Which tennis string should a beginner choose?

In short: to start out, a multifilament (or, for the smallest budget, a synthetic gut) strung toward the lower end of the manufacturer's range is the most commonly advised choice. Monofilament is generally not recommended for beginners. Your first racket may already be strung: there's no need to restring it straight away, wait for signs of wear. On budget, a restring costs around €16 to €25 in Belgium, labour included.

First racket: strung or not?

Before talking strings, a simple check: not all rackets come strung. Tennis Warehouse's guide to beginner rackets says so: some arrive with strings installed and ready to play, others without. If yours isn't strung, you choose the string at the time of purchase, and a stringer can fit it for you.

A racket that comes strung can be played as it is. Nothing requires you to restring it before you need to: what matters is spotting the right moment (see below). And if you're buying a new racket from a retailer, ask whether they offer the first restring: according to the Dutch version of its page, Sportline does so when you buy a racket in its shop.

Which string to start with?

For the detail of each family: which tennis string should you choose and monofilament or multifilament.

Which tension when you're starting out?

Tennis Warehouse Europe advises a beginner to favour a low tension, and, if you don't know what tension you need, a medium tension to adjust as needed. For a beginner profile in multifilament, Decathlon suggests 22 to 23 kg. Manufacturers also state a recommended range on the racket, generally between 22.5 and 27 kg: a good starting point is to stay within that range, rather toward the lower end.

To understand the effect of one kilo more or less: what tension should you choose for your tennis racket.

When to do the first restring?

Contrary to popular belief, according to Tennis Warehouse Europe, you don't only change your string when it breaks. A rule of thumb often cited: restring as many times a year as you play per week. For a beginner who plays once or twice a week, that gives one or two restrings a year, to adjust to how it feels: a string that goes slack, strings that move or less control are signals.

Note that a string also loses tension without being played, especially in the first few days (why do tennis strings lose tension). For the signs to watch for: when should you restring your tennis racket.

How much does a good start cost?

A few Belgian reference points, taken in October 2026. Labour alone costs €5 (over 6 days) or €12 (under 6 days) at Decathlon Belgium, which sells the string separately; Sportline shows all-in prices.

In total, a typical multifilament fitted at Decathlon comes to around €16 to €23 (€10.99 of string plus €5 to €12 of labour, a calculation from the listed prices). Tennis Warehouse Europe puts multifilaments at roughly €7 to €25 a set. So there's no need to aim for the top end to get started.

For the detail on prices and turnarounds: restringing cost and turnaround. And to know who to trust with your racket: how to choose a tennis stringer.

Keeping track of your first setup

A beginner often changes string over the first few restrings, while finding their feel. You still have to remember what was fitted, at what tension and on what date.

That's exactly what Tension wants to make easier: keeping the history of your restrings so you no longer have to remember, and finding an available stringer near you. Tension is coming to Belgium in late 2026, and you can already get notified at launch.

Are you a stringer or a shop? Tension Pro is designed to manage your orders, customers and stringing jobs, while letting new players find and book you. For the big picture, see our tennis stringing guide.