Characteristics of the tennis strings
Comfortable tennis strings
Natural gut strings and multifilament strings are considered to be very gentle on the arm. They are characterized by a high elasticity and a high level of comfort. Vibrations that strongly affect the arm are absorbed by damped vibrations.
Strings with high durability
Polyester and co-polyester strings are strings with a high durability. However, it depends on how to define the durability of a string in this context. Durability can be about the time from stringing to breaking the string, or the time from restocking to losing the string's characteristics. The thicker the string, the longer the durability in the rain. When the string becomes brittle, it should be replaced with a new one.
Strings with high control
Refined strings are grooved, turned, toothed and coated. For example, an 8-cornered string promotes the topspin, giving you control over the swing. In addition, strings with a constant stringing hardness also provide high control. Co-polyester strings with finishes can cause this property.
Tennis strings for power
Strings with high elasticity usually promote ball acceleration. For this purpose multifilament, natural casings and elastic co-polyester strings with a smooth surface structure are used. For a good ball acceleration, the right tennis technique must be used.
Strings for a good feel
Natural gut strings stand for feel and touch. Also multifilament strings are already developed so far that they resemble the properties of natural gut. Modern co-polyester strings are not quite as close as multifilament strings, but there are already many different sheathing and surface coatings that promote feel and touch. As a rule, tennis strings which promote a good feeling, are very easy on the arm.
Strings for more spin
The topspin is gaining in importance in tennis, making many strings designed for a good spin. The string structure turns the ball more intense and creates more spin.
String Tension
High string tension
- more length control
- less ball acceleration
- less ball feel / shorter ball stays in the string bed
- less comfort
- smaller sweet spot
- less spin acceptance
Low string tension
- less length control
- more ball acceleration
- more ball feel / longer ball stays in the string bed
- more comfort
- bigger sweet spot
- more spin acceptance
String diameter
thin string diameter (1.15-1.25 mm)
- more ball acceleration
- more ball feeling
- more comfort
thick string diameter (1.30-1.40 mm)
Round strings
- generate the highest measurable spin acceptance
- more flexibility of the longitudinal strings (catapult effect)
- more durability (less string breaks)
Square, twisted strings
- generate a higher flight curve of the ball through stronger grip and longer ball time on the string bed
Important: Not to be confused with spin acceptance / ball rotation!
- less durability (more string tears) due to fast "sawing" of the longitudinal / transverse strings