray with use, and frequent string breakers may find its lifespan disappointing.
It’s a practical trial string, not a promise that elbow pain will disappear. Keep notes on comfort, control, and how quickly the strings wear so your next restring is an informed choice.
4. HEAD Velocity MLT: a sensible-value trial
Velocity MLT is a multifilament worth considering when you want to experiment with a softer setup without immediately choosing a premium-priced string. It generally offers a more controlled response than the liveliest multis, though “controlled” is relative: racket, tension, and swing all shape the result.
- Pros: Often a cost-conscious way to try multifilament, with a balanced feel for everyday play.
- Cons: Players seeking the plushest possible response may prefer gut or a softer-feeling premium multi; durability varies with spin and contact.
This is a sensible pick if you’re unsure whether a full multifilament bed suits your game. Start with your normal tension or a modest reduction, then assess how your arm feels during and after play.
5. Yonex Rexis Comfort: a softer-feeling alternative
Rexis Comfort is another multifilament option for players prioritizing a forgiving response. It may appeal to someone who wants a comfortable string bed but doesn’t want to give up all sense of control. As with every string on this list, the feel depends on the racket and tension—what feels soft in one frame can feel quite different in another.
- Pros: Comfort-focused construction and a useful option for players moving away from a full bed of poly.
- Cons: Not as durable as many polyester strings for frequent string breakers, and personal feel preferences differ.
Ask your stringer to recommend a trial tension based on your racket and current setup, rather than copying a number from another player.
How to choose—and make the switch
If you’re unsure where to begin, choose the category that matches your priorities. Natural gut is the premium comfort option; multifilament is a more accessible way to try a softer feel. If you’re a chronic string breaker, test a multifilament before investing in gut, and ask your stringer how long each option typically lasts for someone with your hitting style.
When you restring, change one thing at a time. For example, move from full poly to a multifilament bed but keep the racket and grip the same. If it feels too springy, make a modest tension adjustment next time. Write down the string, tension, date, and how your arm feels after a session. That simple record is more useful than guessing after three different equipment changes.
Also check the bigger picture. A string change won’t fix a grip that’s too small, a racket that feels unstable on off-center hits, or a stroke habit that repeatedly irritates your arm. A qualified coach can review your technique, while a clinician or physical therapist can assess persistent pain and guide a return to play. A vibration dampener changes the sound and feel at impact, but it shouldn’t be treated as an elbow-pain fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are multifilament strings good for tennis elbow?
They’re often a sensible option because many feel softer than polyester. Try one if you currently use full poly, but remember that string choice alone can’t diagnose or treat elbow pain.
Should I use natural gut or multifilament?
Choose gut if comfort and long-lasting playability justify the higher cost and you don’t break strings frequently. Choose multifilament for a more affordable trial or if you want to avoid gut’s care requirements.
What tension is best for tennis elbow?
There’s no universal best tension. A modest reduction from your normal setting may make the string bed feel more forgiving, but stay within the racket’s recommended range and ask a stringer who knows your frame and playing style.
Can I keep using polyester if my elbow hurts?
Some players choose to, but full-bed polyester is generally not the first setup to test when comfort is the priority. Consider switching to gut or multifilament and seek professional advice if pain persists or worsens.
Final Thoughts
For a sore-arm setup, start with a softer category, not a miracle promise. Babolat VS Touch is the premium gut option; X-One Biphase, Wilson NXT, HEAD Velocity MLT, and Yonex Rexis Comfort are multifilaments to compare. Make one change at a time, track how your arm responds, and get persistent pain checked. The goal isn’t just a softer-feeling string bed—it’s getting back to confident, comfortable tennis.
