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If you really want to learn something about strings/stringing, check out the content below…

Strings and the racquet frame have an equal role in how a tennis racquet plays and feels. If tennis players want a simple change to their game, changing their strings is the place to start. A simple rule of thumb says you should change your string as many times in a year that you play in a week…

That said, string materials also vary in attributes like durability, rebound efficiency, tension holding ability among other considerations, like manufacturing cost…if only life were simple.

There are only 2 fundamental types of strings: Natural Gut and Synthetic

Natural gut

Usually made of a cow’s intestine, natural gut is still the most resilient material.  It is very efficient and provides the most energy return. It can also be strung more tightly which helps with ball control, while minimizing impact on elbows and other joints. It is very expensive but is the best string available in tennis.

It has some drawbacks though, besides the higher cost to manufacture. It has a shear stress weakness which affects beginning tennis players who might not hit the center of the racquet. It is also sensitive to weather. It is usually made with a coating to reduce unraveling and sensitivity to humidity.

Synthetic materials

Synthetic gut

Synthetic gut is nylon, usually made as a single filament. It is inexpensive to manufacture and is generally the least expensive string to purchase.

The nylon is tweaked with textured coatings, colorants and the addition of a small amount of Kevlar is a common adjustment.

Synthetic gut, as it is commonly used for mono-filament nylon strings, is no longer the nearest approximation of natural gut…multi-filaments and other designs provide closer approximations to the character of natural gut.

Multi-filament, or “multi”

Nylon

Nylon is a popular string material for amateur players. It is low cost and has good elasticity. Coatings for nylon strings help with wear resistance.

Polyester

Kevlar

Kevlar is the stiffest, most durable synthetic string available. It holds tension well, but is the most dangerous string when it comes to developing tennis elbow. Some use a thin gauge Kevlar for increasing comfort, but even in the thinnest gauge it is a stiff string.

Vectran

Vectran is also a stiff and durable string. Not as commonly used, it is sometimes added to nylon stringing.

Zyex

Zyrex string has high rebound efficiency, much like gut dynamic stiffness. It also has low overall stiffness.

Polyolefin

Polyolefin is one of the softest synthetic string materials. It offers mediocre durability and tension retention, so it is generally used as the cross string in a hybrid string setup. Its softness can help those who are subject to tennis elbow – if they are not also ‘string breakers’.

Gauge

The “gauge” number represents the thickness of the string. The higher the number the thinner the string. Thinner strings typically produce higher performance, but break more easily.

Stringing pattern

Double strung tennis racquets were banned because they produced excessive spin…a case of too much success, being a bad thing. 

Racquets knots are a whole topic, on its own, but, suffice it to say, we know knots.

This is a measurement expressed in ‘pounds’. It is the pressure of the string to the frame. It significantly alters playing characteristics, such as the “feel” and control of the ball, as well as “power”.

Racquets come with recommended string tensions, usually between 50 and 70 lbs.

Loose stringing can make a larger sweet spot but may produce unpredictably; tighter stringing may help with finesse and control.

Tighter stringing can lower a tennis player’s feel of the ball, but can improve control. However, if a player often hits powerful shots, high tensions can tire the arm, and possibly produce “tennis elbow.”

Consult with us to achieve a tension fit to your physique, game and goals.