String tension for professional tennis players

String tension in tennis is essential for adjusting the power, control and comfort of each shot. Professional ATP players, including big names such as Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, fine-tune their tension to optimise their game. These technical aspects are often explored in greater depth during tennis clinics organised by the Mouratoglou Academy, where players learn how to adjust their equipment according to their needs. Here’s a look at the string tension choices of several ATP players, with their unique configurations influencing their performance.

String tension, measured in kilograms or pounds, has a direct influence on racquet performance. A higher tension improves control, but can reduce power and comfort. Conversely, a lower tension increases power and spin (lift), but can reduce control. This science of optimisation is also studied in detail as part of the Mouratoglou Academy‘s tennis studies programme, where each student is coached to fine-tune his or her settings according to his or her playing style. The professionals adjust these parameters to optimise their specific playing styles.

Professionals adjust their string tension to optimise their performance. Here are a few tips to help you find your own tension:
 

• Power and Lifted Style : Opt for a tension between 20-24 kg with a monofilament to maximise spin.
• Control and Accuracy: Use a higher tension (25-28kg) and, ideally, a hybrid string to achieve excellent control, particularly for exchanges from the baseline.
• Comfort and Flexibility : A low tension combined with a multifilament or hybrid string is ideal for reducing vibrations and ensuring greater comfort, perfect for players looking for a soft touch.