TL

   A Guide to String and Tension Selection

   Reasons to change string

Injuries; If the player suffers from an injury like tennis elbow or a shoulder injury, a softer more elastic string like natural gut or a multifilament will help and is recommended.

Playing style; If the player frequently breaks strings with a hard spin style, using a more durable string will help. Using a thicker or monofilament (polyester) string improves durability. If the player typically hits flat, a thinner, more feel-oriented string may be used. This is because they break fewer strings and transmit less spin, therefore they do not require the durability that a thicker string gives.

Racket; At times, the player's former preferred string does not play as well in their fresh frame. This might be the result of altered weight, string pattern, or stiffness of the racket.

   Reasons to change tension 

Locations; for indoor tennis which is a faster game consider higher tension and for outdoor lowering tension as the game is slower.

Weather;  In hot weather balls usually fly faster with less control, consider higher tension to add control, on a cold day lower tension to add power & depth

Injuries; Less strain on a player's injured body can be achieved through lower tension training, particularly if the injury is to the arm or wrist. A slower swing speed which allows more comfort and having a  lower tension can be used to gain more height and depth with less effort 

Court surface; The ball moves faster on surfaces with greater surface velocity, like grass or artificial grass. To recover control over a faster moving ball, increase string tension. On slower surface such as clay, ball moves slower and sit up on court so lowering tension helps power, depth and hight over the net.

   Golden rules

Re-string your racket based on the average number of times you play tennis per week in a year e.g., if you play once a week then re-string at least once a year assuming you don't break strings. If you play 4 times a week then change string 4 times a year, basically every 3 months.  Re-stringing is a must at least once a year.

Generally when the string tension dies it can cause serious injuries overtime. Polys are usually prescribed at least every few months to restore playability and reduce the risk of arm injury from having to swing harder to achieve the same speed, power and spin. As the polyester string loses its tension, the string's snapback decreases, which means you have to hit harder to produce the same amount of topspin as you would on a fresh re-strung racket. Polyester string also develops dead spots, causing an erratic response. As the string loses tension, the ball spends more time in the string bed, which can decrease your control. Losing tension can mean hitting long, making too many mistakes or having trouble placing the ball.

   Polyester and monofilament Strings

Polyester tennis strings stand out as the predominant choice among top professional players on tour and recreational enthusiasts alike. Despite their peak playtime typically ranging from 6 to 12 hours due to tension loss, polyester strings boast unparalleled durability, ensuring they endure prolonged use without breaking quickly. Their stiffness sets them apart from gut and synthetic gut alternatives, affording players exceptional control and enhanced spin capabilities, effectively reducing the power transmitted and allowing for greater ball control. Thanks to ongoing advancements in polyester string technology, options now include shaped or textured variations that provide an added bite and zip to the ball, facilitating increased spin and enabling players to unleash quicker and more dynamic shots on the court. However, it's essential to note that the firm feel of polyester strings is not recommended for individuals with arm injuries, emphasizing the importance of considering the trade-offs between performance benefits and potential physical strain.

   Synthetic Gut Strings

The synthetic gut tennis string emerges as a paragon of versatility and comfort in the realm of tennis gear. Renowned for its commendable tension retention, this string offers a peak playtime spanning a noteworthy 8 to 30 hours, a testament to its durability and resilience on the court. While beginners can extract extended use from this string, a prudent annual replacement is recommended to counter the inevitable tension loss. Tailored to accommodate players of diverse skill levels, the synthetic gut core delivers a soft yet powerful string, striking an optimal balance through its remarkable repulsion. Its ability to maintain tension for a considerable duration makes it a reliable choice for players seeking a string that seamlessly blends comfort, durability, and performance, underscoring its enduring popularity in the dynamic landscape of tennis.

   Multifilament Strings

Boasting excellent tension retention, the multifilament tennis string offers an impressive playtime ranging from 5 to 50 hours on average, contingent upon factors like spin, power, clean strike, and racket head speed. Particularly suitable for players new to tennis, this string can last a considerable duration, encouraging play until it breaks or prompting replacement at least once a year to address tension loss. Recognized for its exceptional comfort, multifilament strings strike a harmonious balance between the feel of natural gut and slight spin of the polster strtings. Originally designed to afford players the comfort of natural gut at an affordable price, these strings, exemplified by products like Wilson NXT Soft, are also renowned for their contribution to arm and shoulder injury prevention, specifically tailored for conditions such as tennis elbow and shoulder injuries. While acknowledging their lesser durability compared to polyester strings, the multifilament string stands out for its soft touch, delivering a unique blend of power and control and fair amount of durbility. Widely favored, it also finds application in hybrid setups, adding versatility to its repertoire for players seeking a multifaceted string solution.

   Natural Gut Strings

Celebrated for its exceptional tension retention, natural gut strings offer a remarkable fusion of durability and an indefinite peak playtime. The string's ability to sustain tension varies, with a breaking point spanning from one hour to a year. This variability is influenced by factors such as spin, power, clean strike, and racket head speed. Widely acclaimed as the pinnacle of all strings, it stands out for providing an ideal combination of feel, playability, and tension stability, establishing itself as the most premium and expensive option in the market.

Recent research underscores a noticeable uptick in the adoption of natural gut strings, particularly in hybrid setups. Esteemed professional players like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, and Serena Williams have spearheaded this trend. These athletes, among others, have embraced natural gut strings for their unparalleled performance attributes, cementing its status as the ultimate choice in the tennis world.

   Hybrid Strings Setup

Combination of both world of two types of strings to urge the foremost and best result in your performance. Any strings can be combined, commenly know having a poly strings combined with natural gut/multifilament strings or synthetic gut which makes the finest weapon you'll inquire on tennis court. See the list of our favorite hybrid strings. Request to combine any of these strings of your choice. If you have your own string the cost is £15 labour.

Luxilon 4G is widely know and used by many top pros inclduing Grigor Dimitrov, Alexander Dolgopolov, Paul-Henri Mathieu, Kei Nishikori and Serena Williams

Q&A about strings

String Tension
Loose tension can generate extra power although learning a good technique at first is way more important, effective and results in massive improvement on your game since loose string has much less control. On the other hand, tighter string tension results in more control and fair amount of power. Loose string is mainly recommended for higher level and advance player.

Do strings break?

YES! As you play your strings will move up/down and rub against one another which creates friction, the string develops a notch as a result of the rubbing, and it eventually snaps. The more Topspin you generate more likely you break string.

Premature  Shank Breakage:

Strings can break when a ball is struck close to the frame, regardless of their age. This happens because the impact causes the string to pinch against the racket's grommets (plastic parts), focusing the force on a single point, leading to a break. Always aim to hit the ball with the middle of the racket to distribute the impact across all strings and avoid this issue. While we evaluate each case individually, understanding shank breaks can help you prevent them.

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