How to Hybrid Your Tennis Strings

Hybrid stringing means using two different strings in your mains and crosses. This can be any combination of polyester, natural gut, multifilament, and synthetic gut.

However, you are most likely going to be combining two polyester strings, or polyester and one of the other three softer strings. This is because polyester has many different characteristics, whereas the other three do not.

You can use hybrid setups to fine-tune your stringbed performance for power, control, spin, snapback, comfort, and durability. In this complete guide, you'll learn the types of hybrid setup, how to choose your combination, and how to set proper hybrid tensions.

What Is Hybrid Stringing?

Hybrid stringing places one type of string in the mains (vertical strings) and a different type in the crosses (horizontal strings).

Your mains account for roughly 70% of your racket's feel and performance characteristics. Your crosses contribute the remaining 30% and supplement how the mains perform.

So when you are using a hybrid, put the string that has the primary characteristics you want in your mains, and another string that has complementary characteristics in your crosses. This setup allows you to blend different string characteristics rather than committing to one string type.

Types of Hybrid Setups

Polyester and Polyester Hybrids

This approach blends two different polyester strings with distinct performance characteristics to retain polyester control and durability, while fine-tuning your setup.

You can combine shaped strings with round strings, control strings with power strings, snapback strings with feel strings. The combinations are near endless.

This configuration is used by pro tour players like ReString athlete Cristina Bucsa, Lorenzo Musetti and Casper Ruud for precise customization.

Examples include Zero mains with Sync crosses for power and spin with added control, or Vivo mains with Sync crosses for spin and control with added feel.

Polyester and Natural Gut Hybrids

Polyester and natural gut hybrids are also common, and combine poly's control and spin with natural gut's power and comfort.

This is the premium hybrid choice used by top players like Federer and Djokovic where budget isn't a concern, since natural gut is so expensive compared to all other string types.

To give examples, Federer used Wilson Natural Gut mains with Luxilon ALU Power Rough crosses, and Djokovic uses Babolat VS Touch mains with Luxilon ALU Power crosses.

Note that round polyester strings preserve natural gut strings better than shaped alternatives, since sharp edges create friction that shortens gut lifespan.

Pre-stretching natural gut strings before hybriding can extend lifespan too.

Polyester and Multifilament Hybrids

Polyester and multifilament hybrids are similar to polyester and natural gut, but offer a more affordable alternative. They are popular among recreational and intermediate players seeking polyester performance but a more arm-friendly setup.

Popular examples include Zero in mains with Tecnifibre X-One Biphase or Sync with Wilson NXT in crosses.

In this type of setup, you may want to use a thicker gauge multifilament like 16g with thinner poly like 17g to balance wear rates, since multifilament is less durable and wears faster than polyester.

Polyester and Synthetic Gut Hybrids

Polyester and synthetic gut hybrids are the most budget-friendly hybrid option combining polyester's spin and control with synthetic gut's comfort. This setup works well for recreational players wanting polyester performance benefits without the price tag.

Two examples of this type of setup are Sync in mains with Wilson Synthetic Gut Power and Vivo in mains with Gamma Synthetic Gut in crosses.

Similar to natural gut, you can benefit from pre-stretching synthetic gut before stringing in this hybrid option.

Best ReString Hybrid Setups

Zero and Sync

Zero mains and Sync crosses is our most popular polyester hybrid setup as it offers explosive power and heavy spin with added control and precision.

Zero mains deliver maximum bite and snapback for aggressive spin generation. Sync crosses moderate the power and introduce directional accuracy, while still offering snapback for spin generation.

This suits players who find full Zero too powerful. Note that this setup is used by WTA pro Cristina Bucsa.

Alternatively, Sync mains and Zero crosses puts precise control and feel at the forefront while adding lively energy. This works for control-oriented players wanting more pop without sacrificing accuracy.

Vivo and Sync

Vivo mains and Sync crosses combines control and spin with high-level precision.

Vivo mains establish control and a firm, direct response with spin. Sync crosses add smoother string interaction with its Signature Snapback coating.

This appeals to players valuing Vivo's consistency but want more feel.

We do not recommend Sync mains and Vivo crosses, since it's often better to have the shaped string, Vivo, in the mains and the slippery round string, Sync, in the crosses.

What Tension to String Hybrid Setups?

A good starting point is stringing your main string at the tension you are used to stringing at. If you are unsure of what tension to use, try starting at 52 lbs.

Then if you are using a polyester-polyester hybrid, string your cross strings 2-3 lbs lower than your mains to maximize string movement and snapback. Tighter mains provide stability and directional precision. Looser crosses reduce friction between strings, creating better snapback.

This tension differential works especially well with high-snapback strings like Zero and Sync.

If you are using a polyester-soft string hybrid, then string the soft string 2-3 lbs tighter than the stiffer polyester string regardless of if it is in the mains or crosses.

Conclusion

Hybrid stringing offers customization that single-string setups cannot match.

Start by choosing mains that address your primary playing need. Add crosses that bring complementary characteristics to round out your setup.

Use proper tension differentials with mains 2-3 lbs higher to maximize string movement and snapback.

For the most customization, go with a polyester and polyester hybrid. Our most popular hybrid setup is Zero and Sync, which you can try today in a half set box.

For pro level performance and comfort, consider polyester and natural gut hybrids. For more affordable comfort, you can try polyester and multifilament or synthetic gut hybrids.

Experiment with different combinations until you find what works for your playing style. Either way, we're here to support you on your tennis journey.

About the Author: Juan is the co-founder of ReString. He was born in Argentina, raised in Japan, and moved to the US to pursue college tennis. He now plays as an ATP & WTA hitting partner.