Thanks to fellow tennis nerds out there, we got snapshot of the ATP String Tensions from Houston 2025. Let’s see what we can learn.
I go through my thoughts and talk about the different ATP String tensions from Houston in the embedded YouTube video. We now have two active channels on Tennisnerd, so please subscribe to both.
Tennisnerd2 will have a bit more raw and varied content in the future, while Tennisnerd will be a more polished and edited.
Anyway, there are nothing very outstanding on this tension sheet, at least if you know that Mannarino strings his racquets at 9.5 kg (21 lbs). But there are some interesting learnings to take away.
Learnings from ATP String Tensions sheet
The main thing that stands out from this sheet is that tensions are going down. I have talked a lot about this in previous string tension videos and posts, but the trend is pretty steady.
Especially when you get on a slower court (like clay), you want some extra depth from your racquet. Even pro players who use gut hybrids (involving gut in the string bed will give you more power), are dropping down to mid-40s in string tensions in many cases.
Not many years ago, the average tension seemed to hover around 53-57 lbs (24-26 kg) but these days many players are in the mid 40s instead. Yes, there will be exceptions like Jannik Sinner and Stan Wawrinka who persist with their 58-62 lbs of tension for a full bed of polyester string (firmer) but overall the trend is clear.
Should all amateurs try to string lower? Well, it depends. Pros are better at controlling a powerful setup with spin and fast racquet head speeds than an amateur. So, the somewhat counterintuitive fact is that many club players use more controlled racquets than pros. It depends on your swing style and technique, of course.
Overall, a lower tension will give you more free depth, easier spin potential and a larger sweet spot. The cost is the control, so you have to experiment a bit with how low you can go.
Start decreasing by a kg or 2 lbs and take it from there.
Natural Gut is still going strong
I have talked about the strong presence of natural gut strings among pro players before. There is no sign of this trend reversing. Actually, more and more players seem keen on trying gut hybrids.
You can see quite a few players of different styles, using different types of racquets, using natural gut hybrids.
We also see some rare strings in the sheet. Solinco Mach-10 is brand new but has already been adopted by Jenson Brooksby.
Grapplesnake and Toalson strings are also mentioned.
In terms of racquets, we see many forms of Wilson Blades, Yonex VCOREs and Babolat Pure Aeros (and some Pure Drives). Interestingly, Taro Daniel seems to have made a recent switch to the new Babolat Pure Drive 98 2025.
I mention more stuff than the above in the embedded video. I hope you like the content and if you do, please subscribe to YouTube and the newsletter. Also consider becoming a member on Patreon or YouTube.
If you are unsure about what racquet setup to use, we offer a racquet consultation service.
