Gear
How to Choose Tennis Strings and Tension
By the TennisCourtFinder team · Updated June 29, 2026 · 5 min read
Most rec players obsess over which racket to buy and ignore the strings inside it, which is backwards. The strings are the only part of your racket that touches the ball, and they shape power, control, spin, and comfort more than the frame does. You do not need to memorize a catalog. You just need to understand a few categories and one number.
The main string types, in plain terms
Synthetic gut is the cheap, do-everything string, and it is a perfectly good default for most players. Multifilament is soft and comfortable, the friendliest choice if your arm or elbow bothers you. Polyester, often just called poly, is stiff and built for control and spin, which is why advanced players love it, but it is hard on the arm and not a great pick for beginners. Natural gut is the premium feel that the pros use, and the price reflects it.
Tension, simply
String tension is measured in pounds, usually somewhere in the 50 to 60 range. The rule is short. Lower tension gives you more power and a softer, more comfortable feel. Higher tension gives you more control and a firmer response. If you are spraying balls long, a little more tension reins them in. If you are struggling for depth, drop the tension and let the strings do some of the work.
If your arm hurts, start here
Tennis elbow and sore wrists often trace back to stiff strings strung too tight. If your arm is barking, get off polyester and into a multifilament string, and have it strung toward the lower end of the range. That single change has rescued a lot of players who thought they needed a new racket or a long break from the game.
How often to restring
The old guideline still holds up. Restring as many times per year as you play per week. If you play twice a week, aim for two restrings a year. Strings also lose their life sitting in the bag, so even if you never break them, fresh strings play noticeably better than a set that has gone dead.
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Frequently asked questions
- Synthetic gut or a soft multifilament is the best starting point. Both are forgiving and comfortable. Save polyester for later, since it is stiff and demands more from your technique and your arm.
- Yes. Lower tension adds power and a softer feel, while higher tension gives more control. Most players string somewhere in the 50 to 60 pound range.
- A common rule is to restring as many times per year as you play per week. Strings also go dead over time, so fresh strings help even if you have not broken them.