Equipment · Strings
Pro players’ strings and tension: set-ups on the ATP Tour
Most pro players string between 22 and 28 kg (about 48 to 62 lb), almost always with a polyester monofilament or a natural gut and polyester hybrid. Baseline players who hit heavy topspin string around 24-25 kg, flat hitters go down to 22-23 kg, and those who want maximum control go above 26 kg. Here are the set-ups of ten ATP players and what they reveal about their game.
Key takeaways
- A common range: the ATP players featured here string between 22 kg (Berrettini) and 28 kg (Djokovic, mains).
- Polyester or hybrid: all of them use a polyester monofilament or a natural gut / polyester hybrid; none plays a full multifilament.
- High tension = control, low tension = power and comfort: every pro sets this dial to suit his style.
- Hybrid users often string the crosses slightly lower than the mains, as Djokovic and Federer do.
- Do not copy them blindly: these set-ups assume a pro player’s racquet-head speed and physical preparation.
Pro players’ strings and tension: why do they matter so much?
String tension, measured in kilograms or pounds (1 kg ≈ 2.2 lb), directly affects how the racquet plays. A higher tension improves control but reduces power and comfort. A lower tension increases power and makes topspin easier, at the cost of some control.
Tour players, from Carlos Alcaraz to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, fine-tune this setting to the kilo to fit their style. To understand the general logic before looking at their numbers, read our guide to choosing your string tension.
Which strings and tensions do ATP players use?
The set-ups below are those published at the time this article was written. Players adjust them by surface, conditions and season, so treat them as reference points rather than fixed values.
| Player | String | Type | Tension | Aim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Alcaraz | Babolat RPM Blast | Polyester monofilament | 24 to 25 kg | Balance of control and power, heavy topspin |
| Rafael Nadal | Babolat RPM Blast | Polyester monofilament | About 25 kg (55 lb) | Maximum topspin, especially on clay |
| Novak Djokovic | Babolat VS Team (natural gut) / Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough | Hybrid | 26 to 28 kg (59 lb mains, 56 lb crosses) | Maximum control without losing softness |
| Roger Federer | Wilson Natural Gut / Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough | Hybrid | About 26.5 kg mains, 25 kg crosses | Comfort and precision for an attacking game |
| Alexander Zverev | Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power | Polyester monofilament | About 24 kg | Comfort and power from the baseline |
| Daniil Medvedev | Tecnifibre Razor Code / Tecnifibre Ice Code | Polyester monofilament | About 23 kg | Power and comfort for flat hitting |
| Dominic Thiem | Babolat VS Touch (natural gut) / Babolat RPM Blast Rough | Hybrid | About 24 kg (52 lb) | Control and power for an aggressive game |
| Andrey Rublev | Luxilon Alu Power Rough | Polyester monofilament | 24 to 25 kg | Balance of power and control, fast pace |
| Matteo Berrettini | Signum Pro Poly Plasma | Polyester monofilament | About 22 kg | Power on the forehand and serve |
| Jannik Sinner | Head Hawk Touch | Polyester monofilament | About 24 kg | Control and precision from the baseline |
What the pros’ set-ups say about their game
The topspin baseliners: Alcaraz, Nadal, Rublev
Carlos Alcaraz uses a moderate tension (24 to 25 kg) with his Babolat RPM Blast: a balance of control and power that lets him hit big, heavy topspin shots and dominate from the back of the court. Rafael Nadal uses the same string at around 25 kg (55 lb): this moderate setting maximises topspin, the core weapon of his clay-court game, pushing opponents back while keeping control. Andrey Rublev, with Luxilon Alu Power Rough at 24 to 25 kg, looks for the same balance for a fast game and precise hitting.
The gut / polyester hybrids: Djokovic, Federer, Thiem
Novak Djokovic pairs Babolat VS Team natural gut in the mains with Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough in the crosses, at a high tension (59 lb mains, 56 lb crosses): excellent control without sacrificing softness, so he can absorb his opponent’s spin and return a stable, powerful ball. Roger Federer used a similar set-up (Wilson Natural Gut mains, Luxilon Alu Power Rough crosses, about 26.5 and 25 kg): gut for a pleasant, powerful feel, polyester for control in an attacking game. Dominic Thiem also combines natural gut (Babolat VS Touch) with RPM Blast Rough, at around 24 kg (52 lb), for heavy, deep hitting.
The flat hitters and big servers: Medvedev, Zverev, Berrettini
Daniil Medvedev strings relatively low (about 23 kg) with his Tecnifibre Razor Code and Ice Code: more power and comfort for flat, deep shots without much topspin. Alexander Zverev, at around 24 kg with Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power, also favours comfort and power to dominate rallies. Matteo Berrettini goes down to about 22 kg with Signum Pro Poly Plasma to get the most out of his heavy forehand and his serve.
Control above all: Sinner
Jannik Sinner plays Head Hawk Touch at around 24 kg: a medium tension that gives him extra control, suited to his precise baseline hitting and an attacking style that demands accuracy and consistency.
How to use the pros’ set-ups to choose your own tension
The pros swing much faster than you do and restring for almost every match. Copying their exact set-up makes little sense, but their logic does. Three profiles stand out:
| Your style | Guide tension | Recommended string | Example on tour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerful with topspin | 20 to 24 kg | Polyester monofilament | Alcaraz, Nadal, Rublev |
| Control and precision | 25 to 28 kg | Ideally a hybrid | Djokovic, Federer |
| Comfort and softness | Low tension | Multifilament or hybrid | None in the table: this is the choice for sensitive arms |
To build a Djokovic-style set-up suited to your level, our article on hybrid strings explains how to pick both strings and their tensions. And to understand the materials, start with our guide to tennis racquet strings.
Copying the set-up of a champion like Novak Djokovic only makes sense if your game resembles his. The Mouratoglou Method starts from the player: racquet-head speed, spin, how often you play and how sensitive your arm is. At the Mouratoglou Academy on the French Riviera (Biot, near Nice), coaches factor equipment into that assessment. For comfort, see also where to put a dampener.
Ages 9–172 weeksCoached tournamentsTournament Camp JuniorTwo weeks of training and tournaments, with a coach by your side during matches.DISCOVER Frequently asked questions
What string tension does Djokovic use?
Novak Djokovic plays a hybrid of Babolat VS Team natural gut in the mains and Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough in the crosses, at 26 to 28 kg: 59 lb in the mains and 56 lb in the crosses. This high tension gives him great control, while the gut keeps some softness.
Which string does Carlos Alcaraz use?
Carlos Alcaraz plays Babolat RPM Blast, a polyester monofilament, strung at 24 to 25 kg. This moderate tension balances control and power for very heavy topspin.
Why do pros play with polyester?
Because they hit very hard with a lot of spin: polyester gives them control, topspin and durability. Its stiffness is offset by their technique, their fitness and very frequent restringing.
Should I string my racquet like a pro player?
No. Pro set-ups assume exceptional racquet-head speed and training volume. A club player will gain comfort and consistency with a softer string and a tension suited to their level.
How often do pro players restring their racquets?
Very often: most have their racquets restrung for every match, because polyester loses tension quickly. For club players, a common rule of thumb is to restring as many times a year as you play per week, and sooner with polyester. Our guide to restringing your racquet covers the signs of wear. On the Performance Camp Adult, coaches also check your equipment.
