Understanding Strings

The only part of the frame that touches the ball is the string. For this reason a friend and mentor of mine calls rackets “stringholders.”

So you look inside your racket bag and there is a frame with a broken string, or you buy a new frame. I see potential. You have a vast number of stringing choices. (For my article on frames and customizing them, Click Here.)

But what does the universe of potential stringing look like? How do you evaluate which way to go? There are no absolute answers.

In this article I will outline the complex, often bewildering options and string combinations available to players today. Then in the next article I will make some specific recommendations for players at all levels of ability and experience. And discuss the vital topic of string choice and arm health.

History

Having strung my frames and those of hundreds of players over the past 4 decades, I have seen all the string trends come and go. It didn’t used to be this complex. In the wood, metal, and early graphite era, strings were generally either natural intestines from animals, or woven nylon fibers.

Many of us started tennis with simple…