Top Tennis Strings
Tension starting points by player type
There is no single right number. Start from the range printed on your frame, then move a few pounds based on how you play.
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The frame range comes first. Every racket lists a recommended tension range, usually on the throat or inside the frame. Stay inside it. Everything below is about where in that range to start.
| Player | Start here in the range | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New player | Middle | A neutral start that is easy to adjust from either way. |
| Junior, growing swing | Middle to lower, usually with a soft multi | Easy depth and comfort matter more than control at this stage. |
| Sore arm or elbow history | Lower part of the range | Lower tension usually feels softer. Pair it with a multi, not a stiff poly. See sore arm. |
| Switching to full poly | Often a few pounds below what you used with a multi | Poly is stiffer, so many players drop tension when they move to it. |
| Big hitter wanting control | Middle to upper | Higher tension usually means a lower launch and more control, with a firmer feel. |
| Ball flying long | Up a couple of pounds | More tension usually takes some power out. |
| Ball landing short | Down a couple of pounds | Less tension usually adds some easy power. |
How to adjust
- Move 2 to 3 lbs at a time. Bigger jumps make it hard to tell what changed.
- Change one thing per restring: tension or string, not both.
- Write down string, gauge, tension and date.
- Stick with one stringer and machine while you dial in. Results can differ a little between machines at the same number.
Things that also move the feel
- Tension loss: every string relaxes after stringing, and poly tends to lose feel faster than it looks.
- Mains vs crosses: some players string crosses a little lower. It is a preference, not a rule.
- Hybrids: tell your stringer the tension for each string.
- Weather: some players adjust for heat or cold. Test it rather than assume.
Is there a best tension for everyone?
No. Swing speed, string family, frame and string pattern all change what feels right. Use the frame range and adjust from there.
Will lower tension hurt my control?
It can add some launch and depth. Many players find a small drop worth it for comfort. Move in small steps and see.
Tension basics String Tension Guide
More stringing guides
String types compared
Poly, multi, syn gut, natural gut and hybrid side by side.
How often to restring
Signs a set is done, even before it breaks.
Spin, control or comfort
What actually changes, and sets that fit each goal.
Why strings break
Causes, and how to make a set last longer.
DIY or pro restring
What a restring involves and when to hand it off.
Want it strung for you? Mobile Racket does pick-up and drop-off restrings in Wake and Harnett Counties, NC. You can bring your own sealed set. How it works · Book a restring.