Best Tennis Strings

In 1996, members of the U.S. Racket Stringers Association (USRSA) were polled for opinions about the best strings to use on a scale of 1 to 10. The results in four categories were:

OVERALL PERFORMANCE

The voting members felt these models had the best combination of durability and playability. The top string is gut; the rest are synthetic.

Rank   String/Model                  Score
1. Babolat VS Power 16 (gut)         8.66
2. Gamma TNT Pro Plus 17L 1.24       8.52
3. Gamma TNT 17 1.27                 8.16
4. Gamma TNT 16 1.32                 8.13
5. Gamma Pro 1 7L 1.22               8.00
6. Gamma TNT 15L 1.48                8.00
7. Gamma TNT RX 16 1.32              7.96
8. Gamma TNT 18 1.17                 7.93
9. Gamma XL 16 1.30                  7.77
10. Gosen Jim Courier Custom         7.62
11. Gosen OG Sheep Micro 18          7.62
12. Gamma Gut III 1.25               7.53
13. Gamma Gut II 1.32                7.50
14. Alpha Gut 2000 1.30              7.46
15. Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17          7.44
16. Wilson Hammertec 17              7.44
17. Prince Premiere 16               7.41
18. Gamma Marathon 15L 1.40          7.35
19. Tecnifibre 515 SPL 16 1.32       7.34
20. TOA Silencer 1.28                7.32

MOST DURABLE

For those who want their strings to last, these are the models least likely to break. They are all thick (15 and 16 gauges).

Rank  String/Model                 Score
1. Prince ProBlend 16 Duraflex     9.01
2. Gamma Infinity 15L 1.40/1.4D    9.24
3. Gamma Marathon 15L 1.40         8.82
4. Ashaway Crossfire II 16         8.45
5. Wilson HornmerLast 16           8.43
6. Prince Endurance 1.5L           8.18
7. Gamma TNT 1.5 1.48              8.05
8. Gomma Power Play 18 1.10        7.86
9. Babolat VF Titanium Pro 16      7.60
10. Gamma XL 16 1.30               7.50

MOST PLAYABLE

These are for better players who feel the string bed is an extension of their arm.

Rank  String/Model                 Score
1. Babolat VS Power 1.6 (gut)      9.49
2. Gamma TNT 18 1.17               9.24
3. Gamma TNT Pro P!us l.7L 1.24   9.24
4. Gamma Pro 17L 1.22              9.05
5. Gamma TNT 17 1.27               8.74
6. Gamma Gut III 1.25              8.29
7. Gamma TNT 16 1.32               8.27
8. Wilson Sensation 17             8.24
9. Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex 18       8.18
10. Gamma TNT RX 16 1.32           8.07

BEST VALUE

Here is a list of quality strings that should cost you 1ess than $19.

Rank  String/Model                Score
1. Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16        7.54
2. Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17        7.44
3. TOA Silencer 1.28              7.32
4. Gamma Synthetic Gut 16 1.30    7.07
5. Velociti 1.29                  7.00
6. Forten Sweet 17 Synthetic Gut  6.92
7. Dunlop Synthetic Gut 1.30      6.54
8. Forten Sweet 16 Synthetic Gut  6.46
9. TOA Leoina 66 1.40             6.31
10. Wilson Champ Nylon 15L        6.19