Should I use polyester (poly) strings if I'm not an advanced player?
Key takeaway
Generally, you should avoid using a full bed of polyester strings if you are not an intermediate or advanced player. Polys are very stiff and low-powered, requiring fast, full swings to be effective. For beginners or players with sensitive arms, softer multifilament strings are a much safer and more playable choice.
It's a great question, and it's easy to see why you're asking. With over 95% of ATP and WTA professionals using polyester strings, it's natural to wonder if you should be using them, too. However, for most recreational and beginner players, a full bed of polyester is not the best choice and can even be detrimental to your arm and your game.
The main reason is that poly strings are designed for a very specific type of player. They are inherently stiff and low-powered. This means the string itself provides very little "free" power; you have to generate it all with excellent technique and high racquet head speed. If you have slower, more compact swings, a poly string will feel very dead and unforgiving, and the stiffness can transfer harsh vibrations directly to your arm, increasing the risk of injuries like tennis elbow.
For players who are not yet advanced, there are much better options available:
- Multifilament Strings: This is the go-to recommendation. Multifilaments are designed to be soft, comfortable, and powerful, mimicking the feel of natural gut at a more affordable price. They are perfect for beginners, players with arm sensitivities, or anyone who wants more comfort and easy power from their string bed.
- Hybrid Setups: If you are an intermediate player developing faster swings and want to experiment with poly's spin and control benefits, a hybrid is an excellent compromise. A common setup is to use a polyester string in the main strings (for spin and durability) and a softer multifilament in the cross strings. This softens the overall feel and reduces the harshness compared to a full bed of poly.
Community Insight Player advice found in
tennis_technical_guide.mdis very clear on this topic. The guide explicitly states that polyester strings are "Not recommended for beginners or players with existing arm pain" due to their stiffness. It directs beginners and recreational players towards multifilament strings for their arm-friendly and playable characteristics.
Pro tip: If you're set on trying poly, choose a softer co-poly string and string it at a very low tension (below 50 lbs) to maximize comfort and playability.