We carry a wide variety of strings for most racquet sports including, tennis, racquetball and squash. One thing to remember when it comes to racquet string is that a higher gauge string in thinner therefore it is less durable than a similar constructed string of a lower gauge.

Racquetball String

Racquetball is pretty much a power game so the strings and tensions used in racquetball vs. tennis favor power over control. The materials used for racquetball string are selected to perform best at 20 to 55 lbs of tension while tennis strings are usually around 45 to 75 lbs of tension.

Racquet dynamics are also different. The sweet spot on a racquetball frame is usually very close to the head, because players are constantly grabbing shots right next to the wall. There are no walls in tennis, so tennis players have the luxury of having their sweet spot located more centrally.

When the racquet face smashes into a ball, the string tries to stretch equally on both sides of the point of impact. With so many off-center smashes in racquetball, this imposes extra stress on the "short" end of the string, next to the head of the frame. Racquetball string is therefore engineered to resist breakage and respond well under these conditions, while many tennis strings would snap prematurely.

On the other hand, with so many spin shots in tennis, the main strings are constantly being "sawed" back and forth against the crosses. Tennis strings must therefore be highly resistant to "notching." This is not as big a problem in racquetball.

Because most tennis is played outdoors, tennis strings are designed to withstand environmental variables such as humidity, UV light, and abrasive dust that the ball picks up (especially on clay courts). Racquetball is free of these problems, so manufacturers have been able to redirect their R&D into other areas of racquetball playability.

The differences between tennis and racquetball strings are not usually visible to the naked eye, but they're there nonetheless. If you buy your own string at retail, it makes sense to look for packaging that identifies the string specifically for racquetball. If you take your frame to a professional stringer, you should specify that you want racquetball string. Once your stringer appreciates your interest, he may be eager to offer suggestions, to help you find the racquetball string that's best for your style of play.

Squash String

• The larger the gauge number, the THINNER the string"
• String tension should be in proportion to head size, with larger heads calling for more tension
• The standard length for squash string sets is 30 feet
• Braiding, rather than twisting, of the nylon jackets on squash strings produces a textured surface which enhances ball control
• Multifilament string construction is the most common for squash string
• The most commonly accepted range in millimeters for a 17-gauge string is 1.20 - 1.25
• The normal tension range for stringing squash racquets is 25 to 35 lbs
• The core of the string is the source of the racquet's playability and strength, while the jacket of the string aids in durability and ball control