which tennis strings to buy: brand, composition, guage, tension & price?

Question

hey all,

i'm seeking suggestions as to which tennis strings to buy.

racket: wilson pro staff graphite halo (2001, head size 103sq",
265g)

ability: enthusiastic hacker. very average! not huge swing/spin - but improving.

me: 5'6'', 58kg, male.

i've heard that hybrid strings are pretty good - and some pros use different material for the cross & horizontal strings.
any hints would be appreciated.

cheers

Answer 1

Well 16 gauge is for topspin......18 is for people with flat strokes
The more tension put on the strings, the more control; the less tension, the more power.....middle is probably around 57-60 lbs.
Prices of strings are very cheap. The very common and cheap synthetic gut (probably what the pros give you) is around 4 dollars. Hopefully your pro shop isn't ripping you off by tacking a crappy labor fee on there.
As for brands stick with Gamma, Prince, Wilson, Head, Big Banger, Kirschbaum, Babolat. I may have left a few out.

It's kind of odd that you give us your height in the American system and give us your weight in the SI system. Weird....

Answer 2

Almost all of the modern strings are excellent today. A thinner gauge won't last as long as a thicker gauge. For an average club player I doubt there will be a huge difference in the way the strings feel.

Generally it's best to go with what the manufacturer or stringer recommend. But it's really not a huge deal either. All modern strings are very good these days and play very well.

Answer 3

I alway take my rackets to the pro shop Not a big box sporting goods store.

I tell them to string it with the best strings for that racket. And I stress the best strings for that racket.
Then I stress again I want the strings that will give me the best performance with that racket.

That is how I do it. Go to a pro shop and get it strung. They'll know the best strings for your level of play etc.