What is the single best string for tennis elbow?

Natural gut. It's the softest, most elastic string on the market and is what most touring pros with arm issues use in the mains. If natural gut is out of budget, Tecnifibre NRG2 multifilament is the most commonly recommended alternative and a fraction of the price.

Should I lower the tension if I have tennis elbow?

Yes. Drop 4–8 lbs below the middle of your racket's recommended range. Lower tension lets the strings absorb more of the impact, which means less shock travels into your arm. Don't go above the recommended range — high tension is a leading cause of string-related elbow pain.

Is polyester string bad for tennis elbow?

For most recreational players, yes. Full polyester string beds are the stiffest setups available and transmit the most shock to the arm. If you need poly for spin or control, use it only in the crosses of a hybrid (with gut or multifilament in the mains) and restring it every 15 hours before it goes dead.

Which is more important for my elbow: the racket or the strings?

The strings. The string bed is the first contact point with the ball and dominates how much shock reaches your arm. A soft string at low tension can transform an otherwise stiff racket. Change the strings first; if pain persists, then look at the racket, grip size and technique.

What gauge of string is best for tennis elbow?

Stick with 16 gauge (1.30 mm). Thinner strings (17 / 1.25 mm) feel livelier but lose tension faster and become harsh once dead — exactly what you don't want. Thicker strings hold tension longer and bite the ball less aggressively, which reduces snap-back vibration.

How often should I restring if I have tennis elbow?

Multifilament and natural gut: every 30–40 hours of play, or every 2–3 months. Polyester (if any): every 15 hours. Dead strings force you to swing harder to get the same depth, which is one of the fastest ways to flare up the elbow.

Do vibration dampeners help with tennis elbow?

Only a little. Dampeners reduce the high-pitch ping you hear but have minimal effect on the low-frequency shock that actually causes tennis elbow. They are a small comfort upgrade, not a substitute for switching to softer string at lower tension.

Can I keep my polyester strings if I add a multifilament cross?

It helps, but the better arm-saving hybrid is the opposite: soft string (natural gut or multifilament) in the mains, with a thin poly in the crosses. The mains do most of the work on contact, so putting the soft string there is where you feel the comfort benefit.

Guide

Best Tennis Strings for Tennis Elbow

If your elbow flares up after every session, your strings are usually a bigger culprit than your racket. Stiff polyester at high tension transmits shock straight into your arm. The fix is almost always softer string, thinner-feeling setups and lower tension — here's exactly what to use. Tennis elbow is a real overuse injury; softer equipment reduces load and can help prevent or ease mild cases, but it is not a cure. Persistent or sharp pain warrants a visit to a physio or doctor.

Answer a few quick questions about your racket, level and arm history. We'll recommend a specific string, gauge and tension built around your elbow.

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Why strings matter more than the racket for tennis elbow

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an overuse injury caused by repeated shock and vibration at impact. The strings are the first thing the ball touches, so a stiff string bed sends a much harsher pulse up the arm than a soft one — even in the same racket.

Studies and stringers agree on the order of importance: string type first, then tension, then gauge, then the racket itself. Switching from full polyester at 55 lbs to a soft multifilament at 50 lbs can reduce impact shock by 30–40% without changing anything else.

The most arm-friendly string types (ranked)

1. Natural gut — the softest, most elastic string on the market and the gold standard for arm comfort. Brands like Babolat VS Touch and Wilson Natural Gut absorb shock beautifully. Downside: expensive and not very durable.

2. Multifilament — hundreds of nylon fibers bonded into a string that mimics gut at a fraction of the price. Tecnifibre NRG2, Wilson NXT, Head Velocity MLT and Babolat Xcel are proven elbow-saver options.

3. Synthetic gut — a budget-friendly soft nylon. Less plush than multifilament but still far gentler than poly. Good entry point if cost is a concern.

4. Hybrid with gut or multi in the mains — if you love the spin of polyester, put a soft string (gut or multi) in the mains and a thin poly in the crosses. This keeps most of the comfort and adds bite.

Avoid for tennis elbow: full beds of polyester / co-polyester (Luxilon Alu Power, RPM Blast, Hyper-G, Tour Bite, etc.). These are the stiffest strings made and the leading cause of string-related elbow pain.

Recommended tension for tennis elbow

Lower tension = more string deflection = less shock to the arm. Drop 4–8 lbs below the middle of your racket's printed range. For most rackets, that means roughly 48–52 lbs (22–24 kg) for multifilament or synthetic gut, and 44–48 lbs (20–22 kg) for natural gut or a poly hybrid.

Never go above the racket's recommended range when your elbow is irritated. If anything, err on the loose side — you'll lose a bit of control but gain a much softer feel.

Gauge: what actually matters for your arm

Gauge is a smaller factor for arm comfort than material and tension, but it still matters. Thinner strings (17 / 1.25 mm or 18 / 1.15 mm) have slightly more give and initial comfort, and they add extra feel and spin. Thicker strings (16 / 1.30 mm or 15L / 1.35 mm) hold tension longer and are less likely to go dead-and-harsh — which is especially relevant if you insist on using polyester.

In the app's gauge model, thinner gauges score slightly higher for comfort because of that extra give. The practical takeaway: if you restring regularly, a thinner multifilament or gut is perfectly fine for the elbow. If you tend to leave strings in too long, a thicker gauge stays playable longer. Either way, material and tension matter far more.

When to restring

Soft strings don't only break — they go dead. A multifilament that has lost 20% of its tension feels mushy and forces you to swing harder, which loads the elbow. Restring every 30–40 hours of play, or every 2–3 months even if you play less often.

Polyester is far worse: it can lose meaningful tension in 10–15 hours and turns into a stiff plank that hammers the arm. If you keep any poly in your setup, restring it on time — old poly is the single most common cause of new tennis elbow.

Quick-start setups by player type

Recreational player, recurring elbow pain: full bed of Tecnifibre NRG2 17 or Wilson NXT 16 at 50 lbs. Restring every 2 months.

Intermediate, wants spin but kind to the arm: hybrid with Babolat VS gut or Velocity MLT in the mains (52 lbs) and a soft poly like Solinco Confidential or Head Lynx Tour in the crosses (48 lbs).

Advanced player, full poly required for control: lowest tension your racket allows (44–48 lbs), thicker gauge (16), and restring every 15 hours. Consider adding a vibration dampener and a soft overgrip.

Budget-conscious: Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex 16 at 50 lbs. Not the softest option, but a huge improvement over any poly.

Frequently asked questions

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Answer a few quick questions about your racket, level and arm history. We'll recommend a specific string, gauge and tension built around your elbow.

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