Everything about tennis racket stringing

Many players end up with whatever string came on their racket, or whatever their stringer happens to have in stock that day. That's not a problem if the result works for you, but understanding the basics below lets you have a real conversation with your stringer instead of just accepting a default.

The main types of tennis strings

There are five broad string families, distinguished by their construction and playing properties.

• Monofilament (polyester): a single extruded strand, stiff, known for durability and control — at the cost of comfort and faster tension loss.
• Multifilament: dozens of fine fibers woven together, closer to the feel of natural gut — comfortable and powerful, but less durable under heavy play.
• Natural gut: the most comfortable string with the best tension-holding, but also the most expensive and the most sensitive to humidity.
• Synthetic gut / nylon: a versatile, affordable string, often the factory default on new rackets — a solid starting point for a beginner.
• Hybrid: two different strings combined (often monofilament in the mains, a softer string in the crosses) for a custom-tailored compromise.

This choice is worth digging into: our article on which tennis string to choose covers every family in depth and gives recommendations by player profile.

What tension should you choose?

In short: higher tension makes the string bed stiffer and favours control; lower tension makes it more flexible and favours power and comfort. The range printed on your racket's frame by the manufacturer remains the most reliable starting point.

String type matters too: monofilament, stiffer by nature, is often strung slightly lower than multifilament to offset that stiffness. Level and playing style matter as well — a swing that already generates a lot of power benefits from more control, meaning a tension closer to the top of the range.

We cover this in our article on what tension to choose for your tennis racket, with concrete guidance by player profile.

When should you restring?

Three main signals tell you it's time to restring: a broken string, gradual tension loss (which starts within the first hours of play, well before any visible break), and a loss of feel or control. How often you play is the most decisive factor: the more you play, the faster the string bed ages.

Our article on when to restring your tennis racket covers the signs to watch for and a rule of thumb commonly used by regular players.

Monofilament or multifilament?

This is the trade-off stringers get asked about most. Monofilament (polyester) favours durability and control at the cost of comfort. Multifilament favours comfort and power at the cost of durability. In between, a hybrid setup lets you fine-tune the balance without picking an extreme.

Our full comparison — monofilament or multifilament: which to choose — covers each criterion and gives clear guidance by profile.

What gauge should you choose?

Gauge refers to the string's diameter, usually expressed in millimetres or in US gauge numbers (16, 16L, 17...) — with a reversed logic that often causes confusion: the higher the gauge number, the thinner the string.

We cover this separately in our article on which gauge to choose.

Which string fits your profile?

• Beginner: a synthetic gut or entry-level multifilament, at the lower end of the manufacturer's tension range, to favour comfort while your swing is still developing.
• Recreational player: a multifilament or comfortable synthetic gut; the extreme durability of pure monofilament is rarely needed for occasional play.
• Intermediate player: a multifilament, a premium synthetic gut, or a light hybrid, depending on whether you're after more comfort or already want more control.
• Competitive player: a monofilament or a hybrid with polyester in the mains, for control and durability under a heavy playing schedule.
• Player looking for comfort: natural gut if budget allows, otherwise a premium multifilament.
• Player who breaks strings often: monofilament, a thicker gauge, or a hybrid built for durability rather than feel.

Why go through a stringer?

A stringer offers three things that are hard to get on your own: personalised advice on the string and tension suited to your racket and game, a calibrated machine that guarantees a precise, repeatable job, and tracking over time — knowing exactly what was strung last time lets you adjust gradually instead of starting from scratch every time.