DIFFERENT STRING TYPES EXPLAINED
Monofilament
- Comprise of single solid material
- Long lasting
- Recent developments have introduced softer feel with more response
- Some strings are non-circular to give so-called 'corners' on the string with the aim of helping with spin
- Often used on mains with softer strings on crosses to give good mix durability and playability
- Chronic string breakers often resort to monofilaments in both mains and crosses
- Not recommended if any arm problems develop. Monofilaments transfer more shock down the racket into the handle.
Multifilament
- no centre core
- consist of hundreds of strands of material twisted together
- are the closest to natural gut and offer the best comfort to people suffering from tennis elbow or other arm problems
- offer great playability and shock absorption
- lose tension faster - need to be replaced more frequently
- often tend to be more expensive than monfilaments, but a cheaper alternative to natural gut.
Core with Single Wrap
- thin monofilament core with a single layer of fibres twisted around the outside
- used in many of the budget nylon strings
- The centre, solid core, gives the string durability, whilst the single wrap outer gives the string more playability than a standard monofilament.
Solid Core with Double Wrap
- monofilament core with a two layers of fibres twisted around the outside, usually wound in different directions, usually coated for protection
- the centre, solid core, gives the string durability although thinner than the single wrapped version.
- two wraps give the string more playability than either a monofilament or a single wrapped string.
Hybrid
- two different types of string - one for the main strings and one for the cross strings
- most common set up is a monofilament string in the mains and a softer, often multifilament string in the crosses
- good for performance players
Natural Gut
- more expensive, but still the best string on the market
- poor weather conditions can reduce the life of a gut string.
Textured
- designed to give more bite to the ball
- tend to have a solid core with a number of uniform wraps - another wrap wound around the outside to give a rough feel to the string
- textured strings often used in a hybrid set up to compensate for the smooth surface of the monofilament