How often should you restring your tennis racquet?
Your strings are the engine of your racquet. Over time they lose tension, snapback and feel — which costs you control, power and can even increase your risk of injury.
Quick rule of thumb: how often to restring
Play less than once a month
Aim to restring at least once per year. Even if strings don’t break, they lose tension and feel over time.
Play 1–2 times per week
Plan to restring around 2–3 times per year as a minimum to keep performance and comfort consistent.
Play 3+ times per week
A simple rule: restring as many times per year as you play per week. (3× per week → ~3 restrings per year, 5× → ~5 restrings, etc.)
This isn’t an exact science — level, playing style, and string type all matter — but it’s a useful starting point. Polyester strings, in particular, tend to lose their “snapback” and control faster than softer strings.
Why at least once a year?
- Old strings lose tension and responsiveness, which can cause you to swing harder to generate power.
- Overcompensating with effort increases the risk of elbow, wrist and shoulder issues.
- Fresh strings restore predictable response, comfort and confidence in your shots.
How to know when your strings need changing
Checklist: signs your strings are done
- Visible fraying – especially on multifilaments or natural gut.
- Notching and movement – strings stay out of place and don’t “snap back”.
- Drop in power or control – balls fly long or land short with no obvious reason.
- Dull feedback – the racquet feels “dead” or mushy on contact.
Remember: strings lose tension even without being used. If it’s been several months since your last restring, it can be worth changing them regardless of how they look.
Keep a simple note in your phone of when you last restrung and roughly how many hours you’ve played. That way, you’ll spot patterns in performance drop-off and avoid playing with strings well past their best.
A quick guide to the main string types
Different strings behave very differently. Here’s a simple overview of the main families and who they suit.
| Type | Characteristics | Best For | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester (Co-Poly) | Firm, spin-oriented and control-focused. Great for topspin and big swings. | Intermediate to advanced players who hit hard and want precision. | Head Lynx Tour, Luxilon ALU Power, Solinco Confidential |
| Multifilament | Soft, powerful and arm-friendly. Plush and forgiving feel. | Beginners, comfort seekers, or anyone with arm sensitivity. | Tecnifibre Multifeel, Babolat Xcel, Wilson NXT |
| Synthetic Gut | Balanced power and control with a crisp response. Great value. | Recreational players or hybrids needing a consistent cross string. | Prince Synthetic Gut, Wilson Synthetic Gut Power |
| Natural Gut | Unmatched comfort, power and tension retention. The gold standard for feel. | Players wanting the ultimate in comfort and touch. | Babolat VS Touch, Wilson Natural Gut |
| Hybrid | Combines poly for control/spin with softer strings for comfort/power. | Players looking for the best blend of control and comfort. | ALU Power / VS Gut, Lynx Tour / Xcel, Razor Code Soft / Multifeel |
Deciding on string tension
As a rule: higher tension = more control, less power. Lower tension = more power and comfort, less control.
| Tension Range | Effect | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (18–20 kg / 40–44 lbs) | More pocketing, comfort and power. Easier depth. | Comfort-focused players, or smaller, flatter swings. | Can increase launch angle; shaped poly helps tame it. |
| Mid (21–23 kg / 46–51 lbs) | Balanced power and control. Predictable response. | Most full-poly setups or all-round players. | Great starting point; adjust ±1–2 kg for preference. |
| High (24–26 kg / 53–57 lbs) | Firmer feel, flatter trajectory and maximum control. | Big hitters or players using powerful racquets. | May feel harsh — consider a hybrid for comfort. |
| Hybrid Tip | Poly for spin/control + softer string for comfort/power. | Players wanting control without harshness. | String softer cross 1–2 kg higher than poly mains. |
Weather, conditions and surface all influence how your stringbed feels:
- Indoor vs outdoor: Indoors is usually faster → slightly higher tension for control. Outdoors can be slower → slightly lower tension for free power.
- Heat & altitude: In hot or high-altitude conditions the ball flies more → raise tension. In cold conditions the ball feels flatter → lower tension a touch.
- Injuries: If you have elbow, wrist or shoulder issues, avoid stiff polys where possible and keep tension ideally under ~55 lbs.
- Surface: Faster courts (grass, Astro) → a bit higher tension for control. Slower courts (clay) → slightly lower tension for depth and net clearance.
String gauge: how thick should your string be?
Tennis strings come in different thicknesses, called gauges. Thicker strings are more durable and controlled but feel firmer. Thinner strings give you more power and feel, but wear out faster.
Spin & feel: Maximum bite, spin and lively response.
Durability: Lower durability and more tension loss. Best for touch players and non-string breakers.
Spin & feel: Balanced spin, feel and power for most players.
Durability: Good all-round control and lifespan. Best starting point for most setups.
Spin & feel: Firmer feel, tighter launch and more stability.
Durability: Higher durability and consistent control. Great for heavy hitters and open-pattern racquets.
Spin & feel: Very firm, less pocketing and reduced spin potential.
Durability: Maximum durability and control. Suits frequent breakers or hybrids that need extra life.
Most players are happy in the 1.23–1.25 mm range to start. From there, you can go thinner for more feel and spin, or thicker for more control and durability.