There are no absolutes when it comes to string tension; what is most important is that you can control the ball while playing the game. Solinco Confidential delivers on this front, which helped me to dictate points. 3) Performance. Best for Spin: Babolat RPM Blast. Tecnifibre X-One Biphase packs a punch and delivers power as a standout feature. Same with the Prince Synthetic Gut, the Wilson Synthetic Gut Power is a great all-around string. You can then adjust your requirement appropriately to even tighter or looser (towards the upper or lower end of the range). While you get a blend of characteristics, you dont get the full benefit of either string type, and you end up meeting somewhere in the middle. Conversely, lower ball-on-string friction means less spin. Step 4: Identify an Appropriate Tension. A big part of what produces a string with a greater sense of control is a consistent response or knowing what to expect every time the ball leaves the stringbed, and Hyper-G checks the right boxes to make that happen. To the surprise of many players, manufacturers create natural gut tennis strings by weaving together several strands of cow intestine. If youre a big hitter who frequently breaks strings or wants to extend each restrings life, youll need a durable option that lasts. Strings that snap back into place after hitting and dont move much or require constant straightening will have higher movement ratings. A control-oriented string might be a great option if you want to tone down your racquets power or reduce the likelihood of overhitting with added topspin that gives you more margin for error to keep the ball in play. However, for a better understanding of when to restring, there are several factors Id encourage you to consider, including: I speak to each of these in my dedicated guide on restringing, which Id encourage you to explore if youd like to learn more. This year, Im awarding the best synthetic gut tennis strings to Prince Synthetic Gut, a classic offering that delivers comfort and adequate power at a wallet-friendly price. With that in mind, many of the strings Ive selected perform exceptionally well in multiple areas. 232. Most players are rarely asked these questions and will be happy to share their thoughts. Just dont expect using them to transform your game or flatten the learning curve. Thickness: 16g. Wilson Champion's Choice Duo - Premium Option, Power, Comfort. Here are the most common gauges and who we'd recommend each for: 15/1.40mm: Thickest gauge; best for advanced players looking for maximum durability and control. Tourna Poly Big Hitter Black 7. One of Babolat RPM Blasts unique attributes is that its surprisingly comfortable to play with for a polyester tennis string, which makes it a terrific option for anyone looking to test the waters with a poly to help enhance their topspin and control. Check out their latest evolution, dubbed Prism, the same great string in a rainbow of colors. Best for Control: Solinco Hyper-G. The areas where it gives up the most are the spin, control, and feel departments. Your email address will not be published. The Solinco Tour Bite is a tennis string for players who want ultimate control. Wilson NXT Comfort - Power, Comfort. After you selected a tennis string, you're almost across the finish line, but there are a few more things to keep in mind, starting with tension. There are quite a few alternatives to Prince Synthetic Gut. Before we get into the characteristics of tennis strings, lets talk about string tension. Another one of my favorite multifilament tennis strings for its exceptional price combined with all-around performance is Head Velocity MLT. This could be because they added an extra layer to the string to make it last longer. Their slick surface and ability to snap back into place are dynamic combinations to help you generate maximum spin. Lastly, while the playability duration or the lifespan of the strings performance is impressive, the strings durability may be an issue for chronic string breakers. Premium options If you want a super comfortable, high-performance tennis string thats fit for the pros, then check out Babolat VS Touch or Wilson Champions Choice Duo. Today's co-polyester monofilament strings also deliver increased power and comfort depending on the additives used. When selecting a new set of tennis strings, Ive found most players are looking for a specific type of string or performance characteristic, so Ive organized this guide according to those needs. A 16 gauge for one company might be a 16L (L stands for "light," which basically means it's halfway between two gauges, think of a 16L as a 16.5) for another. Traditionally monofilament strings offer benefits to control and durability. From the time the string is installed, it will begin to lose . In other words, if you play 1-to-2 times per week, you should . With players like Rafel Nadal on tour, one of the most sought-after attributes for tennis players is the ability to generate massive topspin. Step 3: Drill Bolt Holes. These strings are very durable and generate a lot of spin. To select my 2023 picks for the best tennis strings in each category, I evaluated each set across eight attributes to provide you with the most objective ratings possible. Depending on your preferences, you can use tension in a variety of ways, though I do not generally recommend using tension in such a variety. Here are the tension ranges we'd aim for the first time you get your racket strung: Nylon/Gut: 50-60lbs (22.5-27kg) Hybrid: 46-56lbs (21-25.5kg) *Because polyester is a stiffer material, string 2lbs (1kg) looser than nylon. If you suffer from tennis elbow or any other arm injury, youll likely appreciate their ability to reduce shock and vibration. Ultimately, the strings feel results in a highly predictable option that further aids control. Let's dive in! From serving to volleying and hitting groundstrokes, players will find the ball aggressively rebounds from their strings. Its worth noting that the comfort associated with softer polys is relative to the classic stiffness of a typical polyester. Most players associate touch and feel, or their ability to delicately and accurately place the ball, with finesse. One of the best tips I can offer you when considering a new set of strings is to reflect on your unique attributes as a player and your desired outcome of experimenting with a new set of strings. Based on your experience, you can adjust up or down a few pounds if necessary. Babolat RPM Blasts defining feature is its ability to help maximize spin, which is immediately apparent when hitting groundstrokes. If you are not a string breaker, we typically recommend 17 gauge, otherwise use 16 gauge for a little more durability. Its often tempting for beginners to use polyester tennis strings because theyre popular among professional tennis players. If youre a fan of natural gut but cant justify the cost, consider using string savers to extend its life and reduce the cost of restringing. #10. Finally, its worth noting that this strings natural fibers will fray. A softer string will absorb more of the impact of the ball and be more comfortable on your arm. These strings offer a ton of control and spin, are very durable, and are surprisingly comfortable for stiffer, control-oriented strings. Hyper-G is square-shaped, so it has four edges for embedding into and gripping the ball. The spin and low power of RPM Blast allow me to take full swings and significant cuts at the ball, resulting in topspin that enables me to clear the net with confidence that the ball would dip back into the court, and I never feel I have to worry about the ball sailing long. The amount of shock and vibration a player feels when hitting with different strings informs comfort. Thanks for reading, and we hope the information in this post has been helpful. Even at a higher tension, the ball quickly rebounds from the strings. If so, a string that naturally brings more power to your shots can be a great option, and Tecnifibre X-One Biphasedelivers precisely that as the best tennis string for power. Its hard to go wrong here. That said, its properties intend to provide players with performance similar to a soft poly. Combined with a great polyesters trademark ability to snap back into place and the lower power that allows you to increase your racquet head speed confidently, you end up with loads of topspin to help further dictate placement. One word to describe this string would be power. This is an extremely powerful, comfortable string. Some tennis strings are better at absorbing and reducing shock and vibration, resulting in more comfort, while others feel harsh. My recommendation: The first two rackets should be strung at the same tension to provide a back-up if a string breaks. Best Overall: Babolat VS Touch. When a string provides an outstanding balance between spin and feel in a low-powered package, you end up with excellent control. Luxilon ALU Power also delivers excellent spin potential aided by its ability to snap back into place quickly. PERFECT STRING FOR SPIN: Luxilon Big Banger ALU Spin 16 Gauge - 127 Polyester (Poly) Tennis String Set - 40 Feet is a five-sided (pentagonal) string designed to add spin and control to the advanced player's game. However, its not overbearing because Luxilon ALU Power Rough is a lower-powered string that balances it out. If youre a beginner or intermediate player, youll most likely just use the strings that came with their racquet. 1) Tension. More often than not, when players take the time to evaluate their needs seriously, theyre happier with the strings they choose, even if it takes some time to find the right set. In particular, players used to full polyester string setups may find Wilson Champions Choice a bit too high-powered and lacking in the spin and control departments, so youll need to consider those facets when stringing with this hybrid. These strings are thinner than the corresponding number, but . Like some of the other polys on offer from Solinco, Confidential is a 4-sided string, which offers a bit of extra added bite. So if youre looking for a little extra pop or spin from your strings, or if you want them to last longer and feel better on your arm, then try dropping the tension a few pounds to the lower end of your racquets recommended tension range. Although the low-powered performance of Solinco Hyper-G is well suited for intermediate to advanced players, many will find it swings the pendulum too far in this department. Over time, this approach of hybrid stringing became popular for players of all levels. TennisJrDad said: @eyalw88 My suggestions would be to try the following in the order listed: Full Bed of Luxilon Natural Gut in 1.30 57/55 LBd if healthy, if not 52/50. If a string is a candidate for multiple categories, Ill only elect it for the one where it performs best. Here are a few additional options to consider for beginners and children. If you are a Beginner in the game of tennis, consider reducing tension a little to compensate for stiffness. The last comment and 20 other comment(s) need to be approved. Gauge is the thickness of the string. Of all the strings available to players, Kevlar is one of the least powerful strings. Best Arm Friendly String for Intermediate Players: Wilson NXT Soft. Prince Synthetic Gut offers moderate overall performance but lacks the most in durability, control, and feel. First, here are our top picks. Beginners. Head RIP Control Tennis Racket String 40' Set - 17 Gauge Multifilament Racquet String, Natural. OUR BELIEF: When initial research on Tennis Elbow (TE) was conducted flaws in technique and mechanics were often cited as the cause of the discomfort. A very popular string offering incredible control and a ton of spin potential. Stringing your racquet towards the lower end of your tension range will give your strings more power, spin, durability, feel, and comfort. If youre new to tennis, dont underestimate synthetic gut tennis strings. While the low power is part of what makes this string fantastic, it does have the potential to leave some players frustrated with a lack of pace, especially if theyre using a lower-powered racquet. Generally speaking, the higher the tension, you get more control but less power. The main tradeoff youll make with Tecnifibre X-One Biphase is with spin. Although it doesnt quite stack up to Babolat RPM Blast in this category, its a strong contender and excellent from the back of the court. The Blade provides modern control for aggressive players. There are numerous multifilament tennis strings on the market and more than a handful of terrific options. But if youre looking to maximize control, precision, and accuracy, try a higher string tension. Instead, its a polyamide, belonging to the same family of synthetic materials as nylon and aramids. Thinner, softer strings tend to hold their tension better. For example, some players will combine two different gauges of the same string for added durability, improved feel, or enhanced topspin. I particularly enjoyed the heavy topspin I could produce on my groundstrokes and found it helped provide tons of spin on my kick serve, which enhanced the balls rebound off the court well out of most player strike zones. However, Prince takes things further than most multifilaments, using a spiraled ribbon construction to mimic the serosa fibers in an authentic natural gut more closely. Learn with comprehensive resources to help you improve your game. For example, if topspin is your main priority, Im confident that my string selection will deliver that characteristic. Exploring products for our tennis strings guide, we discovered that they retail anywhere from $4 to $40. Although Solinco Hyper-G is a terrific option for control, several others deliver fantastic performance. For example, if you play two times a week, you should restring four times a year or every three months. For many players, this is an ideal scenario. 5 offers from $6.95. Made from quality and durable materials, Wilson Federer Adult Tennis Racket is a great tennis racket for tennis elbow. This is why we recommend referencing the actual millimeter sizing. With the Clash V2 100 Pro Tennis Racquet, Wilson improves on their most flexible performance frame. Natural gut tennis strings are the most expensive category available. Wilson Champions Choice Duo is a premium string that blends natural gut with Luxilon ALU Power Rough tennis string. Without question, Luxilon ALU Power exemplifies what modern players expect from a poly in terms of control, spin, and durability. The very soft multi-filament crosses effectively moderate the sometimes undesirable co-polyesters' stiffness. The downsides to Babolat VS Touch are spin and control, which go hand in hand. 2 The Different String Types. Your email address will not be published. It means these types of tennis strings are best for experienced players, and not for beginners. Notably, lower power and less comfort. Compared to the Wilson NXT, it may also be a bit more durable. While serious flaws in technique continue to be a legitimate cause of TE, it is no longer the primary cause. When it comes to maxing out topspin, there are plenty of options. Heres a recap of some of our recommendations. As a reminder, the main strings characteristics will dominate the racquets feel. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for tennis strings at the best online prices at eBay! If you're shopping for strings online then you will see each string has a number with it, this is usually between 15 and 20 with the most common being 16, 17 and 18. 1. A lower tension will provide more power, but also less feel and control. Over the past few weeks we let players, who usually string their rackets very tight (between 60-62 lbs, these guys are high level 17 year old junior players) test strings at 47lbs. Overall, its hard to go wrong with any of the above strings, so if you have an affinity to a specific brand, dont hesitate to go with that option. This means you wont need to replace them very often, and dont need strings that are especially durable. Best Budget: Wilson Synthetic Gut Power Tennis String. 4) Value. My pick for the best polyester tennis string for 2023 is Luxilon ALU Power, which has developed a cult-like following and is wildly popular on the ATP and WTA tours. With Wilsons Natural Gut in the mains, Champions Choice delivers more than enough power. Recognizable with its neon green color, the Solinco Hyper-G is one of the best tennis string of 2020 and one of the favorite strings among the TW playtesting team. Many players will wait until their strings break before replacing them. While you can undoubtedly achieve more comfort with a full bed of natural gut, the tradeoff with spin and control is significant. Color: Silver or Blue. Home > Gear > Strings > Best Tennis Strings, Improve your game alongside our community of tennis players. Join a growing community of tennis enthusiasts and sign up for our monthly email. Colors: Black. In general, this refers to how well connected you are to the ball. While powerful, Tecnifibre gets the ingredients right with a string that delivers excellent feel and touch. What sets it apart from the rest is that its firm and ultra-low powered, which allows you to take massive swings at the ball while maintaining added precision. You will also find half-gauge tennis string labeled with an L after the numbers (15L, 16L, 17L). Color . We would recommend picking a tension 1 or 2 lbs more than mid as rackets lose tension fairly quickly. Unlike multifilament tennis strings, consisting of thousands of microfibers, polyester strings are typically monofilament or a single solid filament. Of course, beyond name recognition, combining these two exceptional strings provides a unique balance to suit a wide range of players. Our recommendation: Wilson Synthetic Gut Power is an excellent choice for recreational players who want an inexpensive, comfortable, and all-around adequate tennis string. Built with more than 1,000 ultra flexible fibers that are bonded with stretchy polyurethane, NXT has been meticulously engineered to dampen the brutal force of ball impact. My Absolute Favorite. Most tennis strings are between 15 gauge (thickest) and 18 gauge (thinnest). It wont rival the level of spin youll get with a quality set of polyester strings, and some players will find it too powerful. Discussion Boards However, not all polyester delivers equal performance, so it pays to know your options. If youve ever experienced it yourself, youll know how painful it can be and how it can sideline a player from enjoying the game they love. MwSt. As tennis has evolved with stronger players and more aggressive shot-making, controlling the ball has become increasingly important. If youre new to tennis or a parent helping guide your child, you may be concerned about whether or not your strings are adequate, which is an excellent consideration that Im happy youre investigating. Solinco Confidential is a newer string released in 2020, but its quickly gained popularity as a strong contender for one of the best polys. Unfortunately, ALU power is no exception to these rules. Middle-of-the-road gauges (16-17) tend to offer the best mix of power and spin with durability. 4. Rather than introducing a watered-down version of their flagship string, they managed to retain the essential control and spin youd expect from a poly with above-average comfort thats easier on a players arm. Compared with a polyester tennis string, some players may find that X-One Biphase is overpowering, resulting in less control. Tennis strings are usually made up of one or more of these materials: Polyester, Nylon, and Natural Gut. With that in mind, I hope my list of the best tennis strings for 2023 helped provide you with some options youd like to explore. One of the best benefits for beginners is tension retention. Furthermore, Luxilon ALU Power retains a liveliness, ensuring the string doesnt feel underpowered or dull. Many players make the mistake of not revisiting their string choice as their skills develop, which is one of the many reasons Im an advocate for helping players learn as much as possible about their gear.