The right tennis string can make your racket feel livelier, softer, or more controlled without changing the frame. It can also affect how much spin you produce, how often you break strings, and how comfortable long sessions feel on your arm.
Start with how you play and what you want to improve—not with a pro’s setup. A heavy topspin hitter who breaks strings every week has different needs from a doubles player looking for a softer feel. This guide covers string types, gauge, tension, and six popular options to help you choose a practical setup.
Choose a String Type That Fits Your Game
Natural gut
Natural gut is very comfortable and holds tension well. It offers a lively response, which can help players who want easy depth without swinging harder. Its main drawbacks are price and lower resistance to moisture and rough use. It can be an excellent choice in a hybrid, where gut is paired with a more durable string.
Multifilament
Multifilament strings are made from many fine fibers, often with a protective coating. They tend to feel softer than polyester and are a useful option for players who want comfort but do not want to pay for natural gut. They can fray or break sooner for players who hit with heavy spin.
Polyester
Polyester strings are popular with players who swing fast and generate their own power. They often provide a firm, controlled response and can help with spin-friendly ball movement. The trade-off is comfort: a full bed of poly can feel harsh, especially at high tension or in a stiff racket. Poly also loses playability over time, sometimes before it breaks. If it starts feeling unusually stiff or lifeless, restringing may help—even if the strings are intact.
Synthetic gut
Synthetic gut is a budget-friendly, general-purpose option. It suits beginners and recreational players who want a straightforward string without a strong preference for a soft or firm feel. It usually does not match premium multifilament for comfort or polyester for durability under heavy spin, but it can be a sensible starting point.
Six Strings Worth Considering
These are established options, not a ranking. Match the string to your comfort needs, swing, and budget; the same string can feel different in different rackets.
| String | Type and feel | Good fit for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babolat RPM Blast | Shaped polyester; firm, spin-friendly response | Fast swingers who want control and a pronounced spin feel | Can feel harsh for sensitive arms; not ideal for players seeking easy power |
| Luxilon ALU Power | Polyester; crisp and controlled | Players who create their own pace and like a direct response | Premium price and limited comfort compared with softer options |
| Solinco Hyper-G | Shaped polyester; firm with a strong grip-on-the-ball feel | Baseline players who hit with heavy topspin | May feel too stiff or muted for a player who wants a soft bed |
| Wilson NXT | Multifilament; soft and lively | Comfort-focused players and those moving away from full poly | Can fray or break quickly with heavy topspin |
| Tecnifibre X-One Biphase | Multifilament; plush with good power | Players who value comfort and a responsive feel | Costs more than basic synthetic gut and may not last for frequent string breakers |
| HEAD Velocity MLT | Multifilament; relatively controlled for a multifilament | Players who want comfort without an overly lively response | Still may wear faster than polyester for heavy hitters |
For example, a player who hits hard and breaks multifilament in a few sessions might try a polyester such as Hyper-G or RPM Blast, but should pay attention to comfort and replace it when it loses its feel. A player who gets arm discomfort may be better off testing NXT, X-One Biphase, or Velocity MLT rather than switching to a stiffer poly for more control.
How to Pick the Right Gauge
Gauge is the string’s thickness. Numbers vary by brand, but 16 gauge is generally thicker than 17 gauge, while 18 gauge is thinner. A thicker string often lasts longer. A thinner string can feel livelier and may offer more bite, but it can break sooner. These are tendencies, not guarantees: string shape, material, racket pattern, and your contact all matter.
If you rarely break strings, try a thinner gauge only if you want a livelier response or more feel. If you break strings often, a thicker gauge may extend their life. Change one thing at a time so you can tell whether the difference came from gauge, tension, or string type.
Set Tension for Comfort and Control
Use the tension range printed on your racket as a starting guide, and ask your stringer what works well in that frame. Lower tension usually gives the string bed a livelier response and can feel more comfortable; higher tension can feel firmer and more controlled. The effect depends on the racket and string, so there is no perfect number for everyone.
Many recreational players begin near the middle of the racket’s recommended range, then adjust in small steps—often around 2 pounds at a time. If balls fly long, a small increase may help. If the bed feels board-like or your arm is uncomfortable, consider lowering tension or trying a softer string. Avoid assuming that high tension automatically means more control; it can also make the racket feel less comfortable and reduce depth.
Should You Try a Hybrid Setup?
A hybrid uses one string in the main (vertical) strings and another in the crosses (horizontal). A common approach is polyester in the mains for control and a multifilament or natural gut in the crosses for a softer feel. This can be a useful middle ground for a player who likes poly but finds a full bed uncomfortable.
Hybrids are not automatically arm-friendly, and the result depends on the specific strings and tensions. If comfort is the main concern, placing a softer string in the mains is another option. Ask a knowledgeable stringer to help choose a combination, and record the setup so you can compare it fairly.
A Simple Way to Test a New Setup
- Write down your current setup: string model, gauge, tension, and roughly how long it has been installed.
- Choose one change: for instance, keep the tension but replace full polyester with a multifilament.
- Play several sessions: notice comfort, depth, control, spin, and whether the strings move or break quickly.
- Adjust gradually: change tension or gauge next, rather than changing everything at once.
Also consider how often you play. A string that feels excellent on the first day may not suit you if it becomes uncomfortable or loses response quickly. Regular restringing helps keep the racket’s feel more consistent; players who rarely break strings should not wait for a snap as their only signal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tennis string for beginners?
Synthetic gut or a comfortable multifilament is a good place to start. Both are easier on the arm than many full-poly setups, and they let a new player focus on technique rather than managing a very firm string bed.
Is polyester string a good choice for tennis elbow?
Not usually as a first choice. Polyester can feel firm, particularly in a full bed, and may aggravate discomfort for some players. Consider a softer multifilament or natural gut, lower tension, and guidance from a qualified medical professional if pain continues.
Does higher tension give more control?
It can make the string bed feel firmer, but higher tension is not a guaranteed control fix. It may reduce comfort and make it harder to get depth. Test small changes within your racket’s recommended range.
How often should I restring my racket?
It depends on how much you play, your string type, and how quickly the strings lose feel or break. Polyester can become less lively before it snaps, while other strings may show fraying or notching. Keep track of hours played and restring when performance or comfort noticeably changes.
Final Thoughts
For a comfortable starting point, try synthetic gut or multifilament. If you swing fast, want a firmer response, and tolerate the feel, test a polyester at a sensible tension. Choose gauge based on how often you break strings and how lively you want the racket to feel. Make one change at a time, take notes, and let your own results—not a professional’s setup—guide the next restring.
