I get asked about tennis strings more than almost any other equipment question, and honestly, I totally understand why.
Walk into any tennis shop or browse online, and you’re hit with hundreds of options. Natural gut, synthetic gut, multifilament, polyester, hybrid setups—and that’s before you even get into tensions, gauges, and brands. Everyone’s got an opinion about what’s “best,” and half the time those opinions completely contradict each other.
So I wanted to cut through all that noise and give you what actually matters. Because here’s the truth: choosing the right string isn’t about finding the “best” string—it’s about finding the best string for YOU and how you play.
Let me break this down in a way that’ll actually help you make a smart decision next time you’re getting your racket strung.
There are three main categories of tennis strings, and understanding where they came from helps you understand what they do.
First up is natural gut. These strings were created back in 1875 in France, and for nearly 80 years, they were the only option players had. Natural gut is famous for its incredible feel—the ball just pockets in the strings a little longer, giving you amazing touch and control. They’re also incredibly easy on your arm because they’re soft and pliable. Plus, they hold tension longer than any other string type out there.
The downside? They’re expensive. We’re talking $40-$50 just for the strings, not including the labor to put them in your racket. And if you do decide to try natural gut—maybe because you’ve got elbow issues or you just love that premium feel—make absolutely sure the person stringing your racket really knows what they’re doing. Natural gut requires special care and technique to string properly without damaging them.
In the 1950s, players wanted something more affordable, so companies started experimenting with nylon. That’s where synthetic gut comes from. Most synthetic gut strings have a solid nylon core wrapped with other fibers and materials. They’re WAY cheaper—anywhere from $4 to $13—which makes them accessible for most players.
But compared to natural gut, synthetic gut doesn’t last as long, doesn’t hold tension as well, and doesn’t have that same premium feel.
It’s the budget-friendly option, which isn’t a bad thing if it fits your game.
Then there’s multifilament, which is kind of the middle child between natural gut and synthetic gut. Instead of a solid nylon core, multifilament strings are made of hundreds of tiny nylon strands woven together. This gives you more feel and touch than synthetic gut—closer to natural gut—without the crazy price tag. You’re looking at about $12-$23 for multifilament strings.
Finally, in the late 1990s, polyester (or “poly”) strings showed up as players started swinging faster and hitting with more spin than ever before. Poly strings are made from one solid, stiff core. They’re incredibly durable—really hard to break—and because they’re stiff and snap back into place quickly, they let you swing big and generate massive spin.
But here’s the catch: poly strings don’t give you much power on their own. You have to create all that energy yourself with your swing speed. They also put more shock into your body compared to softer strings, so if you’ve got arm problems, poly probably isn’t for you. Poly strings run anywhere from $8 to $20.
So Which String Is Right for You?
Here’s where I need you to really pay attention, because this is the part that matters most.
I had two high-level players test all these different string types, and what they told me lines up perfectly with what I’ve seen coaching thousands of players over the years.
Synthetic gut is best for players who aren’t swinging super fast and aren’t relying on heavy topspin. If you’re anywhere from a 2.5 level up to maybe a mid-4.0 baseline player working on solid mechanics without massive acceleration, synthetic gut could be great for you. It’s also fantastic for younger juniors (12 and under) who can’t generate huge racket head speed yet but could use a little extra power. And if you’re dealing with elbow issues, the softer feel of synthetic gut won’t beat up your arm like stiffer strings.
Who should avoid synthetic gut? If you’re a spin player who relies on heavy acceleration and brushing up the back of the ball, synthetic gut is too slick. It won’t give you the bite and snapback you need.
Multifilament is your string if you’re a touch player. The extra pocketing and softer feel make it perfect for players who hit with finesse, play a lot of doubles, or use shots like drop shots and lobs. It’s also great if you’ve got elbow problems—it’s significantly softer than both synthetic gut and poly.
But if you’re a string breaker, stay away from multifilament. You’ll go through it too quickly, and that gets expensive fast.
Polyester is for aggressive, fast-swinging players who need control and spin. If you’re a solid 4.0 or above and you’re taking big cuts at the ball, poly can really help you manage all that power and keep the ball in the court. The control you get is unmatched.
But—and this is important—if you don’t swing fast, poly will work against you. It takes power away instead of adding it. You need to generate serious racket head speed to make poly work. And if you’ve got any arm issues whatsoever, skip poly entirely. It’s harsh on the body.
Also, if you’re a serve-and-volley player or you play with a one-handed backhand, be really careful with poly. It’s designed for spin and power from the baseline, not for touch and feel at the net.
Look, I know this is a lot of information, and honestly, we didn’t even cover everything. We didn’t talk about string tension, different gauges (thickness), or hybrid setups where you use different strings in the mains and crosses. Those topics matter too, but I wanted to start with the foundation.
Here’s what I want you to walk away with: stop thinking about what’s “best” in general and start thinking about what’s best for YOUR game.
Ask yourself these questions:
How fast do I swing? Am I generating good racket head speed, or am I still developing that?
What’s my playing style? Do I hit with heavy spin, play with touch and finesse, or rely on power?
Do I have any arm, elbow, or shoulder issues that I need to protect?
How often do I break strings? If you’re breaking them constantly, durability matters.
Match your answers to what we talked about, and you’ll land on the right string type for where you are right now in your tennis journey.
And remember—your string choice isn’t permanent. As your game evolves, your string needs might change too. A 3.5 player developing a bigger swing might start with synthetic gut and eventually move to poly as their game matures. That’s totally normal.
Tennis equipment should help your game, not confuse you. Now you’ve got the knowledge to make a smart choice next time you’re at the pro shop.
Your Coach,
Ian
