Choosing the Right Tennis String and Tension Like most other things in tennis, it is very important that you take your time when choosing which tennis string you decide to play with. When picking the right tennis string, there are several factors to consider: To start, you should probably figure out what material you want. In general, there are four different materials that manufacturers use today. Synthetic Gut – Synthetic gut is probably the most popular string among recreational tennis players. Unlike the primal nylon strings used back then, synthetic gut string of today is much more advanced. They come in several different compositions and textures that hold tension longer, give more spin, have a softer feel, and are usually priced under $20. Here are some popular synthetic gut tennis strings. Polyester – Polyester based tennis strings are designed to offer enhanced durability when compared to most other tennis string materials. While many tennis players feel that polyester strings give a dead, very stiff feel when hitting, it is generally popular among heavy hitters who have problems with strings breaking too quickly. View some preferred polyester tennis strings. Natural Gut - Natural gut, if you will, is the Rolles Royce of tennis strings. It is a very premium material that has been used since the beginning of the game. Although natural gut comes at a higher price, you will notice more “pop” on the ball due to its high elasticity, but also more control due to the gut holding the ball on the strings slightly longer than usual. Click for some well known natural gut tennis strings. Hybrid - Hybrid stringing is using the mixture of two different strings for the mains and crosses on your racquet. Hybrid stringing may be a little more expensive, but the turn out on the court may be worth it. By selecting different hybrid combinations of string, players can fine-tune the playability, comfort, durability, liveliness and control offered by the stringbed. Gauge After figuring out which material is right for your game, then it is time to think about what gauge of the string you’d like. Tennis string gauges range from fifteen (15) to nineteen (19), with fifteen (15) being the thickest gauge and nineteen (19) being the thinnest. As you can imagine, thinner strings will break faster than thicker strings. So why would anyone want a thinner gauge, you ask? The answer is because with a thinner string you will get more playability. The string bed will give you more pop, and the thinner strings also tend to “bite the ball” more, allowing for greater spin. If you aren’t a heavy hitter who camps out at the baseline, then considering a thinner gauge like seventeen (17) or eighteen (18) might be an option for you. Of course, if you are a heavy hitter or just feel that you need more durability from your strings, then going with a fifteen (15) or sixteen (16) gauge string would be best for you. You won’t get as much playability from your string, but at least they won’t break as fast! The gauge of a tennis string can be more important than many players think. A thinner string normally provides better performance while a larger gauge has better durability. If you select the wrong gauge, you will not be getting the optimal performance that you need. String Tensions The higher the tension of your strings, the more control you will get, but it comes at the cost of power. Stringing your racquet at a very high tension will cause your frame to feel stiff and could also potentially cause elbow pains. (See our beating tennis elbow page for more on tennis elbow) Stringing your racquet at a lower tension will, as you’ve probably figured out, give you much more power and considerably less control. Loose strings will cause the ball to fly off the strings, making it harder for you to direct where the ball goes. Finally, you’re done! Now that you know about the different materials, gauges, and tension ranges, you should be able to successfully find a tennis string that works for you. Though it might seem overwhelming with the hundreds of different strings out there, just take your time and apply what you have learned here and you should be fine. | 
