Choosing the right tennis strings for your game can be a complete minefield, however, hopefully with this guide you will know a bit more about the different types of tennis strings available and which one will be right for your game.
Nylon (Synthetic Gut)
Nylon strings are often referred to as synthetic gut strings because of their likeness to the more expensive natural gut. They can be made out of a number of different blends of fibers and are some of the most popular strings on the market, as they are usually used by most club and recreational players due to their excellent balance of playability, durability and price. They are more durable than natural gut, however not as durable as polyester or kevlar strings. A good example of a nylon string is Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex, which has been one of the top selling strings around the world for the past 10 years.
Natural Gut
Natural gut is made from the intestines of usually cows or sheep. Natural gut strings offer the best power, comfort and playability among all types of strings. It is excellent for people with tennis elbow as it has a really soft feel to it, however, all of this does come at a price, and it is a big one! Just one set of natural gut can cost up to as much as £36 and that is without the labor cost of the stringer added onto that! Natural gut is used by many professional players in a hybrid usually with a polyester as natural gut is the least durable string on the market and can be easily affect by environmental factors such as rain or temperature. However, if you are a money no object kind of guy, then natural gut will offer you the best all round playability, although be prepared to be visiting your stringer very frequently.
Polyester
Polyester strings offer lest power and comfort than nylon strings, however, offer a lot more durability. Polyester strings tend to lose tension a lot quicker than other types of strings, so many players string their rackets a little tighter in order to compensate for this drop off. While polyester strings are ideal for frequent string breakers the lack of feel and comfort usually means that they are paired with a multi-filament nylon or natural gut in order to soften up the string bed.
Kevlar
Last but no means least, kevlar strings offer an extremely frequent string breaker a little respite. They are by far the most durable strings on the market, although, offer very little power or comfort. That is why they are not recommended to juniors or adults with arm injuries. A very soft nylon is also usually needed in a hybrid in order to soften up the extremely stiff string.
String Gauge Guide
Strings come in a variety of different gauge sizes, but the way of measuring varies from region to region. This diagram should help out with any confusion cause by the different sizing measurements. And remember a thinner string will give greater power and playability but less durability and a thicker string will offer more durability but less power and control.
Picture courtesy of www.stringingsolutions.co.uk
Nylon (Synthetic Gut)
Nylon strings are often referred to as synthetic gut strings because of their likeness to the more expensive natural gut. They can be made out of a number of different blends of fibers and are some of the most popular strings on the market, as they are usually used by most club and recreational players due to their excellent balance of playability, durability and price. They are more durable than natural gut, however not as durable as polyester or kevlar strings. A good example of a nylon string is Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex, which has been one of the top selling strings around the world for the past 10 years.
Natural Gut
Natural gut is made from the intestines of usually cows or sheep. Natural gut strings offer the best power, comfort and playability among all types of strings. It is excellent for people with tennis elbow as it has a really soft feel to it, however, all of this does come at a price, and it is a big one! Just one set of natural gut can cost up to as much as £36 and that is without the labor cost of the stringer added onto that! Natural gut is used by many professional players in a hybrid usually with a polyester as natural gut is the least durable string on the market and can be easily affect by environmental factors such as rain or temperature. However, if you are a money no object kind of guy, then natural gut will offer you the best all round playability, although be prepared to be visiting your stringer very frequently.
Polyester
Polyester strings offer lest power and comfort than nylon strings, however, offer a lot more durability. Polyester strings tend to lose tension a lot quicker than other types of strings, so many players string their rackets a little tighter in order to compensate for this drop off. While polyester strings are ideal for frequent string breakers the lack of feel and comfort usually means that they are paired with a multi-filament nylon or natural gut in order to soften up the string bed.
Kevlar
Last but no means least, kevlar strings offer an extremely frequent string breaker a little respite. They are by far the most durable strings on the market, although, offer very little power or comfort. That is why they are not recommended to juniors or adults with arm injuries. A very soft nylon is also usually needed in a hybrid in order to soften up the extremely stiff string.
String Gauge Guide
Strings come in a variety of different gauge sizes, but the way of measuring varies from region to region. This diagram should help out with any confusion cause by the different sizing measurements. And remember a thinner string will give greater power and playability but less durability and a thicker string will offer more durability but less power and control.
Hello there! I am really interested in one thing, of course if I'm not asking too much could you please share with us the place where you spent your childhood?
ReplyDeleteHi, yes, I grew up in the sea-side town of Worthing, West Sussex, England
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