Booster Shot: New strings can spice up an old game

WATCH: Roberto Bautista Agut defeats Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 Halle quarterfinals

So far, 2023 agrees with Daniil Medvedev. While his Grand Slam results have been disappointing, he still has racked up a tour-leading five tournament titles—including ATP Masters 1000 wins in Miami and Rome—and is the first to 40 match wins. When asked about his resurgence earlier this year, he pointed to a new wrinkle in his game. It wasn’t a different diet, more rigorous fitness regimen or altered tactics.

Medvedev attributed his rejuvenated play to a string change. After what he deemed a substandard 2022, the current world No. 3 experimented with his string setup. In the offseason he was given the not-yet-released Tecnifibre Razor Soft, which is a more elastic version of its sibling, Razor Code. Medvedev credits the string with adding more power to his strokes without sacrificing much in the way of consistency or control.

Similarly, after Stefanos Tsitsipas had elbow surgery, he wanted to find a way to protect his ailing joint. He had been using a full string bed of Luxilon 4G, a stiffer polyester which produces a firm hitting platform. Tsitsipas found he could lessen the shock at impact by switching to a hybrid with natural gut being used as the cross strings. He still benefited from much of the control of the 4G, but now had a softer response. It’s a setup that many touring pros implement.

Often, when players seek a bump in play through their equipment—more power, extra spin, better comfort—they look at their racquets. But switching frames incurs significant time and financial investments, prospects which can discourage experimentation. And for some reason, even though they’re the only thing that makes contact with the ball, strings get the short-shrift. Tinkering with a string setup is a low cost, low stakes way to improve your game. All it requires is a little research and a trip to the stringer. It’s also a fun way to inject some life into your tennis if you feel things have gotten a little stale.

The truth is advances in string technologies have probably outpaced racquets in recent years. So much so, there seems to be a halo effect surrounding strings and the gains they can deliver. (TV announcers going on and on about the pace and spin generated by “new technology” certainly stokes the claim). They’re not magical—if you suffer from technical or physical deficiencies, a different string won’t hide them—but finding the right one for game and frame can certainly elevate performance.

For instance, just like Medvedev, most players would love to add more power to their games. Typically, this means using a string with more elasticity. A softer, springier string will often return more energy into the ball, giving shots easier depth and pop. A firmer string will deflect less, giving a truer rebound off the string bed, even on a longer, faster swing. Being opposing traits, most strings have to strike a compromise between power and control.

However, some of the newer polyester strings, such as Razor Soft, are designed to be more forgiving and provide added pace to shots while still maintaining a high degree of spin and control. There are also more varieties being produced in thinner gauges which creates a softer, more comfortable and powerful hitting platform. Durability might be compromised to a certain extent, but unlikely to the point it would become an issue for recreational players. And most could probably stand to restring their racquets more frequently anyway.

Which brings up another issue players can address with string choice: arm health. Simply put, if you have chronic arm troubles a softer string bed is the way to go. Any perceived benefits in terms of control, spin and durability of a stiff polyester will be offset by the ensuing physical difficulties brought on by the inherent rigidity of the string. This is where a hybrid, or even a full string bed of a multifilament should be considered. It absorbs more shock and allows a player to swing easier to create pace, both of which takes less of a toll on the hitting arm. And newer multifilament strings have additives that give them better command and longevity.

Another common desire is for more spin. Again, if you don’t have the stroke mechanics, a spin-friendly string won’t turn your forehand into Carlos Alcaraz’s. But co-polyester strings can take advantage of an aggressive brushing motion and accentuate ball rotation thanks to their non-abrasiveness and ability to “snap back” into position. Shaped, thinner and textured varieties provide added grip to the ball for even more spin. This can provide more safety to shots, allowing players to take even bigger rips at the ball and aim closer to the lines. When you combine pace with nasty spin, you get that coveted “heavy” ball players crave and opponents hate.

Add it all up, and experimenting with your string setup is a smart and fun way to get the most out of your game. And with the category constantly expanding with new and innovative models, there’s always something different to try.

If you’re looking to add a new wrinkle to your game, one of these string choices is sure to help:

Natural Gut

- Babolat VS Touch
- LXN Natural Gut

Control

- Babolat RPM Blast
- Head Hawk
- LXN 4G

Power

- Babolat RPM Power
- LXN ALU Power
- Solinco Confidential

Spin

- Babolat RPM Rough
- Head Lynx Tour
- LXN ALU Power Rough
- Solinco Tour Bite
- Yonex Poly Tour Drive

Comfort

- Babolat Xcel
- Head Velocity MLT
- Tecnifibre Triax
- Wilson NXT
- Yonex Rexis