Maybe you’re an experienced player wanting to take your tennis game to the next level. Perhaps you were channeling your inner Naomi Osaka and broke your strings while smashing back some huge ground strokes. But before you head to the pro shop, check out this tennis strings guide to help you select the best tennis strings for your tennis game!
How to choose tennis strings for your game
Racquet strings can make a big difference in how you play your game. The feel, distance, and spin of each stroke can change with the type, tension, and size of your strings. If you’re paying tennis, it’s important to find the best strings for your racquet and game.
While there’s really no substitute for practice and experience, the right strings will make a difference in how your racquet feels, moves, and handles the ball. How a new tennis racquet is strung will have a big impact on its performance.
Tennis strings for control
If you struggle to keep your shots inside the lines and find yourself with a lot of unforced errors, you may be looking for a string that will allow you to let your shots rip without worrying about them sailing long. The following are the best tennis strings for control strings and as such, are perfect for players who want to get the ball to do what they want without getting it to do what they don’t.
The top 5 best tennis strings for control
Tennis strings for spin
If your game is built around generating a lot of spin on the ball as it is for Rafa Nadal then this article will help you find the best tennis strings for spin. You may also be interested in these strings if generating spin is a part of your game that you are currently struggling with.
The top 7 best tennis strings for spin
- Wilson Revolve Spin
- Luxilon ALU Power Spin
- Babolat RPM Blast
- Prince Unisex’s White Topspin
- HEAD Gravity
- Babolat RPM Blast Rough
- Tecnifibre ATP Razor Code
Best tennis strings for power
Many tennis players strive for more power on their shots. The best tennis strings for power help players generate enough of this power naturally.
The top 4 best strings for power
Signs that your tennis racquet needs to be restrung
- Strings are showing signs of “fraying”. They are no longer smooth and have a roughness before splitting.
- Strings are moving or running across each other. They no longer stay in place and look more crooked than normal, especially after a rally.
- Strings begin to make a “thud” sound at contact.
- You feel that your ball has far less control and touch than normal.
As a general rule, you’ll want to replace your tennis racquet strings every six months. If you have more standing court times on your calendar each week, replace your strings one time annually for each weekday you play (play seven days/week, replace seven times/year).
Advantages and challenges of each string type
Tennis strings are made out of several different materials, each with its own advantages and challenges. Each string is made up of a core, tightly covered up by material wrapped around it. Just like each unique player, your success depends on what you’re made of!
Monofilament tennis strings
Monofilament Strings, are, as the name implies, made of one kind of material, usually polyester. This material is treated so its shape can withstand lots of power. While monofilament strings are very durable, you need to be sure you’re ok with putting a lot of muscle into each shot.
If you love watching your opponent struggle to return your favorite spin shots, these strings are the best! Because they are stiff, they offer a great advantage for generating spin!
Many pros will warn you that using polyester strings could cause injury or muscle fatigue from overuse. Your monofilament strings will also lose tension faster than other strings.
If you don’t mind getting your racquet strings tightened on the regular, and you love spin, try the monofilament out. If your physical condition can’t keep up with Rafael Nadal or the Williams sisters, proceed with caution! These may or may not be the best strings for you.
Multifilament strings
Multifilament Strings are compiled of, you’ve guessed it, more than one type of material! All of these materials are bonded together in one harmonious strand to provide you, the athlete, with optimal comfort. Multifilament strings are perfect for the more sensitive player.
If you struggle with tennis elbow, tendonitis, or higher sensitivity to impact, you’ll be friends with the multifilament! Multifilament strings will provide you with great stroke support while saving the impact on your body. Like it’s neighbor the monofilament, these strings will lose tension a little faster than other strings.
Natural gut strings
Natural gut strings. Yes, that’s the actual name and as the name suggests they are made from the fibers of cow intestines.
Natural gut strings are the Bianca Andreescu and Angelique Kerber of tennis strings. Don’t subject them to too much temperature, humidity, and rain or they’ll cause some drama.
Just like Andreescu and Kerber, they’re top-notch. If you’re looking for the best of the best, these tennis strings are the best for you. If you’re willing to make the sizable investment, you’ll be at a serious advantage with your game.
These would be an excellent complement to your advanced level racquet purchase! Just be sure to take care of what you’ve got. These strings don’t grow on trees, you know!
Synthetic gut strings
Synthetic gut strings are the winners of the tennis string popularity contest. These strings are the sweetheart of the amateur tennis world. If you pick up a pre-strung racquet at a big box store, it’s very likely strung with synthetic gut strings. Synthetic gut strings offer a monofilament core surrounded by monofilament or multifilament fibers.
Synthetic gut strings’ unique make-up means they are very versatile. Beginner to advanced level players enjoy the wide price range and durability of synthetic gut strings. If you’re looking for the best tennis strings to match your intermediate level racquet, let me suggest Mr. Popular, the synthetic gut string!
Hybrid strings
What are hybrid strings? Hybrid doesn’t refer to a specific type of string its a unique way in which your tennis racquet can be strung. Since some players enjoy elements of synthetic and natural gut strings, choosing a hybrid option allows the player to combine these two string types together.
If it sounds too harmonious to be true, it’s not! Hybrid strings are a great cost-efficient option if you really want natural gut but can’t stomach the price. If you’re all about the bang but don’t have the buck, hybrid are the best strings for your tennis game.
Kevlar strings
Kevlar strings are last for a reason. These strings are the last to be picked by a doubles partner on tennis night. Before you feel sorry for Kevlar, I’ll tell you why.
Kevlar strings are made to be incredibly durable. If you tend to break strings in John McEnroe style court-side expressions of frustration, you may want Kevlar. If you’re consistently breaking through any of the aforementioned strings, you may want Kevlar.
Please be warned, though, Kevlar strings will require more power from you. This may lead to more wear and tear on your muscles, tendons, or joints. If you’ve the muscle and the might, you might be best with Kevlar strings!
Selecting the right string tension
The amount of tension makes a pretty big difference in your game! You can find the suggested tension range on your meticulously selected racquet. Once you’ve chosen the best strings for your racquet, take a look at your experience level.
If you’re a beginner, it’s best to start in the middle of that suggested range. Once you’ve had more time to volley, serve, and overhead smash some more, you’ll be able to play around with different tensions.
Higher string tension will result in more control on your part. You’ll also be able to enjoy more durability with a higher tension number. If you don’t mind losing a little pop in your play, trend a bit higher on your racquet’s suggested tension range.
Conversely, lower tension will allow you more power and overall comfort with your favorite groundstroke or serve. You’ll also feel the impact of that overhead smash a little more with looser strings. It’s best to communicate your preferences to find the best strings for your game next time you take your racquet in for restringing.
Keep in mind, racquet tension will decrease up to 10% within the first 24 hours of leaving the pro-shop. If you’re not immediately happy with the feel of that freshly re-strung racquet, give it a few days before making up your mind.
String gauge number
I’m talking about the gauge of your racquet string! Each string will come with a gauge number. The most common gauge number is 16.
Each number correlates with a specific size measured in mm. Sometimes, numbers will have an “L”, which stands for light. This indicates it’s a little thinner.
Gauge numbers can be a bit confusing because the measurement rule seems backwards. The lower the number, the thicker the string. The higher the number, the thinner the string.
Thin strings mean more power, more spin, more comfort. The downside to more power is a greater tendency to break. If you’re consistently breaking those strings, lower the gauge.
If you like your groundstrokes and net game textbook, to-the-point, and without any fancy ball work, it’s best to lean towards a thicker gauge.
Conclusion: how to pick the best tennis strings
One of the most important pieces of equipment is your tennis racquet. The strings on a racquet can make a big difference in how you play and ultimately, your performance. If you’re looking to find out which type of string would be best for your game, it’s helpful to know what material they are made from as well as their tension and size. As a general rule, if you’re playing competitively we recommend replacing them every six months or as soon as you see the signs of fraying. But the regularity of replacing your strings will vary depending on use and preference.
Aren’t you so excited to go talk shop at the pro shop now?! You can confidently answer that pro when asked, “How do you want this strung?”
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