Playtester Picks: Best Head Tennis Strings
Playtester at Tennis Only choose the best head tennis string
Strings play a huge role in the overall performance of a racquet. The feel and feedback at contact of the ball are largely influenced by the strings since they are what actually connects to the surface of the ball. There is a plethora of options on the market nowadays, and what you choose will depend on the performance qualities you seek. We've broken it down into some common categories.
String suited for spin
The best spin strings come from the polyester community, and they tend to have shaped or textured surfaces for gripping the ball. They also typically have low-friction surfaces that enable them to slide and snap back powerfully during impact. Finally, their low power levels make it easier for the player to achieve the vicious stroke speeds required for heavy spin.
Our pick: Lynx Tour
“The high degree of control, easy access to spin and better tension maintenance than most co-polys make Head Lynx Tour one of my favorite strings to play with. It also has a relatively comfortable feel, considering it is a firm string. Lynx Tour has worked well in every frame I have paired it with, but specifically it has increased the level of spin I can generate with a dense 18x20 string pattern, such as my Head Graphene 360+ Gravity Pro. Not only the color, but the overall performance makes this string the champagne of co-polys!” - Mark, TW Playtester
String suited for control
Control strings are typically firm, low powered and durable. The best control strings come from the polyester category. Although too stiff and underpowered for beginners, polyester strings helped revolutionize the game of tennis by giving advanced players the needed control to swing bigger and load the ball with unprecedented levels of pace and spin.
Our pick: Hawk Touch
“Hawk Touch is based on the original version of Hawk but provides added feel and comfort for a co-poly without sacrificing the ultimate level of control. I have always been a big fan of round co-polys. With a smooth, slick surface, they deliver a very predictable response and easy snap-back. Hawk Touch provides me with just that, and it also holds tension better than most other co-polys. I also find it to be a great string to hybrid with since it creates a low friction reaction with a softer string material.” - Troy, TW Playtester
String suited for playability
Specialising in comfort and power, the best playability strings also deliver great touch and responsiveness across slower stroke speeds. Although not as durable as polyester, playability strings hold their tension and playing characteristics much better over time. They also tend to be the best option for players who want to maximize comfort or have experienced tennis elbow or other arm issues.
Our pick: RIP Control
"Rip control offers a high level of comfort and shock absorption whilst still being muted and firm enough for the control that most players seek. It's not the most powerful string which is the opposite we have come to expect from a non-polyester but in a powerful racquet such as the Head Extreme and the Babolat Pure Drive, it complimented the racquet well. The texture of the string helped in spin production compared to other multifilaments and I was also surprised by how comfortable it felt on my arm. I would recommend this string to a player who doesn't break strings often and needs more comfort from a traditional polyester and more control than a synthetic gut.” - Jaye, TO Playtester
Value strings
Whether you are a big hitter on a budget or a comfort seeker who doesn't want to break the bank, the Head string lineup has great options. Here are two of our favorite value strings.
Our pick for value multifilament: Velocity MLT
"Packed with 1,000 flexible filaments, Head Velocity MLT offers a luxurious hitting experience. Bargain hunters looking for high comfort and easy power cannot go wrong with this string. The durable, low-friction coating is a nice bonus."
- Jonathan, TW String Guru
Our pick for value polyester: Sonic Pro
"In addition to giving you surgical targeting on full swings, Head Sonic Pro packs impressive comfort and feel for a poly. It also has the kind of spin-potential that brings the ball down hard. The fact that you can pick up a set for under $10 makes it one of the best value polyesters at Tennis Warehouse." - Jonathan, TW String Guru
