A hybrid string setup combines two different strings in the same racquet: one in the mains (the longer strings running from the handle to the tip of the racquet) and another in the crosses.
The mains have a major influence on the character of the stringbed because they move, grip the ball, and contribute heavily to spin and response. The crosses then help shape the feel, comfort, power, and overall response of the setup.
The result is a stringbed that combines characteristics from two different strings rather than asking one string to do everything.
Why use a hybrid?
Because no string is perfect at everything.
A hybrid allows you to keep the characteristics you like from one string while reducing some of its weaknesses. For example, a co-poly gives you excellent control and spin potential, but can feel firm and lose playability relatively quickly. Pairing it with a softer multifilament or natural gut can add comfort and a more responsive feel.
For many players, this is the main appeal of hybrid stringing: more balance without completely changing the character of the racquet.
The two setups worth knowing
Co-poly mains / gut or multifilament crosses
This is the most common performance-oriented hybrid.
The co-poly mains provide the control, spin potential, and predictable response that poly players are looking for, while the softer crosses add comfort, feel, and a more responsive stringbed.
It’s a particularly good option for players who like a full bed of poly but want to make the racquet feel more comfortable and forgiving.
Best for: players who want poly’s control and spin with more comfort and feel.
Natural gut mains / co-poly crosses
Often referred to as the “pro hybrid,” this setup combines natural gut’s exceptional power, feel, comfort, and tension maintenance with the control and spin characteristics of a co-poly cross.
The co-poly crosses also help control the movement of the gut mains and can provide a more controlled response than a full bed of gut.
This setup is expensive, and the gut mains can wear relatively quickly for players who generate heavy spin. But when it comes to feel, power, comfort, and tension stability, it remains one of the most highly regarded hybrid combinations in tennis.
Best for: advanced players looking for maximum feel, comfort, power, and performance — and who don’t mind the higher cost.
How should you set the tension?
A common starting point is to string the co-poly 2–4 lb (1–2 kg) lower than the softer string. For example:
- Natural gut / multifilament: 24 kg
- Co-poly: 22 kg
The reason is that co-poly is significantly stiffer than gut or multifilament. Using the same reference tension for both can make the poly side feel disproportionately firm, while lowering the poly helps bring the two materials closer together in overall response.
That said, there is no universal hybrid tension. Your racquet, string combination, playing style, preferred feel, and previous tension all matter.
When quoting hybrid tensions, the convention is mains/crosses. So 24/22 kg means 24 kg in the mains and 22 kg in the crosses.
Which string goes in the mains?
As a general rule, put the string whose characteristics you want to dominate in the mains.
Co-poly mains: more control, spin, and a familiar poly response, with the crosses used to add comfort and feel.
Gut or multifilament mains: more power, comfort, feel, and responsiveness, with the co-poly crosses adding control and a firmer response.
This is why simply switching the mains and crosses can create a noticeably different racquet, even when you use exactly the same two strings.
Who should try a hybrid?
A hybrid is worth considering if:
- You like the control and spin of poly but want more comfort.
- You find a full bed of poly becomes harsh or loses its feel too quickly.
- You want to experiment with natural gut without paying for a full bed.
- You want more power and feel without giving up all the control of a co-poly.
- You’re looking for a more balanced stringbed than a full bed of either string.
If you’re already happy with a full bed of one string, your arm feels good, and you like the response, there’s no reason to switch simply because hybrids exist.
The best hybrid is ultimately the one that solves a specific problem in your current setup.