Choosing the right tension for your racquet setup may seem difficult and intimidating. There is a wide recommended range for each racquet and the decision will affect many criteria of your overall racquet setup, including feel, comfort, spin and durability. However, the elements of your game that tension impacts the most are power and control.
Although tension does also affect the feel of your racquet setup slightly, your string selection will have a much bigger impact than adjusting your tension. If feel is your primary concern or you are a tennis elbow sufferer, then we recommend that you focus your attention first on picking a string with better feel - such as a natural gut or softer syn-gut. Then use string tension to balance out the natural power in these strings.
This article, simplifies the decision for tension to adjust for power versus control. Below, we outline the basics of understanding string tension and then dive into the 3 Key Pieces of Information as well as the Formula for helping you determine your optimal string tension.
Understanding String Tension
Lower / Looser Tension
Low string tension is typically in the 40 to 50 lbs range; some players opt to go even lower
Increases the size of the sweet spot
Generates more power, thus adding shot depth – good for players that lack natural power in their game
Provides less control
Offers more spin potential as there is more time that the ball sits on the strings
Touch players love the pocketing effect - think John McEnroe
Softens the string bed reducing shock – good for wrist, elbow and shoulder injury issues
Higher / Tighter Tension
High string tension is typically in the 55 to 60 lbs range; some players opt to go even higher
Crisper feel
More control for hard hitters – keeps ball from flying long
3 Key Pieces of Information for Tension Selection
Now that you know the basics, you are ready to identify what tension you should be stringing your racquet at. In order to do so, you need the following 3 key pieces of information.
1. What is Your Tennis Racquet's Recommended Tension Range?
Your tennis racquet most likely has a set of racquet specifications imprinted on it, including a recommended string tension range. This is typically found on the inside of the throat of your racquet. If you cannot find it or it is illegible, check out RacketLogger.com, where you can find your racquet and identify the recommended tension range.
The standard tension range for a tennis racquet is between 40 to 65 lbs. Most players select a tension between 50 to 60 lbs. On some racquets, this range is expressed as a plus/minus range (e.g. 55 lbs +/- 5 lbs).
2. Which Type of String Do You Play With?
Your string selection will dictate whether you should string at a higher or lower tension.
The most powerful strings - natural gut - are typically strung at higher tensions to reduce some of its natural power and add control. Conversely, the strings with the most control - polyester - are usually strung at a lower tension to add power. Syn-gut are balanced strings and are generally strung at a more neutral tension.
3. What Style of Player Are You?
Understanding what elements of your game that require adjustment is crucial to be able to select the appropriate string tension. What style of player are you? Do you have a full and powerful swing and hit mostly from the baseline? Are you an all-court player with a wide assortment of strokes? Do you lack control during volleys and and find yourself playing at the net often? Do you play more singles or doubles?
Ultimately, the question you need to answer is do you need more power or control to support your game?
What is the Right Tension for You?
Once you have collected the above three pieces of information, the decision for which tension to select becomes a lot easier. The following formula is a great general rule to use for selecting string tension:
String Tension Selection = Mid-Range Tension + String Type Adjustment + Game Play Adjustment
Below is my decision making process when selecting string tension for my racquet setup.
Example: Racquet Man Tension Selection
Question 1. I play with a Prince Ozone Tour racquet (mid-plus, 16 x 18 string pattern), which has a recommended tension range of: 58 lbs +/- 5 lbs. Therefore, the mid-range is 58 lbs.
Question 2. As a full swing, all-court player, I can generate more than adequate power with my swing. I am satisfied with moderate feel when I am volleying at the net. Therefore, I make a modest "Game Play Adjustment" to reduce power and increase control in my racquet setup. Specifically, I add +2 lbs of tension to adjust for my style of play.
Syn-gut (Balanced String)
String Type Adjustment: As syn-gut is a balanced string, I typically make No String Type Adjustment as the syn-gut strings are relatively neutral.
Game Play Adjustment: My game play requires additional control as I can generate more than adequate power with my swing. Therefore, I make a +2 lbs Game Play Adjustment
As such, when I string my racquet with syn-gut, it is at 60 lbs = 58 (Mid-Range) + 0 lbs (String Adj.) + 2 lbs (Game Play Adj.)
Natural Gut (Power String)
String Type Adjustment: As natural gut is a power string, I make a +2 lbs String Type Adjustment to reduce power, accounting for the increased power from this string selection
Game Play Adjustment: My game play requires additional control as I can generate more than adequate power with my swing. Therefore, I make a +2 lbs Game Play Adjustment
As such, when I string my racquet with natural gut, it is at 62 lbs = 58 (Mid-Range) + 2 lbs (String Adj.) + 2 lbs (Game Play Adj.)
Polyester (Control String)
String Type Adjustment: As polyester is a control string, I make a -2 lbs String Type Adjustment to account for the lower power of my string selection
Game Play Adjustment: My game play requires additional control as I can generate more than adequate power with my swing. Therefore, I make a +2 lbs Game Play Adjustment
Hence, when I string my racquet with polyester, it is at 58 lbs = 58 (Mid-Range) + [-2] lbs (String Adj.) + 2 lbs (Game Play Adj.)
Note: Be aware that polyester does not retain string tension very well; therefore the string tension ultimately settles in the low 50s after its break-in period; providing the right setup for me
And there you have it! You should now be able to identify which tension to string your racquet setup at. As a general rule, we recommend stringing at as low a tension as possible, while retaining ball control.
After applying this formula for tension selection, you may wish to test different tensions to adjust for personal preference. If you have multiple racquets, it is recommended that you string them at different tensions. This will help you find your optimal tension, as well as be able to select the racquet / string bed setup that you prefer in various temperatures or how you are performing that day.
For a hybrid setup, the mains and crosses will likely require different tensions to account for the performance characteristics of the different types of string, as described in Key Consideration 3: Which String Do You Play With?
Tension Loss / Retention
Though you may string your racquet at a specific tension, your racquet will settle at a lower tension after an initial break-in period. Different string types, brands and models have different degrees of tension loss.
In general:
Natural Gut is best at retaining tension and will typically settle with a loss of no more than 2 lbs
Syn-guts will settle with a tension loss of 5 to 8 lbs after the break-in period
Polyester experiences the biggest static tension loss and will settle between 3 to 10 lbs lower than it was strung at
Most club players keep the same strings for a significant period of time and are not restringing on a daily or weekly basis. As such, it can be useful to note at which tension your racquet setup settles after the break-in period. This information can be helpful with making future tension decisions, especially if you are switching between racquets or string brands and models.
Tracking of Tension Retention / Loss
To help you track the tension of your stringbed over time, check out the Racquet Tuning App,
free for Android devices, with a premium version available for US$2.99 for iPhones. This tool can help you better understand what tension you actually play with, rather than what you string your racquet at.
Check out our article on Tracking Tension Loss with RacquetTune.
(Please note that Racquet Man has no affiliation with RacquetTune)
Exceptions / Fun Facts
Pete Sampras during his prime strung his black legendary Wilson Pro Staff at an incredibly high 70 lbs - enough to crack the frame - in order to tame the power of the natural gut. Note that polyester strings had not been invented yet.
Jack Sock has one of the most potent unbelievably heavy forehand strokes. He strings his Babolat Pure Aero using Luxilon Alu Power polyester string at 40 lbs (sometimes as low as 38 lbs) to help him generate exceptional power.
Conclusion
We hope that by following this thinking process you will be able to better select an appropriate tension for your racquet / string setup. We will gladly work with you, particularly if you wish to experiment with different strings or just make minor adjustments during subsequent stringings.
For more information on our services and product offering, feel free to visit our Stringing Services page.
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Great article! Harry