Your string choice is as important as your racquet. As Eric Babolat said himself, "50% of performance is the string, and 50% is the frame." What you choose will depend on what qualities you are looking for. We've broken it down into some common categories.

Specializing 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. The undisputed king of this category is natural gut. Made of ultra resilient serosa fibers (beef intestines), nothing compares to the feel and "pocketing" of natural gut at impact. In addition to being the best choice for players with arm-problems, natural gut will add instant comfort and extra power to any hybrid. For those seduced by its undeniable charm, the high cost is well worth the price of admission.

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 to 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.

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 which enables them to slide and snapback powerfully during impact. Finally, their low power levels make it easier for the player to achieve the vicious stroke speeds required for heavy spin.

Like natural gut, multifilament strings specialize in comfort and power. Unlike the more basic synthetic guts (which have a single, solid core), multifilaments are comprised of hundreds or thousands of ultra pliable, elbow-friendly fibers, and bundled together with flexible resins like polyurethane. Ideal for non-string breakers or anyone looking to add some comfort and power to a hybrid.

Although nothing can replicate the sublime feel of VS Natural Gut or the magical spin and snapback of RPM Blast, the tennis industry is filled with options for the player in search of value. Here are two of our favorites.