Choosing the Right Tennis String: Your Guide from Premier Stringing
At Premier Stringing, we believe that finding the perfect tennis string is part science, part art, and all about you. With thousands of combinations available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—but don’t worry, we’re here to help simplify the process.
Your Tennis Journey, Your Strings
Whether you're picking up the game as an adult beginner, climbing the junior ranks, competing in college, or ruling the local ladder with your weekend crew, your string needs will evolve as your game does.
Our mission is to help you find a string setup that:
Gives you confidence to focus purely on your game, forgetting the strings are even a factor in your performance
Matches your current skill level and playing style
Supports your physical health—protecting your wrists, elbows, and shoulders
Fits your budget and your goals
How Much Do Strings Really Matter?
We understand that your playing performance is shaped by a combination of essential factors. Here's how we believe they break down:
75% – Mastering your technique, mental game, and physical conditioning
15% – Selecting the right racquet, shoes, and clothes
10% – Selecting and fine-tuning your string setup
That 10% may seem small, but the right string can make a difference in how your racquet feels, how your shots land, and how your body holds up over time. It's this small detail that can unlock your full potential on the court.
A "Pick Your Own Adventure" Moment
Picking the right tennis strings should be an exciting part of your tennis experience. Think of it as a "pick your own adventure" chapter in your tennis story. Not every choice will be perfect, but the fun lies in experimenting and discovering what works for you. Whether it’s choosing a color that complements your racquet, selecting a string that offers comfort to help heal from tennis elbow, or finding the string that maximizes your spin potential, the possibilities are yours to explore.
We’re here to guide you through the process, helping you experiment and find the perfect strings that suit your game now and take it to the next level tomorrow.
To get started, we’ve provided some helpful guidelines below to give you a solid foundation of knowledge so you feel confident when choosing strings with us. As always, feel free to reach out anytime by text, phone, or email if you have any questions.
How the Thinking Evolves for String Selection:
At 3.0: Focus is on forgiveness and feel — durability isn't a big concern yet.
At 3.5: Player starts hitting harder and wants more comfort and better ball pocketing.
At 4.0: Player starts hitting with more spin and pace, noticing when strings move or lose tension — durability and control become important.
At 4.5: Player demands full control, spin potential, and durability — often moving into polyester strings or hybrids to balance harshness.
Recommended String Type, Thickness, and Tension Relative to Adult Skill Level:
Recommended String Type, Thickness, and Tension Relative to Youth Skill Level:
Additional Notes:
Err on the side of softer setups for juniors under 14.
No full polyester setups for young juniors unless they're very strong, technically sound, and supervised carefully.
Lower tensions (40–50 lbs) are now normal for juniors, even with polyester.
String regularly depending on how much they play — dead poly strings are worse than broken strings for young players.
Stringing Frequency Information:
String Material Information:
String Gauge Information:
String Characteristics and Relative Performance Qualities: