The material used in tennis Strings can impact the performance of a racquet significantly. These strings are the woven network on the racquet hoop on which the ball makes a contact. A good racquet must have the:

• Right kind of strings or cords
• Correct string gauge
• Proper tension

However, the features of a racquet must also depend on the user's specific needs and purpose.

Tennis Strings: Materials

There are a variety of materials used in making tennis Strings. Each material type influences the racquet's playability, durability and 'feel'. The most popularly used materials include:

Natural Gut - This type of string is best known for their elasticity, which in turn impacts playability. Natural gut strings offer a good degree of power and control over the tennis ball. Since these strings are manufactured by drying the fibers extracted from the serous membrane of the cow's intestine, they are also the most expensive of all.

Synthetic Gut - Synthetic gut strings are made of a variety of artificial materials; nylon and polyester being the primary ones. These strings are more durable and available at cheaper rates, since they are easier to produce. They are marketed as:

• Monofilament - They are composed of single, thick strands of material.
• Multifilament - They are composed of several small strands.

Other materials used for making strings are:

• Nylon - Wear-resistant coatings are applied on nylon strings to make them more durable.
• Polyester - Highly durable, polyester strings are preferred by players who like more spin and control while swinging the ball.
• Kevlar - The stiffest and the most durable of all, Kevlar is used in combination with other materials to integrate the benefits of both in one.

Tennis Strings: Gauge

Gauge means the thickness of the tennis strings. The commonly preferred gauge numbers are 15, 15L, 16, 16L and 17 (L meaning 'Light', referring to each gauge number's half size). A lower number, such as 15, indicate a thicker string and a higher number, such as 17, indicated a thinner string. A thicker string lasts longer, while a thinner string provides better playability.

Tennis Strings: Tension

Tension refers to the degree of tightness of the string. Tighter strings give more control, while looser strings provide more power. A mid-range tension is the most preferred.