The tie that binds... on strings, tensions and gauges...

Sampras played with the thinnest string available and strung his stick to the tightest tension position, Guga has lower tension preference. I once wondered if string gauges and tension made any diffrence on playability, turns out.. it does...

I had a chance to play on a gauge 17 string (I didn't until I broke 'em); and it played very well... my shots has a crispier feel. But I only got to play on 'em once, after that I've been gauge 15 ever since mainly for economic reasons since the lower gauge string tend to pricier and a tad hard to find. They also tend to break easier as compared to the larger gauged once...

When I used to be able to play on a regular basis at 2 to 3 matches with race-to-8 games (you could say, we were the competitive recreational types), I would end up breaking my strings every 2-3 weeks on the average. At first, it felt good; it's an achievement for every beginner level... a kind of passing that you have achieved a level of game... that you can already break your strings. That's how it felt when I played again during my 2 year college hiatus. But then again, after breaking one too many... and since there weren't that much variety of strings available at our place... I ended up cringing at the thought of breaking 'em again, coz it took a dent on my pocket (we're not pros, you see)...

I don't usually mix my strings, like what the rest are doing these days... they tend to mix the mains and cross for playability or longevity purposes.

But I believe, it's mostly for playability. I have no preference actually... I would not mind mixing strings, but for purpose of economics; i might opt for not mixing the string up, besides; I don't play that often these days... I'm more like the weekend warrior.

Here are some pointers in case anyone needs some reference on what strings to use on their sticks:

With literally hundreds of different strings on the market, it can be overwhelming trying to find the one that best complements your game. But if you take the time to understand the main categories of string and what your priorities are, you'll have an easier time narrowing down the possibilities. There are five categories of string:

• Nylon Solid Core: This is the most basic (and least expensive) type of string, with a solid core and one or two outer wraps. These strings are fairly durable and hold tension well, but they aren't the most comfortable because they're relatively stiff and don't cushion much of the ball's impact. Companies typically call their nylon solid core strings "synthetic gut." Some of the best choices in this category include Wilson Extreme Synthetic Gut, Gamma Synthetic Gut, and Prince Synthetic Gut Original.

• Nylon/Polyurethane multifilaments: These are the top shelf of synthetic strings. Multifilaments are composed of hundreds, often thousands, of individual fibers that are woven together to create a uniform piece of string. With multifilaments, you'll get excellent feel, and, because they do a good job of absorbing shock, a comfortable sensation. Multifilaments usually run from $15 to $30; when you factor in the labor, it's a pricey but worthwhile proposition, especially for better players who like to feel the ball. Our favorites are Wilson NXT Tour, Technifibre NRG2, and Gamma Live Wire Professional.

• Natural Gut: Still the gold standard, natural gut-which is made of cow intestine-pockets the ball more deeply across a smaller area, for control, but also allows more of the ball's energy to be returned to the ball, for pop. And you won't find a more comfortable string, so if you have arm problems, natural gut is, well, the natural choice. Gut is the most expensive, it isn't durable (players who hit a heavy ball have been known to break a string in a couple hours), and though companies now use protective coatings, the string is still the most susceptible to losing tension when it's exposed to moisture. Babolat, which produces 90 percent of the natural gut on the market, has many types of gut; we like the Babolat VS Touch.

• Polyester: These strings are popular among advanced players who find that poly takes a little power off their shots, enabling them to swing harder and still keep the ball in play. Polyester is also ideal for those who tend to break strings but who don't want to use a stiff, uncomfortable Kevlar hybrid. Polyester's biggest weakness is that it loses tension quickly, though the latest generation, of which the Babolat Hurricane, Head Ultra Tour, and Wilson Enduro are among the best, does a better job of maintaining its tension thanks to recent advances in the manufacturing process.

• Hybrids: The combination of one type of string for the mains and another for the crosses is called a hybrid. This is done for durability. Frequent string-breakers should go with a stiff aramid fiber like Kevlar for the mains (the strings that usually break first) and a softer synthetic for the crosses. Hybrids last long but can produce a boardy feel. Two of the most popular prepackaged aramid hybrid sets are Gamma Infinity and Prince ProBlend. Some newer hybrids offer a polyester/synthetic gut (or natural gut) combination for a more forgiving feel than Kevlar-based hybrids. Wilson Ultimate Duo, Wilson Champions Choice, and Pacific PolyGut ATP Blend are 3 great options.

Source: Midwest Sports

Makes no difference whether what kind of string I use; haven't tried anything beyond the ordinary nylon strings anyways. But I seem to like to multifilament types... the gauge 17 string that I had used before was of that kind; and it did have a good feel at the whacking...

Now that I mentioned it, I just broke my string recently (cringe-ing)... hmm, might want to try out another multifilament kind... but I may need to re-string my other stick... I keep 2 identical 95 sq. in. Wilson Pro Staff 7.1 sticks (inherited from my father)... they are vintage collections for the tennis stick enthusiasts. I'd need to have the two sticks strung w/ the same string and tension so that I won't be making too much adjustments when I switch in the middle of a game... ;-)