How to Choose the Right Tennis String for Junior Players
Most junior players start with a pre-strung racket and don't think about strings until one breaks. But as your child develops and starts competing, the right string setup can make a noticeable difference in their game.
When to Start Caring About Strings
If your child is playing with a 25-inch or smaller racket and competing at a beginner to intermediate level, pre-strung is fine. Don't overthink it. Once they move to a 26-inch or full-size racket and are playing tournaments regularly, it's worth getting their racket strung at a pro shop.
Types of Tennis Strings
Synthetic Gut: The best all-around choice for most junior players. Affordable ($5-15 per set), comfortable, and provides decent power and control. This is the go-to recommendation for juniors unless they have a specific need.
Multifilament: Softer and more comfortable than synthetic gut, which is easier on the arm. Slightly more expensive ($10-25 per set). Good for juniors who get arm soreness or want more power.
Polyester (Poly): Durable and provides lots of spin potential, but stiff and less comfortable. Used by advanced players who swing hard and break strings frequently. Not recommended for most juniors under 14 — the stiffness can contribute to arm injuries in developing players.
Natural Gut: The best feel and most comfortable string, but very expensive ($30-50+ per set). Not practical for most junior players due to cost and lower durability.
String Tension
Tension is how tightly the string is pulled when installed. It's measured in pounds and affects your shots:
- Lower tension (45-52 lbs) → more power, bigger sweet spot, less control
- Higher tension (54-60 lbs) → less power, more control, smaller sweet spot
For most junior players, a middle-of-the-road tension works best. A good starting point:
- 26-inch racket: 48-52 lbs
- Full-size racket (beginner/intermediate): 50-55 lbs
- Full-size racket (advanced): 52-58 lbs
Your stringer can fine-tune from there based on how your child plays.
How Often to Restring
A common guideline: restring your racket as many times per year as you play per week. So if your child plays 3 times a week, restring about 3 times per year. Also restring if:
- The strings feel dead or "mushy" — you've lost tension over time
- The strings start moving and won't stay in place
- It's been more than 3-4 months, even if strings haven't broken
When Strings Break
Strings breaking is normal, especially as your child hits harder. Always have a backup racket strung and ready. If your child breaks strings very frequently (every few weeks), consider switching to a more durable string or a thicker gauge (16 gauge is more durable than 17 gauge).