In 1875 Lyon, France, Pierre Babolat was making strings for musical instruments when he found tennis. He lived next to several abattoirs and decided to use natural sheep gut.

SYNTHETIC GUT STRINGS = Nylon

medium power and medium elasticity

If you are new to the sport or you simply have no idea where to begin the best option is to use synthetic gut tennis strings. This is a nylon based string and it is often surrounded by additional layers to improve performance. The greater the number of additional layers wrapped around the string the more durable it becomes. The cushioning effect of the string also improves as more layers are added.

Synthetic gut tennis strings offer the best value and provide a solid all round performance. Many beginner tennis players will choose this tennis string type and although it does not excel in any particular category, it is a great way to start. However, some professional players have been known to use synthetic gut tennis strings, including multiple Grand Slam winner Jim Courier.

NATURAL GUT STRINGS = Natural

high power and high elasticity

When discussing or choosing tennis string types, it is important not to confuse synthetic gut with natural gut. They are completely different in every way beginning with the material used in their construction. Natural gut tennis strings are made from the serous membrane of cow intestines. So, when we say ‘natural gut’ we really mean natural gut!

It is possible to trace the history of natural gut back almost 200 years yet it remains one of the most popular tennis string types available today. Using the individual strands of fibers from the membrane of cow intestines, natural gut tennis strings are extremely elastic. That means they offer a tremendous combination of feel, power, and comfort. That’s why you will find many of the world’s leading players choosing to use natural gut tennis strings.

However, they do not come cheap, plus the durability is questionable meaning you will have to replace natural gut strings sooner than synthetic gut strings.

MULTIFILAMENT STRINGS

medium power and medium elasticity

For those players who like the sound of natural gut strings and the benefits they provide but would like to use something a little cheaper and more durable, multifilament strings could be the answer. It may be the case you simply do not like the fact natural gut strings are made from cow intestines, which is understandable! Therefore, multifilament is the best alternative.

Multifilament tennis strings are created using individual nylon string filaments bonded together by a polyurethane agent. The construction allows these strings to absorb the impact of the ball on the tennis racket yet provide plenty of power when playing shots. If you enjoy hitting the ball deep in the court, multifilament strings are ideal although they are not so good for those who like to play a variety of shots. You can rely on the tension of multifilament tennis strings to remain constant for a longer period of time than the two tennis string type highlighted above. However, if you like to hit the ball hard, you may find durability becomes an issue.

POLYESTER STRINGS = Plastic

low power and low elasticity

A “poly” string generally refers to a monofilament made from a single polymer PET (polyethaleneterephthalate) although many other polymers are also used such as PTT and PBT. “Co-poly” is the same string with other additives such as aluminium or other exotics such as Titanium and Molybdenum (Luxilon Timo)

Flemish company named Luxilon Industries released the Big Banger in 1991 and the Big Banger ALU Power in 1994. Contstruction is nylon, fluocarbon resin and aluminum fibers. In 1997 the unheralded Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten stormed to a French Open championship, defeating two former champions in the process, that the new types of strings burst into prominence. After two more wins, ALU power became the most popular string on tour!

By 2020 50% of the tour were using luxilon and 25% natural gut.

Luxilon Big Banger ALU Power: 27%

Babolat RPM Blast: 21%

Wilson Gut: 13%

Luxilon Big Banger Original: 12%

Babolat VS Team: 11%

Luxilon Big Banger ALU Rough: 5%

Solinco Hyper G: 4%

Yonex Poly Tour Pro: 4%

Luxilon 4G: 4%

Luxilon Big Banger TiMo: 3%

see https://www.tennisthis.com/tennis-string-reviews/atp-and-wta-tennis-strings/

Polyester strings resist being pushed and are relatively “dead” straight on but snap back into place when push sideways….this allowed Kuerten to swing harder at the ball, generating more topspin, while still keeping his shots inside the court. Shots that would have hit the fence with natural gut strings or nylon strings now traveled with precision and power.

Because they are stiff, they can be shaped without wearing round straight away. This allows the strings to grip the ball more on contact and apply more spin. In addition, polyester strings have a naturally slicker texture, which allows them to move and then snap back at contact.

Conclusion

Each string has a pro and con. Natural gut were the gold standard but not particularly ethical and very expensive. SynGut is surprisingly good, and easily dismissed by those who haven’t tried it. Multi’s are even better because they can blend multiple characteristics. The first generatoin of polys had big spin, but stretched quickly. However the new generation of co-polys are stunning even when used in the hybrid (more on that later).