| Strings are often the least appreciated piece of | | | | as quickly, but it generally has worse playability. Most |
| equipment in tennis. In fact, understanding the | | | | beginning players do not break strings that often so I |
| importance of the strings you put in a racket is almost | | | | recommend stringing with a high quality 17 gauge |
| as important as the racket itself! It is possible to make | | | | synthetic gut string (or even natural gut if you can |
| an inexpensive racket play great by putting high quality | | | | afford it!). |
| strings in it. Contrarily, it is also possible to turn an | | | | Now what? The next question is what tension to string |
| expensive racket into a piece of junk by putting cheap | | | | at. Tension is a way of describing string "tightness". A |
| strings in it. This article will focus on the basic | | | | very tightly strung racket will play with lots of control, |
| characteristics of strings and what they mean for | | | | but very little power. A loosely strung racket will play |
| playability. | | | | with more power, but at the expense of control. You |
| Most tennis specialty stores can recommend an | | | | can think of string tension like a trampoline. If the |
| appropriate string for beginners. Usually the more | | | | trampoline is very tight you will not bounce as high as a |
| expensive the string, the better the quality. In the past, | | | | loose trampoline. A good rule of thumb is to string your |
| natural "cat" gut string (which is actually made from | | | | racket in the middle of the recommended range (this is |
| cow, not cat gut) gave the best combination of power, | | | | usually printed somewhere on the throat of the racket). |
| control, and spin; in fact, many professional players still | | | | When you go to play, if the strings feel too tight string |
| use natural gut because of these qualities. However, | | | | them looser, if the ball is "trampolining" off the racket |
| because it is difficult to make, and string with, it is | | | | then next time string it tighter. |
| usually very expensive and outside the price range of | | | | Sometimes it takes several rounds of trial and error to |
| most recreational players. It also tends to break | | | | figure out which type of string and what tension feels |
| quicker than most synthetic guts, and does not handle | | | | best. Experiment with different types of strings and |
| inclement weather as well. Fortunately, nowadays | | | | tensions until you find a combination that works for |
| there are countless synthetic gut strings that rival most | | | | you. Some strings are grooved and help players |
| natural gut in terms of playability. Simply take a look at | | | | develop more spin; others are softer and provide more |
| any tennis equipment website and notice how many | | | | "feel", etc. It is also recommended that you re-string |
| options there are for strings! | | | | your racket as many times per year as you play |
| This brings us to the next point - string gauge. Strings | | | | during the week (ie: if you play 2 times per week you |
| come in several different gauges, or thicknesses. The | | | | would re-string your racket at least 2 times per year). |
| usual range is from 15 to 18, with 18 gauge being the | | | | If you are serious about playing good tennis string your |
| thinnest. In general the thinner the string, the better the | | | | racket much more often than this to ensure that your |
| playability (control, spin, power, etc.); however, thinner | | | | strings are always fresh and at the appropriate |
| strings tend to break quicker, which may mean that | | | | tension. This will make learning the game more |
| you are getting your racket re-strung more often than | | | | enjoyable! |
| you'd like. On the flip side, 15 gauge string doesn't break | | | | |