Tennis strings
Play Better with Perfect Tennis Strings
Your racket might be most crucial for your next tennis session; sure, on the other hand, it can only be as good as its stringing. Yet, many club players all too rarely string their rackets. A mistake, because old tennis strings harm a racket's characteristics and consequently your game. You hit less precisely, which ultimately leads to more unforced errors. However, a new string set eases your game, increases precision, and, in the end, the fun factor. As a simple rule of thumb, a player who hits the court frequently should renew their racket's tennis stringing at least twice a year – by the way, you can easily do that right here, at the Tennis-Point shop. Not only will you find the leading brands' most recent strings, but expert advice will also help you pick the perfect stringing for your racket and style of play. This is particularly important because there are many good tennis strings to choose from, which tremendously differ in their play characteristics. So, it is best if you take the initiative today and treat your racket with a new stringing. That way, your game will regain control, security, and punch.
Tennis Strings are at Least as Important as the Racket
Unlike tennis rackets, if you are looking for a new tennis string set, no classification focuses on play level. Even beginners will benefit from new stringing immediately. With strings, the categories instead focus on durability, flexibility, and responsiveness when playing. However, there are no strings made explicitly for "pro" or competition players, which would not work for beginners or advanced players. At the same time, pro players demonstrate the importance of tennis strings. They usually bring up to ten different rackets to a match, which have all just received new strings. Thus, they actively avoid that the match wears out the stringing. That is a bit much to ask from recreational players, not least because it would be rather expensive. However, as a recreational player, it makes sense for you to renew your racket's stringing every few months.
Tennis Strings for your Racket: the most Important Facts
When tennis was booming during the 1970s and 80s, wooden rackets were most common. The materials have since changed; however, the stringing already played a crucial role back then. The legendary Björn Borg, for example, is believed to have used 800 stringings per year. During his active career, by the way, many athletes used strings made from natural gut. They allowed for an excellent feel for the game but tore quickly. When damp, they macerated and consequently were hardly playable. You may still find strings from natural gut. Synthetic strings made from nylon have asserted themselves today, though. The main reason is that they share similar characteristics with the natural version while keeping tenseness longer and tearing less quickly.
Today, tennis strings are divided into the following main categories:
- Natural gut strings
In comparison, tennis strings made from natural gut are relatively pricy, yet, allow for an unmatched playing feel. Plus, they carry excellent cushioning properties, thanks to which they are particularly easy on the arm. On the downside, those strings are less durable and expensive.
- Mono fibre tennis strings
This stringing usually consists of nylon or a mix of materials. Both options result in very stable material, which makes the strings very durable and supports an aggressive playing style – but at the expense of cushioning. Thus, players who have problems with their arms should change to another string type as soon as they experience the slightest discomfort.
- Poly fibre tennis strings
This stringing consists of countless delicate synthetic fibres interwoven to a string before being coated with a filigree protective cover. Thanks to this setup, poly fibre strings come as close to the playing feel of gut strings but are more durable plus water-resistant.
- Hybrid stringing
The string type most pros like to use. Hybrid strings consist of natural gut and synthetic strings, one each for the cross and main stringing. This way, it combines the durability of synthetic strings with the excellent playing characteristics of natural gut strings.
- Patterned stringing
With this string type, you may choose from different materials and combinations. The strings carry a noticeable pattern. Almost "squared," they dig deep into the felt of the ball when you hit it. Consequently, they allow for more spin, which is why you may prefer patterned strings if you like to play with a lot of spin (topspin as well as slice).
Tip: Trust our pros' advice and let our string advisor pick out a stringing that perfectly matches your game. We have fed our database with numerous information about players of every level. The stringing advisor will lead you through a set of precise questions about your game and will use your answers to find strings that suit your preferences ideally.
The Right Stringing Tension for your Tennis Strings
How hard you string your racket largely depends on your preferences. To help you pick out the one that suits your playing style and your racket, manufacturers give a piece of stringing advice for every one of their rackets, which might be 26/25, meaning that the main strings' tension carries 26 kilograms, the cross strings' 25 kilograms. Hence, the slightly longer main strings are strung minimally harder than the shorter cross strings. If you choose your stringing too softly, you will eventually experience the so-called rebound effect: the ball sinks deep into the soft strings before their elasticity catapults it back over the net. This effects in less control and ultimately less fun.
Which String Tension Do I Choose?
Generally, tennis strings measure between 1.10, 1.20, 1.25, and 1.30 millimetres in width. The wider a string, the more durable it is. Plus, thicker strings result in higher control. On the other hand, thinner strings increase your feel for the ball and allow for more spin. Hence, to pick the ideal diameter for your game, you need to test. Ideally, you take two identical rackets with different kinds of stringing to spot the differences as clearly as possible. And keep in mind: the way and tension of your stringing also depend on the so-called stringing picture: usually, strings are divided into an 18/20 pattern, which means your racket has 20 cross and 18 main strings. However, you can get many rackets with a 16/19 pattern with enhanced gaps between the strings. This setup allows the strings to dig deeper into the ball, which results in more acceleration and spin. A traditional 18/20 spinning, on the other hand, gives your game more precision because the denser stringing accelerates the ball in a straighter line.
Tennis Strings by the Sport's Top Brands
In our shop, you choose from a great range of tennis strings. You will find premium strings by the most popular racket manufacturers that usually match the brand's tennis rackets closely. Hence, you cannot go wrong if you pick one of your racket manufacturer's stringings, for example, from WILSON, Pacific, Dunlop, Yonex, HEAD, or Babolat. Still, there are a lot of brands that have specialised in manufacturing strings for different racket sports. Get to know a few of our manufacturers:
Since 1969, the Austrian company has specialised in processing synthetics for sports and is known as a real "string lab."
The German family business has entered the string business in the late 1980s and continuously finishes among the top products in string tests.
The Belgians are not only known for the outstanding strings; they also produce synthetics for medicinal and industrial purposes.
MSV keeps surprising us with string innovations that noticeably add a new twist. Moreover, the German company manufactures ball machines.
Also from Germany, Poly Star has been developing and manufacturing tennis strings since the early 1980s.
When watching pro tennis, you will spot Signum strings with the help of a big "S" sprayed onto the stringing. String art, made in Germany.
Do you String your Racket yourself and for Others?
Many passionate tennis players do not like to leave anything to chance and string their tennis rackets themselves. If you are part of this group of enthusiasts, our shop, of course, offers just what you need. Here, you can pick from our string reels. Moreover, you will find stringing machines as well as other stringing supplies in our shop.
Now, we hope you have fun picking your new tennis strings from our online shop, which you can do right here.
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