String tension in tennis is essential for adjusting the power, control and comfort of each shot. Professional ATP players, including big names such as Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, fine-tune their tension to optimise their game. These technical aspects are often explored in greater depth during tennis clinics organised by the Mouratoglou Academy, where players learn how to adjust their equipment according to their needs. Here’s a look at the string tension choices of several ATP players, with their unique configurations influencing their performance.
Why is string tension crucial?
String tension, measured in kilograms or pounds, has a direct influence on racquet performance. A higher tension improves control, but can reduce power and comfort. Conversely, a lower tension increases power and spin (lift), but can reduce control. This science of optimisation is also studied in detail as part of the Mouratoglou Academy‘s tennis studies programme, where each student is coached to fine-tune his or her settings according to his or her playing style. The professionals adjust these parameters to optimise their specific playing styles.
String tension and ATP player preferences
Carlos Alcaraz
String : Babolat RPM Blast (monofilament) Tension: Between 24 and…
String : Babolat RPM Blast (monofilament)
Tension: Between 24 and 25 kg
Style of Play : Carlos Alcaraz favours a moderate tension with his Babolat RPM Blast for a balance between control and power. It allows him to generate powerful, lifted shots, ideal for dominating exchanges from the baseline.
Rafael Nadal
String : Babolat RPM Blast (monofilament) Tension : Approximately 25…
String : Babolat RPM Blast (monofilament)
Tension : Approximately 25 kg (55 lbs)
Particularity : Nadal’s moderate tension optimises topspin, a crucial characteristic for his clay-court game. His RPM Blast allows him to generate exceptional topspin, perfect for exhausting opponents and maintaining optimum control from the baseline.
Novak Djokovic
String: Babolat VS Team Natural Gut Hybrid / Luxilon Big…
String: Babolat VS Team Natural Gut Hybrid / Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough
Tension: Between 26 and 28 kg (59 lbs up, 56 lbs across)
Why: Djokovic uses a high tension in the upstroke and a slightly lower tension in the crosscourt, typical of a hybrid set-up, to achieve excellent control without sacrificing flexibility. This allows him to absorb adverse spin while offering a stable and powerful return.
Roger Federer
String: Wilson Natural Gut / Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power…
String: Wilson Natural Gut / Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough (hybrid)
Tension: Approximately 26.5 kg up and 25 kg across
Explanation: As an attacker at the net, Federer prefers a hybrid string that combines comfort and precision. Wilson’s natural gut for the uprights ensures a pleasant, powerful shot, while the Luxilon Alu Power Rough across the middle improves control for an aggressive game.
Alexander Zverev
String: Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Tension: Approximately 24 kg…
String: Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power
Tension: Approximately 24 kg
Particularity: Zverev’s low tension favours comfort and power, adapted to his style of play from the baseline. This choice of string and tension allows Zverev to dominate the rally with powerful shots.
Why: Medvedev uses a relatively low tension to obtain more power and comfort, ideal for his flat shots from the baseline. The combination of Razor Code and Ice Code gives him the control he needs to hit deep balls without too much lift.
Dominic Thiem
Strings: Babolat VS Touch Natural Gut / Babolat RPM Blast…
Strings: Babolat VS Touch Natural Gut / Babolat RPM Blast Rough (hybrid)
Tension : Approximately 24 kg (52 lbs)
Advantage: Thiem combines natural gut with RPM Blast to maximise control and power. Its tension of 24 kg makes it an effective choice for his powerful, deep shots, which are very useful for his aggressive style of play.
Andrey Rublev
String: Luxilon Alu Power Rough Tension: Between 24 and 25…
String: Luxilon Alu Power Rough
Tension: Between 24 and 25 kg
Particularity : Rublev uses a medium tension to balance power and control, perfect for his fast game and precise shots.
Matteo Berrettini
String : Signum Pro Poly Plasma Tension : Approximately 22…
String : Signum Pro Poly Plasma
Tension : Approximately 22 kg
Style of play : With a low tension, Berrettini maximises the power of his shots, which is particularly useful for his heavy forehand and powerful serve.
Jannik Sinner
String: Head Hawk Touch Tension : Approximately 24 kg Why:…
String: Head Hawk Touch
Tension : Approximately 24 kg
Why: Sinner benefits from increased control with a medium tension, suited to his precise groundstrokes. The Head Hawk Touch is ideal for his attacking style, which requires control and precision.
Professionals adjust their string tension to optimise their performance. Here are a few tips to help you find your own tension:
Power and Lifted Style : Opt for a tension between 20-24 kg with a monofilament to maximise spin.
Control and Accuracy: Use a higher tension (25-28kg) and, ideally, a hybrid string to achieve excellent control, particularly for exchanges from the baseline.
Comfort and Flexibility : A low tension combined with a multifilament or hybrid string is ideal for reducing vibrations and ensuring greater comfort, perfect for players looking for a soft touch.