Selection of string tension
How to choose a tennis string tension?
You ask yourself "what string to choose?"..., that's good, because choosing a tennis string usually receives significantly less (if any at all) attention than selecting a racket - unfairly so. Referred to as the soul of the racket, a properly chosen string can enhance its strengths and amplify the player's advantages in the game. On the other hand, a poorly chosen string can lead to the opposite situation.
Due to the multitude of materials used to manufacture strings, with new ones constantly emerging, the most common criterion for dividing strings is their construction.
Monofilament Strings (polyester and co-polyester)
Monofilament strings, consisting of a single solid fiber usually coated with a thin protective layer to reduce friction, are designed to maintain maximum mechanical strength and control.
Most monofilament strings are made of polyester or polyester blends (co-polyesters), and this type of string is the most popular among players, both professional (over 3/4 of ATP and WTA cycles including Rafael Nadal) and recreational, mainly due to their ability to apply significant spin and durability.
Limitations of these strings include faster tension loss and high stiffness. String manufacturers try to combat these attributes by adding specific additives to polyesters (e.g. polyolefins) and testing other materials for their production, such as Zyex or polyamides.
Examples of monofilament strings:
Multifilament Strings
Multifilament strings are strings made up of many fibers, with different shapes, sizes, arrangements, etc., depending on the manufacturer and the type of string. Multifilament strings are usually constructed of nylon or polyamide fibers. The multifilament construction provides greater dynamics and lower stiffness, resulting in increased comfort.
The main weaknesses of this type of strings are lower mechanical resistance, leading to quicker wear and breakage of the strings, as well as reduced rotation "accessibility." Similar to monofilament strings, manufacturers try to enhance the durability of these strings by testing different materials such as polyester commonly used in monofilament strings, as well as additional protective layers or lubricants to reduce friction.
Examples of multifilament strings:
Natural gut strings are multifilament strings made from fibers of animal origin (most commonly cows), which results in their higher price. Natural gut strings are characterized by high dynamics and comfort, however, they are sensitive to atmospheric conditions, especially humidity.
Examples of natural gut strings:
Properties of monofilament and multifilament strings
|
| Monofilaments | Multifilaments |
|---|---|---|
| Rotation | + | - |
| Strength | + | - |
| Comfort | - | + |
| Dynamics | - | + |
| Tension Maintenance | + | + |
Tennis string gauges
Tennis strings are most commonly available in various diameters, allowing for better customization to the user's preferences. It is assumed that the same string strung with the same force, but of a smaller diameter will exhibit greater dynamics, comfort, rotation, but will be less durable and lose its tension faster.
For racquets with closed patterns (18 mains), it is recommended to use thinner strings to increase comfort, dynamics, and access to rotation. In the case of open patterns (16 mains), there is no need to use thicker strings as long as there are no issues with durability. The most commonly recommended string thickness to start with is 1.25mm or 1.30mm.
| String Diameter | Comfort | Rotation | Dynamics | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thicker | | + | - | + |
| Thinner | | + | + | - |
Hybrid strings
Sometimes no type of string, whether thicker or thinner, tighter or looser, fulfills the expectations placed on it.
In such cases, a hybrid solution may be the answer, using one type of string as the mains and another as the crosses in the racket. This combination of natural gut with monofilament is quite popular among players in the ATP and WTA circuits.
Hybrids can be divided into those where soft multifilament strings are used as mains (common in professional tennis and often with natural gut strings) and those where polyester monofilaments are used as mains.
Hybrids with multifilament strings as mains are focused on dynamics, comfort, and feel, but their weakness lies in durability, which is why in such combinations, the multifilament mains used are slightly thicker than the cross strings.
In the professional circuit, legends like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena and Venus Williams, and Bob and Mike Bryan use hybrids with natural gut mains.
Hybrids with monofilament strings as mains prioritize durability and control, as these strings are naturally more durable and are usually the same thickness as the cross strings. Players like Andy Murray, as well as Polish players like Agnieszka Radwańska, Marcin Matkowski, and Mariusz Fyrstenberg, use such hybrids (again with natural gut as the multifilament).
Examples of hybrid string setups:
String tension
Before reaching for hybrids, it is important to remember that even strings of the same construction can differ drastically. For example, currently on the market, two of the most extreme monofilament polyesters of the same diameter differ in stiffness by almost twice.
Stiffness increases with diameter, so if a particular string suits a user but they are looking for something a bit more comfortable, the first step that the interested party should take is to test the same string in a smaller diameter.
The stiffest and most durable strings, regardless of construction, are those made of aramids (e.g. Kevlar) and Vectran. However, they are so stiff that they are not recommended for most recreational users, who can find sufficient durability in monofilament polyesters.
The most comfortable, and consequently the least stiff, strings are natural gut strings; even the thinnest synthetic multifilaments do not reach such low values of this parameter. However, due to the price of natural strings, recreational players opt for more economical synthetic multifilaments.
| Construction | Material | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aramids | Nylon | Polyamides | Polyesters | Polyolefins | Vectran | Zyex | |
| Monofilaments | +++++ | ++ | ++ | +++ | ++ | +++++ | ++ |
| Multifilaments | ++++ | + | + | ++ | + | ++++ | + |
Choosing a bowstring for children and adults
Since you already have knowledge about string constructions, it is time to choose the right strings for your racket. We will divide this topic into choosing strings for adults and for children.
For young players, the priority is to protect their health. It is recommended to use soft strings with the highest possible level of dampening, such as multifilaments. Polyester strings are not recommended.
Beginner tennis players are advised to use strings with diameters between 1.20 to 1.30 mm for monofilaments and 1.30 to 1.35 mm for multifilaments. It is also suggested, especially in the former case, to start with strings of lower stiffness. At the learning stage, the durability of the mentioned strings will not be a limitation.
Acquired experience allows for a conscious decision when choosing strings. It should primarily consider the hitting technique and expectations regarding the strings, but also to some extent the characteristics of the racket being used.
Choosing the diameter of the string used in the context of the racket is primarily related to its string pattern. With the density of the string bed, their durability and control increase, but access to spin, dynamics, and comfort decrease.
Therefore, for closed patterns (18 mains), it is recommended to use thinner strings, while the rarer the string pattern, the more justification for using larger diameters. For extremely open string patterns (16x15), strings with unusually large diameters (>1.35mm) are dedicated, but they are not recommended if there are no issues with the durability of thinner strings.
Priority means rotation, dynamics, comfort, and durability
To properly choose the type and diameter of strings that match the user's skills and expectations, it is necessary to determine the priority characteristics of the string tension. Below you will find descriptions prepared by us of priorities such as rotation, dynamics, comfort, and durability. Priority: rotation The easiest way to impart rotation is offered by monofilaments, especially those made of polyesters. Additionally, this feature is enhanced by choosing smaller diameters and strings with a cross-sectional tension and a rough surface. However, the latter decreases the durability of the string tension due to increased friction between individual strings in the racket. Priority: dynamics The ball's departure dynamics increase with the elasticity of the string tension. Therefore, increasing this parameter is achieved by choosing multifilament strings, especially those made of guts, nylon, or polyamides. Moreover, dynamics can be increased by using strings with a smaller diameter as well as stringing them with less force. Priority: comfort This parameter is synonymous with the elasticity of the string tension and, consequently, its ability to absorb vibrations. Therefore, the greatest comfort is characterized by multifilament strings made of guts, nylon, polyolefins, etc., especially with the addition of vibration-absorbing polyurethane. As with dynamics, using strings with a smaller diameter and stringing them with less force can further improve this parameter. Priority: durability A characteristic feature of monofilament construction string tensions. The highest mechanical durability is possessed by Kevlar and Vectran strings of this construction; however, due to their extremely high stiffness, it is recommended to use an alternative in the form of polyesters with a uniform construction. Additionally, durability increases with the diameter of the strings and less stringing force.
Priority means rotation, dynamics, comfort, and durability
To correctly select the type and diameter of strings that best suit the user's skills and expectations, it's important to determine the string's priority characteristics. Below, you'll find our descriptions of priorities, such as spin, dynamics, comfort, and durability.
Priority: rotation
Monofilaments, especially those made from polyester, offer the greatest ease in imparting spin. This feature is further enhanced by selecting smaller diameters and strings with a diagonal cross-section and a rough surface.
However, the latter reduce string strength by increasing friction between individual strings in the racket.
Priority: dynamics
The dynamics of the ball's departure from the strings increase with the elasticity of the string. This parameter can be improved by choosing multifilament strings, especially those made of gut, nylon, or polyamide.
Furthermore, dynamics can be increased by using smaller diameter strings and by drawing them in with less force.
Priority: comfort
This parameter is synonymous with the elasticity of the string, and therefore its ability to absorb vibrations. Multifilament strings made of gut, nylon, polyolefin, etc., are characterized by the greatest comfort, especially those with the addition of vibration-absorbing polyurethane.
As with dynamics, using smaller diameter strings and using less force can further improve this parameter.
Priority: Endurance
This is a characteristic feature of monofilament strings. Kevlar and Vectran strings with this construction offer the greatest mechanical strength. However, due to their extremely high stiffness, it is recommended to use an alternative, monofilament polyester.
Furthermore, strength increases with string diameter and lower tension.
|
| Design | Material | Diameter | Tension force |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotation | Monofilament | Polyester | not applicable | not applicable |
| Dynamics | Monofilament | Intestine, Nylon, Polyamid | smaller | smaller |
| Comfort | Monofilament | Intestine, Nylon, Polyamig | not applicable | Smaller |
| Durability | Monofilament | Polyester | bigger | smaller |