Walk into almost any tennis club and you’ll see plenty of racquets strung with co-polyester.
That’s partly because it’s the dominant string choice at the professional level — and partly because it’s what many shops recommend by default.
But the string used by the pros isn’t automatically the right string for you.
Co-polyester can be an excellent choice for the right player. For others, a softer and more powerful string may actually help them play better.
Co-poly suits you if…
- You have a long, fast swing and generate most of your own power.
- You use significant topspin and want strong spin potential and control.
- You regularly break softer strings and need greater durability.
- Your arm is comfortable with a relatively firm stringbed.
- You want to keep aggressive swings under control without adding too much power.
For the right player, a co-poly offers a combination of spin, control, and predictable response that is difficult to replicate with other string families.
The challenge is choosing the right one. That’s where the Tennis Cube ratings can help you compare them.
You may be better off elsewhere if…
You have a shorter or slower swing
Co-poly is generally a lower-powered string. If you rely on the racquet to provide some of your depth and pace, a firm poly can make the game unnecessarily difficult.
You may find yourself swinging harder simply to get the same depth — exactly the opposite of what you want from your equipment.
You have arm sensitivity
Co-polys are generally stiffer than multifilaments, synthetic gut, and natural gut.
If you have experienced arm discomfort, comfort should be a major consideration when choosing your string setup.
You rarely break strings
If a set of string already lasts you several weeks or months, the extra durability of a co-poly may not provide much benefit.
You could be giving up some comfort and power without actually solving a durability problem.
You’re still developing your technique
Players who are still building their strokes often benefit from a more responsive and forgiving stringbed. A multifilament or synthetic gut can provide easier depth and help you develop your swing without having to fight a low-powered setup.
A softer co-poly hybrid can also be a useful middle ground if you want some of the control and spin characteristics of poly without going all-in on a full bed.
The best test
Don’t choose your string because it’s in a professional’s racquet.
If you’re unsure, try a simple comparison: string one racquet with your current co-poly and another with a good multifilament at a suitable tension.
Play both for several sessions and pay attention to:
- How easily you generate depth.
- How much effort you need to produce pace.
- Your spin and control.
- How the racquet feels at impact.
- How your arm feels after playing.
The answer isn’t necessarily the string that feels most impressive in the first ten minutes. It’s the setup that helps you play your best tennis.
Pros choose strings to match their game. You should too.