Most adult intermediate tennis players in the UK should string their racket at 50–55 lbs on a polyester or multifilament. Spin players go lower (48–52 lbs) for more pocketing and string movement. Control players go higher (54–58 lbs) for tighter ball flight. Polyester strings should be tensioned 2–4 lbs lower than synthetic or natural gut because they don’t lose tension the same way. This guide explains how to choose, written by the in-house stringers at Central Sports.
What is tennis string tension and why does it matter?
String tension is the force in pounds (lbs) used to pull each string across the frame during the stringing job. A modern tennis racket can be strung anywhere from 40 lbs to 65+ lbs. The chosen tension changes how the ball reacts off the string bed: lower tension creates more dwell time and more “pocketing,” generating easier power and more spin from a brushing stroke. Higher tension creates a stiffer string bed with faster ball exit, more predictable ball flight and tighter control on directional shots.
Tension interacts with string type and string pattern. The same tension on a 16x19 open pattern feels different from an 18x20 dense pattern. The same tension on polyester feels different from natural gut. There’s no universally “correct” tension — only the right tension for your specific racket, string, stroke and goals.
Recommended tennis string tension by skill level
Beginners and improving players
52–56 lbs on a multifilament or synthetic gut. Forgiving, comfortable, easy power. Beginners should avoid polyester strings entirely — they’re too stiff for slower strokes and increase the risk of elbow injury (a known cause of tennis elbow when paired with sub-elite technique).
Intermediate club players
50–55 lbs on polyester or 52–58 lbs on multifilament. The sweet spot for most adult club competitors. Intermediates often move to a polyester full-bed for control or a hybrid (poly mains, multifilament crosses) for power with control.
Advanced and tournament players
46–52 lbs on polyester (lower tension to compensate for the stiff string), 50–56 lbs on hybrid, or 56–62 lbs on natural gut. Advanced players use tension as a fine-tuning lever, often dropping 2 lbs from their normal tension when they want more spin or playing on a fast court.
Pro level
Wide range, often 40–52 lbs on polyester for top-spin specialists like Rafa Nadal (historically around 55 lbs on Babolat RPM Blast) and 58–65 lbs on natural gut or hybrid for flatter ball strikers like Roger Federer (historically around 48 lbs mains / 45 lbs crosses on Wilson Pro Staff hybrid). Pros restring every match.
| Skill level | Polyester | Multifilament | Natural gut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Not recommended | 52–56 lbs | 54–58 lbs |
| Intermediate | 50–54 lbs | 52–58 lbs | 54–58 lbs |
| Advanced | 46–52 lbs | 50–56 lbs | 54–60 lbs |
| Pro / college | 40–50 lbs | 48–55 lbs | 56–65 lbs |
Tension by string type
Polyester / co-polyester
Stiff, durable, control-focused, the spin specialist’s string. String 2–4 lbs lower than you would a multifilament. Polyester loses tension fast (10–15% within hours) but the lost tension doesn’t turn into useful elasticity — instead the string goes “dead.” Restring polyester every 15–25 hours of play regardless of breakage.
Common polyesters: Babolat RPM Blast (the world’s most-played pro string), Luxilon Alu Power, Solinco Hyper-G, Yonex Poly Tour Pro, Head Hawk Touch.
Multifilament
Soft, elastic, comfortable, power-focused. Mimics natural gut at much lower cost. Tension at 52–58 lbs for most players. Lasts longer than poly in playable hours (40–50+) but breaks rather than goes dead. The right choice for beginners, players with elbow sensitivity, and intermediates who prioritise comfort.
Common multifilaments: Wilson NXT, Babolat Xcel, Tecnifibre X-One Biphase, Head Velocity MLT, Yonex Multi-Sensa.
Natural gut
The original tennis string. Unmatched feel, comfort, and tension stability. Tension at 54–60 lbs for most players; pros can go to 65 lbs without losing playability. The most expensive option (around £40–£50 per stringing) but unbeatable on shot quality and elbow safety.
Common natural guts: Babolat VS Touch, Wilson Natural Gut, Klip Legend.
Synthetic gut
The entry-level string. Nylon-based, decent feel, very cheap. Tension at 54–58 lbs. Good choice for absolute beginners and players on a tight budget. Most club players outgrow it within their first year.
Hybrid setups
Two different strings used together — typically polyester mains for control and durability, multifilament or natural gut crosses for power and feel. String polyester mains 2–4 lbs lower than the cross string. Federer’s famous setup is natural gut mains, polyester crosses — the opposite of the common hybrid — for maximum feel.
Tension by playing style
Spin and topspin baseline players
Lower tension (2–3 lbs below your normal) on a polyester or hybrid. The slacker bed lets the string move and snap back, generating extra revolutions on a brushing stroke. Pair with a 16x19 string pattern.
Control and flat-hitting players
Higher tension (2–3 lbs above your normal) on polyester or hybrid. The tighter bed gives predictable ball flight and a flatter, more penetrating trajectory.
Power players and serve-volleyers
Mid tension on multifilament or hybrid. Power players generally don’t need to tension-tune for power — their stroke generates plenty. Focus on a comfortable feel and consistent string bed.
Players with elbow or wrist issues
String 2–4 lbs below your normal tension on a multifilament or natural gut. Avoid polyester. Pair with a more flexible racket frame (Wilson Clash, Head Gravity, Prince Twist Power).
How tennis string tension changes over time
Tennis strings lose tension immediately after stringing. Polyester loses 10–15% in the first 24 hours and continues dropping faster than other materials. Multifilament and natural gut lose 5–8% in the first 24 hours then stabilise. Most experienced stringers pre-stretch the string and string 1–2 lbs over the requested tension to compensate.
Polyester goes “dead” before it breaks — the string loses its elastic response and gives unpredictable ball flight even though it looks fine. Restring polyester every 15–25 hours of play regardless of breakage. Multifilament typically breaks before going dead, lasting 30–50+ hours.
Signs your tennis string tension is wrong
Tension too low
- Ball flies long and feels “trampolined” off the strings
- Lack of control on directional shots
- Loss of placement on serves
- Strings move and twist visibly — you can see them rotating between points
Tension too high
- Arm fatigue, wrist soreness or elbow pain
- Loss of power even on solid hits
- Vibration through the handle on off-centre hits
- Ball drops short on full swings
- Premature string breakage from notching
Restringing at Central Sports
Full in-store tennis stringing at our Coventry, Birmingham and Milton Keynes branches. Same-day turnaround for walk-ins; 24-hour postal turnaround if you ship the racket to us. Our string library covers:
- Polyester — Luxilon Alu Power, Babolat RPM Blast, Wilson Revolve, Head Hawk Touch, Yonex Poly Tour, Solinco Hyper-G, Tecnifibre Black Code
- Multifilament — Wilson NXT, Babolat Xcel, Tecnifibre X-One Biphase, Head Velocity, Yonex Multi-Sensa
- Natural gut — Babolat VS Touch, Wilson Natural Gut
- Hybrid sets — pre-paired combinations on request
Browse tennis strings · Read our full tennis racket buying guide · Speak to our stringers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tennis string tension for the UK?
For most adult intermediate club players, 50–55 lbs on a polyester or multifilament. Spin players go lower (48–52 lbs); control players go higher (54–58 lbs). Polyester is strung 2–4 lbs lower than multifilament or natural gut.
Should I use polyester strings as a beginner?
No. Polyester strings are too stiff for beginner strokes and significantly increase the risk of tennis elbow. Beginners should string a multifilament or synthetic gut at 52–56 lbs. Move to polyester or hybrid only after 1–2 years of regular play once your technique is grooved.
What tension does Rafa Nadal use?
Historically Rafa has strung his Babolat Pure Aero VS around 55 lbs on Babolat RPM Blast polyester, although exact tensions vary by tournament conditions. He restrings before every match.
What is a hybrid string setup?
A hybrid uses two different strings — typically polyester mains (for control and durability) and multifilament or natural gut crosses (for power and feel). The polyester mains are tensioned 2–4 lbs lower than the cross string. Federer’s famous reverse-hybrid uses natural gut mains and polyester crosses for maximum feel.
How often should I restring my tennis racket?
Polyester: every 15–25 hours of play (even if not broken — it goes dead). Multifilament: every 30–50 hours of play or until breakage. Natural gut: every 20–40 hours. Tournament and competitive players restring more often to maintain consistent tension.
Why does my polyester string go dead before it breaks?
Polyester is stiff and inelastic — the string loses its bounce quickly with use even though it looks intact. A dead polyester string gives unpredictable ball flight, kills your control, and increases tennis-elbow risk. Restring at 15–25 hours regardless of breakage.
Should I drop tension if I have tennis elbow?
Yes. Drop tension by 2–4 lbs and switch from polyester to a softer multifilament or natural gut. Pair with a more flexible racket frame. Tennis elbow is often a string-and-frame stiffness problem, not a technique problem — the equipment change frequently resolves it.
Do you string rackets in store at Central Sports?
Yes — full in-store stringing at Coventry, Birmingham and Milton Keynes branches with same-day turnaround for walk-ins. 24-hour postal turnaround if you ship the racket to us. We stock the complete Luxilon, Babolat, Wilson, Head, Yonex, Solinco and Tecnifibre string libraries.