Are you looking for the most powerful hit or improved feel? Want to know the difference between multifilament and monofilament strings? Let us guide you in choosing the best tennis string for you.
Too stiff, too soft, not tight enough... There are so many questions for just a few metres of string, so we decided to provide as many answers as we can.
Stringing that suits one person does not necessarily suit another. And it is just as important of a role as the racket's frame.
As the only part that is in contact with the ball, it also has the potential to have a "catalyst" effect if you do not string properly.
There are 5 types of stringing which can be grouped into different types of benefits and purposes:
• Gut strings
• Multi-filament
• Mono-filament
• Synthetic
• Hybrid
Read on to discover more about them!
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These strings are made of several hundred natural microfilaments from the small intestines of cows – yes cows!
Benefits:
• Excellent tension retention
• Excellent comfort
• Excellent power
Who for?
• Flat hitters who break their strings very rarely (over 20 hours of play)
• Players looking for feel and power
• Children, elderly, and those with slower arm speeds
• Regular players (playing 1 to 2 times a week)
Multi-filament strings are made of several hundred synthetic micro-filaments assembled together and protected by a sheath. This type of stringing is closest to gut strings.
Multi-filament strings hold tension well and provide less power than gut strings but more than other types of strings. They also provide high comfort and can reduce the chances of injury like tennis elbow.
Benefits:
• Retains tension well
• Good comfort
• Power
Who for?
• Players who break their strings often (between 10 - 20 hours of play)
• Players looking for comfort and power
• Regular players (playing 1 to 2 times a week)
Also known as polyester string, these strings are made of single polyester or co-polyester thread. They provide durability with spin and control.
In addition, they can take on different shapes (round, octagonal, hexagonal, pyramidal, etc.) to increase spin. However, mono-filament strings are very stiff.
Benefits:
• Control
• Spin
• Durability
Who for?
• Very high-level players who break their strings often (less than 10 hours of play)
• Powerful players playing with spin
• Not recommended for children (ages 13 and under; even competitive players)
• Intensive players playing 3 or more times a week
Pro-tip:
Tennis elbow is a very common injury caused by a wrong choice of stringing and bad tension. Very often, high-level players still use mono-filament rather than hybrid or multi-filament stringing.
Synthetic strings are mostly constructed with a solid core and a layer of filaments to improve their durability. Though they are usually cheaper than the other strings, they are still of good quality and perform reasonably well all around.
Benefits:
• Durability
• Value for money
Who for?
• Beginner players
• Players looking for all-around playability
Hybrid stringing refers to blending two different types of strings. Usually, it refers to a soft, powerful stringing blended with a stiff, durable stringing to create spin. The mains (strings parallel to the racket handle) create spin, and the crosses (strings perpendicular to the racket handle) provide power.
Ideally, you should place mono-filament strings vertically and gut or multi-filament strings horizontally.
Benefits:
• Power
• Comfort
• Spin
• Durability
• The advantage of two types of stringing
Who for?
• Players who break their strings often (between 10 - 20 hours of play)
• Players looking for power and spin with good comfort
• Intensive players playing 3 or more times a week
Pro-tip:
Certain professional players use the "reverse hybrid" stringing method: gut on the vertical bands and mono-filament on the horizontal bands. They rely solely on arm speed and physical condition to control the ball, as they are looking for more control and feel.
Now that you have all the information you need to choose your stringing, go forth and make the right decision for yourself!
Remember – a good stringing choice is not enough on its own. You'll need to find the best tension for your racket as well.
Feel free to try a few types of stringing before making your choice, and take advantage of sales assistants' expertise in our Decathlon stores!
