It’s a string jungle out there; finding a string setup you like is not always easy. Here are our string recommendations.
If you hit and swing big, I recommend a stiffer, more control-oriented polyester. If you don’t break strings and are worried about your arm but still want to use polyesters, there are softer options below. The softer strings offer more power and work well in a more low-powered racquet. And if you want to hybrid (one string in the crosses and a different one in the mains) or aim for a comfort/power setup, you have some excellent multifilament strings further below.
When it comes to natural gut strings, they’re not as many to choose from as it’s a premium option and quite rare on the club level. But Babolat VS Touch is an icon in the game, and I also very much enjoyed Luxilon Natural gut when I tested it a while back. You can read/watch my thoughts on why pros still use natural gut here.
Below are some string recommendations. There are so many good ones out there, so it was tough to limit the choice, but I hope you find something you like among them.
Stiffer polyester strings
Advanced players tend to prefer more control from the string bed. Softer strings can have a slightly unpredictable response, while stiffer polyester strings offer more control. This allows the player to take bigger cuts at the ball. You can also go down in tension without too much loss of control.
Solinco Tour Bite 1.25 – Stiff, but excellent control and spin potential. Hyper-G is a little bit better on the arm and worth considering.
Luxilon 4G 1.25 – Not quite as spinny, but durable and dependable.
HEAD Lynx Tour 1.25 – Growing in popularity. Excellent playability at lower tensions.
Babolat RPM Blast 1.25 – Excellent spin potential and performance.
Yonex Poly Tour REV 1.25 – A spin-oriented string with a special coating for improved string movement.
Dunlop Explosive Bite – A solid string with good tension maintenance and control.
I would call the ones below more towards medium stiffness.
Tecnifibre Razor Code 1.25 – Slightly softer than the ones above, especially in the white colorway.
Grapplesnake Tour M8 1.30 – an excellent, control-oriented poly. Get 10% off
Toroline Caviar – Spin-friendly and controlled but not too stiff.
Softer polyester strings
If you’re an intermediate player, you’re probably keen on playing polyesters or hybrids. Here are some good strings and setups for players who want more power/spin and might be concerned with stiffness.
Solinco Hyper-G Soft 1.25 – Classic that works well in more control-oriented racquets (gets too lively in power frames). Tour Bite Soft is also a good choice, with a slightly higher stiffness.
Wilson Revolve Spin 1.25 or 1.30 (for more durability) – This string offers a nice and soft feel, but drops tension a bit too fast in more open string beds.
Volkl Cyclone Tour 1.25 – A solid and comfortable choice for control-oriented racquets.
HEAD Lynx Touch 1.25 – Extreme plush string that can be a bit too mushy for open string beds.
Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.20 yellow – Slightly stiffer than some of the ones above, but still a generally soft polyester with great performance.
Babolat RPM Power 1.25 – A softer polyester that still offers good control and spin potential. Used by Thiem for a while.
Luxilon Element 1.25 – Element is pretty comfortable, but I like it best it in a hybrid together with Alu Power 1.25 for a bit more spin and control.
String Project Magic – Softer poly with good power level, great if you focus on comfort.
Multifilament strings
A multifilament string is a softer string that allows lots of power and comfort but doesn’t perform as well when it comes to control and spin as polyester strings. They can work well in a hybrid or on their own if you want maximum comfort.
Players who want the best tension maintenance in a softer and more powerful string should try natural gut.
I’d go for the 1.30 gauge (16) for multifilament strings for improved durability and control.
Tecnifibre X-One Bi-phase – Tecnifibre make excellent multifilament strings. You can also go for NRG 2, for example.
HEAD Velocity MLT 1.30 – Great string for the price point.
Babolat Xcel – A solid and comfortable option.
Yonex Rexis Comfort (Rexis Speed will give you more control)
Wilson NXT – A legend in the game. Available in comfort (softer) and control (stiffer).
RS New York – Pretty close to gut feel.
You don’t have to be super picky with your multifilament string, but it’s usually worth paying a few extra bucks and getting better performance.
My favorites
My string favorites change from time to time, but some strings tend to be regular in my racquets.
Luxilon Alu Power (the icon, semi-stiff)
HEAD Lynx Tour (champagne color) (stiffer)
HEAD Hawk Touch (softer)
Solinco Hyper-G Soft (softer)
Yonex Poly Tour Pro (semi-soft)
Grapplesnake Tour M8 (medium stiff)
Toroline Caviar (medium stiff, great for spin)
HEAD Velocity MLT (great control multifilament)
Tecnifibre X-One Bi-phase (excellent gut alternative)
Babolat VS Touch natural gut
Luxilon Natural Gut
Pacific Xcite (soft poly)
