Tennis Blog

Discover the best tennis strings for spin. Compare Yonex Poly Tour Spin, RPM Blast, Hyper-G and more to find the right string for power, control and topspin.

Learn how to improve your tennis serve with simple tips on grip, ball toss and technique. Build more power, spin and consistency with our expert guide.

What is tennis string gauge? Our UK guide explains thin vs thick strings, how gauge affects spin, feel and durability, and which to choose.

What happens in a tennis restringing service? Central Tennis explains the process, string and tension choices, turnaround and how to get the best result.

The two numbers are main strings (vertical) by cross strings (horizontal). Fewer strings — an "open" pattern like 16×19 — move more on contact, generating more spin and a softer feel. More strings — a "dense" pattern like 18×20 — move less, giving more control and durability but less spin. What the numbers actually mean A 16×19 pattern has 16 main strings running head-to-handle and 19 cross strings running side-to-side. An 18×20 pattern packs in two extra mains and one extra cross, leaving less gap between strings. Open patterns (16×18, 16×19) More spin: wider gaps let strings shift and snap back on contact, grabbing the ball longer and imparting more topspin — the main reason open patterns dominate the modern spin-heavy game. Softer feel: more string movement absorbs some shock, giving a plusher, more comfortable sensation on contact. Less durable: with fewer strings sharing the load, each string wears faster — expect to restring more often, especially with polyester. Dense patterns (18×20) More control: less string movement means a more predictable, "what you see is what you get" response — the ball goes where the racket face points with less variance. More durable: load is spread across more strings, so each one lasts longer before notching or breaking. Less spin, firmer feel: the trade-off for that control and durability is a flatter, crisper contact with noticeably less spin potential than an open pattern strung identically. The middle ground: 16×20 A useful hybrid found on many all-rounder frames — the 16 mains keep spin potential reasonably high, while the extra cross string adds a touch more control and durability than a full 16×19. Pattern matters as much as string choice A spin-friendly polyester strung into a dense 18×20 frame will always produce less spin than the same string in an open 16×19—the physical pattern sets the ceiling, and string choice fine-tunes within it. If you are chasing spin, check the pattern before you check the string. Matching pattern to your game Heavy topspin, modern baseline game: 16×19 — maximum spin and a comfortable, forgiving feel. Flat, precise ball-striking, frequent string breakers: 18×20 — control and durability first. Not sure yet: 16×20 — a sensible all-round starting point. Our recommendation The string pattern is fixed to the frame, so it is one of the first things to consider when choosing a racket — not something to fix afterwards. If you already own a racket and want more spin without switching frames, dropping tension slightly and choosing a spin-friendly polyester is the next best thing. Shop this guide at Central Tennis All in stock now, with expert stringing and racket fitting available in store. Yonex Ezone 100L 2025 285g Unstrung Tennis Racket (Free Restring) from £192.00 Wilson Blade 98 18X20 V10 2026 Tennis Racket - Green from £219.99 Wilson Intrigue 105 SE Tennis Racket 280g - White/Pink from £96.00 Browse more: 16x19 open-pattern rackets  ·  18x20 dense-pattern rackets  ·  All tennis rackets Not sure what suits your game? Talk to our team — we fit, string and demo rackets every day.

Tennis bags are sized by racket capacity — 3, 6, 9 or 12+. Choose based on how many rackets you actually carry on a normal day plus kit, not how many you own. Most club players are best served by a 6-pack; only players carrying backup rackets to every match need to go bigger. The standard capacities Single sleeve / 3-pack: for players who travel light — one strung racket, maybe a spare, and little else. Popular for a quick trip to the club. 6-pack: the most common size for regular players. Enough room for two or three rackets plus shoes, balls, water, a spare layer and accessories — without carrying dead weight. 9–12-pack (tour bags): built for players who bring multiple rackets strung at different tensions to every match, or for coaches carrying team kit. Considerable capacity, but noticeably bulkier and heavier empty. Why capacity matters more than racket count you own Owning four rackets does not mean you need a 12-pack — most players rotate one or two rackets per session. Buy for what you carry on a normal day, not your full collection sitting at home. Features worth checking beyond size Thermal lining: insulates the main racket compartment against heat and cold, protecting string tension and grip condition if the bag sits in a hot car boot — worth having on any bag that travels by car regularly. Separate shoe compartment: keeps grubby outsoles away from clothing and grips — a small feature that matters daily. Dedicated ball tube or pocket: stops loose balls rattling around your rackets and accessories. Backpack vs. duffel style: backpacks distribute weight evenly for walking or cycling to the club; duffel-style racket bags often have more structured racket protection and easier access to strings. Matching bag size to how you play Casual or once-a-week players: a 3-pack or single sleeve is genuinely enough. Regular club players and league players: a 6-pack covers rackets, shoes and kit comfortably. Competitive players and coaches: a 9- or 12-pack for multiple strung rackets and team equipment. Our recommendation If in doubt, a 6-pack is the safest all-rounder's choice — it is rarely too small and never absurdly oversized. Look for thermal lining first; it is the one feature that actually protects your equipment rather than just adding capacity. Shop this guide at Central Tennis All in stock now, with expert stringing and racket fitting available in store. Wilson Team (WR8039801) Racket Bag (3 Racket) from £34.47 Wilson Heritage V2 6 Racket Bag - Cream/Navy from £71.25 Yonex BA92429EX Pro 9 Racket Bag - Cobalt Blue from £108.00 Browse more: All Bags · 6 Racket Bags · Tennis Rackets Not sure what suits your game? Talk to our team — we fit, string and demo rackets every day.

Yes, but modestly. Vibration dampeners reduce the high-frequency "ping" you feel and hear after contact, which many players find more comfortable — but independent testing shows they do little to nothing to prevent tennis elbow, since most harmful shock is absorbed by the arm before the vibration even reaches the dampener. What a dampener actually does When the ball hits the strings, the bed vibrates at two different frequencies: a low-frequency "shock" that transfers through the frame into your arm almost instantly, and a higher-frequency "ring" that continues briefly after contact. A dampener — the small rubber or silicone piece woven into the strings — only damps that second, higher-frequency ring. It cannot reach the initial shock, which has already passed into your arm by the time the string bed settles. So does it help with arm pain? Biomechanics research on stringbed vibration (widely cited studies from the International Tennis Federation and various sports science labs) consistently finds no measurable reduction in the shock transmitted to the elbow or wrist. If you are managing tennis elbow, a dampener is not a substitute for looking at string type, tension, grip size and racket stiffness — all of which have a far bigger effect on arm comfort. What dampeners are actually good for Sound: a noticeably quieter, more muted contact sound, which some players simply prefer. Feel: a softer, less "harsh" sensation through the hand on off-centre hits, even if the physical shock is unchanged. Habit and rhythm: some players use fitting or checking the dampener as a small pre-point routine. Do any players avoid them? Some competitive and touch-focused players deliberately play without a dampener because they use the natural string "ping" as feedback on contact quality — a duller sound on a mishit, a crisper sound on a clean strike. Our recommendation Use one if you like the sound and feel — it costs next to nothing and takes seconds to fit. But if your goal is reducing arm strain, put your budget into the right string (a multifilament or hybrid setup), a sensible tension, and a properly sized grip instead — that is where the real difference is made. Shop this guide at Central Tennis All in stock now, with expert stringing and racket fitting available in store. Wilson Shock Shield Dampener from £4.00 Babolat Custom Damp Dampener - Black/Yellow from £5.49 Head Pro Damp Tennis Dampener (Pack of 2) - Multicolour from £3.51 Browse more: Dampeners  ·  Tennis strings  ·  Grips and overgrips Not sure what suits your game? Talk to our team — we fit, string and demo rackets every day.

How do head size and weight affect your tennis racket? Our UK guide breaks down power, control, forgiveness and stability so you choose the right frame.

Not sure of your tennis grip size? Our UK guide shows how to measure, understand L0–L5 sizes, and choose the right grip. Expert advice from Central Tennis.