How can the stringing pattern of a tennis racket affect your game and why are there so many different stringing patterns?
What different stringing patterns are there?
The stringing patterns of tennis rackets can actually be divided into three groups, namely: close, normal and open. They are highlighted below, where the first number is the number of mains, and the second number is the number of crosses.
- Dense/compact: 18/20, 18/19, 18/21, 16/21
- Normal: 16/19, 16/18, 16/20
- Open: 16/15, 16/16, 14/16, 14/18
Head's ultimate control frame: the Graphene Prestige MP with its compact 18/20 string pattern
What does each stringing pattern do?
- Close/Compact: The closer the strings are together, the more control and durability, but less spin and ball acceleration
- Normal: good balance between power/spin and control
- Open: the more the strings are spread out, the more grip on the ball for spin and slice, but less control. With a more open stringing pattern, the strings wear out faster due to the extra freedom of movement of the strings. The open stringing patterns do provide more trampoline effect and therefore power
Head has now introduced a number of rackets with ASP (Adaptable String Pattern) stringing pattern in the Speed racket family: By placing a different tubing edge at 3 and 9 o'clock in the frame, the regular 16/19 stringing pattern can be adapted to a more open 'Spin' stringing pattern of 16/16.
Which stringing pattern is suitable for which type of player?
- Close/compact: Player looking for extra control and hitting his/her strings out very regularly. This player generates enough spin himself
- Normal: the largest group of tennis players
- Open: player who generates little spin himself and would like to have more spin and grip on the ball
An extremely open 14/16 string pattern vs. a regular 16/19 string pattern. The former delivers up to 30% more spin, ideal for players who want to play more spin.
Which type of stringing goes well with which stringing pattern?
A stringing remains very personal: what works well for one person, may not work at all for another. However, a number of tips can be given here based on the properties of the different stringing patterns.
- Close/compact: because a close/compact stringing pattern already offers a lot of control, this stringing pattern can be played with a more elastic (often thinner) string for extra comfort and dynamics
- Normal: Depending on how long someone normally uses a stringing, stringing advice should be released here
- Open: For open stringing patterns, polyester or thicker strings are often chosen because of their higher wear resistance.