String tensions from Houston ATP 2026

The Houston ATP tournament has once again posted string tensions on a handwritten board, and as tennis nerds, we have to take a closer look.

Below you have the string tensions from the Houston ATP 2026.

What can we learn from these pro player string tensions?

Let us start by looking at the average string tension. Remember that this is a combined sheet for both doubles and singles players.

Average Tension

Typical range: 42–54 lbs (approx 19–24.5 kg)
Estimated average: ~47–48 lbs (approx 21.5–22 kg)

What stands out: Most players cluster tightly around 44–52 lbs
A few outliers:
Very low: Rajeev Ram (~40/37), Zach Svajda (34)
Very high: Jack Pinnington-Jones (60)

Takeaway:
Modern pro tennis is clearly trending toward lower tensions for spin, power, and comfort, especially compared to the 55–60 lb era.

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Most Used Strings

Dominant Category: Polyester (by far)

Most common strings appearing repeatedly:
Luxilon ALU Power / Rough (most frequent overall, the icon is still going strong on the pro tour)
Babolat RPM Blast / RPM variants (another ultra popular option)
Yonex Poly Tour (Pro / Spin / Strike / Force)
Solinco Hyper-G / Tour Bite
Luxilon 4G

Trend:
Polyester is used by ~90%+ of players, often in hybrids.

Hybrid vs Full Bed

Hybrid setups are very common:
Poly + gut (e.g. RPM / Gut, Alu Rough / Gut)
Poly + poly (different textures/gauges)

Full poly setups:
Still widely used, especially among big hitters and baseliners

Estimate:
~60–70% hybrid
~30–40% full poly

1. Poly + Gut Hybrid
   Seen with players like Nakashima, Tommy Paul, Kovacevic
   Why: Gut provides power and feel, poly adds control and spin
2. Full Poly (spin-focused)
   Seen with players like Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, many doubles players
   Why: Maximum spin, durability, and predictable response
3. Softer / Control Polys Emerging
   Strings like Hyper-G Soft, Lynx Touch, Hawk Touch
   Trend: Players want more comfort without losing control

Racquet + String Pairing Trends

Babolat Aero are often paired with RPM Blast, Rough or Team.

Yonex frames (Ezone, VCore) are mostly paired with PolyTour family

Wilson Blade / Pro Staff are often paired with ALU Power or 4G hybrids

Brands tend to stay within their ecosystem, but Luxilon still dominates across brands.

Notable Outliers

Jack Pinnington-Jones: 60 lbs (very old-school)
Rajeev Ram: very low tension (~40/37)
Zach Svajda: 34 lbs (lowest on board)

These extremes usually reflect feel preference or specific playing styles, especially in doubles.

Big Picture Summary

The modern pro setup typically uses polyester strings, often in a hybrid with gut or as a full bed. Tensions generally sit around 45–50 lbs (20–23 kg).

What This Means for You (Intermediate Player)

You probably shouldn’t copy pro setups exactly. Some pro setups are more user-friendly than others, but you need to find your own way. If you are experimenting with different racquets or strings, keep the parameters as small as possible. Start by changing the tension on your current racquet. Maybe try the string in a hybrid? Maybe try a new string entirely. Consider adding a little bit of weight to your racquet (starting small is important; 2-4 grams can make a big difference). Only when you have done these thing is it time to consider a new racquet. You can find our recommended racquets here.

In terms of strings, the recommendation for most amateur players is to

Use a softer poly or hybrid. Check out our recommended strings here.
Tension around 48–52 lbs for more control
Tension around 45–48 lbs for more power, comfort, and spin.

The tension obviously depends on your racquet, level and playing style, but this is a good reference to have.