Poly, Multi, or Hybrid? Tennis Strings Explained
Quick answer
Strings change how your racquet feels more than the frame does, and the right choice depends on your game and your arm. Polyester gives control and spin but is stiff and dies fast. Multifilament and natural gut give comfort and power. A hybrid splits the difference. If your arm bothers you, that is usually a string and tension problem first.
On this page
Why strings matter more than your racquet
Players obsess over frames and ignore the strings, which is backwards. The strings are what actually touch the ball. The same racquet plays completely differently with a soft multifilament at low tension versus a stiff poly cranked tight. Before you buy a new racquet, fix your strings.
The main string types
- Polyester (poly): control and spin for hard hitters, but stiff on the arm and it goes dead in 10 to 20 hours, even before it breaks.
- Multifilament (multi): soft, powerful, and arm-friendly, the best default for most club players and anyone with arm issues.
- Natural gut: the gold standard for comfort, feel, and tension maintenance, but expensive and sensitive to moisture.
- Hybrid: poly on one set of strings, gut or multi on the other, to blend control with comfort. This is what many pros use.
What tension should you use?
Lower tension gives more power and comfort, higher tension gives more control. Most players string too tight and too rarely. If your arm hurts, drop the tension and move off full poly first. Lower tension does not mean sloppy, it usually means a more forgiving, arm-friendly string bed.
When should you restring?
A common rule is to restring as many times per year as you play per week, and more often with poly because it dies fast. If your strings feel dead and boardy or your arm is sore, restring even if nothing broke.
The short version
Poly for control and spin if your arm can take it, multi or gut for comfort and power, hybrid to blend both. String softer and fresher than you think.
Frequently asked
What tennis strings should I use?
Most club players do best with a comfortable multifilament. Hard hitters who break strings or want more spin use polyester, ideally in a hybrid with a softer string. If your arm hurts, avoid full poly at high tension.
What string tension is best?
Lower tension gives more power and comfort, higher gives more control. Most players benefit from stringing a little looser than they think, especially to protect the arm. Experiment in small steps.
How often should I restring my racquet?
A simple guide is to restring as many times per year as you play per week, and more often with polyester because it loses playability fast. Restring when the strings feel dead, even if they have not broken.
Sources and further reading
Written by
Bolor Enkhbayar
Tennis coach and founder of CoachesNote
Bolor coaches serious juniors and adult competitors. She builds every weekly plan, reviews the video and match notes, and decides the next job, in person and remotely through CoachesNote.
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