Whilst the type and quality of tennis strings has improved dramatically in the 33 years I have been stringing, the importance of regular, consistent and quality strings and stringing hasn't diminished. The strings are the only connection between your racket and the ball and as such have a huge role in generating spin, control and power. I often get asked about the best type of strings to use on a racket, and am always sure to ask as many questions as possible if I don't know the player in order to get the right type of string, taking into account their playing style, any injuries, growth and development and budget (players don't tend to like coming back every 2 weeks for strings, and there can be a trade off between playability and durability!. The two main types of modern strings that players use are multifilament and polyester (co-poly). Both have their own unique properties and characteristics that make them suitable for different types of players and playing styles. There are also basic Synthetic Gut and a very small amount of expensive Natural Gut on the market but here we will focus on Co Poly and Multi Filaments as the most common varieties.
Multifilament strings are made up of multiple thin fibres that are braided together offering a more natural feel and more elasticity polyester strings. They tend to have more give, helping to reduce the impact on the player's arm, making them a good choice for players who are recovering from an injury or have a history of tennis elbow.
On the other hand, polyester (co-poly) strings are made up of a single, thicker fibre. They provide a firmer, more direct feel and tend to last longer than multifilament strings, and provide more spin potential than multifilament strings, making them a good choice for players who rely on heavy spin in their game.
In terms of power, multifilament strings tend to have more power than polyester strings. This is because of their ability to stretch and recoil, which creates more energy transfer to the ball. You may have heard the term "snap back" which refers to the main strings ability to snap back into place on contact very rapidly which accelerates the spin on the ball. Manufacturers are constantly trying to maximise this effect to achieve the elusive magic effects of perfect spin and power.
The firmer, more direct feel of polyester strings allows for more spin on the ball, which can be beneficial for players who rely on heavy spin in their game. However, multifilament strings still offer a good amount of spin control and can be a good option for players who don’t want to sacrifice power for spin.
In terms of injury considerations, multifilament strings are a better option for players who are recovering from an injury or have a history of tennis elbow. The more natural feel of multifilament strings, as well as their ability to absorb shock, can help reduce the impact on the player's arm. This is also important for younger players using lighter rackets. We don't believe that below 300 grams players should use a full bed (mains and crosses) of Co-Poly strings. A hybrid mix (co poly main strings and multi filament crosses) can bridge the gap nicely into full Co-Poly.
There are now a huge range of gauges (thickness) , profiles (shape cross section) and colours of string in the market. Talk to us about what you want in your game and from your racket and string and we can recommend a few options form our in-house top brands such as Tecnifibre, Wilson, Luxilon, Head, Yonex and Dunlop.
String choice ultimately comes down to personal preference, playing style, and the specific needs of the player. Both types of strings have their own unique properties and characteristics that make them suitable for different types of players. It is always recommended to use an experienced stringer with a modern machine (constant pull tensioning and 6 point frame mounting) try different types of strings and see which one works best for you. Ultimately, the choice is yours, there is no right and wrong and confidence in your equipment is a very important but very personal thing. try some different string combinations and a few tensions to dial in your string bed and maximise your on court performance!