Advantages of natural casings
Power
Comfort
Sensations
Maintaining tension
The string is the part of the racket that comes into direct contact with the ball. It affects the feel, precision, power and spin of the ball, as well as the joints or muscles in the player’s arm. Experienced or professional tennis players are well aware that the choice of string is as important as the choice of racket itself. These considerations are often discussed in detail at the Mouratoglou Academy‘s intensive courses, where emphasis is placed on the importance of each component of the equipment. Beginner tennis players tend to underestimate their importance, or even ignore the fact that strings tend to deteriorate over time and need to be changed at regular intervals. There are many different types of rope on the market. Because of the increasing variety of components, the main criterion for differentiation is the way they are assembled.
All the different types of rope on the market fall into one of two categories:
- Natural gut ropes
- Synthetic ropes
Natural gut ropes
Many people will be surprised to learn that manufacturers create natural strings from beef intestines!
Indeed, at first glance, the use of such a material for snowshoes may seem disconcerting. However, despite the strangeness of the material, natural gut is widely considered to be one of the best strings there is, and is favoured by some professional players such as Roger Federer.
The high elasticity of natural gut strings gives them great performance in terms of power, feel and comfort. What’s more, the strings retain their original tension for longer, and have a grip that is hard to match, even by the most advanced synthetic strings.
However, the lifespan of natural strings is shorter than that of synthetic strings. They are sensitive to moisture, and their price is by far the highest, due to complex manufacturing processes. For these reasons, natural gut strings are not frequently used by tennis players, either in clubs or for leisure. Instead, they are the preserve of experienced players, who are both more demanding in terms of quality and more able to afford the purchase and maintenance costs. The specific characteristics and choice of natural strings are also studied as part of the Mouratoglou Academy‘s tennis studies programme, where the equipment is optimised for the students’ performance. Fortunately, there are a large number of quality synthetic strings on the market. There’s something for every type of player looking for efficiency, playing comfort… and power!
Our opinion on natural casings
Tension control, comfort, improved feel… natural gut strings perform well and are suitable for a large number of players, but for the vast majority, it’s not worth the risk. Beginners are often tempted to buy the most expensive equipment to ensure they have a good foundation. However, as a beginner, you’ll have a hard time telling the difference in quality between natural gut strings and cheap synthetic strings – the differences are very subtle indeed.
It’s by concentrating on developing your technique and practising that you’ll see the greatest improvement in your results. What’s more, if you only play occasionally or on an irregular basis, investing in natural gut strings isn’t worth it, and you’ll hardly notice any difference in your playing if you opt for synthetic strings. On the other hand, if you’re an experienced player who competes, is developing all aspects of your game and is looking to improve in all areas, a natural gut string could be a very good choice. If you have a very high level of technique and experience, you will certainly be able to recognise and appreciate the unique feel of these strings, if you know how to look after them. Their quality is also proven. It’s up to you to look after them!
Synthetic ropes
As their name suggests, these types of strings are made from various synthetic components to increase the possibilities available to tennis players. Manufacturers control both the manufacturing process and the materials they are made from. A manufacturer is therefore able to design strings focusing on different levels of performance, such as comfort, durability, power or spin. There are three primary materials used in the manufacture of synthetic ropes:
- Nylon strings
- Polyester ropes
- Kevlar ropes
Types of set-up for tennis
Now that we’ve looked at the three main materials used for non-natural ropes, here are the most common types of assembly:
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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It depends on your playing habits, but also on your level. Professional players tend to opt for natural strings, which are highly effective but also more expensive to maintain. Other types of player tend to opt for synthetic strings. Here, it’s a question of determining whether you like thinner or thinner strings, with more or less tension. Remember: high tension reduces flexibility and therefore power!
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Multifilament is made up of numerous strands that give the racket greater flexibility. In practice, this means more power and a better feel for the game. To make your choice, don’t hesitate to make a few balls.
