String tension guide
A starting point for your next restring. Tell the stringer the number, play a few sessions, then move two pounds at a time.
Starting tension
54–60 lb (24.5–27 kg)
Multifilament strings are soft and lively, so they take a slightly higher tension than polyester before they start to feel dead, and the extra tension brings the launch angle under control. You asked for control, so the range nudges up a couple of pounds to keep big swings inside the baseline. Whatever you choose, stay inside the range printed on the frame.
How to use the number
Start in the middle of the range. If the ball flies long, go up two pounds next time. If it lands short or the frame feels harsh, go down two. Change one thing at a time: tension or string, not both.
Lower is kinder
Lower tension means more power, more comfort and a slightly larger sweet spot at the cost of some control. Higher tension gives control and a crisper feel but transmits more shock to the arm. Stiff polyester strung high is the combination most often behind a sore elbow.
Restring more than you think
Strings lose tension from the day they are strung, polyester fastest of all. A common rule is to restring as many times a year as you play per week. The racquets by style of play guide covers which strings suit which game.
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