Veteran player? No problem. Competitive junior? Okay. Social competitor? We’re listening. What about a beginner? Don’t sweat it. Every player’s style and level of tennis is different and so will have different tennis restringing needs. 

Did you know that a tennis racquet’s frame will suit a particular type of tennis string? Let us break down the basics of tennis restringing and what’s available at Everything Tennis pro shop.

Types of Tennis Strings

Multifilament

Recommended for: light racquets (under 300 grams)

Benefits: power, durability, comfort and feel

Disadvantages: less control, loses tension quicker than natural gut strings, less durability for big hitters

If you’re looking for power and would like to have sharper and more aggressive shots, a multifilament string is ideal. Multifilament strings tend to produce more power and comfort than solid-core or synthetic gut strings. It’s usually a preferred choice for players with tender arms and elbows. Multifilament strings are designed to mimic the performance of natural gut strings but at a lower price. Not recommended for string breakers.

Monofilament/Polyester

Recommended for: experienced players, heavy racquet (more than 300 grams) 

Benefits: control, durability, spin

Disadvantages: less power, loses tension quicker, not for undeveloped forearm growth (juniors)

For those who want more control and need to channel their power, a monofilament string will work but is more demanding on the forearm. Monofilament strings tend to exhibit greater durability than synthetic gut or multifilament strings of the same material, but have less power and comfort. The most common type of monofilament, co-polyester strings are for players seeking durability, control, and spin. The lower elasticity of these strings requires full, fast swings to maximize their performance and is commonly used by intermediate and advanced players. A stiff string is usually not recommended for junior players who haven’t fully developed.

Natural Gut

Recommended for: all ability and advanced players

Benefits: comfort, power, feel and tension longevity 

Disadvantages: expensive, not as durable

The is the top-of-the-line tennis string, providing long tension maintenance and control. Natural Gut strings are used by both club players and pros as no other string produces the tension maintenance and power that natural gut can. As well as being very elastic (which provides power), natural gut string gives a plush feel at ball contact. The string itself stretches and returns to its original form better than synthetic strings.

Synthetic Gut

Recommended for: beginners

Benefits: Holds tension well (durable), playability, affordable

Disadvantages: Not if you break your strings easily

Most synthetic guts are made with nylon (also referred to as polyamides). There are different grades of nylon with varying levels of feel. Synthetic gut strings deliver a good combination of playability and durability at a very reasonable price. 

Hybrid 

Recommended: Professional tennis players want to limit the power of the natural gut string in the mains and get more spin with control in the crosses. 

Benefits: Cost effectiveness for recreational players who choose an expensive string (natural gut). 

Disadvantages: Playability not the same as full use of natural gut. 

When a racquet is strung with two different string materials (one vertical, one horizontal), it is hybrid stringing. It may seem as if the player is getting the best of both strings, but about 80% of the playability comes from the mains (the strings from top to bottom) and 20% of the durability comes from the crosses (the strings from left to right). Hybrid stringing is popular with professional players choosing a strong, endurance-type string in the mains, and pairing it with a softer string in the crosses such as a natural gut or a multifilament. 

Knowing the nitty gritty details of the type of tennis string available is not vital but a rough understanding of what your needs are as a tennis player will help you navigate your way through the range of tennis strings available in the Australian tennis string market. We stock all four types of tennis strings in our Strathfield pro shop as well as online and we’re here to help when it comes to restringing your tennis racquet for the first time (and there will be, trust us) and the many times afterwards.