COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO TENNIS STRINGS | TENNIS STRINGING SERVICE | TENNIS STRINGERS IN SINGAPORE

Many tennis players have a lot of misconceptions and lack of understanding about tennis strings, the tennis stringing process and insufficient information about tennis stringers in Singapore. As part of TAG International Tennis Academy’s Definitive Guide Series, we set out comprehensive information about tennis strings, tennis stringing and tennis stringers in Singapore. A several hundred dollar tennis racquet never touches the tennis ball. Only the tennis strings impact the ball. Choosing the right tennis string and having it strung at the right tension can make a very big difference to your tennis game.

Tennis Strings: Playability vs Durability

Without a doubt, the most playable tennis string is Natural Gut. However, due to the extremely high cost of manufacturing (natural gut is made of cow intestines and twisted into string), it is extremely expensive. It is also not durable at all and susceptible to water and heat damage. However, its power, control, and ability to hold tension is unparalled. However, string technology is improving and there are many multi-filaments that have extremely good playability and a significantly cheaper price.

At the opposite end of Playability is durability. The less and thicker strings are (in 15 and 16 gauge, and in more durable material), the more “resilient” the strings are. However, these are naturally less comfortable and playable.

Thus, tennis players often try to find a string that is a good balance between the two competing properties, to their individual comfort level

Tennis Strings – Playability vs Durability

Without a doubt, the most playable tennis string is Natural Gut. However, due to the extremely high cost of manufacturing (natural gut is made of cow intestines and twisted into string), it is extremely expensive. It is also not durable at all and susceptible to water and heat damage. However, its power, control, and ability to hold tension is unparalled. However, string technology is improving and there are many multi-filaments that have extremely good playability and a significantly cheaper price.

At the opposite end of Playability is durability. The less and thicker strings are (in 15 and 16 gauge, and in more durable material), the more “resilient” the strings are. However, these are naturally less comfortable and playable.

Thus, tennis players often try to find a string that is a good balance between the two competing properties, to their individual comfort level.

Tennis Strings – String Gauge

Tennis string gauges range from 15 (thickest) to 19 (thinnest) Typically, the thicker a string, the more durable and less spin potential, while the thinner a string the less durable and more spin potential.

Tennis Strings – Materials

Nylon multifilaments offer truly impressive comfort and power. Unlike the more basic synthetic guts (which have a single, solid core), multifilaments are comprised of hundreds or thousands of ultra pliable, elbow-friendly fibers, and bundled together with flexible resins like polyurethane. Other string materials include:

Natural Gut – the ultimate in playability, feel and tension maintenance. Now used more in hybrids, combining polyester mains with natural gut crosses (with some players using gut in the mains for more power and feel). Natural gut offers maximum feel and control due to its softness, which provides phenomenal ball pocketing.

Polyester – a very durable string designed to provide control and durability to players with long, fast strokes. Polyester is the number one choice on the pro tour because it allows advanced ball strikers to maintain extreme control on their fastest, most aggressive strokes. Due to its high stiffness and relatively low power, polyester is not recommended for beginners or players with arm injuries.

Kevlar – The most durable string available. Kevlar is very stiff and strings up very tight. Therefore, it
is usually combined with a soft nylon cross to reduce stringbed stiffness.

Tension

Lower tensions provide more power, tighter tensions provide more control. This is a very general rule of thumb and assumes a player has a decent level of control. Where a player does not have the competency for accurate control, he should not be seeking higher tension, but rather a softer and more forging feel. Advanced players who swing fast and hit hard usually need more control and will, therefore, benefit from tighter tensions.

Power

If a player wants more power from his racquet, he should try dropping tension a few pounds. Higher power strings will require less effort to create pace while low powered strings will require more of the player.

Control

A tighter stringbed deflects less and deforms the ball more, providing less energy than looser strings. This means the ball won’t fly as far when you hit it.

Spin

Strings with high spin ratings enable players to create more topspin while strings with low spin ratings will result in less potential for spin.

Touch/Feel

There are some strings that give a greater sense of touch, and this is often indicated in the specifications.

Comfort

Some tennis strings are better at absorbing and reducing shock and vibration resulting in a more comfortable feel.