The strings in your racket are not permanent. They are a consumable part of your equipment, and they degrade with every session you play. As strings age and lose tension, your control diminishes, your feel at contact dulls, and your arm absorbs more shock than it should.
Think of your strings the way you would think about the tires on a car. You would not drive on flat tires and wonder why the handling felt off. The same logic applies. Fresh strings at the right tension are the difference between a racket that works with your game and one that works against it.
Every type of string has a different feel, a different lifespan, and a different effect on your game. Understanding the difference is the first step to getting the right setup.
The most widely used string at the professional level. Poly strings are stiff, durable, and low-powered, which gives serious players exceptional control and the ability to swing freely without sending the ball long. The tradeoff is feel and arm comfort — poly strings are demanding, and they lose tension faster than other types in the first 24 hours after stringing.
Natural gut is the oldest string in tennis and still the best in several categories. It has the best tension maintenance of any string, the most arm-friendly feel, and a liveliness that synthetic strings cannot replicate. Professional players who use poly often put natural gut in the crosses of a hybrid setup specifically to recover some of that comfort.
Multifilament strings are designed to approximate the feel of natural gut at a lower price point. They are softer than poly, more comfortable on the arm, and provide a good blend of power and control. For recreational players who do not need the performance ceiling of poly but want more than a basic synthetic, multifilament is a strong and versatile choice.
| Feel | Best for | Lbs |
|---|---|---|
| Very Low | Arm comfort, beginners, power players | 40–46 |
| Low | Extra power with some control | 47–50 |
| Medium-Low | All-court players, most club players | 51–54 |
| Medium | Advanced players, strong hitters | 55–58 |
| High | Elite players, flat hitters | 59–62 |
| Tour | Professional level technique | 63+ |
Higher tension gives more control but less power. Lower tension gives more power and comfort. Most club players benefit from staying in the 50 to 56 lb range regardless of string type.
More power. More comfort. The string bed deflects further on impact, creating a trampoline effect. Easier on the arm. Better for players who want help generating pace.
More control. Less power. The string bed is stiffer at impact, giving a crisper, more direct feel. Better for players who generate their own pace and want precision over pop.
Most players can feel a two pound difference. One pound is subtle. If something feels off about your current setup, a small tension adjustment is often the right place to start.
There is no single restringing schedule that works for every player. Poly strings lose their elasticity often within 10 to 15 hours of court time. Natural gut and multifilament last longer in feel but will show wear differently.
If your shots feel inconsistent, your control has dropped off, or the ball is sitting on the string bed longer than it used to, your strings are past their prime.
Any visible notching, fraying, or movement of the mains against the crosses is a sign that breakage is coming. Do not wait for the strings to snap mid-match.
Strings lose tension sitting in a bag. If your racket has been unused for two or more months, the tension has shifted enough that a fresh string is worth it.
Every restring is logged: string type, tension, date, and notes on how the previous setup played. You never lose track of what worked.
The goal is the right string for your game, not the most expensive one. We will tell you what works for your style of play and why, without upselling.
Most restrings are ready within 72 hours. Campo members with a match or session coming up can request same-day availability.
After every restring you receive a full breakdown of your setup: the string, the tension, what it does for your game, and a space to share feedback.
Tell us what you are playing with, what you are looking for, and we will take it from there. Campo members get priority booking.
