Tennis String Guide UK 2026: How to Choose Strings & Tension

With Wimbledon fortnight in full swing, courts across the UK are packed — and nothing transforms your game faster (or cheaper) than the right strings at the right tension. Most club players spend hundreds on a racket, then play it with a string setup that fights against their game. This tennis string guide explains the differences between polyester, multifilament and synthetic gut, how gauge changes feel and durability, and what tension actually suits UK conditions. You'll also find our recommended strings for 2026, all in stock now at Central Sports. Whether you restring once a year or once a month, ten minutes here will save you money and win you points.

Why Your Tennis Strings Matter More Than Your Racket

Strings are the only part of your racket that touches the ball, yet they're the last thing most players think about. A fresh, well-chosen string bed gives you more control, more spin and more comfort than any frame upgrade at a fraction of the price. Strings also lose tension and resilience from the moment they're strung — even if they don't break. A dead string bed feels boardy, launches the ball unpredictably and transmits more shock into your arm. The old club rule still holds: restring as many times per year as you play per week. If you play twice a week, restring at least twice a year. Anyone playing through the British winter on cold indoor courts should restring more often, as low temperatures accelerate tension loss.

Polyester vs Multifilament vs Synthetic Gut Explained

Polyester (poly) strings are firm, durable and low-powered — that low power is a feature, because it lets big hitters swing hard with heavy spin and keep the ball in. The trade-off is comfort: poly is stiff and loses playability quickly, so it suits stronger, frequent players. Multifilament strings are built from hundreds of tiny fibres to mimic natural gut. They're powerful, soft and arm-friendly — the best choice for club players, juniors and anyone who has had elbow or shoulder trouble. Synthetic gut sits in the middle: a solid-core budget all-rounder that does nothing badly. Many stronger players use a hybrid — poly mains with a multifilament cross — for spin with a softer feel. If you're unsure, our stringing team at Central Sports will happily recommend a setup for your game.

String Gauge: What 1.25mm vs 1.30mm Actually Means

Gauge is string thickness. Thinner strings (1.20–1.25 mm, or 17–18 gauge) bite the ball better for more spin and a livelier feel, but they break sooner. Thicker strings (1.30mm and up, or 15–16 gauge) last longer and hold tension better, at the cost of a little feel. For most UK club players, 1.25 mm in a poly or 1.30 mm in a multifilament is the sweet spot. Frequent string breakers should go thicker or move to a durable poly; touch players and spin-heavy hitters should go thinner. If you've never paid attention to gauge before, start at 1.25 mm and adjust from there — it's the most forgiving starting point.

What Tension Should You String At in the UK?

Most rackets recommend a range of roughly 48–58 lbs (21–26 kg). Lower tension gives more power, comfort and a bigger sweet spot; higher tension gives more control for fast, full swings. UK conditions matter here: on cold outdoor or unheated indoor courts through autumn and winter, string beds play stiffer, so dropping 2 lbs below your summer tension keeps the feel consistent. As a rule of thumb: club doubles players and improvers do well at 50–54 lbs with a multifilament; aggressive baseliners using poly should string 46–52 lbs, because poly plays firmer than its tension suggests. If you suffer from tennis elbow, drop tension and choose a softer string before anything else — see our guide to arm-friendly rackets for the full picture.

Top Picks from Central Sports

Every string below is in stock now at centralsports.co.uk with fast UK delivery — browse our full racket sports shop for the complete range.

• Yonex Polytour Drive 1.25mm 12m Set — £6.36: an outstanding-value polyester for big hitters who want spin and control without a premium price. The cheapest way to try poly.
• Wilson Repel 17 String Set — £15.00: a soft, powerful multifilament that's kind on the arm — ideal for club players and anyone managing elbow niggles.
• Yonex Rexis Speed 1.30mm 12m Pack — £32.00: Yonex's premium multifilament with a fast, crisp response and excellent tension maintenance for the serious all-court player.
• Yonex Polytour Strike 1.25mm 200m Reel — £138.59: the control poly trusted on tour, in a 200m reel that works out far cheaper per restring for frequent players and club stringers.
• Wilson Revolve Spin 17 Reel — £128.00: a spin-focused poly reel for players who live on heavy topspin and break strings regularly.

How Often Should You Restring — and Signs It's Time

Beyond the play-per-week rule, watch for the tell-tale signs: strings that move out of place and stay there, a dull "thud" instead of a crisp pop, balls flying long with no change in your swing, or new tingling in your forearm after playing. Any of these means your string bed is dead, even if nothing has snapped. Fresh strings are the cheapest performance upgrade in tennis — and if you're inspired by the grass-court season to play more this summer, don't let last year's strings hold you back. You can explore our tennis collections for strings, grips and dampeners in one order.

Get the Right Setup for Your Game

Choosing tennis strings comes down to three decisions: material for your style, gauge for your durability needs, and tension for your conditions. Get those right and your racket finally plays the way it was designed to. Ready to upgrade? Shop the full string range at Central Sports, or drop your racket in for a professional restring — our team strings for county and club players across the UK and will match a setup to your game. Order before 2pm for fast UK dispatch, and play your best tennis this summer.