Strings shape how your racket plays as much as the frame does — yet most players never think about them. Here are the four main types and who they suit.
Polyester (poly). Stiff, durable and control-oriented, poly is the choice of big-hitting advanced players who want spin and control and tend to break strings. The downside: it's harsh on the arm and loses tension quickly, so it's a poor choice if you have elbow trouble.
Multifilament. Made of hundreds of soft fibres to mimic natural gut. Comfortable, powerful and arm-friendly — the best all-round choice for club and improving players, and the go-to for anyone prone to tennis elbow. Less durable and less spin-friendly than poly.
Synthetic gut. A solid-core all-rounder and the standard "default" string. Good balance of playability, comfort and price — a sensible, affordable choice for beginners and casual players.
Natural gut. The premium option: unmatched comfort, power and feel, made from cow intestine. Expensive and less durable, but the most arm-friendly string there is. Often used in a hybrid (see our hybrid stringing guide).
Quick guide
- Beginner/casual → synthetic gut
- Comfort / sore arm → multifilament or natural gut
- Advanced, spin, string-breaker → polyester
- Best of both → hybrid (poly + multi/gut)
Browse the tennis strings collection at Central Tennis, and read what tension you should use next.
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