Tennis String Hybrid Guide and Information

MAIN STRINGS: Co-Polyester more info
CROSS STRINGS: Solid-Core (Syn Gut) more info

SUMMARY: These are the most popular hybrid combinations. The co-polyesters' durability, spin generation and controlled power dominate while the soft, nylon, solid-core crosses provide a noticeably more forgiving feel.

GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: Crosses should be the same gauge or thicker.

MAINS: Rough Co-Polyester (Hex Poly or Snake-Bite)
CROSSES: Smooth Co-Polyester (Power Cord or Snake-Bite Smooth)

SUMMARY: Installing a smooth co-polyester in the crosses with a textured co-polyester in the mains offers increased durability as compared to using a textured string in both the mains and crosses. The texture increases spin generation while the smooth crosses reduce wear of the mains to improve durability.

GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: Similar main and cross gauges are most common. In cases where gauges are dissimilar, the crosses ought to be thinner since the mains endure more localised stress and abrasion than the crosses. A setup such as this yields increased spin potential and elasticity. However, a thinner cross string leads to a moderate loss of durability. A smaller diameter has a smaller, sharper radius of curvature that reduces the contact area between the mains and crosses. This reduction in contact area results in higher contact pressures than if the crosses were the same thickness as the mains. Higher contact pressure equals more abrasion and therefore reduced main string durability.

MAINS: Multi-Filament more info
CROSSES: Smooth Co-Polyester (Power Cord or Snake-Bite Smooth)

SUMMARY: This combination provides a softer feel with excellent spin potential and surprising durability. While such a combination will generally not last as long as the reverse (eg: smooth co-poly in mains and multi-filament in crosses), it will provide a softer feel.

GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: Similar gauges are generally used in the mains and crosses.

MAINS: Multi-Filament more info
CROSSES: Rough Co-Polyester (Hex Poly or Snake-Bite)

SUMMARY: This combination is uncommon due to durability concerns. The softer multi-filaments tend to abrade rather quickly when paired with the much harder, rough textured co-polyesters.

MAINS: Co-Polyester more info
CROSSES: Multi-Filament more info

SUMMARY: The co-polyesters' durability, excellent spin generation and controlled power dominate. The very soft multi-filament crosses effectively moderate the sometimes undesirable co-polyesters' stiffness. This 'softening' effect is more pronounced than what can be obtained by using a nylon based solid-core string in the crosses.  On the other hand, the multi-filament crosses' lower durability may be a concern. A smooth co-polyester (Power Cord or Snake-Bite Smooth) should be used in the mains if greater durability is desired.

GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: The multi-filament crosses are generally of a similar or thicker gauge than the co-polyester mains.

MAINS: Solid-Core (Syn Gut) more info
CROSSES: Multi-Filament more info

SUMMARY: A very cost-effective and durable combination with a soft, arm-friendly feel. The less expensive solid-core mains deliver good durability while the multi-filament crosses provide a comfortable feel.

GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: Similar gauges are generally used in the mains and crosses.

MAINS: Aramid more info
CROSSES: Co-Polyester more info

SUMMARY: Because Hard-Line is composed of aramid fibres (eg: Technora/Kevlar), it is an extremely stiff string. It should almost always be paired with a soft cross string to compensate for this stiffness. Co-polyesters are not a good cross string choice because they are also stiff.

MAINS: Aramid more info
CROSSES: Solid-Core (Syn Gut) more info

SUMMARY: When installed as the main string, Hard-Line is most commonly paired with a solid-core nylon based cross string. Solid-core nylon based strings are soft enough to compensate for the extreme stiffness created by Hard-Line's aramid fibres. However, durability is not the only reason for installing aramid. Some players actually prefer the stiff feel of aramid over the more forgiving nature of other string types. The shorter contact time also increases the peak impact force leading to the firmer (eg: 'board-like') feel associated with aramids. This firmer feel is less than desirable for players who experience tennis elbow and other shock related sensitivities.

GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: Crosses should be the same gauge or thicker. 

MAINS: Aramid more info
CROSSES: Multi-Filament more info

SUMMARY: Due to aramid's extreme stiffness, the soft and forgiving characteristics of the multi-filament crosses will only be marginally apparent. The durability of the multi-filament crosses will be a concern. Solid-core nylon based cross strings are less expensive than multi-filaments while offering superior durability and a surprisingly similar feel in this particular role.