Strings guide

• Polyester: Polys are the most popular choice for intermediate and advance players that are looking for control and are able to generate their own power with their strokes. These strings offer great control, spin and durability while can lack in comfort due to their stiffness.

• Synthetic gut: Normally made from nylon, synthetic guts are strings that offer and all-around performance. Strings recommended for beginners and intermediate players. Also higher level players would choose this string in a hybrid set-up combined with a polyester to add some comfort.

• Multifilament: Made up of nylon microfibers wrapped together making a single string. The benefits of this type of string are power and comfort. On the other hand it can be a string hard to control due to its high-powered nature.

• Hybrid setup: Hybrid setups install one type of string in the mains and another in the crosses. The purpose is to get the best of two different string types (the control of a polyester and comfort of a synthetic gut). The string choice of your mains will be the predominant one for your racket performance.

Simplified: higher tension = greater control, while lower tension = more power.

String tension ranges are normally between 35 to 70 pounds or 16 to 31 kilograms.

With such a big range of tensions to choose from it might seem too complex, but most tennis rackets in the market come with a recommended tension for that particular frame. These are normally between 50 and 60 pounds.

We find that around 55 pounds (25kg) would be a good choice for a beginner/intermediate. Once you have some experience with it, you can then adjust it according to your game and your needs.

If you choose a full bed of polyester strings for the first time it might be a good idea to string it at a slight lower tension.